Final Box Score | GameThread (1030+ comments) | Links
We all knew beating the Thunder would be a tall order, but despite getting crushed on the boards and at the free throw line, the Warriors were somehow able to hang around until OKC shut the door in the fourth quarter. We all know what they did wrong, but I don't want to start my weekend by beating a dead horse, so jump to take a look at what the Warriors did right. Yes, this will be a short recap...
We knew going into this one that the Thunder can be a bit turnover prone at times, and that the Warriors have shown an ability to create turnovers at times. So what happened tonight? The Thunder ended the night with 22 turnovers including 7 from Westbrook, and 7 from Durant. In the second half it seemed like the Thunder were just begging for the Warriors to take the lead, but every time OKC tried to hand the Dubs the game they handed it right back. Golden State ended up with 20 turnovers themselves. But hey, I thought I said I was going to focus on the positive... moving on...
A lot of Warriors fans have been calling for more of a focus on getting three point shots on offense, and tonight that was one of the big reasons the Warriors were able to hang around so long. They put up 28 threes tonight and made 43% of them. With Rush, Curry, Thompson, and Wright out there this team should have no trouble taking and making threes. So far this season they've had a hard time consistently translating Monta penetration, and an improved post presence from Lee, into effective kickouts for open threes. Tonight they moved the ball around and found the open man outside.
Klay Thompson continues to impress me on the court. He's much more well rounded than I expected coming into the season. He has a nice smooth handle, and moves very well without the ball, and puts in a solid effort on the defensive end. Yes, he makes his share of rookie mistakes on that end of the floor, but tonight he finished with three blocks to go along with his 6-8 shooting night. Now that his shot is finally falling he's looking more and more like a guy that could be a solid contributor at the SG spot for years to come.
Jeremy Tyler hasn't exactly seen consistent minutes so far this season, with seven appearances for 15 total minutes heading into tonight's game, but tonight coach Jackson went to him with the game on the line and he matched his season total in minutes in tonight's game. He still looked raw, but as Mark Jackson said after the game he doesn't mind mistakes if you play with a motor out there. Along with bringing good energy, he also flashed a nice outside shot, which took me off guard. I had no idea he had such a nice touch from 18-20 feet. He did bring expectations in said jumper back down to earth when he accidentally banked one in later in the game, but I won't let that bring me down. I was happy to see him get extended time, and I hope we see more of him from here on out.
__________________________________
So, yeah... Not much to see here, except another one for the loss column. Hopefully this will be the season where it becomes abundantly clear to management that this core will not get it done. Frankly, I think they already know that, but might be unwilling to pay the short term PR price to position themselves for a better future. We'll know more by the trade deadline, but this is a team that should be selling off prime players for future assets, like you would see in baseball when a team is out of the hunt. If Lee keeps putting up good numbers you have to try to move him for salary relief and picks/prospects. Same goes for Monta. It's a short season, let's suck it up and focus on the future. Lee and Monta aren't bad players, but we can't continue to put band-aids on something that needs surgery.
Yeah, it's easy to say that a lot of his 23 points came in garbage time, but he was finding other ways to contribute before he got hot from behind the arc, finishing the night with 9reb 5ast 2stl 1blk and 0 turnovers. Good game overall from Wright.
0 recs | 172 comments
Whoa
LOL… the recap got up so early tonight after not appearing for two games
doubleteapot - January 27, 2012
That's how I roll...
actually, it’s just been a crazy week for all of us, but luckily the week is over!
olympicmike - January 27, 2012
Are the Thunder a future NBA Dynasty?
they are a present dynasty
Skeptic con Urquell - January 27, 2012
Skep's stone cold lock of the week...
Thunder: 2011-12 NBA Champs
olympicmike - January 27, 2012
yeah, thats what I've been thinking since the offseason
I really do believe they can pull it off
lameallenmark - January 28, 2012
Thunder: 2011-12 NBA Champs
Don’t know about that but they are definitely the team to beat in the west. Miami might be a bit better though, depends which lebron shows up and how healthy wade is.
Skeptic con Urquell - January 28, 2012
Heat are better than the Thunder.
