Recap: Warriors 93, Hornets 97: A Rollercoaster Ride

by Fantasy Junkie on Nov 7, 2006 10:47 PM PST in Recaps Comment 36 comments

This game may turn out to be a microcosm of the Warriors' season as a whole. Up and down, back and forth, a loss and a win. This game is why they call basketball a game of runs. The Warriors would make a run to close the gap, but then the Hornets would make their own run to push the lead back to double digits. Back and forth it went the whole game, 10-0 run, 0-9 run. One moment the Warriors show they can beat a team as good as the Hornets and then the next moment they look like a lottery bound team. Tonight, there was no consistency in their play. The end of the game was just the Warriors being on the wrong side of one of those runs. With 3:30 to go in the game, the Warriors hit a fast break layup to get to 90 points and a 3 point lead. It took the Warriors another 3 minutes to score again and by that time the Hornets had already taken the lead. Yesterday in Dallas the game nearly slipped away because the team couldn't score in the clutch, and today the game did slip away. This can't continue to happen. I'm not sure what it is, but Nellie needs to fix it.

Despite the inconsistencies, I was really happy with the way they played tonight. They never gave up despite being down by 12 after the first quarter. They kept fighting and fighting to get back in this game. Even though the fell behind by double digits multiple times, the Warriors always had a run to get them back in the game. The good thing about these runs was that they were led by different players each time. Monta Ellis, Anthony Roberson, and Matt Barnes all were the catalysts for some of these runs. It's great to see the role players stepping up to give the team a boost so that the team does not have to rely on Baron and JRich to keep the team in the game.

What really hurt the Warriors tonight were two ankle sprains. Both hurt the Warriors badly in the rebounding and defense departments. One happened to Mickael Pietrus yesterday in Dallas and the second happened tonight when Ike Diogu's hot start was sidelined by an accidental ankle turn. Had the Warriors been able to play both players, I think they win the game. Both players give them a good defensive presence, offensive and defensive rebounding, and straight up hustle. Look at the rebounding stats, the Warriors were beat 52-34 on the boards with the Hornets getting 21 offensive rebounds. TWENTY-ONE! Hopefully these two ankle sprains are minor and both can come back soon.

As far as the players, for the most part I felt Baron was really patient and didn't force too much on offense. He seemed to let the game come to him tonight. There was much less pounding of the rock and more moving without the ball. Part of this is due to Nellie's strategy of a Monta and Roberson dual headed point guard which allowed Baron to move on offense more. Hopefully in the future, we'll see more of the better ball movement and motion on offense.

I also really liked what I saw from Andris Biedrins tonight. He only grabbed 5 rebounds but he was the anchor of that defense for much of game. When Chris Paul would drive the lane, there was Biedrins challenging the shot. He wound up with 6 blocks and changed a lot of shots. Biedrins is seriously a new player since last year. He even made two clutch free throws in a row. You can tell he worked hard on his game in the offseason.

As for a round up of the other players, I have to give props to Roberson and Monta for picking up the scoring on fast breaks and also in the half court set. Barnes was very active and I really liked what I saw from him on defense and on the break. Now what's going on with Murphy? 0 rebounds again? Also, JRich's shooting woes continue as he goes 2-9. Hopefully he gets into playing shape. This team could explode if he can back to his old self. Oh how potential is so dangerous, isn't it?

Warrior Wonder: Andris Biedrins. His defense and hustle kept the Warriors in the game. With Ike out, he was the only Warrior who could defend the paint. Without Biedrins tonight, the Warriors would have had no chance.

0 recs | Comment 36 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

haha

did you hear fitz go wild when beads made his second free throw. lol. sounded like he was about to fall out of his chair!

by mydedgerbil555 on Nov 7, 2006 10:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

LOL...

My gf and I did also. In fact, she covered up her eyes cuz she couldn't bare to look. And when he made the 2nd one, we BOTH nearly fell out of our chairs. haha...

AB changed his FT from the Dallas game. Instead of just one handing it, he used his right hand to stabilize the ball, and I think that really helped. Let's just hope this continues and he can be ~65% from the line.

