Stephen Curry Reacts To Warriors GM1 vs Lakers | May 2, 2023

We always call game one's kind of a feeling out situation. Is that too easy to write this off as that, or did you feel like some things you were trying, you saw some things that they're going to carry through this series? I feel like there's obviously a drastic difference between our last series and style of play with how the Lakers come at you, both ends of the floor, the personnel. Obviously AD had a big game, but for the most part, it was that little run in third quarter where they got some momentum and took it to a, was it a 14 point lead at one point? But we obviously clawed our way back, tied it with minutes and change left, gave ourselves an opportunity. We know we need to clean up some stuff, a little too many turnovers on my part. Understanding AD's presence in the paint, he's, you know, he has length and the way that they're trying to funnel us into, you know, the lane, got to be able to see the floor a little bit better. But, you know, long series, like you say, it's first to four, and I think we found some life down the stretch that hopefully we can capitalize off of in game two. There's always kind of this big against small debate for you guys internally that'll I'm sure pop up in this matchup, particularly because, you know, the run you mentioned late was when you went small. Just how do you view those two different options in this series, staying too big or going small? And then even when you are too big, how do you score more efficiently? You just got to, I mean, that's obviously coach making calls and decisions on how the game is going and flowing. If we can rebound, you know, going small, this to our advantage, there was probably three, four possessions where you could see, we got to stop. We got to rebound. We got to push. Somebody was open. And that's kind of how we like to play. If it's traditional and, you know, the way that they're playing us, we just got to be a little bit more organized in terms of our overall spacing. And like I said, respect how they're trying to guard us and where they're trying to push us on the floor. Excuse me. And just make the right reads. I got my shot blocked, I think three or four times trying to get little floaters off because you get one step too deep. And that's just an adjustment that you got to make. And, you know, we'll be a lot better, a lot more organized on that front game too. Steph, this is the 23rd time you and LeBron have faced each other in the postseason or LeBron has faced, you know, the core of your team. He just said it feels historic. I'm just wondering, how was it for you to play him? Obviously, this is the first time you played him at Chase, different team, but just how was the experience of seeing him again in the postseason? You have to reflect on like everything that, you know, we've all gone through. And just appreciate the opportunity to have another chapter in that battle, in that competition. Obviously, once the ball, you know, drops, it's a different feel just based on how the Lakers play versus the old Cavs teams. And even just a different style that he's playing a little bit, he's, you know, trying to come at you a little differently, space you out a little bit. He's shooting a lot more threes and stuff like that. It's just a little different vibe, but there is a reflection of just how, you know, awesome and special this battle is. The fact that we get to do it again, you know, we want to come out on top. We're going, it's going to be a fun series all the way around, but there is a moment of reflection for sure. Just how cool this is, you know, all these years later. Quick follow-up to that one before I ask you another one, but what was going on when he was walking with you to the sideline when you're coming out of the game? Was that just a conversation or was he trying to sneak into, onto your bench or something? Trevor, oh. He walked all the way down the court with you. No, he was just joking around about having to guard me all the way until I got to the bench. And also, what did you think about Jordan taking that shot? You were getting doubled. It was early. You did have a timeout. You fine with that shot? For sure. I know he made six of them tonight. And we talked about a little bit about certain adjustments we need to make throughout the course of the game to keep creating good looks. But it was decisive. It was, you know, a shot he was open and flowing. Considering how they guard us on that possession, you know, trapping me at that half court, Draymond swinging it over to him. It's kind of in rhythm shot. But, you know, I'm sure he felt pretty good about it. That's why he shot it. There's no kind of, you know, regrets on that. It's just, you know, make or miss type situation. A lot of trust in him and his ability to put the ball in the basket. All right, Steph. So Lakers are tethering a lot. They got 25 free throws. So how would you guys to make an adjustment to control the foul trouble? You know, 80 is gonna put pressure on you all game. So you'd like to not let him get eight off, but that might not kill you. It's more the other guys, especially the ball handlers. You know, Schroeder gets 10 free throws, like that can't happen. You know, whether we think it's a foul or not, we can't put ourselves in that situation. That's how he makes an impact because he is super quick in his first step. We have a certain strategy around him, but you can't let him get to the line, you know, 10 times. That's a killer. So we'll make those adjustments. Understand, again, quick turnaround from game seven against SAC and locking in on what the Lakers do well. And confidence is how we can bounce back. Steph, you mentioned 80's length in your first answer. Is that hard to gauge until you play him once or twice in this setting? He was jumping out on the pick and rolls. He was contesting a lot of things, even outside of the paint. Does it take you a game or two with someone like him because he's long and quick? For sure. And it's also because of how they're playing us. They know they want to take away our threes, even though we got 50 of them up. Like they want to try to put pressure on the perimeter, funnel everything into the paint and allow him to disrupt a lot. And he closes the space pretty quick. It's kind of deceiving. You feel like you have a good look to get it over the top and gets a fingertip on it. So you got to respect it. Like that's how he makes an impact on that end of the floor. And you can't be stubborn thinking you can just keep going in there. You still got to be able to drive, put pressure on the rim, but you can do it in a creative way. So yes, you got to feel it because it is, it's impactful. With AD in the middle like he is and being a deterrent really, also blocking some chops, obviously. Does that offer maybe with spacing a little more, few more drive and kick opportunities? You know, in other words, attack and then, you know, sort of get him and then. Yeah, you just, depending on who's out there and there's probably, you know, whether it's Draymond and Loon or Jermichael out there, he got some clean looks. You have to trust that somebody is going to be open and whoever it is, you know, have confidence to knock down a shot or get to the next action. But can't have two guys on top of each other where, you know, one guy can guard two and your spacing gets kind of killed and the ball stops. That's what they want. And I think a little bit in the third quarter, that's what kind of happened to us. And we figured it out a little bit in the fourth and kept putting pressure on us how we got back in the game, but you guys do that from the jump in game two to give ourselves much more flow on offense. Hey, Steph, I talked to George Kittle after the game, asked him about that Loonie jersey he had on. He says, yeah, Loonie is a bonafide tight end. So my real question to you is, what are we going to need from Loonie the rest of the way and kind of talk about his performance tonight and what he's done to help you get to where you are now? More of the same with Loonie, he's unbelievable. 20 plus rebounds again, killing it on the offensive glass. Just giving us extra possessions and, you know, that physicality of the paint. So just more of the same. I love, you know, the way that he's playing and the way that he's impacting the game. And obviously he understands he has a tough matchup with AD and AD's going to get his points. He's an unbelievable offensive talent, but just making it tough on him. And we got to help him, you know, try to secure some more of those rebounds and, you know, give him some support down there, but he's doing an amazing job. So I'm not up here to give Loonie any more advice. He's doing it perfect. Got you, thank you.