Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread
Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread
yare yare
Helpful hint: Every commenter’s name is a link that leads back to the original comment.
Post-game: Warriors new guys pull off comeback…
sayonara
UneasySquirrel (11 ♡):
That was a very fun game to watch.
Rollins is still finding his sea legs in terms of finishing, but he’s been able to get to wherever he wants on the floor and I love his handle. His defense has been pretty good. His length keeps on catching guys by surprise and he’s been mixing it up on the boards a healthy amount.
Kuminga has been a bit floaty on offense, but other than one possession where he got caught napping on a back cut today, he’s been one of the best defenders on the team these past two games. His team defense was pretty sharp today as well. What really stood out with him defensively though, and we saw this at times last season, was that it really felt like he took whomever he was guarding out of the game. Plus that brilliant defensive possession when guarding Kuzma 1-on-1 in the post. I still really want them to give him a few mid-post touches, that’s where his offense is most developed. But it’s a good sign that quiet offensive nights haven’t bled into his defense. And he remains poetry in motion; I will never tire of watching him drive/jump/finish/block in slow motion.
Wiseman looked solid, still needs to make more contact on screens but it was still a positive game for him (of course, every game he actually gets to play is). He mixed it up in the paint and was solid on defense, I will absolutely take it for his second preseason game. Not a good game in terms of his hands, but I also can recall few if any clean passes to him - there were some bullets from a few feet away, a lot of low or forced passes in traffic, etc., so hard to blame him much. And to be honest, I’ve never been too worried about his hands, they’ll improve as he gets more reps and develops his feel for the pro game and his place within it.
Baldwin was a delight. Generally good defense with the usual couple of rookie mistakes, and the shot is pure in the same way that Steph and Klay’s jumpers are. Good rebounding and ball-handling as well, with a couple nice touch passes to round it out. He’s been showing enough mobility and athleticism to pair with his frame that he has a chance to be playable as a forward or small-ball center, and even as a wing against less speedy teams.
Trevion definitely showed defensive warts, fouled too freely, etc., but it wasn’t quite as bad as I’d been led to believe his defense was. He brought good physicality and rebounding and he had some decent defensive possessions to boot, and my general impression is that they may be able to turn him into a serviceable defender, in which case the offensive rebounding, passing, screening, etc., would get him on the floor. I’d like them to keep him in the organization if at all possible.
Moody was very good. His defensive footwork and how he manages his spacing when on-ball or rotating out to someone really need to improve, but it was still a good defensive effort from him overall and he’s a pretty seamless fit offensively in just about any lineup.
Asher B. (9 ♡):
— Trevion Williams was terrific. Not just great passing and good play on offense, but a lot of energy! Only Draymond on the team has the effect of hustling up the whole team. Versatile offensive play, too. I like it, now get better on defense.
— you know the expression “He could make three pointers in his sleep?” I think Baldwin just proved that. He doesn’t look like he’s awake but the threes keep dropping in.
— I am officially concerned about Wiseman’s hands. Experience and coaching can get him to hit a jump hook or stop taking it, or play D without fouling, but I’m not sure how coachable hands are.
— Kuminga is suddenly or maybe I missed it last year a holy terror on defense. There were flashes last year but it’s gotten drastically better. Unfortunately he seems to have borrowed the extra mojo from his offensive game. More accurately, I think he’s volumes better as the fifth guy with the starters than when called upon to create with the bench crew. He’s not ready to do that, definitely needs reps.
— Specifically, Donte and Kuminga paired together were just shutting down the Wiz backcourt at the point of attack. Great defensive duo off the bench. Donte looks enough like Payton at such moments and very capable and versatile on offense that I’m thinking net even or gain.
— Not pictured: Andre “Unmothball Me in the Finals” Iguodala.
belilaugh (7 ♡):
Turns out that a 19 year old from a nothing special Arkansas college program (until he got there) has a lot of room to improve physically once entered into the Golden State Warrior strength and conditioning program.
Now just think about the jump in athleticism/conditioning a 19 year old can get going from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to the Warriors.
