NBA Finals 2017: 5 reasons the Warriors can find redemption
By Ian Levy
4. The defense
While the Warriors’ offense is historically great, their defense has to settle for just being absurdly elite. They were second in the league in defensive efficiency this season, trailing only the San Antonio Spurs. They ranked first in opponent effective field goal percentage and eighth in defensive turnover percentage, with those live-ball turnovers fueling their ferocious fastbreak.
What makes the Warriors’ defense so potent is how adaptable it is. Their Death Lineup, with Draymond Green at center, redefined the possibilities for playing small and maintaining defensive integrity. But they can matchup in all sorts of ways. JaVale McGee has been miraculous this postseason and he gives them something of a traditional rim protector when the situation calls for it. David West can stick with Kevin Love and match him and Tristan Thompson under the boards. Shaun Livingston is quick enough to spend time on Kyrie but long enough to go up and defend wings as well.
The Warriors are able to maintain the rotations because they can defend capably no matter what you throw at them. Even if Cleveland somehow figures out how to slow down Golden State’s offense, there is still the problem of scoring efficiently on their own possessions.