OPEN THREAD: Game 35 - Spurs @ Warriors

by dj fuzzylogic on Jan 7, 2008 6:57 PM PST in Previews

Warriors (W-L): 19-15
Spurs (W-L): 23-9
TV: NBA TV, FSN Bay Area
Radio: KNBR 680

Using 8Monta's apt metaphor for the recent stormy weather in the bay to talk about the arrival of the CJ Watson, aka the Quiet Storm, I will then resignify that to talk about the Warriors 2 game skid, which is stormy as well. Lets hope the new personnel changes can give us a good nights sleep "between the sheets" after the game against the Spurs.

The Warriors are still searching for that elusive 20th win after getting exposed against two top tier teams of the Westcoast conference. The Hornets and Mavs games brought back memories, for me at least, of the the Warriors-Jazz playoff series, where it looked like a Junior Varsity team vs. the Varsity Squad. We don't need to rehash what's already been said, but these teams were just, in the words of Daft Punk, 'harder, better, faster, stronger.' And pretty much at all positions.

The Warriors are a crafty team that needs to learn to adjust and exploit team weakness; though, we've looked more like a one trick pony more than anything recently. Either that or we're regressing to the novelty of the NBA, where Nelson's game of defying basketball conventions that "size doesn't matter" (try telling that to the ladies...) is actually exposing some of our greatest weaknesses (size, muscle, and defense) than becoming a real advantage on either end of the floor.

The Spurs are coming full force, though somewhat wobbly, with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili both suffering injuries in recent games. The Warriors did a solid job containing the Duncan-less Spurs last time they met. The keys to the game will be staying in front of Parker and keeping him out of the key. Lets hope Monta and Baron can keep up with him. A match-up on the court that will be worth checking out is who will get more flop calls: Monta or Manu?

This is the Warriors longest losing streak since opening up the season. Lets hope they put an end to this before it spirals out of control like the Warriors have the last two years around this 25-30 game mark.

Predictions:

* Warriors by 5
* Matt Bonner is FINALLY contained...only because he doesn't play since Duncan is back.
* Harrington continues to be offensively efficient: 21 points in ONLY 22 minutes of play.
* Brandan Wright plays 8 minutes
* Quiet Storm sings some smooth RNB at the end of the game, sending folks off feeling romantic. What a way to end a win!

Can the Warriors end their losing streak tonight? What are your thoughts? Let us know how you're feeling in the comments!

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Comments

This would be a huge win

With 2 straight losses and the Spurs playing at full strength this has all the makings of a "Warriors by 1" prediction. It's definitely not a do or die with the Warriors potentially favorites in 10 of the next 11. But if the Ws could get this one, then we will certainly be in the playoffs. AGAIN!

Where have you gone Jud Buechler?

by Chris Gatling on Jan 7, 2008 7:06 PM PST 0 recs

I was

reading the game preview over at ESPN.com and they list Manu Ginobili as OUT for this game... is that true? Does anyone no anything about that?
By the way... Warriors by 4!
Great games from Baron and Al Harrington!
GO DUBS!!

F**K REFS!!!

by faetati on Jan 7, 2008 7:07 PM PST 0 recs

I'm Pumped

Jim & Fitz 2nite. I wasn't in the mood to hear the spurs anouncing team.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 7:29 PM PST 0 recs

I live in SA

so I'm doomed to the SA guys, aka the most biased cheerleader announcing team in the league

It's almost like the Warriors have 6 guys out there... they always have a guy open! - Jon Barry commentating game 3 last year

by gsw4life on Jan 7, 2008 7:41 PM PST up 0 recs

Qk start?

GSW has gotta try to get outta the gate fast to take advantage of Duncan's gimpy knee, which he banged into Corey Maggette on a pick-and-roll late in their game vs. the Clips. We absolutely cannot give up a double digit lead right away like we have in recent games ...

This isn't a make or break game, but it would be a great bounce back from the disappointing effort vs. the Hornet's at the Oracle.

Go Dubs.

by hardcore on Jan 7, 2008 7:40 PM PST 0 recs

uh oh -

is Pop going for win #600 tonight? vs Nelson ...

by hardcore on Jan 7, 2008 7:42 PM PST 0 recs

WTF

stupid passes....

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 7:50 PM PST 0 recs

Barnes has been

in a HUGE slump lately.

by WarriorForLife on Jan 7, 2008 7:50 PM PST 0 recs

no kidding

good thing biedrin can clean up

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 7:53 PM PST 0 recs

uh oh

here comes air france

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 7:53 PM PST 0 recs

and first mistake

forgets to shoot the ball

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 7:55 PM PST up 0 recs

why isn't al 1st off the bench

I just don't get the don sometimes.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 8:02 PM PST up 0 recs

duncan is already punishing us..

so many offensive rebounds

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 7:56 PM PST 0 recs

the oracle scoreboard should spot the opp. 10pts

cuz the dubs don't seem to start really playing until their down 10.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 7:57 PM PST 0 recs

geez

did jackson seriously just airball a wide open 3?

by AJC3317 on Jan 7, 2008 7:58 PM PST 0 recs

Pietrus at PF

Has it ever worked? Seriously?

