89 Comments

Seems like a good move for the Warriors to send Moody and Kuminga to Santa Cruz. They need to work and I would expect Wiseman to be joining them soon when he is cleared. Perhaps by the trade deadline, we'll see what this group learned down there. Warriors should be feeling good about themselves. Barring injuries, they should be very competitive with their new additions and the new Draymond Green who actually takes some shots this year.

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After watching snippets of the unwatchable TWolves-Magic game yesterday, I'm enjoying the Rockets-Lakers game tonight. The Rockets are going to be dangerous as hell in a couple of years. Two highlights for me: 1) Sengun throwing a no-look pass backwards over his head and out of bounds and 2) The Rockets backing way up and coaxing Westbrook into bricking a three to end the first quarter.

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I have watched Sengun play a few times this season. He makes Bjelli look like Dwight Howard. He is a very soft player and seems to avoid contact. He's definitely got a skillset but Wood is who you want on the floor when the game counts. Big men should be dominant in some way and Sengun disappears in games at times. I know he's a rookie, but this is the NBA.

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Turkish League is light years different from NBA. In Europe there is only one Jokic and tons of Smailagic

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This is an interesting observation. I haven’t watched the Rockets at all this year, but I had Sengun reasonable high on my board (not above the guys we have though). Looking forward to watching him in the next week

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Nobody said that there was a potential Lakers loss in progress. Sign me up!

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Sorry to Tyler Herro for saying that he was Jordan Pooles closest comp at the beginning of year

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That's Tyler "Sixth Man of the Year" Herro you're referring to, correct?

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I will say this though. You know how a lot of Warriors fans will defend any pick the FO makes in comparison to someone else’s pick by saying “So and so wouldn’t be doing as well on the Warriors”. Poole is my exception. Poole would slaughter on a lesser team like OKC or even on the Hornets playing the Bouknight role. I think he would have made a positive impact from the onset just being allowed to make mistakes. He just started overthinking in this offense and his confidence eroded from the beginning to the end of his rookie year. We still see him get too much into his headspace even now

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Now this is where there are still plenty of games but where we most of us thought JP would be at this point based on preseason performance (and the final 20 something games last year) except Herro took a leap beyond that and JP hasn't quite made the jump but when I saw Herro in preseason that's who JP reminded me of the most

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I will say JP is pretty close! He's 1 made three and 1 less turnover per game away from being really solid, and then if he can get his FTA back up to his career average he'd then be scoring 23 per 36min on 57% true shooting which would basically be on par w/ Herro (who's playing like a superstar right now).

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has anyone here been to a sea-dubs game? how is the energy? for $38 a ticket (for the 8th row), I'd love to see Moody, Kuminga and Wiseman play! That's cheaper than parking at Chase.

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Funny, I’ve been thinking of going too. A bit over an hour drive for me.

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I've been but not since the pandemic. The arena is maybe two blocks from my office. I don't really feel like wearing a mask throughout a game and that's still required. But yes, it has always been cheap and pretty much every seat is a good one. Seats about 2000 so even the nosebleed seats would be lowest section at Chase. The energy can be really really high back in the day, on a Friday night game or G League playoff or if some star is rehabbing. But it can also be meh on other occasions.

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It says you have to wear a mask unless actively eating or drinking: SOLUTION: EAT THE WHOLE TIME. You don't know me, I could do it.

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Wonder if the ticket will still be that cheap

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That does sound appealing!

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Great breakdown of Moses' first extended minutes. The guy is promising.

Can't wait to see what Kuminga and Wiseman look like when they get their longer stint.

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Steph's averages for October.

▪️ 28.7 points per game

▪️ 7.5 rebounds per game

▪️ 6.5 assists per game

▪️ 1.5 steals per game

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Don't worry. He'll get going eventually. Kerr just needs to be patient.

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I'm surprised he's leading the league in scoring with only 28

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Apparently scoring has trended way down so far this season (small sample, but bigger than other stats since it's looking at all 88 games played so far):

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-offense-has-plummeted-to-start-2021-22-season-and-changes-in-officiating-might-not-be-the-only-cause/

Lowest since the 90s? Love that they talk about a possible convergence of causes leading to the change. But disappointed they never look at whether teams in other recent seasons have also started out slow in the first few games (seems like that would be a thing to rule out, at least).

