Only one thing I kept thinking as I was watching this: God I miss Klay.
I was working out today and some ABC channel was showing Game 6 against Toronto just to retraumatize me while I was sweating away. But that game made me think. Going back to that year, here's what had happened. Durant went down previously in the playoffs and every genius like me knew his career was over, or at least his career as an elite player. That was a certainty because although I'm not a doctor I know my sports injuries, trust me. Then Klay went down and geniuses like me knew he would be back in a year because he's younger. Then Iguodala was gone and geniuses like me knew we'd never see that dynasty lineup again, because I know that basketball is a business. After that it was pretty clear when Steph got injured that he and Draymond would never be on a contending team again, because geniuses like me could see that their window had closed and Father Time is undefeated. So, going back to that Game 6, a lot of the game it's Steph Klay Iguodala Draymond and Looney. Obviously, we will never see all five of those guys on the floor again, playing at a high level, because I know what I'm talking about and all of my predictions are -- wait, what? He did? He what? They are????!???
The Warriors could use that dude. I'm thinking that that sequence kind of puts the lie to the idea that Thompson can't create his own shot. He can, he just doesn't do it by dribbling defenders to sleep.Granted, every shot had an assist but moving without the ball, knowing where the screeners are and knowing how to get in a position such that the ball handler can get the ball to you is still creating your own shot. There are a lot of ways to add value on the court without being an elite ball handler.
It's an interesting comparison because creating a shot through off-ball movement, going around screens, setting screens, etc. is different from creating with the ball in one critical way: a teammate MUST pass you the ball for the shot to be fully created. It may or may not require a difficult, well-timed, on-target pass... but it always requires a willing teammate who's paying attention.
In the Kerr/Warriors system that's a guarantee and a core tenet of the way they play. It's not so certain on other teams, which is why Klay is usually seen as less valuable outside of the system.
Very true. Similarly, one thing Apricot has also helped me see is how much value Steph adds as a screener, so it kind of suggests we need to expand the definition of shot-creation beyond dribbling, as you say.
spotted: a Zoom ad up above the Warriors tunnel while Steph is running out in excitement. back in 2017!
I'm waiting for Klay's comeback with open arms
As the old San Francisco minstrels used to sing…
Living without you
Living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you
Wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay
So now I come to you
With open arms
Believe what I say
So here I am
With open arms
Hoping you'll see
What your love means to me
Open arms
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8
That was great!! I never tire of watching the Klay 60 game. Even more fun with the E1P.
Only one thing I kept thinking as I was watching this: God I miss Klay.
I was working out today and some ABC channel was showing Game 6 against Toronto just to retraumatize me while I was sweating away. But that game made me think. Going back to that year, here's what had happened. Durant went down previously in the playoffs and every genius like me knew his career was over, or at least his career as an elite player. That was a certainty because although I'm not a doctor I know my sports injuries, trust me. Then Klay went down and geniuses like me knew he would be back in a year because he's younger. Then Iguodala was gone and geniuses like me knew we'd never see that dynasty lineup again, because I know that basketball is a business. After that it was pretty clear when Steph got injured that he and Draymond would never be on a contending team again, because geniuses like me could see that their window had closed and Father Time is undefeated. So, going back to that Game 6, a lot of the game it's Steph Klay Iguodala Draymond and Looney. Obviously, we will never see all five of those guys on the floor again, playing at a high level, because I know what I'm talking about and all of my predictions are -- wait, what? He did? He what? They are????!???
The Warriors could use that dude. I'm thinking that that sequence kind of puts the lie to the idea that Thompson can't create his own shot. He can, he just doesn't do it by dribbling defenders to sleep.Granted, every shot had an assist but moving without the ball, knowing where the screeners are and knowing how to get in a position such that the ball handler can get the ball to you is still creating your own shot. There are a lot of ways to add value on the court without being an elite ball handler.
It's an interesting comparison because creating a shot through off-ball movement, going around screens, setting screens, etc. is different from creating with the ball in one critical way: a teammate MUST pass you the ball for the shot to be fully created. It may or may not require a difficult, well-timed, on-target pass... but it always requires a willing teammate who's paying attention.
In the Kerr/Warriors system that's a guarantee and a core tenet of the way they play. It's not so certain on other teams, which is why Klay is usually seen as less valuable outside of the system.
If a non warriors system could generate open looks for Ray Allen, it could leverage Klay similarly.
Very true. Similarly, one thing Apricot has also helped me see is how much value Steph adds as a screener, so it kind of suggests we need to expand the definition of shot-creation beyond dribbling, as you say.