Dub Nation HQ Comments of Week, plus open thread
Helpful hint: Every commenter’s name is a link that leads back to the original comment.
Helpful hint: Every commenter’s name is a link that leads back to the original comment.
Warriors cough up 29 turnovers and blow… — DEC 9
NOT AGAIN!
Nellie (7 ♡):
The fact that we blew another three point, last-possession lead to this team by botching the foul we should have committed last time... it's like something dreamt up by Torquemada. I'm almost impressed by the cruelty.
Or perhaps like Prometheus, who stole fire from Olympus that humans could have civilization, the W's, whose motion offense and shape-shifting defense unleashed a decade of hellfire on the league and altered the paradigm of the sport, have just been condemned to eternal torment and anguish.
Range (4 ♡):
This season, I’m getting Sisyphus vibes.
TwoRingTest (11 ♡):
There's no question that Sisyphus could pound the rock.
Chasing Rings 🏆🏆🏆🏆... (9 ♡):
The way our TO's are spreading, I'm catching Syphilis vibes
Post-game: Warriors set Curry-era record for… — 23 HRS AGO
GSW waste a tremendous offensive rebounding performance.
OakTownWs (15 ♡):
You know its sports, and the ups and downs … I just am not into letting it actually getting me angry or worried. I enjoy rooting for the warriors.
What most bothers me about losses?
No e1p. Really.
And that lingering uncertainty: Does Eric love us?
Peace and Love dnhq :)
Arash (13 ♡):
Can we give some serious credit to Brandin Podziemski whose just been a revelation this year as a rookie?
Not only has he provided a scoring punch with 7 ppg in 19 mpg (admittedly at slightly below average efficiency) but he's also been an excellent rebounder for his position (12.3 TRB%), a very solid defender, and an effective passer (17 AST% despite limited touches) who just consistently makes the right play.
Altogether, this has manifested itself in an OnCourt plus minus of +7.9 and an On-Off plus minus of +10.4.
Chasing Rings 🏆🏆🏆🏆... (13 ♡):
HEY! Everyone! Bring it in. Huddle up.. Get in, get in... closer... I see you lurking in the back, you too... Now, I know everyone in here is vested beyond a healthy level of sanity, and we've been riding this now rickity fanwagon for a wee while now, some way more than others (may Oden bless favours upon the Pre-Stephers)... But despite the concerning collective rising of blood pressure around here, or the developing undiagnosed neurosis, or even the questionable illicit post loss drug of your choice, the fact of reality is... our boys are NOT built to win the Regular Season best record, nor are they coached that way, nor are they... Hell, I don't even know what way they are playing, but, we all know the magical third act of this season is us stumbling or bumbling, heck, even scraping in by our last fingernails to the Playoffs and then cooking up 4, best of 7 game series, with a playoff rotation of the usual suspects, some exciting emerging prospects, lead by none other than a still All-Star Level, Chef Curry. And I get to experience it all, win or lose, vicariously through this amazing community? Ummm yeah, for a sports nut connoisseur, this is the ride I'll look back on on my death bed. I'm buckling back up. Chasing Rings is renewed. Who's with me?! Anyone? Hello? Hey, where'd everyone go?
Nadav (11 ♡):
Just dropped by to say for the record that this team will end the season above the play-in. You have my word.
JZAlvarado (10 ♡):
So count me in the minority but I actually think Kerr has done a very good job of coaching this year (aside from that hiccup against the Clippers). Has balanced those reserve unit minutes fairly well. Has given Podz minutes because Podz has shown the consistency Kerr looks for to justify said minutes. Hasn’t ceded to the growing chorus of diminishing Wiggins and Klays role. In essence taking the view that its going to be up to the starters to sort things out or the season is toast regardless.
Shawyer (10 ♡):
He's reluctant to take shots
Chasing Rings 🏆🏆🏆🏆... (9 ♡):
Dammit!!! The one time I try and invoke a god, I end up invoking the 2007 #1 pick who ended up being a bust. Sorry, pre-Stephers. I tried.
