Popovich: Warriors are 'way more than just their talent'
Sure, the Golden State Warriors have enough talent on their roster to rival an All-NBA team, but San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich doesn't think that's the only reason they win.
After being swept Monday, Popovich gave credit to all the little things the Warriors excel at beyond having four All-Stars.
"I think they get a short shrift sometimes when - well, they're so talented and they're over-talented. ... But that's not the whole equation. That's not everything that describes them," Popovich said, according to ASAP Sports.
The Warriors play defense at an elite level, and show tremendous commitment to a team game despite boasting three of the NBA's best scorers in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant. Those are huge factors in their historic undefeated run to The Finals.
"This is, you know, maybe the best defensive team in the league on top of everything. So they don't just play with talent," Popovich said. "They execute at the defensive end of the floor.
"On offense, no team is more unselfish finding the open man and that sort of thing. They get credit for that. Coaches are always trying to get their team to do that. But they've got a multitude of people who are unselfish in that regard and play a beautiful game, and on top of that play D at the other end."
Golden State ranks first in defensive rating throughout the postseason and first in assists per game. Its offense ranks second to only the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have faced less stout defenses in the East than the Warriors have out West.
"They deserve a lot more credit than, well, they're talented. They're supposed to win. That is disrespectful to them in my book. They're way, way more than just their talent," Popovich added.
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