Notes from Chase: we had a good time. There was a lot going on. We went down, we came back, we built a lead, we blew it, then Draymond outsmarted everyone and Moses hit the dagger. In the seat next to me a mother fed her baby. The singing for Black History Month sounded so resonant, but also poignant. Kiss-cam, t-shirt guns and dancer hair-ography still as fun as ever. Kerr furious with the refs and waving clipboard. Overpriced food. A shirt waiting for me on my seat (XL). Then Steph hit a long 2 at just the right moment and I swear the release was so quick that nobody but him saw anything of it at all.
I know it's a joke, but with Post starting to look playable for 10 minutes a night, and Loon returning to his defensive form, I'm not sure what the upgrade would be.
We kind of have a nice quartet of centers at the moment:
Loon, Dray and Post to defend big, slow guys.
Loon, Dray, and TJD against smaller, quicker lineups.
Gotta stop overvaluing what we have. Ayton does what all those centers do and more. It’s just a matter of motor. And you know who else had motor issues? Andrew Wiggins
He's just 26 and can defend the rim and finish but not shoot. He's making $34M this year so he wouldn't come cheap. If the Blazers would trade him, I'd wonder why.
I'm a huge proponent of trying risky moves because sometimes that's all you got. Melton was an injury risk and it didn't work out, but was still glad with that move. Same with OPJ. It's why I can get behind Zion or even Butler.
Maybe Ayton would be motivated to be on a team that's good (not that we are that right now)
In some ways I’m more down with Ayton than with Butler or even Zion. Butler is out of the question anyway since he just told the Dubs he won’t re-sign here, never mind that he's old, prickly, entitled, and oft-injured. Zion is young, out of shape, and often injured.
But Ayton is still young, and he fills a need in that he’s a 7-footer who is an excellent rim protector and finisher. He does not provide spacing but we’re not likely to get everything we want in one player. I don’t know whether Portland would trade him or what it would cost us though.
As for motivation, Steph can tell Ayton to go for it or not get on the bus. 😏 If Draymond isn’t traded, he could help light a fire. Those guys have rings and Ayton doesn’t so maybe he’d listen. Anyway, that’s the risk you’re talking about. If we can handle the non-shooting, that could be a risk worth taking. I think it’s a better risk than Zion staying healthy.
I’d sort of dispute the idea of Ayton as an excellent finisher. The numbers are fine, but I just don’t think he’s physical enough. For example, <2 FT attempts per 36 minutes is terrible for a big with his profile.
He is also, weirdly, near the top of the league in % of shots taken from 10’–16’. Not just for centers, but for all players. I don’t really feel qualified to draw firm conclusions as to why, but intuitively it fits with the image of a player who isn’t fighting hard enough for deep position in the post.
It’s just a difference of opinion, and I do understand yours, so I’m not really trying to change your mind… but for me, I’d prefer the player who, like Zion, plays with overwhelming force when he’s out there, and hope that maturity can bring about an improvement in his conditioning/availability.
I am not an Ayton fan. But if we are going to take a risk, as bobbita advocates, there are worse ones. However, I am by no means pushing to acquire him.
I have zero faith in Zion improving his conditioning/availability. I'd like to be wrong because he's talented but I wouldn't chance that.
>>>Nuggets Michael Porter Jr. still can't wrap his head around the Luka Doncic trade. "I still feel like there is something, some facts that are going to come out over time. I can't really comprehend how that makes sense to be honest."<<<
If neither Paolo or Franz becomes a threatening shooter it's going to be tough for the Magic to get to the next level. They are both great players but tough to play two non-shooters.
Us dubs fans know how this works. Unless you have the best and second best shooters of all time flanking those non-shooting bigs, it just isn't gonna work. Oh, and those shooters need to be movement shooters.
They were winning without Fox last month. Christie gave Keon Ellis (their best 3-and-D player) more playing time that Mike Brown did, and he's been flourishing.
Liked the effort tonight, but I think the Dubs were very fortunate to get the win tonight.
A few plays stand out -
2:22 left, 3rd quarter. Dubs up 7, Steph on the bench, offense stagnates with Looney and Schroder way out high as shot clock is winding down. Schroder has no chance to launch a 3 a few feet beyond the arc and he drills it.
Down the stretch - Banchero and Looney battle for a rebound under the Dubs' basket - Banchero inadvertently tips it it
Dray throws up an awful looking prayer with shot clock running down that somehow hits the left side of the rim and then rolls around and in.