Captain Jack (9 ♡):
Bobbita said this but I agree that the KD years really drilled some god awful habits into our big 3. They play like he's still around at times
belilaugh (7 ♡):
Warrior for life imo
BayesGT (7 ♡):
Klay’s right. Charles has been vocally anti-warriors for their entire existence. Predicts their downfall whenever he gets the chance, and revels in it whenever he feels like he might be right (then shrinks away from it when he talks to draymond).
And he’s right that 10-12 is a fine place to be in. It’s not ideal, but one small streak of wins and all of a sudden we’re a top team again.
Being (7 ♡):
I'm watching this game, and I finally see flashes from the vet core of what it used to be. That Q1 started off brilliantly. Then the turnovers hit, and the turnstile defense, but what I'm noticing is that it's all just lack of focus and lack of "connection." I'm going to thread a needle pass, or hit you mid-cut, but you pop instead, or I'm just going to throw an easy outlet pass, but toss it like a beach ball rather than a basketball.
But watching the rhythm turnovers I start to see what Steve says - the group just needs to play together more to find their telepathy better, and stop making stupid bonehead mistakes.
Then the bench comes in and makes similar boneheaded turnovers. But they have the athleticism to overcome mistakes and score regardless wheareas the vets don't seem to be able to do that.
At this point I feel like there's a better chance that the kids will learn the offense better than that the vets will find their "rhythm and connection" better. There were a ton of plays by the bench that blew up b/c of execution failure - JK not running a split cut properly was a popular one. But the kids are learning and I see improvement. Not sure I see improvement with the vets.
vignette17 (7 ♡):
Warriors losses by Last lead:
0:03.1 OKC by 3
0:07.4 @SAC by 1
0:08.4 @OKC by 3
0:09.9 @LAC by 2
1:07 MIN by 2
4:51 PHX
6:21 @DEN
Q3 0:10.6 CLE
Q3 11:49 MIN
Q2 5:55 @PHX
Q2 10:22 @CLE
Q1 7:30 OKC
That's a lot of heartbreak. Could have as many as 5 more wins and be 15-7. Of course, they also have the close wins as well.
belilaugh (6 ♡):
What's funny is the Warriors should be on a 6 game win streak and undefeated since Draymond got back and 13-9 overall. I think what's happening right now is pretty fluky but there will be plenty of time to find out.
Sleepy Freud (6 ♡):
Lots of alternate “if X drafts Haliburton” universes. Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas (who apparently tried to trade up for him), Detroit, New York, Washington, Phoenix, San Antonio. And of course Sacramento — who got to observe him on and off court got 1.5 seasons, and where he was reportedly ecstatic to be a “King for life.”
On GS … we were apparently super high on him. I’d be curious to know which voices in the room wanted him and which pushed for JDub.
One lesson of the Podz pick is that if you really like someone, you should just grab him, and not GAF if anyone thinks he’s a “reach” for your draft slot.
rcknfn_needs_3moears (6 ♡):
Every team goes through injuries. But the way this team is constructed, there are some pieces for which truly there is no backup - Curry, Dray and GP2 - you need all three to be playing their needed minutes. There is nobody on this team who can mimic what GP2 brings.
There is only one loss where all three played their full minutes. SAC game changed when Gary went out.
That's the story that I am sticking with as to why we are where we are.
rcknfn_needs_3moears (6 ♡):
Except for during the game and few hours after the game, I am still basking in the aura of championship from a 1.5 years. So many teams go through years and years of drought even though they are great at times during those years.
Nadav (6 ♡):
Also, in case you were wondering:
Wiggins career:
FG 44.9%
3P 35.2%
FT 71.8%
Rebounds 4.5
Wiggins last 8 games (before tonight)
FG 43.5%
3P 34.3% (but ~40% if you include tonight instead of the first game of the sample)
FT 81%
Rebounds 5.1
Game 22: GSW @ Oklahoma City. GP2 micro… — DEC 8
Can we please get some new opponents
DubsNerd (9 ♡):
Not sure how they are supposed to go out and play a competitive game after a Thursday night out in OKC. Could be rough.