Go AB!!!

by yuletak on Nov 8, 2006 10:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

GSoM needs to make a big deal out of Biedrins...

This could really be something for the Warriors, you guys need to really focus on Biedrins man and get the word out!!! He is solidifying a starting position for us, that means, Biedrins, Pietrus, JRich, and BARON are our permanent starters... and only one position is still uncertain, which is PF which will probably go to Murphy as long as he keeps up his play... but WOW, Biedrins, man, he is looking great out there, and Baron likes him a LOT, you can tell the way Biedrins always goes to him to advice that it's mutual... this is gonna be verrrrry interesting guys!

by gsdubz on Nov 7, 2006 11:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Andris Biedrins

We've only begin the season but Andris is probably the most improved post player in the NBA.

Given how rare tall centers are in the NBA, it looks GSW have Andris and POB is a promising prospect.

by joe sez on Nov 8, 2006 7:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

strike that

Andrew Bynum had 20 points, 14 rebounds and some key plays down the stretch Tuesday night in Los Angeles' 95-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

by joe sez on Nov 8, 2006 7:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Biedrins

At this point, I think it's fairly safe to say that AB has cemented himself into the starting lineup with his play thus far. He offers everything but FT% that Nelson is looking for and he is quickly passing up Monta "The New Ocho" Ellis as my fan fav. He's like a taller, better Custodian as far as the hustle, but he can't shoot for crap while Cardinal has a fairly consistant mid-range shot.

by MoUpInTheO on Nov 8, 2006 10:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dunleavy needs to go home

Why did Nellie put in Dunleavy at tha end. He missed a wide open three that i think would of put tha Warriors up by 4 or 5 and then he misses a layup. Him and Foyle r going to become tha highest payed inactive players ever very soon. And once J-Rich is back 2 himself we bought to dominate, especially if our bench produces like it has. Drought Over

I love 2 tell tha truth, but I'm such a Good Liar

by JRichIsStillAGodButBiedrinsIsABeast on Nov 8, 2006 12:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

cuz

cuz he made 2 previously good plays. a tip in. then a steal

by straightfromthebay on Nov 8, 2006 7:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wwwhat the #^@%$^$%#^&%$#^

All his mistakes counter that 1 or 2 plays he may have made!! We would have been much better continunuing with our starters or our hot bench guys and not putting hijm in! No defending dunleavy anymore by anyone! it should be illegal!!

by gsdubz on Nov 8, 2006 7:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be so silly!

Dunleavy was the only guy getting rebounds and tips at crunch time last night. No one else was getting key stops in the last two minutes. Without his play at the end, the game's not even close. And it's play at the end that counts the most. And THAT's where the guys fell apart -- again: no one can score at the end. It happened in Dallas, where we scored 0 points in the last two minutes, tho we got by then by the skin of our teeth. And it happened again last night.

The big key, both times, has been that the W's have stopped the motion, BD has tried to pound, and when there's no other option he takes -- and misses -- a bad shot. (It happened multiple times each game.)

Now I think BD's been playing much better the last two games -- and I hope he keeps it up -- but he's still the Achilles heel for this team at the end. He shouldn't be shooting off a dribble pound; he should be QBing a passing-spacing offense then. He can post up down low and take a pass, but the tempo dies when he's controlling and shooting. Which is why, at the very end, Nellie put control in Ellis's hands. It didn't work out last night, but it was the right move.

by johnl on Nov 8, 2006 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

AB

AB is the freakn man! He has a nonstop motor and DOMINATED the Hornets tonight. He will do all the little things for us to win and can still correct his free throw stroke, as he's still very young. Self Promo: "Playoff Basketball" diary explaining how AB kicks ass, 13 blocks in the season already!?

yo i'm a gsofm newb!

by hella handlez on Nov 8, 2006 3:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

beans

how did beans "dominate" the hornets? he had 5 rebs and 6 blocks. chandler had 10 pts and 14 rebs. and the hornets outrebounded us dramatically.

