A dreary box score belies a spirited effort from a Golden State team that has a lotta fight in them despite not having a lot of firepower with Curry and Butler sidelined with injury.
Kristaps Porzingis is now out with a general illness this afternoon for Warriors vs Nuggets. Played 17 minutes in debut, practiced last couple days and plan had been to slightly bump his minutes.
Lest anyone think the Rockets’ lack of a credible PG is a minor issue, they were up 4 with the ball and under two minutes left tonight and did this on their next five possessions…
1. KD lost ball turnover (Alvarado steals)
2. Sengun bad pass turnover (Alvarado steals)
3. KD out of bounds lost ball turnover
4. KD offensive foul turnover
5. KD misses shot, Eason O-reb, Jabari Smith misses shot, KAT rebound
Suns win over Magic in double OT on a Jalen Green three pointer at the buzzer. Suns had the game in hand on the previous possession with 5 seconds left and a three-point lead. Jevon Carter was unable to initially launch a three for the Magic and threw the ball into the post to DaSilva who was guarded by Gillespie. Instead of Gillespie grabbing DaSilva for two FTs with 4 seconds left, he just stood there while Grayson Allen fell asleep and let Carter relocate into the corner where he received a pass from DaSilva and made a game-tying three with 1.1 seconds left. Suns extremely lucky to avoid a painful loss.
DaSilva, who is from Germany, shares his Portuguese surname with another well known German: Nobel Prize winning author Thomas Mann, whose mother’s maiden name was also DaSilva. (No relation, evidently, though one of Mann’s most famous novels was, of course, The Magic Mountain, and Tristan did end up getting drafted by the Magic… Somebody should tell him he must never, ever travel to Venice.)
Tristan played Basketball here in Munich, same team as my son. Until the age of 14 if I remember correctly. Only one of them made it to the NBA though. 🤷♀️.
Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks has sustained a broken left hand and will be sidelined, sources tell ESPN. Doctors will meet to determine a timetable. Brooks is a key part to the playoff-contending Suns, averaging 21+ points and 3+ rebounds this season. Difficult injury blow.
Wanted to share this hot take. Jordan Poole is a manufactured star. He has a one-dimensional scorer's skillset, but it was Kerr's system that elevated him to a star status (and 100+M contract). If you analyze Poole's skillset = He's just an average 3pt shooter. But he has elite north-south footspeed, elite handles (if he gets away with carries), elite foul merchant ability because he isn't afraid of contact, very good short game (uses his flexibility to contort and creatively use the glass to finish, or use floaters), but doesn't play defense.
There are players that have this similar skillset - Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams, Jaden Hardy, Brandon Williams, etc.
In the 2022 season, I remember Steph missing weeks (not sure how many games). But the Warriors kept afloat by slotting JP in Steph's spot so everyone could continue to play their roles. Nobody really had to suddenly change their game because they could run the same plays they ran for Steph. Loon and Dray set screens and re-screens for Poole and egged him on to keep shooting. Miss 5 in a row? We'll set more screens for you! Keep shooting or attacking! Having this kind of green light with 100% support of your teammates is incredibly empowering. Jordan Poole took full advantage of this, and in return, his teammates benefited because they could focus on their roles and not have to worry about having to change their game.
I mention this because - with Steph getting older, missing more games, and needing more load management - I think the FO should try to find a "Jordan Poole" type of player. I mentioned names like Jordan Clarkson or Jaden Hardy. But I'm sure there are other one-dimensional scorers with similar skillsets out there that can be signed for a bargain. It does take a certain type of player -- someone who will happily volume-shoot with no conscience - to excel in this role. I feel that JP's role as Steph's understudy was the role that FO never really filled since the 2022 championship.
Not saying Jordan Poole can replicate Steph's efficiency in Kerr's system. But he can somewhat keep the system going if Steph is out by being a scoring threat to bend the defense and create open looks for shooters. I imagine that Jordan Clarkson can easily average 20 with Dray setting screens for him and yelling at him to keep attacking. Clarkson also has elite north-south footspeed and isn't afraid to get to the rim. Hardy has displayed this similar skillset as well.
It's just deflating that - with Steph out for possibly 5 to 10 games or more, there's no backup plan and it feels like the 2020-2021 season again.
