The Golden State Warriors are ready for the playoffs to start.
Having lost two of their last three games, both at home, on Oracle Arena’s floor, where they had previously remained unbeaten, the Warriors’ chances of breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 victories has taken a substantial hit. They must win all four of their remaining games to hit 73, two of which pit them against the San Antonio Spurs, and one of which will come in San Antonio, where the Spurs have yet to lose.
But the Warriors, despite what they’ve previously said, may not be thinking about 73 anymore. Draymond Green, in fact, admitted that they’re over the regular season, per ESPN.com’s Ethan Sherwood Strauss:
Asked whether the Warriors had gotten caught up in the hype of possibly setting an NBA record for wins in a season, Green responded, “Honestly? Yes.” Then he corrected, “I wouldn’t necessarily say caught up in the hype.”
Green also said the Warriors are ready for this particular segment of the season to finish.
“It’s human nature to where, all right, kind of ready for the regular season to end,” Green said. “Talking 82 games, we get bored with that after awhile. And that’s no excuse, just, I’m always give it to y’all real, and that’s about as real as I can be. It’s kind of at a point now where you’re ready for the regular season to be over.”
Green continued, “Now, saying that, we got to be a better enough ballclub to continue to try to get better with these games and try and go into the playoffs the right way and not stumble in the playoffs, so, think that’s something we have to focus on. We got to try to finish out this regular season strong.”
Green’s comments came immediately following Tuesday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, so there’s that to consider. But this doesn’t sound like a heat-of-the-moment overreaction, either. The Warriors have faced the pressures of history and being compared to the 1995-96 Bulls for the better part of this season. They have to be mentally, and likely physically, exhausted.
That doesn’t mean they’ll give up on 73 wins. Don’t expect them to. They have thought about it. They have wanted it.
Unless head coach Steve Kerr begins resting players down the stretch, bank on the Warriors continuing to chase the regular-season wins record.