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I'm guessing the biggest culprit is the lower rate of fouls on drives (an unexpected side-effect of the new rules about the offensive player creating the contact?) since the are a lot of moves that would've been a foul on the defender but have been no-calls instead lately. (I'm fine with this for the most part. There were some games reffed like that before and they were usually nice to watch because there were fewer interruptions for FTs.)

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AthleticAlchemy (via Paul George) has another IDEabouthe dip in scoring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlFI4zRRZnM

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This feels like a pretty cynical manipulation of the mental health protections in the CBA: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32535761/ben-simmons-meet-philadelphia-76ers-doctors-talk-mental-readiness.

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Speaking as a mental health provider: this is not how mental health services that I'm familiar with work, when they work well. If Simmons is in need of mental health services, that's his business, his motivation and his choice. Maybe he really wants to go, maybe really doesn't. I don't know. Maybe it's just something he said as a business strategy. But if not, having to report to a business looking over your shoulder and saying "Feeling sane yet? Huh? Ready?" is just not compatible with the organic pace of mental health work. Some days you make progress, some days you don't, but it certainly doesn't help to be nagged into it.

I don't have an informed opinion on the CBA or the business side of it. I guess the league or the team are within their legal rights to ask how long his leave of absence is. But there's something gross to me about a headline on ESPN about a guy's mental health services. If I were in therapy and someone ran a headline like "Asher Goes to 3rd Straight Session, Discusses Mother, General Manager Encouraged," I'd puke.

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I mean, question is, is he actually dealing with mental health issues, or is he gaming the system. He'd have a lot more leeway if he wasn't coming off of a months long campaign to get traded which casts a lot of doubt on the legitimacy of his need for treatment.

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The team is testing it like a legal thing, since that’s how they are it. They are starting from the conclusion that he’s just “gaming the system” and responding to that hypothesis. They’re all in a really shitty position

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Sounds like a clever way to get around losing more $$millions to me.

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It's a chess game and Simmons / Rich Paul are making up stuff as they go along.

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One does not win chess games by making stuff up as one goes along... will be interested to watch! Especially as I'm sure Morey and the Sixers are also making up stuff as they go along. So, it's more like 3rd grader chess match, and less grandmaster level.

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Speaking as the chess player I am, you had me at "One does not win chess games...."

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

Hey Apricot, the subscribers video and the Youtube video are the same. Not sure if that was intentional or not but figured you should be aware.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

Don't tell them!?!?!?! Then they won't subscribe!

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author

Haha I do spell out what’s in the subs only version each time. It’s always ad-free, but often I will throw in bonus footage that was deemed too boring I mean too hot for the general public to see

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Eric Apricot, he's so hot right now.

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author

Yah, the subs video is the ad-free version. I didn't have time to add in bonus footage... Honestly, there was a bunch of extra stuff about the Warriors changing zone defenses, but the Moody video was over 20 min so I figured people had enough by then

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Never had enough.

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This too

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

You did great kid

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot, punk basketball

Some good stuff on Dray's scoring/shooting

https://www.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/ql6y8m/slater_assertive_draymond_green_said_of_his/

Draymond on Why He Believes He Lost His Jumper Over the Past Few Years (And Getting Over the Mental Hurdle):

“The shot feels pretty good,” Green said. “I think when you go so long without shooting, it’s a mental hurdle you have to get over. I’ll say that’s where I am. But I can shoot the shit out the ball. I know that.”

What is that mental hurdle?

“A wise man once told me: If you don’t use something, you lose it,” Green said.

Green is referring to those Durant years.

“Yeah, you don’t use it, and all of a sudden I’m taking one 3 every three games and if I miss it, my percentages go to shit,” Green said. “Before you know it, in 10 games, I’m 0-for-7, my percentage has gone to hell, and then that can fuck with your confidence.”

Then defenses increasingly began to ignore him, as his percentages and confidence waned. That disrespect only hurt the confidence more.

