Poole is now shooting 29% from three on 8 attempts a game (32% on catch and shoots, 22% on pull ups). Seems like something that could hold the team back from their full potential unless Curry keeps having MVP performances against the toughest opponents without faltering. He's either gotta turn a corner or they need to add someone else.
I'm surprised more teams don't double or blitz Durant. Or even just throw a Draymond at him. Cause he really doesn't handle it all that well. One of the ways that separates him from Curry.
Draymond is moving better then he has in three or four years. Dunking, checking Durant. Just a little more spry and mobile. Didn’t think this version existed any more.
One pice of irony set in on me this morning. Couple years ago KD leaves the Dubs for the Nets so he can have his own team, be the star of the franchise, be the fan favorite. (In other words, get away from Curry). Last night Curry and the Dubs go to “KDs gym” and destroy them. And then KDs own home crowd starts erupting in applause when Steph gets the ball and chanting MVP MVP when Curry is on the foul line. Hehehe.
Watching Harden throw his arms around to get someone to foul him is infuriating. Then to see him gesture wildly if it doesn’t get called or when he yelled “finally!” when the started to call them—is not good basketball. He is certainly talented enough to just play the game normally, but he is the insurance scammer brake checking you in the fast lane, it’s so frustrating.
Well, scratch another would-be challenger off the to-do list I guess. Early on, when KD made those shots look easy and Steph immediately fired back from three, I could feel this was going to be an interesting one. And I was not a fan of how it was being refereed; there were too many fouls and it felt like we got the worse end of a lot of questionable calls (though there were mistakes both ways). Felt like maybe the foul trouble took Steph out of rhythm for a bit but he came back from halftime right back in it.
And then the Nets ran into the Warriors' 3rd-quarter straightjacket. I wasn't sure what to think when they brought in Aldridge; my guess is Brooklyn knew Steph would cook him and were hoping to save everyone the trouble, but when it was clear nothing else was getting through the Warriors' defense, Nash said, may as well give him a try. (The results were pretty much exactly as expected.) I am very curious what this matchup would like with Harris available since that's another excellent shooter who'd have to be simultaneously cold / well-defended. Not that I'll take that as an excuse, since we're still down one Splash Bro.
Did anyone else see what Damion Lee did this game to earn team high +/-? Because he made a couple plays, but nothing really stood out to me. He was in for a long stretch from halfway through the 3rd until halfway through the 4th when the Nets just fell apart, and I'm not sure if that's just good luck in his rotations or if he earned it doing something good (on defense?).
The other guys who had good games—Steph, Dray, Otto, and Gary—it was fairly clear why. Great defense from all four of them (yes, even Steph!) and efficient offense.
I was starting to wonder how many consecutive games with at least one step Payton II has; it feels like he creates one every game. The answer is 9 and counting; he didn't get one against Memphis (there *was* a kinda close one that game where his defensive pressure helped to create a steal, but it was half Bjelica's work and Nemanja was the one who ended up with the ball, and the credit) but he's had at least one and often several in ~18 min/game throughout November.
Fortunately for everyone who likes winning, but unfortunately for everyone who likes big stats, Payton has joined the club of dudes who played so well they got the night off early. That's great, though, since it means we get more Kuminga Time and *that* has been a blast lately. I wonder if a month from now we'll be pining for Wiseman Time to end blowouts instead...
Curry came out with a different, hyperfocused energy tonight. I think he really gets up for games against Durant and Harden.
Plus, the last year or so it seems like Steph just has an extra gear for the big games. Maybe it's something I didn't notice before, but he seems much more willing to be ultra-aggressive in big games.
Just noticed the Dubs were playing tonight, some second tier team in a lesser Borough of NYC. When will they play a top team?
Thoughts for tonight:
- HELL YEA that was fun
- mental note: Curry should shoot 9 of 14 from 3 every night.
- I loved D Lee tonight. Yes, still ice cold shooting but was a dervish on defense, ran the break, and moved with his teammates. Great example of doing the right things that help the team but don’t show up on the stat lines. Except +/- of +21. No, not shabby.
- Kuminga killed it out there. Spin moves, just running around players, going hard to the rim. So exciting now, hard to imagine my heart rate as he steadily improves. Can you imagine how uttterly psyched he is to have been drafted onto THIS team and not the Rockets/Pistons/Cavs/etc.?
- yes we blew the Nets out but Harden and KD were both liquid nitrogen out there: Coooollllld.They made it easy for us (and thank you).
- Wiggins haters: you all need some catsup on that crow you’re eating?
- Draymond utterly torturing the Nets. Had to watch some D in slow mo replay tonight. Nasty!
- I loved seeing Porter run down balls, fight for boards, and push tempo. So great that he’s feeling good.
Random worry: Is this team good enough that they will actually shed players for future picks. E.g. trade Porter for another 1st rounder a year or two out?
Late night, victory/alcohol buzz and gotta sleep. But tomorrow let’s talk some 3rd Quarter.
Kumingas block of Har_en was breathtaking, as was his downward layup in traffic late in the game. Dude is going to be such a beast… I see the Giannis comparisons.
BTDubs... I thought the league caught up to Kerr's offense..
Poole is now shooting 29% from three on 8 attempts a game (32% on catch and shoots, 22% on pull ups). Seems like something that could hold the team back from their full potential unless Curry keeps having MVP performances against the toughest opponents without faltering. He's either gotta turn a corner or they need to add someone else.