Abaddon (8 ♡):
Klay quietly having a very good game
Janet (8 ♡):
Heh heh heh. Just completed my NBA Research assignment for the IST. Recommended they be in touch with Eric Apricot for advice on E1Ps and stop focusing on the Lakers.
belilaugh (8 ♡):
Put Draymond on Giddey and let him sag off and roam, looks like the Rockets did this by putting Sengun on Giddey (
https://twitter.com/Itamar_17_10/status/1732786681986646496
).
Looney on Holmgren
Curry on Dort
Klay on Williams
Wiggins on SGA
I would like to see Kuminga get priority over Podz in this game. The last few Thunder matchups it felt like Podz' lack of size was hurting against their big backcourt, and also Kuminga did a good job on SGA. It sounds like Kerr is planning on playing both but I don't really see why Podz has to play.
Could also do Looney on Giddey and Draymond on Holmgren. I like the idea of Draymond getting to roam but he's also going to do a better job guarding Holmgren than Looney is so not sure which I'd prefer.
Sleepy Freud (7 ♡):
Seems like JK needs at least 20 a night to catch his rhythm. Sooo many games where he has started slow and heated up.
Jonah Stein (7 ♡):
Kuminga was actually our best matchup on SGA when he was allowed to play. No one is going to shut him down but SGA struggles a bit against length and Kuminga has (mostly) figured out that he doesn't need to jump to defend him or worry too much about the blow by. Those "play at their own speed" guys like Luka and SGA are great matchups for Wiggins and Kuminga. And against an athletic team like OKC, you might want to play them both together.
As for Podz, this team is really dynamic with him and Curry together AND he is our best back-court rebounder. He is also a very good 3-point shooter and fairly good playmaker. I think he fits well when the team goes small. What we don't want to see is Podz and CP3 together during the non-curry minutes.
TwoRingTest (7 ♡):
I think they'll be OK.
The Dubs players probably think 'cow tipping' just means tipping 20%.
Eric Apricot (6 ♡):
TOO MUCH RANDOM
CAN’T HANDLE
ALSO
STEPH BETTER
Sleepy Freud (6 ♡):
If you had told me we had 15 turnovers at the half to OKC's 4, I'd have guessed we'd be down like 73-46.
DubsNerd (6 ♡):
DNHQ crowd: sounds like more minutes for BP and JK!
Kerr: Sounds like more minutes for Cojo
VigilanteSteve (6 ♡):
As a current OKC resident, you would be surprised by how late you can find yourself out. I mean, it is mostly because our mode of transportation is horseback. Commutes are rough.
JZAlvarado (6 ♡):
Watching Zion this year and Ja out on suspension, I took a look back at that 2019 draft and that draft class is pretty brutal. Worse than 2013. Its so bad that honestly when i feel terrible about our 2020 draft (almost daily) i look at that 2019 draft and give Myers full credit for drafting Poole (which would potentially go Top 5 on a redraft) and thats after most Pundits had him going in the second round.
Kuminga shines in Warriors win over Blazers… — DEC 7
The Hall-of-Fame coach confirms he's still thinking through which roster combinations work together.
Five Alarm Freddy (21 ♡):
I am somewhat with Kerr on this.
Either the vets figure it out or this run is over. I admit Klay has not been the Klay we all have grown to love. But there was a play towards the end of the game when Klay hits his first three, the following offensive possession, Steph whips a cross court pass to a trailing Klay at the three point line.
Everything about this play was vintage Warriors and vintage Klay. Steph senses this, he hits this and it feels like a thousand points, Klay is rolling, Steph is happy, the crowd is feeling it… but what happens is Klay misses the shot. It feels like a gut punch, because he has missed a lot of these shots.
I feel for Klay, I feel for Steph, I feel for Kerr. Everyone wants those shots to go in. They are putting everything into these shots going in like they used to. But they’re not, at least not like they used to.
Personally I am riding with Klay and Steph and everyone else figuring this out, because if they do… if they do figure it out they will ignite a magic that before twelve or so years ago, I never knew existed. That basketball was masterful, it was everything I dreamed beautiful basketball could be. It hurts right now because it is not easy to see heroes get old, to lose their magic, but it happens eventually.
