The Golden State Warriors’ 12-39 record places them deep down in the cellar of the NBA, but they are heating up like a basement furnace.
Let’s get into their entertaining 125-117 victory over the hapless Washington Generals, oops, I mean Wizards.
A game for the analytics crowd
In the modern NBA, the computers have shown us that preferred, high value shots are three-pointers, free throws, and shots at the rim. The Warriors checked off those boxes last night in a major way against the Wizards’ impotent defense.
Take a look at the shot chart of their first quarter, 40-point barrage that let the Wiz know they weren’t gonna ease on down the road.
The Dubs were a red hot 15-of-30 from beyond the three-point arc and nailed 24-of-31 attempts from the free throw line. This was particularly impressive considering they did it without the services of the Splash Bros and scoring genius D’Angelo Russell.
Warriors win two straight road games for first time this season
One of the reasons the Warriors record looks so terrible is their horrendous road record (although they’ve been terrible at Chase Center too). They are a league worst 5-22 away from home, a jarring departure from the road Warriors they became during the dynasty. Per Basketball-Reference, Golden State led the league in road wins between the 2015 and 2019 seasons by a comfortable margin.
But in the month of February, the Warriors are starting to recapture that road magic. They secured their first back-to-back road wins of the season in victories over Cleveland and Washington. Check out this EXTREMELY SMALL sample size of brilliant stats the Dubs have put up during their those wins
Last night’s scoring binge was a team effort with six Dubs scoring in double-figures. They were led by reserve Alec Burks (30 points on 9-of-17 shooting, 5-of-10 from downtown) and starter Glenn Robinson III (22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 2-of-4 from deep).
With the trade deadline looming in two days, there’s a strong chance that both of those guys could be moved to a contender thirsty for a helpful piece. It’s bittersweet watching those guys ball out knowing full well that each bucket they score is only making them look more appealing to other GM’s.
Speaking of trades, former-Spur-turned-Wizard Davis Bertrans was lasering in three-pointers all night. If there’s ever a time in the near future that the Dubs can get their hands on him, COUNT ME IN.
And last but not least, let’s give a toast to Washington guard Bradley Beal. 43 points on 15-of-30 shooting from the field, with 6 assists, and the only positive plus/minus amongst his starting teammates.
Who knows? Maybe a few years down the road Beal will recognize he needs to join up as a sixth man with a proven winner and becomes assimilated into the Golden Empire. It’s worked for others…
Soo...@warriorsworld just posted a cryptic but negative reaction on Twitter and they definitely have sources. Makes me think the Warriors just made a move and clearly it was not a move that @warriorsworld approved of.
Hope it's not Russell for Wiggins. They also posted a picture of Dunleavy getting kicked in the face so maybe it is draft-related but it was a big reaction so I'm thinking the Russell trade might have happened.
Houston Rockets best writer just added Looney’s name to the mix — which on paper makes a lot of sense (i.e., forget what Kerr said about “foundational piece”). Here’s our ongoing Twitter thread of roster moves throughout the season: https://twitter.com/letsgowarriors/status/1224792900208332803?s=21
If the Warriors legitimately trade for Andrew Wiggins, then I don't think Curry ever wins another championship. Honestly, that's like the worst trade proposal I've seen so far.
To me there are probly only 20ish dudes in the league that would make sense to trade DLO for, which would be the top 10 players at the 3 or 5 (to play alongside with steph/klay/dray). Maybe an exception for 2 legit vets that least one of whom can start. Getting more assets would only be to get the same thing in return and I've gotta think a 23 yr old scoring machine is a better trade asset than anything but an insane number of picks. Plus unless we're getting top-tier talent, might be worth sticking out and seeing what a few months of Steph DLo and Klay at the 3 looks like. Selfishly I wanna see the new-look SBDS of Steph-Dlo-Klay-Paschal-Dray (swap out Paschal for Loon if you want).
I'm very grateful that the front office doesn't want to get rid of DLo, an ascendant young player having his best season, for picks in a weak draft. That's the definition of a losing trade. Will be very happy when Thursday deadline rolls around and Dlo is still on the team.
"ESPN Sources: Minnesota orchestrating three-team trade talks with Houston and Atlanta -- with hopes of ultimately turning discussions into a four-way deal that brings Golden State G D'Angelo Russell to Timberwolves."
