In searching for factors contributing to the recent surge in momentum we should not overlook the radiating joy that comes from Mr. Melton and his euphoric return. What a player. Take another bow Mr. Celebrini. NOW we can start the real season..... But first, the most urgent and as yet unanswered question: **what game could Fitz beat Pat Spencer at?** Table tennis has been eliminated. Golf is a possibility, but it also seems like a game Pat could pick up with humiliating ease. Jimmy brought up Uno, but made it sound like a blood sport. Are we reaching for Animal Snap?
Melton is like when the kid in Willy Wonka, poverty-stricken, destitute and desperate, buys one measly chocolate bar and in it is ... a ****Golden Ticket!!!!****
FYI Malevy Leons: in addition to being a stretch big with a good G-League track record, he is a Dunleavy type. He was in college BPM in the nation #125 in 2023 and #162 in 2024. He has a lot of defensive highlights. I'm quite interested in seeing him play, way more interested than, with all due respect, Alex Toohey.
I agree. Never got th Toohey pick at all Well, actually, I assume with that late a pick they were taking a flier so no complaints, just not fussed that it didn't work out. Leons probably won't either That's the nature of late picks and G-League players. But ... maybe they will :D
This. Also, the Dubs turned one bottom of the 2nd round pick into two picks, with the odds against either working out. Will Richards so far has been good, so the other pick was like playing with house money. Of course Toohey got injured so we never really got to see how he could develop but we're still ahead of the game.
Pels might have a nice duo in Fears and Queen for the future. Murphy and Herb Jones would have perfect complementary players for them but they're not on the same timeline. Dumars have a lot of work to do. Murphy, Herb Jones, Zion, Poole and Dejounte Murray has got to be on the to trade list whether it's now or on draft day.
They didn't have a lot of quality wins in the first 10+ games and the Utah loss hurt them, but it's been all quality losses and some good wins since then. And they're pretty fun to watch. Really good recovery so far (a rebuild, but of course they kept Booker - who they've managed to play very well without).
Since I know some of you are hitting the trade machine during this break, from https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/yearly (click the tiny icons near the name), the earliest date 2026 these players can be traded:
3/1 is after the trade deadline, so in practice he's not actually tradeable until the off season, right? (Not that we would trade him this season anyway even if we could)
Draymond was never the dirtiest player in the league with this guy in the league:
r/nba
•
10m ago
TWolvesChamps1
[Highlight] Rudy Gobert elbows Mark Williams around the hip area leads to a Flagrant 2 and ejection for Gobert. Williams hits Rudy in the head moments before
In roughly 15 mpg, he's been averaging 6 pts/6 rbd/2 blk. To put that in context, per 36 that translates to 13 pts/13 rbd/4 blks per game. Basically, he's been an elite rebounder and shotblocker while opportunistically scoring at an incredible 67 TS%.
Even better, he's on an expiring contract of 13 million per year which is quite tradeable. While he isn't a perfect fit as a big on a roster with Dray/Jimmy, goddammit his rebounding and shotblocking and lob threat would add a much needed dimension to our squad.
Don't know about JP. I'd say Pat brings to the Dubs a fair bit of what Ty Jerome did as a 2-way player and would have continued to do so had we been able to hang on to him.
I disagree with Timpf's analysis entirely. While I do agree that we need initiators that create offensive advantages outside of the system (which then warp into the system as the defense shifts), I disagree that Pat is in any way the answer that.
Spencer is not someone who can consistently generate offensive advantages off the dribble, he's a consummate point guard. He helps organize the offense through his passing and takes advantages of scoring opportunities when he can. His current high volume scoring is more representative of a hot streak shooting that'll eventually die down.
What'll remain is an excellent passer, solid/physical defender, who can use bootball and angles to generate some inside scoring while occasionally hitting a three.
I also didn't watch Timpf... but for me a "consummate point guard" is looking to create offensive advantages mainly for teammates, starting within a system and if necessary outside the system or for themselves. I see his dribble and strong handling of the ball as him being able to be quite comfortable doing whatever he can.