Even though it pains me I am behind every Steph cross court pass to his brother in the hopes that just maybe this is the one that opens the floodgates. Maybe it’s the definition of insanity. But then again it felt pretty insane watching Klay drag a lifeless team on the brink of elimination game after game.
Oh, also find a way to play Moody some more. That is all.
Ronaldinho (19 ♡):
It makes sense that Kerr is less reactive to slumps than the fanbase. Most good coaches are. He knows you don't want to yank players around too much, that a player's confidence can be a fragile thing.
But I also think it's time. It's been enough games. Moody and Kuminga need to play more.
Maybe Klay and Wiggins will find it again. I'm not calling them washed. They're entitled to some benefit of the doubt ... the problem is that they've already gotten it. At a certain point, playing players because of reputation rather than production is toxic.
Eric Apricot (15 ♡):
Slater says: Gary Payton II will be re-evaluated again in one week, per Warriors. Team says he is making good progress from his calf injury.
Asher B. (15 ♡):
Sure I’m a Kuminga nut and you can dismiss me on those grounds. But I want to emphasize that the point of playing him more is not just that he provides things that teams need, like scoring or rebounding. It’s that he provides a *different* dimension that we often sorely lack. If we look at his seven highlights last night, they weren’t just duplicative of some other player. He was using his athleticism to leverage his skill in ways that no one else can, because only he is that athletic. (Wiggins is closest). And yeah I know JK's game has weaknesses.
1. First he shot the gap and stole the ball, leveraging his speed which is second to none, breakaway dunk. 2. Then he got the ball on the baseline and bullied his way to the basket through two guys. I don’t see another Warrior doing that, handling, taking contact, elevating to finish. Wiggins but he’s not as strong. 3. Next another baseline catch, tiptoes on the baseline for a reverse. Again height speed and strength mattered. 4. Then he took a defensive rebound, drove full court, turned on the afterburners for a layup, fouled. Many Warriors can do that and Draymond loves to, but Kuminga’s speed here was decisive. 5. Then he got the ball at the three point line, quick drive, all the way in for a dunk. Moody does that too. 6. Then a play Apricot broke down: off a backcourt inbound, gets the ball midstride, Eurostep past two guys for the lefty layup. Again only Kuminga does this. 7. Then finally a Draymond lob of a Kuminga back cut. Everyone can back cut but his speed and hops meant that Draymond could throw it comfortably above the defense’s reach, no turnover.
That’s the point of the Kuminga hype: play him because at his best he forces the defense to either give up these attacks or defend and stop triple teaming Steph.
stopnpop (13 ♡):
Top 4-man lineups (because 5-man has SSS issues)...
S. Curry | K. Looney | C. Paul | A. Wiggins 92:49 +21.8
S. Curry | K. Looney | C. Paul | K. Thompson 106:27 +19.6
J. Kuminga | C. Paul | D. Šarić | K. Thompson 60:40 +19.3
K. Looney | C. Paul | K. Thompson | A. Wiggins 92:10 +15.2
S. Curry | D. Green | M. Moody | A. Wiggins 47:00 +9.0
S. Curry | D. Green | K. Looney | M. Moody 52:09 +8.5
-----
Our top 4 most-played lineups are all negative:
S. Curry | K. Looney | K. Thompson | A. Wiggins 254:14 -6.7
S. Curry | D. Green | K. Thompson | A. Wiggins 163:33 -11.6
S. Curry | D. Green | K. Looney | A. Wiggins 152:08 -4.0
S. Curry | D. Green | K. Looney | K. Thompson 131:40 -9.6
-----
And really, if you look at the positive lineups in general, the one player that keeps showing up is... Chris Paul. CP3/Klay is +8.1 per 100... only second to... CP3/Steph at +9.7 per 100.
Sleepy Freud (10 ♡):
Except for the part where JK took only only good shots in the flow of the offense and made all of them?
thesarunas (10 ♡):
With all due respect, if you've been around the Golden State Warriors long enough, and you certainly may have, you might recall that there have been lows that were far beyond anything that the team is going through right now. Just saying. Long before there was a dynasty, there was a Dubs fan base who astoundingly filled Oracle no matter what. Just saying.
