Hell of a game. It's awesome watching Oubre figure out how to use Steph's gravity to feed his dunk addiction, and Draymond's ability to connect the dots there is just what the doctor ordered. Green's intensity, focus, and timeliness conjured up since great performances like his dominating 2019 WCF in my mind too.
It was less pretty seeing the bench struggle so badly, and the turnover count in general was laughably bad. We're lucky the Hornets were just as sloppy. Wiseman's hands are seriously concerning. Everything else about his game feels like "future HoF" but the fumbling might be a fatal flaw. Hoping it's fixable.
Wanamaker isn't the only problem with the bench unit, though. Wiggins' offense looked out of sorts and his FT shooting is still a concern. Paschall and Lee had some bad throwaways too. They were entirely unprepared for Charlotte's full court press, which was the strongest such I've seen in the NBA. It sorta kinda worked against the starters, but it really frustrated the second unit.
Curry's 3pt% continues to care nothing whatsoever about how well he's guarded, for better and for worse. Dude draped all over him? No problem, that's a normal shot. Wide open? Somehow he misses a normal percentage of those too. But he would have been the most important player on the floor even if the Hornets hadn't gifted him like half his points on 4th-quarter free throws. His ability to get the team open looks was the secret sauce to Oubre's & Dray's fantastic nights; it's just KO gets it now. I'd say his defense regressed a little bit this game, giving up some easy ones even though he still put in the work on most possessions, but that says more about how peak performance it was against NYK.
Interesting that Looney again didn't play with the other starters in the 4th. We got a little bit of EP and then Bazemore. I'm guessing it was some combo of tinkering and FT%? Seems to have worked out ok, though it didn't get Draymond his 20th assist.
I think Wiggins' shot selection looked better this game but he still missed some ones I wouldn't expect him to. And the Wanamaker problem—more accurately, the 2nd unit ball-handling problem—was more acute. Paschall and Wiseman tried to handle too and they both lost it on drives to the basket. I have a feeling there's a red-headed kid in a bubble somewhere who might be able to help sometime soon. Maybe that's crazy; we'll see.
Glad we got the W. Up next: testing out this newfound first-unit confidence against some stronger teams in the West. We can certainly win any of the next 6 games, but consistency will be the challenge.
Feb 27, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Regarding the Ball/Wiseman debate - Ball gained some really valuable experience with his foray into the Aussie league; something that probably made his transition into NBA ball more seamless. Wiseman, meanwhile, had a 3 game career in college. I’d still rather hold onto a huge diamond in the rough like the Wise one, than a slightly polished ball...
Feb 27, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot, punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Glad you're back Daniel, between you/Dubby/Apricot/Commish this site has such a wealth of amazing writers that write a variety of articles going from play by play breakdown to more holistic assessments of games. There is a reason why Lets Go Warriors is blowing up while GSOM is dying, the quality of writing is far higher which is attracting fans who also want to engage in actual basketball discussion.
Very good post, DH. You summed up my very own views on how I am looking at the Warriors, lately. They seemed to have turned a corner, especially Draymond and Oubre, both playing like well oiled machines. 19 assists is unreal. That is Jokic territory! lol.
It does seem that Wanamaker and the 2nd unit has been slipping a bit. I can relate to wanting to give one of our gleaguers a shot, but Wanamaker does have a lot of experience at PG. Poole does not even though he is playing like a lighted torch. Both he and Mannion will get their shot, I believe. When, is the question. Kerr is very liberal with allowing incumbents to play through their slumps. Just look at Oubre for an example of this.
My concern for the future is still Wiggins. Oubre has surpassed Wiggins on my belief chart as I always knew he would deep down. He is a special talent capable of explosion. Wiggins just doesn't seem to have that part in his psyche. Plodding, steady, but never really impressing with that oh wow moment. I don't know how he will start next season if they re-sign Oubre, which they must. With Klay back, Wiggins goes to the bench. It does seem he scores a good deal with the 2nd unit. Anyone have any stats on this?
Feb 27, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Great read! I really missed your writing. I’m all in on Wiseman, too. He’s 19 for goodness sake with such a steep learning curve and given the schedule, I assume very few if any practice sessions. He’s smart though and at some point the lightbulb will go on just like it has for Oubre.
Hell of a game. It's awesome watching Oubre figure out how to use Steph's gravity to feed his dunk addiction, and Draymond's ability to connect the dots there is just what the doctor ordered. Green's intensity, focus, and timeliness conjured up since great performances like his dominating 2019 WCF in my mind too.
