Given that we were missing Steph, this is a pretty good result. The sweep would have been nice so we wouldn't have to worry about the tiebreaker with Memphis but they're really the least of our worries right now.
The biggest positive is Jordan Poole's continuing high level. His defense looks better too, but his offense is just shockingly good at this point. In particular, his midrange teardrop and finishing around the rim are starting to look elite, and his ability to get there is also impressive. I often say a guy looks like a stable rotation player (like JTA continues to do) but Poole's performance these last few games in particular has been more like an NBA starter.
Mannion is also looking very good for a second-round rookie pick, and I'm optimistic for his future with the team as well. I *love* his decision-making on when to drive, pass, look for his own shot, read the defense, etc. He's also surprisingly good at being in the right place on defense to contest shots. Just don't let him get posted up.
Smiley, on the other hand, showed a couple glimpses of why the team scouted him, but he's still more of a G-league level player who deserves a two-way contract at best, not a full guaranteed contract. Like, our guy Juan is not a natural center, but he's far more effective in that position despite being like 5 inches shorter and on an actual two-way contract!
These games also strengthened my suspicions that Paschall and Wiseman being out with health and safety protocols could be addition by subtraction. I still haven't entirely figured out how Paschall is such a negative on the court, but Wiseman is still just so inexperienced that he ends up kind of getting in the way of the play rather than being in the play a lot of the time. Unfortunately the only cure for that is playing time, and he's missing some good opportunities to play against weaker opponents due to the health and safety protocols.
Wiggins had a career night the first game, so that was awesome. His second game was not great, especially at the end, but it was still pretty acceptable.
Oubre had a couple of quiet games, but he was playing through a foot injury so that's fair. His defense in the win was a major contributor.
Draymond is still really freaking good and it was terrifying when he was hurting and holding his ankle. Really hoping that doesn't flare up and cause him to miss games down the line.
As I suspected, Wanamaker looks a bit better out there alongside Poole or others, but maybe not that much better.
Damion Lee still fights hard and rebounds well. He and Juanito are such excellent guys to have in the rotation, even if their 3-point shooting comes and goes.
Looney looney looney! He will be sorely missed during his health-and-safety-protocols absence.
Overall, steady goes it. Let's stay above .500, pick on some bad teams, and try to stay as healthy as we can to close out the season strong. Or, maybe Jordan Poole turns out to be the second coming of Steph Curry and the Warriors are about to ruin the league again. That would be fine, too. ;)
Disappointed to see the Kelly trade rumours. Points to an unlikely resign next season. Our ownership has deeeep pockets, but I guess even they have limits
He does this thing I noticed Damion Lee doing last year where he starts running before receiving the pass giving his defender little chance to stay in front of him:
Another skill I think he can eventually utilize to get penetration is his uncommonly deep three point range. It's a lot tougher for defenders to close out in control when you are 5 feet behind the three point line unless they have really long wingspans, chances are a pump fake will get them behind you. Curry can't really utilize that because even when he's 5 feet behind the line they are still hugging him, but I think Poole can.
Kerr is taking the heat, but really isn’t the end of this game about an NBA vet having trained winning habits enough to ingrain them or not. Overall this team looks a heck of a lot like a potential higher seed’s nightmare if they manage to trade Wannamaker and Paschall to protect the lineup coaches from themselves. It might just be a square peg round hole issue, this team clearly has potential and shouldn’t be self sabotaging.
This week makes one dream of playoff rotations featuring Poole, Looney, Baze, Lee, & JTA as the reserves. That’s so many positive impact players. And Looney or Poole can be the 5th closer depending on matchup/Poole heat index.
Short and long term, Poole might be crucial for us not getting murdered in non-Curry minutes. This season, we've been astoundingly bad without Curry. In terms of Offensive Efficiency with respect to the rest of the league (i.e. rORTG), we're the worst team in league history when Curry sits with a -18.0 rORTG (https://www.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/m6gin4/steph_curry_and_his_uniquely_historic_offensive/). Since we removed Wiseman from the starting lineup, we're producing 115.8 pts per 100 possession with Curry (which would be just below the Hawks and the 9th best in the league this year). Without Curry, we're producing 96.8 pts per 100 possessions. For context, the worst offense in the league this year is the Houston Rockets who score 104.7 pts per 100. The difference between our non-Curry units and Houston is roughly the same as the difference between the Houston and Lakers/Sixers offense.
