Warriors show they’re still winners

Two games previously, the coach took a few verbal shots at his team, which hadn’t kept the opposition from taking literal shots that went through the hoop. But this time Steve Kerr’s unhappiness was with someone in the media who wondered if Kerr was surprised by the way his team ended up after trailing big.   

Not really, Kerr responded in so many words, “These guys know how to win. Look what they’ve done. They’re winners.” And as we have learned, winners find a way to win.  

Whether the calls go against them. Whether they’re down 20 points. Or one hole with two to play. Or 15-40 in the third set.

It may be a quality they’re born with, it may be one they develop, but it is one that exists forever, one to be relied on, and one to be feared by the other team. Or other guy or woman, in individual sports.  A quality to be appreciated even if never quite understood.

These may not be the Warriors a few years back, who turned practically every third quarter into a personal festival, although Wednesday night against the frazzled New Orleans Pelicans there were more than a few tantalizing hints.

It was the game of the season for some Warriors fans, one to be treasured, one which brought back memories and in a way, with the playoffs coming, brought up possibilities. The Warriors came back from 20 points down.

It was one in which the required stars, the leaders, after halftime performed with the skill and gusto that made them stars and leaders.

Steph Curry throwing them in as well (39 points) as well as throwing them to teammates ( 8 assists, 8 rebounds).  Draymond Green throwing caution to the wind, coming close to a technical, but more significantly getting people on course.

“For the offense to work,” Chris Mullen, the Warriors Hall of Famer told the TV audience, “it has to flow. But it won’t flow when you’re making turnovers.”

This has been a difficult season for the Warriors, with Klay Thompson coming back from his injuries and then Curry getting hurt. Kevon Looney has played well as usual at what would be the center position. Gary Payton picked up as a spare part in a trade, had recovered from his injury, and played in two games, a boost to the defense.

They’ve had their run, becoming the most dominant team since the Lakers. Maybe they could fit together all the pieces one more time.

Winners never forget how to win.