It was less pretty seeing the bench struggle so badly, and the turnover count in general was laughably bad. We're lucky the Hornets were just as sloppy. Wiseman's hands are seriously concerning. Everything else about his game feels like "future HoF" but the fumbling might be a fatal flaw. Hoping it's fixable.
Wanamaker isn't the only problem with the bench unit, though. Wiggins' offense looked out of sorts and his FT shooting is still a concern. Paschall and Lee had some bad throwaways too. They were entirely unprepared for Charlotte's full court press, which was the strongest such I've seen in the NBA. It sorta kinda worked against the starters, but it really frustrated the second unit.
Curry's 3pt% continues to care nothing whatsoever about how well he's guarded, for better and for worse. Dude draped all over him? No problem, that's a normal shot. Wide open? Somehow he misses a normal percentage of those too. But he would have been the most important player on the floor even if the Hornets hadn't gifted him like half his points on 4th-quarter free throws. His ability to get the team open looks was the secret sauce to Oubre's & Dray's fantastic nights; it's just KO gets it now. I'd say his defense regressed a little bit this game, giving up some easy ones even though he still put in the work on most possessions, but that says more about how peak performance it was against NYK.
Interesting that Looney again didn't play with the other starters in the 4th. We got a little bit of EP and then Bazemore. I'm guessing it was some combo of tinkering and FT%? Seems to have worked out ok, though it didn't get Draymond his 20th assist.
I think Wiggins' shot selection looked better this game but he still missed some ones I wouldn't expect him to. And the Wanamaker problem—more accurately, the 2nd unit ball-handling problem—was more acute. Paschall and Wiseman tried to handle too and they both lost it on drives to the basket. I have a feeling there's a red-headed kid in a bubble somewhere who might be able to help sometime soon. Maybe that's crazy; we'll see.
Glad we got the W. Up next: testing out this newfound first-unit confidence against some stronger teams in the West. We can certainly win any of the next 6 games, but consistency will be the challenge.
Regarding the Ball/Wiseman debate - Ball gained some really valuable experience with his foray into the Aussie league; something that probably made his transition into NBA ball more seamless. Wiseman, meanwhile, had a 3 game career in college. I’d still rather hold onto a huge diamond in the rough like the Wise one, than a slightly polished ball...
Glad you're back Daniel, between you/Dubby/Apricot/Commish this site has such a wealth of amazing writers that write a variety of articles going from play by play breakdown to more holistic assessments of games. There is a reason why Lets Go Warriors is blowing up while GSOM is dying, the quality of writing is far higher which is attracting fans who also want to engage in actual basketball discussion.
Didn’t know you were experiencing health issues. Hope all is better and glad you’re back. And yeah, I’m all in on Wiseman as well.
Prediction: If the Dubs can go 3-3 in the next six games, they’ll finish no worse than in the West. (Obviously, provided they stay healthy.)
The Gold-Blooded King has returned to the building! Welcome back, Daniel!
Welcome back, Daniel!!! Doses of gold blood and my morning coffee goes so well together
Very good post, DH. You summed up my very own views on how I am looking at the Warriors, lately. They seemed to have turned a corner, especially Draymond and Oubre, both playing like well oiled machines. 19 assists is unreal. That is Jokic territory! lol.
It does seem that Wanamaker and the 2nd unit has been slipping a bit. I can relate to wanting to give one of our gleaguers a shot, but Wanamaker does have a lot of experience at PG. Poole does not even though he is playing like a lighted torch. Both he and Mannion will get their shot, I believe. When, is the question. Kerr is very liberal with allowing incumbents to play through their slumps. Just look at Oubre for an example of this.
My concern for the future is still Wiggins. Oubre has surpassed Wiggins on my belief chart as I always knew he would deep down. He is a special talent capable of explosion. Wiggins just doesn't seem to have that part in his psyche. Plodding, steady, but never really impressing with that oh wow moment. I don't know how he will start next season if they re-sign Oubre, which they must. With Klay back, Wiggins goes to the bench. It does seem he scores a good deal with the 2nd unit. Anyone have any stats on this?
Great read! I really missed your writing. I’m all in on Wiseman, too. He’s 19 for goodness sake with such a steep learning curve and given the schedule, I assume very few if any practice sessions. He’s smart though and at some point the lightbulb will go on just like it has for Oubre.
Welcome back Daniel, enjoyed the read and it's my birthday too (what a treat!)
Solid Gold!