Post game party thread: Warriors do *not* crumble
dubnationhq.com
Post game party thread: Warriors do *not* crumble
Big lead early...and a win? Wowza
The Golden State Warriors once again defended their home court against a visiting team without their brightest star. Tonight, it was the Phoenix Suns that couldn't get past a Warriors team that continues to be a different creature at home.
https://twitter.com/957thegame/status/1635481760678154240?t=Lz5Jz4-lKtpKsXCXkfgMMw&s=19
Woooooo!! We've got some tough road games coming up, so this one is a little extra sweet.
I slagged on Poole's errors plenty in the game thread, but I backed myself into a corner in my answer (https://dubnationhq.com/p/explain-stephen-currys-big-block/comment/13548970) to Asher's A-F Poole-poll. In effect I said I'd like to see Poole traded for a better fit/value, but also that the Dubs won't be able to because he's too costly/not good enough to net that value. Poole is a Dub for the foreseeable future.
So a reckoning is needed, and I'd better find a way stop whining and appreciate what we have: a hard-working, exciting, highly skilled offensive player who is not a constant foul-baiter or cheater, who at his best is a fun passer as well as eye-popping shooter. He is young enough to learn: he will improve at dealing with the kind of defensive attention his performance last year attracted. I'm sure he has enough pride to want to stay out of the bottom of the Assist:TO ratios in the league. He is surrounded by coaches and teammates whose emphasis on defense is responsible for multiple championships, and there are youngsters like JK and even Moody getting minutes on their fealty to those principles. That's got to penetrate over time, especially if the team provides the right incentives (e.g. more playing time to a healthy Rollins, who makes an effort and looks to have potential there).
So I'll count my blessings as a fan, hope the coaches can find the right levers, and that the Dubs turn Poole into the player he could become, while meanwhile picking his minutes and lineups to maximize the value he brings while minimizing the harm his current play style inflicts.
Making my peace with Poole will increase my enjoyment of the games. I don't promise to never-ever kvetch about him again; just less. Anyway:
Go Poole, Go Dubs!
This game on Wednesday is huge... winner gets a game up in the standings and wins head-to-head tie breaker for the season. In next 7 games, 3 are against our direct "5/6 seed competitors". @Clippers, @Dallas, and Minny. Win 2/3 of those and we're in great position to be out of the play in. lose 2/3 and we're probably in bad position... especially if the Lakers keep winning.