Great job, as usual, Eric. This may sound silly and superfluous, but I notice that you changed your audio editing a bit so that the music starts at the same moment you say "Hello everybody." I got so used to hearing the way things used to be with about 2 measures of music before you spoke that I find it jarring.
I can’t read these comments because I spent a bunch of the last game watching Poole on defense and now my eyes are broken. In all seriousness, it feels like he spends 50% of the time ball watching and then looking around for his man, 50% closing out after the shot is already up, and the other half getting ready for the next offensive possession.
You didn't mention the other half where he helplessly reaches in to foul the ballhandler who just used him as a traffic cone. Adding that to your math, Poole gives -200%. Or maybe it's an imaginary number.
Do we root for OKC or LAC tonight? They're playing a baseball series too... do we root for a split, or OKC winning both, or LAC winning both? I guess we have a home game left against OKC that could gain a head-to-head lead... but I tend to focus on staying out of the play in, so I'm probably rooting for the Clippers to sweep. Then maybe OKC can start tanking by the time they play us.
Is referring to our controversial player as “Number 40” instead of his name a way of saying we’re complimenting the jersey and not the man? If so, I’m on board.
Speaking of the Warriors schedule, it feels like they are the only team in the league who does not play against the same team twice in a row.
-Kings played against the Nuggets twice on 12/27 and 12/28 at home. They will face the Blazers twice on 3/29 and 3/31 on the road. (2)
-Lakers played against the Spurs twice on 11/25 and 11/26 on the road. They will face against the Bulls at home on 3/26 and on the road on 3/29. (2)
-Suns played twice against the Blazers on 11/4 and 11/5 at home and twice against the Pelicans in 12/9 and 12/11 on the road. (2)
-Clippers played against the Thunder twice in OKC on 10/25 and 10/27, the Rockets twice on 10/31 at home and 11/2 on the road, will face the Thunder tonight and Thursday at home, and the Grizzlies twice on 3/29 and 3/31 on the road. (4)
-Timberwolves faced against the Spurs twice on 10/24 and 10/26 at home, twice against the Blazers on 12/10 and 12/12 on the road, twice against the Mavericks on 12/19 and 12/21, twice against the Rockets on 1/21 at home and 1/23 on the road, and twice against the Nuggets on 2/5 at home and 2/7 on the road. (5)
-Blazers faced against the Suns twice on 11/4 and 11/5 on the road, the Wolves on 12/10 and 12/12 at home, the Thunder on 12/19 and 12/21 on the road, the Mavericks on 1/14 and 1/15 at home, and will face against the Kings twice on 3/29 and 3/31 at home. (5)
-Rockets faced against the Jazz on 10/24 at home and 10/26 on the road, the Clippers on 10/31 on the road and 11/2 at home, the Nuggets twice on 11/28 and 11/30 on the road, the Kings twice on 1/11 and 1/13 on the road, the Kings twice again on 2/6 and 2/8 at home, the Spurs on 3/4 on the road and on 3/5 at home, and will face against the Grizzlies twice on 3/22 and 3/24 on the road. (7)
Quick look at the East teams' schedules, and it turns out that the Warriors really are the only team who do not play against a same team twice in a row. I was gonna type out the Nets, but they actually play against the Cavs twice tonight and on Thursday.
I'm really glad that JK has abandoned his Kobe copy cat dunking techniques and just keeping it simple. Other than the amazing flying through the air stuff.
The picture headlining this article where Kuminga jumps up, is moving horizontal, then lands on the defender, should NOT be a foul on the defender. That call is ridiculous. All the defender did there, was get landed on.
Defender was in defensive position. Was barely moving. The ball was thrown to him, he just didn't see it first. Kuminga jumps over top of him and lands on him. When seen from two angles, 90 degrees apart, it's pretty obvious that Kuminga caused all contact and invaded the other's space. So...to sum up, I disagree.
From the replay in EA's video at 3:30, it shows a good angle. Green started above the dotted circle and is backpedaling the whole time, and as Kuminga leaps, he's still moving his feet under him as Kuminga starts to jump. If he doesn't keep moving to the basket, Kuminga lands with the ball and inside position. Since he did keep moving, he undercuts Kuminga. If Green had actually jumped for the ball, it could have been fair to call it a 50/50 ball and no foul if both come down in a heap. But he ended up just walking into the landing space... albeit slowly and subtly. He had never established his position there.
