Daniel’s reminder on where Poole was last compared to now, is a good reminder of how much I guy like Wiseman, who never struggled as much as Poole did at times last year.
Seeds 8–10 in the Eastern Conference right now: all 33-38 (Charlote, Washington, Indiana).
Seeds 8–10 in the Western Conference right now: 38-33 (GSW, MEM), 33-38 (SAS).
The 38 wins we've stocked up would put us just 1.5 games behind Miami (1 game if they go on to lose to Milwaukee in the game they're currently down by 20 points), who have already locked a full playoff spot and avoided the play-in.
It's funny, a week or so ago when we were calculating the possible outcomes for the Grizz and our 4–5 games leading up to our season-end face-off, I *really* was not expecting both teams to come in on a 5-game win streak.
So I'd assume the Nuggets are gonna come up just short tomorrow and somehow manage to avoid the Lakers. I'd also assume that the Clippers will beat OKC. That will put LAL in the 7 seed, LAC in the 6 seed. At that point, it seems vastly preferable to be the 8 seed, so you would face Utah and then Denver/Dallas. You wouldn't face either LA team until the conference finals. Except for that absolute failure of a game against Dallas, I actually think we've have a 10-15% shot at that.
So since multiple teams will be tanking for seeding, new proposal: beat Memphis for the 8 seed, tank the game against the Lakers game for the 7 seed, and win 9 straight to make the conference finals. Then, hope for some crazy Steph games. Or say screw it, hope OKC, ORL win tomorrow and Minny gets 3rd worst record.
Regarding Playoffs, everyone in media/podcast world, except for MT2 and ES, think that Dubs will get a gentleman sweep.
May be I am living in a dream world, but after watching those two games against Jazz and Suns, I think we will atleast go 6 or 7 game and potentially get through round #1. Am I setting myself up for a big disappointment?
This is a great article, Daniel. As you observe, this game was not significant for play-in positioning but it was hardly meaningless. Great to see the improvement of our guys and to allow the young guys to get some extended game experience under their belts. Poole got off the deck after a nasty looking injury, and hit the game winning shot and free throws. That's got to be good for his confidence.
And once again, Steve Kerr is vindicated over his critics and haters. When will they ever learn...
Before this game, I was thinking, it doesn't matter who wins, but I still want to see Poole and Mulder go off to send NOP out of the bay. I didn't realize that the Pels would be doing it without their main guys and I was still surprised at how well our guys made it happen.
JTA and Looney looked like the guys who were too big league to be playing this kind of meaningless game, but were still doing it to get their teammates going, and they sure did. Poole had his "I have arrived" moment. And in a game that was the season-end equivalent of garbage time, the king of garbage time scoring, Mulder, did a pretty convincing Klay Thompson impression.
Partway through the game I had an epiphany that I really wanted them to win, not for any bigger picture implications, but simply going back to basics: basketball is a game, and winning a game is its own reward, nothing more needed. It got scary when the Pels made a push in the second half, but that just made it all the sweeter to come away with the W.
Some other quick thoughts on what the remaining guys showed in this one:
Bazemore brought the same joyous, chaotic energy as usual, making some sick plays and also making a couple that made me cringe, like an open layup late in the 4th that he whiffed after making a killer move to get there.
Smiley looked marginally better at protecting the rim, and he took open threes without hesitation; the shot looks good. The level of opposition was low enough (seriously, NOP's guys were so bad at shooting from anywhere) that it probably isn't a good sign for him.
Mannion also had a missed layup and a blocked one that served as reminders of why he went so late in the draft despite the solid handling and decision-making he showed running the floor. Oh, man, that behind the back assist to Our Guy Juanito was a thing of beauty, though.
Paschall grabbed some good boards and beasted his way to the cup or the line a few times, but he did not look solid enough to contribute much in the playoffs. On defense, he completely lost track of his guy more than once, letting them score open threes, and on offense he looked like he was playing a different game than the rest of the team; he just stood around, waving for opportunities he didn't get, and when he got the ball he was not willing to give it up. No cuts or ball screens, no pretty assists... some of that may be attributable to his conditioning after injury, but I'm not excited about his current level of play.
Bell looked like he was struggling to fit in and find his place, but he put in a good effort. I'm willing to reserve judgement on where he's at until he gets a little more settled in. But there weren't any signs that he's going to be a steal and a surprise impact player like he was at times in his rookie season. Man, remember when Cash Considerations was dunking all over Chicago? I still have a photo of an ATM in Taiwan with his picture on it, which seemed amusingly apt.
Anyway, congrats to the team and let's carry the positive momentum into tomorrow's game to end the regular season on a high note.
Knicks win, guaranteeing the Warriors will have a worse record than them and hence a better pick. Just need Miami to get a W against Milwaukee or Detroit.
Needle ended up pretty well threaded, but only if the Warriors win 2 of their next 3 games and make the playoffs. Imo the best needle threading possibility would be getting the 8 seed and playing the Jazz, but I'll take whatever seed they can get lol, just make it in and give Curry a reason to feel like he wasn't wasting his time this season.
I'm liking DeadPoole than Poole Party
Yeah, HBD DDD!
Shit where are my manners? Happy birthday duby!!! Now How many punches do we owe you?
D-Cube - Happy Birthday. Hope you are having double, nay, cubic the fun.
Happy Birthday, Duby!!
