OPEN THREAD: Game #3- Warriors @ Jazz

Warriors (W-L): 0-2
Jazz (W-L): 1-1
Time: 6:00pm PST
TV: FSN Bay Area Plus | Radio: KNBR 680
Vegas Odds: Jazz by 8.5 (as of 9:23am)
The Warriors are coming off a somewhat expected loss to the Utah Jazz in the season opener in Oakland (best Warriors loss eve experienced though!) and a completely inexcusable loss to the LA Clippers who I had pinned as the worst team in the Western Conference this season. It's only been two games, but just like early last year with Murphleavy the roster flaws on this team are obvious. They can't rebound, they can't defend, they get out-muscled especially in the paint way too easily, they don't have any low post options, they don't shoot the ball consistently well, their margin of error is extremely slim, and they're inexperienced. For two straight games they've played like they're one of the worst teams in the league.
So given this flawed assemblage of players how can the Warriors possibly win in a hostile and racist environment that's home to some of the league's worst fans? A few keys that I could only put together by stretching my imagination to its ultimate limits:
- Get on Fire: Easier said than done of course, but the Warriors must shoot lights out. The Warriors can trade buckets with the Jazz (who they simply can't defend because of the poor matchups down low), but they have to be trading their 3's for the Jazz 2's. If they can't knock down their shots this game will be over faster than you can say "Kyrylo Fesenko".
- Zone up the Jazz and feast on deflections and thefts: Make every entry pass difficult and keep those hands active. The Warriors were able to utterly confuse the Jazz with their 1-2-2 zone early last season for a big win at the Oracle even with Murphleavy. Zoning up the Jazz might be the only chance Nellie's team has tonight. My only worry is that Boozer really seems to know how to start his damage from the elbow this season. He was out-quicking and out-speeding (if those are words) Biedrins from the high post, so the Warriors will have to deny him that high.
- Get the Jazz into Foul Trouble: They like to foul a TON. Sloan's squad led the league in fouls last year and I don't expect that to change this season. BD has to try to post up and be physical with Deron Williams and the Warriors have to penetrate and draw fouls on Carlos Boozer. The less minutes these two Jazz stars play, the better of a chance the Warriors have of pulling off this shocker.
- Go Smaller than Small: There's no point in trying to match the Jazz bigs by throwing out Andris Biedrins (Carlos Boozer's runway to the basket in the opener) or Patrick O'Bryant (he'll get eaten alive and frustrated easily). I'd trot out a starting 5 of BD, Monta, Matt Barnes, Kaz, and Harrington and just live and die by the jumper and a 1-2-2 zone defense with Matt Barnes at the top. Hopefully MP2 (5 for 10 on 3's this season) and Belinelli can knock down some 3's and create some turnovers off the bench. If the Warriors can get Boozer into foul trouble and on the bench, Biedrins should be able to step in and be effective.
Predictions:
- Warriors by 1 (longtime GSoMers know what that means)
- Baron Davis drops 20 points and 10 dimes.
- Matt Barnes (our prayers are with him and his family) bounces back from his early season struggles.
- The Warriors' D continues to shut down Jazz center Kyrylo Fesenko and hold him scoreless again in this rematch.
- Carlos Boozer goes for 30 points and 12 boards.
- The Warriors surrender over 115 points.
Let's get this W... somehow.
What are your predictions for today's game in Utah? Post them as well as your live game thoughts in the comments.
UPDATE: Warriors lose another "close" one 110-133.
Final Box Score
Stay tuned for the recap...
0 recs |
90 comments
Comments
utah
- Utah Jazz 34.6%
- Dallas Mavericks 26.9%
- San Antonio Spurs 11.5%
- Golden State Warriors 7.7%
from the 2007-08 nba.com gm survey
by dubbledubble on Nov 3, 2007 11:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Boozer at the elbow
Double teams should come on the touch- make him a passer.
Also, attack him on offense since he's a subpar shotblocker. No reason he should be able to rest on one end of the floor.
Of course, we could always put in Troy Hudson...
Questions? Complaints?
(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)
by OptionZero on Nov 3, 2007 11:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Looking forward to...
