OAKLAND – The offensive spacing was different, tighter and less advantageous.
The defense was looser, giving Philadelphia 76ers playmakers more room to create.
And then there was Stephen Curry, the axis on which the Warriors spin, taking silly risks in an effort to manufacture what usually comes naturally.
Few performances over the last five years better illustrate the comprehensive value of Klay Thompson to the Warriors than that which was on display Thursday night in a 113-104 loss to the 76ers.
Thompson is such an integral part of what the Warriors do, and how they are able to play, that they realize they have little choice but to pay him lavishly when he becomes a free agent in July.