ServantOfLuna (10 ♡):
belilaugh (10 ♡):
The other thing I don't understand is the shoehorning of Kuminga into the "play them more" group. Kuminga has been bad this year, he's been worse than Klay. I suppose overall he's been less bad than Wiggins, but I don't think the 20 game mark is enough for Wiggins given that he apparently came into camp out of shape and also had the recent finger injury.
I don't know, I feel like Kuminga has been getting graded on a curve all season by portions of the fanbase and people are eager to group him with Moody as "young guys pushing for more minutes" at the first sign of a decent game. I don't actually think giving Kuminga a guaranteed role right now is a sound strategy, I think Kuminga needs to earn his minutes by executing well over a stretch of games. Last night was a start but let's see it more often, even if it has to come in a loosely defined role. I think with GP2 out he is competing with Podz for minutes so there should be matchups he will play in, so he'll get his opportunity to make his case for minutes.
Post-game: Steph sparkles, Kuminga soars out… — DEC 6
Good random
Sleepy Freud (24 ♡):
Winning after trailing the whole game > losing after leading the whole game.
Fabbroferruccio (14 ♡):
Gianmarco Tamberi, current gold medal for high jump, and mad for basketball ( he attended Celebrity All Star Game on 2022) commented in this way Kuminga’s dunk:
“ Kuminga make me feel a pipsqueak!”😂
mDuo13 (14 ♡):
It's so fascinating seeing how the bench guys are on fire one game and on ice the next. Tonight Podziemski looked ineffective and Kuminga unstoppable, which is exactly the reverse of a game or two ago. Moody had another great one tonight; he's had a stinker or two in recent games, but he's been more on than off.
Steph has had maybe one bad game all season (not this one), but the rest of the starters have mostly been "just ok" lately. Draymond was defensively phenomenal, Loon not quite enough to make up for his lackluster offense.
Portland played a lot of really aggressive, high effort defense especially in the first half, which got them the lead early on, catching the Dubs off guard, but led to foul trouble and free throws later. More importantly, I don't think they could maintain that level of energy throughout the game, which is why the second quarter was so much better for us.
It continues to be stressful how every Warriors game is close at the end. But I was calling for Steph to make a night-night basket this time and he delivered. Praise threesus.
Asher B. (14 ♡):
OK I have more.
You notice how hunched Moody and Kuminga looked walking away after the game? That was from carrying the starters around all night.
Focaccia Homer (12 ♡):
We won!
Asher B. (12 ♡):
Are you people JOKING? You're calling bad a game in which Jonathan Livingston Kuminga went 6-6 and DOMINATED? How is that not your favorite game of the year?!?!!
Joe (11 ♡):
The way teams are guarding us so far this year it is nearly impossible to play offense with Draymond and Looney together. We made the adjustment to separate them in the playoffs, and now teams are defending us well enough to force that adjustment in the regular season.
The starting lineup was absolutely pulling teeth on offense against the worst team in the conference. I know we have a ton of positive regular season data on this lineup, but the postseason adjustment gives credence to its flaws. It’s far from a foregone conclusion that each of Loon, Wiggins, and Klay will return to form. How long until we consider a serious adjustment?
ForeverFoyled (11 ♡):
JK killed it tonight, but he doesn't always. Kerr probably made a mistake not playing him first half, but made a good decision playing him more than anyone else 2nd half. JK seemed to be able to do well because Portland played a crazy small lineup, so he could physically dominate every person on the court. Certainly a strike against Kerr that he didn't think that might be something to take advantage of to begin with, if it proved so effective. But also I don't think JK can just automatically replicate that against every team.
But in general there's a lot of players to play. There's a lot of guys getting around 20 minutes, and a lot of them do well. Yes we could cut Podz and TJD to zero minutes potentially. Also based on play so far could move Wiggins and Klay to minor roles. I think potentially the worry there is, to be a top team we are going to need Wiggs and Klay to be better than the vet-min level they are playing now. Can Kerr just play them 10 min a game until they do better, or does he need to play them more than warranted to get comfortable? I don't know the answer, but I do think it's a bit tricky, as if you just take Klay and Wiggins off the team, I don't think there's much of a path to this-year success.