by thewarriorsrule on Nov 8, 2006 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

New Platers = New Team

As previously stated, the most impressive part of the loss was the critical contributions by the newest members of the team. As the season progresses, the Warriors' strong bench will play a larger and larger factor in determining the season. Granted I'm pissed that we lost, but it was a game that gave me more than just a glimpse of the future, it gave me an eye-full - and I am truly pleased of what I saw.

by warriorworrior on Nov 8, 2006 5:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re:

We are playing 11 more games in Novemeber, and 10 of those are going to be at home. We should try to get as much wins as possible and try to build some momentum from that, especially when other teams are not playing at their highest level right now.

by Jaime Novoa on Nov 8, 2006 5:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Quickies

God that was some awful rebounding. West and Chandler were killing the Dubs on the glass.
Chris Paul had a very nice game.
Ike was on pace for a very nice game. Very sad to see him get hurt.
MP2 was missed for energer, defense, and rebounding
Nellie's smart he knows that Dunleavy and Murphy shouldn't be playing together (more later)
Murph was MIA tonight
JRich didn't look very good out there- He could be 2-3 weeks away from getting back to the JRich we saw last season. If he was 100% they would've won this game. They need him desperately.
Biedrins is playing a lot smarter out there. Very nice to see.
Nice to see Barnes and Roberson step up.
Props to the Warriors for hanging tough, but they should've stole this one. Wins like this will vault you into the playoffs. A loss is still a loss when it's all said and done. They HAVE to win on Thursday.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 8, 2006 8:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Murph & Dun

# Nellie's smart he knows that Dunleavy and Murphy shouldn't be playing together (more later)

Bingo. Dun started tonight because LL Cool P was out but for the most part they were not on the floor at the same time. No synergy between the two of them.

by MoUpInTheO on Nov 8, 2006 8:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

thurs

yes i agree, they better win on thursday!!

by thewarriorsrule on Nov 8, 2006 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if there's such thing as a good loss....

...this was good.

if this was later on in the season, i wouldn't be saying this, but early on - with a new system and a lot of new players in the mix - i think it was a game of positives (unlike the previous two losses).

one could argue that the warriors have the biggest question marks around starting players and rotation in the league...and nellie is going to need some time to figure that out.

i saw chemistry and heart last night...and that's a great start. now, we've got to work out the kinks, get a consistent rhythm, and find our last-two-minutes offense...which i think is very possible.

by TMC Forever on Nov 8, 2006 8:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

"they call basketball a game of runs"?

a game of runs ? I think that's only in mexican basketball?
Other than a lack of rebounds we looked great. I think we should have played bigger to counter chandler. Lot's of energy considering it was a back to back. roberson and barnes stepped up. Baron paced himself very well. I wish he'd have handled the ball at the end though, there's no substitute for experience at critical times.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 8, 2006 9:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Am I looking for problems w/ Dun Dun?

I agree with a lot of what was said before. I think last year's team would have quit before the start of the 2nd quarter, while this young bench of ours put it in overdrive (esp. Diogu before the injury), and overall, we stayed in there before letting this get away at the end.

One reason I see the W's allowing this one to get away, however, is the play of our beloved Mike Dunleavy Jr. Am I remembering this right--missed his last 3 shots (4 if you include free throws) including a WIDE OPEN 3-pointer and a lay-up. I know he had a steal in there as well, but if called upon offensively, isn't Dun Dun suppose to be able to hit a few shots? Or am I just insisting on hating this guy?

by bruindre on Nov 8, 2006 10:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dun-Dun

I just can't understand his mindset. Does he think he's 6'2"? Why a reverse layup when he can at least attempt a dunk and get fouled?

by flaaron on Nov 8, 2006 10:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right.

