The Bucks stopped here! Who was your Warriors Wonder?

The shorthanded champs activated playoff-level defense and Splash Mode to remind the Bucks who runs the league

The Golden State Warriors didn’t need Olympians Draymond Green or DeMarcus Cousins to exact vengeance on the Bucks of Milwaukee. The champs held the beasts from the East to a season low points total in the 105-95 victory.

Golden State even managed to do it with superstar Kevin Durant having more turnovers (7) than buckets (3). So who fueled the Warriors impressive victory in the hostile confines of the Fiserv Forum? WHO WAS THE WARRIORS WONDER AND THE GOLDEN SIDEKICK?

Warriors Wonder Nominee: Steph Curry

The Bucks defense hounded Curry all around the court, trapping him off of the pick-and-rolls, and swarming him at the three-point line. They were determined to use their length and physicality to make him uncomfortable. That’s the book on how to stop Curry by the way: just stay in his face and beat him up because he’s a little guy.

Curry shot 7-for-17 from the field, 4-of-9 from distance, and led the starters in plus/minus with +9. He doggedly dribbled around and through defenders, pushing the pace, keeping Milwaukee in a panic. Even when he missed a shot or was forced to pass, he twisted and bent the Bucks’ defense out of shape.

In this next clip, watch as two defenders shadow Curry 30 feet from the basket, while Klay Thompson’s defender gets lost monitoring Curry as well.

Now watch the same thing happen again, as Kevon Looney and Andre Iguodala feast on the attention Curry’s gravity causes.

It looks pretty hilarious when the Bucks overreact to triple team Curry and let professional basketball players waltz directly under the basket for easy buckets. But then, maybe it isn’t overreaction? I mean, what if you double him because he’s the greatest shooter of all time and can light you up at any second?

Daaaaamn that was a cold shot. I’m sorry Bucks, I don’t have any advice for you on how to stop Unanimous.

Warriors Wonder Nominee #2: Klay Thompson

Thompson had 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field, 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. He also had 6 assists and 5 rebounds. In that relatively low scoring game those offensive contributions were vital to the Warriors victory.

But check out these defensive stats: 4 steals and 2 blocks. That is ridiculous! Thompson’s defense terrorized the Bucks; even when he didn’t force the turnover, he made their lives miserable.

I’m so grateful to have a player of this caliber on our team. Even his postgame interviews are the bomb.

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The most difficult Golden Sidekick poll yet

As I watched this road contest against a legit contender, I found myself being pleasantly surprised by how effective the rotation players were. This game was a pretty good simulation of playoff level intensity, and the Dubs had fantastic contributions from their role players.

Andre Iguodala must have felt that postseason-like buzz, as he activated “May/June” mode a bit earlier than we’re used to seeing at this advanced stage of his brilliant career.

He hit a few shots off of the dribble, something that makes the Warriors unbeatable when he has it going. Iguodala also set the defensive tone early with a calculated aggression that triggered the Dubs’ impenetrable defensive shell.

But how can we forget about Jonas Jerebko and Alfonzo McKinnie?

JJ caught the defensive fever, and sacrificed his body for three charges. Some players don’t draw three charges in a whole SEASON. He also drilled 4-of-9 of his triples.

Zo’s back from injury, and I didn’t really fathom before just how useful he is. He can make plays off of the dribble, and keeps the Warriors offense from getting stuck in the muck. Oh yeah, he’s also showing that he’s one heckuva sniper, knocking down 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.

But how could I forget about Looney, admirably filling in at center against that massive Milwaukee front court? 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Or Livingston who has a +10 plus/minus in 19 minutes off of the bench with 2 blocks.

I THOUGHT OUR BENCH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A LIABILITY?! WHO TOLD US THESE LIES??