That guy was available. Nobody really wanted him so he got waived. Then Milwaukee picked him up, and he's averaging 19pts in 20 mins over 4 games. Cam Thomas
I'd have liked him on the Warriors if we had Butler. Our team would have been aiming for the championship then with the Tingis Pingis trade and grabbing Thomas would have been a very useful personnel addition chemistry issues/lack of defense warts and all.
However, with Butler gone, I'd much rather prioritize youth development and his signing would take away minutes from Podz/Richards.
Agreed, the only issue is that those guys are bad fits next to Steph. See what happened with Schroder.
A vet like Clarkson or Sexton could work as a spot starter but maybe even a DNP when Steph plays. Young guys won't take that role. Vets might get unhappy too.
This player should never play next to Steph. It's when Steph is out. But when Steph is healthy, this scorer can play in the 2nd unit and run the same system. It allows Steph to play less minutes and reduce wear and tear. Like... if it's a Jordan Clarkson, Kerr could play Steph 28 minutes and Clarkson 20 minutes.
Sexton is a good one for this role. A one-dimensional explosive combo-guard scorer. Dennis isn't a fit for this role as he's more of a 2-way point guard /game manager. Dennis doesn't have a volume scorer mentality.
The issue with those guys playing in the second unit is that most of them are so awful defensively that without a Draymond to clean up their mistakes it becomes harder and harder to play them. Because even on offense they are so much worse than Steph it won't offset that.
It only works if your second unit is really really good, but if that's true, you probably don't need them. And as pointed out elsewhere, once Jimmy is back, they will definitely be out of the regular rotation.
But it worked in 2022 though. So much that when Steph was healthy, he offered to come off the bench in the first round of the playoffs.
The problem now is there's no identity on offense. When Steph is the system, and there's no Steph, it looks like we're as lost as Sacramento. Moses, Will, Gui, Podz, Gp2, Al, Dray, Mel, QP -- are all meant to be complimentary players for Steph. There's a tiny chance KP could create offense consistently, but he's not always available.
2022 was a clear aberration. Poole can't even get minutes on the Pelicans.
I agree with your premise, I think Clarkson would be a good flier. I just don't think that player is necessary when Steph plays, even in the 2nd unit. It's necessary when Steph sits.
This is where my "manufactured star" theory comes into play. Poole was great for the Dubs, but disappointing for the Wizards and the Pels. It's because Kerr's system elevated Poole. Imagine a system where a great screener and passer like Dray or Loon sets endless screens for you and looks to pass you the ball. And encourages you to shoot. You give them the ball, and they want to give it back to you. They're not even looking to shoot. They want you to shoot. For a one-dimensional scorer (chucker), that gives you crazy confidence to try everything in your bag.
Kerr's system elevated Poole. It could also elevate someone like Clarkson or Jaden Hardy. Or Sexton.
Next season, Steph will be 38. Jimmy out until Feb 2027. Dubs need to really lower Steph's mileage and preserve him for the playoffs. Today's win was awesome. But not sure if it is sustainable.
in general a good idea, but if we have JB and KP then the 2nd unit will play very differently and that kind of player will only be useful in games where Steph doesn't play. Hard to sell that.
But we won't have Jimmy until after all-star break next season though. And KP's durability is very suspect. He probably needs to be load-managed like Otto in 2022 if we even re-sign him. We'll be relying on Steph again the first 50 games next season. And he'll be 38.
Yeah Ry has a good amateur pedigree and is a talented guy, I think he's actually a lot better than Barrios on his best night but on his bad nights he is pretty bad. The Ry that lost to Rolly probably also loses to the Barrios he whooped on tonight. Just a real mercurial guy
Of course the NBA starts talking about flattening the lottery odds right at the moment when a Warriors rebuild becomes visible on the horizon (slash, when their future picks have become highly desirable as trade assets on the basis of their presumed value under the current rules) 🙄
He’s being really good about it and being about the team. Some good insights from coach, including talking about when your skills start to diminish and you can’t do what you once did…or can only do it occasionally.
The Warriors with KP but without Curry and Butler are good enough to pull off the occasional upset and should beat the tanking teams. I don't know if that is enough to make the playin but it should at least be entertaining.
It will be very difficult to fall out of the playin.
I think it is realistic to even be in the 7-8 bracket given Kawhi's health(he departed the game in the 4th q last game with what looked like a gimpy knee).
There are enough tanking teams that it will by default be enough to make the play in. The question is only if they can be 8 or 9, or if they'll fall all the way to 10
My personal preference would be 7 or 8. If you win one game, you get the second seed and you try for the upset with all hands other than Butler on deck.
But if all (other) hands are not on deck and/or the seed is 9 or 10, I would rather lose and pray for lottery luck.
well, published late, and still missed the Porzingis news
https://dubnationhq.com/p/lunch-and-the-warriors-matinee-game
Kristaps Porzingis is now out with a general illness this afternoon for Warriors vs Nuggets. Played 17 minutes in debut, practiced last couple days and plan had been to slightly bump his minutes.
@anthonyVslater
This will probably be life with KP, he played 1/4 Hawks games. Don't expect more.
Hope the youngsters shots fall to at least make it worth watching.
Might as well rest him as the Warriors chances in tonight's game are somewhere between slim and none regardless of whether or not he plays.
I wish this were a joke. It would almost be funny.
I’m shocked
Warriors faced the team with the #2 offense in the league. Now they get to face the team with the #1 offense in the league.
160 incoming or what?
Nuggets stats:
6 in net rating!!!!!!!!!!!
Offense:
1 in points scored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (120.9)
17 in points in paint (48.7)
19 in fastbreak points (14.7)
1 in offensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 in shooting % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (49.6%)
1 in three point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (39.6%)
7 in two point % !!!!!!!! (56.3%)
24 in off. rebound % (23.6%)
15 in def. rebound % (74.1%)
10 in total rebound % ! (51.3%)
9 in opponent blocks!!! (4.6)
5 in opponent steals!!!!!!!!!!! (7.7)
9 in assists!!! (28.2)
3 in turnovers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (12.8)
Defense:
17 in points allowed (116.1)
12 in opponent points in paint (49.8)
15 in opponent fastbreak points (15.2)
22 in defensive efficiency
13 in opponent shooting % (46.7%)
8 in opponent three point % !!!!!! (34.9%)
18 in opponent two point % (55.1%)
27 in blocks (4.1)
29 in steals (7.0)
12 in opponent assists (26.6)
30 in opponent turnovers (12.0)
Never in doubt! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
Early game today. 12:30pm tip-off.
Lest anyone think the Rockets’ lack of a credible PG is a minor issue, they were up 4 with the ball and under two minutes left tonight and did this on their next five possessions…
1. KD lost ball turnover (Alvarado steals)
2. Sengun bad pass turnover (Alvarado steals)
3. KD out of bounds lost ball turnover
4. KD offensive foul turnover
5. KD misses shot, Eason O-reb, Jabari Smith misses shot, KAT rebound
Knicks win. 😊
Sorry, but KD’s turnovers aren’t the problem. Just ask him.
Shoutout to Alvarado
Suns win over Magic in double OT on a Jalen Green three pointer at the buzzer. Suns had the game in hand on the previous possession with 5 seconds left and a three-point lead. Jevon Carter was unable to initially launch a three for the Magic and threw the ball into the post to DaSilva who was guarded by Gillespie. Instead of Gillespie grabbing DaSilva for two FTs with 4 seconds left, he just stood there while Grayson Allen fell asleep and let Carter relocate into the corner where he received a pass from DaSilva and made a game-tying three with 1.1 seconds left. Suns extremely lucky to avoid a painful loss.
Random fact I learned from Wikipedia:
DaSilva, who is from Germany, shares his Portuguese surname with another well known German: Nobel Prize winning author Thomas Mann, whose mother’s maiden name was also DaSilva. (No relation, evidently, though one of Mann’s most famous novels was, of course, The Magic Mountain, and Tristan did end up getting drafted by the Magic… Somebody should tell him he must never, ever travel to Venice.)
😆
Tristan played Basketball here in Munich, same team as my son. Until the age of 14 if I remember correctly. Only one of them made it to the NBA though. 🤷♀️.
is it wrong that I am hoping that he did it punching the stanchion or maybe the scorer's table?
Shams Charania
Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks has sustained a broken left hand and will be sidelined, sources tell ESPN. Doctors will meet to determine a timetable. Brooks is a key part to the playoff-contending Suns, averaging 21+ points and 3+ rebounds this season. Difficult injury blow.
The left hand eh? Which of GP2's arms did he break? What do they say about karma again??
It would be more payback if someone did that sideways swipe to him. It's a move he's doing now to hit people in the hand after a three point shot.
That's the dirtiest habitual move I've seen since Karl Malone bringing up his knee when somebody tried to take a charge on him.
Karma is a dish best served cold, I think
That saying is that revenge is a dish best served cold. But karma works.
Well I don't think it's revenge because it wasn't GP2 who injured him. But if it's karma from 2022 that's still pretty cold
I feel nothing at all
Full disclosure...I read it as Devin Booker until after I posted. Lol.
Dilvon Brookser
Wanted to share this hot take. Jordan Poole is a manufactured star. He has a one-dimensional scorer's skillset, but it was Kerr's system that elevated him to a star status (and 100+M contract). If you analyze Poole's skillset = He's just an average 3pt shooter. But he has elite north-south footspeed, elite handles (if he gets away with carries), elite foul merchant ability because he isn't afraid of contact, very good short game (uses his flexibility to contort and creatively use the glass to finish, or use floaters), but doesn't play defense.
There are players that have this similar skillset - Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams, Jaden Hardy, Brandon Williams, etc.
In the 2022 season, I remember Steph missing weeks (not sure how many games). But the Warriors kept afloat by slotting JP in Steph's spot so everyone could continue to play their roles. Nobody really had to suddenly change their game because they could run the same plays they ran for Steph. Loon and Dray set screens and re-screens for Poole and egged him on to keep shooting. Miss 5 in a row? We'll set more screens for you! Keep shooting or attacking! Having this kind of green light with 100% support of your teammates is incredibly empowering. Jordan Poole took full advantage of this, and in return, his teammates benefited because they could focus on their roles and not have to worry about having to change their game.
I mention this because - with Steph getting older, missing more games, and needing more load management - I think the FO should try to find a "Jordan Poole" type of player. I mentioned names like Jordan Clarkson or Jaden Hardy. But I'm sure there are other one-dimensional scorers with similar skillsets out there that can be signed for a bargain. It does take a certain type of player -- someone who will happily volume-shoot with no conscience - to excel in this role. I feel that JP's role as Steph's understudy was the role that FO never really filled since the 2022 championship.
Not saying Jordan Poole can replicate Steph's efficiency in Kerr's system. But he can somewhat keep the system going if Steph is out by being a scoring threat to bend the defense and create open looks for shooters. I imagine that Jordan Clarkson can easily average 20 with Dray setting screens for him and yelling at him to keep attacking. Clarkson also has elite north-south footspeed and isn't afraid to get to the rim. Hardy has displayed this similar skillset as well.
It's just deflating that - with Steph out for possibly 5 to 10 games or more, there's no backup plan and it feels like the 2020-2021 season again.
That guy was available. Nobody really wanted him so he got waived. Then Milwaukee picked him up, and he's averaging 19pts in 20 mins over 4 games. Cam Thomas
Intense team chemistry issues and feuding with the coach with BRK, so that would have been a massive risk
Yeah...iirc he's down at the very bottom for the entire league, defensively. That'd drive me nuts.
I'd have liked him on the Warriors if we had Butler. Our team would have been aiming for the championship then with the Tingis Pingis trade and grabbing Thomas would have been a very useful personnel addition chemistry issues/lack of defense warts and all.
However, with Butler gone, I'd much rather prioritize youth development and his signing would take away minutes from Podz/Richards.
Yes - I was hoping MDJ would look into Cam Thomas. He fits that volume scorer role.
Agreed, the only issue is that those guys are bad fits next to Steph. See what happened with Schroder.
A vet like Clarkson or Sexton could work as a spot starter but maybe even a DNP when Steph plays. Young guys won't take that role. Vets might get unhappy too.
This player should never play next to Steph. It's when Steph is out. But when Steph is healthy, this scorer can play in the 2nd unit and run the same system. It allows Steph to play less minutes and reduce wear and tear. Like... if it's a Jordan Clarkson, Kerr could play Steph 28 minutes and Clarkson 20 minutes.
Sexton is a good one for this role. A one-dimensional explosive combo-guard scorer. Dennis isn't a fit for this role as he's more of a 2-way point guard /game manager. Dennis doesn't have a volume scorer mentality.
The issue with those guys playing in the second unit is that most of them are so awful defensively that without a Draymond to clean up their mistakes it becomes harder and harder to play them. Because even on offense they are so much worse than Steph it won't offset that.
It only works if your second unit is really really good, but if that's true, you probably don't need them. And as pointed out elsewhere, once Jimmy is back, they will definitely be out of the regular rotation.
But it worked in 2022 though. So much that when Steph was healthy, he offered to come off the bench in the first round of the playoffs.
