Both teams have some great scorers and excellent defenders, but... holy hell, the passing ability on Team Lebron is insane. After Harden's cheat-code level 11.1 assists/game, the next highest APG on Team Durant is... Kyrie Irving (6.0)? Whereas Team Lebron has Doncic (9.0), Chris Paul (8.8), Jokic (8.6), Lillard (8.0), Lebron himself (7.8), Simmons (7.6), Curry (6.3), Sabonis (6.0), Giannis (5.9)... Honestly the teams feel real imbalanced. The Greek Freak thinks so too: https://streamable.com/q386bm
I have a feeling post-player Lebron is going to be a hell of a GM somewhere. Or, maybe Player-GM Lebron is only successful because he doesn't have to worry about the long-term consequences of paying bank for the best guys?
This Jim Barnett quote on Poole is awesome. Every time I see or hear JB, I'm filled by melancholy. It's a crime that he's not on the TV broadcasts anymore.
> "I'm anxious to see what Jordan Poole's role is going to be now that he came up with that game last night," Warriors radio analyst Jim Barnett said Friday morning on 95.7 The Game's "The Morning Roast" show. "They need scoring from people off the bench.
> "I watched him play last year -- a little indecisive, tried to make too many moves. What I saw last night is he makes a move and goes. There's no hesitation. Rather than jab step back, jab step back, jab step back -- I kept seeing him do that last year.
Mar 5, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
From the second he stepped on the court in preseason, Nico looked like he belonged. I was surprised to find out he's only 19. He's probably got one of the best feelings for the game on the team. Great at setting players up and doesn't force too much up for himself.
With Wiseman, I'm at a point where I have no expectations for this season. I don't think it's fair to him. Hadn't played in 1.5 yrs and only had 3 college games. He's probably gotten little 5 on 5 action in practice and even then it's not good enough. I really wish he went to the g league to get some reps in.
Mar 5, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Did anyone notice Wiseman actually successfully screen defenders throughout the game last night? It's weird, almost looked like a fluke because he was screening kind of like Gobert, just pushing guys as they went around him. But he made real contact on his screens, and several actually worked and got Poole and Nico a couple of good looks. It almost seems like he's screening differently with the young guys on the floor than he does with Steph?
Maybe "you can slip your screens like JTA" became "never make contact on a screen again" in his mind?
Honestly, Mannion showed me the most last night. He missed those runners but those were good shots that he will start making at a high percentage with more time. Looked good from deep and great on the defensive end. He flashed real potential here. I think the question mark over Wiseman grew marginally less pronounced in a not so good way, but highly marginally. To Kerr's point, it's just going to take time to see whether he can start to figure out his own game, think less and react more.
Poole looked fantastic but in ways that his flashes always have, in terms of shooting and finishing. I would like to see him play better defense and show better judgment on when and how to create his own shot or dish. He seems kind of to preset go versus no go unless he's completely wide open, which isn't going to happen much in that second unit. Might make sense to play him in Mulder's minutes with Steph and hopefully grow his experience to where he can start acting more as a primary playmaker. In the meantime, Mannion should get a longer look at backup PG. Maybe Wannamaker really needs a rest night or two early in the second half?
Eventually I'd like to see Nico run that 2nd unit. Poole should play more of the Lou Williams role, he can and will run the offense at times but his main job is to be the finisher. I think those two will be a very nice combo off the bench when the time comes. I just love how Nico can consistently get guys open shots pretty easily off of his drives.
It has so many Warrior connections, but the most is to see him grooming Wiseman in High School. I feel Penny did a great job getting this kid's head into the game and showing him how to work for everything. James will struggle, but I have no doubt he has the right people around him to succeed.
Mar 5, 2021Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
About the Moving On question... I thought the first half of the season together with the grand finale last night were fantastic, entertaining, and dramatic. It’s so much fun to watch the team rebuilding and the young players’ development. Admittedly, it’s difficult to set aside worrying about Curry and Green.
Blazers or Spurs would be my first choice but out of the teams in the top 4, I'd want to see the Suns in the first round. I think the Warriors could beat them. They are relying on a lot of playoff inexperienced guys, CP3 is going to be 36, Ayton might be able to bully Wiseman but he'd get bullied by Draymond, and generally I think the Warriors might be too fast for them.
Whoever makes the schedule insists on only seeing the matchup when the Warriors are on a grueling road back to back though, so I don't put any stock into these regular season matchups.
JB ripping on wiggins https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/jim-barnett-frustrated-warriors-andrew-wiggins-specific-area?amp
https://youtu.be/RhNCmAKZigM I absolutely hate that Wiggins is happy here. Just look at him in that video. Makes me not want to trade him
So how 'bout that all-star game?
Team Durant: Beal, Embiid, Kyrie, Kawhi, Tatum. (Booker, Harden, LaVine, Mitchell, Randle, Vucevic, Zion), *KD
Team Lebron: Lebron, Giannis, Curry, Doncic, Jokic. (Jaylen Brown, PG, Gobert, Lillard, Sabonis, Simmons, CP3), *AD
*KD and AD won't play because of injury.
