I have a soft spot for Warriors Parade Legend Jordan Bell, and I thought he got a raw deal on this dunk (which was fun, the NBA should be fun dammit). So I kinda thought about voting for him… until I watched the dunks.
It's gotta be #FOUR, the harbinger of Playoff Wiggs. The VIOLENCE of it. The STORY of it. The entire bench LOSING THEIR DAMN MINDS. And then he DID IT AGAIN!
I love the Jordan Bell dunk, I really do. You gotta respect the swagger that kid brought to the court after being picked up for "cash considerations" because the Bulls saw no one they liked that late in the draft. It's certainly showboating in a blowout game, but apparently some people in the NBA have different standards for that than I do, based on the criticism Bell faced for that one. The fact that it was an and-1 opportunity is even better! Unfortunately we already know where the Jordan Bell story goes after this and it only serves to highlight the problems: the showboating recalls the immaturity that caused him to be dropped, the missed free throw resembles the mid-range jumper that never materialized, the garbage time where it occurred reminds us Bell wouldn't get much beyond that even in subsequent seasons.
But the Wiggins dunk is gonna be the runaway winner this round and it deserves it. Let me count the reasons.
First, the backstory: the narrative of Wiggins' career ("worst contract in the NBA"), the infamous blowup with Jimmy Butler (specifically, being mad that Wiggins and KAT didn't show the dedication to put their talent to use), the All-Star consideration he finally earned while playing for GSW, and even the subsequent slump and the questions that came up. This one felt like Andrew exorcising his demons by announcing to the whole world that he was not like Towns, content to make bank by half-assing his opportunities in the frozen wastes of the north (disclaimer, the Twin Cities area is actually super nice outside of peak winter, I recommend a visit). This Wiggins was here to take names and win games, something he did with a vengeance.
Second, the dunk itself: the insane hangtime, the direct body contact with the defender, the savageness of the flush. It's a kinetic work of art.
Third, the immediate reaction. KD's look following the Bell dunk was good, but Iguodala and GP2 losing their minds after the Wiggs one is even better.
And #FOUR, the aftermath: Steph Curry joked(?) about texting Wiggins the photo of this dunk every day to motivate him; which was probably not needed... but clearly this play signified how to unlock the best version of Maple Jordan. And someone took that lesson, and applied it to the 16 most important games of the year, leading to shockingly stellar play, at least one other dunk also in this competition, and a championship. The legacy of this dunk will hang in the rafters of Chase Center.
“[Draymknd’s] conditioning looked good, his body looks good," Kerr said. "He's really moving well, both laterally and sprint speed moving up and down the floor. He was mentoring the young guys, coaching them up in drill work.”
This one is no contest. #FOUR all the way. It was an electrifying dunk on a friend and former teammates, and it foreshadowed the kind of thing Wiggins could and would later do. The Bell dunk was just a hotdog move -- entertaining but meaningless.
I know, surprised myself a bit with that one, too!
Maybe it's because 13 is my lucky number. Maybe it's because for some reason I have a soft spot for Jordan Bell. Maybe it's because the situation surrounding it was so unsportsmanlike that Kerr had to apologize for his second round draft pick rookie acting like he's the show time Lakers during garbage time.
There's so much wrong with this dunk yet it feels so right!
Whatever the reason, I'm going against conventional wisdom on this one and ringing the Bell.
He also has a ton of stitched together twitter vids from other reporters. They all seem to be the same time frame, so I'm guessing the Dubs opened practice to reporters for like 5 minutes to allow recordings.
Credit Jordan Bell for impressive flash. Otherwise, his dunk was a meaningless score in a game the Dubs had already won, essentially rubbing in a crushing victory, against no defense at all. It was probably a foreshadowing of disciplinary problems with Bell still to come.
Wiggins over KAT was tough, vicious, and rough. Wiggs even staggers a bit as he lands. Although the denizens of Wiggins Island were behind him, for many citizens of DubNation with less foresight, this was the "Wiggs is one of us!" moment, watching him bring down the hammer on his ex-teammate. And the bench reaction turns it up to an 11!
Steve Kerr said his veteran starting lineup "dominated" the Warriors' first scrimmage today, beating up on the youth. Mentioned both Draymond Green and Kevon Looney as having great practices.
#FOUR It was the first glimpse of what was to come for 16-game Wiggs. The JB dunk was fun because we didn't really have a lot of athletic players at the time but I just have something against in-game off-the-backboard self-alley-oops... I dunno why.
I have a soft spot for Warriors Parade Legend Jordan Bell, and I thought he got a raw deal on this dunk (which was fun, the NBA should be fun dammit). So I kinda thought about voting for him… until I watched the dunks.
It's gotta be #FOUR, the harbinger of Playoff Wiggs. The VIOLENCE of it. The STORY of it. The entire bench LOSING THEIR DAMN MINDS. And then he DID IT AGAIN!
great dunk(s)
Klaybot2.0 hitting 24 3's in a row...
https://mobile.twitter.com/klaylmao/status/1573564121039007744
I love the Jordan Bell dunk, I really do. You gotta respect the swagger that kid brought to the court after being picked up for "cash considerations" because the Bulls saw no one they liked that late in the draft. It's certainly showboating in a blowout game, but apparently some people in the NBA have different standards for that than I do, based on the criticism Bell faced for that one. The fact that it was an and-1 opportunity is even better! Unfortunately we already know where the Jordan Bell story goes after this and it only serves to highlight the problems: the showboating recalls the immaturity that caused him to be dropped, the missed free throw resembles the mid-range jumper that never materialized, the garbage time where it occurred reminds us Bell wouldn't get much beyond that even in subsequent seasons.
But the Wiggins dunk is gonna be the runaway winner this round and it deserves it. Let me count the reasons.
First, the backstory: the narrative of Wiggins' career ("worst contract in the NBA"), the infamous blowup with Jimmy Butler (specifically, being mad that Wiggins and KAT didn't show the dedication to put their talent to use), the All-Star consideration he finally earned while playing for GSW, and even the subsequent slump and the questions that came up. This one felt like Andrew exorcising his demons by announcing to the whole world that he was not like Towns, content to make bank by half-assing his opportunities in the frozen wastes of the north (disclaimer, the Twin Cities area is actually super nice outside of peak winter, I recommend a visit). This Wiggins was here to take names and win games, something he did with a vengeance.
Second, the dunk itself: the insane hangtime, the direct body contact with the defender, the savageness of the flush. It's a kinetic work of art.
Third, the immediate reaction. KD's look following the Bell dunk was good, but Iguodala and GP2 losing their minds after the Wiggs one is even better.
And #FOUR, the aftermath: Steph Curry joked(?) about texting Wiggins the photo of this dunk every day to motivate him; which was probably not needed... but clearly this play signified how to unlock the best version of Maple Jordan. And someone took that lesson, and applied it to the 16 most important games of the year, leading to shockingly stellar play, at least one other dunk also in this competition, and a championship. The legacy of this dunk will hang in the rafters of Chase Center.
Not bad, eh?
“[Draymknd’s] conditioning looked good, his body looks good," Kerr said. "He's really moving well, both laterally and sprint speed moving up and down the floor. He was mentoring the young guys, coaching them up in drill work.”
Link: https://sports.yahoo.com/draymond-greens-contagious-energy-kicks-220343765.html
#FOUR for me, please.
I love it when Maple Jordan plays with just a hint of nastiness.
This one is no contest. #FOUR all the way. It was an electrifying dunk on a friend and former teammates, and it foreshadowed the kind of thing Wiggins could and would later do. The Bell dunk was just a hotdog move -- entertaining but meaningless.
#THIRTEEN
I know, surprised myself a bit with that one, too!
Maybe it's because 13 is my lucky number. Maybe it's because for some reason I have a soft spot for Jordan Bell. Maybe it's because the situation surrounding it was so unsportsmanlike that Kerr had to apologize for his second round draft pick rookie acting like he's the show time Lakers during garbage time.
There's so much wrong with this dunk yet it feels so right!
Whatever the reason, I'm going against conventional wisdom on this one and ringing the Bell.
Rich has a lot of recordings from the post-practice sit-downs with various players and coaches:
https://www.youtube.com/c/LetsGoWarriors/videos
He also has a ton of stitched together twitter vids from other reporters. They all seem to be the same time frame, so I'm guessing the Dubs opened practice to reporters for like 5 minutes to allow recordings.
#FOUR
Credit Jordan Bell for impressive flash. Otherwise, his dunk was a meaningless score in a game the Dubs had already won, essentially rubbing in a crushing victory, against no defense at all. It was probably a foreshadowing of disciplinary problems with Bell still to come.
Wiggins over KAT was tough, vicious, and rough. Wiggs even staggers a bit as he lands. Although the denizens of Wiggins Island were behind him, for many citizens of DubNation with less foresight, this was the "Wiggs is one of us!" moment, watching him bring down the hammer on his ex-teammate. And the bench reaction turns it up to an 11!
Wiggs and JK working in the corner court:
https://twitter.com/CAlvarezABC7/status/1573766676566315009?s=20&t=asuPwAHQO9Jp-XOqRwqUSA
**
Steve Kerr said his veteran starting lineup "dominated" the Warriors' first scrimmage today, beating up on the youth. Mentioned both Draymond Green and Kevon Looney as having great practices.
https://twitter.com/anthonyvslater/status/1573770736539357184?s=21&t=qPkua50hZtKKt8XKch5r3Q
#FOUR because after 5.5 years in Minnesota, much of that time spent waiting for KAT to get motivated, I'd be on a mission, too.
#FOUR It was the first glimpse of what was to come for 16-game Wiggs. The JB dunk was fun because we didn't really have a lot of athletic players at the time but I just have something against in-game off-the-backboard self-alley-oops... I dunno why.
#FOUR
#FOUR of course! Over KAT, against his old team, and I can imagine Klay calling out, "they didn't want you, Wiggs!" (He didn't but I can imagine it.)
So 'dis de open thread now? Will there be any news coming out from first day of practice or do we have to wait till media day?