" Robert Covington to Houston, center Clint Capela to the Hawks and potentially two first-round picks and an expiring contract to Minnesota, league sources said."
Again, idk what the Warriors want with a ton of picks in a weak draft... seems better to hold on to DLo, right?
hahah, sometimes I really love reading about this team - such a wild change of doing nothing but writing about a team destined to win over the past decade or so.
"One of the reasons the Warriors record looks so terrible is their horrendous road record (although they’ve been terrible at Chase Center too)."
Soo...@warriorsworld just posted a cryptic but negative reaction on Twitter and they definitely have sources. Makes me think the Warriors just made a move and clearly it was not a move that @warriorsworld approved of.
https://twitter.com/warriorsworld/status/1224821064540119040
Hope it's not Russell for Wiggins. They also posted a picture of Dunleavy getting kicked in the face so maybe it is draft-related but it was a big reaction so I'm thinking the Russell trade might have happened.
Yo, this Slater article is full of good Looney updates
https://theathletic.com/1581292/2020/02/04/kevon-looney-discusses-his-future-with-the-warriors-you-get-paid-and-you-want-to-prove-your-worth/
I'll snag lots out of their for tomorrow's preview, but it is well worth a read
Houston Rockets best writer just added Looney’s name to the mix — which on paper makes a lot of sense (i.e., forget what Kerr said about “foundational piece”). Here’s our ongoing Twitter thread of roster moves throughout the season: https://twitter.com/letsgowarriors/status/1224792900208332803?s=21
If the Warriors legitimately trade for Andrew Wiggins, then I don't think Curry ever wins another championship. Honestly, that's like the worst trade proposal I've seen so far.
To me there are probly only 20ish dudes in the league that would make sense to trade DLO for, which would be the top 10 players at the 3 or 5 (to play alongside with steph/klay/dray). Maybe an exception for 2 legit vets that least one of whom can start. Getting more assets would only be to get the same thing in return and I've gotta think a 23 yr old scoring machine is a better trade asset than anything but an insane number of picks. Plus unless we're getting top-tier talent, might be worth sticking out and seeing what a few months of Steph DLo and Klay at the 3 looks like. Selfishly I wanna see the new-look SBDS of Steph-Dlo-Klay-Paschal-Dray (swap out Paschal for Loon if you want).
Nice night for Burks last night. Time is right to move him for a 2nd rounder.
I'm very grateful that the front office doesn't want to get rid of DLo, an ascendant young player having his best season, for picks in a weak draft. That's the definition of a losing trade. Will be very happy when Thursday deadline rolls around and Dlo is still on the team.
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
"ESPN Sources: Minnesota orchestrating three-team trade talks with Houston and Atlanta -- with hopes of ultimately turning discussions into a four-way deal that brings Golden State G D'Angelo Russell to Timberwolves."
" Robert Covington to Houston, center Clint Capela to the Hawks and potentially two first-round picks and an expiring contract to Minnesota, league sources said."
Again, idk what the Warriors want with a ton of picks in a weak draft... seems better to hold on to DLo, right?
It'd suck for Iguodala if he got bought out by the Grizzlies on March 2nd, but...it'd be pretty good for the Warriors lol
Friend of the program, Patrick Murray just wrote a pretty great position piece on why the Warriors are probably not going to trade DLo now.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmurray/2020/02/04/5-reasons-why-the-golden-state-warriors-probably-wont-trade-dangelo-russell-at-the-nba-trade-deadline/#540784896b53
Game highlights thread: https://twitter.com/letsgowarriors/status/1224487251381555204?s=21
So we already said no to two first round picks for D'Lo?
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/nba-rumors-warriors-nixed-timberwolves-dangelo-russell-trade-offer?fbclid=IwAR3020mZtKk3yxl3lkERxt8fHSYKbSt1Z4JQSFc-3t7FInL3hIQ7r6Mu3sw
hahah, sometimes I really love reading about this team - such a wild change of doing nothing but writing about a team destined to win over the past decade or so.
"One of the reasons the Warriors record looks so terrible is their horrendous road record (although they’ve been terrible at Chase Center too)."
-GoldBlooded