Take away those buckets and we could be singing a different tune tonight.
Still, I'll take the W tonight and look forward to winning at Utah on Wednesday.
Looney - team leader in rebounds (15) AND assists (6).
Those were all as you say plays that could’ve definitely gone the other way. Plus Moody’s falling out of bounds underhand layup bank shot. But isn’t that the case in every game, there are a few plays that are basically a matter of luck for one team or another?
I think it’s a combination of both. He’s dinged up and QP/Looney/Green make a good situational platoon that leaves TJD with less to offer.
TJD’s calling cards are vertical spacing and shot-blocking. With Post’s size being somewhat of an inside deterrent, that leaves TJD’s lob threat as his only unique skill.
Definitely playable situationally. ORL figured out they could iso Wagner on Post and torch him, so Kerr took out Post and put Wiggs on Wagner and Dray on Banchero.
Wagner got past several Ws especially in the 2nd half, not so much to start the game
I thought Post showed a relatively complete (offense, defense, screening, passing, rebounding) game tonight ... after early season reports were that he was unplayable I thought it would be something to point out ....
I am very confident that Post can run the Kerrball motion offense, with passing and improvisation, and run the 4-on-3 short roll quite well.
I am cautiously hopeful that his 3P% will stay NBA threatening.
I am nervous that every one of his screens looks illegal, even by NBA standards.
I am pleased that his defense has been improving. That's what they worked on all the time at Santa Cruz. I think his rebounding has a lot of room to grow.
New thread up!
Notes from Chase: we had a good time. There was a lot going on. We went down, we came back, we built a lead, we blew it, then Draymond outsmarted everyone and Moses hit the dagger. In the seat next to me a mother fed her baby. The singing for Black History Month sounded so resonant, but also poignant. Kiss-cam, t-shirt guns and dancer hair-ography still as fun as ever. Kerr furious with the refs and waving clipboard. Overpriced food. A shirt waiting for me on my seat (XL). Then Steph hit a long 2 at just the right moment and I swear the release was so quick that nobody but him saw anything of it at all.
Steph and Podz reaction to "the" trade.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BktpGm7Vo_M
It's time. Trade for Ayton
.
.
.
(jk but not really)
I know it's a joke, but with Post starting to look playable for 10 minutes a night, and Loon returning to his defensive form, I'm not sure what the upgrade would be.
We kind of have a nice quartet of centers at the moment:
Loon, Dray and Post to defend big, slow guys.
Loon, Dray, and TJD against smaller, quicker lineups.
3 defensive centers, and one offensive one.
Gotta stop overvaluing what we have. Ayton does what all those centers do and more. It’s just a matter of motor. And you know who else had motor issues? Andrew Wiggins
lol
>>> (jk but not really)
If not jk, then who would you trade for him?
😏
For someone with the physical tools and the skill set that he possesses he’s such a disappointment.
He's just 26 and can defend the rim and finish but not shoot. He's making $34M this year so he wouldn't come cheap. If the Blazers would trade him, I'd wonder why.
I'm a huge proponent of trying risky moves because sometimes that's all you got. Melton was an injury risk and it didn't work out, but was still glad with that move. Same with OPJ. It's why I can get behind Zion or even Butler.
Maybe Ayton would be motivated to be on a team that's good (not that we are that right now)
In some ways I’m more down with Ayton than with Butler or even Zion. Butler is out of the question anyway since he just told the Dubs he won’t re-sign here, never mind that he's old, prickly, entitled, and oft-injured. Zion is young, out of shape, and often injured.
But Ayton is still young, and he fills a need in that he’s a 7-footer who is an excellent rim protector and finisher. He does not provide spacing but we’re not likely to get everything we want in one player. I don’t know whether Portland would trade him or what it would cost us though.
As for motivation, Steph can tell Ayton to go for it or not get on the bus. 😏 If Draymond isn’t traded, he could help light a fire. Those guys have rings and Ayton doesn’t so maybe he’d listen. Anyway, that’s the risk you’re talking about. If we can handle the non-shooting, that could be a risk worth taking. I think it’s a better risk than Zion staying healthy.
I’d sort of dispute the idea of Ayton as an excellent finisher. The numbers are fine, but I just don’t think he’s physical enough. For example, <2 FT attempts per 36 minutes is terrible for a big with his profile.
