The Coast is Clear (Warriors 117, Raptors 106)
Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson are smart players. So smart, in fact, that Nelson has often given them credit as “on the floor” coaches. The role, however, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. While Davis and Jax can call plays, give pep talks, and switch up defensive assignments, their coaching powers are limited in one significant way: they can’t take themselves off the court. Faced night-in / night-out with 40+ minutes, it has become clear over the course of the season that the two captains do the next best thing: they coast. Wednesday night against the Raptors, the Warriors came out cutting, running, and gunning in the first quarter. They then promptly fell asleep for the next 30 minutes. Fortunately, as has happened many times before, they turned it on for the final 6 minutes with defensive pressure and offensive focus to beat an inferior team. I used to get worked up about these types of games, but faced with Phoenix Thursday night, I left the Arena happy about two things: (1) that we got a win and (2) that our core got the next best thing to actual rest.
To their credit, it doesn’t appear that Davis and Jackson are making any effort to hide the lower gear at which they’re playing against lesser opponents. Just watch the distance Davis gives his men on defense when the team is up by double digits or Jackson’s willingness to settle for a contested three when they’re up by 14 rather than 4. In contrast, against good opponents — Orlando, for example — we’re now seeing 48 minutes of sustained intensity. Our record over the past month suggests that we’re playing the good teams better than the bad ones. Since February 1 we’ve had 4 losses: Chicago at home, Atlanta at home, Utah on the road, and Charlotte on the road. Under this perverse logic, Wednesday’s win was a nice sign of improvement. We’re getting better at coasting for longer stretches against lesser teams while still managing the win. It’s ugly at times, but if it adds minutes to Baron’s legs come late April, I couldn’t care less.
Some scattered thoughts on the game:
- It was nice to see the Warriors win a game in which they were awful from three point range. They ended up shooting just under 22% but managed a win because they were impressively accurate from inside the arc. Subtracting the three-point misses, the team went 44-65 from the field, just under 68%. That type of percentage may be routine by now for Monta, but it’s pretty stunning for an NBA team on the whole. It’s a sign that when this team needs to find high percentage opportunities, they’re increasingly getting better at getting the looks and draining the shots. Of course, Toronto’s weak defense helps.
- The Pietrus at power forward experiment (take 2) doesn’t look like a complete failure. In fact, if he keeps pulling down 8 boards a night while scoring 14 points, some people might even call it a success. Don’t mistake productivity for conventionality, however. Pietrus scored most of his points from the outside and spent quality time guarding Toronto’s point guard (often leaving Baron with the power forward). Maybe Nelson figures that with guaranteed money on the table for next year he can now give free reign to his match-up wackiness. At 17 games over .500, he’s earned the right.
- Andris only grabbed 4 rebounds in 26 minutes but was working hard all night. The team defense took a noticeable dive when he hit the bench and his smooth moves around the basket helped stabilize the team during the rockiest moments of the fourth quarter. He still looks a little winded — as would be expected given his quick return — but it’s fun to watch him run circles around the slower post players in the league.
- Wednesday night did little to strengthen the position of the pro-bench camp in the argument over Nellie’s rotations. I consider myself a proud member of this school of thought, but was wincing at mistakes made by Watson and Azubuike. After many games of asking “could the bench really be that much worse than tired starters,” the answer against the Raptors was “yes.” The absence of Croshere and Wright can be chalked up to Nelson wanting to run small against the Raptors. There’s an argument to be made, however, that the two big men have been the most stable bench contributors over the past few weeks. Their DNP-CDs hurt the bench’s odds of bolstering its meager production.
Compared to the gauntlet of western rivals awaiting the Warriors over the final 19 games, Wednesday’s win might as well have been a scrimmage. It was sloppy and at reduced speed, but everyone worked on their timing and there were moments when things clicked. The fun ends Thursday, however, when the Ws confront Shaq and Nash together for the first time. Earlier this year, with Nelson and Riley playing a game of chicken between the Warriors’ speed and Shaq’s strength, Riley blinked first and the Warriors won. We’ll shortly see whether Phoenix has found a better way for the elephant to stomp on the mouse.
