Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread

Miracles and duds

Helpful hint: Every commenter’s name is a link that leads back to the original comment.

Asking DNHQ: How concerned are you by Jordan…

We all love a good Poole Party, but costly mistakes have made for party fouls

• Fantom (9 ♡):

  I am a bit worried. But in just a few weeks he had relearned to dribble without traveling calls so of course he is still a bit off. 3 distractions this year. Punch new contract and the nba new emphasis against traveling. Additionally the constant changing lineups that depend on him. So it could go either way

• Five Alarm Freddy (8 ♡):

  If I have learned anything about the Jordan Poole experience it is that this kid will work his butt off to figure it out. He has the perfect mix of confidence, work ethic and creativity that will get him to where he needs to be. I am not concerned. That said… Wake the f*** up JP!! What the hell is going through your head?!!

• dinohealth (6 ♡):

  Presto...what a night....just like that, Dubs slide right back into 6th place in the West....if we can bite Phoenix, our guns will find us about 6 games out of 1st....with exactly 1/2 season, 41 games, to go...

• ServantOfLuna (6 ♡):

  Hawks beat the Clippers 112-108. Once again, Warriors got the #6 seed by doing absolutely nothing tonight.

• Sleepy Freud (6 ♡):

  So far this season the Warriors have been a -4.3 per 100 possessions in 1203 minutes with him on the floor; and a +5.3 per 100 in 733 minutes with him on the bench.

  I’m high on his future, too, but he’s far from the “main reason the Warriors are even a .500 team at this point.” It takes a village, but Steph, Dray, Klay, Wiggs, Loon, and even Donte are currently all significantly ahead of him in that regard.

Re-introducing: Warrior Wonder

Also, the Warriors lost or something

• rcknfn (11 ♡):

  PBJ not an option in the poll? What disrespect 😃.

  For a rookie who hasn't logged in too many non-garbage minutes, PBJ looks very grounded and doesn't panic, doesn't get beat 1-1 that easily (2-5). But long way to go:

  - Screening

  - Hustle and nose for rebounds

  - Passing.

  He can be Belly like with some degree of those three.

• rcknfn (9 ♡):

  Frustrating loss. But thinking about it this morning, it was a scheduled loss once Klay got pulled before tip off: Compared to last few games:

  - Klay scoring and gravity was missing

  - Wiggs is not in rhythm physically or mentally (apparently he sounded congested) and getting integrated into line ups he hasn't played with before

  - Andre's first game of the season - playing in lineups he hasn't played in before

  - Weird jumbled lineups because of above 3

  - Poole went to other extreme of being Drunken Master. Understandable given how he has closed last few games. Needs to find balance

  Having said that:

  - Young long team with nothing to lose have been giving Dubs problems even when fully healthy.

  - Our rotations on defense were atrocious. On multiple plays (few involving Dray too), we didn't switch (two guys ended on same player) and left a guy open for an easy 3.

  - Gaping a low % shooter is a probability game which may not swing your way as it didn't this game.

  On to next game. Let's beat struggling Suns and finish 6-2. That was the best case expectation when Steph went down.

• GlueAndBold (8 ♡):

  Yay! I’ll take this WW site addition as a bday prez! Y’all rock!

• Ilikefoodtrucks (7 ♡):

  we are grading on a curve here.

• Goofus (6 ♡):

  You’re wise beyond your years for someone who’s only four days older than PBJ.

• Joe Barely Cares (6 ♡):

  Everybody please stop and take a deep breath! I came to read some insightful comments and mostly all I find is a bunch of Chicken Littles running in circles shouting that the sky is falling. I think this game was totally excusable in light of missing 2 superstars and an important bench player and the rest of the guys either exhausted from the efforts of the last 2 games or coming back from a long layoff. In no way was this any indication of the team's long term status.

• Sleepy Freud (6 ♡):

  The youngsters weren’t the issue tonight, though, We could really have used Kuminga’s defense, athleticism, and rim running tonight, and even 10-15 minutes of JDub could really have helped diversify our three-happy O.