Isnt this the same green guy who has developed the nasty habit of jumping way forward when he shoots a three - it resulted in two 3-put shooting fouls against the Dubs - or was that another rockets player?
Everyone comes forward on shooting 3s. Fitz pointing it out last night as if it was unusual was also ridiculous. That said, that should have been a no-call on #40.
I thought he was in the circle, but anyway, they pretty consistently call that a block not a charge, just ask Looney. Don't necessarily agree with how they call it, but this wasn't some outlier that gave JK special treatment.
There is optimism that Minnesota Timberwolves stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards (ankle) could return as soon as Wednesday vs. Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Towns, sidelined since Nov. 28 with Grade 3 calf strain, is on the cusp of a major return.
I'm not saying the schedule makers hate us, but, reading about KAT and Ant, I saw that Minny plays on Wed and then not until Sunday. So, this is the 3rd team in 11 days that had 4 days of rest before playing the Warriors (Clips, Hawks, and now T-Wolves). I'm sure it is just another fluke, but this year sure is lining up to make things tough on the Dubs.
On the other hand, it means that they only get one game to reincorporate KAT who has been out since around the NBA-ABA merger (or so it seems), and I think they will need some time to sort out how to play him and Rudy together, so it may actually be a break.
Minny fan in the comments on The Athletic article was lamenting that they got the "easy" games (Hawks and Dubs) first with them back and then have to play the tough teams (Kings and Suns). I'm guessing that guy has only looked at the overall record/standings, and not the home records, but definitely a bit of nostalgia to be considered the easy game compared to those powerhouse Kings and Suns.
The question is, will Wiggins return this season? And will he be in the right mind to play basketball? I think the whole team misses him and are anxious to have him back.
He's going to have to start ramping up within the next 6 days to give himself 2 weeks on court before the playoffs, not even counting reintegrating himself into actual NBA level readiness... I don't see him coming back in the regular season at this point.
The fact that it's been radio silent for this long makes me think a return this season isn't in the cards. I don't think this is one of those situations where he pops back into practice next week like "Hey guys! I'm back! Let's rock and roll". The road back mentally will take him some time I would assume. I just don't think Steve will put him out there if he's not "fully back".
Technical question: should JK give his jumpers more air? The arc looks a bit flat (like Wiggs, or Livingston). Narrower margin of error, right? Compare this to Unguardable, luckiest shooter ever, who gives ball and hoop more to work with. JK’s efficiency is high so no complaints, but he’s young enough to make adjustments. Just how good could he be?
I googled it: seems that a 45-degree entry angle with a little spin is optimal from a physics point of view, but shooting with a higher release angle may reduce the precision of control from the player's hand. So it's complicated.
Everybody ends up with their naturally preferred arc. Wiggins & Middleton have pretty flat shots that work out fine for them... Giannis usually puts it up in the air like Steph, but... it doesn't work out quite so well...
I just like that Kuminga is starting to take those midrange shots with confidence.
Looking at body language of Steph and Klay on the bench , Klay during the presser and also how much urgency Klay and Dray (to some extent) have shown on the court on road, I feel like they know that Wiggs is not coming back and this season (and potentially trio playing together) is over.
Klay and Dray - I just think they're tired. Luckily at this point in the season we've got our top seed locked in well enough that they can take a few games off. 2016 is our year.
(NOTE: THIS IS AN IRONIC MESSAGE SADLY REMINISCING ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHILE HINTING AT WHINING ABOUT THE PRECARIOUS NATURE OF OUR CURRENT PLAYOFF POSITION.)
Klay appears to be unnecessarily feeling his basketball mortality. He ought to be reacting to Phoenix and Memphis taunting about his play with a higher level of humor - especially because he is still capable of being Game Six Klay. Instead, he appears to acknowledge the kernel of truth....
Steph just looks physically tired at times especially since coming back from this most recent injury. He's the most consistently locked in on our team outside of DDV and Loon. Something isn't right with Klay and Dray though.... their energy has been very on and off this year.
Klay's body language has been super-weird this whole road trip. Just quiet, stone-faced (even for him) except when Dillon Brooks has been taunting him. Very low energy.
I wonder if he liked being the main option with Steph out, and is having trouble re-adjusting to being the secondary option. Or maybe just not feeling well.
I have a foreboding. The Lion KumINGa is about to claim his crown. And I feel that will happen in the playoffs this season. I believe it won’t be gradual: JK has already shown that he has an intensity raise in the fourth quarters. Since the playoff games are essentially composed by four fourth quarters, this is what will happen, DESPITE KERR: JK will go on being the critical mass for our sorely missed nuclear defense, and then will start raining middlerange shots to open both the three and the slash-and-assist spaces. He will start going thirty, being the second alternative after the Chef, and leaving to KT the big and clutch shot space. It will happen naturally, like the hunt of lions: nothing will save the gazelle, we already know it when the NatGeo documentary begins.
We just have to remember padding the lower border of the boards at Chase.
I want to believe, but I don't see it happening this season. His handle needs tightening, he's not getting any friendly ref treatment. I think when he gets more of a green light from Kerr and the vets, he'll be cleared for takeoff.
Maybe we should offer a subscriber level where I offer to yell a phrase of your choice during a video. Reminds me of Steph’s “wham bam can of ham” deal
I'm more interested to see if the Dubs can figure out a rotation of bigs that allows them to keep JK on the floor. As we've heard, Looney, Dray, JK doesn't work. Maybe Lamb provides that spacing flexibility.
Steph, Klay, Kuminga, Lamb, Green lineup worked well last night. Wouldn’t be opposed to seeing it start, as Coach feels that Kuminga and Lamb have chemistry. As everyone, love DDV effort but feel like he’s overmatched by the bigger threes out there.
Lamb's effort on defensive rotations last night was great. Kerr should make Poole watch film on Lamb and then carry Lamb's bags around until he himself puts in that kind of effort.
Great job, as usual, Eric. This may sound silly and superfluous, but I notice that you changed your audio editing a bit so that the music starts at the same moment you say "Hello everybody." I got so used to hearing the way things used to be with about 2 measures of music before you spoke that I find it jarring.
I can’t read these comments because I spent a bunch of the last game watching Poole on defense and now my eyes are broken. In all seriousness, it feels like he spends 50% of the time ball watching and then looking around for his man, 50% closing out after the shot is already up, and the other half getting ready for the next offensive possession.
You didn't mention the other half where he helplessly reaches in to foul the ballhandler who just used him as a traffic cone. Adding that to your math, Poole gives -200%. Or maybe it's an imaginary number.
Do we root for OKC or LAC tonight? They're playing a baseball series too... do we root for a split, or OKC winning both, or LAC winning both? I guess we have a home game left against OKC that could gain a head-to-head lead... but I tend to focus on staying out of the play in, so I'm probably rooting for the Clippers to sweep. Then maybe OKC can start tanking by the time they play us.
That's a tough one, esp when one looks at the Laker record, and desire to see them stay below OKC.
I'm with ya on LAC; they will be slightly easier to root for than the griz last night. Ugh. After all that, bb series are usually splits, anyway.
Is referring to our controversial player as “Number 40” instead of his name a way of saying we’re complimenting the jersey and not the man? If so, I’m on board.
I thought we called him "Harry B"?
Oh wait...
Some call him creep
He's such a great fit for this team but the allegations just make me feel uncomfortable rooting for him.
Sigh... yeah. That's where I'm at too. I hope this gets sorted out at some point.
It'll get worse once the trial begins I fear.
Speaking of the Warriors schedule, it feels like they are the only team in the league who does not play against the same team twice in a row.
-Kings played against the Nuggets twice on 12/27 and 12/28 at home. They will face the Blazers twice on 3/29 and 3/31 on the road. (2)
-Lakers played against the Spurs twice on 11/25 and 11/26 on the road. They will face against the Bulls at home on 3/26 and on the road on 3/29. (2)
-Suns played twice against the Blazers on 11/4 and 11/5 at home and twice against the Pelicans in 12/9 and 12/11 on the road. (2)
-Clippers played against the Thunder twice in OKC on 10/25 and 10/27, the Rockets twice on 10/31 at home and 11/2 on the road, will face the Thunder tonight and Thursday at home, and the Grizzlies twice on 3/29 and 3/31 on the road. (4)
-Timberwolves faced against the Spurs twice on 10/24 and 10/26 at home, twice against the Blazers on 12/10 and 12/12 on the road, twice against the Mavericks on 12/19 and 12/21, twice against the Rockets on 1/21 at home and 1/23 on the road, and twice against the Nuggets on 2/5 at home and 2/7 on the road. (5)
-Blazers faced against the Suns twice on 11/4 and 11/5 on the road, the Wolves on 12/10 and 12/12 at home, the Thunder on 12/19 and 12/21 on the road, the Mavericks on 1/14 and 1/15 at home, and will face against the Kings twice on 3/29 and 3/31 at home. (5)
-Rockets faced against the Jazz on 10/24 at home and 10/26 on the road, the Clippers on 10/31 on the road and 11/2 at home, the Nuggets twice on 11/28 and 11/30 on the road, the Kings twice on 1/11 and 1/13 on the road, the Kings twice again on 2/6 and 2/8 at home, the Spurs on 3/4 on the road and on 3/5 at home, and will face against the Grizzlies twice on 3/22 and 3/24 on the road. (7)
Quick look at the East teams' schedules, and it turns out that the Warriors really are the only team who do not play against a same team twice in a row. I was gonna type out the Nets, but they actually play against the Cavs twice tonight and on Thursday.
