Post-game: Warriors new guys pull off explosive comeback to sweep The Japan Games. Patrick Baldwin Jr and Trevion Williams especially entertain
sayonara
I don’t know if I’m going to do an Explain video on the Japan Games… honestly my video software had a big upgrade and now I have to re-learn how to use it. But you can read my notes to see what I would have analyzed…
Apricot’s In-Game Notes
TREVION ARMY REPORT
Trevion nice touch on pass to backcut
Stops layup at rim
His patented over the shoulder pass to the cutter
hustles to get rebound to PBJ three
seems to be communicating well on defense, you can see him pointing out screeners and talking
almost blocks another shot
Trevion with a 3 brick — which I’d like to not see
TW then climbs up a back to grab a hustle DREB
catches a BULLET of a Moody behind the back pass, gets fouled
then to stay on brand, misses both FTS
then grabs a tough DREB
on the other end, TW waves for people to split cut on a stagnant play… then digs out an OREB and spins in a putback. He has touch from 10 feet and in.
TW with his patented sidearm laser cross court pass to Moody who, compelled by the coolness of that pass, forces a layup to try to get TW the assist.
Well, after the draft I watched a bunch of video of PBJ and RR and I was excited about PBJ — loved the maturity and playmaking mind and small detail work — and didn’t see what GSW saw in Rollins — he looked physically outmatched by a Dayton team… I am no great draft evaluator, but what I’ve seen has just reinforced my prejudices. And as I type this, PBJ with a feathery touch pass on the break to Dunkin’ Mac..
Kerr must be serious about winning, he put PBJ back in as the stretch 5.
PBJ holds up well isoed on the perimeter.
Then bludgeons someone with an illegal butt screen.
And… I don’t know how TF he got off that 3. He is not afraid to shoot and I love it
That was a really fun game for me personally to watch. Got to see all the ups and downs of the Trevion Show, PBJ looked like a second year player, Wiseman uh looked like a second year player, Moody looked composed and decisive at the rim. Kuminga was channeling Kobe — the one who didn’t take a shot for a whole playoff game half. Ah well, time for a break
I wish Wiseman had PBJ's IQ. You can't teach feel for the game. Either you have it or you don't. I saw Kerr say when they first drafted PBJ that he would spend a lot of time in the G league. Bet money he's rethinking that. He better! And btw, PBJ looks taller than 6'9. He Looks to be in the 6'10 range at least. Seeing how he can rebound and pass in addition to his smooth asf shooting, I feel he can be a small ball stretch 5. I hope Kerr tries that with Dray, Klay Steph, and Wiggins. Looks like Bob Myers has struck gold again!! Imo, somebody who should be feeling a little uneasy after PBJ's game is brick shooting Kuminga. If he keeps playing with that low IQ and shooting bricks, he might find himself on the trade block in February. He's still has first round value. If he loses minutes to PBJ, he'll lose that value around the league. I trade the stock market. You have to ALWAYS no when to sell. Just sayin 🤷♂️
Watched the second Japan game this evening. Fun stuff.
Steph was clearly playing like it was an exhibition game. He's going to have to score more efficiently if he wants to get another 50-point game this season. ;)
Draymond's 3 shot is still hella flat, but it went in twice, so OK.
I get the sense that all-star Wiggins is returning this season. He's killing it on defense, shooting it efficiently enough, and dunks with authority. You love to see it.
Looney, what a guy. So glad we kept him. He looks a lot like before, but if anything his BBIQ is even higher. He couldn't seem to find room to score from under the basket this game, but my guess is that's just rust or something.
Poole looks the same on offense and more defensively sound. He doesn't look like a kid who's satisfied with one championship.
JMG looks like the archetypal "unspectacular vet defending his job from rookies". He may have to relinquish some minutes but you know he'll be solid.
Wiseman still has a ways to go to prove he's more than a prospect, but he's definitely on the right track. His hands are still questionable, but his arms add legs are looooong and it looks like he finally knows where to put them. He's definitely going to own since highlight slams before this season is out, but it remains to be seen if his net impact will be good enough yet.
Kuminga's defense looks better than ever! I have a feeling he may plateau or struggle a bit finding his place and balance on offense, but defensively he's looking like he has the potential to be elite. That'll keep him on the floor, and his insane scoring talent will eventually stabilize.
Moody already looks like he's a lock in the rotation, playing those DLee minutes. The audacity of some of those plays late in the second game, hot damn! He's been the quiet kid (or the young old man?) so far but he's clearly got a killer instinct. I love the chemistry he's got going with Kuminga already, too.
DDV looks like a solid rotation player. Game 2 wasn't as great as 1 but he clearly still has smarts & hustle, plays good positional & help defense, and he's figuring out the Warriors system quickly.
Weatherspoon looked reasonable. Nothing all that impressive, but he ran the Warriors system and didn't make a bunch of mistakes.
Trevion Williams, speaking of figuring out the Warriors system, is so fun to watch. The holes in his game probably keep him in Santa Cruz for now, but in addition to passing, he clearly was driving the motion offense (something that was sorely lacking in game 1 when the training-camp non-guaranteed guys were in) and held up OK in the paint.
Quinones, I can't say I'm impressed by. He seemed a little out of sorts.
PBJ, I am impressed that someone this intriguing was available 28th in the draft. Feels like he could be quite the steal if it really was just a health issue.
Rollins, I didn't see anything to be excited about. Really unclear what inspired the team to commit those resources to signing him, but after seeing Poole's improvement year-to-year I can see why the team wants guys on longer contracts.
McClung seems like a borderline NBA guard, who showed a good combination of scoring and creating. Hope he sticks with the organization whether or not he gets the 2-way. His performance in the clutch was legit.
Pat Spencer is also a pretty intriguing guy to have in training camp. I know lacrosse isn't a huge sport compared to basketball, but his success there shows some serious athletic ability and you can see how his basketball fundamentals are solid.
Overall I'm excited for the season to get going!