Finally catching up here at DNHQ. Great Dubs win - missing 2 best players on offense. Great demoralizing Griz loss - fully healthy except for a rusty Bane.
One of many favorite plays was Draymond making sure JJJ picked up his 4th foul early in the 2nd half, so he was riding the bench for most of the 2nd half instead of mucking up the Dubs' offense. Great vet move!!
I thought most of the Ts were BS. I am never a fan of Marc Davis reffing the Dubs. Seems like a nice enough guy when he's not working. But there seems to be a definite agenda by the league when it comes to calling any game the Warriors play.
I yelled softly at my tv several times so as not to wake 3 mostly sleeping kittens. Being surrogate parent to 4-wk-old furrballls is a challenge 9 days in. They are getting more active with every day. I don't get much else done. But I did have ice cream after they had their late meal last night.
The thing is... Last year's team won every statement game. Crush Phoenix on Christmas was the sweetest example but every time they were faced with a regular season "test" on national TV, Draymond played great and they won.
Given the parity in both divisions this year but especially in the West, it feels like they can be in the top 4 by the time this home stand ends (and Steph and Wiggins come back). Meanwhile, everyone (but maybe JMG) are earning coach's trust, Poole is balling (from 2 and the ft line) and the puppies are growing up.
What is interesting is watching Kuminga's scoring come down but his impact growing as the season progresses. Sure, I would love to see him put his head down and get to the basket more but he is probably playing better basketball by moving it to the next guy and driving/getting fouled when the clock is running down.
I’d postulate that Klay’s inefficiency is bouyed by some sort of Kobe effect in that he’s taking a bunch of tough shots, but the defense is so drawn to him, that it’s still positive overall for the offense.
Hearing Booker left the game after playing only 4m because he reinjured his groin really makes me appreciate how the Warriors are taking care with Wiggins by holding him back…
So I didn't watch the game, but I went over the highlights, then zoomed in on NBA.com and watched a few of Wiseman's plays over the night, including the one Joe posted.
He was phenomenal (for him - I know, it's a low bar) on defense tonight. I went through all his plays for the first quarter. For each and every defensive assignment, he seemed to know where he needed to be. 13 of the plays, he was pretty much exactly where he needed to be, either setting a good screen or correctly executing help defense. I counted 6 plays where he looked a bit lost, 5 of them on offense (he does need more reps with Poole - def a few crossed wires to end the quarter there). The only defensive play I think he messed up was the missed Aldama 3 in transition with 2:44 left. He needed to pick up Aldama in transition, and instead stayed in the paint. Thankfully Jerome ran cross-court to contest Aldama, he missed, and Wise battled Clarke to nab the board. I also watched the linked Joe tweet that highlights Wiseman's amazing defensive positioning during that play. Overall, Wise seemed to have a much better understanding of where he needed to be on help defense. He knew where to rotate, who to pick up (usually), how to drop and still contest, and when to box out.
I think I have a theory on his defensive development. I don't think he ever played in a real help-defense scheme until the Dubs his first year. Remember, he only played 3 games in college, so that's not enough time to learn it, and I doubt he needed to do anything but dominate via size and athleticism in high school. However, during his first year, the team threw him into the fire, and I'm sure he was too busy trying not to drown to learn much about how to correctly rotate. So, sure he's had months and months of working with Decky on film and a few weeks on the practice court, but that can only translate so far, and shifting the talk/practice theory to a viable NBA game speed defense meant he spent many minutes looking absolutely clueless on defense as his brain tried to process too much too fast. It looks like the G league stint has finally enabled him to get to the point where all the help positioning he's learned from Decky/Dray/Loon is finally starting to show up as better defensive positioning in game. I don't want to call it instinctive for him until it shows up in a few more games, but at least for this one game, J-Wise was moving and defending the way Kerr needs him to in order to win games.