I'm really glad that JK has abandoned his Kobe copy cat dunking techniques and just keeping it simple. Other than the amazing flying through the air stuff.
The picture headlining this article where Kuminga jumps up, is moving horizontal, then lands on the defender, should NOT be a foul on the defender. That call is ridiculous. All the defender did there, was get landed on.
Well, he’s not just standing there, he’s moving and not in a defensive position, imo
Defender was in defensive position. Was barely moving. The ball was thrown to him, he just didn't see it first. Kuminga jumps over top of him and lands on him. When seen from two angles, 90 degrees apart, it's pretty obvious that Kuminga caused all contact and invaded the other's space. So...to sum up, I disagree.
I disagree.
From the replay in EA's video at 3:30, it shows a good angle. Green started above the dotted circle and is backpedaling the whole time, and as Kuminga leaps, he's still moving his feet under him as Kuminga starts to jump. If he doesn't keep moving to the basket, Kuminga lands with the ball and inside position. Since he did keep moving, he undercuts Kuminga. If Green had actually jumped for the ball, it could have been fair to call it a 50/50 ball and no foul if both come down in a heap. But he ended up just walking into the landing space... albeit slowly and subtly. He had never established his position there.
But where was he in relation to the grassy knoll?
Isnt this the same green guy who has developed the nasty habit of jumping way forward when he shoots a three - it resulted in two 3-put shooting fouls against the Dubs - or was that another rockets player?
Everyone comes forward on shooting 3s. Fitz pointing it out last night as if it was unusual was also ridiculous. That said, that should have been a no-call on #40.
correct, its just that his seemed excessive and the defender was not moving forward
I thought he was in the circle, but anyway, they pretty consistently call that a block not a charge, just ask Looney. Don't necessarily agree with how they call it, but this wasn't some outlier that gave JK special treatment.
In the circle only applies to a help defender.
That is false.
Call does not exist for the primary defender. Only for a help defender.
There is optimism that Minnesota Timberwolves stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards (ankle) could return as soon as Wednesday vs. Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Towns, sidelined since Nov. 28 with Grade 3 calf strain, is on the cusp of a major return.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1638180882484809730
I'm not saying the schedule makers hate us, but, reading about KAT and Ant, I saw that Minny plays on Wed and then not until Sunday. So, this is the 3rd team in 11 days that had 4 days of rest before playing the Warriors (Clips, Hawks, and now T-Wolves). I'm sure it is just another fluke, but this year sure is lining up to make things tough on the Dubs.
On the other hand, it means that they only get one game to reincorporate KAT who has been out since around the NBA-ABA merger (or so it seems), and I think they will need some time to sort out how to play him and Rudy together, so it may actually be a break.
Minny fan in the comments on The Athletic article was lamenting that they got the "easy" games (Hawks and Dubs) first with them back and then have to play the tough teams (Kings and Suns). I'm guessing that guy has only looked at the overall record/standings, and not the home records, but definitely a bit of nostalgia to be considered the easy game compared to those powerhouse Kings and Suns.
If Wiggins comes back, the Steph/Klay/Wiggs/JK/Draymond lineup should A) often close games and B) could be dominant
The question is, will Wiggins return this season? And will he be in the right mind to play basketball? I think the whole team misses him and are anxious to have him back.
He's going to have to start ramping up within the next 6 days to give himself 2 weeks on court before the playoffs, not even counting reintegrating himself into actual NBA level readiness... I don't see him coming back in the regular season at this point.
The fact that it's been radio silent for this long makes me think a return this season isn't in the cards. I don't think this is one of those situations where he pops back into practice next week like "Hey guys! I'm back! Let's rock and roll". The road back mentally will take him some time I would assume. I just don't think Steve will put him out there if he's not "fully back".
Didn't we have some guy come back in the playoffs, off the bench for awhile, last year?
(one can only hope....)
Technical question: should JK give his jumpers more air? The arc looks a bit flat (like Wiggs, or Livingston). Narrower margin of error, right? Compare this to Unguardable, luckiest shooter ever, who gives ball and hoop more to work with. JK’s efficiency is high so no complaints, but he’s young enough to make adjustments. Just how good could he be?
I googled it: seems that a 45-degree entry angle with a little spin is optimal from a physics point of view, but shooting with a higher release angle may reduce the precision of control from the player's hand. So it's complicated.
Kawhi's jumper looks a bit flat too... just sayin.
You mean the K-1000’s jumper?
Everybody ends up with their naturally preferred arc. Wiggins & Middleton have pretty flat shots that work out fine for them... Giannis usually puts it up in the air like Steph, but... it doesn't work out quite so well...
I just like that Kuminga is starting to take those midrange shots with confidence.
Iggy's shots always have beautiful arc on them....
....
Must be some name/copyright infringement case currently in litigation that has forced EA to have to use "#40" for the player formerly known as Lamb?
He just forgot who #40 is. What a casual.
Looking at body language of Steph and Klay on the bench , Klay during the presser and also how much urgency Klay and Dray (to some extent) have shown on the court on road, I feel like they know that Wiggs is not coming back and this season (and potentially trio playing together) is over.
At home, crowd brings back the joy in them.
Hopefully I am wrong.
Klay and Dray - I just think they're tired. Luckily at this point in the season we've got our top seed locked in well enough that they can take a few games off. 2016 is our year.
(NOTE: THIS IS AN IRONIC MESSAGE SADLY REMINISCING ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHILE HINTING AT WHINING ABOUT THE PRECARIOUS NATURE OF OUR CURRENT PLAYOFF POSITION.)
Klay appears to be unnecessarily feeling his basketball mortality. He ought to be reacting to Phoenix and Memphis taunting about his play with a higher level of humor - especially because he is still capable of being Game Six Klay. Instead, he appears to acknowledge the kernel of truth....
Steph just looks physically tired at times especially since coming back from this most recent injury. He's the most consistently locked in on our team outside of DDV and Loon. Something isn't right with Klay and Dray though.... their energy has been very on and off this year.
Klay's body language has been super-weird this whole road trip. Just quiet, stone-faced (even for him) except when Dillon Brooks has been taunting him. Very low energy.
I wonder if he liked being the main option with Steph out, and is having trouble re-adjusting to being the secondary option. Or maybe just not feeling well.
I have a foreboding. The Lion KumINGa is about to claim his crown. And I feel that will happen in the playoffs this season. I believe it won’t be gradual: JK has already shown that he has an intensity raise in the fourth quarters. Since the playoff games are essentially composed by four fourth quarters, this is what will happen, DESPITE KERR: JK will go on being the critical mass for our sorely missed nuclear defense, and then will start raining middlerange shots to open both the three and the slash-and-assist spaces. He will start going thirty, being the second alternative after the Chef, and leaving to KT the big and clutch shot space. It will happen naturally, like the hunt of lions: nothing will save the gazelle, we already know it when the NatGeo documentary begins.
We just have to remember padding the lower border of the boards at Chase.
I want to believe, but I don't see it happening this season. His handle needs tightening, he's not getting any friendly ref treatment. I think when he gets more of a green light from Kerr and the vets, he'll be cleared for takeoff.
I think we need to start saying "Nothing will save the gazelle" on every Kuminga dunk.
Maybe we should offer a subscriber level where I offer to yell a phrase of your choice during a video. Reminds me of Steph’s “wham bam can of ham” deal
If you did an E1P in yodel reggae, I would be a subscriber forever. However, you'd probably lose 50 others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB_R24Bs0tE
I'm more interested to see if the Dubs can figure out a rotation of bigs that allows them to keep JK on the floor. As we've heard, Looney, Dray, JK doesn't work. Maybe Lamb provides that spacing flexibility.
Steph, Klay, Kuminga, Lamb, Green lineup worked well last night. Wouldn’t be opposed to seeing it start, as Coach feels that Kuminga and Lamb have chemistry. As everyone, love DDV effort but feel like he’s overmatched by the bigger threes out there.
Lamb's effort on defensive rotations last night was great. Kerr should make Poole watch film on Lamb and then carry Lamb's bags around until he himself puts in that kind of effort.