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| Shaun Livingston (left) and Steph Curry (right) NBA Finals Game 1 post game interview |
The Warriors are so lethal because of the team's depth. Golden State has worn t-shirts with the message "Strength in Numbers" on them for the last two years during the playoffs. The team's slogan did not resonate any louder than after the team's 104-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Golden State's bench outscored Cleveland's bench 45-10. Led by Peoria, Illinois native Shaun Patrick Livingston.
Most casual fans may not be aware of who Livingston is or know about his game but, his journey does not parallel to any other NBA veteran. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft coming out of Peoria Central High School turning down a chance to play at Duke.
Expectations came and Livingston was not the player some expected. Things did not get any easier when in 2007 Livingston destroyed his knee in a game versus the Charlotte Bobcats.
Many people would have never thought Livingston the guy who tore up every crucial ligament in his knee, the guy who had to learn how to walk again would make a difference on a championship team. He's the same guy who is currently playing for his tenth NBA team and the guy who many thought would never step foot on a basketball court again.
Livingston scored a playoff career-high 20 points on 8/10 shooting from the field including 10 points in the fourth quarter. During the fourth Livingston could not be guarded, taking advantage of every switch and mismatch versus the Cavs draining a barrage of mid-range jumpers.
Livingston led the way but everyone chipped in to lift up the struggling Splash Bros who combined for 20 points. Six teammates outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson scored in double figures: Livingston, LeAndro Barbosa, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes.
Barbosa dazzled fans showing he's still the "Brazilian Blur" who won the Sixth Man of the Year in 2007. Barnes got out of an offensive slump and Iguodala's versatility on both sides of the ball showed why he was last year's Finals MVP.
Curry and Thompson are not the only reason the Warriors are a force not to be trifled with, the Warriors are the best regular season team in NBA history because the team plays nine to ten guys every night.
Curry gets hurt. Livingston fills in as the starter and the Warriors don't miss a beat losing only two playoff games without the two-time reigning MVP.
Golden State's bench outscored Cleveland's bench 45-10. Led by Peoria, Illinois native Shaun Patrick Livingston.
Most casual fans may not be aware of who Livingston is or know about his game but, his journey does not parallel to any other NBA veteran. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft coming out of Peoria Central High School turning down a chance to play at Duke.
Expectations came and Livingston was not the player some expected. Things did not get any easier when in 2007 Livingston destroyed his knee in a game versus the Charlotte Bobcats.
Many people would have never thought Livingston the guy who tore up every crucial ligament in his knee, the guy who had to learn how to walk again would make a difference on a championship team. He's the same guy who is currently playing for his tenth NBA team and the guy who many thought would never step foot on a basketball court again.
Livingston scored a playoff career-high 20 points on 8/10 shooting from the field including 10 points in the fourth quarter. During the fourth Livingston could not be guarded, taking advantage of every switch and mismatch versus the Cavs draining a barrage of mid-range jumpers.
Livingston led the way but everyone chipped in to lift up the struggling Splash Bros who combined for 20 points. Six teammates outside of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson scored in double figures: Livingston, LeAndro Barbosa, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes.
Barbosa dazzled fans showing he's still the "Brazilian Blur" who won the Sixth Man of the Year in 2007. Barnes got out of an offensive slump and Iguodala's versatility on both sides of the ball showed why he was last year's Finals MVP.
Curry and Thompson are not the only reason the Warriors are a force not to be trifled with, the Warriors are the best regular season team in NBA history because the team plays nine to ten guys every night.
Curry gets hurt. Livingston fills in as the starter and the Warriors don't miss a beat losing only two playoff games without the two-time reigning MVP.
Curry's backcourt mate is currently the leading scorer in the playoffs out of the remaining teams far as points per game (ppg). Thompson also is currently fifth in the NBA in ppg in the 2016 Playoffs.
Golden State's bench proposes serious matchup problems to Cleveland.
Livingston is a 6'7 guard who loves to post up smaller guards and during switches in the pick roll has the athleticism to beat most bigger defenders off the dribble. He also is a strong mid-range shooter and has the length to get his shot off over most shooters.
Iguodala is a 6'6 athletic wing who guards positions 1 through 3 on the perimeter, handles the ball, facilitates and can create his own shot.
Barbosa still is a quick guard who can blow past you and shoots the three well. Mauresse Speights better known as "Mo Buckets" is a 6'11 big who can score in bunches with three-point range. One would be wise not to forget Festus Ezeli or Bogut.
Both are strong bigs who can pass the ball and defend the paint well.
The Warriors may be known as the sweet shooting team down by the Bay but this team was constructed with the "next man up" mindset. Several players on one team who all have high basketball IQs, who can pass, cut and shoot the ball well from three-point range, inside the paint or both areas.
Bay Area natives and fans across the globe are treated to the exhibition game style entertainment the Warriors have brought to the basketball world over the last couple of years.
This series is far from over. Game 2 is Sunday and should the Cavaliers win this series could very well go the seven games many people have expected.
Everyone may not be fully aware of the "others" on the Warriors squad but basketball is a team sport. Though the Splash Bros are the faces of Golden State basketball the duo are champions because of the strength of the team.
All of the doubters can look to Game 1 of this year's Finals should any validation be needed to show their is "strength in numbers".
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