He is also, weirdly, near the top of the league in % of shots taken from 10’–16’. Not just for centers, but for all players. I don’t really feel qualified to draw firm conclusions as to why, but intuitively it fits with the image of a player who isn’t fighting hard enough for deep position in the post.
It’s just a difference of opinion, and I do understand yours, so I’m not really trying to change your mind… but for me, I’d prefer the player who, like Zion, plays with overwhelming force when he’s out there, and hope that maturity can bring about an improvement in his conditioning/availability.
I am not an Ayton fan. But if we are going to take a risk, as bobbita advocates, there are worse ones. However, I am by no means pushing to acquire him.
I have zero faith in Zion improving his conditioning/availability. I'd like to be wrong because he's talented but I wouldn't chance that.
>>>Nuggets Michael Porter Jr. still can't wrap his head around the Luka Doncic trade. "I still feel like there is something, some facts that are going to come out over time. I can't really comprehend how that makes sense to be honest."<<<
https://old.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1ihbg69/nuggets_michael_porter_jr_still_cant_wrap_his/
A lot of things don’t make sense to that meat head, especially when it comes to, as he puts it, “females”.
If neither Paolo or Franz becomes a threatening shooter it's going to be tough for the Magic to get to the next level. They are both great players but tough to play two non-shooters.
Magic are now 2-10 since Banchero's return.
Us dubs fans know how this works. Unless you have the best and second best shooters of all time flanking those non-shooting bigs, it just isn't gonna work. Oh, and those shooters need to be movement shooters.
Better luck next time Orlando.
Orlando needs more shot creators. If they make a trade, who will they go after?
They should've offered Paolo for Luka. Oh wait, they didn't have the chance to.
They would've sent multiple picks and Paolo easily
Looks to me like they need a point guard more than anything
CP3 would probably do them wonders
QP is a lot more animated with his celebrations than I thought lol
So Kings lose Fox and still win? What gives. I was hoping Kings will get worse
They've already been low-key playing better without Fox
They have more than enough scoring with the guys they have, their issue is defense
I mean, one-game sample.
But given LaVine and Fox are pretty comparable players, I wouldn’t count on them getting worse.
They were winning without Fox last month. Christie gave Keon Ellis (their best 3-and-D player) more playing time that Mike Brown did, and he's been flourishing.
I am starting to think Ellis is the real deal. He's lockdown at the two and .430 from 3P. Really interesting piece.
Kinda proved he was in last years play-in game when he put our guys through hell. Thought he was the difference in that game
Agree about Ellis. He had 14 deflections in a single game last month. He's an off-night with some good offensive skills to boot.
He’s miles better than off-night. And 6-6.
Agreed
https://warriorswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/warriors/2025/02/03/raptors-davion-mitchell-signs-with-curry-brand/78191194007/
Okay, you’re right — he’s better than Keon. 😜
Oh hell yeah :)
The Kings are undefeated without Fox (4-0).
The Wizards have won two in a row. Oh oh....Poole to the Lakers confirmed.
As long as it’s not Poole to Warriors I’m good
Liked the effort tonight, but I think the Dubs were very fortunate to get the win tonight.
A few plays stand out -
2:22 left, 3rd quarter. Dubs up 7, Steph on the bench, offense stagnates with Looney and Schroder way out high as shot clock is winding down. Schroder has no chance to launch a 3 a few feet beyond the arc and he drills it.
Down the stretch - Banchero and Looney battle for a rebound under the Dubs' basket - Banchero inadvertently tips it it
Dray throws up an awful looking prayer with shot clock running down that somehow hits the left side of the rim and then rolls around and in.
Take away those buckets and we could be singing a different tune tonight.
Still, I'll take the W tonight and look forward to winning at Utah on Wednesday.
Looney - team leader in rebounds (15) AND assists (6).
Now do the one where we include the overturned challenge, Anthony’s 3, Wagner’s flip shot, and everything else that fell the Magic’s way…
I think we were definitely the better team in the second half.
First half, I would have gone with UC Santa Barbara over us.
Sure, now take away Cole Anthony’s 30 footer with the shot clock running out and his prayer near the end of the game.
Looney - team leader. Period.
Also that Anthony 3 that somehow hit every part of the rim before popping out.
Those were all as you say plays that could’ve definitely gone the other way. Plus Moody’s falling out of bounds underhand layup bank shot. But isn’t that the case in every game, there are a few plays that are basically a matter of luck for one team or another?
