OT: Golden State Warriors Sputtering Toward the End

[rochrist]

Wow - 2 home losses in the last 5 days? Did Minnesota follow the Celtics blueprint at all (turn the game into an ugly brawl)?

That wasn't the Cs gameplan. One might suspect you didn't actually watch the game.

 

[rochrist]

Larry Bird wouldn't even make a team in today's NBA. *sniffs*

****DISLIKE******!!!!!

 

[Kontradiction]

I'd agree that if GS is firing on all cylinders, no one is taking 4 games off of them. I don't think they would blow SA off the floor like that though. They got their brains beat in that night, yeah, but Aldridge kinda forgot to show up for that game and they pretty much never got anything going. I think the last matchup was indicative of what the SA counter-punch looks like, though it was an improved performance as much as it was an improved approach. They're a very deep, very well coached team too.

No doubt. And I highly doubt GS would sweep them or blow them out by 30+ every game, but I could only see SA taking maybe 1 off of them while the rest of the victories were relatively comfortable 8-12 point wins. GS is basically the Spurs... only much younger with a lot less minutes on their legs.

 

[Froob]

Wow - 2 home losses in the last 5 days? Did Minnesota follow the Celtics blueprint at all (turn the game into an ugly brawl)?

The short answer is no. The graph below explains the Warriors decline.

 

[Froob]

That wasn't the Cs gameplan. One might suspect you didn't actually watch the game.

Yeah quite the opposite, the Dubs turned it into a brawl.

 

[Wax Frog]

Yeah not a good look for them, hope they turn it around and break the record. Anything to shut the Jordan stans up.

 

[RobertWeathers]

No doubt. And I highly doubt GS would sweep them or blow them out by 30+ every game, but I could only see SA taking maybe 1 off of them while the rest of the victories were relatively comfortable 8-12 point wins. GS is basically the Spurs... only much younger with a lot less minutes on their legs.

This cannot be said enough. Experience, mental toughness and talent can win you a title but experience, mental toughness, talent and youth will win every time.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Larry Bird wouldn't even make a team in today's NBA. *sniffs*

This statement goes beyond your garden-variety trolling.

This is pot-stirring at its finest.

 

[upstater1]

That's why you don't let the inmates run the nuthouse. The Heat drafted Shabazz Napier because LeBron wanted it and Napier has been a bust to date. Although I do have to give Riley props for basically telling LeBron to go **** himself in 2010-2011 when he wanted Spoelstra replaced. LeBron is a great basketball player. Probably the best on the planet. But I have to say that I don't miss him like I thought I would.

A late first round pick in his second season can be considered a bust in the NBA? There are top players like Kyle Lowry and Kemba Walker who struggled for a long while before doing anything. I think Napier can have a long career as a second PG off the bench.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

That wasn't the Cs gameplan. One might suspect you didn't actually watch the game.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the C's gameplan.

I am being hyperbolic, and using "Ugly Brawl" more as a complimentary way to the Celtics. It looked to me like the C's were out-hustling, and playing an outstanding swarming and very physical style of defense, Avery in particular. I've watched a bunch of Warriors games this season (as I live in SF) and they didn't look like their pretty selves that night. I also watched the Jazz almost beat the Warriors last Wednesday thinking... "What's wrong with the Warriors?"

 

[drewskie]

GSW isn't really the Spurs stylistically. The Spurs much prefer a slow it down half court game, and while GSW is capable of playing that they are #1 in the league in shots attempted within the first 10 seconds of the shot clock I believe, or something to that effect. The main advantage GSW has is homecourt, but even then the Spurs have the pieces and schemes to neutralize the 3 point attack of GSW. I honestly see the Spurs winning in 6 or 7. We shall see.

 

[ViperGTS]

Feel free to share your thoughts on the C's gameplan.

I am being hyperbolic, and using "Ugly Brawl" more as a complimentary way to the Celtics. It looked to me like the C's were out-hustling, and playing an outstanding swarming and very physical style of defense, Avery in particular. I've watched a bunch of Warriors games this season (as I live in SF) and they didn't look like their pretty selves that night. I also watched the Jazz almost beat the Warriors last Wednesday thinking... "What's wrong with the Warriors?"