  Meanwhile, Wiggs was coming off a month-long absence and was hella rusty; JGreen is still out; and, you know, both Splash Bros were missing.

  I agree that in terms of roster construction they probably could have used one more savvy vet and one fewer raw kid going into the season, but using this game to try to prove the point kinda smacks of twisting the evidence to fit a narrative. (Or, you know, just being mad the Warriors lost).

Asking DNHQ: How do you feel about Golden…

This hasn't been the scorching start we've seen from them in years past, but how important will that be in the long run?

• BadlyBrowned (35 ♡):

  Iguodala coming back!

  Via Shams:

  Golden State’s Andre Iguodala announces on his Point Forward podcast with Evan Turner that he will make his season debut on Saturday vs. the Orlando Magic.

• Truckeeman (25 ♡):

  Panic, no. Disgust, sometimes. Joy, often. Hope, always.

• Goofus (16 ♡):

  “Ball don’t lie.”

  - Rasheed Wallace

  “Hips don’t lie.”

  - Shakira

• Faye (14 ♡):

  This is my first full season spending this much time with an NBA team, and it has been incredibly rewarding to have unwavering blind faith in the Dubs. I try to watch the complete game, tip off to final buzzer, whenever I can and do you know how many insane final minutes of a game I've gotten to witness that other people wrote off in the 3rd quarter?!

  I don't feel like I have earned any right to get anywhere close to panic and besides, my heart is just TOO FULL watching this team start to really have fun together.

• Shimmy (12 ♡):

  The defense is improving w time. Draymond is still otherworldly and our engine. The young ones are following suit. JK is flirting w becoming an elite defender. Moses is a little too jumpy but still effective. DD is solid on both ends. Ty is a good bench player, but can be exposed on D. LOON is our savior on many a night. With time our team will learn each other and improve.

  Klay is doing his thing. Yes, his lateral movement on defense is slower than pre injury. But that is OK. Wiggs and JK will likely guard the perimeter alpha threats when healthy. Watching Detroit’s Bogdonavich cook Klay on the perimeter was extremely painful. But Jesus give this guy a break. W those injuries he has exceeded expectations and is still a winning player IMO

  Jordan has been thrusted into alpha scorer role in the starting unit and this is a huge step up in difficulty. For a 23 year old bench player he has handled it extremely well. His speedy reckless tendencies will simmer down with time. I see all star potential in the nxt few seasons. Steph frickin Curry is his mentor.

  Re turnovers - this team has always had high turnovers. We made up for it w defense and scoring. The defense is the most important part that needs improvement now, and we are moving in the right direction.

  I MILDLY worry about draymond’s back and our poor defense. Bad perimeter D leading to overhelp and poor rotations. I see the refs calling games tighter overall this season, and I think we need to get to the line more with drives to the hoop to even out the freethrow discrepancy. Fouling less has helped but we need to get to the line as well. Seems like the NBA decided to tighten up

  Overall Im thankful for this group of players and our BIG 3 are still in their prime. Im so excited to see JK, moses and wise grow into their potential. Also, PBJ has a friggin flame thrower at 6’9” and his defense already seems decent.

  I have faith we will be a force come this spring and have a chance at repeating.

  The parity this season is exciting!

• bloophero (12 ♡):

  I remember a young Arsenal footballer called Aaron Ramsey getting a serious leg injury, which took him over a year to recover from. Once recovered, he didn't play with the same attacking fearlessness as he had shown prior to being injured. People thought he was washed and then a couple of seasons later he became absolutely world class. It was the first time I became aware of the psychological affects of having had such a devastating injury. That's how I've felt about Klay (and Wise) and always believed they will be fantastic as soon as they have broken through that mental barrier (which can take a couple of seasons).

Explain: Warriors cap rollercoaster win over…

looney looney

• WastingDayDay$Prime(OakTwnW) (20 ♡):

  Normal post game day script:

  Watches eop (twice)

  Reads through (most comments)

  By 3:30 Says to self: okay, enough reading dnhq today

  … 3 minutes go by…

  Reopens page. Reads comments. Smiles. laughs. Types.

