Golden State Warriors clearing five a luxury issue for Steve Kerr
This year, the Golden State Warriors may have had relatively ordinary “clutch” metrics. However, they still managed to win two close contests in consecutive victories over the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies.
In their game against the Raptors on Friday, the Warriors and Steve Kerr demonstrated adaptability in the final five minutes by going on a 22-12 run to win crucially 129-117.
The question of who should finish games for the Golden State Warriors is being discussed due to the number of choices available to Steve Kerr.
The performance of several bench players has given Kerr options that he’s frequently been under-equipped to use once their Achilles heals to begin the season. The four-time championship-winning coach can adopt a horses-for-courses approach with the final two slots since we know the seasoned trio of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson will be on the floor in crucial moments.
Even Andrew Wiggins, who almost typically fills the fourth position in the final lineup, sat on the bench for the final minutes of the Brooklyn Nets game last Sunday. Kerr has frequently debated whether to play Jordan Poole small and prioritize the offense or to play Kevon Looney traditionally and prioritize the defense.
Even so, it’s no longer a lone question. Poole didn’t play for the last 7:57 against the Raptors after making the game-winning shot against the Grizzlies. Donte DiVincenzo proved his dependability against Toronto, being the first Warriors reserve since Jarret Jack in 2012–13 to register a double-double of at least 10 points and 10 assists.
Then there is Jonathan Kuminga, a forward in his second season, improving game by game. In Wiggins’ absence, the 20-year-old has had some monumental fourth-quarter performances this season and has established himself as a mainstay in closing lineups. Kuminga has gained Kerr’s trust in recent months, and we’re rapidly approaching a stage where he will be an undeniable member of Golden State’s finest five-person team.
In crucial situations, every one of Looney, Poole, DiVincenzo, and Kuminga has a case for inclusion in the Warriors’ best five. Kerr must now continually make judgments on a game-by-game basis. It shows that Golden State provided they earn another playoff berth, has a solid eight-man rotation, which is most crucial.
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