I'm surprised more teams don't double or blitz Durant. Or even just throw a Draymond at him. Cause he really doesn't handle it all that well. One of the ways that separates him from Curry.
Draymond is moving better then he has in three or four years. Dunking, checking Durant. Just a little more spry and mobile. Didn’t think this version existed any more.
Guys . . . Draymond is shooting 40% from three lmao.
I know some of you are thinking about a sweep of the rest of the road trip. And, why not? Me, too!!!
One pice of irony set in on me this morning. Couple years ago KD leaves the Dubs for the Nets so he can have his own team, be the star of the franchise, be the fan favorite. (In other words, get away from Curry). Last night Curry and the Dubs go to “KDs gym” and destroy them. And then KDs own home crowd starts erupting in applause when Steph gets the ball and chanting MVP MVP when Curry is on the foul line. Hehehe.
Watching Harden throw his arms around to get someone to foul him is infuriating. Then to see him gesture wildly if it doesn’t get called or when he yelled “finally!” when the started to call them—is not good basketball. He is certainly talented enough to just play the game normally, but he is the insurance scammer brake checking you in the fast lane, it’s so frustrating.
Well, scratch another would-be challenger off the to-do list I guess. Early on, when KD made those shots look easy and Steph immediately fired back from three, I could feel this was going to be an interesting one. And I was not a fan of how it was being refereed; there were too many fouls and it felt like we got the worse end of a lot of questionable calls (though there were mistakes both ways). Felt like maybe the foul trouble took Steph out of rhythm for a bit but he came back from halftime right back in it.
And then the Nets ran into the Warriors' 3rd-quarter straightjacket. I wasn't sure what to think when they brought in Aldridge; my guess is Brooklyn knew Steph would cook him and were hoping to save everyone the trouble, but when it was clear nothing else was getting through the Warriors' defense, Nash said, may as well give him a try. (The results were pretty much exactly as expected.) I am very curious what this matchup would like with Harris available since that's another excellent shooter who'd have to be simultaneously cold / well-defended. Not that I'll take that as an excuse, since we're still down one Splash Bro.
Did anyone else see what Damion Lee did this game to earn team high +/-? Because he made a couple plays, but nothing really stood out to me. He was in for a long stretch from halfway through the 3rd until halfway through the 4th when the Nets just fell apart, and I'm not sure if that's just good luck in his rotations or if he earned it doing something good (on defense?).
The other guys who had good games—Steph, Dray, Otto, and Gary—it was fairly clear why. Great defense from all four of them (yes, even Steph!) and efficient offense.
I was starting to wonder how many consecutive games with at least one step Payton II has; it feels like he creates one every game. The answer is 9 and counting; he didn't get one against Memphis (there *was* a kinda close one that game where his defensive pressure helped to create a steal, but it was half Bjelica's work and Nemanja was the one who ended up with the ball, and the credit) but he's had at least one and often several in ~18 min/game throughout November.
Fortunately for everyone who likes winning, but unfortunately for everyone who likes big stats, Payton has joined the club of dudes who played so well they got the night off early. That's great, though, since it means we get more Kuminga Time and *that* has been a blast lately. I wonder if a month from now we'll be pining for Wiseman Time to end blowouts instead...
Draymond risked the Manningcast curse and then smashed it with his play!
Well that worked. I'm still up after 1am.
Oh and additionally, all the voters who don't vote for Draymond to be an all-star team this year should have their voting rights revoked.
Curry came out with a different, hyperfocused energy tonight. I think he really gets up for games against Durant and Harden.
Plus, the last year or so it seems like Steph just has an extra gear for the big games. Maybe it's something I didn't notice before, but he seems much more willing to be ultra-aggressive in big games.
Just noticed the Dubs were playing tonight, some second tier team in a lesser Borough of NYC. When will they play a top team?
Thoughts for tonight:
- HELL YEA that was fun
- mental note: Curry should shoot 9 of 14 from 3 every night.
- I loved D Lee tonight. Yes, still ice cold shooting but was a dervish on defense, ran the break, and moved with his teammates. Great example of doing the right things that help the team but don’t show up on the stat lines. Except +/- of +21. No, not shabby.
- Kuminga killed it out there. Spin moves, just running around players, going hard to the rim. So exciting now, hard to imagine my heart rate as he steadily improves. Can you imagine how uttterly psyched he is to have been drafted onto THIS team and not the Rockets/Pistons/Cavs/etc.?
- yes we blew the Nets out but Harden and KD were both liquid nitrogen out there: Coooollllld.They made it easy for us (and thank you).
- Wiggins haters: you all need some catsup on that crow you’re eating?
- Draymond utterly torturing the Nets. Had to watch some D in slow mo replay tonight. Nasty!
- I loved seeing Porter run down balls, fight for boards, and push tempo. So great that he’s feeling good.
Random worry: Is this team good enough that they will actually shed players for future picks. E.g. trade Porter for another 1st rounder a year or two out?
Late night, victory/alcohol buzz and gotta sleep. But tomorrow let’s talk some 3rd Quarter.
Just ran across this article on SI that came out earlier before the Nets game.
https://www.si.com/nba/2021/11/16/warriors-resurgence-stephen-curry-klay-thompson-draymond-green?fbclid=IwAR2Hm9VY08OQmJuG6sXcZweRq0lujPqhYcJdP2PzHQ4VDzPDaiuntAOa7y0
Kumingas block of Har_en was breathtaking, as was his downward layup in traffic late in the game. Dude is going to be such a beast… I see the Giannis comparisons.