GovernorStephCurry - January 27, 2012
+1
dubzfan - January 27, 2012
Thunder have more depth, a key to winning in the post-season.
danielholl - January 28, 2012
I think that the Thunder's frontcourt defense will be the biggest factor against the Heat
lameallenmark - January 28, 2012
PG – Thunder
SG – Heat
SF – Push
PF – Thunder
C – Thunder
I’d say thunder are better…especially considering PG and C are the most important positions for team basketball.
LostHawkGSW - January 28, 2012
Thunder need Westbrook to stay under control to win in post season
tafkasam - January 28, 2012
Pf?
tafkasam - January 28, 2012
Heat are better at the 2,3, and 4.
GovernorStephCurry - January 28, 2012
Heat are better at the 2,3,and 4.
Lebron is a better overall player than Durant, and I’m not sure that Bosh and Ibaka are even close.
crimson and gray - January 28, 2012
meh
The Heat are a poorly assembled team.
They kind of annoy me, just trade one of your wings. You’re wasting Bosh.
tafkasam - January 28, 2012
There are two huge things I think can keep them from winning a championship.
How they are assembled is definitely one of them.
Brownie13 - January 28, 2012
I agree, Gov. Thunder might be a year, or, two, of more playoff experience away.
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
The Thunder haven't been to a Championship series yet
but I can’t help but feel they’re closer to a ring than any team that hasn’t already won.
But they still have to prove out they can close out a playoff series against the best teams in the league. That’s the next step in their maturation and growth.
What they have going for them is a huge window of opportunity.
Durant – 23
Westbrook – 23
Harden – 22
Perkins – 27
Ibaka – 22
Sefolosha – 27
They’re going to outlast pretty much all of the current contenders, and are actually still getting better at this point. They definitely have the best chance to become the NBA’s next dynasty at this point. Much easier said than done, though.
Brownie13 - January 28, 2012
Thanks, Brownie. Impressive age stats; kinda proves your argument with a cursory look!
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
AGREED and wow
i didnt know they were so young.. that is quite scary…
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
Tyler is going a long way. Clear perspective. I love his response at the post-game interview:
Asked if GSW players needed to have played their best game to beat OKC, this Giant Rookie responded: “WELL, YOU NEED TO SHOW UP!”
Fact is, Wright and Lee had it going inside early (were 8-8 at one point), the bench was coming in strong; Curry and Monta did not show up (especially the first half). If they had shown up, combined with what was shaping up to be a rare front court performance, might have been enough to carry us to an upset.
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
well , that interview quote seems a tad ho-hum to me lol but, Tyler does seeem to be coming around
im glad he is gettting more minutes finally. They need to kick Jenkins some minutes too. I dont understand playing Curry in a blowout loss til the last second…
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
I agree, Pirate. Don't understand why Jenkins is not getting some time..is he hurt?
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Curry is back and Jackson will nearly always take Nate over him
Thats why
dubzfan - January 28, 2012
ya, good point
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
reminds me of smart kinda.. taken mediocre proven vet , as opposed to unproven rookie w/ poss upside
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
steph v acie
jenkins v nate
not the same…at all
Brownie13 - January 28, 2012
Why Biedrins will soon have multiple DNP-CDs
He doesn’t even look for the ball (again). Lee saves him by grabbing the pass. If you look closely, you see that Biedrins is not rolling to catch the pass. He is rolling to get the offensive rebound (he tries to body up one of the OKC big men before he realizes that Monta has passed the ball). The only shot he does now is the hook shot because he doesn’t want to be fouled in the post.
Lee was NOT the player Ellis was passing to. He was going in to look for the offensive rebound.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
He was going in to look for the offensive rebound
looks like he was just expecting Montay to take the shot and got crossed up?
Skeptic con Urquell - January 28, 2012
He did the same thing to Lee
Lee tried to pass Beans the ball in the say way, and he never looked, and the ball went out of bounds.
Just Sad!
Critical Roach - January 28, 2012
I gif'd that too
Biedrins is also looking for the offensive rebound here, not the ball. He doesn’t look at Lee and instead runs to the rim. After Lee throws it out of bounds Biedrins makes a halfhearted arm wave. It might not all be on Biedrins though, as there may have been a miscommunication. Lee may have expected him to pop out.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
man, you are a gif master
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
It's a lack of awareness by Beans, but also a dumb pass by Lee.
