Minneapolis – When the target center roared for the Minnesota Timberwolves at the last minute of game 5 on Wednesday night, the coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr, took Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green for the last time this season.
Kerr hugged his two stars and shared some words with every second before the Golden State season came to an end with a 121-110 defeat in the semifinals of the West Conference.
Without the injured Stephen Curry, the Warriors were not rival for the Wolves, losing four consecutive games after taking game 1.
While the Warriors did not want to put excuses and repeatedly praised Minnesota, Kerr was asked if he will look back in this postseason and ask what the warriors could have done if Curry had not suffered a tension in the grade 1 ischiotibial in Game 1.
“I don't even have to think that [if]”Kerr said.” I know we had a chance. I know we could have gone to distance.
“Maybe we wouldn't have, but it doesn't matter. Once again, everything in the playoffs is who remains healthy and who gets hot. Are you playing well at the right time?”
The Warriors were playing some of their best basketball before Curry was injured. They had just survived a first -round physical confrontation, bothering the second sown rocks when winning the game 7 in Houston. His trust was high.
And when Curry fell and left the Wolves series forever with 8:19 to go in the second quarter of game 1, the Warriors uploaded 10 and would lead 23 in the third quarter before winning that opening game. Curry was getting into a rhythm, after scoring 13 points in 12 minutes.
Curry, 37, called for his injury a “bowel blow” considering how well the warriors were playing and the potential they had for a deep race without knowing how many more opportunities he will have.
Not long after the Warriors exchanged for Butler, Green had said that Golden State would win the title.
“I think I still have that belief of all my heart,” Green said on Wednesday night. “That has not changed a little. And you reassed, do whatever you have to do to take the next step and take a better chance.”
The Warriors had 25-26 before Butler debuted at the Chicago Bulls on February 8. Golden State then was 23-8 and had the third best record since that date. It was first classified as defensive efficiency, third in points per allowance and first in game assists during that period.
After game 5, Kerr again accredited Butler for changing the Warriors season. Butler fought a disease and scored a combined total of 31 points in games 4 and 5 after finishing 33 points in game 3. The star striker would not put excuses on the disease or if he still felt the effects of taking an unpleasant fall in the first round and suffering a deep contusion of his rhythm.
But Kerr said that Butler was dealing with the pain of the fall in addition to the suffocating defense of Minnesota.
“I think he was definitely committed through all the series,” Kerr said. “I think the injury in Houston definitely hit him. He has been playing through pain and I think the most important thing in this series is that without the space that Steph gives us, Minnesota did a great job when we interpreted one by one. They kept us the perimeter in the perimeter team.
“They simply made the decision not to leave our perimeter types, even our non -triggers on the perimeter, they simply stayed with them everywhere and made Jimmy play one
Butler said you can see the potential of this team as a contender when it is healthy.
“Sure,” said Butler. “I think we all know, we all believe that.”
Butler said he is anxious to see what he can do with this team with a full season and a camp after helping the Warriors make a furious race in the middle of the season.
Kerr and Green agreed and both said they trust General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to make the correct movements to improve the list if possible.
“I love our boys,” Kerr said. “This was a great race for us taking into account where we were on the deadline for exchange. Jimmy changed our season, turned everything for us, gave us a chance. We became one of the best teams in the League. And obviously you arrive at the eight finals in the NBA, you are one of the best teams.
“We had a chance, but things did not go on our way. Minnesota deserves credit.”
