I will note that Klay doesn't say that he definitely signing an extension or that money is no consideration. If they don't get a deal done before the season and Thompson repeats his regular season performance there may be a team that will throw enough money at him. I note in particular the Lakers will have cap space after LeBron moves on.
In an ideal world id like to see the Warriors trade back into the 2nd round AND get some future draft capital. I know KOC suggested trading back with Indiana or Charlotte but I don’t want more than one pick this year because we are looking at rotation time for Moody, Kuminga, Rollins, PBJ, and possibly even Santos along with said draft pick/s
JZAlvarado
Jun 20
Our pick will still tie up a roster spot which is why im almost all in on drafting an immediate contributor towards latter half or beginning of second round and getting some addtl future capital than I am about drafting a high upside project thats gonna be a bit of seasoning. I say ‘almost’ because my top top choice for trading back would be Andre Jackson Jr and he would defn need to spend a good chunk of the season in Santa Cruz
Lol nah its still early. Preseason. I don’t like to overreact one way or the other. No way of knowing if someone like Jackson Jr is gonna be a player in this league (I wholeheartedly believe he will be) just like I believe a player like Lester Quinones is the equivalent of John Bowker.
If ur a baseball fan, John Bowker was a SF Giants player who was amazing in AAA and not very good in the Majors. The quintessential AAAA player. Thats how I feel about Quinones but again I may be wrong and thats ok cause that means our FO is doing a good job.
Andre Jackson Jr was one of my draft favorites. Had hoped they could split the 19th pick into a late FRP + early SRP to pick him up. But I have to admit I may be unduly influenced by a jejune feeling of wanting an "Andre" on the Warriors.
note: I'm fine with what they did after hearing their decision-making process.
I like intangibles like Court Vision and feel. Heartening to hear that Podz seems to have good feel. Wiseman obviously had none and someone like Jacob Evans may have had it but his was a case of just not being good at any one aspect of basketball.
AJ Jr has such an elite 360 view of the court at any given time. I think with this team that attribute would have been compounded with the sheer amount of cuts and secondary screens
I like believing in players that fit that profile. Feel like his potential to be a great connector might end up being somewhat wasted on the Bucks. Wishing him the best, but maybe one day he'll fall to the Warriors.
There's kind of two versions. There's the slick mop, and then there's the one that is his official picture for this season- it's a little more feral. If I had to choose, I like the second one better.
"If You’re Talking About His Hair, This N.B.A. Star Is Winning
Jimmy Butler’s emo persona was as short-lived as it was spectacular. Regardless of his motivation, it kept the Miami Heat’s media day decidedly off-topic."
If you want to submit a commission request to the Athletic, wanting to hear "the best of all Loon interviews" (plus years of clicking on athletic articles and not being able to read them) made me compulsively shell out $20 for an annual subscription.
I just started the interview so can't comment on whether it was a good choice or not, but with Warriors/Niners/whatever else articles I'm sure I'll get my $20 worth.
Edit: toward the end they talk about contracts and Bagley vs Looney -- I forgot Bagley got such a large contract, but it's pretty insane in the same off-season (last year), Bagley gets $37.5M/3 (fully guaranteed) and Looney gets $22.5M/3 with the last year only $3m guarantee. Of course as Dubs fans we understand the unfortunate requirement for a bad team to overpay for everything, but it's still a bit shocking. Hopefully we can keep Loon another 10 years.
Jonathan Kuminga sat out the contact portion of today's practice after jamming his thumb and Chris Paul was kept out as a precaution after a tough two days of scrimmaging, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. Both should be good to go Wednesday.
It’s probably nothing serious but still…not what you’d like to hear.
It looks like Steve Garvey, former first baseman for the Dodgers, has thrown his baseball cap and all of his cliches into the ring in declaring a Republican run for Senate at age 74. It would be his first public office or service. I think we can all agree that if you can hit for power, with decent on base percentage, and be a speed demon on the base paths, that should be enough to qualify you for the US Senate.
Alas, he was never a speed demon.
Here’s his stirring announcement: “ It’s time to get off the bench. It’s time to put the uniform on. It’s time to get back in the game.
I never played for Democrats or Republicans or independents. I played for all of you.” (Actually,
he played for the Dodgers and Padres, not sure how what amounts to all of us.)
With any luck, he'll throw a bunch of his own money into the campaign, lose big, and we'll never have to hear a word from Mr. "What's a Condom?'" again.
>I think we can all agree that if you can hit for power, with decent on base percentage, and be a speed demon on the base paths, that should be enough to qualify you for the US Senate.
>Alas, he was never a speed demon.
This made me wonder, how about Senator Rickey? I can't think of any particular reason why he would do well in the job, which puts him on par with most everyone else.
> if you can hit for power, with decent on base percentage, and be a speed demon on the base paths, that should be enough to qualify you for the US Senate.
Didn't realize he was able to do that now in MLB. At 74. If he can, he's got MY vote!
After a quick check the most recent electoral victory for Senate seat in CA was Pete Wilson in 88. Garvey throwing his hat in the ring for Mr Irrelevant is a non-event.