Agreed that those things happen every night. Just felt like tonight, the Dubs were getting the breaks.
Loved Moody's crazy underhand layup. Looked like he was just trying to draw a foul.
1) My shares of Moody stock are looking good. So happy he closed and hit that big 3.
2) Looney had an amazing line 2 Pts, 15 Reb, 6 Ast...and the 2 points were when Banchero tipped in Steph's miss.
3) Draymond is still a defensive menace.
> 1) My shares of Moody stock are looking good. So happy he closed and hit that big 3.
It's just hard to fathom them never giving him an extended run of consistent minutes before this.
What's even worse is he got two separate 7 game runs of ~20 mpg last season and was good both times!
Is TJD is still injured or Kerr giving a stretch 5 in QP a extended look?
I think it’s a combination of both. He’s dinged up and QP/Looney/Green make a good situational platoon that leaves TJD with less to offer.
TJD’s calling cards are vertical spacing and shot-blocking. With Post’s size being somewhat of an inside deterrent, that leaves TJD’s lob threat as his only unique skill.
I think it's the latter. Post can shoot threes while TJD can't.
Both, I think
Post is playable
Definitely playable situationally. ORL figured out they could iso Wagner on Post and torch him, so Kerr took out Post and put Wiggs on Wagner and Dray on Banchero.
Wagner got past several Ws especially in the 2nd half, not so much to start the game
I thought Post showed a relatively complete (offense, defense, screening, passing, rebounding) game tonight ... after early season reports were that he was unplayable I thought it would be something to point out ....
I am very confident that Post can run the Kerrball motion offense, with passing and improvisation, and run the 4-on-3 short roll quite well.
I am cautiously hopeful that his 3P% will stay NBA threatening.
I am nervous that every one of his screens looks illegal, even by NBA standards.
I am pleased that his defense has been improving. That's what they worked on all the time at Santa Cruz. I think his rebounding has a lot of room to grow.
I think the rebounding is always going to be an issue.
Agree with all of this
So true. They were able to get him backing up pretty easily, leading to some easy buckets. KCP took him to school a couple of times too.
Other stats:
Bitadze: (-19)
6 points, 2/8 FGs, 2/5 FTs
14 rebounds (6 off.), 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block
Harris: (+12)
6 points, 2/4 FGs and threes
1 turnover
Isaac: (+19)
2 points, 1/7 FGs, 0/3 threes
6 rebounds (4 off.), 1 assist, 1 steal
da Silva: (+7)
2 points, 1/2 FGs, 0/1 three
2 rebounds (1 off.), 1 assist, 1 turnover
Green: (+9)
4 points, 2/4 FGs, 0/2 threes and FTs
7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
Post: (+6)
7 points, 2/5 FGs, 1/4 threes, 2/2 FTs
7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Hield: (+15)
4 points, 1/4 FGs, 0/2 threes, 2/3 FTs
1 rebound, 1 turnover
Payton II: (-5)
4 points, 2/4 FGs, 0/2 threes
1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal
Notable stats:
Magic:
Anthony: (-7)
26 points, 11/21 FGs, 3/9 threes, 1/1 FT
5 rebounds (1 off.), 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, 1 block
Wagner: (-8)
21 points, 9/19 FGs, 1/5 threes, 2/3 FTs
3 rebounds (1 off.), 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals
Banchero: (-24)
18 points, 9/24 FGs, 0/6 threes, 0/1 FT
6 rebounds (1 off.), 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
Carter Jr.: (-7)
26 points, 11/21 FGs, 3/9 threes, 1/1 FT
9 rebounds (2 o ff.), 7 assists, 1 turnover
Caldwell-Pope: (-20)
9 points, 4/9 FGs, 1/3 threes
6 rebounds (2 off.), 1 assist, 1 steal
Warriors:
Wiggins: (+15)
25 points, 7/14 FGs, 1/5 threes, 10/15 FTs
2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover
Moody: (-2)
17 points, 6/9 FGs, 3/5 threes, 2/4 FTs
1 rebound
Curry: (+8)
24 points, 7/21 FGs, 2/12 threes, 8/8 FTs
2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal
Schroder: (-9)
9 points, 3/6 FGs, 3/3 threes
2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 steals
Podziemski: (-9)
8 points, 3/6 FGs, 2/4 threes
5 rebounds (1 off.), 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals