Kings are definitely looking like a fringe playoff team, with a reliable rotation of mostly young guys but nobody at the superstar level. I have... some doubts, shall we say, about their BBIQ and coaching. (Sorry, Luke.) You have to wonder about their player development because guys like Haliburton and Mitchell came to them already looking pretty poised and mature but guys who've been with them for a while like Fox and Bagley (DNP for a reason, probably) are looking as limited as ever. And Hield, who has been one of the league's best sharpshooters the past couple of years, barely looked like part of their offense, which is... well, I guess that's the Kangz for you. At least Harry Barnes is looking more polished, though I still wouldn't want him as a first option on offense. (He's always been a good defender.)
Kind of disappointed Kerr didn't find a chance to sneak Moody in after how well he played in the last couple games, but this was a tight one and the other guys generally were playing well, especially Lee and Porter. Sneakily, a good game for Wiggins too: he was big in that early-4th run that got us a little separation before Steph came back in. And as before, Steph contributed a lot (7 reb, 10 ast, 3 stl, gravity, screens, hockey assists, etc.) despite having another pretty off shooting night. (In case you weren't convinced, he made sure to miss a wiiide open 3 towards the end just to convince you.) Poole didn't look like an all-star but he scored well on some sweet dribble moves and he had more steals than TO's, so that's
We didn't win the rebound battle tonight but it was pretty close. Even more than the turnover disparity, the big difference in scoring was the free throws; our guys were pretty disciplined about not giving up easy fouls, and the refs let most stuff near the basket go uncalled. Anyone else notice there's been a lot of waiting to see if someone misses the shot before calling a foul, to start this season? I wonder if that's an intentional choice by the refs, collectively. Feels like all 3 games and most of the preseason has had not too much called, and I'm mostly OK with this. I wouldn't mind if they were a little more aggressive about calling travels though.
Looking forward to the next one. This Dubs team has lots of grit, talent, and a great system. Love that we're picking up wins even when it doesn't feel like the team has hit its stride yet.
Watched the game after (stinking League Pass). Kings looked fast and feisty. Warriors weren't dominant, but it was fun seeing them close. Can't wait to see these guys when they really hit their stride...
The bench is looking fantastic. I'm not sure there's a better bench in the league, although I haven't watched them all, fair enough. It starts with how the team is built. Obviously if you can get ten all-star players, you do it, but I think Meyers and Kerr have prioritized what sounds like a bunch of cliches but is winning basketball -- obtaining and playing guys who: follow the game plan, make the right play, play selflessly, know their role, study the opponent, have confidence to play to their strengths, hustle, support each other, minimize mistakes, bring energy. I'll take that over "We bring DeAndre Jordan off the bench he's tall," all day.
Im telling you, D’Aaron Fox for Ben Simmons straight up. You’ve already got a decent glut of guards in Sacramento to complement Ben. Surround him with a starting lineup of Hield and Haliburyon in the backcourt and Barnes and Richaun Holmes up front and you’ve got the makings of a decent playoff team
Tonight makes me happy to have been a GP2 fan since the first time I saw him in a dubs jersey. The guy plays with such hustle, not to mention massive dunks and some threes here and there.
One thing is clear about these first 3 (or 9) games. The flow is so much better than last year. Mainly that’s JP3 vs Tsunami Papi, but Bjelica, OP3, and Andre find the right spots (as opposed to Paschall and Wiseman). Still a lot of growth needed, but at least we are starting from a better spot.
Probably not going to be a lot of games this year where the entire Kings team can't get at least one steal. Another excellent fourth quarter by the Dubs. Just gotta outlast the other team!
They kept it out of the headline, but Harden is complaining after three games that the refs are targeting him by *not* giving him fouls thanks to the new rules. You can't make this stuff up.
For those pining for Avery Bradly, he was -2 in 2 minutes last night and did not record a single box score statistic.
Also, LeBron played a team-high 40 minutes to eek out their first win. That bodes well...
Otto Rodman Jr.: 11.3 rebounds per 36
Kings are definitely looking like a fringe playoff team, with a reliable rotation of mostly young guys but nobody at the superstar level. I have... some doubts, shall we say, about their BBIQ and coaching. (Sorry, Luke.) You have to wonder about their player development because guys like Haliburton and Mitchell came to them already looking pretty poised and mature but guys who've been with them for a while like Fox and Bagley (DNP for a reason, probably) are looking as limited as ever. And Hield, who has been one of the league's best sharpshooters the past couple of years, barely looked like part of their offense, which is... well, I guess that's the Kangz for you. At least Harry Barnes is looking more polished, though I still wouldn't want him as a first option on offense. (He's always been a good defender.)
Kind of disappointed Kerr didn't find a chance to sneak Moody in after how well he played in the last couple games, but this was a tight one and the other guys generally were playing well, especially Lee and Porter. Sneakily, a good game for Wiggins too: he was big in that early-4th run that got us a little separation before Steph came back in. And as before, Steph contributed a lot (7 reb, 10 ast, 3 stl, gravity, screens, hockey assists, etc.) despite having another pretty off shooting night. (In case you weren't convinced, he made sure to miss a wiiide open 3 towards the end just to convince you.) Poole didn't look like an all-star but he scored well on some sweet dribble moves and he had more steals than TO's, so that's
We didn't win the rebound battle tonight but it was pretty close. Even more than the turnover disparity, the big difference in scoring was the free throws; our guys were pretty disciplined about not giving up easy fouls, and the refs let most stuff near the basket go uncalled. Anyone else notice there's been a lot of waiting to see if someone misses the shot before calling a foul, to start this season? I wonder if that's an intentional choice by the refs, collectively. Feels like all 3 games and most of the preseason has had not too much called, and I'm mostly OK with this. I wouldn't mind if they were a little more aggressive about calling travels though.
