I think I’ve unlocked the equation that separates the good Warriors from the mixed bag we see now. (This argument ignores Looney, Poole and Wiseman as been a constant “in, in and out” all season):
The Warriors are build around their four handsomely-paid “key guys”; Steph, Klay, Draymond and Wiggins. During the start to the season, they were missing one key guy (Klay) but all the other key guys were playing well and they ran roughshod over team. So they established they can miss a key guy and still beat anyone as long as the other key guys played well.
Since then, they’ve been missing at least one key guy AND have had at least one key guy struggle. And that’s what they haven’t been able to overcome:
Chapter 1. - Klay’s out, other key guys play well
Chapter 2. Klay’s out, Steph’s slump around the 3-point record causes sputtering
Chapter 3. Draymond’s out, Klay’s back but plays poorly, Wiggins starts pot-ASG funk
Chapter 4. Steph’s out, Klay looks shaky but better, but Draymond plays poorly and Wiggins’ funk continues
They’ve essentially been a .500 team since the early run. Based on this look, getting Steph back (and playing well) is huge, but to be “good”, we need one of Draymond, Klay or Wiggins to be the really good version of themselves. For a title run, we probably need 2 of the 3 to play really well.
We’ve seen Draymond get in shape quickly after Covid and know he has a higher gear for big games, so he seems like a good bet to play well if he’s not hampered by the injury.
We’ve seen Klay’s lateral quickness slowly returning and his shot selection has improved, but he’s streakier than ever and hopefully gets more consistent.
With Wiggins, I don’t have a clue why he’s so passive and disengaged. Does he needs Draymond out there telling him what to do?
Beyond the four keys, the collective health of OPJ, GP2, Iggy and Bjelly will be something to watch, but is really secondary to the above.
I'm excited to see the suns play. After hearing how well oiled their machine is, but them getting minimal airtime, I'm ready to see this hidden gem in action. Also ready to see the Warriors make a statement if they have anything to say with their play.
Upbeat take, D^3. I agree that the Dubs have a puncher's chance here, but it feels like the odds are very long. Everything has to fall just right. Other teams look like they're in the groove. Maybe that will be shown to have been peaking early. But while I love the Ws, I just can't see them coming together in time to make a serious run in the playoffs.
I would LOVE to be here eating crow in a couple of months, repenting for my lack of faith.
I think that the implosion of Andrew Wiggins is one of the big factors in the Warriors' shift in fortunes. He's the only one of the four guys making big bucks who hasn't taken big hits from Father Time, and that's helped him stay healthy all season. Efficient, aggressive Wiggins makes the Warriors so much better. This second half version just isn't getting it done.
Aside from Green, GPII and Andre missed a lot of games at the same time and OPJ played pretty good defense early on but has been minutes limited as well as missing quite a few games in the cold spell. Finally, Curry is a much better defender than he gets credit for. The defensive woes turn into offensive woes as well as they lose the transition buckets that they usually get before the defense is set.
Mar 30, 2022Liked by Eric Apricot, punk basketball
OT: Have a baby coming on Saturday. We don't know gender yet. We have a girl name picked out but are having a harder time with boy names. I need good, solid suggestions. I know you all won't let me down. Ready... go!
GT scheduled for 6 - if you can, help move the chat over when you see it please and thank you!
I'm like 85% sure we are going to win tonight
https://twitter.com/jpabasketball/status/1509196974830104582
Randle wants out? Sure
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yb4sco2t
https://sports.yahoo.com/andrew-wiggins-vows-come-warriors-191612623.html "Andrew Wiggins vows to come through when warriors need him most" no need to wait! start coming through now!
I think I’ve unlocked the equation that separates the good Warriors from the mixed bag we see now. (This argument ignores Looney, Poole and Wiseman as been a constant “in, in and out” all season):
The Warriors are build around their four handsomely-paid “key guys”; Steph, Klay, Draymond and Wiggins. During the start to the season, they were missing one key guy (Klay) but all the other key guys were playing well and they ran roughshod over team. So they established they can miss a key guy and still beat anyone as long as the other key guys played well.
