Mere hours before the struggling, injury wracked Golden State Warriors saddle up to face a surging Indiana Pacers team in Chase Center, starting center Willie Cauley-Stein was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Whoa. This was kind of a shocker, and yet, in the grim business sense of the game, very understandable.
It was kinda surprising because: Warrior’s head coach Steve Kerr had just explained to our very own super reporter PoorMansCommish how Golden State’s surplus of big men prospects had relegated intriguing rookie Alen Smailagic to limited minutes. I presumed that meant Cauley-Stein was going to continue as a mainstay in the starting lineup considering he had started 37 of 41 contests. He averaged 7.9 points and 6.7 rebounds in 22.9 minutes and was good for at least for at least one highlight alley-oop or block per game.
On a limping team like this, any entertainment at all was at a premium, and Cauley-Stein definitely got the crowd hyped a few times.
It was kinda not surprising because: The Warriors pride themselves on “light-years” moves. The big man rotation needed some clearing and Cauley-Stein had proved himself a useful enough piece that a dark-horse contender like the Mavs would eventually come sniffing around for a deal. The former 2015 #6 overall pick hadn’t dominated for Golden State, and sometimes seemed a step behind the action. He also demonstrated spurts of impressive athleticism after recovering from a debilitating early season foot injury.
Kinda hit or miss at times.
The Dubs’ front office now has more roster flexibility as they continue gathering assets for the Splash Era resurrection.
Dub Nation spent the year rooting for Cauley-Stein to provide a spark on both offense and defense, and on some of his better nights “Trillie” was up to the task, like that time he was the only man Damian Lillard couldn’t score on.
It will be fascinating watching Warriors’ big man rotation tonight as they tangle with the feisty Indiana front court pair of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis.
WCS wasn’t the long term answer at 5, so I’m fine with this move. When they picked him up, I thought, ok this solved this position. But watching him, I was just never consistently impressed. The bigger problem to solve is getting a 5 that really helps them to compete with the best teams. Maybe the draft can solve this!
All those killer IND open 3s are coming from GSW D collapsing cause no one can handle Sabonis on the roll. Rotations, IND has quickly found the open guy.
Argh, that play was a huge turnaround. Poole caught looking away, McC drives, Omari doesn’t rotate, layup. GSW counterattacks with McC on the ground 5 v 4. Wild play, Chriss loses ball.
everytime i remember that run tmc only played together for 2 years i die a little inside. getting rid of mitch richmond was the beginning of 2 decades worth of just absolutely awful moves by the warriors
I'll have to get used to this new "top down" comment organization. WCS was not our solution at C for the next 2-3 years. If they get Ben Simmons they can look for a stretch 5 who can shoot. If they don't, they will need a strong defensive center. WCS isn't strong in either category. If they get Giannis, he would have sufficed, but the flexibility is key.
Dubs are shooting decently (46.3 percent overall, 50 percent on threes). Problem is that they're giving away possessions to the Pacers (13 TOs, Pacers scored 13 TO points). Bench points skewed heavily in favor of the Pacers (28-12). And Dubs aren't defending the three well, as usual (8-of-14 from beyond the arc from the Pacers, good for 57 percent).
The problem with Fitz is Kelenna. When fitz starts driving the car towards the edge of the road, Kelenna just grabs that steering wheel and steers him straight off the cliff. JB used to center Fitz back to being tolerable. Kelenna just encourages his antics.
GSW halfcourt D showing good stretches of cooperation but some bad breakdowns on hard cuts to the basket, and transition D is sloppy. But worst has been the live ball goofball giveaways and a couple of lucky Pacers 3s. That’s pretty much the whole lead
I think this is about "finish up the last half of the series finale of Into the Badlands" time for me. Trade Fitz and Burks... I'm willing to live with Evans next season riding the pine
As much as I'd like to see some format changes, I have a dual core laptop (oh the humanity) and i can watch NBA TV on one browser and comment on here without those fans going absolutely crazy.. If there are changes to be planned i hope they don't bog the thread down
Sweet defensive possession that ends with a D Lee steal. Starts with Chriss showing hard on a wing double screen (he clotheslines McConnell), then follows McC to the weak wing, then calls for a switch for Burks to pick up McC.
WCS wasn’t the long term answer at 5, so I’m fine with this move. When they picked him up, I thought, ok this solved this position. But watching him, I was just never consistently impressed. The bigger problem to solve is getting a 5 that really helps them to compete with the best teams. Maybe the draft can solve this!
Top players:
1: Russell
2: Robinson III
3: Green, Chriss
HM: Paschall
<insert tank made of bricks .gif>
Aww we needed those three free throws :(
they at least made the pacers have to play their a game to get the win. that's about as good as we can hope for
All those killer IND open 3s are coming from GSW D collapsing cause no one can handle Sabonis on the roll. Rotations, IND has quickly found the open guy.