8 kids from several different mothers, and famously claimed "I'll live up to the moral obligations which I feel strongly about because I am a Christian. In both cases, I was led to believe I wasn't responsible for birth control." That's probably worth a few points among the GOP.
Good grief. And what exactly are his qualifications? Or does it not matter anymore? He says that he's going to be "leaning heavily into his baseball history in hopes of convincing voters who may not agree with his politics" (he's a Trump supporter).
He's kind of going all lib with "lean in." My understanding is that it gained social currency with Sheryl Sandberg's book empowering women in the workplace.
I admit that I can't fathom the mental process that somebody like Garvey goes through to decide that he should be a U. S. Senator. Obviously it is one of the greatest gigs in the world or people like DiFi wouldn't stick around so far beyond their "best used by" date, and Garvey couldn't possibly be more of a jackass than the equally qualified Tommy Tubberville (R-Auburn Football) , but still.
Clearly the hole in his swing extends up above his neck.
As a Padre fan of yore, I remember his difficulty with the curve ball ('84, baby!).
He also cultivated a 'Mr. Clean' image, but had an illegitimate child at the time (not as big a deal now, but still somewhat hypocritical in the 80s).
If he's the best the Republicans can come with in Cali, it should be an easy ride for the current Senator to win re-election (not sure which seat he's shooting for).
Alex Padilla just got elected to his own 6-year term in '22. Garvey is running for Feinstein's seat, now held by newly appointed Laphonza Butler, which expires in '24.
Seeing Podz in Summer League, I was surprised to see how effective he was defensively. Now, in the first preseason he did a pretty solid job defensively once again.
Now, with that Summer League/Preseason as context, I'm not particularly surprised to learn that "Podziemski was second in defensive rebound percentage (21.6 percent), fourth in steals per game (1.8), fifth in defensive win shares (2.0) and seventh in defensive rating (99.0)." I guess the hints were there statistically that he might be a good defender.
I feel bad for opposing players, but Brandin seems like exactly the kind of guy to wholeheartedly soak up every dirty trick that Chris Paul is willing to share on how to defend at a size disadvantage... Now, height-wise Podziemski has a leg up on CP3, but when you factor in wingspan plus the league's greater propensity for switching defenses compared to when Paul was his age, I'm sure there will be plenty of chances to put that knowledge to use.
So, I'd like to call everyone's attention to a solemn duty ...
We have new players who do not have nicknames yet (Gay, Joseph, Quinones, Garuba, TJD).
Podz already has one of course.
I think we need to come up with some good ones that Fitz' intern can steal. Do we really want to see what he will come up with on his own?
I mean, is it impossible that, left to his own devices, we could hear a "Lester the Molester" call this season? Or "Garuba Bird"? Or "Message to You, Rudy?" Or that he would start calling Joseph "Cojo Salmon?" Or that when TJD complained to the officials, he would call it "the Jackson-Davis whinery?"
You know the answer. I expect nothing but your best.
It seems like a bit of an ugly nickname for him ('ug' sounding a little rude in English).
I'm hoping for something with a bit more panache, since he'll be our starting small-ball center in four years. But, haven't come up with anything yet. Hopefully I'll learn a Spanish word that will fit.
P.S. Where are you traveling next? I'm living through you vicariously until I go to Spain next summer. :)
I'd prefer to wait until we know who is camp fodder and who is going to be around for the first game of the season (or assigned to Santa Cruz) personally. I believe Quinones already has the unimaginative but functional nickname of "Q" though? And we will need one for TJD regardless.
10% of these people thought there was a better shooter than Steph Curry? 27% thought that someone was better playing of the ball than Steph? Incompetent. They should never be allowed to vote every again, for anything.
I'll take KD every time. Hit 40.4% of his 3s last year (Tatum was 35.0%). KD with a much better handle and can get his shot anytime he wants. I also think Tatum is overrated on D, while KD is underrated.
For what it's worth, the Warrior GM (or assistant who is filling it out which is more likely) isn't allowed to vote for a Warrior player so 100% isn't possible.
Playing on the same team as Steph probably make it harder to get those votes. Plus Klay is notoriously streaky. When he's right, his shot is as pure as it gets though.
Otoh, a full season on volume and efficiency suggests his he's better at shooting than everyone else even if he's streaky, no? I'd guess it's his clunker of a postseason leaving a bit of a sour eval, but idk.
Yeah, I honestly don't know how to think about Klay in the near future. Like I think he's still a superlative shooter, but it felt like he needed something more last year, and most folks around GS were sounding similar things this off-season.
Right now though I don't get not thinking of him as one of the best shooters in the league. Most of my concerns are on him improving on other skills to help make his declining athleticism less of an issue
Oct 10, 2023·edited Oct 11, 2023Liked by Eric Apricot
Funny Looney quote in warriors plus minus. They asked him what percentage of his screens he thought were illegal (he said he felt only a tiny bit were illegal, but also said, if they don't call it then it's a legal screen). Then they asked if he was aware of the perception the the Dubs set a lot of illegal screens, and Loon mentioned playing in New Orleans, and Collins (I assume he meant Jarron) yelling "illegal screen" to the ref before he had even set the screen, and Loon saying hey man, you're the one that taught me how to do that!
