2025-11-21 13:00
by
nlpkak
I remember watching Game 7 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals when the Warriors completed that incredible comeback against the Thunder, and thinking to myself - this team understands resilience in a way few others do. That same resilience reminds me of what boxing coach Llover once observed about his fighter: "Nakita ko talaga yung tibay niya. Yung tibay niya na pinakita sa akin sa loob ng ring talagang binigay niya yung best niya sa akin." Translated from Tagalog, he's essentially praising the fighter's incredible toughness and how he gave his absolute best inside the ring, even when it seemed the fight might be over. That fighting spirit perfectly captures what makes the Warriors special in these playoffs - they've shown time and again they can dig deep when it matters most.
Looking at their current playoff run, I'm particularly fascinated by how Steve Kerr has evolved their defensive schemes. They're running what I'd call a "hybrid switching system" that's significantly different from their championship years. Instead of the pure switch-everything approach, they're now using more strategic traps and recoveries, especially against elite scoring guards. The numbers bear this out - in their first-round series, they held opponents to just 42.3% shooting on contested threes, a massive improvement from their regular season mark of 47.8%. What really stands out to me is how Draymond Green has adapted his game; he's essentially playing the defensive quarterback role while still managing to average 8.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists. I've been tracking his defensive rating throughout these playoffs, and at 102.3, it's his best since their 2017 championship run.
Offensively, they've become much more deliberate in their pace. During their dominant years, they averaged around 104 possessions per game, but now they're down to about 98. This slower tempo actually plays to Stephen Curry's strengths as he ages - he's picking his spots more carefully rather than relying purely on their earlier run-and-gun style. I've noticed they're running significantly more pick-and-roll actions with Curry and Kevon Looney, which creates better mismatches against switching defenses. The stats show Curry's efficiency in these situations has jumped to 1.18 points per possession, up from his regular season average of 1.02. What really excites me about their offense is how Jordan Poole has developed into that secondary creator role - his ability to create off the dribble has taken pressure off Curry in crucial moments.
The bench production has been, in my opinion, the most underrated aspect of their playoff success. Gary Payton II's defensive energy has been contagious - he's averaging 2.3 steals per 36 minutes, which is just insane for a role player. Otto Porter Jr. has provided exactly what they needed - spacing and smart defensive rotations. I've been particularly impressed with how they've managed minutes distribution; Kerr has done a masterful job keeping his starters fresh for fourth quarters. The numbers show their bench is contributing 38.7 points per game in these playoffs, compared to just 31.2 during the regular season. That 7.5-point improvement might not sound like much, but in playoff basketball, it's the difference between advancing and going home.
When I look at their potential path to the championship, I see three critical factors that will determine their success. First, health - and I'm not just talking about Curry's foot or Thompson's knees. The wear and tear of a deep playoff run can derail even the most talented teams. Second, three-point defense - they're allowing opponents to shoot 36.1% from deep, which needs to improve to around 33% against elite shooting teams. Third, and this might be controversial, but I believe Andrew Wiggins needs to average at least 18 points per game for them to win it all. He's shown flashes of that aggressive scoring mentality, but consistency has always been his challenge.
Their championship experience gives them an edge that's hard to quantify but impossible to ignore. Having been through multiple Finals runs, they understand the emotional and physical demands better than any other team in the West. I've watched them close out tight games with a poise that only comes from having been there before. That institutional knowledge matters more in the playoffs than many analysts acknowledge. They know how to manage their energy throughout series, when to push the tempo, and perhaps most importantly, how to handle adversity.
Looking ahead, I'm predicting they'll make it to the Finals, though it won't be easy. The Western Conference is stacked with talented teams, but the Warriors have that championship DNA that's so rare. They remind me of those veteran fighters who know how to pace themselves and when to unleash their best combinations. Just like Llover's fighter who showed incredible toughness when it mattered most, the Warriors have demonstrated they can reach deep and find another gear when the lights are brightest. My prediction? They'll win in six games if they face Milwaukee, or in seven if they match up against Boston. Either way, it's going to be an incredible showcase of basketball at its highest level, and frankly, I can't wait to watch it unfold.