Not looking foward to losing by 25.
by SpreeForThree on Nov 3, 2007 11:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hey OZ
by NinerWarrior on Nov 3, 2007 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
lol start barnes?
by Proof on Nov 3, 2007 11:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Barens is moving closer to the
I'd start
Baron
Monta
Buke
Harrington
AB
I keep saying it but I don't see the advantage in starting Pietrus. How does he make us more up tempo than Harrington? He rarely gets deflections, can't handle the ball any better, can't take anyone off the dribble? What am I missing. To me its a case of assuming simply because someone is smaller they are a better fit for small ball. Not true
And Harrington by simply being bigger and smarter gives you more on D even if he isn't a great rebounder
Other than Monta, Baron and Buke he is the only other player I saw attack the rim at all and he is the only player on the team with any sort of post, back to the basket game
AB looked slow last night and he needs some help
by Zig on Nov 3, 2007 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Loose thots
Also, Nellie needs to adjust better -- and this should be his strength. He's GOT to play the big kids (MP simply cannot start; he's always away from the basket and scores NO buckets after the first few minutes. Plus, he still makes the same dumb mistakes -- especially on defense, where he has OK hands but no clue.). Nellie's got to sub more often to keep the game uptempo -- and to keep Baron from running out of gas like last night. He can't be afraid to use the zone when our shots aren't falling and the defense starts to fade. He simply can't keep HATING the kids; if the W's are going anywhere this year, the kids'll be a BIG part of it.
We miss Jack -- especially his hands, and his great passing eyes for AB (who was, sadly, open down low and on the PNR and ignored virtually all night by both BD and Monta) -- but the holes we've seen in this team already -- both playing and coaching -- make it obvious that Jack's return will not, in itself, provide the answers -- because defense and, of course, rebounds will still be problematic.
And my 0-7 or 1-6 fears for the first seven games seem (unfortunately) to be right on track. Thank heavens KA has shown us so much, but (given BD's play last night) he's the only one.
Still, we can hope for a miracle tonight -- but I don't see much possibility if we play even smaller (sorry, Atma), because these guys are just not shooting well enough now (and seven for 28 threes is a guarantee of certain death).
by johnl on Nov 3, 2007 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
chalk it up
by AJC3317 on Nov 3, 2007 12:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty pessimistic
Then again, IF the jumpers are finally falling...
by BlauGold on Nov 3, 2007 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hmm...
Did something happen that may be affecting his play? Must of missed it.
Anyhow, I agree with going smaller than small.
by barojax on Nov 3, 2007 12:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
by warriorgirl on Nov 3, 2007 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Prediction
by racsan on Nov 3, 2007 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
what i've noticed from both warriors games so far
by gswLLBatman on Nov 3, 2007 2:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
To be fair...
As far as the small lineup goes, I don't tink getting smaller helps us against the Jazz. We need a couple of larger plays to try and front the entry passes to Boozer wen he get so low to the post. Boozer isn't fantastically tall, so a guy like Harrington should be able to do it, but it the event of a rotation I'd want to have Biedrins or O'Bryant in.
Given that some guys logged grueling minutes last night, who gets the extra minutes? I'd expect to see a little more Marco, since I think most would agree he played well last night, and I guess Wright is availible for tomorrow. While I suspect Nelson won't play him, I think it might be worthwhile. The Jazz have gotten very comfortable playing us, and any opportunity we ave to mix things up and give them a little sucker punch might be a good idea.
Oh, and one more thing... Monta is clearly a better point option than Hudson. Even with his shortcomings, I don't see any reason to have Monta off the court rather than Hudson, and I think Nelson agreed last night. I fear we'll see more of Troy after Baron's long game last night, but I really think those are minutes Marco's earned and Monta should slide over to point.
by Zack Vank on Nov 3, 2007 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
what happened...
As for tonight's game, I think T-hud needs to be put on the inactive list so we can activate B. Wright!!!!! We need to get this kid some experience NOW!!! I mean, if he ain't going to the D-league yet, might as well give him some minutes in an NBA game. He needs to start developing his game. I seriously think this kid will be Bosh 2.0 (which no one has really ever mentioned, it's always KG 2.0) Both players have about the same body frame, and Bosh did pretty well his rookie year (11.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg). Other people might disagree, but I think they're quite similar players. So do something with WRIGHT wright now.
And can we please see some more time for POB??? I know Nellie said he'd never want him and Biedrins out on the court at the same time, but can we at least try???? They could both at least do more dmg in the paint than the pietrus/biedrins combo can. Too bad Chroshere is out for a week and a half with back problems. He'd be a real help too, and a great backup for Harrington, i think, when Nelson eventually decides to put him back in the starting line-up.
Lastly, get Buike/Belinelli the ball more when they're in the GAME!!! What I've been seeing so far is that they're not getting the ball enough. Actaully, in general, the ball isn't moving around enough, but C'MON, belinelli and buike are LETHAL offensive options. Get'em some more touches and don't be so skeptical about their skills or settling for careless jump shots that disrupt the flow of the game.
My predictions for tonight are that Nellie FINALLY changes his line-up to match up with the Jazz better and that the warriors don't lose by 21 pts again. Belinelli has his first breakout NBA game with 28 pts. on 5-7 shooting from behind the arc.
by slipnslide on Nov 3, 2007 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Predictions
BWright gets his first double double in extended garbage time.
