Hard to answer this question as I never stopped believing the Dubs were still the same team that made 5 finals in a row, even after KD left, Andre got traded, and S Dot retired. The end of last season though was a resounding proof for this core's ability to compete at the highest level if the team-building was right.
May 29, 2022·edited May 29, 2022Liked by Daniel Hardee
In a way, I always believed this 2021-22 team was a title contending squad. But with a caveat: as long as Klay came back and did at least 75% of the Klay things he used to do.
I felt, and still truly feel, like this team and the organization behind it truly didn’t care for maximizing last year. Because they knew that not having a max-salary player contribute a single second was going to sink any realistic chance of winning the title. And this team doesn’t do all-in moves (trades, cuts, personnel changes) just to get to the second round (like they would have maxed out at last year thanks to injuries and availability).
This organization hunts for titles. Nothing less. And if they believed this was going to be a more realistic and worthy year for this team to contend in than last year(injuries, etc.) who was I to bellyache about why they didn’t do everything in their power to maximize winning last year?
And the front office were proven right in the end. They have a young set of players worthy of a successful teardown/rebuild… only they DIDN’T tear it down, instead keeping almost all the key elements of the dynasty years. They are on position to be that rare/unique dynasty with a tomorrow team’s young future talent.
The sky is the limit, now and going forward. Most teams would kill for one or the other. Embrace and enjoy it, guys.
For me it was when they dominated the boards early in the year. We missed the playoffs in the season before because we were among the worst rebounding teams in the league last season, so when they fixed that problem in the best way possible, it was clear to me that championship contention was back on the menu. Then I lost that trust when Klay returned and was rubbish, fearing he'd tank the entire team trying to get his shot back, but regained it once he got somewhat back on form and played better in the team concept in the final closing games and in the opening round against Denver.
When they made the DLo - Wiggins trade; you could see Ohhhh, so they are going back to the template with a shiny Harrison Barnes 2.0! Couldn't see a viable contender with a ball dominant non-Steph point guard on the team, but clearly the FO knew what they were doing. I guess if you say Light Years, it's because you already had a plan 12 trillion miles ago...
When they beat Memphis at the end of the regular season last year and made the play-ins. You could see the growth around Curry and Green and knew they had a lot of winning left in them. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I took it for granted Klay would be Klay, Poole would be even better, and Wiggs would fit like a glove. I’ll admit that I thought Lee, JPA and Wiseman would be a greater part of the story - but I’m such a homer, I knew they’d go deep this year.
Klay’s first game back. Without him we were excellent, with him contenders. No one really knew how he’d play and although he struggled for a while, we had added an all-time great mid season and no one else had. Klay is still not his old self but some of these playoff moments have been Splash Bros Go Nuts and when that happens trophies get handed out. (Hi from Israel. )
Don't even put this thought into the universe Nick Young. Jordan Poole in a Laker's uniform makes me want to vomit. Also, I disagree with what he said that Poole is ready for his "own team". I mean, yeah he can easily be a leading scorer for an ehhhh team right now but I still think he's a year or two away from being a #1 on a playoff team.
I picked them to be the 3rd seed before the season started as I thought they could hang around .500 until Thompson and Wiseman got back and would then finish strong which ... is the pretty much the exact opposite of what happened.The Bulls game was probably the one that made me think the Warriors were going to have a deep playoff run as pretty much everybody in the media was on the Bulls bandwagon.
Game one. And as the season went along, the #lightyears masterplan became more evident. Disappointed by Steph's shooting slump and the injuries to Dray & Steph. But they were both able to come back and quickly get into the flow again. Klay's return makes me very happy. Now to get GPII and OPJ back for the finals. And peaking at the right time for four more Dub wins!!
Hard to answer this question as I never stopped believing the Dubs were still the same team that made 5 finals in a row, even after KD left, Andre got traded, and S Dot retired. The end of last season though was a resounding proof for this core's ability to compete at the highest level if the team-building was right.
When Eric broke down our shape shifting defense early in the season. This team was already clicking so early, it felt like something special.
