Yo, Wise was great last night. Some early fouls, but playing that well against Nurk is real enough, even though no Dame or anybody tough to get switched onto. Seems like he’s getting more comfortable by the game.
Oct 12, 2022·edited Oct 12, 2022Liked by punk basketball
Wrote this on another board where the fans seemed to be laboring under the impression that the Dray decision was taken with no input from Poole:
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Per Kerr, Poole was the ultimate arbiter. He and Dray apparently got together and worked things out. Kerr said yesterday that the decision was going to be left to the players, which we can presume means principally JP with input from the elder statesman: Steph, Looney, Iguodala.
Loon in particular has apparently stepped up big in the crisis, being both super close with JP (who idolized him as a fellow Milwaukee prep stud, three years his senior) and an official member of the OG. Even with Dray returning, I think he’s effectively stepped into Dray’s role among the team’s core emotional leaders, with Steph and Andre. While he presumably signed off on Dray’s return, he also said it’s gonna take time for him to win back the players’ trust.
Personally: while I’m still pissed at Dray to the point where I basically want him gone (if not right now, at a date TBD, like Tommy in Goodfellas) I have no issue with the Warriors’ process of leaving it up to the players. And either way, I don’t think an arbitrary X game suspension coming down from on high (as happened with the Dray-KD dustup) really changes anything. Dray lost the respect he had among his teammates — who to a man rushed to JP’s side, notwithstanding the initial, sleazy Haynes report to the contrary — and among NBA players in general; and I don’t think he’s ever gonna win it back completely. Let him stew in that knowledge while he’s yapping at the refs with his teammates rolling their eyes behind him, or while he’s trying to negotiate his extension with his leverage lost.
Rollins is further along defensively than one might have expected, coming from a mid-major school and without being cleared to play until September. He doesn't mess up much on-ball or off-ball, and his length really plays. I'm not sure he's really gambled at all, but still gotten something like 5+ deflections + steals this game, including a couple deflections with his feet to stop passes to otherwise open rollers. I think he's still feeling things out on offense, but things somehow seem to run smoothly when he's handling the ball. That's a good sign. He also mixes it up in the paint a bit when it comes to rebounds.
I still like Quinones. He can shoot, he's solid on defense for a rookie, has made some nice passes within the flow of the offense, and he likes to gamble a bit off-ball but he's done a pretty decent job of not getting burned when he does. Between the 3-and-D skillset, his seemingly joyous locker room presence, and maybe a little more room to grow in terms of playmaking if things break right, I think they should absolutely keep him. But we'll see.
Anthony Lamb and Pat Spencer are really, really intriguing. I continue to be really hesitant about Lamb because of the reports that he faced sexual assault allegations while in college (I haven't looked it up at all because I'm not sure I want to know more yet), and knowing very very well how borderline impossible it is for any alleged perpetrator to face any consequences for sexual assault on campus, the fact that he didn't seem to face legal charges, or suspensions or whatnot from the university, doesn't necessarily mean much. He's played phenomenally well though - really really good on defense, on the boards, on offense while playing within the system, et cetera. He hit a couple 3's as well. If he plays like that in camp consistently as well as on the court in preseason games, I'm not sure if they can justify not keeping him somehow.
Spencer is great. I like his shot, his defense, how well he fits within the offensive system and keeps the ball moving crisply. The finishing inside was a surprise - not that he had bounce, I knew that, but he hit a lot of reverse layups and the like with confidence. No finishing adventures, so to speak. If it comes down to him and Lamb, I think they might have to choose Lamb given what he brings defensively, but I hope they're able to keep Spencer in Santa Cruz. I think if they do we'll see him playing for the Dubs at some point during the season to fill out minutes during the dog days of the season.
Regarding the interview to Kerr yesterday after the match with Portland, when he communicated the decisions of Dubs FO and Team, about D. matter, I have only two or three things to say:
- If they weren't capable of doing what is impossible to me (i.e. rebuilding a good vibe where it was destroyed), I wouldn't be spending every odd night awake to watch them.
- I will never forget the image of JP that after the incident stays one hour more in the gym to work on his shooting. You will be Jordan Poole "Splashes in the dark" to me from now on.
- Draymond, look at these kids. You want to promise yourself to catch the bullet for them, because they are already strong, one day not far away they will be capable to raze the NBA, and they will need true leaders.
I brought my ice cream game up to playoff level tonight. Tonight's starters & end of the bench guys deserved it for the effort they gave tonight. Lots of good things tonight on the offense.
Well, if Jordan Poole and the players had a strong say in deciding Draymond’s punishment and are at peace with it, as was reported, then I’m okay with it.
For me, last years chip was unexpected (kudos to some of you who had this pegged early). Me personally I don’t see any young cat on this roster who screams the next Curry or Draymond but some nice complementary pieces. I mention this because while last year was a pleasant Surprise I desperately want the chip this year. I just feel that Klay and drays contract situation gonna loom heavy over the team and the young guys are gonna be up for extensions. I don’t think we’re keeping everyone together. Just can’t pay them so I’m ok with kicking the can on the whole Draymond situation this year. Just has the feels of a special season prior to the punch. This is how I felt in 15-16.
The team has made a decision based on self interest rather than the ultimate interest in Green's mental health. What could we really expect? It reminds of many police incidents of brutality that get marginalized and not really dealt with. Society needs to change but it begins with individuals.
I was really looking forward to seeing JMG start in place of Draymond. He had a great game and shows what he is really capable of. Very pleased with the game today. Great showing by the bench. Lots of hustle and playmaking.
In cases you missed it, here’s the clip Kerr talking about Looney. I can’t recall hearing him give anyone higher praise: https://twitter.com/nbcswarriors/status/1580066614677995520?s=21&t=bI32jaStrD1IKPZSp0nP9w
Hoops Tonight on Dray/Poole, Warriors/Lakers, and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuZSJkzK6Dg
Yo, Wise was great last night. Some early fouls, but playing that well against Nurk is real enough, even though no Dame or anybody tough to get switched onto. Seems like he’s getting more comfortable by the game.
Wrote this on another board where the fans seemed to be laboring under the impression that the Dray decision was taken with no input from Poole:
====
Per Kerr, Poole was the ultimate arbiter. He and Dray apparently got together and worked things out. Kerr said yesterday that the decision was going to be left to the players, which we can presume means principally JP with input from the elder statesman: Steph, Looney, Iguodala.
Loon in particular has apparently stepped up big in the crisis, being both super close with JP (who idolized him as a fellow Milwaukee prep stud, three years his senior) and an official member of the OG. Even with Dray returning, I think he’s effectively stepped into Dray’s role among the team’s core emotional leaders, with Steph and Andre. While he presumably signed off on Dray’s return, he also said it’s gonna take time for him to win back the players’ trust.
Personally: while I’m still pissed at Dray to the point where I basically want him gone (if not right now, at a date TBD, like Tommy in Goodfellas) I have no issue with the Warriors’ process of leaving it up to the players. And either way, I don’t think an arbitrary X game suspension coming down from on high (as happened with the Dray-KD dustup) really changes anything. Dray lost the respect he had among his teammates — who to a man rushed to JP’s side, notwithstanding the initial, sleazy Haynes report to the contrary — and among NBA players in general; and I don’t think he’s ever gonna win it back completely. Let him stew in that knowledge while he’s yapping at the refs with his teammates rolling their eyes behind him, or while he’s trying to negotiate his extension with his leverage lost.
Rollins is further along defensively than one might have expected, coming from a mid-major school and without being cleared to play until September. He doesn't mess up much on-ball or off-ball, and his length really plays. I'm not sure he's really gambled at all, but still gotten something like 5+ deflections + steals this game, including a couple deflections with his feet to stop passes to otherwise open rollers. I think he's still feeling things out on offense, but things somehow seem to run smoothly when he's handling the ball. That's a good sign. He also mixes it up in the paint a bit when it comes to rebounds.