“Absolutely,” Green said. “I’m just getting over that.”

Still getting over that or have gotten over it?

“I’m getting there,” Green said.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by punk basketball

So... which one of these years had him "taking one 3 every three games"? He took over 2.5 a game every year Durant was here, and never below 2 a game until this year...

He can tell himself whatever he wants, but numbers don't lie. He's actually taking way fewer 3s this year. His shot looks better, smoother, more confident.

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Wow you're right. He actually took more 3s the first 2 years KD were here than he did in 16

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It is a bit of re-writing history here. I was happy to see all these quotes, and for Draymond to appear to realize that his offense is needed for this team to win (I've been saying that the last couple of years). But looking at the stats, I don't really see any stretch of time where he stopped taking 3s, just that there have been some important times where he stopped making them. For example, in the 2019 playoffs, Draymond was 13 for 57 from three (22.8%)!! After peaking in 15-16 (38.8% from three), he has been on a steady decline all the way until last year (27.0% from three). His 2-pt percentage has been a bit more stable around 50%, but in today's game you at least need people to think you might hit a three. I hope he's putting in the effort to get the shot going.

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Makes me wonder whether this is more about the goings-on in practices and mapping out game plans. Maybe he wasn't getting practice reps and the shots he was taking in-game felt like they were off script – even if the volume never wavered. I imagine something like that could have caused him to mentally revise history.

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Who knows. He can tell himself whatever helps him get up in the morning. Especially if it results in a 60% 3P% (even on low volume and SSS, I'll take it!)

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I was impressed how honest Dray was about the bad % and the Tony Allen treatment getting into his head. Athletes are *supposed* to say, "I have a short memory, my confidence never wavers", so it's interesting to hear a real take.

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But it’s a fake real take. Dray might make a great analyst, but he’s a terrible historian. Do you think he’s using a past years narrative to share his current feelings on shooting? Or is he trying to put those feelings in the past and leave them there?

I’m not sure his game needs shooting, he could score double digits daily just by attacking the rim with aggression and touch. Maybe he should work more on finishing inside.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by punk basketball

I'm just glad he expanded on his thoughts rather than just saying I'd rather Steph shoot it than me

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yeah, glad to hear that even he didn't believe that nonsense lmao!

Anyone watching could see it was turning into a problem. Really loving the new, more aggressive approach

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I have to believe Kerr encourages that, based on his interviews and Steph and Dray’s comments. Even Bob Myers can be like that. It’s part of “the system.”

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True, but it is also Draymond.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot, punk basketball

This really puts into perspective how confusing the Warriors system might be to newer players.

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Especially ones who don't get real training camps like last season.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

That’s a funny video, I can only imagine what the team film session was like. I really hope Moody puts the time in To learn the plays, he looks serviceable when he’s playing basketball, but nobody looks good when they are trying to figure out where to stand

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I wonder how the opponents feel when that happens. "This guy has no clue where to stand and we're still getting waxed by 18???"

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omg 4-d chess time -- what if they drew up some plays where everyone was pointing for Moody to go to xyz spot, he's looking all confused and goes to the wrong spot but immediately sets a hard screen for someone to cut to the basket.

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Or maybe Looney (who seems to have the power of invisibility) sneaks into the dunker spot for a lob

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It seemed like a decent amount of the time they were pointing themselves. It's a really young team and I expect they're too busy with their own issues to pay attention to ours.

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Yea that’s what I thought too. OKC clearly not bringing their A+ defense. Perfect time to give Moody more minutes and get some live ball practice.

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Is it a young team? Poole is the only guy in the rotation who’s under 25.

After the four kids, Old Man Looney is the next youngest guy.

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*OKC is a young team

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Oops

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

One basic thing that jumps out to me every time is how big he looks out there. He's 19, but he looks every bit like a full sized wing out there. I imagine he'll end up in the 225-230 range.

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I think he’s always going to be more of a lean, wiry whippet. His body reminds me of Sprewell.

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I think he weighs more now as a 19 year old then Sprewell did in his late 20's.