I don't know how anyone can watch Russell play defense and think he can be part of a championship team where he is playing the 2.
Dray with an ingenious rotation to double Sabonis in the post from the blind side to force a panic turnover.
My god, DLo having a career night from deep
9-12
17 single digit lossEs, 10 straight losses in OT. OUR TANK-FU IS UNMATCHED
mcconnell is exactly who i want bowman to become in a couple years
Argh, that play was a huge turnaround. Poole caught looking away, McC drives, Omari doesn’t rotate, layup. GSW counterattacks with McC on the ground 5 v 4. Wild play, Chriss loses ball.
Poole is a confident kid. I like that.
Poole's 3PT% before G League stint: 24.2 percent
Poole's 3PT% after G League stint: 32.7 percent
Not quite there yet, but a significant improvement nonetheless
poole shoots more 1 make heat checks than year 2-3 klay did
Let’s gooooo!
JORDAN POOLE SPLASH GRANDSON???
I think if Dubs can avoid the complete gimme live turnovers, they could make this close.
Our rooms are crappy today
The Pacers are hitting threes nonstop
it's like the warriors all draw straws before the game and whoever gets the short straw is the one that's gonna have the shitty game that night
Dray sits down and things go to crap
GR3>AB
Warriors chant attempt was a bit weak
lol that chriss dunk clearly didn't go through
D'ANGELO RUSSELL THE SPLASH NEPHEW??
DLo feeling it!
Let's goooooo
Chriss wants that roster spot
yes fitz, talk about being a tough guy in the nba like you would have any clue about it
everytime i remember that run tmc only played together for 2 years i die a little inside. getting rid of mitch richmond was the beginning of 2 decades worth of just absolutely awful moves by the warriors
What starting 5 would you rather have:
Curry
D-Lo
Klay
Draymond
Drummond
Ben Simmons
Curry
Klay
Day day
Marc Gasol or comparable stretch C
Must be that hamburger hot dog at Chase that caught up to him
Maybe we can lose by only 10? Lofty expectations y’all
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I'll have to get used to this new "top down" comment organization. WCS was not our solution at C for the next 2-3 years. If they get Ben Simmons they can look for a stretch 5 who can shoot. If they don't, they will need a strong defensive center. WCS isn't strong in either category. If they get Giannis, he would have sufficed, but the flexibility is key.
I have a confession. I have yet to watch a game at Chase.
Warriors at half vs. IND:
ORtg: 98.8
DRtg: 129.8
NetRtg: -31
eFG%: .561
TS%: .573
Dubs are shooting decently (46.3 percent overall, 50 percent on threes). Problem is that they're giving away possessions to the Pacers (13 TOs, Pacers scored 13 TO points). Bench points skewed heavily in favor of the Pacers (28-12). And Dubs aren't defending the three well, as usual (8-of-14 from beyond the arc from the Pacers, good for 57 percent).
Are completely OT musings kosher at this point?
Who these posers? Wheres the Gold Blooded King commercial??
The problem with Fitz is Kelenna. When fitz starts driving the car towards the edge of the road, Kelenna just grabs that steering wheel and steers him straight off the cliff. JB used to center Fitz back to being tolerable. Kelenna just encourages his antics.
Halftime stats:
Pacers:
58.7% shooting (27/47 FGs)
8/14 three pointers
7/7 FTs
21 rebounds (4 off.)
18 assists
5 turnovers
Warriors:
46.3% shooting (19/41 FGs)
8/17 three pointers
5/8 FTs
20 rebounds (4 off.)
15 assists
13 turnovers
13 TOVs with 2:26 to go in second
No fast break 3's until a real Splash Brother is on the court please.
GSW halfcourt D showing good stretches of cooperation but some bad breakdowns on hard cuts to the basket, and transition D is sloppy. But worst has been the live ball goofball giveaways and a couple of lucky Pacers 3s. That’s pretty much the whole lead
The Warriors need anybody who can score 60 points in 3 quarters on Indiana
I think this is about "finish up the last half of the series finale of Into the Badlands" time for me. Trade Fitz and Burks... I'm willing to live with Evans next season riding the pine
well the first 5 minutes were fun
As much as I'd like to see some format changes, I have a dual core laptop (oh the humanity) and i can watch NBA TV on one browser and comment on here without those fans going absolutely crazy.. If there are changes to be planned i hope they don't bog the thread down
Sweet defensive possession that ends with a D Lee steal. Starts with Chriss showing hard on a wing double screen (he clotheslines McConnell), then follows McC to the weak wing, then calls for a switch for Burks to pick up McC.