Looking forward to the next one. This Dubs team has lots of grit, talent, and a great system. Love that we're picking up wins even when it doesn't feel like the team has hit its stride yet.
Watched the game after (stinking League Pass). Kings looked fast and feisty. Warriors weren't dominant, but it was fun seeing them close. Can't wait to see these guys when they really hit their stride...
Kings gotta send fox out, dude looked like a rookie
Our 15th guy off came off the bench and did that. #WeDeep
The bench is looking fantastic. I'm not sure there's a better bench in the league, although I haven't watched them all, fair enough. It starts with how the team is built. Obviously if you can get ten all-star players, you do it, but I think Meyers and Kerr have prioritized what sounds like a bunch of cliches but is winning basketball -- obtaining and playing guys who: follow the game plan, make the right play, play selflessly, know their role, study the opponent, have confidence to play to their strengths, hustle, support each other, minimize mistakes, bring energy. I'll take that over "We bring DeAndre Jordan off the bench he's tall," all day.
Im telling you, D’Aaron Fox for Ben Simmons straight up. You’ve already got a decent glut of guards in Sacramento to complement Ben. Surround him with a starting lineup of Hield and Haliburyon in the backcourt and Barnes and Richaun Holmes up front and you’ve got the makings of a decent playoff team
After hearing about what happened in front of Barclays Center today, I'm glad that Wiggins got vaccinated.
Notable stats:
Warriors:
Green: (+10)
14 points 6/12 FGs 1/2 three pointers 1/2 FTs
6 rebounds (2 off.) 7 assists 1 turnover
Curry: (+14)
27 points 9/23 FGs 4/15 three pointers 5/6 FTs
7 rebounds (1 off.) 10 assists 3 turnovers 3 steals
Wiggins: (+18)
17 points 6/13 FGs 2/5 three pointers 3/4 FTs
4 rebounds (2 off.)
Poole: (+4)
22 points 8/16 FGs 2/5 three pointers 4/4 FTs
3 rebounds 3 assists 2 turnovers 3 steals 1 block
Payton II: (+6)
10 points 4/6 FGs 2/2 three pointers
1 rebound (1 off.) 1 steal
Lee: (+6)
11 points 4/8 FGs 1/2 three pointers 2/2 FTs
4 rebounds (1 off.)
Kings:
Barnes: (-13)
24 points 7/13 FGs 5/10 three pointers 5/8 FTs
7 rebounds (3 off.) 1 assist 3 turnovers
Holmes: (-5)
16 points 7/10 FGs 2/2 FTs
11 rebounds (2 off.) 1 assist 1 turnover 2 blocks
Mitchell: (-14)
22 points 9/16 FGs 3/8 three pointers 1/2 FTs
1 rebound 4 assists 2 turnovers
Fox: (-11)
17 points 8/16 FGs 1/6 three pointers 0/1 FT
5 rebounds (2 off.) 6 assists 7 turnovers
Harkless: (+1)
8 points 3/5 FGs 2/4 three pointers
3 rebounds 1 assist 1 turnover
Final stats:
Warriors:
44.3% shooting (43/97 FGs)
13/37 three pointers
20/24 FTs
43 rebounds (14 off.)
26 assists
7 turnovers (6 if you don't count the shot clock violation at the end)
12 steals
3 blocks
Kings:
48.8% shooting (42/86 FGs)
15/46 three pointers
8/13 FTs
47 rebounds (10 off.)
26 assists
19 turnovers
4 blocks
Points in paint:
Warriors: 50
Kings: 48
Fastbreak points:
Warriors: 16
Kings: 17
Points off turnovers:
Warriors: 29
Kings: 9
Bench points:
Warriors: 31
King: 34
https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2021/10/20/2728107.gif
Tonight makes me happy to have been a GP2 fan since the first time I saw him in a dubs jersey. The guy plays with such hustle, not to mention massive dunks and some threes here and there.
One thing is clear about these first 3 (or 9) games. The flow is so much better than last year. Mainly that’s JP3 vs Tsunami Papi, but Bjelica, OP3, and Andre find the right spots (as opposed to Paschall and Wiseman). Still a lot of growth needed, but at least we are starting from a better spot.
Probably not going to be a lot of games this year where the entire Kings team can't get at least one steal. Another excellent fourth quarter by the Dubs. Just gotta outlast the other team!
They kept it out of the headline, but Harden is complaining after three games that the refs are targeting him by *not* giving him fouls thanks to the new rules. You can't make this stuff up.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32469102/amid-1-2-start-kevin-durant-says-course-brooklyn-nets-enough-win-kyrie-irving
LOL reasons why I'm glad that traitor isn't on our team anymore. What an idiotic foul
Bazemore fouls Morant shooting a three, and he hits all but the last free throw.