There's obviously another gear or two on the defensive side. Firstly, it does need to become purely instinctive, and he's not there yet. When he can position more instinctively, then he can start processing more subtle things better, such as who the ballhandler is, his tendencies, how much to step out and challenge, handedness preference, etc. This will change him from an average/below average defender into a plus defender. Secondly, when all of that integrates, there will be a point at which he becomes a truly plus plus defender. When he's doing all of the above more instinctually, then he will be able to start anticipating plays, and with his athleticism, actually get far enough to disrupt them. That will be All-Defense Wiseman, if he ever gets there.
On the offensive side, he seemed to have a few more lapses, as at least twice, he was in a pick and roll or screen action with Poole and the two seemed wildly out of sync. There's obviously more to learn on this end as well. But as a whole, in his performance tonight, the good definitely outweighed the bad.
If he can just play as he did tonight, he's playable as a backup C in Kerr's offense this year. He'll probably be a net negative defender, with some mental lapses from time to time, but he won't be a black hole like he was early season. Single game +/- is noisy as hell, but it's certainly agreeing with this point: Wiseman at +8 in 8 minutes tonight!
Every so often, even a great team has a bad game when nobody seems to make the right decision. Tonight's Razzie award goes to the referee team. Bad doesn't even begin to describe it.
I had to watch the game on tape delay. Just finished. Man, I wish I was here with you guys for this one.
I just felt we were going to take this. Sure it was nice to slap Memphis around but this was more of a game to show the league we are not dead. That celebration after the game was pent up frustration from this season..
What was said so beautifully earlier “Keep Calm and Curry On.” Love it.
These next 7 home games will probably determine whether the Dubs can sneak out of the play-in or have to fight to make sure they get there. The West is starting to stratify, and this is probably the easiest stretch of the season. They also mark 50% of the way through the season. 5-2 should be the minimum benchmark of satisfying.
I know we're hoping for .500 play until Steph comes back but if we see more performances like tonight we might be in for a good surprise especially with Wiggins returning.
Finally catching up here at DNHQ. Great Dubs win - missing 2 best players on offense. Great demoralizing Griz loss - fully healthy except for a rusty Bane.
One of many favorite plays was Draymond making sure JJJ picked up his 4th foul early in the 2nd half, so he was riding the bench for most of the 2nd half instead of mucking up the Dubs' offense. Great vet move!!
I thought most of the Ts were BS. I am never a fan of Marc Davis reffing the Dubs. Seems like a nice enough guy when he's not working. But there seems to be a definite agenda by the league when it comes to calling any game the Warriors play.
I yelled softly at my tv several times so as not to wake 3 mostly sleeping kittens. Being surrogate parent to 4-wk-old furrballls is a challenge 9 days in. They are getting more active with every day. I don't get much else done. But I did have ice cream after they had their late meal last night.
Thanks Joshua. California über alles
The thing is... Last year's team won every statement game. Crush Phoenix on Christmas was the sweetest example but every time they were faced with a regular season "test" on national TV, Draymond played great and they won.
Given the parity in both divisions this year but especially in the West, it feels like they can be in the top 4 by the time this home stand ends (and Steph and Wiggins come back). Meanwhile, everyone (but maybe JMG) are earning coach's trust, Poole is balling (from 2 and the ft line) and the puppies are growing up.
What is interesting is watching Kuminga's scoring come down but his impact growing as the season progresses. Sure, I would love to see him put his head down and get to the basket more but he is probably playing better basketball by moving it to the next guy and driving/getting fouled when the clock is running down.
The Grizz didn't really play very well.
Bane definitely showed signs of rust after his injury.
JJJ is just a head-scratching player ... he looks like he should be Giannis, but just couldn't get out of his way last night with stupid fouls.
Still, a very, very good W and much needed.
I’d postulate that Klay’s inefficiency is bouyed by some sort of Kobe effect in that he’s taking a bunch of tough shots, but the defense is so drawn to him, that it’s still positive overall for the offense.
Hearing Booker left the game after playing only 4m because he reinjured his groin really makes me appreciate how the Warriors are taking care with Wiggins by holding him back…
Where the heck is THIS Dubs team while their evil doppelgangers are out stankifying road games?!
So I didn't watch the game, but I went over the highlights, then zoomed in on NBA.com and watched a few of Wiseman's plays over the night, including the one Joe posted.