Daniel’s reminder on where Poole was last compared to now, is a good reminder of how much I guy like Wiseman, who never struggled as much as Poole did at times last year.
Moses moody look likes such a perfect fit for us
Seeds 8–10 in the Eastern Conference right now: all 33-38 (Charlote, Washington, Indiana).
Seeds 8–10 in the Western Conference right now: 38-33 (GSW, MEM), 33-38 (SAS).
The 38 wins we've stocked up would put us just 1.5 games behind Miami (1 game if they go on to lose to Milwaukee in the game they're currently down by 20 points), who have already locked a full playoff spot and avoided the play-in.
It's funny, a week or so ago when we were calculating the possible outcomes for the Grizz and our 4–5 games leading up to our season-end face-off, I *really* was not expecting both teams to come in on a 5-game win streak.
So I'd assume the Nuggets are gonna come up just short tomorrow and somehow manage to avoid the Lakers. I'd also assume that the Clippers will beat OKC. That will put LAL in the 7 seed, LAC in the 6 seed. At that point, it seems vastly preferable to be the 8 seed, so you would face Utah and then Denver/Dallas. You wouldn't face either LA team until the conference finals. Except for that absolute failure of a game against Dallas, I actually think we've have a 10-15% shot at that.
So since multiple teams will be tanking for seeding, new proposal: beat Memphis for the 8 seed, tank the game against the Lakers game for the 7 seed, and win 9 straight to make the conference finals. Then, hope for some crazy Steph games. Or say screw it, hope OKC, ORL win tomorrow and Minny gets 3rd worst record.
I absolutely love how so much comes down to one game! Wild!
Regarding Playoffs, everyone in media/podcast world, except for MT2 and ES, think that Dubs will get a gentleman sweep.
May be I am living in a dream world, but after watching those two games against Jazz and Suns, I think we will atleast go 6 or 7 game and potentially get through round #1. Am I setting myself up for a big disappointment?
Early afternoon start tomorrow worries me. I just hope Dubs keep it close by the time first qtr ends and they are fully awake
This is a great article, Daniel. As you observe, this game was not significant for play-in positioning but it was hardly meaningless. Great to see the improvement of our guys and to allow the young guys to get some extended game experience under their belts. Poole got off the deck after a nasty looking injury, and hit the game winning shot and free throws. That's got to be good for his confidence.
And once again, Steve Kerr is vindicated over his critics and haters. When will they ever learn...
Finally, happy birthday, Duby!
Before this game, I was thinking, it doesn't matter who wins, but I still want to see Poole and Mulder go off to send NOP out of the bay. I didn't realize that the Pels would be doing it without their main guys and I was still surprised at how well our guys made it happen.
JTA and Looney looked like the guys who were too big league to be playing this kind of meaningless game, but were still doing it to get their teammates going, and they sure did. Poole had his "I have arrived" moment. And in a game that was the season-end equivalent of garbage time, the king of garbage time scoring, Mulder, did a pretty convincing Klay Thompson impression.
Partway through the game I had an epiphany that I really wanted them to win, not for any bigger picture implications, but simply going back to basics: basketball is a game, and winning a game is its own reward, nothing more needed. It got scary when the Pels made a push in the second half, but that just made it all the sweeter to come away with the W.
Some other quick thoughts on what the remaining guys showed in this one:
Bazemore brought the same joyous, chaotic energy as usual, making some sick plays and also making a couple that made me cringe, like an open layup late in the 4th that he whiffed after making a killer move to get there.
Smiley looked marginally better at protecting the rim, and he took open threes without hesitation; the shot looks good. The level of opposition was low enough (seriously, NOP's guys were so bad at shooting from anywhere) that it probably isn't a good sign for him.
Mannion also had a missed layup and a blocked one that served as reminders of why he went so late in the draft despite the solid handling and decision-making he showed running the floor. Oh, man, that behind the back assist to Our Guy Juanito was a thing of beauty, though.
Paschall grabbed some good boards and beasted his way to the cup or the line a few times, but he did not look solid enough to contribute much in the playoffs. On defense, he completely lost track of his guy more than once, letting them score open threes, and on offense he looked like he was playing a different game than the rest of the team; he just stood around, waving for opportunities he didn't get, and when he got the ball he was not willing to give it up. No cuts or ball screens, no pretty assists... some of that may be attributable to his conditioning after injury, but I'm not excited about his current level of play.
Bell looked like he was struggling to fit in and find his place, but he put in a good effort. I'm willing to reserve judgement on where he's at until he gets a little more settled in. But there weren't any signs that he's going to be a steal and a surprise impact player like he was at times in his rookie season. Man, remember when Cash Considerations was dunking all over Chicago? I still have a photo of an ATM in Taiwan with his picture on it, which seemed amusingly apt.
Anyway, congrats to the team and let's carry the positive momentum into tomorrow's game to end the regular season on a high note.
Bell? Damn I wish he would get his head on strait, so much potential.
Knicks win, guaranteeing the Warriors will have a worse record than them and hence a better pick. Just need Miami to get a W against Milwaukee or Detroit.
Needle ended up pretty well threaded, but only if the Warriors win 2 of their next 3 games and make the playoffs. Imo the best needle threading possibility would be getting the 8 seed and playing the Jazz, but I'll take whatever seed they can get lol, just make it in and give Curry a reason to feel like he wasn't wasting his time this season.