I’m scared that Shaq will bust Andris a new one. Is Kosta back just to shove Shaq into the stands? Tonight’s game made me upset just because I think Jack should sit out until the second half. But other than that I loved it. Should be an interesting 19 games.
Oh, yeah, I loved reading your post Adam. I specifically waited around so I could read it
It’s all about one game at a time. That said, looking at the remaining schedule, our 4 games against Dallas and Denver are by far the biggest games of the season. These games will probably decide whether we make it in or not, and which of the three teams is left out. Time to start sporting those “We Believe” shirts again!
“This is get-to-it time. This is for all the marbles, so we’re locked in and we’re ready to go.”
-Al Harrington, 3/12/2008
They blew a 20 point lead and let an Eastern conference team that can shoot from everywhere and DID NOT HAVE ITS ALL STAR/ ONLY INTERIOR DEFENSE AND REBOUNDING PRESENCE, CHRIS BOSH, tie the game in the fourth quarter.
What, exactly, is controlled about that coasting?
Sorry Adam, that game was more proof that the Warriors have taken ONE LUCKY 8 SEED appearance as reason to be overconfident. Tonight’s game means something, last night was just the Warriors playing hard for the first quarter at home against a worse team.
Nice improvement in that regard, I suppose, but more of the same from the West’s least focused and disciplined CURRENT playoff team.
No playoffs if they do this again without Denver folding.
Denver’s done though.
Gives new meaning to “coast to coast.”
Fabulous first quarter. Fun for the whole W’s family. I didn’t think the final score, though, was going to be… (I have to do the math, hold on) 142-68….
20-10 against the Leastern Conference. Best record against the East in THREE DECADES. We may be coasting but we’re twice as often than not, getting the win. I’d say that’s pretty controlled for me CC.
You can look at how they blew a big lead but by doing so you’re discrediting the margin of victory. A solid +11(the line was +10 btw). Games ebb and flow, it’s the nature of basketball. We won and we won by a comfortable margin, where’s the beef?
CJ Watson with the dreaded 0-fer. He contributed nothing but a foul and 2 turnovers in 5 minutes of action. Az still struggling. When we were up by 20 BW and Cro coulda got some run. Oh wellz…
Must See TV tonight. Shaq is still a Diesel but as TMNH so astutely stated, “”Shaq and Amare can’t block threes.”
Excellent write-up, Adam. Not sure what was going on ewith the server this morning, but I’m glad it got worked out.
I didn’t get to see the first quarter because I taped the game but didn’t change my clock on the recorder so it started recording in the middle of the second. Missed the dunk by MP that must have been pretty nice, but I enjoyed watching the rest of the game.
There is something positive that can be taken from each of these games where we “coast” and get into a nail-biter at the end: Experience. I can’t emphasise this enought. The experience and continuity that we get from these game will be invaluable during this stretch run and in the playoffs. After the game Monta said that they don’t feel the pressure or get tense because they have are in these types of situations all the time. The more you put yourself into a situation the more comfortable you feel in that situation. In the playoffs, we arn’t going to blow anyone out because all of the teams are so good. I’ll be you that we have more games than any other team in the playoffs that were decided in the final couple of minutes. That experience will pay off when we find ourself in similar situations in the playoffs.
Cohan’s greatest hits continued…
Jan 5 4:14 p.m.
“But this is a completely new trainwreck-in-waiting.”
Jan 5 6:13 p.m.
“It’s over, folks. Get over it and let’s brace for personnel moves, hopefully to come very, very soon.”
Collector’s Note: Since Jan 5, the Golden State Warriors’ record is 21-8.
CC:
Which is it? Ws are done if Denver doesn’t fold; but Denver’s already done??? So does that mean the Ws are in?
I think it comes down to you not wanting to get your heart broken. If I focus on the negative, and all the bad things that can happen, and the Ws don’t make the playoffs, at least I didn’t get my hopes up too high. And if I’m wrong, and the Ws do make the playoffs, it’s ok because I really, really did want them to win anyway.
Courage, CC, you sensitive man, you!
Without Marion, Phoenix can’t run with the Warriors anymore. If Shaq is still on the floor and the Suns try to power the W’s frontcourt in the paint, it will be “Hack a Shaq” time. AB, AH, AC, and maybe even Kosta (if necessary) will take turns putting Shrek on the line. He will have to shoot 70+% for the Suns to keep up. Possible, but highly doubtful.
Remember when Rick Barry was hired to teach Shaq the underhanded free throw? After a few lessons, Shaq dismissed Rick and said he couldn’t do it because he was a “Hip Hop kind of guy” and it wasn’t cool enough.
Also, look for Baron to back down Nash in the low box.
If the W’s are hitting their 3’s, they win going away.
If they win, tonight will be the benchmark we can all look back on in the future when the Warrior’s are considered around the NBA as a better franchise than the Phoenix Suns.
GHC - Although it doesn’t sound as catchy, I think you should change your name to “Greatest Misses Collector” because all of Cohan’s greatest hits are really comments where he misses the mark so badly it’s inconceivable.
Also, I want to commend you for the service you provide to the community. Bringing the facts to the people is a public service that should not go overlooked. I’m quite sure that you wouldn’t feel the need to post all of his “greatest hits” if he wasn’t so bumptious and cantankerous towards his fellow Warrior brethren.
Keep ‘em coming.
Did the loss at home to Atlanta help wake this team up?
The Dubs are 7-1 with an 18-point margin of victory since then.
Clearly, a big factor has been Air France. As much as we’ve/I’ve bashed Pietrus, let’s give him some love.
Since then, he’s scoring 13 points on 54% shooting and, in the last 5 games, grabbing 9 boards to go with a block and 2 steals in 30 minutes.
He has started the last 3 games, picking up his D and reducing his TOs (0 in the last 2 games).
Big props Mickael; we need a game from you tonight.
Warriors just need to frozen the 23 loses. It seems from their comments that they see how important is to win tonight.
However, I am worry that they start to play the type of game in which 3 points are more important than to look for scoring from inside. I agree that this is how the Warriors were able to beat many teams but at the same time this is not the type of game that will allow them to move very far into the playoff.
For a moment, I though that Nelson was asking his players to play more in the middle and score from there or pass the ball to the unguarded outside player to score a 3 point play. In other words, I thought that there was a change from just shooting 3s. However, it looks that we come back to do the same which make the team very unpredictable.
I guess if there were any good thing from Webber is that for a moment the Warriors were working hard in learning to play from the middle. However, now that he is not in rotation it looks that we have regressed to the past. The worst part is that BW will not see much of PT because he can not shoot a 3 point and this is pretty sad.
Shall I look forward for Webber return? I guess so if this is going to change the way the Warriors play. We all want the Warriors succeed but shooting 3s at random is not something that I could live with. There are times in which I really wish Nelson changes a bit for the good of the Warriors.
For a moment, I though that Nelson was asking his players to play more in the middle and score from there or pass the ball to the unguarded outside player to score a 3 point play. In other words, I thought that there was a change from just shooting 3s.
PS
He’s led the team in rebounding the last 3 games and 4 of the last 5. Even led the team in scoring against Philly.
Go Pete. Git ‘em Pete!
What? No stepping out of bounds from MP the last couple of games? Somebody pinch me.
Alter egos making suggestions to one another. I think Nev is falling deeper into the depths of schizophrenia. Being a Warrior fan will do that to u.
9-10 to reach 50 wins. Amazing. I think the Warriors will blow Phoenix out of the water tonight which is bad news since the Warriors always tend to do the opposite of what I think. I just don’t think America has realized how SUCKY Phoenix is now with Shaq. They look discombobulated on offense and Shaq will barely reach half court by the time Goose is slamming it home. Boom Dizzle always OWNS Steve “the Matador” Nash head 2 head and they have noone capable of guarding Montastic.
Phoenix chickened out. They gave up on what made them special and now all they have left is a clusterfudge of aging, past their prime veterans. Nash-34. Shaq-36. Grant Hill-35. Raja Bell-31. Can’t run n’ gun with a rusty, tarnished six shooter. Warriors by comparison have ZERO core players in their 30’s. We own the shiny silver magnum loaded with a full barrel and an itchy trigger finger. Like shootin fish in a barrel.
Good point, Word. MP has really stepped up to show what we have been waiting to see from him the past 3 or 4 years. If he played like this consistantly, I don’t see why we (or any other team) wouldn’t want him on their team. As much as I would love to see BW get some more PT, I think MP gives us a better chance to win right now. I hope he continues to play like he has and gets a nice contract from somebody in the offseason.