Goofus (6 ♡):
Rollins, McClung and Spencer all had moments, but none of them bumped me an inch off my stance that Poole is essential to the future of this team and letting him walk would unthinkable if it comes down to him or Wiggins. Conversely, Kuminga, Moody and now PBJ sort of reinforced the notion that what Wiggins brings to the party is not easily replaced, but more easily replaced.
belilaugh (6 ♡):
Really nice pass from Spencer although I'd like to know if he can make this pass with his left hand. But you can see the LIQ out there (Lacrosse IQ), very unselfish player. Looks very athletic, my main question about him is can he shoot?
Also, love the screen from Kuminga (although it's hilarious that he thought that pass was for him) and obviously love Baldwin being automatic from three.
TwoRingTest (5 ♡):
Every now and then, it doesn't hurt to take stock:
Warriors have:
1. Top 10 all-time player
2. Committed ownership, willing to outspend anyone short of Steve Ballmer.
3. Excellent general manager.
4. Excellent coach.
5. Two more hall of fame players.
6. Three good to great vets (Wiggs/DDV/JMG). One more plus vet when he can play (Iggy).
7. More prospects than we can hope to keep.
8. At least a couple of promising rookies (PBJ and Santos), and 2-3 more that have a chance.
9. Most of our draft picks.
Life is very definitely good.
DFiB (5 ♡):
That lineup with Poole/DiVincenzo/Kuminga/Green/Wiseman was SUFFOCATING on defense in the first half. Didn't quite hold in the 3rd quarter, tho. But I think the offense can come along with some reps. I dunno man... I know it's preseason, and nobody's going all out, but it's real hard not to get excited about this team... and it's preseason, the chemistry is only going to get better.
Alas Phood Fight (5 ♡):
Ok, I'm hopelessly devoted to Trev. When Draymond is out of the game (not playing), we are missing more than just his defense. There is a big drop in play making when he isn't in the game and Curry & Poole are always pressed into more traditional point guard action to make up for it. Andre is back, if he is available that helps. But Trev would give us another Point-Big and if you are a player on the court with Trev, you know it's time to screen & cut. The ability to fill Draymond's shoes as an offensive initiator is more than enough of a reason, in my mind, for the Dubs to keep him in the organization. The funny thing is, you would think the Dubs might go for the point guard McClung if they wanted more play making. But he is the scorer and Trev is the passer. It's Freaky Friday for skill development in the NBA
Game thread: Warriors finish Japan Games …
What are they gonna say now
Sleepy Freud (23 ♡):
To add onto Night Night’s and Basketbum’s great points about DiVincenzo in a fresh thread…
I’ve been feeling the same about DDV. Dude was a key cog — arguably the #4 guy — at age 23 on an elite Bucks team. You can make a case that he’s closer to 2013-14 Iguodala than he is to a mere GP2 replacement (awesome as Gary was for us), in terms of the steady, high IQ, two-way “glue” he brings to the team every minute he’s on the floor.
I don’t think it’s coincidence that Donte was one of the first guys Andre called out for praise in the podcast where he announced he’s returning. (“He’s REALLY good.”) I think he *knows* Donte is effectively taking over the peak 2013-16 Andre role, more so than he himself is, and more so than young Moses and Jon are. And I think he’s ready to help Donte take the next step forward in his career, as he did with age 26 Wiggs last season.
Added bonus: while Andre and GP were at their late peaks when we got them (both 29), Donte is in his very early peak (25). So while he brings physical maturity and a depth of experience that Moses and Jon lack, he may also have a bit of untapped upside. Like, he’s a good 3 pt shooter now … what happens if his shooting takes another step forward, as it often does for guys in their mid 20s who work hard?
As Myers said when we signed him: “you just don’t find players like that at age 25.”
And then there’s his somewhat underhyped elite rebounding, an innate skill which stays pretty consistent throughout players’ careers. He’s literally one of the best rebounders in the league for a player his size: a freakish 7.1 boards per 36 over his career (and as if to underline the point, 7 in 16 minutes yesterday in Saitama). That’s gonna be absolutely huge for a team that likes to play small, with three mediocre-ish wing rebounders in Klay, JP, and Wiggs (Wiggs’ playoff rebounding explosion notwithstanding).
Just an absolute home run of a signing, given how little the Ws had to spend, and how quickly young wing talent tends to be scooped up by teams with $$$ to spend. Apparently he had higher offers, too. As with the Andre signing, Myers gets massive bonus points for the degree of difficulty of the signing.
TLDR: Bravo, Myers (insert audience clapping gif).
Trogdor (9 ♡):
Sigh, per usual the Warriors are just here to develop talent for the rest of the NBA. Maybe someday we'll have some home grown talent stick around.
Duby Dub Dubs (9 ♡):
LOL!
> Klay Thompson after winning the Tokyo 3-point contest with Steph Curry
“It was nice to humble Jordan Poole”
via:
Ilikefoodtrucks (9 ♡):
Ha! Klay: "Ronnie2k change my three point rating right now. . . right now!. . hater."
TwoRingTest (8 ♡):
PBJ Island must be one of the Sandwich Islands.
Bel (8 ♡):
What an experience it is, on court and off court, for our rookies and young players to be in Japan. The team may be missing out on the usual training stuff but it’s a great time for bonding and learning that I think is irreplaceable.
Sleepy Freud (8 ♡):
How many people were terrified Steph was gonna hurt himself on this play?
So glad he chose discretion over valor and chose not to dive for it.
Being (6 ♡):
Wow. Kendrick Nunn and Damian Jones are now starters for a team with 😂championship🤣 aspirations:
belilaugh (5 ♡):
Baldwin is straight up better than the #10 pick in the draft
Warriors unleash giant monster James Wiseman…
The champs are back with a fun exhibition win over the Washington Wizards in Asia.
Stefano Gelati (22 ♡):
Awesome. I have no other words for him. Awesome.
Think about his yearly activity. At the draft, with picks so high that seem to belong where prime numbers don't exist anymore, he always manages to bring home some excellent prospects, if not simply outright future all stars. Then, he rummages tirelessly into the FA market leftovers until he brings home enough excellent vets at minimum salary to frighten Jacques Cousteau with our bench's depth. Then a few future HoFs come knocking at his door for a well deserved big bag, and despite this starting a NBA-fueled luxury tax chain reaction that rivals the Tsar Bomba, he manages to keep them happy and motivated and smiling at japanese press and flying on Saitama hardwood.
And after all this, including resizing again and again and again the Chase trophy deck to contain new ones, he never gets a quantum of the recognition and gratitude that he deserves.
But there's me, at least.
Thank you, Bob Myers. You are awesome.
crusty quips (21 ♡):
Love the article Daniel! Great to see the Dubs back in action. The season is so close you can almost taste it. Hope the team is enjoying themselves in Japan. The young guys were very encouraging in a lot of ways and Wiseman looks the best he has looked in a Warriors uni so far.
I have one quibble, however. That's not just any retired sumo wrestler, it happens to be Hakuho, the greatest Yokozuna in the history of the Japan Sumo Association. His dominance at his peak was unmatched, much like that of Steph Curry himself. Gotta put some respect on a champ's name!
Night Night (20 ♡):
Prediction: Donte DiVincenzo will more than replace Gary Payton II this year, in two-way value.
That dude is always in the right place at the right time. Making the right reads, and executing with discipline. The rebounds, the passing, the deflections, the timely shots, the dimes to Wiseman and others.
He may not have the same panache and charisma as GPII, but look out for DD.
stopnpop (16 ♡):
> Kerith Burke
> @KerithBurke
> 4h
> James Wiseman reminded us this was his first game ever with a crowd.
Joe Barely Cares (13 ♡):
James Wiseman = Dubzilla! How's that for a nickname.
fzwinter (13 ♡):
Just watched the game, and I'm ready to sign a one-year lease for a nice place on DDV Island. This guy knows how to play the game and will fit in beautifully with the Dubs. His playmaking, rebounding, and defensive instincts really stand out and he's also a scoring threat. Not gonna buy a place on the island since I'm guessing he'll go GP2/OPJ on us and use this year to build up his value and then get his bag.
Great signing by the Dubs!
DFiB (13 ♡):
One of the ways Wiseman popped that I haven't seen mentioned just yet: His hands looked great on a lot of the tough passes, rebounds, and 50/50 balls. I don't recall feeling like "man, he totally should have caught that"... I'm sure I'm missing one or two, but last time he was in the NBA, he'd fumble the ball once every few minutes.
belilaugh (13 ♡):
Tough to know who is and isn't affected by jetlag, who did and didn't eat too much udon for lunch, etc.