Dun absolutely MUST hit those open jumpers. And it's very frustrating that he CONSISTENTLY misses the open looks. I think I comes down to Dun just playing scared. In the Dallas game where he was isolated against Diop... I couldn't believe it when Dun got into position to fire up a three!!! Nellie called out all the players to let Dun isolate against Diop. Now if Dun, who proclaims himself to be able to handle the rock, cannot get by Diop, well, I have nothing to say about that.

by yuletak on Nov 8, 2006 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm

No one seems to notice JRich was 2-9 last night, and worthless at crunch time. Or that BD continued his own "O for" streak in the last two minutes of games. It's just too easy for the haters to blame Dunleavy -- for anything and everything. (Guess Nellie must be an idiot for having him in the game at the end last night, even tho he was the only guy getting stops on defense.)

Geez. Pretty soon I expect the haters to be blaming Dunleavy when it rains, or their car won't start or, well, you get the point: Dunleavy just isn't that critical to the W's -- he's a sixth man, even if he is the fifth highest paid -- that the haters need to get their shorts all tied up in a knot about.

by johnl on Nov 8, 2006 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

JRich gets a pass

In my eyes at least for now, untill he gets into playing shape (any day now!) but your right, BD stank it up last night in the end for sure. Dunleavy played some great D in the end there, but us Dunleavy haters have been complaining because he has been starting and logging in significant minutes up until recently, not to mention all that cap room he is eating up for a 6th man. Granted thats not his fault, you would be an idiot to turn down a contract if they offered it to you. So your right, we should be mad at Mullin for signing him to the extenision. But it is easier to blame Dun Dun because we see him struggling. Flashes of brilliance like late in the game last night just dont cut it for me.

Great, my coffee machine just broke....DUNLEAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by MoUpInTheO on Nov 8, 2006 5:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

XD

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!

by Zorgon on Nov 8, 2006 5:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

partially agree

JohnL,

I agree completely that BD should also be called out. At the end of the game, I watched Monta give BD the ball on several occasions. On those possessions, BD did nothing but try to pound it in while the rest of the team just stood around hoping for something to happen.

On JRich, I agree with MoUpOnO that JRich isn't up to his usual self.

Guys can have bad games from time to time, but Dun consistently has bad games or games with very little production. He's been dying for the opportunity to prove himself, but all he's been doing is shooting mostly bricks, showing his bad D, and generally playing timid. I couldn't be happier if Dun starts to do things he believes and claims that he's capable of. But so far, it just hasn't happened. I can't even agree that he's a sixth man at this point. He hasn't shown anything to even justify that position.

by yuletak on Nov 8, 2006 5:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh...

And I'm not hating on Dun for the end of the game. It's just his impact on the game that I'm hating on, and in the course of the minutes he's on, it's very little. Of his 4 missed shots last night, 2 were WIIIIIIIDE open J's and a layup. This happens more often than not.

by yuletak on Nov 8, 2006 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the logic of it

"No one seems to notice JRich was 2-9 last night, and worthless at crunch time. Or that BD continued his own "O for" streak in the last two minutes of games. It's just too easy for the haters to blame Dunleavy -- for anything and everything. (Guess Nellie must be an idiot for having him in the game at the end last night, even tho he was the only guy getting stops on defense.)

The difference is that Baron put us in a position to win by his play during the rest of the game and JRich has been the heart and soul of the team for the last 3 years so we know he's trying his best, but dunleavey never seems to put out 100% or show any sign of ever becoming the player Baron or JRich are. Barnes just got here and he's already playing harder than dunleavey. It's not hating it's just frustration at the promise of potential that never shows up. And yes, nellie can sometimes make simple things harder by his oddball methods.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 8, 2006 7:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Regardless. . . .

I know BD has been greatly improved the past two games -- except for the last two minutes of each. I see that as the most important change the W's have shown us thus far this year (except for the Utah game). And I know JRich still deserves more time to get back to his ol' self, assuming his "still-clicking" knee IS really recovered. And I agree Dun has not made the most of his opportunities this year -- especially re his overall lack of rebounding, which I expected to be much better and just hasn't been -- tho he was playing the W's' best, most effective defense (by far) at the end of the NO game.

My point is that the W's have to figure out a way to keep playing motion basketball at crunch time, because we're bound to lose if we just revert to BD pounding it before missing yet another bad, off balance shot (regardless of how well he played earlier in the game). NBA games between good teams always come down to the last two minutes, and no W has shown he can step up then, least of all Davis.