Eric Apricot (11 ♡):
The game called for JK holding a boombox over its head, looking longingly into Kerr’s doghouse.
Qin (10 ♡):
Tale of two halfs. 1st half, "damn MM making JK expendable". 2nd half, "damn don't trade JK for anything!". Nice problem to have.
Golden Gate Warrior (10 ♡):
Wiggins missing that bunny to deny Draymond a triple double of 10/10/10
Also its just such a weird dichotomy where the younger players could give us more energy and a better shot at winning games NOW but ultimately the ceiling for this team long term (in Kerrs eyes) is only maximized if the vets get back to their 2022 form.
Tough tough spot to be in....but Dubs maybe don't win that 2015 title if guys like DLee don't allow younger players like Draymond to spread their wings.....
Not an envious position to be in but hey that's why Kerr gets paid the big bucks.
Game 21: GSW vs Portland. Brandin Podziemski… — DEC 6
NBA Cup consolation game
Sleepy Freud (13 ♡):
Phew.
Free throws (28-12) and rebounds (50-40) were the difference. We were -18 from 3 and 17-10 in turnovers.
Steph’s 4,104th career 3 came at a very opportune moment.
Now free JK, you motherfuckers.
GreenDray (12 ♡):
How can we be sure you're not a Trojan Pony?
kinbote (9 ♡):
And all the halves for the rest of the season.
ServantOfLuna (9 ♡):
Kuminga getting that turnover was a crucial play. If it wasn't for that, Blazers would've taken the lead.
BayesGT (9 ♡):
Thank God Kerr put Kuminga in.
belilaugh (9 ♡):
Their hole isn't at center imo, their hole is at backup forward because Kuminga isn't good enough to be playing that role for a guaranteed 15-20 minutes every night (and he's also cutting into Moody's minutes).
The big red flag from last game was that Kerr felt that Podz gave him a better chance to win down the stretch than Kuminga. It was obvious that Podz was physically overmatched against the Clippers, and yet Kerr still felt that was a better option than Kuminga. I'm sure some fans will say that this is because Kerr is a bad coach but I think it points to a different conclusion.
Abaddon (9 ♡):
I don't know about rim protection, but we could sure use some rim production:
Warriors % of FGA by distance 0-3ft: 14.5% (30th)
Warriors FG% by distance 0-3ft: 58% (20th)
Link: https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2024.html#shooting-team::8
Eric Apricot (9 ♡):
Have I mentioned I have an irrational good feeling about that guy? (TJD not Monte)
Focaccia Homer (8 ♡):
What did I miss? I just finished washing 3 days worth of Dubs crap off my dishes. Did it work?
AttilaTheHun (8 ♡):
E1P! E1P! E1P!
Asher B. (8 ♡):
Kuminga isn't here yet so I'll say it for him:
ANY FUCKIN' QUESTIONS?
DNHQ Rooting Guide: NBA Cup Knockouts. #1 LAL… — DEC 5
Our Warriors-centric guide to all the petty rivalries
Captain Jack (19 ♡):
https://twitter.com/kendra__andrews/status/1732142657001095614
Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins are both probable for tomorrow’s game against Portland, Steve Kerr says. Both participated in practice and scrimmaged today.
Sleepy Freud (14 ♡):
I think so, but it was back when Loon was 26 and in his prime. He’s now 27.
Sleepy Freud (12 ♡):
I feel like peak LeBron was more or less Giannis as a driver, and not far off Jokic as a passer. And his statistical profile (advanced and traditional) is unparalleled — at this point miles above anyone eise if you factor in longevity.
But … like you, I’ve never been truly transported by him. It’s the biggest difference in my view between him and Jordan; and I don’t think it’s that I was young lad watching MJ, cos clips of MJ *still* enchant me in a way clips of LeBron will never. Call it grace, poetry, magic, beauty, coolness … it is what it is.
Fwiw, I put Steph much more in the MJ category, but then, Warrior Fan, so take it for what it’s worth.
