Fear of warriors? Play a team stripped of its stars!

Since the beginning of the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo destroys everything in his path, averaging 36.3 points on 69% shooting, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. THE Warriors so he knew what to expect on Thursday night. In addition, surprise, due to pain in his left knee, the Greek withdrew.

Good news? Not for Steve Kerr, who notes that his players are always less good when the opposing star is on the bench, in civilian clothes.

“It’s not supposed to be this way, but we’ve been 0-12 for two years when the stars don’t play.”, adds more coach of the Warriors. “I told my assistants: if I were the opposite coach, I would put my star on the bench every time.

Encounters of this type turn into a trap. “As soon as we know there’s a loss, we’re scared because we’ve seen this scenario a million times before. There’s talent everywhere, anyone can play in the NBA. When the star is out, everyone’s eager to play. I wasn’t surprised by this matchup.”assures Steve Kerr.

Holes in the racket

It was Ryan Rollins who took advantage of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to score 32 points and play the game of his life. in Milwaukee’s win. Did the players let their guard down as soon as the two-time MVP package was made official?

“When we get to the room, we prepare to face the star opposite. But these are still NBA players, whether Giannis is there or not.”, recognizes Draymond Green. “We have to have the same fire, the same urgency knowing that Giannis is not there”ajoute Brandin Pod Ziemia.

A bit of fatigue undoubtedly explained last week’s loss to the Blazers after three games (including one in overtime) in four days, and then there’s the mental absence. A pattern that will repeat itself and no team will be able to avoid these holes in the racket, announces the coach of Golden State.

“There will be such matches for everyone”says Steve Kerr. “All teams go through an 82-game season where everyone plays fast and hard. There are games where there is no concentration. This match was one of them.”