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Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson terrorize Phoenix
Warriors snap Suns' 18-game win streak with a fury.
HAPPY SATURDAY DNHQ, LET’S TALK SOME BASKETBALL.
JTA brings Town Biz to Chase Center
My last piece discussed the success Phoenix’s stingy defense had against the Warriors. Specifically I examined how Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson, the pass-first point-forwards of Golden State’s high-flying offense, were knocked out of sync by a Suns that dared them to be scoring threats. In that game, Phoenix mucked up the passing lanes and turned Green and JTA’s unselfish instincts against them, forcing them into poor passes and aimless drives.
Clearly DNHQ is getting read in the Warriors’ locker room; or they’re just high IQ professionals who don’t need blog bois like myself to know how to adjust in the game they’re paid millions to pay. IDK, who’s to say?
Either way, last night in the rematch they punished Phoenix for leaving them open, and the Warriors laughed their way to another W despite Stephen Curry (23 points on 20 shots) and Jordan Poole (14 points on 12 shots) not having big scoring nights. How much did Green and JTA improve from Tuesday’s loss to the 118-96 victory Friday night?
Well, this was the freakin’ header on NBA.com this morning!
Lmao I wrote these notes in the previous game:
If JTA takes his time and gives Booker a nice move to score, or get fouled, or draw a double team around the basket, the Suns have to rejigger their defensive net.
Instead, they can swarm around with CP3 acting as a free safety, mucking up the passing lanes and daring the Warriors to score 1 on 1 with players who aren’t necessarily looking for their own shot.
With the shot clock running down, JTA is forced to try and heroically drive around solid defender Jae Crowder, but he’s not historically known as an ISO-get-you-a-bucket kinda guy.
Now he’s out here posterizing shotblocking 7-footers!! Talk about getting you a bucket! Former Warrior fan-favorite JaVale McGee got turned into a memento!

JTA finished the night with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 26 minutes off of the bench on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. He also only had 1 turnover after coughing the rock up 5 times in the loss to the Suns. Way to hoop JTA!

Draymond Green torments Phoenix in the rematch
Green was another guy I studied in Tuesday’s loss for forcing passes that weren’t there (5 turnovers) against a defense that was baiting him into passivity. Last night he responded with 9 assists to only 2 turnovers and was a threat offensively (4-of-6 shooting from the field).


When Phoenix dared to leave him open, he stepped up and made them pay. And even when he didn’t shoot, the fact that he appeared like he MIGHT shoot threw Phoenix’s defense off.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. Green had 6 steals and 3 blocks last night hahahahah. He was everywhere at once, anchoring a defense that choked the life out of the Suns. Per NBA tracking stats, Suns center DeAndre Ayton was 2-of-6 from the field when guarded by Green. There plenty of times where Green wouldn’t let him get the ball!




Gary Payton II or Andrew Wiggins for Most Improved Player?
Wiggins: 30 min, 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 5 rebounds, 2 assists +24 plus/minus.
GPII: 26 min, 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting (3-of-5 from downtown, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 stunning tie-up of Chris Paul.
Will anyone score on this team in the playoffs when Coach Steve Kerr activates the Curry, GP2, Wiggins, Andre Iguodala, and Green defensive lineup? Serious question.
BACK2BACK
Whoa there’s another game today. At 5:30 PM Cali time on NBC Sports Bay Area, the Dubs take on the San Antonio Spurs. Golden State’s former rival is now floundering in obscurity, far removed from the dynasty days of decades prior. They have a 7-13 record, but they have won three in a row and would be more than happy to get that fourth on Golden State’s home court.
That Dejounte Murray guy they developed is leading the team in points (18.9), rebounds (8.4), and assists (8.3). I always figured he’d be a solid player, and now he’s coming to the fore. Good for him!
Now sic Wiggins on ‘em and let’s sweep this home back to back, baby!
Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson terrorize Phoenix
Here is a team comprised of 5 guys NOT in the top 10 per minutes played this year pulling from 15 man roster plus 2 way contracts.
Chioza, Moody, Klay, Kuminga, Wiseman
These are the guys currently outside the ten man rotation.
Holy S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkp9e3buPgk
Siakam and JJ talking about Steph. Really fun listening to Siakam gushing about how Steph and Dray play.