Howsa bout “Run 3&D”? Ode to the Run TMC era, and they all run, make threes and play D. (Even Dray hits the occasional 3, and Poole’s defense is improving 🤷🏽♀️)
Draymond's brilliance in statistics. Obviously, these matchup stats aren't perfect but I wouldn't be surprised if they were given Dray's play in the first two games.
Game 1
Jokic guarded by Draymond: 6-15 fg, 0-4 from 3, 0 assists, 1 TO
Jokic not guarded by Draymond: 6-10 fg, 0-0 from 3, 6 assists, 2 TO
Draymond vs All Nuggets players: 11-28 fg, 1-7 from 3, 3 blocks
Game 2:
Jokic guarded by Draymond: 3-13 fg, 0-4 from 3, 3 assists, 2 TO
Jokic not guarded by Draymond: 6-7 fg, 0-0 from 3, 1 assist, 1 TO
Draymond vs All Nuggets players: 5-18 fg, 2-7 from 3, 6 assists, 4 TO, 3 steals, 1 block
Look at the difference between Dray's defense/Loon or Bjelica's defense. This isn't a fair comparison obviously but even the height/weight/length advantage that the other two have makes no difference between who is (by far) the better defender on a very big, very skilled man. The only thing that even moderately matters is whether Draymond can stay healthy enough because he is absolutely OWNING the MVP.
About garbage time - why don't Payton, DLee, JTA, JK and Moody practice together and design a handful of plays to use in the future? We're going to have a lot more of those minutes. If they put some structure on a couple of simple Kerr plays and a PNR or two, this group could look pretty darn good. Especially since they will be playing against the opposing team's bottom of the order.
He's much closer to them guarding an elite PG than they are to him guarding anyone else, though. And if any of them get switched onto someone else then it's an immediate negative compared to him.
Remember when Dame and CJ had a two-on one fastbreak against him and he ended up blocking Dame at the rim? Ever see any of those guys do anything like that?
He's their Wiggins, he's just completely over-promoted right now. His role is meant to be a defensive do-it-all guy that cuts and dunks the ball on offense. Right now, he's the #2 guy, which is not viable unless you want to be the Orlando Magic.
Helpful comparison. Andrew had his flashes as a #2 but found it hard to live up to the requirement. As a #3, he was much more consistent and seemed to find himself. As a #4, he's superb.
If Jokic, Murray, and MPJ are all ahead of him, Gordon probably looks a lot better. Right now, he's being asked to do more than he can do.
I don't have a good nickname but I will point out the big negative of the series so far; The Nuggets garbage time line up is much better than the Warriors garbage time lineup. JTA looks like he is holding up his end playing with his normal hustle, but Kuminga hasn't looked good and Lee is still having problems with his 3pt shot. This is making the games look closer than they actually are which will give the Nuggets and future opponents hope. The Warriors need to tighten that up.
We are seeing "Garbage/All Star/G League" style Kuminga. He does NOT engage in meaningless/unstructured/uncontrolled/get your own environment. I feel a bit bad for him, but he needs an offseason before he's ready for high leverage rotation minutes.
To me, Kuminga looked like he was ready to play Warriors basketball, while the rest of the group was into the G league mindset of run run, maybe pass, then shoot.
Yeah... Kuminga couldn't stop shaking his head out there in that madness. He even had a nice dime to GP2 cutting through the lane that GP2 missed. And JTA missed a throw ahead in transition for a "blow the roof off the house" dunk. Hope the coaching staff gets on them about that disorganized mess.
Hidden in all the smallball hoopla is this irrefutable fact: Draymond is a big. He's the best, most versatile big in the NBA. The Warriors start "twin towers" in Draymond & Kevon... they just don't look the part cuz they're not 7' tall.
Last night was Steph's 41st time having >= 30 in the playoffs. Wilt and Bird have 42 and 43 such games for people who don't think Steph is an ATG playoff performer.
Additionally, Steph's done it in about 50 less games.
