Recap: Warriors 94, Lakers 106

by Atma Brother ONE on Mar 4, 2006 9:38 AM PST in News

With this loss the Warriors are now 8 games below .500 and pretty much out of the playoff race. The Warriors roster is deeply flawed at so many positions, but they are more talented than the Lakers. So why are the Lakers holding down the final playoff seed and the Warriors are headed nowhere fast? Coaching.

Boxscore

Kobe: "Phil, let's trade for the Warriors roster. We'd be much better!"

The Warriors should have a much better record than they do given their talent level. There is no reason getting blown out every night should be the norm. It is becoming commonplace for the Warriors to be unprepared and outcoached. Coach Montgomery should have already been fired this season. The top off season priority for the Warriors this season is getting an elite NBA coach. Someone needs to come in and teach these young guys how to win. Monty is just not that man. Why would you team an unexperienced coach with an unexperienced roster? That's just dumb.

Kobe: "Oh snap! Yo, Fish your coach is dumb as hell if he thinks you should be guarding at ANY POINT in the game. EVERYONE knows the only thing that bothers me is length."

There's not all that much new to say about this game. Once again JRich showed that he is a true Warrior and Troy Murphy had a decent night. Baron played tough on a bum ankle, but was largely ineffective. There wasn't much else positive to take from the game as everyone else had a pretty poor outing.

The Warriors shot an unwatchable 33.3% overall. Let's put it this way- with 16 points "big" man Chris Mihm outscored Fisher, Dunleavy, and Foyle... COMBINED (I find myself writing that line too often!). Aside from some great defensive flashes Pietrus continues to struggle. We should be the least worried about Mickael's recent struggles because they seem closely tied to Baron Davis not being able to suit up. When he's struggling offensively, at least Pietrus can contribute on the defensive end of the court. Even if Pietrus continues to play poorly, he's only on the books with a rookie contract that expires soon.

On the other hand, Mike Dunleavy is running out of excuses. He can't play with Baron and talked smack in the media (see Dunleavy Needs to Shut Up). He can't play without Baron either. His averages over his last 5 games pretty much speak for themselves: 6 points (25.7% FG and 12.5% 3pt), 4.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.4 turnovers, and 2.6 fouls. That's awful. The worst part is his 44 million dollar contract hasn't even kicked in yet. Don't be frustrated, just laugh (see 44 Reasons why giving Mike Dunleavy 44million wasn't the brightest idea Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV ). That's all we can really do with him stuck on the books for the next 5 years.

Dunleavy sneaking a peak at Kobe's back and his tights.

Adonal Foyle's a nice guy and he's doing great things with Democracy Matters. The problem is he's more likely to show up on C-Span than on a Sportscenter highlight (unless it's for that shot). You have to wonder- does Adonal ever work on his game or practice? He seriously hasn't improved at all since his rookie season.

The officiating in the game was horrendous. For some strange reason the refs were dishing out technical fouls like a healthy Boom Dizzle dishes out assists. If any Warrior came within 2 feet of Kobe Bryant it was a foul. Tough calls, but something you have to live with. Jump shooting teams like the Warriors, play themselves out of games where the refs will reward any drive to the basket with a foul.

The Warriors need a coach who can teach young players like Biedrins and Ike how to play defense and not foul. Fantasy Junkie's One Minute Man Biedrins collected 5 fouls in only 17 minutes of play. Even worse, Ike picked up 5 in 7 minutes of play. That's just unacceptable.

Bottom line: Coach Montgomery needs to go back to coaching in college and the Warriors need to find an experienced, respected NBA coach. A real front office would help immensely too.

Warrior Wonder
J-Richy-Rich. 27 points, 5 boards, 6 dimes, 3 steals. It's a shame JRich's great season and heroics are going to be wasted this season because of dumb coaching and management.