But one takeaway we can make is that Wiseman was moving well and even went for a dunk in the same way as the dunk he got injured on, which is very good to see.
Trogdor (12 ♡):
Lots have been said and more will be said about Wiseman, but his future looks very bright. He is BIG out there. I really think the best comp will eventually be Embiid, including missing so much time early in his career. He showed a bit of everything that you'd want to see out of him (dunking, floor running, blocks, rebounding, some nice touch on some shots) while clearly showing he has a lot of room to grow.
He still muffed a few passes, and his defense is coming along but he clearly looks like he's thinking through everything that he does. It reminded me of HB in how you could almost see his brain going "okay, now after this happens, I'm supposed to move here, and then go here" rather than just doing it freely in the flow of the game. It's completely understandable at his stage, but he'll certainly need to grow beyond that. What this does show me is that he is trying really hard to work within the flow of Kerr's system. That will come. When it does???
Imagine if Wiseman/Poole/Moody/Kuminga develop the same sort of long term rapport as Steph/Klay/Draymond/Andre? The sky is really the limit for this group if they are able to stay together long term. And I know several of you will throw PBJ into the mix as well. It's insane to legitimately have a young core who could grow into a stellar starting five. Will all five stick around long term? Probably not, but the potential is there!
I think a Stockton and Malone comp could actually be a really great example of what we *could* see out of say Poole and Wiseman. Very different players, for sure, but that sort of connection long term would keep this team competing at a high level for another decade plus. I also don't think that Curry, Draymond, and Andre have had this legitimate of a lob threat to play with since... McGee??? I think this season is going to be lots of fun, mixed with lots of growing pains!
Wiseman just scored 20 points against NBA talent!!! I don't care that it was an exhibition game... I'm really high on the kid.
jeckyllhouse (12 ♡):
WE GOT A NEW DUNK-O-MATIC TOY
Sleepy Freud (12 ♡):
Wiggins, Wiseman, Moody *and* Kuminga for Beal. 😂
Alas Phood Fight (12 ♡):
Wiseman led team with a +15 in 23 min. JK +13 in 25 min.
This is a good sign.
Captain Jack (12 ♡):
DDV looks so calm and collected out there. He's going to be a huge vet presence off the bench this year.
invo.k.shen (11 ♡):
Love to see Wiseman playing consistently.
And I'm giddy seeing DDV complete some of those nice passes to Wiseman. That passing is going to fit in great.
GlueAndBold (11 ♡):
It’s a gold-blooded morning 😁
mDuo13 (9 ♡):
Watched a bit past the first quarter; lots to like in the first showings from the youngsters and the new guys. The vets definitely looked jetlagged but otherwise themselves.
- Not much to report on (Oh, I'm going to have to learn how to spell... *looks it up* JaMychal, aren't I?) other than he didn't look out of place. He... probably won't be the difference-maker Otto Porter was last year, but it's great to have a solid vet on the bench.
- Good energy & fundamentals from (*looks up spelling*) DiVincenzo on both ends of the court. He's no box-and-one secret weapon like the guy he replaces, but I have a feeling his assist numbers are gonna be gooood.
- Wiseman looks fantastic; his defensive positioning is already way more fundamentally sound than in his first year and he's moving smoothly and quickly. Also, he's still a REALLY TALL human. Here's hoping to a full healthy season for him!
- Moody is once again looking like everything we knew he could be: composed, smooth, versatile, efficient. He might be there best Iguodala understudy we've seen in several years of looking for one. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him at ~6th on the team for minutes played this year. (I'm projecting his availability to be higher than at least one of the starters.)
- Kuminga looked about the same as last year. He was having some trouble covering Kuzma and getting around screens, but he still knows how to earn trips to the free-throw line.
- Speaking of getting around screens, not sure I should group him with the youngsters or the vets, but Poole was doing a lot better on that in the first quarter. I have lots of memories of him getting wiped out last year so that's a great sign.
Overall, it's nice to welcome back Warriors basketball and it looks like the team should be solid as long as they don't spend the first half of the season shooting jetlag% from distance
The blissful opening of a new Warriors season
After opening the doors, Golden State shows comfort in familiar role of defending champ
OGG Gurl (15 ♡):
Hello friends! Thought I'd check in and see if this place was gearing up for the season but from the looks of it, many of you did not have an off season. Y'all are a chatty! Can't wait to see Curry and the gang play some basketball!
Trogdor (15 ♡):
We are so lucky to have Klay. He's like the anti-celebrity. His interviews always just make him look like a chill dude. Like some guy you'd expect to be interviewed about scaffolding rather than about being one of the best basketball players in the world!
He just seems so comfortable in his own skin and content with life, while simultaneously being extremely competitive. Such an interesting mix.
I think it's not talked about enough how Steph, Dray, Klay and Andre's personalities compliment each other so well. This is one of the reasons they've been able to stay together so long and have success rather than the clashing of egos and personalities we see elsewhere. It really is a rarity not just in professional sports, but in the upper echelons of ANY profession.
Never change, Klay. Never change.
jeckyllhouse (14 ♡):
exciting news for the Gui Legion: reports from Brazil that he will be playing (for the Warriors) in the G League
Eric Apricot (12 ♡):
**
“Gold Blooded” – a seven-part docuseries telling the story of the Golden State Warriors’ journey to the 2022 NBA championship. The series features exclusive never-before-seen footage and interviews with team executives, coaches and players, including the big three of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The first two episodes of the series are available with the launch of the app, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to the start of the regular season.
Apricot's Great Lost 2017 Zaza Pachulia Interview…
He was a great interview
Eric Apricot (9 ♡):
I think the idea of many of the plays is set, like a jazz song has chords and a head, but all the stuff after that is improvisation in reaction to the defense. So offball, you cut away from the pressure, and if the passer can read the play similarly, then you get an advantage.
But some plays like Motion Weak PNR are completely hard wired. I expect those plays to be run for Poole and Wiseman, to reduce the reads needed from JW.
mDuo13 (7 ♡):
P.S. this interview is a great example of the emphasis DNHQ puts on substance over hype and controversy like certain other sports outlets.
mDuo13 (5 ♡):
Thanks for resurfacing this interview. I remember it from back then but it was worth revisiting anyway! It's a great tribute to Zaza to highlight some of the insights he shared. The practical purpose of the between-the-legs passes, knowing the refs' names, little nuances of screen-setting, growing up in a post-Soviet country… excellent stuff.
I hope we'll be honored with more Apricot-conducted Warriors interviews this season and beyond.
Aaannn1 (3 ♡):
Thanks. Such an interesting interview. So little of the pre-programmed comments that we hear today. I was also interested in Patrick Baldwin's media day interview, as he said many things which were different from the other guys’ circumlocution. I would like very much like to know more of the things that surprised him about his first practices with the Warriors. What he meant about how one had to talk to be on this team.
Dilly (3 ♡):
Thanks for sharing this again, EA. Doubtful that I saw it back in '17.
My kitten, Molly, was getting into the action on the screen. She's gonna be a Dubs fan!!
AttilaTheHun (2 ♡):
Excellent interview, great questions. Man, that's some sweet passing in that assists video. Ahhh... the days when Draymond cut and scored a lot.
Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open…
Helpful hint: Every commenter’s name is a link that leads back to the original comment.
Dilly (18 ♡):
Thanks for slipping my "Totally OT" comment in, EA!! Never imagined it would get more than a handful of likes.
Dill update:
He seems to be walking more easily today and not laboring with every step. And I think he finally ate a little bit this morning. I had suggested it several times but had never seen any sign that he had eaten. And another good sign from yesterday... since he was a kitten, when I go to the bathroom, he always "attends." Yesterday afternoon, he got up from his favorite afternoon sleeping spot to spend some time with me there.
This evening Dill unexpectedly jumped up on my lap and spent over 90 minutes there. Apparently, my 'give him a bit of lovin' and leave him be' policy was not enough. It had to have hurt when he finally jumped down.
Nom De Sab (17 ♡):
Loon dawg on point!
Anthony Slater
@anthonyVslater
·
22m
Kevon Looney played every game last season. He has no rest plans this season: "If I’m healthy, I’m going to play. I’m not going to sit because it’s a back-to-back just cause. I’m 26. I feel good. I missed a lot of years, so I have some games to make up."
Hashemite Kingdom (14 ♡):
I continue to be ridiculously excited about the trajectory for these 2022-2023 Warriors. They just seem so loaded.
I haven't seen a single projection that takes into account the potential growth of Moody, Wiseman, Kuminga, and Klay. It's always "is this going to be the years that age catches up with Steph and Dray?"
This feels like the year to blow the doors off the league with our unfathomably deep team, and to figure out who stays and who goes next summer.
Hope I'm right.
Goldarn Staid Worrier (14 ♡):
Loving Looney’s attitude on a team full of good attitudes is nothing special here at the HQ. But here’s a quote from him this weekend about working with Wiseman. His eventual replacement. The Dubs better f’ing take care of Looney to the end of his days or I’m going to be pissed.
“We play the same position, same offense,” Looney said. “He can help me, I can help him. I kind of know the ins and outs of the offense. I know what Steph (Curry), Draymond (Green) are thinking out there. Jordan (Poole). I know where they want the big to be. I can share that knowledge that took years to learn. But once you get to experience it live, it makes it a lot easier.”
Nom De Sab (14 ♡):
Also....
Anthony Slater
@anthonyVslater
Klay Thompson: "If you can't be yelled at by Draymond, you can't play on the Warriors. It's kind've like a bylaw now."
Chasing Rings... (13 ♡):
Would be really interesting to see the demographics on DNHQ. Many different walks and stages of life. One common factor though, Blood Type: Gold Positive!
Being (12 ♡):
MEDIA DAY!!! All the Interviews!
Warning: 1 hr and 40 minutes of Dubs' talking.
Eric Apricot (12 ♡):
“I believe the best player in the world is Steph Curry.” Says Giannis Antetokounmpo. Because Steph’s team won the Finals.
**
(BTW Giannis was voted Honorary Warrior with a 73% vote in the old system.)
Therh510 (12 ♡):
As another person of color, this is honestly surprising to me. Most sports blogs that I’ve been a part of have been much more combative, and this is probably the most peaceful sports blog I’ve read or commented on. I think most of us are here to share opinions, which can be different from fan to fan. I think the sports debates that happen in the comment sections here are very respectful, fact based, and never resort to name calling.
As far as the “old white dudes have a weird fetish for young black men…”, Is in itself a combative statement… especially if you are assessing most of the people in this blog being white. I think the nba is like 90% black, but being obsessed with the nba (which is what sports blogs are for) isn’t the same as being obsessed with young black men.
“ My blood is the same blood as most of the young black men that play in the NBA, and that means something. It means a lot to me, and my community.”…. This statement actually seems very gate keeping.
But anyways I think this group has a lot of diversity in it, and is super chill when it comes to debating and educating us as fans. I find it a very inviting comment section and community. I hope you have a similar experience as I have
ForeverFoyled (12 ♡):
I am curious about the combative nature and gatekeeping you are referencing. I'm newer to DHNQ, can't really say I've seen it, but I am also a white guy, so maybe I've missed it. There are certain posters (who I have no idea about their ethnicity) that seem to garner more "likes", but really "likes" are irrelevant. Based simply on demographics and economic factors of the bay area, I think it's safe to say the majority of posters probably are white. There is a juxtaposition between that and the ethnic makeup of the team, but is that inherently a bad thing? Should white people not be fans of basketball because a minority of players are white? From my experience it seems Warriors have a lot of Asian fans as well, should they be the most scrutinized because there aren't many Asian NBA players?
I realize it is a complicated subject, and honestly from a white male perspective I am mostly ignorant. But I am curious to hear from other perspectives on what our fandom means to you, and any ways we can be better fans given the disparity between our ethnicity and the players on the team.
The majority of fans of every sport in the US are going to be white, based on demographics, and I would err on the side of "they are NBA fans who don't care that most players are black" rather than "there are a lot of white people who have decided to use the NBA as their avenue to fetishize black youth".
I see there is conflict between some commenters but I don’t really know what it’s about. If people are being disrespectful or inappropriate in comments, I am requesting people please “Report Comment” (it’s in the three dot menu at the end of the Like line) so we can see what’s happening more easily and quickly.
Thank you.
Let’s make it happen lol