1. What is Beans going to do with Perkins right there?
2. Curry is wide open.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
Not sure about #2
Curry was running towards Lee. That’s two people in the same area. Also, Curry didn’t look like he was curling off the screen to shoot.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
Yeah, it's bad spacing.
Not sure whose fault that is, but the play seems to be designed to (at least) have Curry coming off the downscreen as an option (and it was a good screen).
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
Hmm...
Yeah, I’m not sure where that play was going, but he could have hit Curry coming off that downscreen. Seems like Andris was diving to get position for an offensive rebound. The play might have called for him to go down and set a screen for Dorell, or maybe to pop out to the elbow extended to swing the ball to Wright… Either way, it was a really bad read by Lee. Hard to look at that and put the blame on Andris unless we have evidence that he was supposed to pop out and get the ball. Why should we expect that the play is designed to get Andris the ball on the wing?
I’m not trying to sound like a Biedrins apologist, but I’m surprised at how much people are nitpicking his offensive game in this thread. We know he is not a good offensive player, and Jackson has said that he’s not looking to him for offense. I’d be much more interested to see where he might have blown plays on the defensive end, or on the glass, where Coach says the real problem is.
This seems about as necessary as making a highlight reel of bad defensive possessions by David Lee.
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
Yeah, pretty much this.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
I don't think it's defense, though
He’s playing solid post up defense. Rebounding might be an issue, but once again, it’s obvious that we are a worse rebounding team without him on the court. The only thing I can point to is the fact he is terrible on offense.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
Well...
I agree with that, which is why I’d love to see some evidence to go along with what Coach Jackson is saying. Either Jackson is lying, or he and his staff are not very smart, or they are seeing something that we aren’t. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they are seeing something that we don’t.
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
I think I'll try to pay more attention to Biedrins when he is on defense
Try to see what he is doing or not doing
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
I'd direct you to Biedrins' on/off statistics
100.8 pts per 100 possessions when Biedrins is ON the court
110.1 pts per 100 possessions when Biedrins is OFF the court
Our rebounding is also worse with Biedrins off the court, but that’s no surprise
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
And league average for defense is 102 correct?
kenntoe - January 28, 2012
It’s actually really bad right now, like 100.
Reverend_Randy - January 29, 2012
He had just set a pick, and was moving to post up, inside(?)...was just too slow...
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Also, a lot of people in both instances, seem to think he is getting ready for an offensive rebound...No way, we would have a lot more offensive rebounds! lol
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Monta was going up for a shot.
LuvDubs - January 28, 2012
to be fair
monta does go up for a shot before passing. the one that was worse was the pass from lee earlier in the game
AJC3317 - January 28, 2012
What baffles me
is that Mark Jackson continues to say that he’s not looking for Biedrins to score. When MJ said it during training camp, I thought it was some kind of a reverse psychology thing to help Biedrins relax. But MJ said it again last night. Why? If he’s not looking for Biedrins to score, then what’s MJ seeing that makes him yank Biedrins?
I rewatched Biedrins two short stints. The only clue I could find was in the 3rd qtr stint. After a timeout, Biedrins stint lasts for only 1 more minute. I saw MJ signal to the bench for Udoh after a defensive possession, which tells me MJ saw something he didn’t like on the defensive end. The only guess I could think of is that MJ yanked Biedrins because he couldn’t stay in front of his man (I think it was Perkins) to keep his man from getting good rebounding position.
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
I agree. I woul be confused. Biedrins needs to help with boards, and put some points up.
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Btw, if you're doing animated gifs
do the one of Biedrins in the post where he looked really scared to even throw up a soft hook shot. That was turrible.
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
Here you go
It’s obvious here that he’s afraid to go to the line. Perkins is bodying him, and instead of going in strong Beans takes one dribble and travels trying to throw up another ugly hook shot.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
Thanks, that's the one
If you have time, can you also post Biedrins INITIAL post up, which he kicked it to the corner and received it back for a repost? I think that’s the one where he looked the most scared.
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
Oh okay sure
You are right, Biedrins sure looks soft here. I have to wonder – does Biedrins want to post up? Or did Mark Jackson call the play and force Biedrins to post up?
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
I'm wincing just watching this
At least Biedrins called for a repost. But even still, my guess is that when Biedrins when he saw the 2nd defender near him, he got spooked that the 2nd defender might reach in and make contact on a shot attempt, which means FTs.
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
Um...
Am I missing something? Are we criticizing Biedrins for passing out of a double team to one of the best outside shooters in the league?
There is a ton to criticize Andris for, but I don’t think this play is a big problem. He’s being guarded by a very tough post defender, and the opposing PG comes over to give help on him. Yes, he could have put up the lefty hook and tried to score over Perkins, but with Curry’s man coming over I don’t mind him trying to make the kick out pass. Westbrook does a good job of making that pass difficult to make, and when Curry doesn’t catch it in rhythm he resets to avoid the three second call and reposts. No big deal…
Jackson said himself that his problem with AB was not on offense, but that he felt he wasn’t playing hard enough on defense and the boards.
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
It wasn't a hard double team
Curry wasn’t open. Westbrook was closer to Biedrins, but Biedrins has to force Westbrook to double hard before passing to Curry.
I feel as if the post-up was a dumb idea in the first place though, because you have a bad post-up player posting up one of the best post up defenders in the league.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
Biedrins also wasted his dribble
He takes one dribble into the paint but then picks it up, meaning that he has to either make a move or kick it back out before the refs call him for a 3 second violation.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
Agreed.
Andris didn’t do anything positive in the post. I wouldn’t expect him to against Perkins. Even though it wasn’t a hard double, I can’t blame him for trying to get the ball to Curry when Westbrook comes over. Westbrook was in no man’s land and if he doesn’t jump to contest that pass it’s a wide open three for Curry, which is as good of a shot as you can expect from calling a Biedrins post up.
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
But Biedrins wasn't being double teamed.
The second defender is just standing there, watching Biedrins. He’s not bodying Biedrins, he’s not trying to stop Biedrin’s turn move. He’s just… there.
Biedrins looked like he gave up on the shot attempt as soon as he saw a 2nd defender nearby. Looking at the way Biedrins stops his spin move as soon as he sees the 2nd defender, it looked like he didn’t want any chance of the 2nd defender making contact with him.
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
I'll quote myself...
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
I'll also add...
it doesn’t have to be a hard double to make a defender pay for sagging off. Westbrook saved himself by challenging the pass, but he wasn’t in good defensive position.
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
Btw,
you should change your signature to “I got a gif for that”. Nice work.
IQofaWarrior - January 28, 2012
Thanks
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
What you are witnessing is Perkins playing some great post defense, and Biedrins not realizing he is a left spin and dribble away from a layup!
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
what i would like to know is WHY IS BEANS SEEN LEAVING before anyone even has control of the ball??
crash the fuggin boards you pusseee!
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
assuming the ball will go in is something that should have been coached out of these kids when they were 15 yrs old or less.. w....t.....f.....
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
and the head coacj is saying udoh does not deserve a start? beans does not deserve to play let alone start!
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 28, 2012
Udoh is not a center. He cant rebound. He is a great defender at the pf spot though. The problem is we have Lee.
The combination of Udoh and Lee is a really bad one because neither can rebound over big centers.
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
udoh plays center, beans does not deserve to play.
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 28, 2012
We have been over this, he isnt big enough to guard centers. I believe Udoh is a good defender but he cant defend post ups for the life of him.
He is simply too small. But I DO think that he could start at the 4. Put Lee at the 3, put tyler at the 5. Put dorell/klay/rush at the 2. Figure out who you want to run the team Monta or Curry, figure out a way to trade both for a real PG.
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
udoh plays not very good center,
Skeptic con Urquell - January 28, 2012
anybody notice whenever Lee goes in we start to give up a lot of points?
not sure what’s going there
I think it’s something about defense, but can’t quite put my finger on it
it’s almost like he’s really bad at it, you know?
Evanz - January 28, 2012
Haha
Almost… Nah, that can’t be it…
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
Usually when Lee is playing, their first unit is playing, and in this case, a lot of points!
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Also – correlated variable here – Lee coming in sometimes mean Udoh coming out. Definitely not good for the D.
Missing Barry - January 29, 2012
I think you are jumping to conclusions.
Maybe he is just easy to score on.
Pippen - January 29, 2012
Tyler showed some athletic moves as well....he and Jenkins need some minutes...
