Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread
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Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread
No one game was that bad, but the whole road trip was zen brain wipe worthy
Helpful hint: Every commenter’s name is a link that leads back to the original comment.
Warriors fall to Pelicans, finish first 10…
How will they fare in their next 10 games?
Dan goutz (13 ♡):
We got another record to break, I guess, because I'm sure no team has started 3-7 and won it all. So, like, whatever... let's do that
Night Night (12 ♡):
General NBA observation: Just as we saw Poole getting called for carries and discontinued dribbles, we've also heard these calls whistled throughout the league. I was just watching Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz getting called for the same thing, and same with Tyler Herro, et al.
But this is (imo) a bad move by the officials - blowing the whistle for a minor and momentary discontinuation of a dribble, ultimately causing a much more significant discontinuation of the game. It results in more fouls called, and the rhythm of the game interrupted.
And this doesn't jive with the simultaneous focus on discouraging the 'take foul' - a change in officiating developed to keep the game moving at a pace that the fans enjoy, and with the fast-breaks that make the game exciting.
So on the one hand, let's get rid of the take-foul to keep the game in motion and reduce stoppages. But on the other hand, let's be fastidious and prohibitive regarding a style of dribble that defines many of the NBA's best ball handlers (also a reason why we watch the game).
It's a contradictory set of positions that define this season's current officiating, and I'd rather complain about this than the Warriors right now.
Matt (11 ♡):
A hangover’s a terrible feeling.
Team fights’ll start the vibe reeling.
When our shots all stop falling,
And our ballers stop balling.
Fans all start up Bradley Bealing.
DubPHan (11 ♡):
No worries, we'll never stop rhyming
About our Dubs' splashing and diming.
No need to complain
If our poetry wanes,
As always it's all in the timing.
Goofus (10 ♡):
I’m sorry you’re so disappointed,
A limerick chief wasn’t appointed,
Perhaps there should be,
But it shouldn’t be me,
Who should be the one who’s anointed?
Swiggmeister (10 ♡):
Honestly, can we just chill TF out? I am a strong believer that Warriors will figure things out, because that’s what the Warriors do, but if they don’t figure it out this year, I am 100% good with that too. Warriors win in ways no one does (or can) - and I think that’s why there are so many doubters, haters, chicken little’s out there. Ten years into the dynasty there are still people who think this is an aberration or that somehow THIS is the time the Warriors get exposed. Exposed as what - 4 time champions? 6 time finalists? I feel very comforted by the fact that getting bounced early in the playoffs is what ignited the original dynasty and TBH, the most recent championship. The young guys were surprisingly fun to watch last night. Even if that’s all we get this season, I am honestly pretty down with that …
Subhamoy (9 ♡):
I am not sure what to write here but I am not very pessimistic. They are in a 5 game loosing streak but I am not very worried. Why am I not worried? I really don't know.
Goldarn Staid Worrier (8 ♡):
Ok I’ll put this out there right now as a cold lock: the Warriors will not win the championship every year for the rest of time. They also won’t win it every year for the rest of Steph Curry’s (hopefully very long, even unusually long) career.
What the Warriors (not just the 15 guys but the whole organization) owe us then, since they will absolutely fail to win rings some years: A good quality product. Good enough to give us hope. Entertaining high quality winning play on most nights. As little dramatic BS as possible, while we understand that players coaches and staff are people, people who make mistakes. A long term commitment to management not behaving like assholes, and a long term commitment to a team culture that doesn’t support assholery. Fun. Willingness to invest $$ in the players, coaches, trainers, doctors, tech, equipment, players, players, players and everything else that can increase the likelihood of putting a fun, winning product on the court. A culture that encourages and reinforces the kind of behavior from the stars that inspires respect. More than lip service to giving back the community. And I wouldn’t mind some better tv announcers.
Do these things, and I’ll keep watching. I’ll buy the t- shirts and hats. And while I will suffer through the 6 game losing streak, I will come back for more and not just immediately demand that you blow it all up. Yes I’m a fan and I love the rings. But I’m here for 82 games of good high quality entertainment backed up by all those other things I expect. Plus a bunch more ass-clenching post season moments, and for sure the more the better.
My support hasn't wavered. I'm still a fan. I'm committed to watching every game this season. I have real hopes that the Dubs will get to the playoffs and cause trouble.I enjoyed last night's loss more than any other game on that nightmare of a road trip. Maybe it's just because my expectations were low, but the lads competed and were fun to watch. Kuminga and Moody especially showed why they were lottery picks and why I can still dream of happy futures for them. We got a full game of our energetic and skilled 2-ways TJ and Lamb showing why they snagged those spots. Looney fouled out in a clear "this is my easiest path to getting the rest of the night off" move but played solid Loontastic defense before that. Oh, and I loved his crazy circus shot that somehow found the net. If Poole didn't suck so utterly we could have actually won that game.
