OPEN THREAD: Game 56 - Warriors vs Sonics
Originally Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 12:08:02 PM PDT

Warriors (W-L): 33-22
Sonics (W-L): 15-40
Time: 7:30pm PST
TV: FSN Bay Area
Radio: KNBR 680
You never know what you'll get with this team. One night they're knocking off the best team in the league, the next night they're getting blown out by a team struggling to make the playoffs in the East. They seem to bring it against the top teams but take nights off against the bad teams.
In any other year, being 11 games over .500 would easily put the Warriors in the playoffs and taking a night off wouldn't hurt that much - plus I'd be ecstatic and not fearful of missing the playoffs. Losing a game to the Hawks wouldn't generate as much criticism and worry. But this year is different. Every single game counts when 9 excellent teams battle for 8 spots. Even though Houston might be done with Yao out for the season, you can't take anything for granted. I wouldn't guarantee a Warriors playoff berth because Portland could roll off another 13 in a row or TMac steps his game up to MVP levels. Basically, any game the Warriors lose that they should have won will be magnified 100x if they miss the playoffs by 1 game.
Tonight is one of those nights in which the Warriors play a bad team - a team they should easily beat even without 2 starters - Jax and Beans. Unfortunately, with the Warriors, you never know if they'll show up or not. It would be nice to wash the nasty taste of the Hawks loss out of my mouth.
A look at the Sonics after the jump.

Long gone are the days of Gary Payton throwing alley-oops to Shawn Kemp. But after thinking about the two of them, I went a did a little YouTube search on the old Shawn Kemp. Check it out. The Warriors make some cameo appearances - good `ol Chris Gatling and Alton Lister.
Enough of the funky flashback, this current Sonics team stinks. They have the #2 pick, Kevin Durant, and a bunch of role players. Heck even KDeezy's not living up to the hype. Earl Watson is a decent PG but better suited for a backup position. Nick Collison is solid. Jeff Green is underachieving. They traded away their best shooter, Wally Sxsdfweoixcxcvjlkerbiak, and best big man, Kurt Thomas. How could this team possibly win?
If the Warriors could just show up with a high energy level every night, I wouldn't need to worry about this game. The only reason for me to even watch would be to see Kevin Durant and the silky smooth jumper he's got. Well it seems like the Warriors only win by the narrowest of margins. Their last few wins were decided on the last shot, Boston, Phoenix, Washington, and Sacramento. I don't expect tomorrow to be any different, but one day it's going to come back to haunt them. They can't keep just barely winning because one game, that last second 3 by the other team is going to go in or that last second shot by the Warriors isn't going to go in.
Things I'd like to see
- Let Brandan Wright play. I was impressed with what he did on Friday against the Hawks. He was active and showed he's got some talent. He handled the rock in the open floor, knocked down a 13 foot jumper, and changed plenty of shots on defense. He showed he can even score around the basket a little bit. He rebounded well and when he couldn't secure the rebound was able to tip the ball to his teammates. Nellie needs to let the kid develop especially with Beans on the sidelines. Right now, Braces is the best option off the bench - athletic, active, nonstop motor, and fun to watch. If he can earn a spot in the rotation now, it will help out later in the year when Andris returns.
- 48 minutes of Warriors basketball. Actually I'll settle for just 40. The Warriors never seem to be able to put together a complete game. It killed them against the Hawks. If the rest of the guys can match the intensity that Baron and Monta bring to the floor, we'll be okay. Baron and Monta will feed off that extra energy.
Thing I don't want to see
- Chris Webber starting. It's like he's playing with a 50 pound weight vest. Start Harrington at C, Pietrus at the 4, and Kaz at the 3. In 5 of the 6 games that CWebb has started, the Warriors have been losing by the time he left the game. The Warriors haven't always started well, but in the previous 7 games before Webber, they led after the first quarter 4 times and trailed 3 times. If he starts tonight and the first quarter woes continue against the horrible Sonics, it's time for a change. He's improving, but let him play into shape in practice and against the opponent's 2nd team. It's a simple and quick analysis, but I just don't see Webber helping this team get out of the gate quickly, in fact I'd argue that he's making our 1st quarter struggles even worse. Let Webber come off the bench and face the 2nd team - he's a veteran, he'll do just fine.
- The matador defense the Warriors are playing is getting ridiculous. Move your feet. Don't bite on pump fakes. Box out. Know where your man is at all times. Don't take unnecessary gambles. Don't double team unless it's necessary and in this game, I don't see when it will ever be necessary. The team and individual defense was atrocious against the Hawks - time to fix that against the Sonics.
Here's to hoping that the Warriors do to the Sonics what they did to the Bobcats a few weeks ago and just blow them out of the Oracle. Of course, that would be asking just too much.
Predictions
- Warriors win by 3
- Monta scores 35
- Nick Collison gets the nightly random Warrior Killer award
- Brandan Wright gets some more time and continues to impress
0 recs |
323
comments
Comments
isnt jax
by saintdee on Feb 26, 2008 12:13 PM PST 0 recs
Not sure
by Fantasy Junkie on
Feb 26, 2008 12:39 PM PST
up
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warriors history
by AJC3317 on Feb 26, 2008 12:43 PM PST 0 recs
Wright Starting
by Fantasy Junkie on
Feb 26, 2008 1:08 PM PST
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well
by AJC3317 on
Feb 26, 2008 5:12 PM PST
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He said he is going..
He also said he may need to put his foot in a boot to heal faster in the off season.
by GreenLightJerky on Feb 26, 2008 12:51 PM PST 0 recs
Sonics
Hopefully we will destroy them tonight!
F**K REFS!!!
by faetati on Feb 26, 2008 12:56 PM PST 0 recs
here is the link
F**K REFS!!!
by faetati on
Feb 26, 2008 12:57 PM PST
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Yikes,..
We need a solid effort tonight.
by GreenLightJerky on
Feb 26, 2008 2:07 PM PST
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geebus...
by saintdee on Feb 26, 2008 2:03 PM PST 0 recs
Great...
by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 26, 2008 3:05 PM PST 0 recs
no more playing down
by jchao204 on Feb 26, 2008 3:06 PM PST 0 recs
asdf
and what can be better in this case then (not just shorthanded but even shortonehanded i'd say) Sonics
i don't want some +3 this time
-give me some bloody heads on spears!
FTW!
build a team & destroy the roof
by Lat We N Trash on Feb 26, 2008 3:37 PM PST 0 recs
Easy or a One Posession Win?
followed by:
To me, a prediction of a win by 3 (one posession) is not an easy win.
What's nice (and unsettling at the same time) is that with the Warriors, you don't know what to expect each night. You just have to watch the game. And often enough, there is something fun happening along the way.
by soem on Feb 26, 2008 3:40 PM PST 0 recs
<i>should</i> be an easy win