Klay looked really good ……;-)
Only In Fairfax - January 28, 2012
ya, rookies are lookin ok!
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
start
udoh
tyler
rush
klay
jenkins
trade everyone else!
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 28, 2012
Yeah, build around Klay, Jenkins and Tyler...trade everyone else...
By the time they are out of diapers, we may have brought in some more talent. Definitely a long term solution there, provided we do not have any lingering bedwtting…
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
When Tyler banked that one in.. It was lucky yes, but, we gotta remember , Klay was suckin it up in the beggining too!
We will know alot more in about a month if they give the big boy some PT
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
I think he is going to be OK if they give him playing time and work with him
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Lee
Never have to twist my arm to trade Lee, although he does do a few things pretty well and is a nice presence in the locker room. My question is, what kind of value does he have with that contract. That’s not a rhetorical question. I’m wondering what kind of team might bite if we put him on the block? Do we have any evidence that anyone was in the hunt before we got him? What kind of team would be a fit?
BlueInTheFace - January 28, 2012 via mobile
Zero, unfortunately. And it’ll only get zero-ier.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
it cant be zero... there HAS to be some value.. it may mean taking on some bad contracts
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
He is a bad contract that is also not very good at basketball.
I’m not sure you’ve let the fullness of his contract situation sink in.
He’s going to be making $15M per in his 31/32 yo seasons, in a very restrictive economic environment (in regards to the new luxury tax rules).
It was a colossally stupid move, and I doubt anyone will help the Warriors out (maybe Otis Smith).
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
What about Curry+ Lee for Harris/Millsap?
Evanz - January 28, 2012
No way.
Lee by himself has negative value and paired with someone like Curry, sure, you might be able to get someone to bite, but that’s still too good of a deal. Millsap is playing like a superstar, and is a bargain at ~$7M for the next two seasons. Harris’ contract is also considerably shorter than Lee’s (even though he is awful).
I could see Curry + Lee for Harris + Jefferson, though. That’s the type of return that Lee gets you, most likely.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
you think it's that bad, eh?
I’m not so sure. I think Utah would love to have Curry.
And Favors is going to be the starter there eventually, anyway. Lee would be good coming off the bench. They have Kanter who can provide defense.
Evanz - January 28, 2012
I might be overly pessimistic.
But I think the luxury tax and the lower cap is really going to be an issue. Utah will have to have paid Favors and Kanter (and Hayward) by the time Lee’s contract is up. That extra $15M is huge in that scenario, if you already have two guys near the max (assuming their development reflects their draft position) and one paid pretty well.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
Again, unless someone is desperate, and falls in love with Lee's counting stats.
Basically it’s really just Otis Smith. Otis, you’re our only hope.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
You never know...
… many (most) folks place all of their attention to the PPG and RPG for the PF position. Throw in the fact that he’s a good locker room presence and you might get some teams to consider it. His contract is obviously terrible, but we paid it, there’s no reason to believe there wouldn’t consider doing the same.
warriorsablaze - January 28, 2012
I think both Lee and Andris both need to be put on the block specially as the playoffs near
If any team needs the likes of them in order to continue thier playoff push then they can have them! I would be fine with Udoh and Tyler at the 4 and 5.
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
Well that's the big question...
Probably not a whole lot, but if he can creep up to that magic 20-10 number then we might be able to find a GM to bite. We won’t be able to get complete salary relief and a good draft pick, but it’s not crazy to think we could get some salary relief and another asset under the right circumstances.
It’s easy to say that he is impossible to trade, but time and time again guys with “unmovable” contracts end up getting moved. If they deal him, it won’t be a sexy deal, but I think they could find a taker. GMs in this league are constantly making questionable moves, so it’s not a huge stretch to think a team might think David Lee is that second scoring option and rebounder that will take them to the next level.
olympicmike - January 28, 2012
That was before the new luxury tax rules.
Whole different situation, now.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
DUDE .. ur really gonna make me cry if your telling me that we are STUCK with Lee for the long haul....
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
lol...where can i send u a hanky.....
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
2015/16.
Vomit.
Spider Jerusalem - January 29, 2012
Well I expected that we lose
on this game. I just hope we won the next 2 games. Then we will be 3-3 on these 6 games homestand
Nate Robinson crossover is sick over Reggie Jackson
http://youtu.be/xprXXvDV_Rw
mykelala01 - January 28, 2012
[redacted] you, Turtle Man.
