Warriors out to set defensive tone again

OAKLAND, California – Andrew Bogut has taken to publicly calling himself unflattering names.

Such was his mood Monday when someone inquired about the Golden State center often appearing mean and nasty. He used another word to basically refer to himself as a jerk – “100 percent,” he said.

As long as Bogut and the defending champion Warriors keep playing the kind of defense that has helped them set the tone so far in these playoffs without MVP Stephen Curry, he won’t even mind if anybody else uses those words to describe him either.

Bogut’s two early blocks got Golden State going during Sunday’s 118-106 win against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The teams resume their best-of-seven series Tuesday night in Oakland.

Also Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Warriors again will try to establish an energy and presence on the defensive end from the start. They know their offense will come given this team’s depth and many playmakers.

“It’s very important we don’t give up just layups early in the game,” Bogut said. “We’re trying to protect the paint and make sure they get nothing easy early.”