Amazing win, excellent ending run from a ton of players. Player grades, vs expectations.
Wiseman has cooled down a bit after his hot start; he still looks like a promising rookie but it now seems like he'll need a while longer before he can be a plus over solid guys like Ibaka and Nurkic at either end. Grade: C
Paschall, on the other hand, was amazing. He made Zubac look like a traffic cone, and I say that as someone who thinks Zubac is a very promising young player. But Paschall made shots around him easily, boxed him out on the boards, and played him off the floor. That's amazing. Grade: A
Wanamaker had his best game as a Warrior, too. Grabbed boards, made two clutch 3s, defended Paul George, who had been white-hot, and forced turnovers... He looked great out there. Grade: A
It's weird seeing Steph Curry looking mad, but he has been angry in several games so far and not in a good way. Even when he's doing well, it feels like there's more of an edge to him lately. That sure turned around in the 4th when the 2nd unit was cooking. He looked like his old self being the absolute happiest guy on the bench celebrating some of those plays that maintained the lead. Grade: B+
Draymond: He was up in it for a bit, but was pretty quiet in stretches. Honestly one of his weaker games. C-.
Mulder: Lots of quality minutes here, and he acquitted himself well enough on both ends. It's a shame the team didn't spring him free for more open looks. A-.
Lee: Solid game, reliable 3s, not as much a force on D and in the glass as he sometimes is. B.
Oubre: Other people have said it too, and I don't want to rag on him too much because we know he's better than this, but the Warriors probably would not have won if he had played more minutes. F.
Looney: Lot of fouls, many smart intentional fouls, but still. Not much else, good or bad, stuck out in his minutes other than some hard screens,. C-.
Wiggins: He owned Kawhi, iced the Clippers, and looked amazing all around. A.
Bazemore: He looked like a crafty vet with a childlike smile. He didn't bust the game wide open, but he was stalwart. B.
Without Curry playing at this high level, the Dubs would be struggling to win many games. Without a doubt, he is an elite player who needs to take over games because no one else is capable of it.
Wiggins seems to have turned a corner in his development with the club. He is finding his way in a very natural and effective way on both ends of the court. I'm impressed and think he is a good fit with this team.
Oubre, otoh, lacks a certain 'touch', both in shooting and putting the ball in the basket from close range. He has missed many point blank shots/dunks because he is out of control. He is a very high twitch player with a superior motor and athleticism, but he cannot coordinate the finer points of the game. I still think he should come off the bench or be prevented from shooting by the coaching staff and focusing on getting his teammates the ball. He is a low assist guy. He shuts out the team when he has the ball because of his tendency to play insolation ball and his superior speed. They need to teach him a new way to see the game.
DLee should start in his place.
Draymond is definitely a help on the floor but his offensive game seems gone. It will put more pressure on Curry and others to score.
Wiseman is still fun to watch but Lamelo and Edwards seem ahead of him for ROY. Lamelo sees the game. Knows what to do and how to do it.
Once again, Curry is the most exciting player in the NBA. No lead is safe with him on the floor.
Great write up of the game and I love the "Ender Wiggins" reference. I didn't think many NBA would get the reference but IMO "Ender" is definitely the name that should stick.
Wow. I knew Wiggins looked pretty good on Khawi but I had NO IDEA the stats were this amazing. Also, that final 3 was so casual, so cold blooded and amazing. Kwahi's defense was absolutely irrelevant on that shot. I didn't have the jaw dropping quality of watching Steph but PG13 in the blender but that shot made me think we could actually be a top 4 team this year.
I know Oubre has been terrible offensively (and hopefully better shot selection + better shooting in the future will fix that), but his/Wiggins/Draymond perimeter defense has been absolutely stifling. Combine that with Wiseman/Draymond's rim protection and our defense has really been the strength of this team while Curry has carried our offense.
I think the biggest thing with Wiggins has been how consistent his energy and effort has been. A lot of us we’re hoping that a clear role on a good team with good schemes on both sides of the ball would be an impetus for him to shed the “lackadaisical” label. He’s been a man on a mission, but it doesn’t look like he’s trying to prove himself as much as just trying to help the team win however he can. Importantly, he’s proving effective playing alongside Curry and leading things when Curry rests.
As I said in the game thread, I think he’s putting that “inconsistent effort” label to bed. As far as I’m concerned, he has.
Amazing win, excellent ending run from a ton of players. Player grades, vs expectations.
