Among the title favorites, Golden State is now starting to prepare for the post-season. It also involves managing the Stephen Curry-Klay Thompson duo, which will be essential during the playoffs. Steve Kerr has already revealed how the franchise will manage their playing time!
Second in the Western Conference (43 wins for 17 losses), the Warriors should not a priori end up with the best record in the league. With 6 successes behind the Suns, they face a gap a little too big and will certainly be satisfied with their current position. After all, this is enough to grab the advantage of the field in the playoffs… Even if the Dubs aim much higher, being among the candidates for the ultimate coronation.
To achieve this, the men of the Bay rely in particular on their rear wheel drive Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson who is finally reunited after a very long absence. Authors of 42 points on average between them, the Splash Brothers will see their responsibilities increase a little more over the coming weeks, as well as their playing time. It was their coach Steve Kerr who revealed this information during a radio interview, recently:
Increase in minutes for Curry and Thompson
Thirty-four minutes per game is what we’re calling for Klay Thompson and Steph Curry, 34-36. Steph has gone a bit further this year, out of necessity. When the playoffs are in sight, we will go to about 36 to 39 minutes. We are still six or seven weeks from the playoffs.
It is not uncommon for the minutes to increase gradually for the stars, arriving with bottle in post-season. As Kerr indicates, however, the Chief had to go over the scheduled playing time on several occasions. In his case, we can therefore also expect him to be rested from time to time between now and April, in order to give him some breathing room. Without the No. 30 at his top, it will be difficult to hope for anything for the Californians.
In fact, the most interesting case here remains that of Killa Klay, for obvious reasons. Returning to competition in January after two and a half years of absence, the rear has so far turned 25 minutes on average and will therefore find himself much more involved in the weeks to come. Should we fear a relapse of the record holder of three successful points in a match if he pulls too much on the rope? Not at all, according to his trainer, who on the contrary assures us that his foal is only progressing:
As Klay continues to improve in the game and increase his minutes, I think that’s where we’re headed right now. He will be quite capable of playing a 38-minute playoff game without any problems, I am sure.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson should therefore play more at the end of the season, in order to arrive well in the playoffs. We just hope that none of them end up in the infirmary, which would still be terrible for the Dubs.
