The Golden State Warriors' season has been full of ups and downs. In the game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the team led by 22 points at one point, but was eventually reversed by the Clippers and lost a crucial game. This is the ninth loss of the Warriors in the last 12 games, and the team has suffered a worrying performance after facing the Kings by 23 points four days ago. For the Warriors, a loss in this game won't affect their playoff prospects. Despite the team's somewhat underwhelming performance, the Warriors are still capable of challenging for a playoff spot, but it seems, that's all.
The Warriors' predicament is obvious, Curry is still the star-studded superstar, and his performance is still consistent and strong. However, Clay's performance was a surprise, and his form seemed to be in a downward spiral. Wiggins' talent also seems to be fading, and he can only rely on his physical superiority to struggle on the court. Also, the concern is Chris Paul's injury problem, which they can never anticipate and control. As for the team's young players, Coach Kerr doesn't seem willing to give them too many opportunities. By the time they're all healthy, the Warriors are still competitive, but they're no longer the dynasty team that won four championships in seven years.
The Clippers played well in this game, especially the two core players of Leonard and George. Not only did they play well on the offensive end, but they also limited the Warriors' play on the defensive end. The arrival of Harden has also made the Clippers' offense more diverse, and his scoring and playmaking skills have brought a lot of help to the team. Willis also had a good performance after coming off the bench, successfully linking up the team's offense and also excelling on the defensive end. His playing time has had its ups and downs, but he hasn't been discouraged by it and has worked harder to contribute to the team.
In this game, Harden played 35 minutes and 02 seconds, scored 7 shots from 14 attempts, including 2 of 7 three-pointers and 5 of 5 free throws, and he contributed 21 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 1 steal. Especially in the third quarter, he shot 4 of 5 and was unbreakable, scoring 15 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, which can be called the absolute hero of the team's scoring chase. It can be seen that Harden has gradually integrated into the Clippers system like a fish in water. Wei Shao's playing time was compressed to only 19 minutes, he shot 2 of 5 (2 of 4 three-pointers) and 2 of 4 free throws, scoring 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. Obviously, with Harden's arrival, Willis will have to make sacrifices.
Harden spoke about Willis' performance after the game, saying, "Just keep it up. It's been a long season. I know it's going to be frustrating for him because his playing time has been up and down a lot. We all need someone to cheer us up and tell us that everything is going to be okay. These words also show Harden's support and encouragement for Wei Shao, and also reflect his understanding and response to the team's current situation.
For the Warriors, the team needs to take a hard look at the lessons learned from this game. The team needs to be more focused and consistent on the defensive end, while also finding more efficient ways to score on the offensive end. When facing strong opponents, teams need to be more calm and patient with each round of the game. Only then will the Warriors be able to go far in the playoffs and fulfill their championship dreams.