If Curry isn't on that team dropping 3s from 90 feet they aren't anything. Love by the 3, die by the 3. 3s are mostly about the legs. Later in the season especially as hard as they have played, the legs go a bit and the 3s will start missing.

I have no respect for Golden State. Gimmick team. Give me SA any day. Or the Cs.

 

[Froob]

This statement goes beyond your garden-variety trolling.

This is pot-stirring at its finest.

I read a post once that I'm pretty sure was serious that said Russell would only be Ryan Hollins in today's NBA.

 

[Tom meets Kaepernick]

I have no respect for Golden State

Why? They've shown that you can win a championship being a primarily jumpshooting team, while quiety being a top 10 team in points in the paint. They average the most assists per game. Golden State's offense is based on many of the principle the Spurs use, primarily utilizing Flow/Motion offense.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I read a post once that I'm pretty sure was serious that said Russell would only be Ryan Hollins in today's NBA.

My goodness....

My dad is 71, played hoops and has seen Russell play dozens of times.

His contention is with today's training and nutrition he would be Ben Wallace but better on the boards, scoring, passing and on D.

 

[ausbacker]

I read a post once that I'm pretty sure was serious that said Russell would only be Ryan Hollins in today's NBA.

It's always difficult to project mainly because even though the fundamentals stay the same, so much water passes under the bridge between eras. Personally, I prefer the late 80's early 90's NBA because you could play tough D and you had to have balls of steel to stand in the paint. These days not so much.

 

[PF_SU]

It's always difficult to project mainly because even though the fundamentals stay the same, so much water passes under the bridge between eras. Personally, I prefer the late 80's early 90's NBA because you could play tough D and you had to have balls of steel to stand in the paint. These days not so much.

Same for me, perhaps a shade more towards the early-mid 90s. One of my biggest problems with modern NBA are the rule changes that made those physically gifted guards unstoppable. Gives me headaches seeing a Westbrook or a Harden just waltz into the paint without opposition and drawing foul shots. I like that physical brand of basketball with handchecking and bigs waiting in the middle making every trip towards the basket hard work. That also made the midrange game more important. Things like Morey-ball with his fixation on either threes or shots at the basket would've totally bombed in the 80s/90s.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Same for me, perhaps a shade more towards the early-mid 90s. One of my biggest problems with modern NBA are the rule changes that made those physically gifted guards unstoppable. Gives me headaches seeing a Westbrook or a Harden just waltz into the paint without opposition and drawing foul shots. I like that physical brand of basketball with handchecking and bigs waiting in the middle making every trip towards the basket hard work. That also made the midrange game more important. Things like Morey-ball with his fixation on either threes or shots at the basket would've totally bombed in the 80s/90s.

I'm early 80s onward. Some teams played D. Most were casual about it like LA, Denver, Utah, etc.

The mid 80s finals between the Celtics/Lakers changed everything.

 

[Froob]

It's always difficult to project mainly because even though the fundamentals stay the same, so much water passes under the bridge between eras. Personally, I prefer the late 80's early 90's NBA because you could play tough D and you had to have balls of steel to stand in the paint. These days not so much.

While true, Russell from what I've read and heard from others would have done well in any era. Incredibly smart player. It's truly a shame and disgusting how the fans treated him during his playing days. We're lucky he has returned to the city and embraced the Celtics.

 

[RobertWeathers]

While true, Russell from what I've read and heard from others would have done well in any era. Incredibly smart player.

I believe greatness crosses generations. If you were great in the 50s, you would great in 2016 and vice versa.

Give Bill Russell time to adapt his game and give him the nutrition and the training today's athletes receive he is a 15pt/18rb/4blk/2st guy a night and the most mentally tough player in the league.

It's truly a shame and disgusting how the fans treated him during his playing days. We're lucky he has returned to the city and embraced the Celtics.

Yes but Russell didn't make a lot of friends either. He put up walls in a major way. Even with his teammates. Also keep in mind this city wasn't exactly welcoming to African Americans in the 50s and 60s.