Nellie is senile man. Going small is only an advantage when we actually gain an advantage. If we're gonna suck while going small, maybe a solution is, i dunno, using our big men in whom our future depends?

SB Nation Quality Control

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Jan 7, 2008 8:01 PM PST 0 recs

what's nellies aversion to an al + ab lineup?

biedrins has been the best player on the court.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 8:03 PM PST up 0 recs

ab

he plays extremely well then gets benched after 7 minutes

meanwhile jack and baron are given unfettered discretion to brick and hand the ball over

shoot me

SB Nation Quality Control

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Jan 7, 2008 8:07 PM PST up 0 recs

And the world finally figures out

what I've been saying.

Tony.psd = Da Man

http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/

by Zorgon on Jan 7, 2008 8:10 PM PST up 0 recs

This is terrible

They're getting great shot selection....just simply not making the shots. It's almost as if they can only make them in transition, not standing still, lol!

Tony.psd = Da Man

http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/

by Zorgon on Jan 7, 2008 8:04 PM PST 0 recs

Stephen Jackson needs to be benched

Nelli should begin starting Buki.

by vdozens on Jan 7, 2008 8:11 PM PST 0 recs

what the fackk??

all these damn mistakes with jackson trying to do a damn chris paul no look pass and pietrus tryingto take a damn change on our logo againn?/ cmon nelson your freakin better than dat man we are so horrible right now. the hot hands are al n ab. maybe we should keep passing it to them off penetrations just like how al made that three right there.

by GSwarrior on Jan 7, 2008 8:16 PM PST 0 recs

the 5 that needs to be on the floor ...

baron, monta, buki, al, and beeds

by vdozens on Jan 7, 2008 8:19 PM PST 0 recs

u got ur wish

by AJC3317 on Jan 7, 2008 8:25 PM PST up 0 recs

KEEP DRVING!

It's working

by WarriorForLife on Jan 7, 2008 8:25 PM PST 0 recs

davis

putting on a show. That's what I like to see. Hopefully he can give us a big lead so we can defend a lead rather than clawing back.

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 8:25 PM PST 0 recs

Yeeeeeeeee

by WarriorForLife on Jan 7, 2008 8:33 PM PST 0 recs

how bout that

jackson actually passed rather than forcing up a shot

by AJC3317 on Jan 7, 2008 8:33 PM PST 0 recs

yes

vast improvement from first quarter. hopefully they can keep this up and continue to penetrate and kick it out. all we got to do is to carry thing energy on towards the second half .

by GSwarrior on Jan 7, 2008 8:35 PM PST 0 recs

nice

Azuibuke for THREE!

CJ Miles. From San Andreas to the Bay!

by tadams1080 on Jan 7, 2008 8:35 PM PST 0 recs

buke buke buke!!

he should take our clutch 3s

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 8:36 PM PST 0 recs

tmnt's patemted and 1 hip push

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 8:40 PM PST 0 recs

great defense monta

when he puts his mind to it he can shut down some people

by AJC3317 on Jan 7, 2008 8:41 PM PST 0 recs

I don[' mind Jack launching that 3

even on a 3 on 1. That woulda brought the house down.

by WarriorForLife on Jan 7, 2008 8:43 PM PST 0 recs

great 2nd qtr

up by 7 at the half

by vietnameezboy on Jan 7, 2008 8:43 PM PST 0 recs

good sign

jax looking more controled on the pnr attempts. Looks like the league has scouted that play. Need to work on a new one.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 8:44 PM PST 0 recs

Question for anyone:

Why are they trying to fight over the screen on Parker instead of trying to go under 20+ feet away? He can't shoot from out there, he's not even allowed to shoot from out there.

Is it to make the Spurs move the ball around to open up steals?

by bloodsweatndonuts on Jan 7, 2008 8:45 PM PST 0 recs

habit maybe?

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Jan 7, 2008 8:51 PM PST up 0 recs

I really hope not

Between Nelson, Riley and Smart I have to guess that's intentional. It's not like Nelson's afraid to tell Monta to go under a screen.

by bloodsweatndonuts on Jan 7, 2008 8:55 PM PST up 0 recs

damnit jackson..

no need for heroics... we needed a easy basket at the end not a miss

by saintdee on Jan 7, 2008 8:45 PM PST 0 recs

Kuiper's jacket in HD is freaky

by bloodsweatndonuts on Jan 7, 2008 8:46 PM PST 0 recs

WOOW

VERY GOOD ENERGY IN ORACLE, keep it up and lets win this GAME. (i hate these refs)

brb, going to ORACLE

by warrior510 on Jan 7, 2008 8:50 PM PST 0 recs

jack

We need jack on the floor, but in a much more reserved role offensively. He has value because he is, literally, a jack of all trades, except that when he plays like Lebron James the results are Qyntel Woods-like.

SB Nation Quality Control

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Jan 7, 2008 8:51 PM PST 0 recs