For anyone new, Jarron was a coach with the Dubs, who worked a lot with the big men, for Loon's first six years in the league.
In every single physical competition, if you're not competing up to the line of what's allowed, you're setting yourself up to lose. And what's allowed in a given competition is exclusively what the officials are allowing in that game on that day. If the umpire is calling strikes on pitches 2 inches off the plate today, you're a fool not to take advantage of that. If the refs can't see the jersey tugs, if they're calling it "tight" or "loose" with contact, etc. you have to be able to play to what the refs are allowing. Same goes for how you set screens.
> In every single physical competition, if you're not competing up to the line of what's allowed, you're setting yourself up to lose.
Refs allow me to shove the opponent out of bounds just as they are about to rise up for a three, even though that's clearly against the rules? No. Have some self-respect. And remember, if you're playing on tv you may THINK you are paid to win but you are ACTUALLY paid to entertain. Even if the refs are bad, do crap like that and very quickly it stops being entertaining--at least to current bball fans. Maybe after they all quit watching (in favor of NCAA, say) and the pro basketball bottoms out, you'll get the hockey fans. All 3 of them.
If the refs are allowing it, it's legal. End of story. The old NBA used to ALLOW "hand checking" which really restricted the movement of offensive players. The league decided to change the rule to make it more entertaining.
The MLB used to allow pitchers to take 15 minutes between pitches, they changed a rule to make it more entertaining.
The NFL used to have instant replay, then they didn't, then they brought in a single coaches challenge, then the tweaked it again and again, all in the name of "getting the important calls right"... why? To make the game more entertaining.
The MLB continues to allow guys like Angel Hernandez to become famous for terrible calls... why? It must be entertaining, cuz it sure ain't for the fairness of the game.
All of your examples are of when leagues actually changed the rule, officially. Obviously those are new rules and you are bound by them. But your claim was different--you claimed that if the refs in a game allow very bad behaviour, stoop to the level or you don't want to win. You specifically said:
> If the refs are allowing it, it's legal.
In other words, refs never make mistakes, because any mistake they make that allows bad conduct becomes the new rule. I disagree. If I shove you out of bounds as you rise up to take a 3 (maybe on purpose, maybe I stumbled and inadvertently hit you), and they don't call it, it doesn't mean it is now legal to shove shooters out of bounds. It could simply mean they made a mistake. But, go ahead, shove me out of bounds next time I rise up to take a 3. Test your theory. I'll be happy to take the resulting 4 free throws. Or, you can have some self-respect, call the refs attention to it next break in the action, and we can keep playing basketball instead of devolving into football.
> If I shove you out of bounds as you rise up to take a 3 (maybe on purpose, maybe I stumbled and inadvertently hit you), and they don't call it, it doesn't mean it is now legal to shove shooters out of bounds.
That's how they're calling it, right? Maybe those refs get reprimanded by the league office for missing calls after the game, but that's not going to change the outcome of the game.
Or, more likely, once informed they make a few make-up calls and everything is fine. But you'll completely derail that if you shove me out of bounds next opportunity. So, no, refs missing a call does NOT make the egregious behavior now legal, not even for that game.
Oooh, I kind of hate that, in the way that I hate the way James Harden (and Chris "nut punch/flopper" Paul) played. I'm not sure advantage is always conveyed by stretching the rules. That said, I get your point.
I'll be more concerned about the Warriors' screens when the league consistently enforces calls opponents for roughing up our guys (especially Steph) on the perimeter.
I totally agree. I've been surprised to see Steph/Klay push-offs get ignored by refs, probably because they are getting held. Frankly, a lot of illegal screen calls look marginal to me. Some are egregious, but a lot seem like the ones refs could use to influence the outcome of games without being criticized.
Looney was in position before Monk ran into him. Yes, he moved his left foot laterally to be closer to his right foot so I guess that is literally within the definition of a moving screen, but that didn't impede Monk at all. If it wasn't the Warriors and Looney with their "reputation" for moving screens, I doubt it would have been called.
Yeah -I'm still mad about calls on him in the finals against Boston, even JVG was saying that Loon got burned on two early bad calls I think in game 4 and it happens all the time it seems.
I love that has favorite screen was an illegal screen. His delight in recounting it (“he was rubbing his ribs,” lol) makes me think Monk is a bit of a dirty player and/or shit talker.
I get the sense it wasn't embellishment, just Monk being absolutely unprepared for the brick wall Looney put in his way, and bouncing off with all the force he put in to getting through it. Great choice by Loon, shouldn't have been whistled a foul IMO, just about as solid a screen as it gets.
I knew Loon was going to mention CP3's timing in the pick and roll. He's used to our guys mostly throwing him dump off passes deep in the paint but CP can get it to you any way and at any time. Loon should get some really easy buckets this year.
