Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread

This week, the Warriors plummet and unplummet and we comment with varying degrees of calm

Asking DNHQ: How much do you value the…

They don't die, they multiply.

• Kenny Nonymous (17 ♡):

  50 wins is a great lead-in to the playoff display we are about to witness! It's no longer a redemption tour, not a resurrection rite, not a rewind reel. It's a rampage about to be unleashed, a rip-snorting run through an NBA that has really been forgetting what this team is all about and capable of doing over a 7-game series. #webelieve #strengthinnumbers #thebay #dnhqrulesok

• Phood Fight (12 ♡):

  2014-2015. Kind of like your first love, special, yet too easily forgotten.

• storytellinsabrina (11 ♡):

  Steve "Ramp Up" Kerr strikes again.

  Anthony Slater

  @anthonyVslater

  Steve Kerr on Steph Curry: "He is on the court getting shots up. He's been able to ramp things up a bit."

• Goofus (11 ♡):

  Before Klay’s return and Steph/Dray’s injury, I would’ve assumed that we’d be pushing 60 wins. I honestly hadn’t really thought about 50 wins as an achievement. Like a lot of us, I was too busy clutching my pearls worrying about overall health, rotations, Klay’s shot selection and Wiggins’ energy.

  I’m glad Kerr and Green spoke to it because it is an achievement no matter what your expectations.

• belilaugh (11 ♡):

  There has been a ton of Kerr criticism this season from people who I recall pegging the Warriors for like 45 wins this season.

  Not talking about on here, moreso on Twitter. I don't really remember anyone's predictions on here except one idiot who thought the Hawks would be a top 2 regular season team in the East. Think his name was like bjelilaff or something.

  Unrelated, Hawks are 24-12 in their last 36 and if I recall correctly got hit disproportionately hard by COVID in the winter. I still believe.

• fzwinter (11 ♡):

  50 wins gets you to the playoffs, and probably home court for the first series. 16 wins gets you a ring. Eyes on the prize.

• Richard (10 ♡):

  Before 2013: 4 50 win seasons

  Since 2013: 7 50 win seasons

  Damn, we are spoiled, but I'm not sorry. Enjoyed this run massively.

Explain One Play: Jonathan Kuminga nasty…

Insofar as anyone actually is bitter about leaving Sacramento

• Goofus (33 ♡):

  To his credit, if Jordan Poole wants to enter the discussion as my favorite player, being Steph when he’s on the court and Bazemore when he’s on the bench is a pretty good strategy.

• Abaddon (17 ♡):

  Eh, let's not go too crazy with the comps here...

  Poole is a better FT shooter than KD.

• belilaugh (15 ♡):

  https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1629673/shots-dash?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular+Season

  Poole's off the dribble three point percentage has skyrocketed to 36% on the season on 3 attempts a game. That was the missing ingredient for him to become a star imo, a month or two ago it was still hovering around 30% and was similar to last season but hopefully something finally clicked.

• Sleepy Freud (12 ♡):

  No one ever got rich betting against a young 90%+ FT shooter improving his three ball.

• Richard (11 ♡):

  Loved the Kuminga focus but I was really delighted and surprised by the excellent passing and motion action plays. Great Warrior ball and not merely a dunk fest. Those are fun too though!

• Run_TMC (8 ♡):

  "...which is usually bad news for the rim." :D

  For some reason I am imagining a meme that is just a picture of a bent rim with a cartoon thought bubble that says: (with apologies to Raiders of the Lost Ark) "Kuminga. Why'd it have to be ... Kuminga?!?"

Post game party thread: Warriors smash Kings

Poole, Wiggins, Bjelica all play great

• Sleepy Freud (18 ♡):

  For the remnants of Dub Nation who have not yet committed hara kiri: the Warriors just passed Phoenix in defensive rating and are now #2 in the league behind Boston.

• Sleepy Freud (14 ♡):

  • 50+ wins

  • Near certain home court in the first round

  • Steph likely back for the playoffs

  • JP, Dray, Wiggs, Klay, Loon, Payton, Kuminga, Otto, Bjelica all balling

  • Lakers crashing and burning

  But not before half of Dub Nation committed hara kiri because reasons.

Warriors clinch playoff spot after winning…

Did you really doubt Klay?

• Trogdor (18 ♡):

  Thank you so much to whoever anonymously gifted me a month subscription to Dub Nation as a baby shower gift! That was so very thoughtful and I really appreciate it! One of the many reasons I love this community! :)

  Oh, and for the curious, despite my extremely persuasive efforts to use the name Stephanie Draymondina Klaytheia Jordanne Perkins, per my wife's misguided insistence, she instead has been named Miriam Isadora.

  I guess I'll just have to try and make a Warriors themed nickname stick.

