After hours of film viewing and reflection
following the embarrassing come-from-ahead defeat Monday against
the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Mark Jackson came to a conclusion
about what ails his Warriors. He needs more players like guard Nate
Robinson. Jackson doesn’t necessarily need Robinson’s talent and
skill set. And Jackson certainly doesn’t need another 5-foot-9
combo guard. But what he does need is some fight, some hustle – and
a little veteran experience helps.
After hours of film viewing and reflection
following the embarrassing come-from-ahead defeat Monday against
the Memphis Grizzlies, coach Mark Jackson came to a conclusion
about what ails his Warriors.
He needs more players like guard Nate
Robinson.
Jackson doesn’t necessarily need Robinson’s
talent and skill set. And Jackson certainly doesn’t need another
5-foot-9 combo guard. But what he does need is some fight, some
hustle – and a little veteran experience helps.
That explains why Jackson – the day after his
team blew a 20-point lead in an epic fourth-quarter meltdown – said
the one thing he would do different was play Robinson down the
stretch. Because despite a few careless turnovers, “he competed.”
Talent, Jackson said, isn’t the issue. He said it’s more about
effort and resolve. In a word: toughness.
Guess who agrees with him?
“We’re not going to play perfect every night,
we’ve just got to out-compete guys,” Robinson said. “We’ve got all
the talent, all the skills in the world. We’ve got guys who can
play. … We’ve just got to be a little bit tougher. That’s the
only thing we need is toughness. It’s just a matter of how much
(guys) believe and how much (guys) want it.”
Memphis’ toughness exposed the Warriors’
shortcoming in that area. When the Grizzlies knuckled down and
imposed their will, Golden State folded like a lawn chair. Monday’s
game was an exaggerated example of what’s been happening most of
the season.
After the loss to Memphis, the Warriors are 4-5
when they’ve entered the fourth quarter leading or tied. Twice
they’ve lost despite being within five points after three
quarters.
Golden State was outscored 39-22 in the fourth
quarter Monday. It has been outscored in the final period 10 times
this season, nine of those games resulted in losses. The worst part
is it’s been outscored six times in the fourth quarter at Oracle
Arena, once one of the toughest road venues in the NBA.
But how can the Warriors get a sense of urgency
in their play? Can they develop the mental fortitude to focus down
the stretch, the tenacity to outwork opponents?
“It’s not just the players gave away a lead in
the fourth quarter,” Jackson said. “We all did, myself included.
And as a coach you stay up watching it, you stay up thinking what
could I have done different. You make the proper adjustments. At
the end of the day, I’ve got to find five guys who are willing to
close out ballgames at both sides of the floor.”
The Warriors watched film before practice
Tuesday, breaking down the loss to Memphis. Jackson said he also
pulled no punches in pointing out to his players what went
wrong.
After Monday’s performance, the Warriors’
problems seem too big for an extra film session and some straight
talk to solve. Considering the Warriors have two more playoff teams
coming to town – Portland on Wednesday and Oklahoma City on Friday
– drastic measures figure to be in order.
However, Jackson insisted the Warriors don’t
need to bring in outside help by way of trade or free-agent
signing. He also said a lineup change isn’t quite necessary
yet.
Guess who agreed with him?
“We don’t need any help,” guard Monta Ellis
said. “We don’t need any players. Of the 11 games we lost, we were
winning nine of them in the fourth quarter. We’ve just got to find
a way to close games. … We’re playing Warriors basketball for
three quarters and somehow we always lose it in the fourth. If we
can match our fourth quarter with the first three, I think we’ll be
good.”
