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Frustration over the Warriors' lack of consistency and focus followed two blowout losses in Florida.
After beating New York and Atlanta to open a four-game trip, the Warriors dropped
two consecutive games, with a 104-93 loss Sunday to Miami on the heels of a
26-point defeat at Orlando on Friday.
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It was worse than it appeared Sunday. The Heat endured a six-minute scoreless stretch in the fourth quarter.
When point guard Nick Van Exel, who tried in vain in the third quarter to get
the Warriors back into the game, was asked why the scoring-challenged Heat made
a season-high 10 three-pointers in only 16 attempts, he said:
"They were supposed to be non-shooters. We were supposed to back off them."
Miami came into the game last in the NBA in points per game (85.2), field-goal
percentage (.404) and three-point field-goal percentage (.305).
"I'm not the coach, man," Van Exel said when asked if the Warriors
intended to change strategy in mid-game. "Not the coach. That's it. I'm
done."
Lack of hustle
Warriors Coach Eric Musselman acknowledged his team's defensive lapse on the
perimeter.
"If you don't contest shots, guys get confidence, then they can step two
feet beyond their range and make those shots as well," Musselman said.
For back-to-back games, the consensus in the Warriors' locker room was that
they had given lackluster effort. Against Orlando, they were beaten to loose
balls and hammered on the glass. Against Miami, they didn't get to outside shooters
and were sloppy with the ball.
"For us to come here to Miami and lose this way can't be tolerated,"
forward Troy Murphy said. "If there are issues under the surface, we've
got to get them out quick. I'm not saying there are, but if there are, it can't
be repeating itself."
Another clunker
Dwyane Wade scored 33 points to lead five Miami players in double figures. The
Warriors played a game that looked alarmingly similar to the one they played
against the Magic.
"I've given up on trying to pinpoint why we play well one night and why
we come back and not play well the next against teams we're supposed to beat,"
forward Clifford Robinson said. "If we're going to accomplish what we want
to accomplish, consistency is key. If we're going to approach the Lakers one
way and not approach Orlando and Miami the same way, we're in trouble."
Shooting guard Jason Richardson, who, along with Van Exel scored 17 points Sunday,
said that players tapered off at the end of the trip. "Guys want to get
back home," he said. "A lot of stuff is going on, but I think we're
on the same page.
"Guys are worrying about their families coming in or being ready to get
home and not really being as focused as much as they should."
The Warriors might have been relieved to be heading home Sunday night, but they
have their work cut out for them. They face the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento
before hitting the road against Denver.
As forward Brian Cardinal said, the Warriors need to get back on track, and
quickly: "We'll get it figured out. We have no other choice."
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