ESPN Sources: Atlanta is hiring Golden State’s Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager. Saleh — who had been VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel with the Warriors — has worked closely with Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and previously with Spurs CEO RC Buford.
It would be nice to have some form of consistency next year from our main guys.
Draymond - Inconsistent availability
Wiggins and Klay - Inconsistent mindset (for different reasons)
When EVERYBODY was available they started to build a bit of rhythm. Unfortunately it was too late and the hole was too deep. If everybody is on the same page from day 1 next year I feel like we still have a shot even with less talent. This team in a year where they shot themselves in the foot with the crap that was happening still managed to win 46 games. I don't believe they're done. They just need to get their crap together, adjust to the new NBA and the reality of the big 3. Also getting bigger would help. No more 3 6"4 and under guard lineups.
[Pompey] Tobias Harris' tenure with the 76ers is expected to end once their postseason run concludes. Several NBA executives believe there’s a chance he’ll land with the Detroit Pistons in free agency.
Do people think we're making the playoffs next season?
This is the first offseason since 2012 where I don't think we'll be making the playoffs next season. I was wrong in 2012. Steph and Bogut recovered from injuries and the team went from 23 wins to 47 wins.
I was wrong again in 2019, I thought we'd make it with: Curry/Dlo/Green/Looney/WCS/Burks/Chriss/Paschall
...but Curry broke his hand 5 games in and that season was over.
I was wrong again in 2020, I thought we'd make it with: Curry/Oubre/Wiggins/Green/Looney/Wiseman/Poole/JTA
...but Wiseman, Oubre, and Poole underperformed, we never got Klay back, still finished 8th, but lost 2 play-in games to become the first 8th seed to not make the playoffs.
When Kerr talks about Moody not playing more because of some specific detail that Kerr thinks he doesn't do well enough, this is what I think of. I wanted Henry Abbott's TrueHoop article "Steph Curry Does Winning Things" because it talks about this situation in more detail but it is paywalled, however he points out that Zach Lowe briefly wrote about it so this is what I have. From like 2011, guess where Valanciunas is now and Aaron Gray is now:
> Valanciunas, of course, has been the chief focus of Toronto’s player development staff this season, and that has been another source of tension between the analytics team and the coaching staff. Valanciunas, like most rookies, misses rotations, overhelps, and commits other sins of positioning on defense. Coaches hate that stuff, and they’ve often nailed Valanciunas to the bench in crunch time in favor of Aaron Gray — a fundamentally sound player who lacks NBA athleticism.
> The numbers in large part disagree with that tactic, at least as it relates to Valanciunas’s defense. The Raptors’ defense has been better with Valanciunas on the floor. More importantly, the visualization data shows that Valanciunas is active and athletic enough to make up for all his defensive mistakes, Rucker and his team say.
> “With Jonas — yeah, he’s making mistakes,” Boyarsky says. “But who cares?”
> Casey said he hasn’t had deep discussions with the analytics team about Valanciunas, but Sterner has, and he agreed it’s sometimes a thorny issue of valuing culture over results. “You want your defense to be sound,” Sterner says. “Even though the production might be better, you still want [Valanciunas] doing the right thing.
Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors on their 2023/24 season!
I am sad with the disappointing ending… but want to recognize the improvement over last season’s W/L record , and +10 wins above .500.
The Kings played better in the play-in game. The Warriors somehow did not have the physical or mental skills necessary to beat them that night. The Ws looked their age (older, slower) and the Ks looked more energetic, more aggressive, taller, and shot better. Klay’s shooting, Steph’s turnovers, lack of perimeter defense to stop 3 point shooters, and general inconsistent play from most of the others made it a resounding defeat. They were in it at half and had chances early in the 3rd, but could not put it all together and ended up crashing out. I had hoped for a much better showing. It was not so fun to watch, but as a long time fan, I did until the end.
For me looking at this season it seemed the team never really had a clear focus or cohesion of roles and how best for everyone to play within the whole team.
At the start of the season, adding Chris Paul was an unknown dimension, Klay T. and Andrew W. started slowly offensively, Jon Kuminga was still unsure and trying to find his place, the rookies were playable but inexperienced. It looked like everyone was feeling their ways, including the coaches. Steph started out scoring well, and Draymond was Draymond and the team did well in the first several games, but then with a few losses, especially the close ones, it seemed like the uncertainty of roles and usage started to show. Draymond’s actions changed the dynamics, and his missing games necessitated lineup shuffles. Wiggins’s absences also furthered the inconsistent rotations. I thought Steve Kerr had a tough job to coordinate all of this and did well with Klay, Kevon, and Wiggins rotation adjustments and making minutes available for the rookies to develop their games.
All of this was then combined with Dejan Milosevic’s sudden shocking death at a team function where several player were present. Must have been horrific to experience individually and as a team. Then the subsequent schedule adjustments created additional challenges for coaches and especially players who rely on a certain rhythm and routine to push themselves physically and mentally to perform at peak levels with intense scrutiny and pressure.
To have put together a season that actually was better than last, when they had the 6th seed in the West playoffs, and finish with the best 10th place finish for any team in NBA history, I feel is a credit to everyone associated with the 2023/24 GS Warriors.
Lots to consider as fans, management, and players, go into the off season.
A lot of ‘what ifs’ and ‘if justs’ and ‘why nots’ and could haves/should haves etc. being thrown around as to be expected in these circumstances.
It will be interesting to see how things play out… but unfortunately not as much fun as watching Warriors basketball games . Make ’em look! It’s (still) a Great Time Out!
That game was really shocking no matter how I look at it for so many reasons.
On top of that their horrible record vs good teams the need for a major change is very evident to most. Due to all the reasons discussed frequently here, that change will be very challenging to pull off to produce a legitimate contender. Duh.
If they choose to stay with the trio and Klay signs I believe it will require the following.
Klay becomes the permanent 6th man with minutes based on how he is shooting each night.
Draymond is the 4 and his minutes are used wisely to save his body. He needs to build upon his 3 point shooting improvement this year, knock off this nonsense that he cannot be a legit, consistent 3 point threat and scorer. He needs to become a legit high volume 38 to 40 pct 3 point threat that has to be guarded.
Curry needs to have close to the freedom he had when they had KD. Teams cannot be allowed to do what Sac did without getting hurt by it.
Wiggins has to go. JK has to be one wing option to go with the Wiggins replacement.
Can they add an athletic point guard with some size and an athletic wing that is a 3/4 dependable scorer?
Looney as a backup 5. I believe he has the ability to score and shoot the ball if he focuses on it.
I believe he was a point guard in HS and he played outside at UCLA. Become a reliable mid range shooter and driver. He went to the hoops a bunch of times this year and showed he has the ability.
If Green and Looney can remake themselves then it makes a huge difference financially and on the court opening up more options to bring guys in. It is a big ask but feasible and greatly needed.
Or they somehow find an athletic 5 that can score and play defense. Either way Green has to remake his game and be a legit consistent scorer.
That’s my take and it will probably take some good fortune like they had with Otto Porter.
Just all my opinion and I might be nuts but their options are so slim their best hope might be some guys being able to remake themselves. If Brooke Lopez and similar players can do it…….
Doh, Johni Broome is not going into the Draft and is returning the Auburn. I was tracking that guy as the next Trayce Jackson-Davis. Tremendously productive college player that people think is the wrong shape for a pro. He was projected to drop to Warriors draft territory, but I guess that projection was enough to send him back to school.
Klay Thompson Accused in Bizarre Brick-Vandalism Spree
In a bizarre turn of events, NBA star Klay Thompson has been accused of vandalizing multiple houses with bricks in Sacramento. Authorities are investigating the claims after several individuals reported their houses being damaged, with windows shattered by bricks. Klay Thompson has not yet issued a statement regarding the accusations. The incidents have left the community shaken, but no injuries were reported. The motive behind the alleged vandalism remains unclear.
The whole article is a good read. Here are some highlights.
If this is the end, let it be known, they were the epitome of impressive.
If this is the end, let it be remembered their peak was seismic enough to reframe history and reconfigure landscapes. They were quality for any era, capable heroes and worthy villains. During their reign, the NBA salary cap doubled and team valuations tripled.
If this is the end, let it be recorded how their contributions extended beyond their own glories. They altered the geometry of basketball and adjusted the formula for success. They brought the best out of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden. They forced a league to adjust, raise its level, and even had a hand in pushing the defending champion Denver Nuggets, and possibly the Boston Celtics, to new heights. They shifted the focus from size to skill, and forced size to be skilled, paving the way for the engineering of a new generation of stars. Do an ancestry test on Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić and you’ll find traces of the Warriors dynasty in their DNA.
If this is the end, this is a much more respectable demise than what seemed imminent. Though impotent on this night in Golden 1 Center, their valiance was present. They didn’t implode. They weren’t eroded from within by drama. They weren’t carted off the court with an injury. They got beat, like they’ve beaten so many others, and took it on the chin.
If this is the end, basketball as a community shouldn’t be content with just dancing on the Warriors’ grave. Sure, fun must be had at Golden State’s expense. They’ve earned that, too. But, at some point, a nation of dancing pallbearers would be more appropriate. They should be honored by lovers of the game, respected for what they’ve accomplished.
Steve Kerr suggested there may be some significant changes coming with the offensive scheme: "We had a style mainly based on the offball movement of Steph...I have to take it on myself to help the players be put in better positions to make better decisions...I need to create a simpler format."
-States how most of the time the offense schemes were mainly based off the off-ball movement of Steph & Klay + Dray as the Point-Center
-Some of the offense is planned, some of it isn't. Turnovers usually happen as a result of the free-lance parts
-Current roster construction past couple years isn't built to withstand the mistakes while also not built to support the freelance stuff (which leads to the turnovers)
-Kerr acknowledges he has to put the players in "better positions to make better decisions"
-Used his time as in the Triangle Offense in the Bulls to explain - "What Phil used to tell us, 'We don't run the triangle for Michael & Scottie. We run it for the rest of you guys. To help you make decisions, to help simplify the game.' I'm not gonna run the Triangle"
-Gonna create a simpler format of offense
-Still gonna maintain some aspects of the motion offense moving forward, but acknowledges he needs to teach it better, simplify it better, and come up with better templates/schemes to help the players make better decisions
-States the better offense => better defense cause of how it's connected
New thread. https://open.substack.com/pub/dubnation/p/dnhq-rooting-guide-play-ins-chi-vs?r=3lm3s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
ESPN Sources: Atlanta is hiring Golden State’s Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager. Saleh — who had been VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel with the Warriors — has worked closely with Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and previously with Spurs CEO RC Buford.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1781397702053617923
It would be nice to have some form of consistency next year from our main guys.
Draymond - Inconsistent availability
Wiggins and Klay - Inconsistent mindset (for different reasons)
When EVERYBODY was available they started to build a bit of rhythm. Unfortunately it was too late and the hole was too deep. If everybody is on the same page from day 1 next year I feel like we still have a shot even with less talent. This team in a year where they shot themselves in the foot with the crap that was happening still managed to win 46 games. I don't believe they're done. They just need to get their crap together, adjust to the new NBA and the reality of the big 3. Also getting bigger would help. No more 3 6"4 and under guard lineups.
r/nba
2 hr. ago
Pyromania1983
76ers
[Pompey] Tobias Harris' tenure with the 76ers is expected to end once their postseason run concludes. Several NBA executives believe there’s a chance he’ll land with the Detroit Pistons in free agency.
Yeah Wiggins probably gone. Lol.
Go to nba
r/nba
10 hr. ago
supremeboxlogo12
Steph Curry on Wiggins: “it’s like that parent-child relationship. Not to say he is a child but to only ask him to do what he is capable of doing.”
"That message is for everybody -- it's just a little louder when it's a guy like Wiggs."
https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1c7n3sl/steph_curry_on_wiggins_its_like_that_parentchild/
Do people think we're making the playoffs next season?
This is the first offseason since 2012 where I don't think we'll be making the playoffs next season. I was wrong in 2012. Steph and Bogut recovered from injuries and the team went from 23 wins to 47 wins.
I was wrong again in 2019, I thought we'd make it with: Curry/Dlo/Green/Looney/WCS/Burks/Chriss/Paschall
...but Curry broke his hand 5 games in and that season was over.
I was wrong again in 2020, I thought we'd make it with: Curry/Oubre/Wiggins/Green/Looney/Wiseman/Poole/JTA
...but Wiseman, Oubre, and Poole underperformed, we never got Klay back, still finished 8th, but lost 2 play-in games to become the first 8th seed to not make the playoffs.
I hope I'm wrong this offseason 2024.
When Kerr talks about Moody not playing more because of some specific detail that Kerr thinks he doesn't do well enough, this is what I think of. I wanted Henry Abbott's TrueHoop article "Steph Curry Does Winning Things" because it talks about this situation in more detail but it is paywalled, however he points out that Zach Lowe briefly wrote about it so this is what I have. From like 2011, guess where Valanciunas is now and Aaron Gray is now:
> Valanciunas, of course, has been the chief focus of Toronto’s player development staff this season, and that has been another source of tension between the analytics team and the coaching staff. Valanciunas, like most rookies, misses rotations, overhelps, and commits other sins of positioning on defense. Coaches hate that stuff, and they’ve often nailed Valanciunas to the bench in crunch time in favor of Aaron Gray — a fundamentally sound player who lacks NBA athleticism.
> The numbers in large part disagree with that tactic, at least as it relates to Valanciunas’s defense. The Raptors’ defense has been better with Valanciunas on the floor. More importantly, the visualization data shows that Valanciunas is active and athletic enough to make up for all his defensive mistakes, Rucker and his team say.
> “With Jonas — yeah, he’s making mistakes,” Boyarsky says. “But who cares?”
> Casey said he hasn’t had deep discussions with the analytics team about Valanciunas, but Sterner has, and he agreed it’s sometimes a thorny issue of valuing culture over results. “You want your defense to be sound,” Sterner says. “Even though the production might be better, you still want [Valanciunas] doing the right thing.
https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/58751/gregg-popovich-builds-young-players
https://www.aba-liga.com/news/50935/the-dejan-milojevic-trophy-unveiled/
OK- I’m gonna write it:
Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors on their 2023/24 season!
I am sad with the disappointing ending… but want to recognize the improvement over last season’s W/L record , and +10 wins above .500.
The Kings played better in the play-in game. The Warriors somehow did not have the physical or mental skills necessary to beat them that night. The Ws looked their age (older, slower) and the Ks looked more energetic, more aggressive, taller, and shot better. Klay’s shooting, Steph’s turnovers, lack of perimeter defense to stop 3 point shooters, and general inconsistent play from most of the others made it a resounding defeat. They were in it at half and had chances early in the 3rd, but could not put it all together and ended up crashing out. I had hoped for a much better showing. It was not so fun to watch, but as a long time fan, I did until the end.
For me looking at this season it seemed the team never really had a clear focus or cohesion of roles and how best for everyone to play within the whole team.
At the start of the season, adding Chris Paul was an unknown dimension, Klay T. and Andrew W. started slowly offensively, Jon Kuminga was still unsure and trying to find his place, the rookies were playable but inexperienced. It looked like everyone was feeling their ways, including the coaches. Steph started out scoring well, and Draymond was Draymond and the team did well in the first several games, but then with a few losses, especially the close ones, it seemed like the uncertainty of roles and usage started to show. Draymond’s actions changed the dynamics, and his missing games necessitated lineup shuffles. Wiggins’s absences also furthered the inconsistent rotations. I thought Steve Kerr had a tough job to coordinate all of this and did well with Klay, Kevon, and Wiggins rotation adjustments and making minutes available for the rookies to develop their games.
All of this was then combined with Dejan Milosevic’s sudden shocking death at a team function where several player were present. Must have been horrific to experience individually and as a team. Then the subsequent schedule adjustments created additional challenges for coaches and especially players who rely on a certain rhythm and routine to push themselves physically and mentally to perform at peak levels with intense scrutiny and pressure.
To have put together a season that actually was better than last, when they had the 6th seed in the West playoffs, and finish with the best 10th place finish for any team in NBA history, I feel is a credit to everyone associated with the 2023/24 GS Warriors.
Lots to consider as fans, management, and players, go into the off season.
A lot of ‘what ifs’ and ‘if justs’ and ‘why nots’ and could haves/should haves etc. being thrown around as to be expected in these circumstances.
It will be interesting to see how things play out… but unfortunately not as much fun as watching Warriors basketball games . Make ’em look! It’s (still) a Great Time Out!
That game was really shocking no matter how I look at it for so many reasons.
On top of that their horrible record vs good teams the need for a major change is very evident to most. Due to all the reasons discussed frequently here, that change will be very challenging to pull off to produce a legitimate contender. Duh.
If they choose to stay with the trio and Klay signs I believe it will require the following.
Klay becomes the permanent 6th man with minutes based on how he is shooting each night.
Draymond is the 4 and his minutes are used wisely to save his body. He needs to build upon his 3 point shooting improvement this year, knock off this nonsense that he cannot be a legit, consistent 3 point threat and scorer. He needs to become a legit high volume 38 to 40 pct 3 point threat that has to be guarded.
Curry needs to have close to the freedom he had when they had KD. Teams cannot be allowed to do what Sac did without getting hurt by it.
Wiggins has to go. JK has to be one wing option to go with the Wiggins replacement.
Can they add an athletic point guard with some size and an athletic wing that is a 3/4 dependable scorer?
Looney as a backup 5. I believe he has the ability to score and shoot the ball if he focuses on it.
I believe he was a point guard in HS and he played outside at UCLA. Become a reliable mid range shooter and driver. He went to the hoops a bunch of times this year and showed he has the ability.
If Green and Looney can remake themselves then it makes a huge difference financially and on the court opening up more options to bring guys in. It is a big ask but feasible and greatly needed.
Or they somehow find an athletic 5 that can score and play defense. Either way Green has to remake his game and be a legit consistent scorer.
That’s my take and it will probably take some good fortune like they had with Otto Porter.
Just all my opinion and I might be nuts but their options are so slim their best hope might be some guys being able to remake themselves. If Brooke Lopez and similar players can do it…….
Doh, Johni Broome is not going into the Draft and is returning the Auburn. I was tracking that guy as the next Trayce Jackson-Davis. Tremendously productive college player that people think is the wrong shape for a pro. He was projected to drop to Warriors draft territory, but I guess that projection was enough to send him back to school.
https://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/klay-thompson-accused-brick-vandalism-spree-ai-19407952.php
From Grok, Twitter's News AI Bot:
Klay Thompson Accused in Bizarre Brick-Vandalism Spree
In a bizarre turn of events, NBA star Klay Thompson has been accused of vandalizing multiple houses with bricks in Sacramento. Authorities are investigating the claims after several individuals reported their houses being damaged, with windows shattered by bricks. Klay Thompson has not yet issued a statement regarding the accusations. The incidents have left the community shaken, but no injuries were reported. The motive behind the alleged vandalism remains unclear.
https://twitter.com/i/trending/1780463179388117057
I just looked up DeRozan's contract and found that he's going to be a free agent in the upcoming offseason. Who's going to take him?
MT’s tribute to the end of the dynasty in The Athletic:
https://theathletic.com/5423748/2024/04/17/warriors-dynasty-run-end-nba-game-changing/?source=thebounce_newsletter&campaign=9567249&userId=2283944
The whole article is a good read. Here are some highlights.
If this is the end, let it be known, they were the epitome of impressive.
If this is the end, let it be remembered their peak was seismic enough to reframe history and reconfigure landscapes. They were quality for any era, capable heroes and worthy villains. During their reign, the NBA salary cap doubled and team valuations tripled.
If this is the end, let it be recorded how their contributions extended beyond their own glories. They altered the geometry of basketball and adjusted the formula for success. They brought the best out of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden. They forced a league to adjust, raise its level, and even had a hand in pushing the defending champion Denver Nuggets, and possibly the Boston Celtics, to new heights. They shifted the focus from size to skill, and forced size to be skilled, paving the way for the engineering of a new generation of stars. Do an ancestry test on Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić and you’ll find traces of the Warriors dynasty in their DNA.
If this is the end, this is a much more respectable demise than what seemed imminent. Though impotent on this night in Golden 1 Center, their valiance was present. They didn’t implode. They weren’t eroded from within by drama. They weren’t carted off the court with an injury. They got beat, like they’ve beaten so many others, and took it on the chin.
If this is the end, basketball as a community shouldn’t be content with just dancing on the Warriors’ grave. Sure, fun must be had at Golden State’s expense. They’ve earned that, too. But, at some point, a nation of dancing pallbearers would be more appropriate. They should be honored by lovers of the game, respected for what they’ve accomplished.
If this is the end, it was indeed an epic run.
Not bad if he is still playing at his top level. Perfect match to go out with the trio.
Their options are slim.
https://old.reddit.com/r/warriors/comments/1c7fwow/steve_kerr_suggested_there_may_be_some/
Steve Kerr suggested there may be some significant changes coming with the offensive scheme: "We had a style mainly based on the offball movement of Steph...I have to take it on myself to help the players be put in better positions to make better decisions...I need to create a simpler format."
-States how most of the time the offense schemes were mainly based off the off-ball movement of Steph & Klay + Dray as the Point-Center
-Some of the offense is planned, some of it isn't. Turnovers usually happen as a result of the free-lance parts
-Current roster construction past couple years isn't built to withstand the mistakes while also not built to support the freelance stuff (which leads to the turnovers)
-Kerr acknowledges he has to put the players in "better positions to make better decisions"
-Used his time as in the Triangle Offense in the Bulls to explain - "What Phil used to tell us, 'We don't run the triangle for Michael & Scottie. We run it for the rest of you guys. To help you make decisions, to help simplify the game.' I'm not gonna run the Triangle"
-Gonna create a simpler format of offense
-Still gonna maintain some aspects of the motion offense moving forward, but acknowledges he needs to teach it better, simplify it better, and come up with better templates/schemes to help the players make better decisions
-States the better offense => better defense cause of how it's connected