He has so many volume stats in the playoffs, it's crazy. He's the second most prolific three point shooter for example, and he's still first in attempts. (Steph is #2 by slightly less than 100 attempts; given a long enough run he could pass him this postseason).
James' longevity that has allowed him to put up so many volume stats (both playoffs and regular season) is definitely what gives him the best argument for GOAT. It really is incredible the statistical career he's amassed.
Narrative wise Jordan still beats him by a country mile, though.
how about "cannonball run"?
I like Fast Five or, better yet, I saw Flash Five somewhere. Those would be great
Howsa bout “Run 3&D”? Ode to the Run TMC era, and they all run, make threes and play D. (Even Dray hits the occasional 3, and Poole’s defense is improving 🤷🏽♀️)
Much better than the rest.
Draymond's brilliance in statistics. Obviously, these matchup stats aren't perfect but I wouldn't be surprised if they were given Dray's play in the first two games.
Game 1
Jokic guarded by Draymond: 6-15 fg, 0-4 from 3, 0 assists, 1 TO
Jokic not guarded by Draymond: 6-10 fg, 0-0 from 3, 6 assists, 2 TO
Draymond vs All Nuggets players: 11-28 fg, 1-7 from 3, 3 blocks
Game 2:
Jokic guarded by Draymond: 3-13 fg, 0-4 from 3, 3 assists, 2 TO
Jokic not guarded by Draymond: 6-7 fg, 0-0 from 3, 1 assist, 1 TO
Draymond vs All Nuggets players: 5-18 fg, 2-7 from 3, 6 assists, 4 TO, 3 steals, 1 block
Look at the difference between Dray's defense/Loon or Bjelica's defense. This isn't a fair comparison obviously but even the height/weight/length advantage that the other two have makes no difference between who is (by far) the better defender on a very big, very skilled man. The only thing that even moderately matters is whether Draymond can stay healthy enough because he is absolutely OWNING the MVP.
I think there should be an MVP per game.
About garbage time - why don't Payton, DLee, JTA, JK and Moody practice together and design a handful of plays to use in the future? We're going to have a lot more of those minutes. If they put some structure on a couple of simple Kerr plays and a PNR or two, this group could look pretty darn good. Especially since they will be playing against the opposing team's bottom of the order.
The Deep Space 5 (for all you Trekkies)
Yass!
Another Steph note: after going 0-5 to start in game one, he's gone 9-12 from two and 8-13 from three (17-25 overall).
Jesus Threesus!!
Aaron gordon is completely shook, he has no clue what to do when we aren't doubling jokic and giving him an easy cut to the rim
I wonder how much the home crowd will help him.
Was getting cooked on defense as well.
https://youtu.be/VCpV9vYjwHc?t=47
Like Wiggins, quick and shifty guards aren't his thing. He's really good against big, strong forwards.
I think that's the difference between them and someone like Mikal.
And then there's Draymond "Unicorn" Green who is your best 1:1 defender against Jokic, Ja, CP3, Embiid, KD, or anybody else in the league.
I don't think he's the best 1v1 defender against guys like Ja (guys like Jrue, GP2, Thybulle, Bridges etc are much better at that).
But yes, Draymond is generational.
Agree
He's much closer to them guarding an elite PG than they are to him guarding anyone else, though. And if any of them get switched onto someone else then it's an immediate negative compared to him.
Remember when Dame and CJ had a two-on one fastbreak against him and he ended up blocking Dame at the rim? Ever see any of those guys do anything like that?
Yeah, I agree. He's the best defender in the league when healthy. I'm just saying if it were only guarding quick guards, Dray isn't the #1 guy.
You're entitled to your opinion, but and those others are in the top 5, but Dray is in that top 5 for sure.
He's their Wiggins, he's just completely over-promoted right now. His role is meant to be a defensive do-it-all guy that cuts and dunks the ball on offense. Right now, he's the #2 guy, which is not viable unless you want to be the Orlando Magic.