Since then, they’ve been missing at least one key guy AND have had at least one key guy struggle. And that’s what they haven’t been able to overcome:
Chapter 1. - Klay’s out, other key guys play well
Chapter 2. Klay’s out, Steph’s slump around the 3-point record causes sputtering
Chapter 3. Draymond’s out, Klay’s back but plays poorly, Wiggins starts pot-ASG funk
Chapter 4. Steph’s out, Klay looks shaky but better, but Draymond plays poorly and Wiggins’ funk continues
They’ve essentially been a .500 team since the early run. Based on this look, getting Steph back (and playing well) is huge, but to be “good”, we need one of Draymond, Klay or Wiggins to be the really good version of themselves. For a title run, we probably need 2 of the 3 to play really well.
We’ve seen Draymond get in shape quickly after Covid and know he has a higher gear for big games, so he seems like a good bet to play well if he’s not hampered by the injury.
We’ve seen Klay’s lateral quickness slowly returning and his shot selection has improved, but he’s streakier than ever and hopefully gets more consistent.
With Wiggins, I don’t have a clue why he’s so passive and disengaged. Does he needs Draymond out there telling him what to do?
Beyond the four keys, the collective health of OPJ, GP2, Iggy and Bjelly will be something to watch, but is really secondary to the above.
Through
NBA Championships
Warriors 6
Suns 0
I’ll cling to this as they’re beating the crap out of us tonight…
Interesting Ringer article on JP and how he fits/enhances the warriors system. A lot of positive stuff we will see when the whole crew reassembles.
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/3/30/23002662/jordan-poole-stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors
I just feel like we got this game tonight.
Suns stats:
Offense:
3 in points scored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (115.3)
4 in points in paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (49.4)
15 in fastbreak points (12.5)
2 in offensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 in shooting % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (48.8%)
4 in three point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (37.0%)
4 in two point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (55.3%)
19 in off. rebound % (22.3%)
14 in def. rebound % (77.1%)
14 in total rebound % (50.0%)
2 in opponent blocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (3.9)
17 in opponent steals (7.5)
4 in assists!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (26.9)
7 in turnovers!!!!!!!! (12.9)
Defense:
8 in points allowed!!!!!! (106.9)
7 in opponent points in paint!!!!!!!! (45.1)
7 in opponent fastbreak points!!!!!!!! (11.4)
3 in defensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 in opponent shooting % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (44.3%)
3 in opponent three point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (33.8%)
3 in opponent two point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (51.0%)
21 in blocks (4.5)
6 in steals!!!!!!!!!! (8.5)
2 in opponent assists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (22.6)
7 in opponent turnovers!!!!!!!! (14.6)
I'm excited to see the suns play. After hearing how well oiled their machine is, but them getting minimal airtime, I'm ready to see this hidden gem in action. Also ready to see the Warriors make a statement if they have anything to say with their play.
Upbeat take, D^3. I agree that the Dubs have a puncher's chance here, but it feels like the odds are very long. Everything has to fall just right. Other teams look like they're in the groove. Maybe that will be shown to have been peaking early. But while I love the Ws, I just can't see them coming together in time to make a serious run in the playoffs.
I would LOVE to be here eating crow in a couple of months, repenting for my lack of faith.
I think that the implosion of Andrew Wiggins is one of the big factors in the Warriors' shift in fortunes. He's the only one of the four guys making big bucks who hasn't taken big hits from Father Time, and that's helped him stay healthy all season. Efficient, aggressive Wiggins makes the Warriors so much better. This second half version just isn't getting it done.
Aside from Green, GPII and Andre missed a lot of games at the same time and OPJ played pretty good defense early on but has been minutes limited as well as missing quite a few games in the cold spell. Finally, Curry is a much better defender than he gets credit for. The defensive woes turn into offensive woes as well as they lose the transition buckets that they usually get before the defense is set.
OT: Have a baby coming on Saturday. We don't know gender yet. We have a girl name picked out but are having a harder time with boy names. I need good, solid suggestions. I know you all won't let me down. Ready... go!