A little OT but I think OKC will surprise a lot of people this year. They're going to be a major pain in the ass to play against that's for sure.
If OKC surprises anyone this year it's because they haven't been paying attention. A legit good team and they're adding the #2 pick of last year's draft? Scary.
Since it's time for bold predictions, each of the last two years there has been a surprise top 3 west team: Memphis and then Sac. This year, it will be OKC. They'll be the 3 seed.
I like that. They are really building a juggernaut of a team, feel like the only thing that is going to stop them is ownership being unwilling to pay for all of these guys.
I hope it fails though because the way they bottomed out for years was kinda gross imo.
New post at https://open.substack.com/pub/dubnation/p/a-brief-history-of-the-warriors-rubbing?r=3lm3s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The Slater article on Klay is fantastic and has some really great quotes. Highly recommended.
Link ($): https://theathletic.com/4946203/2023/10/11/klay-thompson-warriors-contract-future/
I will note that Klay doesn't say that he definitely signing an extension or that money is no consideration. If they don't get a deal done before the season and Thompson repeats his regular season performance there may be a team that will throw enough money at him. I note in particular the Lakers will have cap space after LeBron moves on.
Ahem who was the one who advocated trading back and choosing him?
@TiWindisch
Follow
Andre Jackson Jr. is wowing me this preseason. Easily one of the biggest risers for Milwaukee so far. With real NBA space he looks GOOD
That’s big for Mil. They need him and/or Beauchamp to be legit rotation guys and be able to guard the best guards and wings next to Dame.
Receipts Receipts!
JZAlvarado
Jun 20
In an ideal world id like to see the Warriors trade back into the 2nd round AND get some future draft capital. I know KOC suggested trading back with Indiana or Charlotte but I don’t want more than one pick this year because we are looking at rotation time for Moody, Kuminga, Rollins, PBJ, and possibly even Santos along with said draft pick/s
JZAlvarado
Jun 20
Our pick will still tie up a roster spot which is why im almost all in on drafting an immediate contributor towards latter half or beginning of second round and getting some addtl future capital than I am about drafting a high upside project thats gonna be a bit of seasoning. I say ‘almost’ because my top top choice for trading back would be Andre Jackson Jr and he would defn need to spend a good chunk of the season in Santa Cruz
Hope you don't pull something patting yourself on the back :)
Good call, though
Lol nah its still early. Preseason. I don’t like to overreact one way or the other. No way of knowing if someone like Jackson Jr is gonna be a player in this league (I wholeheartedly believe he will be) just like I believe a player like Lester Quinones is the equivalent of John Bowker.
If ur a baseball fan, John Bowker was a SF Giants player who was amazing in AAA and not very good in the Majors. The quintessential AAAA player. Thats how I feel about Quinones but again I may be wrong and thats ok cause that means our FO is doing a good job.
Andre Jackson Jr was one of my draft favorites. Had hoped they could split the 19th pick into a late FRP + early SRP to pick him up. But I have to admit I may be unduly influenced by a jejune feeling of wanting an "Andre" on the Warriors.
note: I'm fine with what they did after hearing their decision-making process.
I like intangibles like Court Vision and feel. Heartening to hear that Podz seems to have good feel. Wiseman obviously had none and someone like Jacob Evans may have had it but his was a case of just not being good at any one aspect of basketball.
AJ Jr has such an elite 360 view of the court at any given time. I think with this team that attribute would have been compounded with the sheer amount of cuts and secondary screens
I like believing in players that fit that profile. Feel like his potential to be a great connector might end up being somewhat wasted on the Bucks. Wishing him the best, but maybe one day he'll fall to the Warriors.
Let’s hope Lester can hit a breaking ball.
I mean, he's on a 2-way. Nothing screams probably just a AAA player but let's see what you got than a 2-way.
I recall Bonta saying this after Looney played through that cartilage chest injury.
"(If you're part of Dub nation and Looney comes to your establishment) Looney eats for free!"
OMG is Jimmy Butler serious about this hair?
I just googled it and let out the weirdest scream/laugh/gasp thanks!!
I think it looks nice, he should keep it
Yeah, I thought it worked for him!
There's kind of two versions. There's the slick mop, and then there's the one that is his official picture for this season- it's a little more feral. If I had to choose, I like the second one better.
Ball Out Boy Butler Best Butler
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/03/style/jimmy-butler-hair.html
"If You’re Talking About His Hair, This N.B.A. Star Is Winning
Jimmy Butler’s emo persona was as short-lived as it was spectacular. Regardless of his motivation, it kept the Miami Heat’s media day decidedly off-topic."
Ok. They had a short snippet with him and the mop during the Heat game a little while ago and I was just dumbfounded.
Loondawg on +/-. IMO, the best out of all the Loon interviews:
https://theathletic.com/podcast/11-warriors-plus-minus/?episode=279
If you want to submit a commission request to the Athletic, wanting to hear "the best of all Loon interviews" (plus years of clicking on athletic articles and not being able to read them) made me compulsively shell out $20 for an annual subscription.