And Curry has the highest on-off +- offensive splits with +19.4 per 100 possession which outpaces Jokic (15.7) and Doncic (14.7).
TLDR: Steph is amazing, our bench unit is decidedly not, and we need creation desperately which is a flaw Klay won't fix all by himself. Ideally, we get another high-usage perimeter creator. Luckily, it seems that Poole might be able to become at least somewhat proficient at it.
Oh and Steph's the GOAT offensive player but you guys knew that already.
Rebounding difference in the first game of the series: -3; second game: -14. It always, a l w a y s, comes back to rebounding with this team. Off-season workouts for Wiseman (and any other young wing/center we keep around) literally just gotta be four months of rebounding practice. Still, with all the DNPs, staying competitive is a great sign. Fully agree with everyone here or elsewhere roasting Kerr for not calling the TO. Let's hope Curry is in less pain by the time the Philly game rolls around and that Loon's protocol is solely an inconclusive test.
Frustrated about the lack of a timeout but I suppose the bigger picture development that Poole is a useful NBA player is more important.
I think getting a big PG would make a lot of sense for next season, if one is available. Would not only fit Curry, but would fit Poole in the second unit.
I remember when there was a bunch of backlash when we drafted Poole. I didn't see the past 2 games but based on the statlines it looks like it's going to work out
I love Steve Kerr. I think any talk of firing is ridiculous. I have even understood some of the lack of timeouts this season. Not calling TO when Wiggins was trapped was DUMB. That decision probably cost 30% win expectancy. I have no clue why they didn't call it. And he needs to be grilled on it. So he can call it next time.
OT Just now seeing that the Kings waived GRIII almost a month ago. Had not seen that. Hmmm...
My thoughts on the two Memphis games.
Given that we were missing Steph, this is a pretty good result. The sweep would have been nice so we wouldn't have to worry about the tiebreaker with Memphis but they're really the least of our worries right now.
The biggest positive is Jordan Poole's continuing high level. His defense looks better too, but his offense is just shockingly good at this point. In particular, his midrange teardrop and finishing around the rim are starting to look elite, and his ability to get there is also impressive. I often say a guy looks like a stable rotation player (like JTA continues to do) but Poole's performance these last few games in particular has been more like an NBA starter.
Mannion is also looking very good for a second-round rookie pick, and I'm optimistic for his future with the team as well. I *love* his decision-making on when to drive, pass, look for his own shot, read the defense, etc. He's also surprisingly good at being in the right place on defense to contest shots. Just don't let him get posted up.
Smiley, on the other hand, showed a couple glimpses of why the team scouted him, but he's still more of a G-league level player who deserves a two-way contract at best, not a full guaranteed contract. Like, our guy Juan is not a natural center, but he's far more effective in that position despite being like 5 inches shorter and on an actual two-way contract!
These games also strengthened my suspicions that Paschall and Wiseman being out with health and safety protocols could be addition by subtraction. I still haven't entirely figured out how Paschall is such a negative on the court, but Wiseman is still just so inexperienced that he ends up kind of getting in the way of the play rather than being in the play a lot of the time. Unfortunately the only cure for that is playing time, and he's missing some good opportunities to play against weaker opponents due to the health and safety protocols.
Wiggins had a career night the first game, so that was awesome. His second game was not great, especially at the end, but it was still pretty acceptable.
Oubre had a couple of quiet games, but he was playing through a foot injury so that's fair. His defense in the win was a major contributor.
Draymond is still really freaking good and it was terrifying when he was hurting and holding his ankle. Really hoping that doesn't flare up and cause him to miss games down the line.
As I suspected, Wanamaker looks a bit better out there alongside Poole or others, but maybe not that much better.
Damion Lee still fights hard and rebounds well. He and Juanito are such excellent guys to have in the rotation, even if their 3-point shooting comes and goes.
