Blazers’ Damian Lillard meets the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry have been struggling to find a rhythm early in the 2020-21 season.
Specifically, a glaring problem with the Dubs game so far has been his inability to create clean looks for Stephen Curry. Without Klay Thompson seeing and running through the screens, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr. and the rest of the supporting Golden State cast failed to open the kitchen enough to provide Chef Curry with adequate cooking space.
Damian Lillard commented on Stephen Curry’s continuing difficulties after his Portland Trail Blazers easily managed the Warriors, 123-98, on Friday,
“I think now, with the injuries that the Warriors have been dealing with and Steph playing with a younger team now, he is seeing that it is difficult to get those quality looks now,” said Lillard on “Warriors Pregame Live”.
“It is different from what it looked like in the last four or five years to him (Stephen Curry). He is trying to get a quality look and a clean look so that he can make a good one. You really don’t have the luxury of taking one of those depths just to be as you were in the past, and I’m the same, getting a lot of attention from the defenses. “
Stephen Curry coach Steve Kerr did not disagree with the Blazers guard’s assessment.
“Damian Lillard was right to say that,” said Kerr, via Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle. They did a good job taking him (Stephen Curry) out. Now, we need to do a better job to put you in better positions. “
Stephen Curry has averaged 26.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists in five games, and is throwing 42 percent of the field and 32.1 percent off the arc. Both rates would mark career lows (excluding 2019-20, when he lost all but five games due to a broken wrist).
The Warriors (2-3) and Stephen Curry will have another chance against Lillard and the Blazers (3-2) on Sunday at the Chase Center.
