Can we all (media, I mean) separate Dray the basketball player from Dray the media personality? 9 hours in a car yesterday, looking forward to some good radio streaming talk about a great win over Miami, and half the time devoted to Dray's innocuous podcast comments and how it affects "the team". Where is Radnich when you need him? --"Nobody Cares!"
If you're referring to his comments about skipping a Warriors game to go watch LeBron, I don't think of them as innocuous. No, I don't think they're the end of the world either. But it's a bad look, and frankly, it's just crappy for the vocal leader of the team to treat these final games as meaningless or to imply that his love and loyalty to LeBron supersede his love and loyalty for his current teammates, including Steph Curry.
TL;DR: I care. Even if it blows over, it was a stupid thing to say -- little upside, possibly big downside. It makes no sense.
Feels like the haters after our 14/15 season to be honest. Arbitrary starting point, but they went 8-0 in the bubble, they followed that up with a 51-21 season, they reached the finals in the playoffs (with injury help of course). Then they began the next season 60-14. And they've proven to be resilient (winning without all 3 of their big 3 being injured for certain periods).
They're bloody great. I don't know why people tend to discredit them so much. To be honest, I sort of get it. I was one of the doubters before this season (I thought their playoff run was super lucky due to injuries), but at some point the evidence becomes too overwhelming. Just because a team doesn't have an A tier superstar doesn't mean the team can't be great (2004 Pistons, 2014 Spurs etc). They have 2 bona-fide all stars and 2 nearly all-stars + one of the best coaches in the league + a deep bench.
They could be the 15-16 Spurs, a historically good team that couldn't make it past the OKC Thunder, who had a significantly worse record but elite talent that got better as the year went on.
Will Memphis be the OKC Thunder of 15-16 to the Suns 15-16 Spurs?
In the interest of fairness, it's not disrespect for a Warriors fan to say they don't fear the Suns. The Warriors are the only team in the league to have a winning record against them including a major win on Christmas.
The Suns are great, no doubt about that, and must be seen as the favourites for the title. Do Warriors fans need to respect the Suns? Heck yeah. Do Warriors fans need to fear the Suns? No.
The gap between the 8th and 9th seed in the WC is pretty big this year I'd be annoyed if I was the higher seed playing the 9th and 10th seed for the play in tournament
Best part of the playin is that you have to stay focused to get top 6. Screw around too much and you pull a Warriors’21. Makes the race for 6 supremely valuable.
And for 7-10, it relativizes the importance of an 82 game season. Doesn't matter that you've been better or worse over the course of months; let's just play one game, loser goes home. I don't like it. If they want to expand the playoffs, at least make it 2 of 3. There's enough randomization built into that.
It’s secretly a playoff contraction to top 6, plus an NCAA baseball style playin where 7&8 start in the winners bracket and 9-10 start in the losers bracket. Some teams get excited about having a chance and play for the 7-10, some play to avoid it.
The Warriors last year apparently wanted both: saying they made or would have made the post season, and still getting the lottery pick.
I like the play in. Makes more games and more teams mean something. Tanking is boring AF.
Yes, the west is weak at the tail end, but even at the 10th spot, people will be excited to rosterbate, speculate and watch LeBron attempt to lift his team out the basement. It’s good theatre.
And the east is way tighter. 4 games separate 5-10. All of those teams have a credible claim to have a shot at the playoffs. The drop off is pretty big after number 10, though.
Yeah, don’t like being the 7 seed and stuck in the play in? Win more games, then… you even got two chances to win and keep your seed playing against lesser teams… still can’t do it? I got no sympathy for you.
The play in tournament should've been a one time thing for the shorten season due to COVID. Yet, it made them some money and it has Silver talking about an in season tournament, when people are already questioning if 82 games is too many.
Nah, it disincentivizes tanking while creating more high leverage elimination games and more tiers in the playoff seeding that make late season games more meaningful for the teams in the middle of the playoff seeding
With Ja out for two weeks which means missing vs Bucks, Dubs, Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Nuggets (Apr 7th game), what are the chances they loose 3 more than us?
