How the Warriors have the 5th best Defense (points allowed) is crazy. If you factor in Wiseman's minutes, all the youth, all the new teammates trying to learn a completely different style of play, covid and all the injuries ... ???? You could say that this stat is more impressive than what Curry has done this year, because I am not surpised by anything Curry ever does. Anyone who questions Kerr as a coach (sideline nit picking aside) ought to consider this stat. Playing hard night in and night out in a compressed season, doing the dirty work, not phoning it in, fighting back from early deficits; these guys played even though they had more than a few reasons to slip the car into neutral and coast this season. For those who thinks Draymond needs to shoot more, there is another way to win games and that is limiting points on the other end. As the leader on that side of the ball, Green better get All First Team D. The overlooked Looney is the best defender in NBA History with a 3 inch vertical leap. Steph took it to a different level this year. He is absolutely a plus defender now. Wiggs? C'mon. Who saw THAT coming? Pesky Baze and JTA & Lee giving max effort? It's quite an accomplishment and it bodes well for next year. If we want to win another Chip, it starts on the defensive end and in my mind, based on what they did defensively, this was not a lost season.
Anyone seen a Toffy Machine like the one they have down at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk? Well, an NBA defense looks like the Toffy when Staph and Klay are on the court together: constantly being pulled in two directions, stretched and mixed up, and stretched out of position again. This is my best visual for the idea of Gravity and how Steph and Klay stretch an opposing defense. And if Steph and Klay are bringing the gravity, that would make Draymond Madre Freakin Copernicus! Dray understands better than anyone the motion of the planets, where they were, where they are, and where they are going to be in 2 seconds at all times on the court. Trading Draymond would be like wanting to have a better University faculty and trading Einstein. They are all 3 incredible talents in their own rights, but they are greater than the sum of their parts. When the 3 occupy the court at the same time, they break the game. And I think a lot of fans have forgotten that. Tell you who hasn't forgotten .... NBA head coaches. However this year ends, let's not forget that THE SHOW is coming back to town.
Well LolLAKERS didn't cooperate. Both UTAH and PHOENIX will come in hard-pressed for a win; the former to keep/grow its lead/closer to home court, and, the latter, desperately take its last shots at it. We need to get the first of the B2B, tonight, against UTAH. Nuff said.
I turned off the game dubs vs OKC after three quarters, but just watched the 27 three compilation in this article. While Steph was clearly on fire, it is kind of fun that Nico Mannion made the 25th (record breaking) three and Smiley hit the 27th and final (new set record set).
This is a tough crowd. I've watched and enjoyed almost all the games this year. Kerr wanted a top 10 defense and he got one. Curry showed his worth. Draymond showed his worth. Toscano-Anderson played above expectations. Wiggins was incredibly steady. Looney is Mr. Invisible Glue and Plus-Minus Champ. Bazemore was frequently frustrating, but he did a lot of good stuff too. Oubre had a tough time at the beginning of the season, but even then he played good D. Wiseman showed enough flashes to be intriguing for the very long term (3 - 5 years from now he should be excellent, if injuries don't tear him down).
Yet so many here were bitching and moaning and calling for Beale, because we of course need an inefficient, short ball-dominant guard who is going to take us hundreds of millions more into the Luxury Tax. Thank God Myers is GM and not these guys.
I'm looking forward to a good playoff run, the drafting a couple of solid players who will make a difference and the Return of Klay Thompson, Superstar. Really, he's going to be better than ever, in Playoff Game 6 Flamethrowing-60-points-on-14-dribbles mode.
Now, may Smailagic turn into Jokic over the summer, Mannion grow 3 inches and Poole continue to improve at the same rate as last year.
If Beal doesn't play the rest of the season, Steph would have to score 99 points in the final 4 games (24.75 ppg) to take the scoring title. Seems quite likely at this stage - he might be able to get that done in 3 games (or possibly even 2 if he explodes against the Jazz and Suns).
Glad they took care of business against OKC and love that Curry is in full scoring title or bust mode. Curious if they can split or better the two games against the top of the West.
Just imagine how good the Warrior defense would be if they had a legit rim protector behind Draymond. The Warriors have an elite set of defensive wings and Looney is great at playing switching defense but adding a Myles Turner type behind Draymond would put them in contention for the best defense in the league.
Definitely curious to see what happens with Indiana (and the Minny pick), they could be a prime trade partner with guys like Brogdon and Turner (and perhaps Warren) who would fit very well next to Curry and Draymond.
You know, if only the Warriors added one more sharpshooting wing and an athletic young big man, they'd have a complete team. Anyone know where we might find such players?