Asher B. (10 ♡):
I don't dislike LeBron James. Sure, when he is playing against the Warriors, I root against him. And because that has happened a lot and he's so damned good, he's certainly a rival. But not a bitter one, in the least. Great player and as far as I can tell, great guy. Has he at times said or done things I would not have? Maybe, but not very egregious crimes. More like cringy. I've never been a fan of his but he's been great for the NBA. Honestly what I feel now when watching his games, more than anything else, is just boredom. I've seen everything he does a trillion times and I don't find it fun to watch. By contrast: Giannis does things as a driver, or Jokic does things as a passer, that I would rewatch with a dropped jaw. LeBron hasn't evoked that feeling in me. He has often done extremely effective things, but I don't find that his play has high entertainment value. Partially because I don't enjoy dunks all that much more than layups. As a random example, I think Trae Young is more fun to watch, but on no planet is he a better player.
Goofus (10 ♡):
Am I crazy for thinking Podz has more value than CP3 this season, regardless of long-term value?
People keep saying he’s not a point guard, but his handles, vision, BBIQ and ability to push the pace while taking care of the ball seem sufficient to have him out there over Paul, especially if you stagger rotations so that you always have another playmaker like Green or Steph with him. And speaking of that, he’s far more stout defensively than CP3, making for a less-undersized guard duo when alongside Steph. Oh, and he brings a 3-ball and insane rebounding to the party.
Paul hasn’t been terrible for Golden State, but the most common argument for him has been “He can unlock Kuminga!”, but has he done that any more than Podz can?
At a minimum, he lets GSW all but rule out exercising their CP3 option next year, but I think Podz lets the Warriors move Paul this season if they so desire.
belilaugh (10 ♡):
I feel like Podziemski is going to start doing this soon lol
JZAlvarado (9 ♡):
There are few teams less appealing to watch than the Lakers, Bucks, Knicks, and Suns so yeah my wife was surprised when i Gladly got in the car to go and watch my daughter play in her 7th Grade Band Concert this evening.
Captain Jack (9 ♡):
https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1732089169189667123
Rasheed Wallace (and the rest of the 04 pistons) taking blame for influencing Draymond at a younger age LOL
Alex (8 ♡):
Let me know when they get free slide tackles at the end of games and Lebron writes letters to the league office after losing a game begging them to suspend an opponent's star player in a championship-deciding-game for an action that wasn't even called a common foul the day of the game, and which the fouled player said in the post game press conference "I couldn't even feel it and didn't know it had happened." And, you know... the player writing the letter isn't laughed out of the room.
Janet (8 ♡):
This write up is so hilarious I can’t stop laughing. I thought I was the only one annoyed by Devin Booker. Husband’s annoyance level with the thought of Lakers v Suns he won’t even watch the game.
Eric Apricot (8 ♡):
I think opposing teams haven’t really had will or opportunity to game plan against Podz, so it feels probable that his value will go down in a playoff series compared to CP3, which is exactly the only situation we care about.
Since Podz is a rookie and learning fast, his value might be greater than CP3 as soon as next year.
Eric Apricot (8 ♡):
Definitely feels like Podz can adopt the Alvarado Special… put it in his defensive toolkit next to Take a Charge and Jump Like Crazy on Inbounds.
I don't watch a lot of non Warriors games but caught the Bulls/Bucks OT and the refs missed 3 obvious calls in a row screwing the Bucks (who won anyway). I get reffing is hard but it is just abysmal now. So many bogus fouls, so many techs and ejections. There needs to be a systemic, structural change. Some rule changes and changes in how the game is called. The product is getting really bad.
I know nobody wants stoppage in plays but we have the technology to get a lot of this stuff right, especially out of bounds calls. The guys in the truck get the correct replay angle immediately. We can't just have a replay ref fix those right away? Why does it have to be a 5 minute experience with a challenge? Why do we need the refs on the floor to watch the replay?
And why the fuck are we relying on refs to manually count 5 seconds violations? Cost the Warriors the game the other day.
Pistons, Spurs, and Wizards all lose again. Worst part is there isn't even a great draft class this year.