I still like Quinones. He can shoot, he's solid on defense for a rookie, has made some nice passes within the flow of the offense, and he likes to gamble a bit off-ball but he's done a pretty decent job of not getting burned when he does. Between the 3-and-D skillset, his seemingly joyous locker room presence, and maybe a little more room to grow in terms of playmaking if things break right, I think they should absolutely keep him. But we'll see.
Anthony Lamb and Pat Spencer are really, really intriguing. I continue to be really hesitant about Lamb because of the reports that he faced sexual assault allegations while in college (I haven't looked it up at all because I'm not sure I want to know more yet), and knowing very very well how borderline impossible it is for any alleged perpetrator to face any consequences for sexual assault on campus, the fact that he didn't seem to face legal charges, or suspensions or whatnot from the university, doesn't necessarily mean much. He's played phenomenally well though - really really good on defense, on the boards, on offense while playing within the system, et cetera. He hit a couple 3's as well. If he plays like that in camp consistently as well as on the court in preseason games, I'm not sure if they can justify not keeping him somehow.
Spencer is great. I like his shot, his defense, how well he fits within the offensive system and keeps the ball moving crisply. The finishing inside was a surprise - not that he had bounce, I knew that, but he hit a lot of reverse layups and the like with confidence. No finishing adventures, so to speak. If it comes down to him and Lamb, I think they might have to choose Lamb given what he brings defensively, but I hope they're able to keep Spencer in Santa Cruz. I think if they do we'll see him playing for the Dubs at some point during the season to fill out minutes during the dog days of the season.
Regarding the interview to Kerr yesterday after the match with Portland, when he communicated the decisions of Dubs FO and Team, about D. matter, I have only two or three things to say:
- If they weren't capable of doing what is impossible to me (i.e. rebuilding a good vibe where it was destroyed), I wouldn't be spending every odd night awake to watch them.
- I will never forget the image of JP that after the incident stays one hour more in the gym to work on his shooting. You will be Jordan Poole "Splashes in the dark" to me from now on.
- Draymond, look at these kids. You want to promise yourself to catch the bullet for them, because they are already strong, one day not far away they will be capable to raze the NBA, and they will need true leaders.
Let's build up strong and win it all, Dubs.
S.
I brought my ice cream game up to playoff level tonight. Tonight's starters & end of the bench guys deserved it for the effort they gave tonight. Lots of good things tonight on the offense.
Poole seems to be a bigger man than all the cancel culture people who want Draymond suspended.
Moody is a 3 and D only role player prospect, they said.
Well, if Jordan Poole and the players had a strong say in deciding Draymond’s punishment and are at peace with it, as was reported, then I’m okay with it.
Just tuning into the game now, but LOVED the highlights. I wish the Ws could field a 2nd team; I'd watch and root for these guys. They were great!
For me, last years chip was unexpected (kudos to some of you who had this pegged early). Me personally I don’t see any young cat on this roster who screams the next Curry or Draymond but some nice complementary pieces. I mention this because while last year was a pleasant Surprise I desperately want the chip this year. I just feel that Klay and drays contract situation gonna loom heavy over the team and the young guys are gonna be up for extensions. I don’t think we’re keeping everyone together. Just can’t pay them so I’m ok with kicking the can on the whole Draymond situation this year. Just has the feels of a special season prior to the punch. This is how I felt in 15-16.
gonna work on finding the clip, but Kerr called Loon "the moral compass of the team" & "a special human being"
MANAGEMENT WHITEWASHES THE GREEN/POOLE INCIDENT
The team has made a decision based on self interest rather than the ultimate interest in Green's mental health. What could we really expect? It reminds of many police incidents of brutality that get marginalized and not really dealt with. Society needs to change but it begins with individuals.
I was really looking forward to seeing JMG start in place of Draymond. He had a great game and shows what he is really capable of. Very pleased with the game today. Great showing by the bench. Lots of hustle and playmaking.
That was an IMMENSELY enjoyable preseason game.
DNP: Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, Green, Looney, Iguodala. 😂