Mark my words. NO in 9th spot, SA in 10th, and Lakers on vacation when the play-in starts. Lakers' schedule is too tough and SA has one remaining game with HOU and two with POR.
Honestly, if I were the Bulls, I would be nervous as heck right now. Bulls have the 5th toughest schedule remaining and will face some tough teams like the Cavs, the Heat, the Bucks, and the Celtics.
IMO they're just coming back down to earth. I always thought they were a 4-5th seed at best. Derozan going off like that for a whole season is pretty unsustainable and the rest of that roster just screams 2nd round exit if they even make it past the first round.
What a crazy race in the East. Win a few down the stretch and you can get home court for the first round; lose a few and you'll be in the play-in game.
Adams, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, Ziaire Williams, with Tyus Jones and DeAnthony Melton filling in admirably at lead guard when Ja’s out.
Chris Paul returning for the Suns tonight...they can clinch the 1 seed @Denver - that leaves them 8 games to rest key players/build a rhythm for the playoffs. Would love to be in their shoes...
Hail No! Y’all (generally speaking) are too enamored with ‘potential’. I’m nearly certain that this team with Paul George instead of Poole, Wiggins, and Wiseman gives us a better shot of contending for the chip during this late prime run. Also I don’t think the Clippers would ever even blink our way at that trade offer unless PG demands out.
That’s a package you offer for superstar in his prime (say, Giannis), not for a perpetually banged-up 32 year old second-tier star like Paul George.
George is a similar caliber of player to Jimmy Butler and Klay — similar age and bloated contract, and declining in similar fashion. For an aging team with a core of declining 30-something guys, that may be one of the worst trade proposals I’ve heard in a while.
I’ll take either of Poole or Wiggins *straight up* over George. Poole’s not even a question — he’s 22 years old and irreplaceable on this team as built. And while Wiggs is nominally a worse player than PG, he’s also five years younger, faster, more versatile defensively, way more durable, and a much better fit on our team. And throwing Wiseman in any deal right now is the epitome of selling low.
Yeah. I can understand the long-term argument for Poole (I think most on this board know my love for JP lol), but we seriously taking Andrew Wiggins over PG? 1-2 years of PG is more valuable than a career of Wiggins lol.
You're assuming we'd get 1-2 years of Paul George. But the guy isn't even playing right now. I hear he's just started to practice again. But if he has a Wiseman-like setback, he's a complete non-factor. At best, it'd be a roll of the dice -- not that the Clippers are still on the phone after we propose Wiggins for George.
Okay, I could be persuaded on Wiggs straight up for PG (once I had a good look at PG’s medical reports) but that’s not remotely what we’re talking about here.
I like Paul George a lot. But that is a lot of talent to give away for him. Wiggins, Wiseman, yes, they can have them. Poole? He is the future of this franchise, if I am not mistaken.
Paul George, Career (per 36 where not percentages):
.436/.381/.849
5 FT attempts
6.9 rebounds
3.8 assists
1.8 steals
0.5 blocks
2.9 turnovers
21.8 points
Jordan Poole, 2021-2022 season:
.458/.368/.919
3.8 FTA
3.8 rebounds
4.5 assists
1.0 steals
0.3 blocks
2.9 turnovers
21.5 points
Poole likely hasn’t hit his prime, George is likely at the tail end of his if not past it. If you use PG13’s 2021-2022 numbers, it’s not even close- Poole mops the floor with him.
I think that may be based on his rep from 4-5 years ago. Like a lot of tall wings who are similarly old and/or banged up (Otto, LeBron, KD, Klay, e.g.) I think he’s becoming more of a stretch big than a real wing who can chase around small guys all day.
Steph, Klay, Dray, PG would be a super-creaky core.
That's where Andrew Wiggins comes in, lol. Also, Poole's defense is improving. I just wanted to scratch the surface of how preposterous this trade idea is.
Both Curry and Arkansas assistant coach Keith Smart are in Chase Center right now and Curry was talking to Arkansas coach Eric Musselman earlier today so he was around the team.
Mar 24, 2022·edited Mar 24, 2022Liked by punk basketball
Anthony Slater:
Some notable news: Andre Iguodala has been upgraded to questionable for the Warriors tomorrow in Atlanta. He’s missed the last 19 games for the Warriors.
