Questions mount as Warriors lose big in Christmas Day game to Bucks - San Francisco Chronicle

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr entered the season-opening trip warning fans and media not to put too much stock in how Golden State looks against Brooklyn and Milwaukee.

This is a club that, after a nine-month hiatus from games, must acclimate point guard Stephen Curry to a new-look supporting cast, establish an offensive identity and overhaul its defense — all with All-Star guard Klay Thompson out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, and power forward Draymond Green temporarily sidelined by a right foot issue. But three days after being blown out in the opener by the Nets, the Warriors appeared overwhelmed in a 138-99 loss to the Bucks on Christmas Day at Fiserv Forum.

The tiny sample size was enough to temper expectations for a group trying to exorcise the memory of last season’s league-worst record. Center James Wiseman — the No. 2 pick in last month’s NBA draft — has impressed after missing all three preseason games after a positive coronavirus test, but Golden State appears to have too many flaws to keep pace with the best teams.

A 24-9 run put the Warriors in a 23-point hole late in the third quarter, and they wound up on the wrong end of the NBA’s most lopsided Christmas Day game since 1960.

Though Kerr predicted early issues, even he couldn’t have expected Golden State to drop its first two games by a combined 65 points.

“We did not execute much of anything,” Kerr said. “It was kind of just scattered and disorganized. I’m disappointed in that and need to take the blame for that.”

Shooting, perhaps the Warriors’ greatest strength during their recent dynasty, is now a major concern. On one of the NBA’s biggest viewership days Friday, Golden State shot just 34.3% from the field (22.2% from 3-point range).

Curry struggled to find a rhythm and finished with a pedestrian stat line — by his lofty standards, at least — of 19 points, six assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes. The players who were supposed to be his top sidekicks, Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre Jr., totaled 15 points on 7-for-28 shooting (0-for-9 from 3-point range).

The Warriors opened the season hoping to outrun opponents, but they were outscored on fast breaks 20-10 Friday. Part of the problem was that Golden State couldn’t get stops. Even though two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored only 15 points on 4-for-14 shooting, the Bucks finished 54.9% from the field (20-for-37 from 3-point range).

The Warriors had little answer for Khris Middleton, who needed only 26 minutes and 15 shots to score 31 points. Curry watched the fourth quarter from the bench as Green, mask on and in warmups, offered feedback.

Bricks in his stocking

Stephen Curry has yet to eclipse 20 points on Christmas Day. A look at his performances:

Year	Result	FG-FGA	3P-3PA	FT-FTA	Pts	Ast	TO
2010	Warriors 109, Trail Blazers 102	2-15	0-5	0-0	4	11	2
2011	Clippers 105, Warriors 86	2-12	0-4	0-1	4	4	5
2013	Warriors 105, Clippers 103	5-17	2-6	3-3	15	11	2
2014	Clippers 100, Warriors 86	5-12	1-5	3-4	14	7	5
2015	Warriors 89, Cavs 83	6-15	1-4	6-6	19	7	3
2016	Cavaliers 109, Warriors 108	4-11	2-7	5-6	15	3	3
2017	Warriors 109, Cavaliers 102	DNP
2018	Lakers 127, Warriors 101	5-17	2-8	3-3	15	5	1
2019	Warriors 116, Rockets 104	DNP
2020	Bucks 138, Warriors 99	6-17	2-10	5-5	19	6	2

Green is expected to return Sunday in Chicago, which should help the Warriors get back to their movement-heavy principles and ratchet up the defensive intensity. It appears unlikely, however, that one player can fix what ails Golden State. Without Thompson, the Warriors probably don’t have the defenders or shooting to be a threat in a loaded Western Conference.

All Kerr can do is preach optimism. Though the first two games were nightmarish by many standards, Golden State believed it might start the season slowly after an extended offseason and roster makeover.

The good news is that Wiseman might be even better than advertised. After playing only 69 minutes in college, he is flashing skills Golden State didn’t necessarily anticipate.

In 25 minutes Friday, Wiseman posted 18 points on 5-for-11 shooting (3-for-4 from 3-point range), eight rebounds and three blocks. Kerr put him on Antetokounmpo to start the game, and Wiseman used his size and lateral quickness to make life difficult on someone who can make even the best defenders look silly.

“James is extremely talented, and I know he’s had two amazing games,” guard Jordan Poole said. “We’re just going to try to continue to keep them going.”

As Kerr stressed entering the season-opening four-game trip that ends Tuesday at Detroit, it’s important to not glean too much from two matchups. Wiseman figures to endure growing pains. The hope is that, when those arrive, the rest of the team will have made progress.

Curry, who was on plenty of bad Warriors teams early in his career, recognizes the need for Golden State to snap out of its rut soon. An extended losing streak to start the season can erode a team’s confidence — or worse.

“We have to win,” said Curry, who vaulted past Rick Barry on Friday to move into second place on the Warriors’ all-time scoring list. “Immediately.”

Connor Letourneau covers the Warriors for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron

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https://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Questions-mount-as-Warriors-lose-big-in-Christmas-15828617.php

2020-12-26 00:31:17Z
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