Also, Barnes hasn’t played very well for the past couple of months (and really for the whole season) but you can see the effort he bring when he is in there. 7 rebounds in 15 minutes isn’t bad at all. I really hope Matt can find his rhythem here in the next couple of weeks. He could bring a huge lift going into the playoffs.
WordB,
Good point re: Pietrus, I think after all the boneheaded plays he’s made in the past and the fact that he was the most likely to go at the trade deadline, we had forgotten what unique skills he brings to the team. His hops allow him to play above the rim. His energy gives the W’s a boost on offense and defense. When he is hitting his 3’s he is a load to stop. I just don’t know if I trust him with the ball in the last 2 minutes of a 7th game in a playoff series.
One other point I’d like to bring up. Can we give major props to Baron for his 15 ASSISTS last night. Maybe if we praise him more for this than scoring 30 points he will get the point (literally). His double of 23 and 15 is much bigger than if he is our lone high scorer. Obviously, the Warriors are at their best when everyone is involved. If he could average these type of “Chris Paul” numbers, he would not only become an all star, but with more Warrior success, be considered in the running for MVP.
Alberto, you said it as good as it could be said. Every time they heave a three, without setting it or a pass, its a waste. Even when they make it one can only sigh and think “man, that was lucky”. Okay, I’ve learned about spreading the floor, but you don’t have to waste so many opportunities to keep the defenders spread.Take one three and 3 fakes at a three with breaks to the basket would do the same damn thing.
Hey, its only that I care for the Dubs as my hometown team that I can get all worked up..
Word (#12)
You’re right about Pietrus. Couldn’t come at a better time too ‘cuz Barnes is having a subpar year.
Adam,
We’ve survived BD and Jax’s coasting this year because they’ve taken advantage of Monta’s ability to go 100mph all day long. Although Nellie is smartly resting ME a little bit more lately.
Clearly Biedrins is not back to full strength yet. Nellie left him out even when the Raptors were rallying back and we could have used a stopper inside. I thought BW would get to play last night, but maybe Nellie is trying to get more of his bench tuned up.
Huge game tonight. National spotlight on TNT. This is why they coasted so much in the second and third Qs last night. Let’s go Ws!
…bfree
I am with you! Air France is playing so well I almost want to change my moniker to MP’s Brain Surgeon…almost….
Go Jax!
Pete is like D’Angelo Barksdale is Season 1 of THE WIRE: Nice, likeable guy, in the wrong place and an unnatural position, foreign to the sublte ways of his environment, but willing to make the best of it.
CC: The Warriors have too many wins in the toughest conference in NBA history for you to continue to work those tired angles of yours. Face it, the Warriors are playing to their ability and we can only watch, enjoy, and hope it is enough. Look, I’m all for skepticism as long as it’s not just for argument or negativity’s sake. And I’d say the W’s, especially Monta, are pretty focused. Call it coasting if you like, but they have a better term for it in soccer: pace.
Mr. Mully - Adam can verify the fact that GHC is not my alter ego. I have gone back and found quotes from Cohan’s past and shed light on them, but I have always done so using my own handle. Any time I use a different handle I add “a.k.a. nevin420″. There is really no reason for me to try to hide behind some other name. Honestly, if I am going to do the research to find the quotes (which is pretty painstaking and time consuming) I am going to claim credit for that hard work.
My bad. I thought I saw “GHC brought to you by Nevin420″ before so I assumed it was you. My mistake.
I think Fauchon is GHC. ;P
Houston continues their climb. Should we root for them to reach the top as we stay on 8th? That’s better than facing LA in my book. But better than facing San Antonio?
#26
DEFINATELY! Houston is feasting on subpar teams right now. If they were to somehow reach the top…oh man we would have a field day with that bunch of scrubs.
No problem, Mully. No offense taken. I just wanted to set the record straight.
Agreed with Vair and Mr. Mully. Go Houston go!!! If they won’t drop out of the playoffs, I hope we see them. I hope we run into the Hornets, too. Any teams except the Lakers, Spurs, and Jazz and we’re fine IMO.