Great summary, as usual with timely quotes. But don't lower yourself to include boneheaded conspiracy theorist nincompoops like Bob Monroe (am I supposed to know who he is?). Random twitter nutz don't need to be repeated.
Can we all (media, I mean) separate Dray the basketball player from Dray the media personality? 9 hours in a car yesterday, looking forward to some good radio streaming talk about a great win over Miami, and half the time devoted to Dray's innocuous podcast comments and how it affects "the team". Where is Radnich when you need him? --"Nobody Cares!"
If you're referring to his comments about skipping a Warriors game to go watch LeBron, I don't think of them as innocuous. No, I don't think they're the end of the world either. But it's a bad look, and frankly, it's just crappy for the vocal leader of the team to treat these final games as meaningless or to imply that his love and loyalty to LeBron supersede his love and loyalty for his current teammates, including Steph Curry.
TL;DR: I care. Even if it blows over, it was a stupid thing to say -- little upside, possibly big downside. It makes no sense.
Tough game for the Nuggets. They shot 59.3% from the field, 46.9% from 3, and lost by 10. Suns shot 60.5% from the field and 48.1 from 3.
60 wins for Suns now - clearly a great season for them.
It's going to suck when their 60+-win season goes down the drain when they face the Warriors in the conference semis.
The crazy thing is the suns dont scare me one bit
that is basically crazy
Feels like the haters after our 14/15 season to be honest. Arbitrary starting point, but they went 8-0 in the bubble, they followed that up with a 51-21 season, they reached the finals in the playoffs (with injury help of course). Then they began the next season 60-14. And they've proven to be resilient (winning without all 3 of their big 3 being injured for certain periods).
They're bloody great. I don't know why people tend to discredit them so much. To be honest, I sort of get it. I was one of the doubters before this season (I thought their playoff run was super lucky due to injuries), but at some point the evidence becomes too overwhelming. Just because a team doesn't have an A tier superstar doesn't mean the team can't be great (2004 Pistons, 2014 Spurs etc). They have 2 bona-fide all stars and 2 nearly all-stars + one of the best coaches in the league + a deep bench.
They could be the 15-16 Spurs, a historically good team that couldn't make it past the OKC Thunder, who had a significantly worse record but elite talent that got better as the year went on.
Will Memphis be the OKC Thunder of 15-16 to the Suns 15-16 Spurs?
I think they would beat alot of teams but I like how we match up with them is what I should say
In the interest of fairness, it's not disrespect for a Warriors fan to say they don't fear the Suns. The Warriors are the only team in the league to have a winning record against them including a major win on Christmas.
The Suns are great, no doubt about that, and must be seen as the favourites for the title. Do Warriors fans need to respect the Suns? Heck yeah. Do Warriors fans need to fear the Suns? No.
Missed the game, did either team even try on defense?
jesus christ, the suns shot 71% true shooting _as a team_... I don't know what's more impressive, Bookers 49 on 25 shots or Bridges 22 on 9
49 on 25 shots as the PI.
15 of those were FTs
still good for 75% true shooting
PI?
Yeah, still glad they lost though
The gap between the 8th and 9th seed in the WC is pretty big this year I'd be annoyed if I was the higher seed playing the 9th and 10th seed for the play in tournament
Best part of the playin is that you have to stay focused to get top 6. Screw around too much and you pull a Warriors’21. Makes the race for 6 supremely valuable.
And for 7-10, it relativizes the importance of an 82 game season. Doesn't matter that you've been better or worse over the course of months; let's just play one game, loser goes home. I don't like it. If they want to expand the playoffs, at least make it 2 of 3. There's enough randomization built into that.
It’s secretly a playoff contraction to top 6, plus an NCAA baseball style playin where 7&8 start in the winners bracket and 9-10 start in the losers bracket. Some teams get excited about having a chance and play for the 7-10, some play to avoid it.
The Warriors last year apparently wanted both: saying they made or would have made the post season, and still getting the lottery pick.
I get it. Still don't like it.
I like the play in. Makes more games and more teams mean something. Tanking is boring AF.