The problem now is there's no identity on offense. When Steph is the system, and there's no Steph, it looks like we're as lost as Sacramento. Moses, Will, Gui, Podz, Gp2, Al, Dray, Mel, QP -- are all meant to be complimentary players for Steph. There's a tiny chance KP could create offense consistently, but he's not always available.
2022 was a clear aberration. Poole can't even get minutes on the Pelicans.
I agree with your premise, I think Clarkson would be a good flier. I just don't think that player is necessary when Steph plays, even in the 2nd unit. It's necessary when Steph sits.
This is where my "manufactured star" theory comes into play. Poole was great for the Dubs, but disappointing for the Wizards and the Pels. It's because Kerr's system elevated Poole. Imagine a system where a great screener and passer like Dray or Loon sets endless screens for you and looks to pass you the ball. And encourages you to shoot. You give them the ball, and they want to give it back to you. They're not even looking to shoot. They want you to shoot. For a one-dimensional scorer (chucker), that gives you crazy confidence to try everything in your bag.
Kerr's system elevated Poole. It could also elevate someone like Clarkson or Jaden Hardy. Or Sexton.
Next season, Steph will be 38. Jimmy out until Feb 2027. Dubs need to really lower Steph's mileage and preserve him for the playoffs. Today's win was awesome. But not sure if it is sustainable.
Gui, GP2, Will, Al. Seems like they could surround him some defenders in the 2nd unit.
in general a good idea, but if we have JB and KP then the 2nd unit will play very differently and that kind of player will only be useful in games where Steph doesn't play. Hard to sell that.
But we won't have Jimmy until after all-star break next season though. And KP's durability is very suspect. He probably needs to be load-managed like Otto in 2022 if we even re-sign him. We'll be relying on Steph again the first 50 games next season. And he'll be 38.
True but if we keep both of them we won't have $$ for a player like poole anyway. guess we'll see what the roster looks like in october.
Just found out that Clarkson signed with the Knicks for vet minimum or close to it. Wow. I thought he signed for 8 or 10M.
Nothing remarkable about the injury report. Porz is probable. GL guys (Cryer, Leons, Williams) are out for GL.
Glad to see KD finally embrace his full villain role he so desperately sought out to portray on Txitter.
Is he fully embracing it by firing his editorial team? I didn't see him acknowledge the burner texts
Man so bummed about Hitchins dropping out of his fight with Oscar Duarte. Wad
Looking forward to thay fight more than King Rys
Yeah I know what you're saying, I had that one circled too. I think Ry probably beats Barrios though if he can bring his A game for once
Good call. I was leaning Barrios then I had RG once I saw Barrios coughing up a storm during weigh in
Yeah Ry has a good amateur pedigree and is a talented guy, I think he's actually a lot better than Barrios on his best night but on his bad nights he is pretty bad. The Ry that lost to Rolly probably also loses to the Barrios he whooped on tonight. Just a real mercurial guy
That hook speed is elite. Perhaps 1 of 1. Everything else? Not so much
I didn’t watch the game but based on the comments and scoreboard, Green was a no show. Maybe, Post could have played some of his minutes?
Of course the NBA starts talking about flattening the lottery odds right at the moment when a Warriors rebuild becomes visible on the horizon (slash, when their future picks have become highly desirable as trade assets on the basis of their presumed value under the current rules) 🙄
Dont worry about our situation. This is all about getting the lakers a top pick.
Kerr on 95.7 regarding Draymond being on the bench: https://youtu.be/2EwqrM8w6L0?si=fHan1kBZ3XKGqIN9
He’s being really good about it and being about the team. Some good insights from coach, including talking about when your skills start to diminish and you can’t do what you once did…or can only do it occasionally.
The Warriors with KP but without Curry and Butler are good enough to pull off the occasional upset and should beat the tanking teams. I don't know if that is enough to make the playin but it should at least be entertaining.
It will be very difficult to fall out of the playin.
I think it is realistic to even be in the 7-8 bracket given Kawhi's health(he departed the game in the 4th q last game with what looked like a gimpy knee).
There are enough tanking teams that it will by default be enough to make the play in. The question is only if they can be 8 or 9, or if they'll fall all the way to 10
My personal preference would be 7 or 8. If you win one game, you get the second seed and you try for the upset with all hands other than Butler on deck.
But if all (other) hands are not on deck and/or the seed is 9 or 10, I would rather lose and pray for lottery luck.
Agreed