Wiseman has cooled down a bit after his hot start; he still looks like a promising rookie but it now seems like he'll need a while longer before he can be a plus over solid guys like Ibaka and Nurkic at either end. Grade: C
Paschall, on the other hand, was amazing. He made Zubac look like a traffic cone, and I say that as someone who thinks Zubac is a very promising young player. But Paschall made shots around him easily, boxed him out on the boards, and played him off the floor. That's amazing. Grade: A
Wanamaker had his best game as a Warrior, too. Grabbed boards, made two clutch 3s, defended Paul George, who had been white-hot, and forced turnovers... He looked great out there. Grade: A
It's weird seeing Steph Curry looking mad, but he has been angry in several games so far and not in a good way. Even when he's doing well, it feels like there's more of an edge to him lately. That sure turned around in the 4th when the 2nd unit was cooking. He looked like his old self being the absolute happiest guy on the bench celebrating some of those plays that maintained the lead. Grade: B+
Draymond: He was up in it for a bit, but was pretty quiet in stretches. Honestly one of his weaker games. C-.
Mulder: Lots of quality minutes here, and he acquitted himself well enough on both ends. It's a shame the team didn't spring him free for more open looks. A-.
Lee: Solid game, reliable 3s, not as much a force on D and in the glass as he sometimes is. B.
Oubre: Other people have said it too, and I don't want to rag on him too much because we know he's better than this, but the Warriors probably would not have won if he had played more minutes. F.
Looney: Lot of fouls, many smart intentional fouls, but still. Not much else, good or bad, stuck out in his minutes other than some hard screens,. C-.
Wiggins: He owned Kawhi, iced the Clippers, and looked amazing all around. A.
Bazemore: He looked like a crafty vet with a childlike smile. He didn't bust the game wide open, but he was stalwart. B.
100% behind going with Ender for Wiggins if he’s going to be playing so well!
Without Curry playing at this high level, the Dubs would be struggling to win many games. Without a doubt, he is an elite player who needs to take over games because no one else is capable of it.
Wiggins seems to have turned a corner in his development with the club. He is finding his way in a very natural and effective way on both ends of the court. I'm impressed and think he is a good fit with this team.
Oubre, otoh, lacks a certain 'touch', both in shooting and putting the ball in the basket from close range. He has missed many point blank shots/dunks because he is out of control. He is a very high twitch player with a superior motor and athleticism, but he cannot coordinate the finer points of the game. I still think he should come off the bench or be prevented from shooting by the coaching staff and focusing on getting his teammates the ball. He is a low assist guy. He shuts out the team when he has the ball because of his tendency to play insolation ball and his superior speed. They need to teach him a new way to see the game.
DLee should start in his place.
Draymond is definitely a help on the floor but his offensive game seems gone. It will put more pressure on Curry and others to score.
Wiseman is still fun to watch but Lamelo and Edwards seem ahead of him for ROY. Lamelo sees the game. Knows what to do and how to do it.
Once again, Curry is the most exciting player in the NBA. No lead is safe with him on the floor.
Very interesting article about Basketball IQ and feel: https://ezhoops.co/2021/01/04/feel-and-feel-accessories/
Did you guys see the extended hug post-game between Curry and Beverly? Intense competitors but so classy.
Beverly was a monster out there, but Curry made hay when he was on the bench and we were able to throw enough enough bodies in the way late.
If you thought after two games that the Warriors would be this far ahead of the Twolves, my hat is off to you.
Great write up of the game and I love the "Ender Wiggins" reference. I didn't think many NBA would get the reference but IMO "Ender" is definitely the name that should stick.
Wow. I knew Wiggins looked pretty good on Khawi but I had NO IDEA the stats were this amazing. Also, that final 3 was so casual, so cold blooded and amazing. Kwahi's defense was absolutely irrelevant on that shot. I didn't have the jaw dropping quality of watching Steph but PG13 in the blender but that shot made me think we could actually be a top 4 team this year.
I know Oubre has been terrible offensively (and hopefully better shot selection + better shooting in the future will fix that), but his/Wiggins/Draymond perimeter defense has been absolutely stifling. Combine that with Wiseman/Draymond's rim protection and our defense has really been the strength of this team while Curry has carried our offense.
Good write-up, DDD.
I think the biggest thing with Wiggins has been how consistent his energy and effort has been. A lot of us we’re hoping that a clear role on a good team with good schemes on both sides of the ball would be an impetus for him to shed the “lackadaisical” label. He’s been a man on a mission, but it doesn’t look like he’s trying to prove himself as much as just trying to help the team win however he can. Importantly, he’s proving effective playing alongside Curry and leading things when Curry rests.
As I said in the game thread, I think he’s putting that “inconsistent effort” label to bed. As far as I’m concerned, he has.