Yes, the west is weak at the tail end, but even at the 10th spot, people will be excited to rosterbate, speculate and watch LeBron attempt to lift his team out the basement. It’s good theatre.
And the east is way tighter. 4 games separate 5-10. All of those teams have a credible claim to have a shot at the playoffs. The drop off is pretty big after number 10, though.
Lol, Lakers won’t make the play in!
One can only hope. Even more drama!!
Yeah, don’t like being the 7 seed and stuck in the play in? Win more games, then… you even got two chances to win and keep your seed playing against lesser teams… still can’t do it? I got no sympathy for you.
The play in tournament should've been a one time thing for the shorten season due to COVID. Yet, it made them some money and it has Silver talking about an in season tournament, when people are already questioning if 82 games is too many.
Nah, it disincentivizes tanking while creating more high leverage elimination games and more tiers in the playoff seeding that make late season games more meaningful for the teams in the middle of the playoff seeding
This
With Ja out for two weeks which means missing vs Bucks, Dubs, Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Nuggets (Apr 7th game), what are the chances they loose 3 more than us?
Not much. Grizzlies are still a very tough team to beat even without Morant.
Indeed, they've been better without him than with him.
Pelicans beat the Bulls 126-109. Chicago is now 4-10 since the All-Star Break and are only one game ahead of the Cavs and the Raptors.
Pelicans now tied with Lakers (31-42) and takes over the 9th spot!
Mark my words. NO in 9th spot, SA in 10th, and Lakers on vacation when the play-in starts. Lakers' schedule is too tough and SA has one remaining game with HOU and two with POR.
I love it https://giphy.com/gifs/southparkgifs-3oz8xBwn8AU6Bp1hKM
Go Pelicans!!!
Honestly, if I were the Bulls, I would be nervous as heck right now. Bulls have the 5th toughest schedule remaining and will face some tough teams like the Cavs, the Heat, the Bucks, and the Celtics.
IMO they're just coming back down to earth. I always thought they were a 4-5th seed at best. Derozan going off like that for a whole season is pretty unsustainable and the rest of that roster just screams 2nd round exit if they even make it past the first round.
Raptors beat the Cavaliers. Both are 41-32 and tied at the #6 spot of the Eastern Conference.
What a crazy race in the East. Win a few down the stretch and you can get home court for the first round; lose a few and you'll be in the play-in game.
Denver is taking it to the Suns on the back of Bones Hyland scoring binge. Scores level approaching the half
Bones looks like a 2nd year Jordan Poole. Shifty and explosive, but quite erratic.
Poole has gone from erratic to erotic.
Came from VCU, so he’s also a good defender.
The Ja-less Grizz are a real thing.
I don’t follow THAT much basketball; I only really recognize Steve Adams, who are the other guys?
Adams, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, Ziaire Williams, with Tyus Jones and DeAnthony Melton filling in admirably at lead guard when Ja’s out.
Good basketball players!
Chris Paul returning for the Suns tonight...they can clinch the 1 seed @Denver - that leaves them 8 games to rest key players/build a rhythm for the playoffs. Would love to be in their shoes...
We been resting key players at opportune times throughout the season…
Or they can choose to play the starters against good teams to prepare the team for the playoffs. But who knows what Monty Williams will do?
Oaktownws
9 hr ago
Jz- is this sarcasm ?
=======================
Hail No! Y’all (generally speaking) are too enamored with ‘potential’. I’m nearly certain that this team with Paul George instead of Poole, Wiggins, and Wiseman gives us a better shot of contending for the chip during this late prime run. Also I don’t think the Clippers would ever even blink our way at that trade offer unless PG demands out.
That’s a package you offer for superstar in his prime (say, Giannis), not for a perpetually banged-up 32 year old second-tier star like Paul George.
George is a similar caliber of player to Jimmy Butler and Klay — similar age and bloated contract, and declining in similar fashion. For an aging team with a core of declining 30-something guys, that may be one of the worst trade proposals I’ve heard in a while.