He was phenomenal (for him - I know, it's a low bar) on defense tonight. I went through all his plays for the first quarter. For each and every defensive assignment, he seemed to know where he needed to be. 13 of the plays, he was pretty much exactly where he needed to be, either setting a good screen or correctly executing help defense. I counted 6 plays where he looked a bit lost, 5 of them on offense (he does need more reps with Poole - def a few crossed wires to end the quarter there). The only defensive play I think he messed up was the missed Aldama 3 in transition with 2:44 left. He needed to pick up Aldama in transition, and instead stayed in the paint. Thankfully Jerome ran cross-court to contest Aldama, he missed, and Wise battled Clarke to nab the board. I also watched the linked Joe tweet that highlights Wiseman's amazing defensive positioning during that play. Overall, Wise seemed to have a much better understanding of where he needed to be on help defense. He knew where to rotate, who to pick up (usually), how to drop and still contest, and when to box out.
I think I have a theory on his defensive development. I don't think he ever played in a real help-defense scheme until the Dubs his first year. Remember, he only played 3 games in college, so that's not enough time to learn it, and I doubt he needed to do anything but dominate via size and athleticism in high school. However, during his first year, the team threw him into the fire, and I'm sure he was too busy trying not to drown to learn much about how to correctly rotate. So, sure he's had months and months of working with Decky on film and a few weeks on the practice court, but that can only translate so far, and shifting the talk/practice theory to a viable NBA game speed defense meant he spent many minutes looking absolutely clueless on defense as his brain tried to process too much too fast. It looks like the G league stint has finally enabled him to get to the point where all the help positioning he's learned from Decky/Dray/Loon is finally starting to show up as better defensive positioning in game. I don't want to call it instinctive for him until it shows up in a few more games, but at least for this one game, J-Wise was moving and defending the way Kerr needs him to in order to win games.
There's obviously another gear or two on the defensive side. Firstly, it does need to become purely instinctive, and he's not there yet. When he can position more instinctively, then he can start processing more subtle things better, such as who the ballhandler is, his tendencies, how much to step out and challenge, handedness preference, etc. This will change him from an average/below average defender into a plus defender. Secondly, when all of that integrates, there will be a point at which he becomes a truly plus plus defender. When he's doing all of the above more instinctually, then he will be able to start anticipating plays, and with his athleticism, actually get far enough to disrupt them. That will be All-Defense Wiseman, if he ever gets there.
On the offensive side, he seemed to have a few more lapses, as at least twice, he was in a pick and roll or screen action with Poole and the two seemed wildly out of sync. There's obviously more to learn on this end as well. But as a whole, in his performance tonight, the good definitely outweighed the bad.
If he can just play as he did tonight, he's playable as a backup C in Kerr's offense this year. He'll probably be a net negative defender, with some mental lapses from time to time, but he won't be a black hole like he was early season. Single game +/- is noisy as hell, but it's certainly agreeing with this point: Wiseman at +8 in 8 minutes tonight!
Every so often, even a great team has a bad game when nobody seems to make the right decision. Tonight's Razzie award goes to the referee team. Bad doesn't even begin to describe it.
Man, I love Christmas.
The refs had Klay take FTs instead of Wiseman for some gawdawful reason, lol…
I had to watch the game on tape delay. Just finished. Man, I wish I was here with you guys for this one.
I just felt we were going to take this. Sure it was nice to slap Memphis around but this was more of a game to show the league we are not dead. That celebration after the game was pent up frustration from this season..
What was said so beautifully earlier “Keep Calm and Curry On.” Love it.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1607220100842815490?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
These next 7 home games will probably determine whether the Dubs can sneak out of the play-in or have to fight to make sure they get there. The West is starting to stratify, and this is probably the easiest stretch of the season. They also mark 50% of the way through the season. 5-2 should be the minimum benchmark of satisfying.
I know we're hoping for .500 play until Steph comes back but if we see more performances like tonight we might be in for a good surprise especially with Wiggins returning.
Nuggets beat the Suns 128-125 in overtime. Nuggets remain #1 in the West.