Basketball season is back, and though we expect the Cavaliers and Warriors to return to the NBA Finals, that is no reason not to applaud and appreciate the return of some good ol’ fashioned basketball
Tuesday’s opening games proved that the obvious outcome will not be easy. Damien Lillard played like an MVP that would trounce any attempt the Warriors made for the Western Conference crown. Also, the Spurs were able to ruin Kevin Durant's welcoming party with a huge victory in Oracle Arena.
However, let’s not cause a huge commotion about one night.
Admittedly, this is not the same Warriors team from last season. This is not the team that went 73–9. This is not the team that bolstered Stephen Curry to a unanimous MVP, and not the team that had built chemistry from 2009. Do not doubt the genius that is Coach Steve Kerr; he has a unique ability to rally his troops after embarrassing losses.
After back-to-back blowout losses that put the record-setting season that the Warriors produced last year in jeopardy, they staged a furious come back to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. And now Coach Kerr holsters the Thunder’s best weapon from last season.
This is an issue of chemistry that no amount of practices, world tours, or preseason games could’ve helped avoid. A formidable opponent in the Spurs were able to catch the Warriors off guard for one night. Shots did not fall for one night. They got outplayed and outhustled for one night. Coach Kerr is the reigning coach of the year candidate and he can navigate through this.
The Spurs, the Warriors best competition in the West, needed a Herculean effort from Kawhi Leonard in Last Tuesday, and more games are required for this game to be a prophecy for basketball in April and May. The effort LaMarcus Aldridge used to grab 14 rebounds will need to be a necessary daily occurrence. The Warriors came out last night like everything should be handed to them, while the Spurs took every opportunity they could. Draymond Green said, “We got punched in the mouth.” There won’t be too many nights where the Warriors set up as the punching bag.
This same issue of chemistry harmed the Miami Heat as LeBron James, Dwayne wade and Chris bosh joined forces in 2010.
Being out-rebounded 55-35 and having 16 team turnovers proves that the team that finished 4th on the boards and used 28 assist per game has not fully meshed. Opening night’s game was, like Curry said, “Slap in the face.”
This slap will be heard around the world, as it woke a sleeping beast. Round three between the Cavaliers and Warriors is still set for a collision course. These titans will match up at least one more time for bragging rights.