I’ll take either of Poole or Wiggins *straight up* over George. Poole’s not even a question — he’s 22 years old and irreplaceable on this team as built. And while Wiggs is nominally a worse player than PG, he’s also five years younger, faster, more versatile defensively, way more durable, and a much better fit on our team. And throwing Wiseman in any deal right now is the epitome of selling low.
Just … no?
You gotta think anybody looking to trade with the Warriors is looking at Poole and Kuminga, not Wiggins and Wiseman.
Hence: Nothing's gonna happen.
No way you not taking PG over Wiggins lol
Yeah. I can understand the long-term argument for Poole (I think most on this board know my love for JP lol), but we seriously taking Andrew Wiggins over PG? 1-2 years of PG is more valuable than a career of Wiggins lol.
You're assuming we'd get 1-2 years of Paul George. But the guy isn't even playing right now. I hear he's just started to practice again. But if he has a Wiseman-like setback, he's a complete non-factor. At best, it'd be a roll of the dice -- not that the Clippers are still on the phone after we propose Wiggins for George.
Okay, I could be persuaded on Wiggs straight up for PG (once I had a good look at PG’s medical reports) but that’s not remotely what we’re talking about here.
I like Paul George a lot. But that is a lot of talent to give away for him. Wiggins, Wiseman, yes, they can have them. Poole? He is the future of this franchise, if I am not mistaken.
Paul George, Career (per 36 where not percentages):
.436/.381/.849
5 FT attempts
6.9 rebounds
3.8 assists
1.8 steals
0.5 blocks
2.9 turnovers
21.8 points
Jordan Poole, 2021-2022 season:
.458/.368/.919
3.8 FTA
3.8 rebounds
4.5 assists
1.0 steals
0.3 blocks
2.9 turnovers
21.5 points
Poole likely hasn’t hit his prime, George is likely at the tail end of his if not past it. If you use PG13’s 2021-2022 numbers, it’s not even close- Poole mops the floor with him.
This isnt taking defense into account whatsoever lol
Or the fact that we’re already overloaded with wing forwards and old guys, and have absolutely no one who can remotely replace what Poole brings.
Agreed. It’s the age and durability of PG that’s the issue here.
of course Paul George plays elite wing defense, but I'm with you
I think that may be based on his rep from 4-5 years ago. Like a lot of tall wings who are similarly old and/or banged up (Otto, LeBron, KD, Klay, e.g.) I think he’s becoming more of a stretch big than a real wing who can chase around small guys all day.
Steph, Klay, Dray, PG would be a super-creaky core.
That's where Andrew Wiggins comes in, lol. Also, Poole's defense is improving. I just wanted to scratch the surface of how preposterous this trade idea is.
Gotchya, appreciate the response and explanation.
Both Curry and Arkansas assistant coach Keith Smart are in Chase Center right now and Curry was talking to Arkansas coach Eric Musselman earlier today so he was around the team.
I really wonder if he said hi to Smart.
Anthony Slater:
Some notable news: Andre Iguodala has been upgraded to questionable for the Warriors tomorrow in Atlanta. He’s missed the last 19 games for the Warriors.
Edit:https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1507108701446017033
It’s time to wheel him out Steve.
No need to wheel him out. Just have to be careful peeling off the layers of bubble wrap.
Great news, though. I know he figures into Kerr's playoff plans so it's finally time to trot him out here and there to get him some pre-playoff reps.
https://tenor.com/bJsRN.gif
Poole during his 11 game streak of 20+ point games:
25.6pts, 50.5% on 9.2 3PA/game, 4.9 ast / 2.6 TOV, 71% true shooting, but only managed a disappointing 88.6% free throw percentage.
Up to 36.8% from 3 on the season!
Great summary, as usual with timely quotes. But don't lower yourself to include boneheaded conspiracy theorist nincompoops like Bob Monroe (am I supposed to know who he is?). Random twitter nutz don't need to be repeated.
Boneheaded conspiracy theorist hahaha
Steph with two shoes. Out of the boot already. https://mobile.twitter.com/MattNorlander/status/1507111264866091024
Best news of the day!
He sent his walking boot walking.
/cue Nancy Sinatra
Any thoughts on Moody’s quiet game? Shoulder OK?