Both teams have some great scorers and excellent defenders, but... holy hell, the passing ability on Team Lebron is insane. After Harden's cheat-code level 11.1 assists/game, the next highest APG on Team Durant is... Kyrie Irving (6.0)? Whereas Team Lebron has Doncic (9.0), Chris Paul (8.8), Jokic (8.6), Lillard (8.0), Lebron himself (7.8), Simmons (7.6), Curry (6.3), Sabonis (6.0), Giannis (5.9)... Honestly the teams feel real imbalanced. The Greek Freak thinks so too: https://streamable.com/q386bm
I have a feeling post-player Lebron is going to be a hell of a GM somewhere. Or, maybe Player-GM Lebron is only successful because he doesn't have to worry about the long-term consequences of paying bank for the best guys?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X6Jkc6iQ2c
How about my guy Jessup?! I know this is a highlight video but hot damn I'm impressed by his skillset.
This Jim Barnett quote on Poole is awesome. Every time I see or hear JB, I'm filled by melancholy. It's a crime that he's not on the TV broadcasts anymore.
> "I'm anxious to see what Jordan Poole's role is going to be now that he came up with that game last night," Warriors radio analyst Jim Barnett said Friday morning on 95.7 The Game's "The Morning Roast" show. "They need scoring from people off the bench.
> "I watched him play last year -- a little indecisive, tried to make too many moves. What I saw last night is he makes a move and goes. There's no hesitation. Rather than jab step back, jab step back, jab step back -- I kept seeing him do that last year.
From the second he stepped on the court in preseason, Nico looked like he belonged. I was surprised to find out he's only 19. He's probably got one of the best feelings for the game on the team. Great at setting players up and doesn't force too much up for himself.
With Wiseman, I'm at a point where I have no expectations for this season. I don't think it's fair to him. Hadn't played in 1.5 yrs and only had 3 college games. He's probably gotten little 5 on 5 action in practice and even then it's not good enough. I really wish he went to the g league to get some reps in.
Free Poole!
I would not mind Blake Griffin on this team one bit.
Did anyone notice Wiseman actually successfully screen defenders throughout the game last night? It's weird, almost looked like a fluke because he was screening kind of like Gobert, just pushing guys as they went around him. But he made real contact on his screens, and several actually worked and got Poole and Nico a couple of good looks. It almost seems like he's screening differently with the young guys on the floor than he does with Steph?
Maybe "you can slip your screens like JTA" became "never make contact on a screen again" in his mind?
Warriors stats so far:
Offense:
13 in points scored (113.4)
19 in points in paint (45.8)
6 in fastbreak points!!!!!!!!!! (14.7)
22 in offensive efficiency
17 in shooting % (46.3%)
14 in three point % (36.7%)
14 in two point % (53.3%)
29 in off. rebound % (17.7%)
28 in def. rebound % (76.2%)
28 in total rebound % (47.5%)
14 in opponent blocks (4.8)
14 in opponent steals (7.4)
1 in assists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (27.8)
24 in turnovers (14.8)
Defense:
22 in points allowed (112.9)
5 in opponent points in paint!!!!!!!!!!!! (44.4)
22 in opponent fastbreak points (13.2)
5 in defensive efficiency!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 in opponent shooting % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (44.3%)
17 in opponent three point % (37.1%)
1 in opponent two point % !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (49.1%)
11 in blocks (5.0)
11 in steals (8.0)
7 in opponent assists!!!!!!! (23.5)
4 in opponent turnovers!!!!!!!!!!!!! (15.8)
Honestly, Mannion showed me the most last night. He missed those runners but those were good shots that he will start making at a high percentage with more time. Looked good from deep and great on the defensive end. He flashed real potential here. I think the question mark over Wiseman grew marginally less pronounced in a not so good way, but highly marginally. To Kerr's point, it's just going to take time to see whether he can start to figure out his own game, think less and react more.
Poole looked fantastic but in ways that his flashes always have, in terms of shooting and finishing. I would like to see him play better defense and show better judgment on when and how to create his own shot or dish. He seems kind of to preset go versus no go unless he's completely wide open, which isn't going to happen much in that second unit. Might make sense to play him in Mulder's minutes with Steph and hopefully grow his experience to where he can start acting more as a primary playmaker. In the meantime, Mannion should get a longer look at backup PG. Maybe Wannamaker really needs a rest night or two early in the second half?
Eventually I'd like to see Nico run that 2nd unit. Poole should play more of the Lou Williams role, he can and will run the offense at times but his main job is to be the finisher. I think those two will be a very nice combo off the bench when the time comes. I just love how Nico can consistently get guys open shots pretty easily off of his drives.
Off Topic- but not really...
Has anyone watched the Documentary on Penny Hardaway?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPSkIvmIY1M
It has so many Warrior connections, but the most is to see him grooming Wiseman in High School. I feel Penny did a great job getting this kid's head into the game and showing him how to work for everything. James will struggle, but I have no doubt he has the right people around him to succeed.
WAIT! Hold on...
Daniel, did you update the header image so that it was Poole??
Top notch, sir!!
About the Moving On question... I thought the first half of the season together with the grand finale last night were fantastic, entertaining, and dramatic. It’s so much fun to watch the team rebuilding and the young players’ development. Admittedly, it’s difficult to set aside worrying about Curry and Green.
Blazers or Spurs would be my first choice but out of the teams in the top 4, I'd want to see the Suns in the first round. I think the Warriors could beat them. They are relying on a lot of playoff inexperienced guys, CP3 is going to be 36, Ayton might be able to bully Wiseman but he'd get bullied by Draymond, and generally I think the Warriors might be too fast for them.
Whoever makes the schedule insists on only seeing the matchup when the Warriors are on a grueling road back to back though, so I don't put any stock into these regular season matchups.