I've been thinking more of Steve Nash, the way he'll just penetrate into the paint and probe around without really getting sped up. Our other Warriors young guns have to work so hard to penetrate.
This was the comp that came to my mind (at a far, far lower level, though). The main difference (aside from skill level) is that Spencer will shoot in some situations when Nash probably would never have even thought about it. But, their games seem quite similar to me.
I didn’t watch Timpf, but I would say Pat creates advantages *using* the system not *outside* of it. To me, this means he can get game-planned in the playoffs and that’s why, for now, he’s a solid backup point guard. I think this means I’m in agreement with you and Arash.
Timpf started with admiration for the "fundamental" plays Pat has been running very successful, mainly pick and rolls, often with QP. He likened that to the previous Warriors "bucket getters": Barbarosa with speed, Livingston with his elbow jumper, Poole with slithery moves, KD any which way. I'm not so sure about his use of "system" aka motion offense vs. "outside.", but I love that P.I. Pat has become a national story..
In fact, the Warriors' current three game span in the 5th best by any team so far this season, as well as the best by any team over 3 straight road contests: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/i7tLm
With the impending return of Steph Curry, the signing of Seth Curry, the healthy return of Melton, the emergence of Spencer, the newfound manner in which Hield has valued the ball recently (3 total turnovers over his last 6 games), the Warriors now have perhaps the deepest available roster of players under 6'6" in the entire NBA:
6'1" Seth Curry & LJ Cryer
6'2" Steph Curry, De'Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer & Gary Payton II
6'3" Will Richard
6'4" Buddy Hield & Brandin Podziemski
6'5" Moses Moody
That's 10 players under 6'6" and 6 under 6'3". And although LJ Cryer has not yet proven himself in the NBA regular season, I strongly believe that he can contribute to regular season wins in limited minutes after watching all of his summer league, preseason, and Santa Cruz games to date.
Note that every one of these players has contributed to winning basketball at some point during his last 2 (for Melton & Seth) or at least 3 (for everyone else) games played.
Steph is Steph.
Officer Pat has been the perhaps the Warriors' overall MVP over the last 4 games. He is currently third to Butler and Seth in win shares per 48 minutes in his 268 minutes played this season.
Will Richard is currently fourth to Butler, Seth, and Spencer in win shares per 48 minutes in his 440 minutes played this season. He's 2nd in true shooting percentage, 3rd in steal percentage, 4th in win shares, 5th in value over replacement player, and 7th in box plus/minus and player efficiency rating over the entire season to date.
Podz has hit 31 of 70 threes (44.3%) over his last 14 games with 40 assists and 18 steals against 21 turnovers. He is averaging 17.2 points on 58% true shooting, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals vs. just 2.0 turnovers per 36 minutes played over that 14 game stretch.
GPII has hit 39% of his threes and 56% of his twos and all 3 of his free throws with 24 assists and 8 stocks against just 9 turnovers over his last 10 games.
Melton has scored 27 points and has 4 steals in 38 minutes so far this season.
Seth is 6-9 from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc on the season with 3 assists against 0 turnovers. He is currently second to Butler in win shares per 48 minutes in his 32 minutes played to date this season.
After a distressing cold spell, Moody has bounced back by hitting 6 of 13 threes, 4 of 8 twos, and 8 of 10 free throws over his last three games with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals against just 2 turnovers and 3 personal fouls.
Even Hield has perhaps turned a corner with 36 points on 57% true shooting, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists against just 2 turnovers over his last three games.
The only current issue with all the short guys on the team is that there are too many of them. But if they can hold other teams under 100 points, even that may not be an issue. Strength in Stumpers?
So after 12/30 Green, Kuminga and Hield (plus presumably every tradeable pick the Warriors have) to the Bucks for [G+T] Atemtokounmpo works in the trade machine. Aside from solving the JK problem, it opens up a spot for Pat Spencer. Would you do it? Would the Bucks?