Where will Kerr go from here? We will find out, but I predict that I will have more Dubs Pleasure Units in the next game. Pro tip: DPUs can always be augmented with appropriate application of ice cream.
Alex (8 ♡):
I'm still a believer that the team will figure it out, but there is no overstating how much we are missing key ingredients from last year's team. The archetypical WFLs that we celebrated and voted on this off-season brought intensity and joy to each practice, each defensive drill, and immediate perspective simply by virtue of their presence on their team. We've been over their contributions... Now we're missing them. The team will figure it out, but growing into roles takes a minute.
In the meantime I have found that screaming "Patience!!" into the mirror both totally helps me calm down and endears me to the rest of the apartment.
Post game thread: Warriors impress in loss…
No Curry, Wiggins, Thompson, or Green, but Golden State kept it interes
Asher B. (21 ♡):
Kyrie is so poor at understanding the bigger issues that I am a bit reluctant to even bother, but let's just note his scripted apology: "To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain and I apologize."
This is one of those things people say (or their PR guy scripts) that seems good at first; but the issue here is not about Jewish families only. It's about bigotry and ignorance. By singling out Jewish families, the implication is that if Jewish families and communities had not been hurt, his post would have been fine. Non-Jewish people would have been just fine, they don't care. That's so myopic and foolish, and ultimately recreates the same problem. It singles out a group and paints them all in the same way. Effectively he's saying "Jewish people are a certain way about bigotry and other people aren't as, you know ... touchy."
The language of the statement is all about the others -- how Jewish people are. There's nothing about how he is. The proverbial I-statement vs. You-statement problem. As in, if he had said, "I really shouldn't have posted that, I don't actually know what it's about," that would be cool.
So hi, Kyrie. I'm Jewish. I wasn't hurt, I thought you were being a douche. I would think the same if your comments had offended against any other group. The "apology?" Thanks, I hated it.
Asher B. (16 ♡):
Dear James,
I'm sorry to do this in such a public way, but I think it's time that I was honest with you. I've ... met someone. His name is Jonathan. He's so sweet, and kind, and has the best smile, and moves his feet on defense. You should try it. I don't mean to sound bitter. Oh, James. We'll always have 2020-21, but Jonathan just makes me feel ... like a winner. It's not you. It's me.
DFiB (11 ♡):
It felt like they all played more freely, like being unencumbered with expectations made decisions and confidence easier. Just gotta carry that into the next game with the starters…
But I think Jordan is still trying to justify his contract instead of just playing… he’s just doing too much out there trying to be a hero. He had two unnecessary gamble double teams that gave up easy shots when the game was in the balance. And he’s trying to create off the bounce way too much.
James needs to play in some G League games… I’m just going to keep saying that till it happens.
We still got the top 6 from the Finals rotation. Just have to find out which two of Andre, Moody, Kuminga, DDV, and JMG can join the rotation.
Duby Dub Dubs (10 ♡):
Bogut, and Zaza were elite strategic centers. Big and high bball IQ - and even javale (to a lesser extent)
ForeverFoyled (10 ♡):
I mean... It's tough to say. 2020-21, Wiseman was one of the worst players in the league, and the record suffered from it. 2021-22, Wiseman did not play, Warriors were the best team and won it all. 2022-23, Wiseman is playing, and again is one of the worst players in the league, making the Warriors record suffer. It is rational at some point to wonder, is it worth trying to continue to develop one of the worst players in the league (who may still have good future potential), or should we just try to maximize the guys we know are good and cut the losses on a 2nd pick that doesn't work out in the short term.
ndubs (9 ♡):
Can someone remind me when preseason is over? I’m excited for dubs to turn it on and play some real basketball.
BadlyBrowned (9 ♡):
"Ty Jerome is the first Warrior guard in the Steph era to drop at least 18/6/5 on 50% shooting off the bench!
Not even Jarrett Jack/SDot/Poole have achieved this!"
belilaugh (9 ♡):
Well now that the Warriors picked up his fourth year he is guaranteed 39.6 million in career earnings even if he never plays in the NBA again, so at minimum he has that going for him.
But yeah I agree, it's kinda uncomfortable for me to watch. He tries hard and does everything the Warriors ask of him, it's just not clear he has the natural instincts to play basketball. Hopefully it does work out somewhere for him so he can stop being sad all the time and bumming me out lol. I've started to root for Westbrook on the Lakers for a similar reason even though I loved to criticize him back when he was "good".
Goofus (8 ♡):
Just a reminder that DDV is Ty Jerome with more experience and much better defense.
They’re really missing him and I think what a big part of their plans he was is being overlooked.
GlueAndBold (8 ♡):
On the one hand, it’s tempting to agree.
On the other, he is basically still in his rookie season and fan disappointment has been steadily and rudely overlooking that.
Asher B. (8 ♡):
Also, don't play JMG and anyone else together.
Nom De Sab (7 ♡):
Not to mention he brought this conspiracy theory/propaganda to the forefront. The feature he tweeted about has since seen a massive uptick in viewing.
Aaannnddd1 (6 ♡):
I am confused. Our former big guys like Bogut and Javale seemed tasked with playing almost exclusively around the basket. Defending, stopping slashing players, rebounding , etc. I don’t remember that there were multiple plays designed for them, pick and roll, etc. it seems like GSW is trying to make JW into a different kind of big. For what reason is he not being trained to function like Bogut and others who were needed under the basket and a great help to the team?
Just forget it: Kerr resting everyone against…
Win or lose, at least they get to go home after tonight
Great Gato (19 ♡):
Hello all. I'm a new subscriber to DNHQ and a Warriors fan for life.
Duby Dub Dubs (13 ♡):
> @MontePooleNBCS
Your Warriors starting lineup tonight at NOP: Jordan Poole, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Anthony Lamb, Kevon Looney.
Lord have mercy on us all!!
loudbrick (11 ♡):
JK def earned minutes after this game
ServantOfLuna (7 ♡):
So this game shows that:
-Anthony Lamb is actually good
-Ty Jerome is also good
-Kuminga is playable
-Looney's still good
-Poole's still struggling a lot
-Moody's good
-JMG is meh
-Wiseman needs improvement
-PBJ and Rollins need to spend more time in the G-League
belilaugh (7 ♡):
Hoping for a good showing from Wiseman tonight in a very low stakes setting, he does not seem like he's in a very good place mentally so maybe this will be good for him
Warriors suffer shocking loss to Magic; Kerr…
I refuse to believe Golden State will lose every single road game this season...but they've lost five in a row away from Chase!
Oaktownws (11 ♡):
I’m glad i can read comments here without listening to hate filled screeds or takes that dont remember this is supposed to fun even when it’s a dissapointing mess. The world is too fucked up, so I like that I can come here and laugh, learn, and still smile when the dynasty falters.
End love letter to dnhq
Nom De Sab (7 ♡):
Things could always be worse though.
stopnpop (7 ♡):
C.J. Holmes 🦹🏾♂️
@CjHolmes22
I asked Stephen Curry what it takes to respond to this kind of adversity. He said the keys are essentially staying positive and not pointing fingers.
pooryorick (6 ♡):
That’s our job. 😉
TheseGuysAreF’ingGIANTS! (6 ♡):
Kerr sure wasn’t joking when he said he would change the rotations.
Dilly (6 ♡):
This too shall pass. Says this OG hopefully...
belilaugh (5 ♡):
You know what? I've reconsidered my stance after considering the points made in this video, I think last night was actually a productive game:
belilaugh (5 ♡):
The "Poole and Klay can't play together" conclusion doesn't make much sense to me. We saw the Curry/Poole/Klay/Wiggins/Looney lineup have a +48.8 net rating in 44 minutes last season, for instance.
What would be the basketball argument for why they theoretically can't play together?
Post game hand-wringing thread: Warriors blow…
16-point lead not enough, Magic roar back, Dubs can't stop fouling
BadlyBrowned (11 ♡):
The defensive issues are not limited to Wiseman, but maybe they ought to start playing him like Bjelica, ie. don't treat him like a rim protector in their defensive scheme.
vignette17 (9 ♡):
Of the top 8 in the rotation, there are 4 problems (in order of importance to saving this season): Poole, Wiseman, Klay, and JMG.
I was semi-excited about JMG being added, but he has consistently been a negative on-off guy throughout his career. In the same way Otto has been a consistent positive throughout his career constantly doing the right things, JMG just seems to consistently do the wrong thing. He had 5 absolutely awful fouls tonight. And he's 3/15 on 3P so far. Gross. If we were a deeper team, I would want him out of the rotation ASAP.
Klay has been watching his highlights too much. He needs to realize flamethrower-Klay is not going to suddenly come back all at once. Have a game where you don't take 3 heat checks and those percentages start improving. String together 3 of those games, and all of sudden Klay might be where he needs to be. He's integral to the Warriors winning, but he's still part of the great starting lineup, so I'm not overall worried.
Wiseman, I'm out. Full-stop. I hated the pick at the time. I hated his first season. He's a great physical talent and probably a good kid, but he just doesn't have the BBall-IQ. He has an argument for the worst negative on-off splits in NBA history. And he screws up lineups with whoever he's with. Steph is a -10 per 100 with him. Steph fucking Curry. The Warriors took a huge, huge gamble with him completely trying to change their identity of wings and small ball. It's failed. Feel free to screen grab this in 5 years and show me how dumb I am. It would have taken balls of steel, but trading JW into cap space to keep OPJ and GPII might have added 5-10% of championship equity.
Finally, JP. If Jordan can't figure out how to be as good as he was last year, the championship window is already shut. He's been in some incredibly tough spots with the Dray thing and coming off the bench and playing with the young'ins, but he has been really, really not good. His single biggest skill of FTs is falling to above average rather than elite. His 3Ps are way, way down. I would be shocked if he really regresses, but priority number 1 for the bench needs to be to get Poole his swagger back.
Right now, this team is a play-in team. And with Steph Curry playing like he is, that's unacceptable.
dinohealth (9 ♡):
Gotta give Orlando its due...they brought their best game against the champs, even with a load of players missing....heck, they matched a combined Splash Bros 3pt season night with some 3pt...magic... of their own. Killed us on boards and lived on the foul line...whatever....0-5 road trip sucks, with Pels awaiting...
Duby Dub Dubs (9 ♡):
THREE TIMELINES! LETS GO
belilaugh (9 ♡):
This game was my breaking point, a winless road trip with the Hornets, Pistons, and Magic on the schedule is unacceptable. I'm not on board with "developing the kids" if it means they can't win. The top players have proven they can win a championship with the right supporting cast, whereas the young guys have not proven they are worth investing in at the expense of a championship contender. I'd like to see a trade.
belilaugh (9 ♡):
Nah, I'm not putting this on coaching at all. Kerr is a brilliant coach who has repeatedly shown what he can do when the organization allows him to chase wins. They are not allowing him to chase wins right now, and frankly forced him to not chase wins with the roster construction, particularly at the center position.
OGG Gurl (9 ♡):
He is. They are wasting Curry’s prime!
ServantOfLuna (8 ♡):
My thoughts on the bench:
Poole- He looks passive out there on offense, and watching him play defense makes my eyes hurt. It's probably a mental thing, so I hope he gets over it after the road trip.
JMG- I had high hopes for him since the start of the season. He can rebound well like OPJ, but other than that, he looks like Bjelica ver. 2.0.
Moody- He's been all right for a 2nd year player. Keep it up!
Kuminga- Dunno much to say about him, to be honest.
Wiseman- He needs more time in the G-League. Period.
Jerome- He looks pretty good for a 3rd string guard.
A bridge too far? Warriors youth movement not…
Golden State is losing, yes. Are they also developing? Maybe.
Eric Apricot (22 ♡):
FYI we still want everyone commenting, paid or not paid. Yesterday’s article was accidentally set to subscriber comment only, which I fixed late yesterday.
dayvan cowboy (19 ♡):
Hooray! Management has lifted the salary cap, and we get to keep everyone!
Eric Apricot (11 ♡):
I’m willing to write off this early stretch as hangover + Japan trip maiming training camp + experimenting + bad random endings + rookies learning.
EXCEPT
The lack of a clear role for Kuminga to improve at (and obviously his general absence) is really distressing. Even if he’s in the dog house, he should still have a clear role when he gets on the court.
Asher B. (11 ♡):
It prompted me to resubscribe and I am actually grateful for that because I wanted to, the site deserves it.
Asher B. (9 ♡):
"I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from." -- Kyrie Irving.
REALLY?! Bruh, I'm Jewish and born in Israel and I can be antisemitic. Knowing where we come from is not a magic shield against ignorance and bigotry.
Btw his words taken from from the so-called apology, or "taking of responsibility." So I'm going to ask: is the NBA right to just let him go on and on with his bullshit, issuing sternly worded platitudes but doing nothing? I don't actually know for certain what the penalty should be, but maybe like he has to sit down with Kareem for five hours and listen ...?
inkatouring (9 ♡):
Are we 2 blown late 4th quarter leads from this headline: WARRIORS SUCCESSFULLY BRIDGING FUTURE AND PRESENT? If so, aren't we overreacting a tad? Or at least early?
pooryorick (8 ♡):
I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue.