  (Hits refresh thinks: shouldnt there be a Hardee or Dubby article on this epic game coming out soon? Hits refresh again)

  Repeat

• Doc (19 ♡):

  Report from Chase Center last night (went with wife and teenage kids):

  1. This is too easy, they rolled over. Then, oh no, we're losing. Then we can't win. Then pandemonium. Then joy and slapping hands with complete strangers.

  2. Klay is BACK!

  3. Crowd yelling at Poole to pass the ball (love the breakdown of his teammates imploring him to pass EA).

  4. No amazing acts during timeouts this time.

  5. Kuminga looked depressed/dejected. I think he wanted to be in there sooo badly.

• Professor Trogdor (17 ♡):

  Fun fact: Looney now has the same number if career buzzer beaters as Steph Curry.

• Sleepy Freud (16 ♡):

  LoonGod NBA ranks:

  • #1 by a mile in ast:tov ratio (111 assists to 14 turnovers, or 7.9 to 1)

  • #7 in total contested shots

  • #10 in total box-outs

  • #10 in screen assists per 36

• boba_balla (15 ♡):

  https://www.reddit.com/r/blackmagicfuckery/comments/102fnsy/how_did_klay_thompson_get_the_ball/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

  LOL I remember watching this live on tv, and was thinking to myself, here comes the between the legs pass by Dray, but then I didn't see him move and thought he just held onto the ball instead of passing it or handing it off. Then all of a sudden I see Klay with the ball and that really confused me lol.

• GlueAndBold (15 ♡):

  From commenter Tim C. at The Athletic:

  "I remember some years ago reading that David Lee became ambidextrous when he broke his dominant arm and was forced to learn to play with his weaker arm. If you think of Curry as the Dub’s dominant arm, this period of having to play without him is forcing the rest of the team to strengthen where they have been weakest - as the stats of their performance when Curry is not on the court powerfully demonstrate. In that case this period may prove to be a blessing in the long run. Toss in the other - not incidental - injuries to Wiggins, et al, and there has been a lot of welcome muscle development for the rest of the roster."

• WGBC (15 ♡):

  thank you eric for doing all the big moments wow what a game!!!

• Alex (10 ♡):

  Love every part of rewatching this, except for the Possible Resubluxation Audit that I can't help but complete each time Steph comes bounding off the bench to wave his arms wildly or leap joyously into the middle of a chest-bumping celebratory scrum full of excited dudes that are all bigger than him...

• Bel (10 ♡):

  Watching last night’s winning tip from Looney, my son and I both sprang out of our chairs at exactly the same time, shouted LOOOOONEY, and jumped up and down waving our fists. I think that was the most satisfying game so far this season. The Boston and Memphis games at home are right behind. So happy for Looney.

• Ando (10 ♡):

  After 5 shots I'm icing down my liver!

• Ilikefoodtrucks (10 ♡):

  While no E1P, a nice piece by Joe Viray "Klay Thompson deserves more of everyone’s faith" https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2023/1/3/23536757/warriors-hawks-klay-thompson-film-breakdown

  Some good short vids of some Klay work and this little gem: "Arguably nothing beats the spectacle of watching a Klay Thompson heater. When his hands are as hot as freshly spewed volcanic lava, feeding the hot hand is often the best course of action. "

  • Eric Apricot (10 ♡):

    Joe is a part of the DNHQ family and he sometimes posts here

Post game double OT thread: Klay goes for 54…

How is this so fun??

• Eric Apricot (33 ♡):

  I just wanted you all to know that I love you

• dinohealth (27 ♡):

  All I have to say about Klay and Dray, the 2/3 of original, homegrown, Dynastic Core, is that they deserve every penny they will get, even if Joe Lacob has to get a 2nd mortgage on Chase Center to keep/pay them......

• TheseGuysAreF’ingGIANTS! (23 ♡):

  Still up after watching that one delayed. What a game! Watching Poole was like strapping into a rollercoaster where the harness may or may not have clicked into place, you had no idea if it was going to be ok. In future games like that please play Poole only as a 2 guard since most of his good works came off ball.

  Everyone else was generally super fun to watch. And Klay was the man tonight! It was nice to see him doing it all for the win. It gave the whole game a happy vibe watching Klay dominate. He even knew when to conserve energy getting back because he knew Dray would have no issues with a 1 on 3.

  I think my favorite play aside from Looney and Klay’s was actually Lamb missing a corner 3 and dead sprinting back to cut off Atlanta’s fast break the other way. So many moments like that where it just felt like these guys have to have earned this win; and they finally did win on another moment like that!

  These guys are F’ing giants!

• Sleepy Freud (22 ♡):

  Recency bias alert, but I'm not sure we've ever had a more thrilling run of five regular season games than the last five. Only run that probably compares is down the stretch in the 73-9 season.

• Abaddon (21 ♡):

  Kevon lands the NUMBER ONE SPOT on the NBA Top 10 on a night absolutely brimming with highlights:

• thesarunas (19 ♡):

  Best comment over there: "I honestly don’t know which I’m more ashamed of as a Ga resident - this team or Marjorie Taylor Green"

• crusty quips (18 ♡):

  They were both masterful tonight. One of Klay's best games ever. Thankfully the FO are not run by knee-jerk reaction twitter knuckleheads who called him washed after some early season struggles. Dray and Klay will help deliver another chip to the Bay.

• nomdesab (18 ♡):

  54 points w 2 free throws*

  Hehe.

• crusty quips (18 ♡):

  ALL HAIL THE LOON GOD!

• BornInDaEB (17 ♡):

  Call me crazy but I've always been cuckoo for Looney.

  Great team/bench win! Oh yeah, vets did a'ight too. Poole floats like a bucketfly & zings in his threes. KLAY HITTING FITTY-FOUR, and another of Dray's weird, flat, physics-defying 3-pointers somehow goes in...again (how tf? must be 'cuz He's A Winner).

  2023 starting out with a Lamb, perhaps Dubs' season could end like a lion.

  ~ Prayers up for Damar Hamlin. ~ 😆

• Goofus (16 ♡):

  Right there with you. “Lunchbox Looney” is my personal favorite Warrior. Obviously, he’s not the best player, but given everything he overcame, how hard he works and what a genuinely nice guy he appears to be, he’s the kind of guy who I’d want to marry my daughter (if I had one).

  The thing that really made it for me was a clip I saw of him on a morning show in Milwaukee when the Warriors were visiting his home town. The two female hosts were all bubbly and asking “dumb” questions that would have had a lot of “too cool” players rolling their eyes and wishing they’d slept in. Instead, Looney was all smiles, genuinely answered their questions and really appeared to be enjoying it.

  Just no pretense with this guy.

• FromMunichWithLove (16 ♡):

  Sometimes I need to sleep… So I decided to not watch this - for me - 4 am game and to get up at my usual time. And the game was still going! What a finish, what a team, what a glorious way to start an otherwise boring Tuesday in the office. Thank you Warriors! And thank you all, reading the comments is a near live watching feeling.

• Dilly (16 ♡):

  Where to begin.....

  Thunderstorm here caused technical difficulties. But I got to see the game from about 5 minutes left in the 4th. I really wanted to yell in the OTs but had a pair of sleeping kittens on my lap. Silent Screams.

• tempprofile (14 ♡):

  I love Looney as much as the next guy but it was pretty bush deliberately missing free throws in regulation just so he could get the buzzer beater in double overtime. Seriously though, the guy is a gamer. I wasn't sure he would ever play again after the neuropathy diagnosis but here he is balling for 30+ minutes.Maybe he doesn't want to take a day off, but the Warriors really need another big so he can take one.

• pooryorick (14 ♡):

  Klay was super disciplined last night even while going on a high volume shooting tear. When he drove it into the middle he always paused and then kicked it back out if he found more than one defender converging. His circus shots were ones he had to take not hero heaves.