How the Warriors have the 5th best Defense (points allowed) is crazy. If you factor in Wiseman's minutes, all the youth, all the new teammates trying to learn a completely different style of play, covid and all the injuries ... ???? You could say that this stat is more impressive than what Curry has done this year, because I am not surpised by anything Curry ever does. Anyone who questions Kerr as a coach (sideline nit picking aside) ought to consider this stat. Playing hard night in and night out in a compressed season, doing the dirty work, not phoning it in, fighting back from early deficits; these guys played even though they had more than a few reasons to slip the car into neutral and coast this season. For those who thinks Draymond needs to shoot more, there is another way to win games and that is limiting points on the other end. As the leader on that side of the ball, Green better get All First Team D. The overlooked Looney is the best defender in NBA History with a 3 inch vertical leap. Steph took it to a different level this year. He is absolutely a plus defender now. Wiggs? C'mon. Who saw THAT coming? Pesky Baze and JTA & Lee giving max effort? It's quite an accomplishment and it bodes well for next year. If we want to win another Chip, it starts on the defensive end and in my mind, based on what they did defensively, this was not a lost season.
Is it still too early to talk about Scottie Barnes? Ok, I'll wait.
Anyone seen a Toffy Machine like the one they have down at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk? Well, an NBA defense looks like the Toffy when Staph and Klay are on the court together: constantly being pulled in two directions, stretched and mixed up, and stretched out of position again. This is my best visual for the idea of Gravity and how Steph and Klay stretch an opposing defense. And if Steph and Klay are bringing the gravity, that would make Draymond Madre Freakin Copernicus! Dray understands better than anyone the motion of the planets, where they were, where they are, and where they are going to be in 2 seconds at all times on the court. Trading Draymond would be like wanting to have a better University faculty and trading Einstein. They are all 3 incredible talents in their own rights, but they are greater than the sum of their parts. When the 3 occupy the court at the same time, they break the game. And I think a lot of fans have forgotten that. Tell you who hasn't forgotten .... NBA head coaches. However this year ends, let's not forget that THE SHOW is coming back to town.
Kevin O'Connor's (TheRinger) awards ballot (not quite final): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/5/10/22428481/nba-awards-mvp-nikola-jokic-joel-embiid. Seems pretty reasonable.
Well LolLAKERS didn't cooperate. Both UTAH and PHOENIX will come in hard-pressed for a win; the former to keep/grow its lead/closer to home court, and, the latter, desperately take its last shots at it. We need to get the first of the B2B, tonight, against UTAH. Nuff said.
Conley and Mitchell out tomorrow. We might be able to steal this one. Did Warriors practice toda
I turned off the game dubs vs OKC after three quarters, but just watched the 27 three compilation in this article. While Steph was clearly on fire, it is kind of fun that Nico Mannion made the 25th (record breaking) three and Smiley hit the 27th and final (new set record set).
Lakers taking it to the Suns right now, up 16
This is a tough crowd. I've watched and enjoyed almost all the games this year. Kerr wanted a top 10 defense and he got one. Curry showed his worth. Draymond showed his worth. Toscano-Anderson played above expectations. Wiggins was incredibly steady. Looney is Mr. Invisible Glue and Plus-Minus Champ. Bazemore was frequently frustrating, but he did a lot of good stuff too. Oubre had a tough time at the beginning of the season, but even then he played good D. Wiseman showed enough flashes to be intriguing for the very long term (3 - 5 years from now he should be excellent, if injuries don't tear him down).
Yet so many here were bitching and moaning and calling for Beale, because we of course need an inefficient, short ball-dominant guard who is going to take us hundreds of millions more into the Luxury Tax. Thank God Myers is GM and not these guys.
I'm looking forward to a good playoff run, the drafting a couple of solid players who will make a difference and the Return of Klay Thompson, Superstar. Really, he's going to be better than ever, in Playoff Game 6 Flamethrowing-60-points-on-14-dribbles mode.
Now, may Smailagic turn into Jokic over the summer, Mannion grow 3 inches and Poole continue to improve at the same rate as last year.
Excellent article again, Daniel!!
If Beal doesn't play the rest of the season, Steph would have to score 99 points in the final 4 games (24.75 ppg) to take the scoring title. Seems quite likely at this stage - he might be able to get that done in 3 games (or possibly even 2 if he explodes against the Jazz and Suns).
TWolves are leading by 43 points over the Magic with seven minutes left in the third....
Glad they took care of business against OKC and love that Curry is in full scoring title or bust mode. Curious if they can split or better the two games against the top of the West.
Just imagine how good the Warrior defense would be if they had a legit rim protector behind Draymond. The Warriors have an elite set of defensive wings and Looney is great at playing switching defense but adding a Myles Turner type behind Draymond would put them in contention for the best defense in the league.
Definitely curious to see what happens with Indiana (and the Minny pick), they could be a prime trade partner with guys like Brogdon and Turner (and perhaps Warren) who would fit very well next to Curry and Draymond.
You know, if only the Warriors added one more sharpshooting wing and an athletic young big man, they'd have a complete team. Anyone know where we might find such players?
Here's some food for thought for the "what have you done for me lately?" crowd:
- Probable starting center hurt, misses the entire season
- All-star shooting guard hurt, misses the entire season
- Developing center hurt, misses the end of the season
- Developing power forward hurt, misses half the season
- Well-regarded shooting guard obtained to short up lineup, misses the tail end of the season
- Light-em-up (sometimes) shooting guard out with Covid after being vaccinated
But still, yeah, Bob sucks, it's Bob's fault. From people who have no idea what constraints he's operating under from his management.