New thread for the day and watching Game 7 at https://dubnationhq.com/p/dub-nation-hq-rooting-guide-eastern?sd=fs
lololol
https://mobile.twitter.com/DominickNBA/status/1530345311666724864
Not sure which is more amusing — that anyone would “aggressively pursue” DLo, or that “aggressive pursuit” consists of Kemba and Fournier.
Think the Wolves would consider an offer of Wiggins and Kuminga?
Now do one asking us when we knew the Lakers team this year was going to really suck!
In a way, I always believed this 2021-22 team was a title contending squad. But with a caveat: as long as Klay came back and did at least 75% of the Klay things he used to do.
I felt, and still truly feel, like this team and the organization behind it truly didn’t care for maximizing last year. Because they knew that not having a max-salary player contribute a single second was going to sink any realistic chance of winning the title. And this team doesn’t do all-in moves (trades, cuts, personnel changes) just to get to the second round (like they would have maxed out at last year thanks to injuries and availability).
This organization hunts for titles. Nothing less. And if they believed this was going to be a more realistic and worthy year for this team to contend in than last year(injuries, etc.) who was I to bellyache about why they didn’t do everything in their power to maximize winning last year?
And the front office were proven right in the end. They have a young set of players worthy of a successful teardown/rebuild… only they DIDN’T tear it down, instead keeping almost all the key elements of the dynasty years. They are on position to be that rare/unique dynasty with a tomorrow team’s young future talent.
The sky is the limit, now and going forward. Most teams would kill for one or the other. Embrace and enjoy it, guys.
For me it was when they dominated the boards early in the year. We missed the playoffs in the season before because we were among the worst rebounding teams in the league last season, so when they fixed that problem in the best way possible, it was clear to me that championship contention was back on the menu. Then I lost that trust when Klay returned and was rubbish, fearing he'd tank the entire team trying to get his shot back, but regained it once he got somewhat back on form and played better in the team concept in the final closing games and in the opening round against Denver.
When they made the DLo - Wiggins trade; you could see Ohhhh, so they are going back to the template with a shiny Harrison Barnes 2.0! Couldn't see a viable contender with a ball dominant non-Steph point guard on the team, but clearly the FO knew what they were doing. I guess if you say Light Years, it's because you already had a plan 12 trillion miles ago...
When they beat Memphis at the end of the regular season last year and made the play-ins. You could see the growth around Curry and Green and knew they had a lot of winning left in them. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I took it for granted Klay would be Klay, Poole would be even better, and Wiggs would fit like a glove. I’ll admit that I thought Lee, JPA and Wiseman would be a greater part of the story - but I’m such a homer, I knew they’d go deep this year.
Klay’s first game back. Without him we were excellent, with him contenders. No one really knew how he’d play and although he struggled for a while, we had added an all-time great mid season and no one else had. Klay is still not his old self but some of these playoff moments have been Splash Bros Go Nuts and when that happens trophies get handed out. (Hi from Israel. )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv0jvYMkvvE
Don't even put this thought into the universe Nick Young. Jordan Poole in a Laker's uniform makes me want to vomit. Also, I disagree with what he said that Poole is ready for his "own team". I mean, yeah he can easily be a leading scorer for an ehhhh team right now but I still think he's a year or two away from being a #1 on a playoff team.
I picked them to be the 3rd seed before the season started as I thought they could hang around .500 until Thompson and Wiseman got back and would then finish strong which ... is the pretty much the exact opposite of what happened.The Bulls game was probably the one that made me think the Warriors were going to have a deep playoff run as pretty much everybody in the media was on the Bulls bandwagon.
July 2016.
When Eric told me he loved me.
Game one. And as the season went along, the #lightyears masterplan became more evident. Disappointed by Steph's shooting slump and the injuries to Dray & Steph. But they were both able to come back and quickly get into the flow again. Klay's return makes me very happy. Now to get GPII and OPJ back for the finals. And peaking at the right time for four more Dub wins!!
For me, it was when they closed out last season so strong. “Give me that team, PLUS Klay? I’m in.”