Nom De Sab (8 ♡):
I guess I can't make fun of the Lakers anymore.
Warriors are winless on the road after…
INCONCEIVABLE!
jzalvarado (20 ♡):
The reason why I’m squarely behind James Wiseman is the same reason why I was against the Warriors drafting him in the first place: never seen the gap between a players floor and a theoretical ceiling be so ginormous. What many of you consider unplayabilty I see as improvement by leaps and bounds. Last night he whipped a pass right out of the post to the other side that led to a cutting Wiggins. I watch a lot of Okongwu in Atlanta and even though I wanted him on the Dubs instead of James I’ve never seen him make that pass in 2 plus seasons. Rookie year JW doesn’t make that pass.
I don’t know if we’ll be running out of salary cap runway before Wiseman truly bears fruit but the man is improving on both sides of the basket even though it’s maddening sometimes seeing him take a wrong angle defensively or bobble a lob pass. I thought at times he looked like the worst player on the floor his rookie year. Haven’t thought that once this year
Eric Apricot (19 ♡):
I don’t like losing, but it’s been almost all random ending games this year. Slightly different luck and everyone’s talking about how Kerr is a genius for managing the two timelines.
Dray and Steph look good. The non-Moody young ones don’t look good (yet), I don’t like the youth-heavy lineups, but Kerr is still experimenting. There is a lot we don’t see behind the scenes in practice, in attitude, in ego battles, in the coaching staff keeping up player confidence.
And I can’t stay mad about basketball right after a championship. (I reserve the right to throw my hands up and roll my eyes at any specific play.)
GlueAndBold (10 ♡):
A limmerick's not a haiku
Lots of words versus just a few
But make it about
Your creeping Dubs doubt
You'll be the star of DNHQ!
Asher B. (9 ♡):
Let me see if I have this right. The Nets have some controversy about roster construction including a question as to whether Ben Simmons is ready to play his best basketball, as well as whether there are legitimate defenders on an offense-heavy team and questions about depth. They further have multiple off-court controversies, including their superstar KD demanding to be traded but not getting his way, and demanding the coach be fired. And, lest we forget, they have the controversy-generating machine known as Kyrie Irving. After the flat-earth assertions, the anti-vaccination bullshit, the refusal to play both because of not willing to be vaccinated and just 'cause, plus recent antisemitic posts, reposting Alex Jones New World Order conspiracies, plus hostility to media asking legitimate questions.
So, they do the obvious thing: fire Steve Nash, world's least controversial guy, and are considering hiring Ime Udoka, recently let go by the Celtics for having an affair with a staffer.
This is their controversy-reduction strategy, do I have that right?
Post game sadness thread: Warriors cannot…
It was close, but a series of late stumbles and some solid play from the Heat sealed another L for Golden State
AttilaTheHun (13 ♡):
Or JMG is a veteran who can contribute significantly now, while JK is a talented youngster who relies a lot on his athleticism now and will be much better when he learns how to make his physical talent just one of his strengths.
Sleepy Freud (11 ♡):
My word, Steph…
(Per 36 min.)
31.6 points on .643 true shooting
7.9 rebounds
6.8 assists / 2.7 turnovers
Net +26.1 on-off
If you had told me that through eight games the GOAT would be putting up the best statistical season of his career; Dray$ would be averaging 11.2 pts per 36 on .633 TS; and Wiggs would be putting up career bests in rebound rate, ast rate, tov rate, scoring efficiency, and FT% … man, I would not have guessed we’d be 3-5 and getting our asses kicked by the likes of Detroit and Charlotte.
Klay, the kids, and the defense have been *that* bad. It’s rough to watch right now.
I think they’ll figure stuff out, though. They’ve earned that patience, dozens of times over. I still think they have the best nine-man playoff rotation in the league, or right up there with Boston and Milwaukee.
Duby Dub Dubs (10 ♡):
He leads the team in rebounds
...and points
....and assists
.....and steals
Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread
A pride-healing, fairly-long, chemistry-building, HOME run. Time to get that WIN NUMBER TO DOUBLE DIGITS......
So, Kawhi has missed 7 games ... out of 9.
I'm sorry for Kawhi of course (for one thing, he played at San Diego State, so I count him a virtual San Diegan).
But, hoo boy, the Clippers. If they can only get Kawhi healthy for a 1/3 of the games (and that might be more than they can do), they aren't making it through the playoffs.