Looney looney looney! He will be sorely missed during his health-and-safety-protocols absence.
Overall, steady goes it. Let's stay above .500, pick on some bad teams, and try to stay as healthy as we can to close out the season strong. Or, maybe Jordan Poole turns out to be the second coming of Steph Curry and the Warriors are about to ruin the league again. That would be fine, too. ;)
Disappointed to see the Kelly trade rumours. Points to an unlikely resign next season. Our ownership has deeeep pockets, but I guess even they have limits
Poole's not necessarily the quickest guard, but he's showing he has the BBIQ to still get penetration.
He's shown decisiveness before the defender is ready:
https://youtu.be/jXpmR2qFmaY?t=76
He's shown excellent craftiness:
https://youtu.be/jXpmR2qFmaY?t=66
He does this thing I noticed Damion Lee doing last year where he starts running before receiving the pass giving his defender little chance to stay in front of him:
https://youtu.be/jXpmR2qFmaY?t=111
He's learned Kerr's offense and can cut behind the defense:
https://youtu.be/jXpmR2qFmaY?t=104
Another skill I think he can eventually utilize to get penetration is his uncommonly deep three point range. It's a lot tougher for defenders to close out in control when you are 5 feet behind the three point line unless they have really long wingspans, chances are a pump fake will get them behind you. Curry can't really utilize that because even when he's 5 feet behind the line they are still hugging him, but I think Poole can.
Kerr is taking the heat, but really isn’t the end of this game about an NBA vet having trained winning habits enough to ingrain them or not. Overall this team looks a heck of a lot like a potential higher seed’s nightmare if they manage to trade Wannamaker and Paschall to protect the lineup coaches from themselves. It might just be a square peg round hole issue, this team clearly has potential and shouldn’t be self sabotaging.
This week makes one dream of playoff rotations featuring Poole, Looney, Baze, Lee, & JTA as the reserves. That’s so many positive impact players. And Looney or Poole can be the 5th closer depending on matchup/Poole heat index.
Short and long term, Poole might be crucial for us not getting murdered in non-Curry minutes. This season, we've been astoundingly bad without Curry. In terms of Offensive Efficiency with respect to the rest of the league (i.e. rORTG), we're the worst team in league history when Curry sits with a -18.0 rORTG (https://www.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/m6gin4/steph_curry_and_his_uniquely_historic_offensive/). Since we removed Wiseman from the starting lineup, we're producing 115.8 pts per 100 possession with Curry (which would be just below the Hawks and the 9th best in the league this year). Without Curry, we're producing 96.8 pts per 100 possessions. For context, the worst offense in the league this year is the Houston Rockets who score 104.7 pts per 100. The difference between our non-Curry units and Houston is roughly the same as the difference between the Houston and Lakers/Sixers offense.
And Curry has the highest on-off +- offensive splits with +19.4 per 100 possession which outpaces Jokic (15.7) and Doncic (14.7).
TLDR: Steph is amazing, our bench unit is decidedly not, and we need creation desperately which is a flaw Klay won't fix all by himself. Ideally, we get another high-usage perimeter creator. Luckily, it seems that Poole might be able to become at least somewhat proficient at it.
Oh and Steph's the GOAT offensive player but you guys knew that already.
Rebounding difference in the first game of the series: -3; second game: -14. It always, a l w a y s, comes back to rebounding with this team. Off-season workouts for Wiseman (and any other young wing/center we keep around) literally just gotta be four months of rebounding practice. Still, with all the DNPs, staying competitive is a great sign. Fully agree with everyone here or elsewhere roasting Kerr for not calling the TO. Let's hope Curry is in less pain by the time the Philly game rolls around and that Loon's protocol is solely an inconclusive test.
Any word on severity of Dray’s injury? Nice that he could play on it, but still looked awful.
Frustrated about the lack of a timeout but I suppose the bigger picture development that Poole is a useful NBA player is more important.
I think getting a big PG would make a lot of sense for next season, if one is available. Would not only fit Curry, but would fit Poole in the second unit.