He's 210 now. He looks lean and wiry now because he's 19, and like 99% of athletes that age he's going to put on some weight. It's a good thing. He'll still look pretty lean at 225 too.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

I wonder how much the strength and conditioning crew focuses on weight. Obviously, more weight is not necessarily better(ask the Pels). And body weight isn’t directly equivalent to functional strength. I assume the training staff is highly focused on addressing specific weaknesses first and foremost. With Moses the most common critique pre-draft was his lack of explosive quickness. Trying to maximize what his body can do there is a pretty different goal than “building muscle”. Either way, dude’s only a couple months into whatever program they have designed for him. It will be interesting to see how he develops.

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It's different for everyone. For 300 lb PF's with lower leg issues like Zion there's probably an emphasis on leaning up. For 210 lb 19 year old wings I don't know if they focus on weight as much as it naturally happens with body maturation, and strength work.

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Plyometrics for explosiveness and quickness.

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Nov 2, 2021Liked by Eric Apricot

Yeah, I wonder. 225-230 might be a bit heavy for his style; maybe he just has a head-start on reaching his ideal NBA weight class.

In any case, he sure did not play like Damion Lee, but still, his transition game looks good already, and you have to figure the set plays will come with more experience.

For anyone who's watched more Sea Dubs than I have, how consistently and effectively do they run the Warriors playbook? The young'uns should get a lot more opportunities with that club, but it won't be quite the same without Steph, Dray, Andre, etc. involved.

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I think he carries the weight so easily at such a young age that it won't slow him down a bit, and raises his upside to have more ability in post, to finish through contact, and to guard the super size wing class.

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No reason to think he doesn't end up with a Jimmy Butler build, IMO.

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Every time I hear any Zion news all I think of is the Vince Carter GIF from the 2001 Slam Dunk Contest when he says Its Over! I think their season is over. I think Zion as a Pelican is over (he'll be the first rookie to reject the Rookie Max unless he's traded) and the Pelicans in New Orleans are over (only a matter of time)

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After watching Apricot's latest it's hard not to think Moody should be getting max reps in the G League (where apparently they run warriors plays) for at least the next few weeks. Bring him back as he learns the offence and let him play then (or sooner if needed). And if Moody needs the reps no doubt JK does.

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I'm like every other fan. You can tell me a thousand times that a young player needs seasoning to reach potential, and to be patient, but I always think the next guy up is going to be an exception, for some reason. Only true superstars can just burst into the league, or Euroleague veterans like Luka. Tend to believe that Moody 2021 x 4 = Moody 2025.

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Luka would have had to adjust to the warriors game. The Mavs basically built their offense around Luka.

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Honk if you believe Luka could adjust to a lot of things, including the Warrior offense. It's true he does better with the ball in his hands a lot, but he's so clever on offense that I could see him in the Draymond spot just killing people.

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He could, but not within the first 6 games of the season. He would have needed some seasoning, and would have benefited from some extended run in the G League in the early season. Of course, I expect Lukas learning curve to be steeper than I will expect of JFK or MM.

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Good thing the warriors moved the then D-League team to Santa Cruz from where was it? Like North Dakota or something?

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Soon JW will be on SeaDubs as well. Full squad

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Nov 3, 2021Liked by punk basketball

Zero chance they play two games in one day

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Ehhh, I wouldn't be totally shocked if they were at least made available. Didn't they do that for someone else? I feel like there was a story about a dude driving in from Reno or something

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Well, I suppose suit them up and available in case absolutely needed.

I doubt even if the Warriors were up 40 at the start of the 4th they've given them the whole quarter though.

Particularly with Kuminga as he's coming back from injury.

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Damn, I totally remember this as well. Except, not really, since I don't remember any other details.

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I want them to get 30m for Sea Dubs, then watch Steph, Dray, and Damion crush the bumblebees

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That will change things. And probably piss off 30 coaches.

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Nov 3, 2021Liked by punk basketball

Will actually hurt the Warriors because higher turnovers. But still better for the game.

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Kerr has advocated for this change for sometime. Also we are middle of the pack this year in PTS off TOv - Self (13th,5 pts less than top), Opp (15th, 5pts less than top). So its not all too bad.

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