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Actually

Adonal Foyle (as reported by MT for the Times) will be on C-Span.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/basketball/nba/golden_state_warriors/14016313.htm? source=rss&channel=mercurynews_golden_state_warriors

Center Adonal Foyle's appearance on C-SPAN will air Sunday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Foyle, founder of the organization Democracy Matters, did a one-on-one interview with Brian Lamb for the channel's weekly Q & A show.

by Atma Brother ONE on Mar 4, 2006 9:49 AM PST reply actions

Brutal but Honest

last night's game was horrible. for once i honestly couldn't watch. i turned off the tv and did other things. it was horrible. a game we really need to win especially with baron back ... but we fell apart. to the lakers!!

I throw in the towel folks. I agree with Atma. Our coach needs to go, trade some players ... and start a new next season! Our coach lost 3 games this year in the final seconds when we had a 3 point lead and let the other team make a 3pter instead of fouling them.

I am officially on warriors strike. i can't take this anymore!!

by YaoButtaMing on Mar 4, 2006 10:18 AM PST reply actions

Things were looking fine . . .

Just as I turned on the game, JRich hit a 3 to put the Warriors ahead. Alright! I watched a few minutes, then had to get back to work. But things look like they're under control. A little while later, I turn the game back on and the Warriors are on this heroic 0-for-whatever streak. That was pretty sorry.

I saw too little of last night's game to comment on the coaching. I was shocked, though, when I read last week that it's Montgomery's policy not to intentionally foul a player to prevent a 3, like the one Harpring hit. He said something to the effect, "We don't do that." Why? Why don't you do that? There may be a good reason (I'm not the most knowledgeable basketball fan), but explain the reason.

by Ray of Lite on Mar 4, 2006 1:10 PM PST reply actions

It was perplexing

to see Baron guarding Kobe for a stretch but there is really nobody else who stands a chance besides Petrius.

Maybe the thought was why bother wasting your best defenders on him when he's just going to rise up and shoot over anyone quick enough to stay with him. Like there's ever a coherent plan though.

The coaching is embarassing. Every night. Defenders on the wrong sides of picks, crowding quick guards 30' from the basket and all the late game meltdowns. Much of the fun of being a Warriors fan in the early 90's was watching Nellie outsmarting opposing coaches. Sickening.

by bloodsweatndonuts on Mar 4, 2006 5:08 PM PST reply actions

new guy!

Hey, gentlemen...
I'm new on this site, but thank God I found you. For YEEEEARS I've been a Warriors fan, and FINALLY am finding some voices that share my addiction to the Dubs.
I've been complaining about Dunleavey for a year, and finally found you guys calling him out AND having a sence of humor about his mis-guided position. It's almost too easy (and a little sad) to pick on him any longer. But please keep doing so!!!
I can only hope that Warriors Management will get wise and look to this site for advise. Keep up the good work!
Is this season really over?
Say it ain't so.
I'm just chiming in now, cause I think we've all been here before!
Go Warriors... Go GoldenStateofMind!!!

by Cocomotion on Mar 5, 2006 12:49 AM PST reply actions

Cockoo for Coco

Great to have to have you on man!

We've been around for almost a year. Up until the past 2 months we were over at http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/

Definitely poke through there and our archives here at Golden State of Mind for more Dunleavy classics!

by Atma Brother ONE on Mar 5, 2006 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

Hello Cocomotion :)

Cocomotion ... glad you found us! Its always great to hear people enjoying and visiting our site, whether they agree with us or not.

My spirit and devotion tends to cause my warped sense of reality which results in the belief that our team can still make the playoffs. All we need is a fantastic surge like we did the end of last season. But after recent failures and losses to some teams we HAD to beat ... i have a feeling we are lottery bound once again. Its a shame really because of all the hype and the fan interest throughout the season .. you can see the frustration in the stadium now every time we start to stink it up.

I personally believe this whole Dunleavy thing is just a metaphor for what we feel for the warriors. I mean every time Dunleavy does the slightest thing wrong ... the fans blow up. is it really all his fault? maybe ... maybe not, but the real frustration is the Warriors on a whole. How can you have 2 superstars in J-Rich and Baron and NOT make the playoffs? I mean come on something has to give. We have decent role players and there is no reason why we can't be in seven or either.