The announcer for the Zombies (the aforementioned Turtle Man) is so garbage. He was a one-season hack on FSN with the Sonics and left with the undead like the talentless mercenary he is to be the play-by-play guy there, which makes sense considering his entire and complete paucity of ability and/or any other compelling attribute.
I mean, he said, “Robinson gets Jackson to leave his feet,” which is only slightly more accurate in describing what happened than saying: “Robinson’s forehead is a moon laser for employees only.”
Die. In. A. Grease. Fire.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
You can't expect him to get excited there
He’s announcing for the other team. (I’m not saying he’s a good announcer, though.)
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
It's not about excitement, it's about saying that Robinson got Jackson to bite on a pump fake, when in fact he made him fall to the ground with a behind-the-back dribble.
He’s an idiot.
Spider Jerusalem - January 28, 2012
You are right, Spider. And, BTW, it is amazing what a small, quick guard can do against a much taller guard. Nate created three steps between him and his grounded defender to get his shot off!
Just speed, stop, crossover behind-the-back, and shoot! Basic skill and athleticisim stuff!
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Klay Thompson needs more minutes
He is now up to a FG% of 44.6 overall and 44.2% on threes after a tough start.
randolphforpresident - January 28, 2012
and beans deserves to not play
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 28, 2012
Then Tyler
will be our starting center. He can stretch the floor with his mid-range jumper.
mykelala01 - January 28, 2012
better than beans on the foor
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 29, 2012
he is looking like a real offensive weapon coming off those screens mid range and long..
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 28, 2012
There was many cheap fouls called against the warriors in this game
did they really call a foul on lee after durant dunked the ball already?
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 28, 2012
What if we had Lee at the 3? Udoh at the 4 and Tyler at the 5 (for now)?
And then put dorell/klay/rush at the 2 and monta or curry at the 1, trading one of them for a DECENT 5? We suddenly got a whole lot better at rebounding and defense at almost every position. BTW lee claimed after the Portland game that he has been working on his three point shot so why not try him at the 3? Maybe he will be able to guard small forwards?
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
Because Lee guarding a SF would be the equivalent of Acie Law at SF
And TBH that lineups rebounding isn’t that awesome
dubzfan - January 28, 2012
Awesome isnt what we are looking for, we are looking for improvement. A tall SG like Klay, Rush or even Dorell, David Lee at 3, Udoh at 4, and a real center at 5 would seriously cut down on the opponents offensive rebounds.
I may be wrong but I think David Lee cant guard 4,5s because he cannot out muscle them. That is, he is really undersized. I’d like to see if he can guard SFs, maybe he can move his feet quick enough. LOL i doubt it though but why not try.
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
He's too slow for 3's, way too slow
And I see him get out muscled by 3’s as well. Lee at the 3 is foolish
dubzfan - January 28, 2012
Then he is useless everywhere on the court and there is no hope.
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
Yep, pretty much (on defense, that is)!
Missing Barry - January 29, 2012
Yup
and his range is limited to 18 footer. Lee never hit a 3 points these season. And I don’t recall him making any 3 point shot. Then we can’t stretch the floor. The lane will be clogged with big man. And Lee is more effective in the post.
mykelala01 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
That is one reason. He does get pushed around some by PF’s. Unfortunately, they also run circles around him. I don’t even want to think about what wings would do to him.
Missing Barry - January 29, 2012
I just can’t agree with you. I think it’s closer to Acie Law at C.
Missing Barry - January 29, 2012
On second thought, I don't blame Lee for those offensive rebounds
I blame Udoh. Lee was the center for a lot of the time, so Udoh was matched on Ibaka. Ibaka got a lot of those offensive rebounds against Udoh.
doubleteapot - January 28, 2012
Yes, Lee boxes out but fails to grab rebounds.
Its tough because on the one hand he does a good job of defending PFs, but on the other hand all that defense is for naught because he allows opposing teams to get a second opportunity which they are most likely going to convert.
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
I meant to say, Lee boxes out, but UDOH fails to grab rebounds.
MonstaEllis - January 28, 2012
I agree. Lee needs help inside. He is the only one rebounding conistently. Udoh and Biedrins are out to lunch in the rebounding (and scoring) department(s).
dinohealth - January 28, 2012
Monta seldom attack like these like he use to
mykelala01 - January 28, 2012
I think he's getting burned out
And making him the distributor and go to scorer is killing him
dubzfan - January 28, 2012
yeah
and he pass out a lot of shot recently… even thou he is under the rim. Anyway maybe by now the defense and scout are on him. So he try to be a play maker, sometimes he forget when to score or to when to pass out a shot.
mykelala01 - January 28, 2012
That's a crazy spin move.
Who starts spinning damn near the three point line and gets to the basket?
Spider Jerusalem - January 29, 2012
Westbrook abused him all game
This was his reaction. Awesome drive
maryjane - January 28, 2012
I still think Ellis should come off the bench and Rush should start. The Ellis can play with Klay off the bench. Curry and Rush start.
22goose - January 28, 2012 via mobile
Then
22goose - January 28, 2012 via mobile
Then
Then what? Rush plods along for a while till we get tired of him? Then wake up Montay??
Skeptic con Urquell - January 28, 2012
Um, so is anybody else scared of Durant? The way he was attacking the rim and aggressively trying to dunk all over us….I’ve never seen that from Durant before. If he starts to do that….that’s just scary to think about. Already one of the very best players in the NBA, crazy to think he’s still only 23….man. Can we please have a Durant or two?
Missing Barry - January 29, 2012
Yep, awesome and totally scary, MB!
dinohealth - January 29, 2012
Only when playing against the Warriors soft interior D
Raiiny - January 29, 2012
I’ve seen him do it from time to time.
Evanz - January 29, 2012
+1
mykelala01 - January 29, 2012
Yeah, I mean, I’ve seen him do it before, but on single possessions. Never seen him being aggressive like that repeatedly throughout a game.
Missing Barry - January 30, 2012
Is Ekpe Udoh another Adonal Foyle?
Starting to feel that way. He just seems to have better hands.
Critical Roach - January 29, 2012
chris kaman
is on the trading block all of a sudden. not sure how interested people are, but would you be willing to give up anybody from here for him? we desperately need a center.
killerk968 - January 29, 2012
Lee or Andris + small filler
They are asking for a lot and he’d be most valuable as an expiring contract , not a player
dubzfan - January 29, 2012
At this point
I am thinking about switching teams. I have been a Dubs fan for years. But life is too short to waste on watching a train wreck of a franchise. I mean, if they at least were making decisions based on any form of logic. Also, I recently moved out of the bay, and I am in enemy territory. Anyone else ready to throw in the flag?
Blowfish - January 29, 2012
Anyone else ready to throw in the flag?
I been a lakers fan for years
Skeptic con Urquell - January 29, 2012
can you sto quoting people in your subject header?
use block quotes, that’s what it’s there for
thanks,
everyone ever
Evanz - January 29, 2012
Wait...
Didn’t you do that?
GovernorStephCurry - January 29, 2012
I did when I first started posting here. Jae asked me to stop it, and use quotes. So I did.
Evanz - January 30, 2012
i thought this was only a trait unique to Skep.
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 30, 2012
can you sto quoting people in your subject header?
Might work if you batten down the header hatches well enough?
Skeptic con Urquell - January 29, 2012
lol
HUNGRY HUNTER - January 29, 2012
Pretty used to it by now, actually.
Brownie13 - January 30, 2012
I can't bring myself to it.
I’m pretty tired of the Warriors ineptness, but I have a little faith in this new ownership group. Aside from Guber’s fondness for story telling and entertainment, I think they have good intentions for the most part. I don’t know if they will ever win a championship in my lifetime, but I’m not ready to jump ship quite yet. I’m more tired of the NBA in general than I am of the Warriors. I can live a very happy and fulfilling life even if the Warriors continue to suck. I’m definitely never going to root for the Lakers.
Pippen - January 29, 2012
I’m definitely never going to root for the Lakers.
I might have to switch over to the Clips soon as kobe’s getting too old.
Skeptic con Urquell - January 29, 2012
I’m sure you won’t be the only convert. You might have to switch back to the Lakers once they inevitably reload and Sterling finds a way to screw up the good thing the Clips have going.