I just started the interview so can't comment on whether it was a good choice or not, but with Warriors/Niners/whatever else articles I'm sure I'll get my $20 worth.
Edit: toward the end they talk about contracts and Bagley vs Looney -- I forgot Bagley got such a large contract, but it's pretty insane in the same off-season (last year), Bagley gets $37.5M/3 (fully guaranteed) and Looney gets $22.5M/3 with the last year only $3m guarantee. Of course as Dubs fans we understand the unfortunate requirement for a bad team to overpay for everything, but it's still a bit shocking. Hopefully we can keep Loon another 10 years.
You don’t need a sub to listen to the podcast, just fyi. lol. Just need a podcast feed app - I use overcast but I’m sure plenty of others work too
Per Janie McCauley
@JanieMcCAP
Jonathan Kuminga sat out the contact portion of today's practice after jamming his thumb and Chris Paul was kept out as a precaution after a tough two days of scrimmaging, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. Both should be good to go Wednesday.
It’s probably nothing serious but still…not what you’d like to hear.
From the Kerr interview, not a concern.
Of course he jammed it against the backboard… prob the top of the backboard…
He’s making new extra efforts to grab rebounds… not surprised he’s attacking the glass (with his thumb).
Zing!
It looks like Steve Garvey, former first baseman for the Dodgers, has thrown his baseball cap and all of his cliches into the ring in declaring a Republican run for Senate at age 74. It would be his first public office or service. I think we can all agree that if you can hit for power, with decent on base percentage, and be a speed demon on the base paths, that should be enough to qualify you for the US Senate.
Alas, he was never a speed demon.
Here’s his stirring announcement: “ It’s time to get off the bench. It’s time to put the uniform on. It’s time to get back in the game.
I never played for Democrats or Republicans or independents. I played for all of you.” (Actually,
he played for the Dodgers and Padres, not sure how what amounts to all of us.)
With any luck, he'll throw a bunch of his own money into the campaign, lose big, and we'll never have to hear a word from Mr. "What's a Condom?'" again.
>I think we can all agree that if you can hit for power, with decent on base percentage, and be a speed demon on the base paths, that should be enough to qualify you for the US Senate.
>Alas, he was never a speed demon.
This made me wonder, how about Senator Rickey? I can't think of any particular reason why he would do well in the job, which puts him on par with most everyone else.
He's got my uninformed voter vote!! I mean look at all those stolen bases! Let's see Mitch McConnell's stolen base number I bet it's way lower.
Are we counting stolen military bases? Bet it's closer than you think
I’m voting for Steve Garvey … the bass player on the Buzzcocks. Incredible work on “Why Can’t I Touch It?” among other classics.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Garvey_(musician)
Got the campaign slogan right here: "most Senators steal taxpayer dollars, Rickey just steals bases!"
> if you can hit for power, with decent on base percentage, and be a speed demon on the base paths, that should be enough to qualify you for the US Senate.
Didn't realize he was able to do that now in MLB. At 74. If he can, he's got MY vote!
After a quick check the most recent electoral victory for Senate seat in CA was Pete Wilson in 88. Garvey throwing his hat in the ring for Mr Irrelevant is a non-event.
8 kids from several different mothers, and famously claimed "I'll live up to the moral obligations which I feel strongly about because I am a Christian. In both cases, I was led to believe I wasn't responsible for birth control." That's probably worth a few points among the GOP.
Yeah, that's going to play well with women (and a lot of men).
Good grief. And what exactly are his qualifications? Or does it not matter anymore? He says that he's going to be "leaning heavily into his baseball history in hopes of convincing voters who may not agree with his politics" (he's a Trump supporter).
He's kind of going all lib with "lean in." My understanding is that it gained social currency with Sheryl Sandberg's book empowering women in the workplace.
The West Coast's Herschel Walker
Minus the warm feelings Herschel accrued.
I admit that I can't fathom the mental process that somebody like Garvey goes through to decide that he should be a U. S. Senator. Obviously it is one of the greatest gigs in the world or people like DiFi wouldn't stick around so far beyond their "best used by" date, and Garvey couldn't possibly be more of a jackass than the equally qualified Tommy Tubberville (R-Auburn Football) , but still.
Clearly the hole in his swing extends up above his neck.
As a Padre fan of yore, I remember his difficulty with the curve ball ('84, baby!).
He also cultivated a 'Mr. Clean' image, but had an illegitimate child at the time (not as big a deal now, but still somewhat hypocritical in the 80s).
If he's the best the Republicans can come with in Cali, it should be an easy ride for the current Senator to win re-election (not sure which seat he's shooting for).
Alex Padilla just got elected to his own 6-year term in '22. Garvey is running for Feinstein's seat, now held by newly appointed Laphonza Butler, which expires in '24.
Seeing Podz in Summer League, I was surprised to see how effective he was defensively. Now, in the first preseason he did a pretty solid job defensively once again.