Helpful comparison. Andrew had his flashes as a #2 but found it hard to live up to the requirement. As a #3, he was much more consistent and seemed to find himself. As a #4, he's superb.
If Jokic, Murray, and MPJ are all ahead of him, Gordon probably looks a lot better. Right now, he's being asked to do more than he can do.
For all of Bill Simmons's occasionally dumb takes and his Boston homerism, he voted Jordan Poole MiP this year. FWIW.
I don't have a good nickname but I will point out the big negative of the series so far; The Nuggets garbage time line up is much better than the Warriors garbage time lineup. JTA looks like he is holding up his end playing with his normal hustle, but Kuminga hasn't looked good and Lee is still having problems with his 3pt shot. This is making the games look closer than they actually are which will give the Nuggets and future opponents hope. The Warriors need to tighten that up.
> the big negative
Yeah, if that's our "big negative" we gonna be championship
We are seeing "Garbage/All Star/G League" style Kuminga. He does NOT engage in meaningless/unstructured/uncontrolled/get your own environment. I feel a bit bad for him, but he needs an offseason before he's ready for high leverage rotation minutes.
To me, Kuminga looked like he was ready to play Warriors basketball, while the rest of the group was into the G league mindset of run run, maybe pass, then shoot.
Yeah... Kuminga couldn't stop shaking his head out there in that madness. He even had a nice dime to GP2 cutting through the lane that GP2 missed. And JTA missed a throw ahead in transition for a "blow the roof off the house" dunk. Hope the coaching staff gets on them about that disorganized mess.
Kuminga has looked like a 19-year-old rookie who has played inconsistent minutes this season (especially recently) and is in his first playoffs.
Really interesting Ringer article about two big man lineups: https://www.theringer.com/2022/4/19/23030857/nba-twin-towers-memphis-grizzlies-milwaukee-bucks
Hidden in all the smallball hoopla is this irrefutable fact: Draymond is a big. He's the best, most versatile big in the NBA. The Warriors start "twin towers" in Draymond & Kevon... they just don't look the part cuz they're not 7' tall.
I've got the name. Shock & Awe. Shocked at the offensive firepower and awed by the fierce defense.
I promised I wouldn't get caught up in the naming thing, but I've been thinking Kerrberus.
You know, after Cerberus? Three heads=our three guards, and it was a defensive-minded creature ... anyone?
Yeah, okay, I'll stop.
So interesting
Stop offer accepted
I was kind of inspired by Curry's spinning layup move when the announcer called it a tornado.
How about "Hurricane Dub" lineup? I think it captures the speed, the chaotic nature, the making it rain, and the waves/surges as it makes landfall...
You're onto something
Last night was Steph's 41st time having >= 30 in the playoffs. Wilt and Bird have 42 and 43 such games for people who don't think Steph is an ATG playoff performer.
Additionally, Steph's done it in about 50 less games.
James with 118 is insane.
He has so many volume stats in the playoffs, it's crazy. He's the second most prolific three point shooter for example, and he's still first in attempts. (Steph is #2 by slightly less than 100 attempts; given a long enough run he could pass him this postseason).
James' longevity that has allowed him to put up so many volume stats (both playoffs and regular season) is definitely what gives him the best argument for GOAT. It really is incredible the statistical career he's amassed.
Narrative wise Jordan still beats him by a country mile, though.
Career playoff minutes:
1) LeBron: 11035
2) Duncan: 9370
3) Kareem: 8851
4) Kobe: 8641
5) Pippin: 8105
6) Shaq: 8098
7) Malone: 7907
8) Tony Parker: 7758
9) Wilt: 7559
10) Magic: 7538
11) Russell: 7497
12) Jordan: 7474
[...]
41) Iggy 5218
60) Klay 4635
64) Dray 4436
69) Steph 4280
Going to the finals 10 times will do that for you!
nice
As for lineup names, I'm quite partial to Danny Leroux's suggestion of Mjölnir (Thor's Hammer).