After a 29-point loss in their season opener and two losses in their first six games, the Golden State Warriors have determined just how to fit superstar Kevin Durant alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.
Their 110-89 loss at Memphis on Saturday was only their second loss since Nov. 4. They still arrived at Target Center on Sunday for their first visit this season with the NBA's best record, 20-4.
Included was a stretch in which the Warriors won 12 consecutive games and 16 of 17.
If you thought it'd take some time to integrate Durant, Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau said he isn't surprised in the least, not after his three seasons as a Celtics assistant coach.
"When I was in Boston, we had Kevin [Garnett], Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and they were the quickest to figure it out," Thibodeau said. "It didn't take them long. [The Warriors] know how to play off each other, and they're so unselfish. And then you add in Draymond, who is maybe the most unique player in the league in terms of what he brings to a team. I had a chance to be around those guys with Team USA and they're all incredibly unselfish and team-first guys."
Thibs stays steady
Before Friday's game, Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy remembered the pain that came with losing that first season after he was hired as coach and general manager to rebuild the Pistons.
On Sunday, Thibodeau said he's doing fine going through a similar process.
"Great," he said when asked how he's holding up. "You have to be consistent. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't. But every day put everything you have into it and that's all you can do. I'm good. I've got a great group of guys. As long as they're working hard, playing for each other, putting everything they have into each and every day, I'm fine."