Now, with that Summer League/Preseason as context, I'm not particularly surprised to learn that "Podziemski was second in defensive rebound percentage (21.6 percent), fourth in steals per game (1.8), fifth in defensive win shares (2.0) and seventh in defensive rating (99.0)." I guess the hints were there statistically that he might be a good defender.
I feel bad for opposing players, but Brandin seems like exactly the kind of guy to wholeheartedly soak up every dirty trick that Chris Paul is willing to share on how to defend at a size disadvantage... Now, height-wise Podziemski has a leg up on CP3, but when you factor in wingspan plus the league's greater propensity for switching defenses compared to when Paul was his age, I'm sure there will be plenty of chances to put that knowledge to use.
Do I detect a rise in real estate prices on Podziemski Island?
At this point probably mostly hikers exploring the place, maybe doing a little fishing. But it's early.
Is there running water and will Amazon deliver there?
And do they have a Trader Joe's?
Running water - yes. Not sure about Amazon.
But it's a pretty place and looks good in videos.
"Running water - yes." It's called a "creek." 😏
Good wifi?
Reach is a bit iffy, but it's been shooting up recently and I expect the coverage to rebound!
So, I'd like to call everyone's attention to a solemn duty ...
We have new players who do not have nicknames yet (Gay, Joseph, Quinones, Garuba, TJD).
Podz already has one of course.
I think we need to come up with some good ones that Fitz' intern can steal. Do we really want to see what he will come up with on his own?
I mean, is it impossible that, left to his own devices, we could hear a "Lester the Molester" call this season? Or "Garuba Bird"? Or "Message to You, Rudy?" Or that he would start calling Joseph "Cojo Salmon?" Or that when TJD complained to the officials, he would call it "the Jackson-Davis whinery?"
You know the answer. I expect nothing but your best.
I’m already fond of referring to Destiny Usman Garuba as “DUG”. In my mind I say Dug rather than D-U-G.
It seems like a bit of an ugly nickname for him ('ug' sounding a little rude in English).
I'm hoping for something with a bit more panache, since he'll be our starting small-ball center in four years. But, haven't come up with anything yet. Hopefully I'll learn a Spanish word that will fit.
P.S. Where are you traveling next? I'm living through you vicariously until I go to Spain next summer. :)
When you hear of someone named “Doug”, do you think it sounds rude?
'dug' is also the name of a teat on pig/goat/etc.
But, you probably already know that, given your animal rescue work.
Since that's how the proposed nickname is spelled, I'm afraid that's what I think of when I see/hear it.
Now if you can figure out how to add an 'o' ...
Destiny Of Usman Gusmsn
I'd prefer to wait until we know who is camp fodder and who is going to be around for the first game of the season (or assigned to Santa Cruz) personally. I believe Quinones already has the unimaginative but functional nickname of "Q" though? And we will need one for TJD regardless.
Q was Quindarry, wasn't it?
Usually the best nicknames just sort of appear after awhile. We don't do too well when we try to force the issue. Patience, sez I!
Q is already taken by a coach, isn't it?
For now, Lester's nickname is Kwi-no-nyez for me... stupid Kangz announcers.
ah yes, the man with the perfect warmup passes and impeccable tailoring
You're no fun. But, OK.
"Dr. Quin, Medicine Man"
Quin the Eskimo?
That's mighty good! I've not seen nothing like it
@Funes - even comes with a theme song, nice!
This year's NBA GM Survey is out: https://www.nba.com/news/2023-24-nba-gm-survey
Although his percentage scores are lower this year, Steph still retained the number one spot in these categories:
* Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments? (40%)
* Who is the best point guard in the NBA? (63%)
* Which player is the best pure shooter? (90%)
* Which player is the best at moving without the ball? (73%)
* Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line? (37%)
Not bad for an old 35 year old.
Where did you find all the questions? The link is missing some of them.
They’re all in the article.
10% of these people thought there was a better shooter than Steph Curry? 27% thought that someone was better playing of the ball than Steph? Incompetent. They should never be allowed to vote every again, for anything.
I'd love to see the individual answers for each GM. It'd be really interesting to see who's being extra spicy with their player evals
Apparently Luke Kennard's mom got a vote in the best shooter prediction.
Some takeaways:
- Warriors picked to be 4th in the west behind Denver, Phoenix, and the Lakers.
- Steph got a vote for "If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?" High praise for a 35 year old.
