DNHQ reports live from Warriors win over limping Embiid and the 76ers
Golden State put on a strong performance to defend their home court and break their losing streak.
Folks, Dub Nation HQ is having a banner year. Yesterday I spent the day/evening at Chase Center, enjoying the festivities from Warriors Gaming Squad receiving their championship rings for winning their first NBA 2K League championship, and the hardwood Dubs breaking a nasty losing streak with a big win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
(I’ll have more on Warriors Gaming reaching the peak of gaming tomorrow!)
Now just because I’m an award winning writer writing for the best Warriors community on the planet doesn’t mean that I’m no longer capable of being starstruck. But on a night that I was blessed to ask Coach Steve Kerr, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry some questions they gave some thoughtful responses to, I was most blown away by running into MONTE FREAKIN’ POOLE.
I’ve been reading Mr. Poole’s work since I was a young dude in East Oakland sliding the Sports page out of my dad’s newspaper to devour the latest sports content. It was surreal seeing Monte in the hallway and realizing that this guy directly affected my literary hopes and dreams. Reading his words all those years ago till now gave me so much inspiration and motivation to use sports as a launching pad for creativity.
His warm personality made me feel right at home in the bowels of Chase Center, and he even did me a solid by taking a pic with me.
What a treat! The Warriors really have a great way of bringing cool people together. You know what else is cool? Not getting destroyed by Joel Embiid, Philly’s massive center who was a gametime decision due to lingering injury.
When he was announced in the starting lineup for the visitors, the crowd booed with the anxiety of a fanbase that has been unnerved by stars like LeBron James and Nikola Jokic wreaking havoc on Golden State’s home floor.
But the Warriors did a great job of making his life tough, forcing him into 5-of-18 shooting from the field with 8 (!) turnovers. Here’s his shot chart for the game:
Look at how many mid-range to deep jumpshots they forced him in. Now of course, Embiid was already hobbled entering this game, but he is still the MVP who can go for 70 on any given night. That’s something Steph and Dray reminded me of emphatically when I asked them how they kept the big guy in check:
These dudes are great interviews, man. I loved how they showed the utmost respect to the limping MVP while acknowledging the specific mindset the team employed to slow him down.
Speaking of MVP’s, I asked Stephen Curry about what his Super Bowl pick was considering the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl and they were in the building last night.
All in all, a good night in Chase Center. Here’s to many more! Let’s keep the good vibes rolling HQ.
A'ja Wilson on Las Vegas Aces "superteam," her MVP snub & WNBA Mt. Rushmore | Draymond Green Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3JSRbR5Y6I
Really looking to see the team's performance on Friday as an indicator of improvement from their last debacle in Memphis. Memphis will be on a home SEGABABA too, while the Dubs will be well rested.
The next night, Atlanta will also be on a SEGABABA, so no rest advantage for either team. It really does feel like a big opportunity to get some momentum going.