Pippen - January 29, 2012
You might have to switch back
I am very flexible :>) I’m thinking about the Thunder or Heat now too.
Skeptic con Urquell - January 29, 2012
If I was forced to pick a new team it would probably be the Thunder. I pull for them in the playoffs, especially if they play the Lakers.
Pippen - January 29, 2012
dont let Skep fool ya, he is a Warriors fan all the way
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 30, 2012
For that to happen I'd have to lose all hope...
but I think, at most, I would only have a time period where I wasn’t so devoted. I’ll always be a Warrior fan, but sometimes it is good to get away and find something else to root for, whether it be a different team, an individual player, or something else. I think most people who have ever been fans of the NBA can definitely identify with that.
Brownie13 - January 29, 2012
Well what do you still have hope in?
Blowfish - January 30, 2012
That we can be more successful than we are now
Brownie13 - January 30, 2012
Nothing
This team does makes me feel that it can be successful. Bad choice after bad choice. Even if we draft a stud next year (I’ve heard this is a strong draft?), you think this management/ownership will be able to make it work? I don’t think so.
Blowfish - January 30, 2012
If we took your attitude to the extreme , we could just root for whoever is 1st place throughout the season and finals
PIRATEWARRIOR - January 30, 2012
Not true
You are not hearing what I am saying. It’s not that I want to root for whoever is doing well. But root for a team that honestly is making strides to be better. I am not looking for much. Just common sense moves…
Blowfish - January 30, 2012
So?
That’s your opinion. Like I said, I haven’t lost hope. I don’t necessarily need a reason to keep hope.
Brownie13 - January 30, 2012
give it time, my guess is that Riley will be the next to go
they’ve hardly had any time. and yes, they’ve made a number of questionable moves, but only one move that I really have a problem with (the amnesty – shoulda saved it).
long-term, we are much better off having Cohan gone, I think these guys will figure it out
Duby Dub Dubs - January 30, 2012
I just think
We have to move Monta. I know he is a good player, but we need to get a normal sized two guard. I do agree however, good riddance to Cohan. I hope they figure it out, not sure that MJ was a good hire though…
Blowfish - January 30, 2012
Depends on where you moved to…
Missing Barry - January 30, 2012
Portland
Blowfish - January 30, 2012
Well, they are a potential rival for the Warriors…but I don’t find that too objectionable. At least it’s not the Lakers…
Missing Barry - January 30, 2012
Shipping Monta and Biedrins to Phoenix
I’ve been dreaming, well before this abbreviated season started, of possible trades to move Biedrins’ – along with his salary of $27 million over the next three years – for a legit big man. At first it made sense to either move Steph Curry or Monta with, determined by what other teams wanted and had to offer. But the more that I’ve thought about it, all while watching the early development of Klay Thompson, and Monta’s slow start, the more it makes sense to hold onto Steph and find a way to move Monta’s contract with Biedrins’. Given this scenario, no team seems better suited than the Suns, who have desperately needed to find Steve Nash’s successor like two years ago. Now, I’m not saying that the Warriors should necessarily make a move for Nash, but his expiring contract wouldn’t be a bad thing to trade for. What I am saying, and what everyone has known for years, is that Warriors have needed a true big man for years. Of course, no one’s ever accused David Lee of being a big man (why the Warriors signed him to a max contract still leaves me more confused than a rubik’s cube), but let’s face it, Lee gives it everything he can every time he steps out on the court. And like every big man in a little man’s body, all he needs is a big guy behind him. Who better in this case than Marcin Gortat? Right, Dwight Howard to name one. But who is more realistically attainable? Gortat is 6’11’’, 240 lbs, is the league’s leader in field goal percentage, and averages a little over 10 boards per game, and can clog the lane. Maybe you get the Suns to throw in some young talent like Shannon Brown. Or maybe they throw in Nash’s contract, netting the Warriors about $12 million next season to go and get another piece of the puzzle. Either way, I don’t think anyone can rightly disagree that this move would make more sense then less.
Five8Wonder - January 29, 2012
Well, I think Suns fans might…but yeah, it would make sense for us at least…
Missing Barry - January 30, 2012
I voted no on the Thunder because they took away our mascot for no reason.
callahan - January 30, 2012
I say good riddance.
Missing Barry - January 30, 2012
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