I remember when there was a bunch of backlash when we drafted Poole. I didn't see the past 2 games but based on the statlines it looks like it's going to work out
I love Steve Kerr. I think any talk of firing is ridiculous. I have even understood some of the lack of timeouts this season. Not calling TO when Wiggins was trapped was DUMB. That decision probably cost 30% win expectancy. I have no clue why they didn't call it. And he needs to be grilled on it. So he can call it next time.
Based on the stats, here's what I saw:
-Lee didn't shoot so well nor didn't get a lot of shot attempts.
-Wiggins shot badly and made bad decisions towards the end of the game.
-No double-double for Green
-JTA did much better tonight
-Morant and Allen, who shot well against the Warriors last night, shot poorly tonight.
-Clarke and Bane, who did well against the Warriors last night, did pretty well tonight as well.
Our guy Juan was enormous in this game. Kerr pissed it away at the end. He’s got some esplainin to do. Otherwise a good effort from our boys.
Arrow up: JTA, Poole, Mannion, Wiggins, DayDay. Arrow hard down: Mulder, Smiley, Kerr’s timeout sensibility
Here's how the other players performed tonight:
Green: (-27)
7 points 2/4 FGs 3/4 FTs
8 rebounds 3 assists 2 turnovers 1 steal 1 block
Oubre: (-19)
12 points 4/13 FGs 1/4 three pointers 3/5 FTs
6 rebounds (2 off.) 2 assists 1 turnover 2 blocks
Wiggins: (-8)
20 points 4/14 FGs 2/5 three pointers 10/12 FTs
9 rebounds (1 off.) 2 assists 3 turnovers 2 steals
Lee: (+4)
5 points 1/5 FGs 1/4 three pointers 2/2 FTs
3 rebounds 1 assist 2 turnovers
Morant: (+8)
14 points 5/20 FGs 1/5 three pointers 3/4 FTs
3 rebounds (2 off.) 8 assists 3 turnovers 1 steal
Allen: (+10)
6 points 2/9 FGs 0/3 three pointers 2/3 FTs
8 rebounds (1 off.) 2 assists 3 steals 1 block
Brooks: (+22)
19 points 4/16 FGs 3/8 three pointers 8/8 FTs
4 rebounds (2 off.) 3 assists 2 turnovers 1 block
Notable stats:
Warriors:
Poole: (-12)
26 points 10/21 FGs 3/9 three pointers 3/3 FTs
4 rebounds 5 assists 1 steal
Toscano-Anderson: (+15)
11 points 4/7 FGs 3/5 three pointers
6 rebounds 6 assists 3 steals 2 blocks
Mannion: (+0)
9 points 3/6 FGs 1/2 three pointers 2/2 FTs
2 rebounds 1 turnover
Bazemore: (+7)
8 points 2/7 FGs 1/3 three pointers 3/4 FTs
5 rebounds (1 off.) 3 assists 2 turnovers 2 blocks
Grizzlies:
Clarke: (-4)
16 points 7/9 FGs 2/2 FTs
6 rebounds (2 off.) 1 assist 1 turnover
Bane: (-10)
15 points 6/10 FGs 2/3 three pointers 1/2 FTs
2 rebounds (1 off.) 2 assists 1 turnover 2 steals
Valanciunas: (+17)
19 points 5/10 FGs 1/2 three pointers 8/9 FTs
15 rebounds (3 off.) 1 assist 1 turnover 2 blocks
Anderson: (+20)
13 points 5/9 FGs 2/4 three pointers 1/1 FT
8 rebounds 4 assists
Final stats:
Warriors:
34.4% shooting (31/90 FGs)
13/41 three pointers
28/34 FTs
46 rebounds (7 off.)
23 assists
12 turnovers
8 steals
7 blocks
Grizzlies:
38.9% shooting (37/95 FGs)
10/32 three pointers
27/31 FTs
60 rebounds (13 off.)
25 assists
12 turnovers
8 steals
5 blocks
Points in paint:
Warriors: 32
Grizzlies: 46
Fastbreak points:
Warriors: 5
Grizzlies: 12
Points off turnovers:
Warriors: 13
Grizzlies: 16
Bench points:
Warriors: 35
Grizzlies: 40