No everyone knows my feelings that I think we need a better coach. I vote we kick monte and bring in Stan Van Gundy the bay area native.

all in all ... i haven't lost hope yet. I'm giving them one more week starting today. They have:
Wolves - should beat
Hawks - should beat
Bobcats- should beat
heat - surprise us dammit
Magic - should beat

that means they should win 4 of the next 5 games. anything less and they are out of the race in my opinion. lets see how they do!!
GO WARRIORS ... and Golden State of Mind :)

by YaoButtaMing on Mar 5, 2006 8:53 AM PST reply actions

Hey Doug! Let's Talk!

Atma's comments were harsh, but they have to be said. I have been a Warrior fan since I would go to the old Cow Palace to watch Rick Barry play. I sometimes wonder why I am such a loyal fan. Yesterday I was watching the golf match. Tiger Woods fell behind briefly. I went outside to do a little yard work. I came back in and checked the TV. Tiger was up by two! I thought how enjoyable it is to be a fan for someone who knows how to win.

Back to the Warriors. It is really getting pathetic. I finally turned off the TV myself against the Lakers. I frequently have to turn off the volume just to be able to stand watching the games this season.

There is just no continuity. There's no improvement, just a steady decline. Like many fans, I have just about reached my saturation point with excuses. Note to the owner: You are going to witness a huge drop in attendance if you don't right this ship.

The same mistakes over and over. Adonyl keeps starting. He keeps making mistakes, dropping easy passes, making a layup look difficult. When he finally makes one or two shots that most high school centers could make, everyone is expected to cheer wildly. It's getting old. He's getting millions of dollars a year for that?

MP keeps starting. He acts like he can't even make a layup himself anymore. I hear the excuses that it's because BD's not on the court. What's that got to do with it? This is the NBA.

Dun comes off the bench in a flurry. He rushes up and down the court and shoots about 25%. Clang...Clang...Clang...

And, of course, other players seem to get career nights when they play us.

Enough! I know you all have seen the same meltdown I have. We've all heard the excuses that it's going to get better.

Chris Mullin has painted us into a corner with his huge eight-figure-long-term contracts to players who wouldn't even start for other NBA teams. Sometimes, they don't even start for the Warriors.

Yes, we do have some talent on this club. JRich is playing at an All-Star level, except for his FT. BD is an pretty fair PG when he's healthy. Troy is a consistent double-double. Monta, Ike, and Andris show huge future potential.

We really should be winning more. I have to agree that we just don't seem to have the coaching necessary to bring out the best in our players.

A top coach will create a team plan that brings out the best in each player and results in players collectively playing above their own individual skill level.

There doesn't seem to be any consistent game plan right now. Look at the Pacers and the Suns. Both lost an All-Star player and yet both are still winning with less overall talent than the Warriors. That's the difference coaching makes.

I think we all need to realize that the problem is not only Monty. The Warriors have a complete coaching staff that has dropped the ball.

I think the patience of the Warrior fans is running out. The current state of the team is just not acceptable. The players can only do so much. I think we may need to make some changes at the coaching level.

The best suggestion I have heard is Doug Collins. He consistently brings his teams to the playoffs. He can coach All-Stars (Michael Jordan, etc.). He teaches strong defense. I don't know if he would consider it, but I think he would be the best thing we could do right now.

Let him get involved with the Lottery and any trades. Let him hire his own staff. Pay him what he deserves.

My second choice would be Rick Barry. I'd like to give him a chance. The Warriors would be playing a more intense game, I would imagine.

Monty might be happy to go back to college coaching.

by pineriver on Mar 5, 2006 10:22 AM PST reply actions

Pine

My words recently have definitely been fairly harsh. If you know my style and our general style here at Golden State of Mind, humor + science comes first and foremost. I honestly expected the Warriors to make the playoffs this season, so I'm upset.

Don't worry- I might seem harsh lately, but we'll still lace everything with that Golden State of Mind flava!

Thanks for reading.

by Atma Brother ONE on Mar 5, 2006 1:10 PM PST up reply actions