.
by olympicmike on Nov 3, 2007 4:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
wright
Questions? Complaints?
(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)
by OptionZero on Nov 3, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a guess
.
by olympicmike on Nov 3, 2007 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sadf
by J Rich 4 MVP on Nov 3, 2007 5:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
stranger things have happened
by NinerWarrior on Nov 3, 2007 5:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
harrington off the bench when jackson is suspended
by NinerWarrior on Nov 3, 2007 6:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
defense
by nautica on Nov 3, 2007 6:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
NBA Box Score
by curtischin on Nov 3, 2007 6:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Is it me
by GSwarrior on Nov 3, 2007 6:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pietrus
Yikes. His value would quadruple if the court was all corners.
by justin on Nov 3, 2007 6:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn!

by Tony.psd on Nov 3, 2007 6:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
BIEDRINS AND O'BRYANT
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
baron?
by BlauGold on Nov 3, 2007 6:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
if baron
by NinerWarrior on Nov 3, 2007 6:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
WTF
Ballin
by ballin on Nov 3, 2007 7:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There's no place like home....
There's no place like home....
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 7:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
well
Then the bench comes in and the game slips away.
We're deep only on paper; until Monta pulls his head out from under the rock and Belinelli lives up to Il Tiratore...we're not gonna have a chance.
What happened to Baron man? He's playing more like Marbury than The Boss
Questions? Complaints?
(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)
by OptionZero on Nov 3, 2007 7:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
very disappointing game right now...
by slipnslide on Nov 3, 2007 7:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ughh.
by GSwarrior on Nov 3, 2007 7:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
down 19 at the half
by BlauGold on Nov 3, 2007 7:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i dont even mind that we will probably lose
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 7:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Dunleavy watch
8 Rebs, 4 Assists
by Zig on Nov 3, 2007 7:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
barnes
by GSwarrior on Nov 3, 2007 7:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Within 15!
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 7:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
no boozer and deron
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 7:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i can officially call barnes the one hit wonder.
by GSwarrior on Nov 3, 2007 7:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
8 POINTS!!!!
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
6!!!!!!!!
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
DO YOU BELIEVE NOW WARRIORS FANS?!?!?!
by slipnslide on Nov 3, 2007 8:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why does Al Harringtons head look so wierd?
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
why does nellie always look so sad
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 8:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Argh
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
looking at the box
Baron, Monta and Barnes need to not try any more 3's this game...Go Ninja go Ninja GO
by danielholl on Nov 3, 2007 8:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
YEEEE!!!!
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Al
by ejdacanay on Nov 3, 2007 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
gogo harrington
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's Go Warriors!
Ballin
by ballin on Nov 3, 2007 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
it's basically
by BlauGold on Nov 3, 2007 8:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, those silly Warriors
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
monta and davis are killing us
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
down by 16 again..
by BlauGold on Nov 3, 2007 8:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
man
by ejdacanay on Nov 3, 2007 8:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
GAME SEEMS OVER!
Ballin
by ballin on Nov 3, 2007 8:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Meanwhile....
More Dunleavy, Vicar?
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
man
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 8:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ugh

The season's started, so I went back to Albert.
by coma on Nov 3, 2007 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BONG.....BONG....BONG....
Tony.psd = Da Man
http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/
by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2007 8:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hmm
by GSwarrior on Nov 3, 2007 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
jazz...
by slipnslide on Nov 3, 2007 8:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So we lose by
by nautica on Nov 3, 2007 8:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ok
No shame tonight. The offense got on track except Baron and Ellis were garbage; the defense...there's no defense when the Jazz are shooting 12/16 from 3p.
That must have been a franchise record for the decade.
Hope for Tuesday at least.
Questions? Complaints?
(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)
by OptionZero on Nov 3, 2007 8:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Lasme
POB? 4 fouls 2 points and 1 rebound? Jeez.
Azi also didn't get 1 rebound until the last 2 minutes. WOW.
by danielholl on Nov 3, 2007 8:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
sadly,
rebounding doesn't matter if you can't get the other team to miss. it was only 38-30 jazz.
by the evil monkey on Nov 3, 2007 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well the warriors dont pass to Beli much
by saintdee on Nov 3, 2007 8:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
they avoid belinelli
They pass to Belinelli maybe 1/2 a dozen times per game and people expect him to hit every shot... go figure.
by david240z on Nov 3, 2007 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought...
by Zack Vank on Nov 3, 2007 8:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
wow
The good thing is that we don't see the Jazz until February.
by Caught Backcourt on Nov 3, 2007 9:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
were doom
by warriorfan4life on Nov 3, 2007 10:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

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