Explain One Play: Klay Thompson and Jordan…

Jazz invited the Warriors to come back, and the invitation was gratefully accepted

• mDuo13 (9 ♡):

  I like this one because it shows how the comeback needed everything:

  - Exploitable defensive scheme from the Jazz

  - The 3-point accuracy to actually exploit it

  - Big hustle to defuse plays and defend multiple actions

  - The luck to have the Jazz ultimately miss/TOV instead of getting something like a lucky OReb into a 3.

• Goofus (8 ♡):

  Wiggins: “I used to be an All Star” 😂

• Irrationally optimistic (5 ♡):

  Excellent as always. Here's hoping for more work for you tonight, with a likely substantially different set of names.

• GlueAndBold (5 ♡):

  That was some choice viewing material. Thank you.

Post-game party thread: Dubs storm back from…

Jazz gift many turnovers down the stretch

• Trogdor (29 ♡):

  Sorry everyone, it's a girl! All the Warriors naming plans were for naught.

  Jordan Klay Perkins was going to be special.

• Eric Apricot (23 ♡):

  By the way, I just wanted to tell you all I love you

• Dilly (14 ♡):

  Ice cream of joy tastes so much better than ice cream of sadness. Got to watch part of the 4th on NBA TV. I sure enjoyed what I saw.

• belilaugh (14 ♡):

  Also a big hearty fuck you to Coach K for starting Duke alumnus Kyrie Irving over Steph Curry at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. People don't forget.

  Enjoy your retirement tour being ruined by losing your two most important games of the season to your most hated rival.

• belilaugh (14 ♡):

  Don't you ever tell me that the Warriors would have lost to the Jazz in the playoffs last season, there's nothing you can say that will change my mind on that. Love watching Gobert get exposed by a smallball team, both the Clippers and Warriors have the personnel to make him a liability defensively when needed.

  Regarding this season, this is a different team at home. They aren't a good team without Curry but it happening right before a tough 5 game road trip with Draymond still working into shape made them look worse than they are. That said, I do not want them to get the 3 seed. Hoping the Mavericks can beat the Bucks and the Warriors can drop a few and settle into the 4 seed.

  Also, hope this game reminded people that no, they should not be running offense through Kuminga instead of Klay Freaking Thompson.

• Trogdor (14 ♡):

  Good news, everyone! Warriors won the game AND I was able to watch the whole thing! I call that teamwork.

• storytellinsabrina (12 ♡):

  95.7 The Game

  @957thegame

  ·

  8m

  Steve Kerr on Draymond Green:

  “I just saw incredible passion and competition from Draymond… The main thing with Draymond is he’s just a winner.”

• ServantOfLuna (12 ♡):

  Warriors: We are bad at closing the game down the stretch.

  Jazz: Hold my cognac.

• OGG Gurl (11 ♡):

  Happy happy joy joy! Heels beat Duke and Dubs win!! All y’all who said Klay should be benched, say sorry LOL. Are we getting all-star Wiggs back in time for the playoffs? Please let it be.

• ServantOfLuna (10 ♡):

Alex Espinoza IV @AlexEspinozaIV

Klay on Rudy Gobert's decision to keep dropping in defensive coverage and not challenge Warriors at perimeter: "That’s not very smart."

• Klay on Rudy Gobert's decision to keep dropping in defensive coverage and not challenge Warriors at perimeter: "That’s not very smart."

• Goofus (10 ♡):

  I know it’s sacrilege to compare anyone to Steph, but if you’re any other team and have Poole playing like this for you, you’re thinking you’ve got your own version of Steph.

Settle down, Klay

Warriors head into the final stretch with some unresolved questions

• storytellinsabrina (14 ♡):

  Today is Steph re-evaluation day. Meanwhile....

  abr30

  @aryh21

  BREAKING NEWS‼️ Stephen Curry detained by police after being spotted outside of a 7-11 disturbing the peace earlier today😱😥

abr30 @aryh21

BREAKING NEWS‼️ Stephen Curry detained by police after being spotted outside of a 7-11 disturbing the peace earlier today😱😥

• storytellinsabrina (13 ♡):

  Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D.

  @DrNiravPandya

  ·

  32m

  The Curry update is good news. Mild foot sprains take 3-4 weeks to get back on the court. He is allowed to progress to on-court activities which is what you want to see. Nothing to worry about based on the press release; exactly what you would expect at this time. #DubNation

• Bel (11 ♡):

  I hate Marcus Smart

• rcknfn (10 ♡):

  #Dubnation says Aye.

• Janet (10 ♡):

  Duby, I always appreciate your data and analysis. What caught my attention while waiting for my husband’s MRI/CT? (And thinking positive for clear scan results.) Steph at 98 and OPJ at 81 PSA%!

Warriors fall to Suns, tie season series at…

These two teams may meet again with a real prize on the line in the postseason.