#27
That’s what I think. Could the stars be realining to favor the Warriors in the playoffs?
I’d be curious to see if we play just hard enough to ensure a more favorable matchup. I just don’t want to face the Lakers in the 1st round. Unless someone aggravates Kobe’s finger. Although I have doubts whether Bynum can come back in time or if he’s going to be as effective as he was before the injury. But even without him they’re formidable, but not impossible to match up with if we’re playing our game.
I think Nelson has a plan for Kosta. I hope he plays aggressively. He might come in to foul Shaq tonight, we’ll see.
Nevin, you analyzed the situation perfectly in #11.
Good day, everyone.
We Believe!!!
I think we’ll definitely see BW and even Kosta tonight as Nellie will need the extra fouls against the Big Burrito. (I feel like i’m channeling the rookie-lovers).
So, how does the saying go? “A win is a win.” Oh, how that doesn’t come close to a relevant description of our victory over Toronto. Yes, we won. Yes, we kept ourselves above water in the race to the playoffs. But, our boys have GOT to stop downplaying our supposedly weaker opponents. Give it up to Monta for not settling for 3-pointers. Even though he’s still learning, the Warriors coaching staff would fare well to let Capt. Jack know that if the 3’s aren’t there [you know, like after the first 3 attempts], STOP SHOOTING THEM!!! Of course, Monta stated that that was the rule for the team since pre-season. Somehow, I don’t think the Warriors 3-point-happy players remember that rule. Don’t get me wrong. I love to see our boys rain threes all night long against our opponents. But, the competition is getting fierce during the last stretch to [hopefully] the playoffs. All the guys have said in their interviews how important each game is this season. And, they all know they are the fastest team in the league. Now, if only they would all capitalize on that advantage and take it to the hoop. As for tonight’s game against the Suns….the Suns without Marion aren’t as fast. But, with two victories recently, they’re fired up. I doubt Shaq will get much playing time. But, even so, it should be one hell of a ballgame. To the hoop people….to the hoop…
I agree that Houston would be a great match up for us. Baron will eat Skip to my Lu up, Jax can make McGrady’s job more dificult than most, Nelly v. Adleman works out. Scola might be tough for us.
BelieveThis! - I think the rule is that if they miss 3 in a row they are supposed to stop shooting the 3s and attack the basket. If attacking the basket opens up a 3 from the inside out, I doubt Nellie wants them to pass up the open shot. Tom Tolbert was talking about how Nellie gets pissed and will even pull guys off the court who pass up shots that were created for them (a la inside out or in the flow of the offense).
Also, if Jack were to take your advice and stop shooting 3s when he misses his first couple then he wouldn’t have the those one’s in the fourth quarter that sealed the deal of last nights game and countless others throughout the last season and a half. It is part of his game and mentality to shake off his missed shots and makes him one of the most clutch players in the league.
“It’s ugly at times, but if it adds minutes to Baron’s legs come late April, I could care less.”
Pet peeve. It’s actually “I couldn’t care less.” In other words, this is the least worrisome thing, in your mind.
Cheers!
I have this debate with people all the time about Jackson. You take the bad (TO’s, poor shot selection, constant complaints to the ref) with the good (clutch shooting & defense). I don’t keep official count but I think he’s been more responsible for wins than loses this season.
Michael - Fixed, and thanks as always for looking out for me.
Thank you Nevin.
To take the point further… do you think even San Antonio would be anywhere without the 3? Remember Sean Elliot? Did he ever hit a big 3 for them? Robert Horry? Steve Kerr? Bowen? Ginobili? Barry? Finley?
All of those guys have hit big clutch 3s to win playoff games for the Spurs. Our GS Warriors happen to shoot the 3 better than almost any other team in the league, including the Spurs. BOMBS AWAY.
And stop yer endless whining when they don’t fall. Sometimes they don’t fall. But you know what, sometimes Shaq or the Wallace boys made Tim Duncan look like mini-gat against Jared Dudley. It happens. Grow up. Act like men. Act like Steven Jackson.
GIT ‘EM JACK!