The good news is that Nelson seems to see this already, and he put the ball in Monta's hands at the end of the NO game, after BD had -- once again -- reverted to form and blown a couple of key possessions. If we're going to win at the end, we must keep moving the ball around, looking for the open shot, a driver to the bucket or an open post-up down low by Davis (who's much more effective close in, anyway) or JRich.

I want victories now -- since we seem to be making progress here -- and the key will certainly be tied to our ability to score in the last two minutes of games. It's really that simple.

by johnl on Nov 9, 2006 9:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely...

The Ws absolutely must not be stagnant the last 3~2 minutes when the game is on the line. Hopefully Nellie will have a better plan for them. And there's just no reason for the BD pound show when they're only down by a 4 or 5 points. Run the offense, set screens, move, and get a good shot. Then play good D at the other end and try to execute again. I'm baffled why BD thinks must go thru the same routine near the ends of close games.

by yuletak on Nov 9, 2006 12:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

To BD's credit

The other 4 guys weren't moving.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 9, 2006 4:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dun....

The living, breathing embodiment of a shooter who can't shoot.

by Sleepy71 on Nov 8, 2006 10:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

New fan fav??

The more I see of AB, the more I'm starting to like. His intensity and hustle just make him an absolute joy to watch. The great part is that he's been consistent in this for the first 5 games. Add to that his great hands, shot blocking ability, finishing (like dunking to make sure he gets the bucket!!), and even the occasional ball handling ... I'm at a loss for words. Who knows, maybe his spectacular play will rub off on other players (hint Dun).

by yuletak on Nov 8, 2006 10:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Man....

Did you guys see him bring up the ball that one time... he looked really comfortable dribbling the ball past half court until the double team came... haha. And the two clutch free throws... WHOOOOOOOOOO! That was sweet and hilarious because they went in so smoothly despite it being a pair of flat shots. Anyways... enough about Beans.

I agree that this is a good loss for the W's because they really looked great as a tea out on the floor, especially considering the tough schedule that they had and the eversofamous injury problems... No Pietrus, No Diogu, No Wagner (well we haven't seen him play yet but I still think he'll be a key player off the bench), and No Richardson (not the same one that we all know and love) and we still came close. It's the optimism speaking but I think that once everything comes together in Dec or Jan we can string a couple of decent winning streaks together and BOOM... Basketball in May here we come.

by mightymadskillz on Nov 8, 2006 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

on the good side

on a tuff loss, lets compare to other teams
dubs:2-3
defending national title champs:2-2
defending western conference champs:0-4
defending pac. div. champs:1-4
former best reg. season record:2-3
defending nw div. champs:0-3
no way all those teams stay this bad, and we're off to a better start then them, Why not keep up with them.

sad thing: we're in 9th place in the conference (so close)

by mydedgerbil555 on Nov 8, 2006 10:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

election night game

Here on election night the Golden Warriors are leading the voting by one point. Then they were down by two points.
The score went back and forth. Some would say like wipers. I say like ping pong balls. The basketball court was flat. Some would say like the earth. I would tell those `some' that their teachers may laugh at them.
The GSW came up short on election night. The mighty have risen. That Oklahoma City sure has a good team for not having a team. I don't think they really exist. I've never been to Oklahoma City so I'm not sure that place even exists. To be honest, it's kind of like the `earth is flat' mentality. How can you be sure the earth is round? I know I can't. People could just be messing with me. I'm not a scientist so how do I know the things they're telling me in books are legit?
The GSW lost and I'm so tired I'm sick. I feel like I will puke on the basketball court if I went for a giddyup. I'm not very good at giddyups. My right hand works better than my left. Sometimes I get to close to the basket and giddy up the ball off the rim. I would also puke if I ate two hot dogs before doing a giddyup.
GSW 93 Oklahoma City 97

I pretend not to know this guy

by baumerworld on Nov 9, 2006 7:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs