Many years ago, back when all of us writers were affiliated with Vox, there was a beloved feature called Warrior Wonder. It was a fun way to think about which player would get the game ball, if we were lucky enough to be the ones deciding who gets it. It died out eventually. Ironically it was Stephen Curry that really murdered the idea - he was just too good on too many nights so it sort of lost luster or something.
But here at DNHQ, we are nothing if not full of weird ideas. And thankfully, our own Ivan B was the guy on the other end of the design. So we are please to formally announce the return of Warrior Wonder.
With each post game (or most of them, anyways), we’ll include the author’s guess, as well as a poll. Then in our recap, we will revisit the award results and mock each other for being wrong about stuff.
Tonight’s Warrior Wonder goes out to Anthony Lamb. Golden State was out of gas. After a double overtime game, and another one that went down to a buzzer beater, this depleted roster is cooked. Lamb just played his 32nd of 50 allowable games and it was the game of his life! A new career-high 26 points, to go along with 8 rebounds and 4 steals. The Warriors have one open roster spot and will likely convert either Lamb or Ty Jerome to a full NBA contact at some point and Lamb has been making a strong case that one way or another, the Warriors should find a spot for him.
The other stuff from tonight wasn’t so great.
Klay Thompson was a late scratch. The team cited “left knee soreness” - his surgically repaired knee. This has been a big stretch without Curry and Wiggins and the team has been leaning heavily on everyone still standing. There’s a downside to being so experienced.
Kerr said in his post game that it flared up during warmups and that the training staff said “we’re going to keep him out because it was bothering him” and it’s “precautionary.” So that’s good news, I guess.
Andrew Wiggins came back and played 19 solid minutes; Andre Iguodala logged 12 in his first game of the season. One more game on Tuesday, and then a couple of days off and then maybe/hopefully the return of Stephen Curry.
Yeeeeiiiii on the Warrior WONDER, Duby. And, Lamb was killing it. Frankly, I want both, Lamb and Ty on a contract and into the playoffs. Don't ask me how, I am just a Dubs fan; it is BOB'S AND STEVE's jobs to figure that out....lol
Raptors beat the Blazers 117-105. Warriors move to #8 seed while the Blazers fall to #9.