Personally I don’t think of Baron and Jackson as smart players. Very talented, clutch, inventive players but not high basketball IQ’s in terms of strategy. Monta is the high IQ guy, BW may well be as well, in knowing what kinds of shots are most likely to work. But for someone like Jackson to take three after three in the first half, when it isn’t going down for him, and when he’s not a good percentage three point shooter anyway, is not intelligent. Not even arguable, especially since the driving and attacking game was working so well. They need to be reminded that shooting is contagious and three point shooting is especially contagious. When the game’s on the line, Jackson’s and Baron’s shooting percentages actually go up, as opposed to most players (such as Harrington). Overall Baron is at .327, Jackson at .371 on threes, but it would be most interesting to break down percentage by quarter or half. Since both are so accurate in the fourth quarter, I’ll bet the first half numbers are appalling. It might be a public service, Adam, to find out what the first half percentage is for those guys. They (and Nellie) need to know if in the first half only one out of three or one out of four three pointers is going down.
Awesome stats:
BoomDizzle - leads all PGs in the NBA in scoring. 22.0
Jax - is 5th among SFs in the NBA in scoring. 20.9
Missippi Bullett (Monta’s preference) - is 11th among SGs in the NBA in scoring. And you all know the SGs who fill up this category. 19.6
AL - is 12th among PFs…14.3
Goose - is 14th among Cs…10.1
I can’t be mad at that.
Prediction for tonight’s game: Kosta line: 4minutes, 4 fouls, 2boards, 1 block.
Nice work KDSF
How bout Monta #1 in FG% (at .538) among GUARDS who score more than 12ppg. It’s raining buckets!
No Playoffs!
Now that’s just hatin’
“when he’s not a good percentage three point shooter anyway.”
someone please give Wilson a math lesson. I’m worn out fantasizing about Kosta and mini-gat tonight.
I actually believe it’s harder to predict that the Warriors will NOT make the playoffs.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe all the western conference teams are playing each other down the stretch. Wins and Losses are basically cancelling each other out. And even in a very tight race from teams 1 - 9, climbing up or sliding down is going to be pretty difficult for a team to do.
Even the Houston Rockets will find it difficult to climb any higher than they have climb. I’ll find it very surprising to NOT see their streak get broken before the Warriors play them next Friday.
The other good thing going for the Warriors that will help them at least keep 8th place is that they have been very good in avoiding losing streaks (aside from the 1st 6 games). They get 3-5 game winning streaks and rarely get 2 game losing streak. If they continue this practice, we are definitely safe 8th or 7th seed.
With that said…Playoffs…Yes.
Don’t get your hopes on MP guys. He is not even a star player in France. Being NBA player, I would think, he would tear european league, but he is not. I don’t expect him to play at this level for a month if not whole season. MB is a better performer in the european league than MP. Infact MB is regarded higher than Bargiani in Europe.
Did you guys observer the eastern conf, the difference of wins between #1 and #2 seed is 5 games. While with that difference in WConference, teams are out of playoffs. The diff between#1 and #8 teams in east conf is 25 while in WConf it is 4.5 games
$46,
That is correct, infact Ws lost 2 in a row only once after 0-6 start. That is consistency. Playoffs or not, my team is enterataining, plays with heart and plays team game, we enjoy the team.
Did you guys see TJ Ford’s play ?? He was great yesterday, he looks like a CPaul type.
I had to stop at post #22 and give major props to Wyatt for his The Wire reference. LOVE IT. Greatest television show ever. Okay, back to reading all the great blog comments.
Finally there is one who pinpointed that Baron and Jack’s brains are half cooked.
The success of Monta is because he is an smart fellow. He knows when to take the shot so that he has pretty good chances to make it. I fully agree with Wilson on his post (#40).
If Baron wants to impersonate an MVP basketbal player he should not try to shoot 3 points and he should not emulate Jackson. Jackson is a loose bullet and the worse is that Baron knows it. Then why Baron does what Jackson does?
Baron should play to his strengths and he will get the recognition that he is looking for. We depend on Baron to make the playoff and to make noise in the playoff.
There is not doubt that Baron is a special player but unfortunately there is an screw loose in his brain because he does not realize that his success depend in playing to his strengths. Once he start to play to his strenghs he can kick Jackson in the head and I believe that will fix it and the whole team will play to another level and perhaps he can make/produce a movie of this effort.