- Steph wins the "forces most adjustments" question with 40% of the vote
- Steph wins the "best point guard in the NBA" with 60% of the vote. (Guess GM's didn't get the memo on Steph not being a PG)
- Steph comes in 2nd for "best shooting guard in the NBA" with 10% of the vote (so I guess a few GM's didn't get that memo)
- Steph comes in 3rd for "highest total of positional votes"
- Golden State received votes for most improved team
- CP3 acquisition was the 3rd most surprising move of the offseason
- Brandin Podziemski was in 5th place for biggest draft day steal
- Draymond was T-3 with Marcus Smart for best defensive player in the NBA with 10% of the vote
- Draymond was T-4 with AD for best interior defensive player in the NBA with 13% of the vote
- Draymond was 2nd as most versatile defensive player with 23% of the vote
- Kerr was T-3 for best head coach with Popovich with 7% of the vote
- Kerr was 2nd for best manager/motivator with 23% of the vote
- Kerr received votes for best in-game adjustments
- Kerr was 2nd for best offense with 23% of the vote
- Kenny Atkinson received votes for best assistant coach
- CP3 was 1st for best future coach with 20% of the vote
- Golden State was 2nd for most fun team to watch with 23% of the vote
- Golden State was 2nd for best home court advantage (take that Chase crowd haters) with 17% of the vote
- Golden State was 3rd for most efficient offensive with 14% of the vote
- Golden State received votes for toughest season outcome to predict
- Steph won best pure shooter with 90% of the vote
- Steph won best at moving without the ball with 73% of the vote
- CP3 received votes for best passer
- Steph was 2nd for best leader with 23% of the vote. CP3 was T-4th with 7% of the vote. Draymond received votes.
- Draymond received votes for most versatile player
- CP3 was 3rd for best BBIQ. Steph received votes.
- Steph won who you want to take a shot with game on the line with 37% of the vote
Finally: Which change (In-Season Tournament, rest rules, something from the new CBA, etc.) will require the biggest adjustment?
1. Player participation policy – 37%
2. Tax apron restrictions – 33%
3. In-Season Tournament – 13%
T-4. 65-game award rule – 7%
T-4. Flopping techs – 7%
6. Extra coach’s challenge – 3%
For the HC question, is the order Spoelstra, then Kerr + Pop? Idk who else I'd place with those three right now tbh
Wow. Tatum is consensus best SF over Durant.
I'll take KD every time. Hit 40.4% of his 3s last year (Tatum was 35.0%). KD with a much better handle and can get his shot anytime he wants. I also think Tatum is overrated on D, while KD is underrated.
Agreed - the only reason to consider Tatum is recent health history.
> Golden State was 2nd for best home court advantage (take that Chase crowd haters) with 17% of the vote
Hmm. Maybe going 11-30 on the road and 33-8 at home'll do that. I'm surprised they weren't #1.
It’s hard to beat 5,280.
Klay getting zero votes for "best pure shooter" after leading the league in 3PM on >41% 3P% is... something.
Honestly, it's even crazier that Steph didn't get 100%. Somebody voted for Luke Kenard lol.
For what it's worth, the Warrior GM (or assistant who is filling it out which is more likely) isn't allowed to vote for a Warrior player so 100% isn't possible.
Playing on the same team as Steph probably make it harder to get those votes. Plus Klay is notoriously streaky. When he's right, his shot is as pure as it gets though.
Otoh, a full season on volume and efficiency suggests his he's better at shooting than everyone else even if he's streaky, no? I'd guess it's his clunker of a postseason leaving a bit of a sour eval, but idk.
People confuse "expected value" and "variance" all the time tbh.
Yeah, I honestly don't know how to think about Klay in the near future. Like I think he's still a superlative shooter, but it felt like he needed something more last year, and most folks around GS were sounding similar things this off-season.
Right now though I don't get not thinking of him as one of the best shooters in the league. Most of my concerns are on him improving on other skills to help make his declining athleticism less of an issue
Funny Looney quote in warriors plus minus. They asked him what percentage of his screens he thought were illegal (he said he felt only a tiny bit were illegal, but also said, if they don't call it then it's a legal screen). Then they asked if he was aware of the perception the the Dubs set a lot of illegal screens, and Loon mentioned playing in New Orleans, and Collins (I assume he meant Jarron) yelling "illegal screen" to the ref before he had even set the screen, and Loon saying hey man, you're the one that taught me how to do that!
For anyone new, Jarron was a coach with the Dubs, who worked a lot with the big men, for Loon's first six years in the league.
Believe you might mean Jarron Collins but your point is well made
Yes, updated, thanks
In every single physical competition, if you're not competing up to the line of what's allowed, you're setting yourself up to lose. And what's allowed in a given competition is exclusively what the officials are allowing in that game on that day. If the umpire is calling strikes on pitches 2 inches off the plate today, you're a fool not to take advantage of that. If the refs can't see the jersey tugs, if they're calling it "tight" or "loose" with contact, etc. you have to be able to play to what the refs are allowing. Same goes for how you set screens.
> In every single physical competition, if you're not competing up to the line of what's allowed, you're setting yourself up to lose.
Refs allow me to shove the opponent out of bounds just as they are about to rise up for a three, even though that's clearly against the rules? No. Have some self-respect. And remember, if you're playing on tv you may THINK you are paid to win but you are ACTUALLY paid to entertain. Even if the refs are bad, do crap like that and very quickly it stops being entertaining--at least to current bball fans. Maybe after they all quit watching (in favor of NCAA, say) and the pro basketball bottoms out, you'll get the hockey fans. All 3 of them.
If the refs are allowing it, it's legal. End of story. The old NBA used to ALLOW "hand checking" which really restricted the movement of offensive players. The league decided to change the rule to make it more entertaining.
The MLB used to allow pitchers to take 15 minutes between pitches, they changed a rule to make it more entertaining.
The NFL used to have instant replay, then they didn't, then they brought in a single coaches challenge, then the tweaked it again and again, all in the name of "getting the important calls right"... why? To make the game more entertaining.
The MLB continues to allow guys like Angel Hernandez to become famous for terrible calls... why? It must be entertaining, cuz it sure ain't for the fairness of the game.
All of your examples are of when leagues actually changed the rule, officially. Obviously those are new rules and you are bound by them. But your claim was different--you claimed that if the refs in a game allow very bad behaviour, stoop to the level or you don't want to win. You specifically said:
> If the refs are allowing it, it's legal.
In other words, refs never make mistakes, because any mistake they make that allows bad conduct becomes the new rule. I disagree. If I shove you out of bounds as you rise up to take a 3 (maybe on purpose, maybe I stumbled and inadvertently hit you), and they don't call it, it doesn't mean it is now legal to shove shooters out of bounds. It could simply mean they made a mistake. But, go ahead, shove me out of bounds next time I rise up to take a 3. Test your theory. I'll be happy to take the resulting 4 free throws. Or, you can have some self-respect, call the refs attention to it next break in the action, and we can keep playing basketball instead of devolving into football.
> If I shove you out of bounds as you rise up to take a 3 (maybe on purpose, maybe I stumbled and inadvertently hit you), and they don't call it, it doesn't mean it is now legal to shove shooters out of bounds.
That's how they're calling it, right? Maybe those refs get reprimanded by the league office for missing calls after the game, but that's not going to change the outcome of the game.
Or, more likely, once informed they make a few make-up calls and everything is fine. But you'll completely derail that if you shove me out of bounds next opportunity. So, no, refs missing a call does NOT make the egregious behavior now legal, not even for that game.
I repeat: Have some self-respect.
Oooh, I kind of hate that, in the way that I hate the way James Harden (and Chris "nut punch/flopper" Paul) played. I'm not sure advantage is always conveyed by stretching the rules. That said, I get your point.
I'll be more concerned about the Warriors' screens when the league consistently enforces calls opponents for roughing up our guys (especially Steph) on the perimeter.
I totally agree. I've been surprised to see Steph/Klay push-offs get ignored by refs, probably because they are getting held. Frankly, a lot of illegal screen calls look marginal to me. Some are egregious, but a lot seem like the ones refs could use to influence the outcome of games without being criticized.
It's not stretching the rules. It's playing within them.
I don’t like it, but I accept it
Loved that screen. Love you, Loon God.
Update: I found Looney’s favorite screen! (4/23/23 4Q 02:14) https://thehighlow.io/video/ids?ids=23SZtD
Pretty close call by the ref with perhaps some embellishment from Monk.
Looney was in position before Monk ran into him. Yes, he moved his left foot laterally to be closer to his right foot so I guess that is literally within the definition of a moving screen, but that didn't impede Monk at all. If it wasn't the Warriors and Looney with their "reputation" for moving screens, I doubt it would have been called.
That didn’t look like an illegal screen. Unfortunately, refs have been calling a high number of illegal screens on Looney.
Yeah -I'm still mad about calls on him in the finals against Boston, even JVG was saying that Loon got burned on two early bad calls I think in game 4 and it happens all the time it seems.
I love that has favorite screen was an illegal screen. His delight in recounting it (“he was rubbing his ribs,” lol) makes me think Monk is a bit of a dirty player and/or shit talker.
IIRC, Monk was the guy first grabbing Dray's ankle in G1 of the series...
My recollection is that Monk was flopping all series while being very aggressive with Steph whenever possible. Could be wrong.
There really should be a chalk outline on the floor at Chase for that one. I didn't remember it.
I get the sense it wasn't embellishment, just Monk being absolutely unprepared for the brick wall Looney put in his way, and bouncing off with all the force he put in to getting through it. Great choice by Loon, shouldn't have been whistled a foul IMO, just about as solid a screen as it gets.
I knew Loon was going to mention CP3's timing in the pick and roll. He's used to our guys mostly throwing him dump off passes deep in the paint but CP can get it to you any way and at any time. Loon should get some really easy buckets this year.
A little OT but I think OKC will surprise a lot of people this year. They're going to be a major pain in the ass to play against that's for sure.
If OKC surprises anyone this year it's because they haven't been paying attention. A legit good team and they're adding the #2 pick of last year's draft? Scary.
Since it's time for bold predictions, each of the last two years there has been a surprise top 3 west team: Memphis and then Sac. This year, it will be OKC. They'll be the 3 seed.
I like that. They are really building a juggernaut of a team, feel like the only thing that is going to stop them is ownership being unwilling to pay for all of these guys.
I hope it fails though because the way they bottomed out for years was kinda gross imo.
yeah they were low key pretty egregious, constantly benching their best players for the last quarter of the season
Looney was on the Plus Minus pod with Slater and MT2 today as well.I came away just loving him more. What a great dude.
This is why I keep saying he’s my favorite Dub. He’s so genuine and likable.