• mDuo13 (13 ♡):

  I'm feeling a little less Gold-Blooded than Mr. Hardee at the moment, but I will say, it is always incredible watching Draymond singlehandedly erase transition opportunities. Multiple times in a game, whether it's a 1-on-3 or a less disadvantaged transition play, he somehow splits the difference in a way that denies the basket—or often dissuades the shot attempt entirely—on plays that look at first like a guaranteed easy score. Once in a while I see someone else hustle and get back in transition but no one else on any team so often successfully stops a transition play from even happening.

  One of these days it would be cool to see an E1P of Draymond's transition defense.

• Iguodala’s Hands (11 ♡):

  Watching the 76ers implode with Harden is better than ice cream after sex.

• Superbuckets89 (7 ♡):

  Nothing (basketball related) will make me happier than seeing Harden retire ringless and have his legacy talked about a decade from now as a playoff choker/ team cancer.

  I guess if this Warriors core can get at least one more chip, that'll be up there, too.

Post game: Poole goes off, but Warriors fall…

A career night for Poole, and an outstanding game, but turnovers and some bad shots doom Golden State

• Asher B. (15 ♡):

  Conventional wisdom in the NBA is that you have to say that there are no moral victories and look all glum and serious in a situation like this. But come on. That was an INCREDIBLY encouraging game that we can build on if we can sustain the energy and health.

• TM2007 (11 ♡):

  Klay has to relax. They had that run in the 3rd where they were up seven after Suns called a timeout, got a stop and they allowed Klay to dribble the ball up. He waved everyone off, dribbled around the screen and chucked a three, that's where I thought the momentum shifted, they could've extended the lead, but instead, turned the ball over twice right after that Klay possession.

  I have never seen him call for the ball so much before crossing half court either. That's my guy, but he has to be limited to 2 dribbles. If the Dubs cut out the over dribbling from those who shouldn't be dribbling, they wouldn't have had 20 + turnovers.

Warriors, Suns, and the myth & truth of…

Warriors get almost everyone back but aren't anywhere near playoff-ready

• Trogdor (21 ♡):

  OT: Have a baby coming on Saturday. We don't know gender yet. We have a girl name picked out but are having a harder time with boy names. I need good, solid suggestions. I know you all won't let me down. Ready... go!

• Sleepy Freud (14 ♡):

  NBA Championships

  Warriors 6

  Suns 0

  I’ll cling to this as they’re beating the crap out of us tonight…

• Duby Dub Dubs (10 ♡):

  hey folks, let's save the venom for when CP3 punches one of our players in the nuts or something tonight

• Goofus (9 ♡):

  The old “They’re awesome and gonna kill us, but everyone fucks up once in a while and they’re overdue” form of optimism… that’s spirit! 😁

• Captain Jack (9 ♡):

  Yeup. Unfortunately the AS version of Wiggins was fueled by a healthy Steph and Dray making life easier for him. Without either of them he seems like a kid lost in the mall. Capable of the occasional good game but overall very mehhhhhh. That's why I feel very confident in our chances against anybody IF Dray finds his groove again and Steph comes back with a vengeance which is totally possible. They'll supercharge everybody.

Post game sadness thread: Warriors suck…

Kerr ejected, short-handed Warriors had no shot

• storytellinsabrina (17 ♡):

  Anthony Slater

  @anthonyVslater

  ·

  14m

  Everyone besides James Wiseman and Steph Curry are available for the Warriors tomorrow night vs Suns. First time Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala will be on the floor together since 2019.

• Bel (12 ♡):

  In spite of our downward slide, Warriors currently have the same record as the number 1 seed in the East. Crazy huh?

• Eric Apricot (12 ♡):

  [On GSW throwing the playoffs to rest for next year] I would consider that a betrayal 100x greater than anything anyone has complained about all year, about not going all-in for one last run, about not getting a big, about drafting Wiseman, etc etc.

  I don't see any benefit to supposedly tanking the playoffs.

  I think the Dubs have been dealt a bad injury hand and they're trying to tie it together with string and tape and take a puncher's shot at the playoffs.

• AttilaTheHun (11 ♡):

  I don't really think Myers had his head up his ass in building this roster. He had hardly any money to work with because we were way into the luxury tax. Wiseman was expected back by Christmas. We were only able to get OPJ at the vet min because of his injury history and could not have afforded him otherwise so that was a risk worth taking. The bigs Myers went after were not interested in coming here except Bjeli, who looked like a decent pickup early on. Everybody knew Igoudala would not play a lot of minutes and was here to help bring along the youngsters. Myers did grab GP2, which turned out to be a steal. The 2-ways aren't impressive, especially Cheese, but they're 2-ways. What was Myers supposed to do?

• GlueAndBold (10 ♡):

  [On GSW throwing the playoffs to rest for next year] Seriously? I think not. They all want to win the championship, and they all still believe they can, even if that hope rests on a number of pieces clicking just right at the right time.