If I were the Bucks, I'd ask for Podz, Moody, JK, and at least 3 unprotected picks. If Buddy and Dray have to be thrown in for salary matching purposes, so be it. I'll trade them elsewhere.
I just read about Korfball, a Dutch version of basketball with co-gender teams where they can only pass and shoot with no dribbling or running. I need to know if QP plays this game.
In addition to that MFer Pat and his run with the W's. Over the last 10 games after Ja Morant got injured and is fully out of the rotation, Cam Spencer is averaging 15 points, 5 assists, with a 71% TS% and the Grizzlies are 7-3.
In searching for factors contributing to the recent surge in momentum we should not overlook the radiating joy that comes from Mr. Melton and his euphoric return. What a player. Take another bow Mr. Celebrini. NOW we can start the real season..... But first, the most urgent and as yet unanswered question: **what game could Fitz beat Pat Spencer at?** Table tennis has been eliminated. Golf is a possibility, but it also seems like a game Pat could pick up with humiliating ease. Jimmy brought up Uno, but made it sound like a blood sport. Are we reaching for Animal Snap?
Melton is like when the kid in Willy Wonka, poverty-stricken, destitute and desperate, buys one measly chocolate bar and in it is ... a ****Golden Ticket!!!!****
Oh dear, I should have added that I like Fitz and think this story line is funny. I didn’t mean to sound critical.
brown nosing
Pat won't play that game.
Hot Dog eating?
Warriors stats:
15 in net rating
Offense:
23 in points scored (113.5)
30 in points in paint (41.5)
27 in fastbreak points (12.6)
22 in offensive efficiency
26 in shooting % (44.9%)
15 in three point % (36.4%)
22 in two point % (53.4%)
18 in off. rebound % (25.4%)
26 in def. rebound % (72.7%)
22 in total rebound % (48.6%)
4 in opponent blocks!!!!!!!!!!! (4.0)
16 in opponent steals (8.5)
9 in assists!!! (27.4)
27 in turnovers (15.9)
Defense:
4 in points allowed!!!!!!!!!!!!! (111.7)
17 in opponent points in paint (50.9)
15 in opponent fastbreak points (15.2)
3 in defensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 in opponent shooting % !!!!!!!!!! (45.7%)
5 in opponent three point % !!!!!!!!!!!! (33.6%)
11 in opponent two point % (53.9%)
20 in blocks (4.4)
3 in steals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (9.7)
10 in opponent assists! (25.5)
6 in opponent turnovers!!!!!!!!!!! (15.9)
FYI Malevy Leons: in addition to being a stretch big with a good G-League track record, he is a Dunleavy type. He was in college BPM in the nation #125 in 2023 and #162 in 2024. He has a lot of defensive highlights. I'm quite interested in seeing him play, way more interested than, with all due respect, Alex Toohey.
I've been trying to get a feel for his game. A comparison might be Andrei Kirilenko?
I agree. Never got th Toohey pick at all Well, actually, I assume with that late a pick they were taking a flier so no complaints, just not fussed that it didn't work out. Leons probably won't either That's the nature of late picks and G-League players. But ... maybe they will :D
This. Also, the Dubs turned one bottom of the 2nd round pick into two picks, with the odds against either working out. Will Richards so far has been good, so the other pick was like playing with house money. Of course Toohey got injured so we never really got to see how he could develop but we're still ahead of the game.
Pels might have a nice duo in Fears and Queen for the future. Murphy and Herb Jones would have perfect complementary players for them but they're not on the same timeline. Dumars have a lot of work to do. Murphy, Herb Jones, Zion, Poole and Dejounte Murray has got to be on the to trade list whether it's now or on draft day.
Phoenix moves into 6th in the west in WGBC points (no longer over-rated), Wolves 7th, Warriors 8th
Suns still in 7th.
They are 6th in Loon Gehrig's WGBC metric, even though they are 7th in the standings
Phoenix is exactly where I thought they'd be. Scrappy. Not good but not bad either. They'll be hovering around the play in.
They didn't have a lot of quality wins in the first 10+ games and the Utah loss hurt them, but it's been all quality losses and some good wins since then. And they're pretty fun to watch. Really good recovery so far (a rebuild, but of course they kept Booker - who they've managed to play very well without).
Since I know some of you are hitting the trade machine during this break, from https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/yearly (click the tiny icons near the name), the earliest date 2026 these players can be traded:
GP2 12/29/25
Horford 1/1
Melton 1/1
LJ Cryer 1/2
Kuminga 1/15
SETH Curry 3/1
3/1 is after the trade deadline, so in practice he's not actually tradeable until the off season, right? (Not that we would trade him this season anyway even if we could)
Thanks for the caps on Seth. Saved me from minor cardiac arrest.
Lol! Kings also fall to the Pacers tonight 116-105.
Spurs in a battle with the Pelicans mid-4th
Edit: Yeah, the trade, but Derik Queen has a triple-double with 29 pts so far (no Wemby for Spurs of course, but still)
Edit 2: Spurs survive Queen's 33/10/10, with help from Barnes' 24
Draymond was never the dirtiest player in the league with this guy in the league:
r/nba
•
10m ago
TWolvesChamps1
[Highlight] Rudy Gobert elbows Mark Williams around the hip area leads to a Flagrant 2 and ejection for Gobert. Williams hits Rudy in the head moments before
https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1phvkd2/highlight_rudy_gobert_elbows_mark_williams_around/
I hope when Williams hit Rudy in the head, they gave Williams FTs as a reward for a job well done.
Reminds me of last season when Gobert shoved Nembhard after Nembhard apparently hit Conley in the face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lRvPx6hxQQ
I'm currently obsessed with RWIII.
In roughly 15 mpg, he's been averaging 6 pts/6 rbd/2 blk. To put that in context, per 36 that translates to 13 pts/13 rbd/4 blks per game. Basically, he's been an elite rebounder and shotblocker while opportunistically scoring at an incredible 67 TS%.
Even better, he's on an expiring contract of 13 million per year which is quite tradeable. While he isn't a perfect fit as a big on a roster with Dray/Jimmy, goddammit his rebounding and shotblocking and lob threat would add a much needed dimension to our squad.
Good player, bad fit, 15 mpg may be his limit without getting hurt
WGBC update:
Golden State Warriors overall points: 37 (rank: 15 overall, 7th in West) (total home points: 30 (rank: 9) total road points: 7 (rank: 16) home win points: 63 (rank: 16) home loss points: -33 (rank: 6) road win points: 108 (rank: 8) road loss points: -101 (rank: 24))
West (WGBC rank, points):
Oklahoma City Thunder (23-1) (1, 240), Houston Rockets (15-6) (2, 150.5), Los Angeles Lakers (17-6) (3, 138), Denver Nuggets (17-6) (4, 111), San Antonio Spurs (15-7) (5, 104), Minnesota Timberwolves (15-8) (6, 61), Golden State Warriors (13-12) (7, 37), Phoenix Suns (13-10) (8, 31), Portland Trail Blazers (9-15) (9, -8), Memphis Grizzlies (11-13) (10, -23), Sacramento Kings (6-17) (11, -66), Utah Jazz (8-15) (12, -68.5), Los Angeles Clippers (6-17) (13, -121), Dallas Mavericks (8-16) (14, -123), New Orleans Pelicans (3-21) (15, -221)
Warriors leapfrog the Suns (WGBC still thinks the Suns are over-rated), but are still fairly far behind the 6th-place Wolves.
Is Pat exactly what the Dubs have needed since losing JP? Timpf’s latest
https://youtu.be/Nc7DbGI26tk?si=mYmwv1IjWVuTdrtq
Don't know about JP. I'd say Pat brings to the Dubs a fair bit of what Ty Jerome did as a 2-way player and would have continued to do so had we been able to hang on to him.
I disagree with Timpf's analysis entirely. While I do agree that we need initiators that create offensive advantages outside of the system (which then warp into the system as the defense shifts), I disagree that Pat is in any way the answer that.
Spencer is not someone who can consistently generate offensive advantages off the dribble, he's a consummate point guard. He helps organize the offense through his passing and takes advantages of scoring opportunities when he can. His current high volume scoring is more representative of a hot streak shooting that'll eventually die down.
What'll remain is an excellent passer, solid/physical defender, who can use bootball and angles to generate some inside scoring while occasionally hitting a three.
I also didn't watch Timpf... but for me a "consummate point guard" is looking to create offensive advantages mainly for teammates, starting within a system and if necessary outside the system or for themselves. I see his dribble and strong handling of the ball as him being able to be quite comfortable doing whatever he can.
Agreed. I’ve seen shades of CP3 in his game.
I've been thinking more of Steve Nash, the way he'll just penetrate into the paint and probe around without really getting sped up. Our other Warriors young guns have to work so hard to penetrate.
This was the comp that came to my mind (at a far, far lower level, though). The main difference (aside from skill level) is that Spencer will shoot in some situations when Nash probably would never have even thought about it. But, their games seem quite similar to me.
I haven’t been watching long enough to be familiar with Nash’s game, but I know he’s an all-time PG, so I’ll take it!
I didn’t watch Timpf, but I would say Pat creates advantages *using* the system not *outside* of it. To me, this means he can get game-planned in the playoffs and that’s why, for now, he’s a solid backup point guard. I think this means I’m in agreement with you and Arash.
Timpf started with admiration for the "fundamental" plays Pat has been running very successful, mainly pick and rolls, often with QP. He likened that to the previous Warriors "bucket getters": Barbarosa with speed, Livingston with his elbow jumper, Poole with slithery moves, KD any which way. I'm not so sure about his use of "system" aka motion offense vs. "outside.", but I love that P.I. Pat has become a national story..
Does Timpf call Pat his brother from another mother?
First, the good news.
Current Doug Moe Western Conference standings (Road Wins - Home Losses)
OKC +12
Nuggets, Lakers +7
Rockets +6
Spurs, Wolves +4
Warriors +3
Suns +1
Trail Blazers 0
Grizzlies -1
Kings, Clippers -4
Jazz -5
Mavs -6
Pelicans -10
So by this measure, the Warriors are one game closer tying for 5th place than they are to dropping 8th place.
The Warriors have the third best defensive rating over the entire season, and the second best over their last 15 games, over Minnesota in third by a pretty large margin: https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?LastNGames=15&dir=A&sort=DEF_RATING
Over the last 7 games, the Warriors' defensive rating is basically tied with OKC for first place: https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?LastNGames=7&dir=A&sort=DEF_RATING
Over the last 5 games, the Warriors have posted the best defensive rating in the NBA: https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?LastNGames=5&dir=A&sort=DEF_RATING
Over the last 3 games, the Warriors have posted a defensive rating of 99.0, which is totally ridiculous in today's NBA: https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?LastNGames=3&dir=A&sort=DEF_RATING
In fact, the Warriors' current three game span in the 5th best by any team so far this season, as well as the best by any team over 3 straight road contests: https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/i7tLm
With the impending return of Steph Curry, the signing of Seth Curry, the healthy return of Melton, the emergence of Spencer, the newfound manner in which Hield has valued the ball recently (3 total turnovers over his last 6 games), the Warriors now have perhaps the deepest available roster of players under 6'6" in the entire NBA:
6'1" Seth Curry & LJ Cryer
6'2" Steph Curry, De'Anthony Melton, Pat Spencer & Gary Payton II
6'3" Will Richard
6'4" Buddy Hield & Brandin Podziemski
6'5" Moses Moody
That's 10 players under 6'6" and 6 under 6'3". And although LJ Cryer has not yet proven himself in the NBA regular season, I strongly believe that he can contribute to regular season wins in limited minutes after watching all of his summer league, preseason, and Santa Cruz games to date.
Note that every one of these players has contributed to winning basketball at some point during his last 2 (for Melton & Seth) or at least 3 (for everyone else) games played.
Steph is Steph.
Officer Pat has been the perhaps the Warriors' overall MVP over the last 4 games. He is currently third to Butler and Seth in win shares per 48 minutes in his 268 minutes played this season.
Will Richard is currently fourth to Butler, Seth, and Spencer in win shares per 48 minutes in his 440 minutes played this season. He's 2nd in true shooting percentage, 3rd in steal percentage, 4th in win shares, 5th in value over replacement player, and 7th in box plus/minus and player efficiency rating over the entire season to date.
Podz has hit 31 of 70 threes (44.3%) over his last 14 games with 40 assists and 18 steals against 21 turnovers. He is averaging 17.2 points on 58% true shooting, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals vs. just 2.0 turnovers per 36 minutes played over that 14 game stretch.
GPII has hit 39% of his threes and 56% of his twos and all 3 of his free throws with 24 assists and 8 stocks against just 9 turnovers over his last 10 games.
Melton has scored 27 points and has 4 steals in 38 minutes so far this season.
Seth is 6-9 from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc on the season with 3 assists against 0 turnovers. He is currently second to Butler in win shares per 48 minutes in his 32 minutes played to date this season.
After a distressing cold spell, Moody has bounced back by hitting 6 of 13 threes, 4 of 8 twos, and 8 of 10 free throws over his last three games with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals against just 2 turnovers and 3 personal fouls.
Even Hield has perhaps turned a corner with 36 points on 57% true shooting, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists against just 2 turnovers over his last three games.
The only current issue with all the short guys on the team is that there are too many of them. But if they can hold other teams under 100 points, even that may not be an issue. Strength in Stumpers?
So after 12/30 Green, Kuminga and Hield (plus presumably every tradeable pick the Warriors have) to the Bucks for [G+T] Atemtokounmpo works in the trade machine. Aside from solving the JK problem, it opens up a spot for Pat Spencer. Would you do it? Would the Bucks?
If Giannis is absolutely demanding a trade, then the Bucks maybe forced into making a deal that isn't the best for them. That's our only chance.
Me: yes, though I don’t love giving up ALL the picks.
Bucks: heck no, unless Giannis specifically demands to be traded to GS.
After January 15th for JK.
Yeah, curious where the 12/30 date came in?
that is the date that fanspo says he can be traded. It could be wrong.
Spotrac says 1/15
If I were the Bucks, I'd ask for Podz, Moody, JK, and at least 3 unprotected picks. If Buddy and Dray have to be thrown in for salary matching purposes, so be it. I'll trade them elsewhere.
If I were the Bucks, I'd ask for both Currys for both of the alphabet brothers
If I were the Bucks I would never do that deal
Especially since there is sure to be a serious bidding war.
Draymond announced on his pod today that his wife is expecting and due in "probably a week or so". Congratulations Draymond!
And one!
Draymond will have a starting 5 soon.
I just read about Korfball, a Dutch version of basketball with co-gender teams where they can only pass and shoot with no dribbling or running. I need to know if QP plays this game.
i’m assuming “korf” means basket cuz it’s literally just a basket hanging up there! (especially in the vintage videos)
i think it’s interesting you can shoot from a 360 degree field (based on quick scan of sone Y2 videos)
thanks for the intro, you learn something new every day, lol
Yes, "korf" is Dutch for "basket."
Is it similar to Netball?
Pretty similar except for the mixed gender teams and the players can run around more without the ball.
Trending down 📉: Australian players
Trending up 📈: Dutch players
Trending up: Spencer Brothers
In addition to that MFer Pat and his run with the W's. Over the last 10 games after Ja Morant got injured and is fully out of the rotation, Cam Spencer is averaging 15 points, 5 assists, with a 71% TS% and the Grizzlies are 7-3.
que scouts learning the rules of lacrosse and showing up at college campuses.