Baron and Jackson are not smart players? Sure, they make questionable plays, but it’s part of the system. Ellis makes just as many mistakes but we tend to forget them since he shoots at such a high percentage. There are other ways to make mistakes besides taking a bad shot. Defensive lapses, bad passes, getting the ball stolen away from you, and Ellis commits just as many of these as anyone else on the team.
Ford loves playing against Baron.
40W - 23L won 8 of the last 10?… I guess, ol’ toopid Baroon en Jak r slakkin’ off!
TJ Ford ain’t Baron Davis.
He’s scored 22 points (about Baron’s average as the league’s most [ball] dominant point guard) 6 times this year. Sure, he missed a lot of games, but this guy is a 12-13 point per game career averager.
But he’s topped 22 points twice when Baron’s lazy arse was watching him. Jackson couldn’t contain him, either. The other teams he went hogwild on:
Boston’s Rondo very early in the season.
Atlanta’s Alexander Johnson some time ago.
Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar.
Steve Nash.
He has one other 20 point game I think, maybe. This dude is not elite AT ALL, just fast.
Look out, Steve, Baron wants you to look bad tonight.
Jazone, I was refering to what Wilson has written on his post #40.
“But for someone like Jackson to take three after three in the first half, when it isn’t going down for him, and when he’s not a good percentage three point shooter anyway, is not intelligent. Not even arguable, especially since the driving and attacking game was working so well.”
Every player makes mistakes. But Wilson was not refering to them. I claim that it is not smart to shoot 3s as Wilson describe on post #40.
f you says that it part if the system, then I would say that either we are misinterpreting the system (system has not been created to shoot 3s as Jackson did it last night specially when driving to the middle is the way to go and it was working well)
or
I just do not agree with the system (asumming that the system was created to shoot 3s without considering the problems that it creates).
#45
I think you might need a math lesson with your post 39. The last time I heard the stat quoted, the Warriors were something like 17th in 3 point shooting percentage as a team. Maybe it’s slightly better than that now, but the Warriors are more of a volume three point shooting team that a good one (compared to other teams percentages). By the way, the Spurs 3 point shooting percentage is 37.5% versus 35% for the Warriors. New math, I guess.
Channeling the rookie lovers, that’s a good one.
Look for the Warriors to get up and down the court. Shaq can’t defend anything if he’s still at the other end of the court.
Need a good 3 point shooting night. Phoenix doesn’t have the personnel to defend the 3. Will Harrington and Shaq match up, or Harrington and Stoudemire?
Warriors will double when Shaq or Stoudemire get the ball and will try to push Stoudemire off the block.
Nash is dangerous on offense, a liability on defense, especially against our guards.
Will we get anything from the bench?
The Coast is Closed.
i guess the warriors bench missed their flight to phoenix cuz the dubs went 10 deep and only got 14 points out of their 2nd 5.
the suns bench went for 36 in comparison with an 8 man rotation.
i felt like the warriors should have had a much larger lead after the first quarter but phoenix kept hanging around. the game had an uneasy feeling for most of the next three quarters. high blood pressure moment was when nash scored 8 points and 2 assists in like 60 seconds with Amare putting the exclamation point dunk.
i think biedrins will need to be comforted by his girlfriend tonight cuz he got posterized. getting dunked on like that could cause a nervous twitch.
did adam put a filter on the blog????
why is there a warning stating “your comment is awaiting moderation”???
Great game!
The loss was inevitable, to Phoenix, on the road, in the tail of a b2b. Superb game in the first half, but ran out of gas in the second half.
The suns showed that they can both run-n-gun (Nash, Barbosa, Raja) and play the power game inside with Amare.
The W’s don’t have ANY inside game. What’s going on? It seems that the better Baron and Monta play, the worse is the front court. Biedrins was a non-factor. Barnes too. and we ain’t going to see Webber, POB, and Kosta for the rest of the season. C’mmon, we can’t just play with 2-3 good guards.
Get used to it. This is the 7 man rotation for the playoffs, with a little AC mixed in.
If Tired is correct then the Warriors are in trouble. However, today’s problem is that the bench did not step up.
Barnes is not the player that he played last year for the Warriors. AB played one of his worst games.
I will say at this time, forget this game and keep playing hard and with a lot intensity.