then we will fight in the shade.
by Swamp Thing on
Feb 26, 2008 4:40 PM PST
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Wow I suck at html

then we will fight in the shade.
by Swamp Thing on
Feb 26, 2008 4:41 PM PST
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Yep.
by soem on
Feb 26, 2008 6:15 PM PST
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jax is playing
dont start webber though!
Starting Lineup:
Davis
Ellis
Jackson
Wright
and Harrington at C
by 3Kings650 on Feb 26, 2008 3:56 PM PST 0 recs
no
Davis
Ellis
Belinelli
Wright
Al
We shouldn't use Jackson unless we absolutely need to. I don't want him aggravating that injury.
by saintdee on Feb 26, 2008 4:44 PM PST 0 recs
hey people
What you thought that I only played basketball? I AM A Golden State WARRIOR!
by 24k state fan since 87 on Feb 26, 2008 5:18 PM PST 0 recs
you should bet on the Sonics then
by gsw4life on
Feb 26, 2008 6:51 PM PST
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This will be a barometer
Here's me hoping that during the stretch run we can get back to playing defense at a high level.
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 6:36 PM PST 0 recs
i dont know where else to put this
im watching the gamecenter on espn and the score is an embarrassing 23 (wizards) to 51. well the scoreboard didnt update for a while and i realized eventually that it is halftime.
23 points in a half?! is that some type of record or at least close to one? it looks like houston is going to win this one but im just glad that the warriors even if they are losing still arent this boring to watch.
by twelve years on Feb 26, 2008 6:40 PM PST 0 recs
San Antonio
It's pretty tough to be entertaining AND winning, but the Warriors are pulling it off with their smallball
by gsw4life on
Feb 26, 2008 7:01 PM PST
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Saw this
"3. Mickael Pietrus, Warriors: No one is sure why the Warriors don't play Pietrus more. He's one of the more athletic defenders in the league and a solid 3-point shooter. A good team will pick him up and try to use him in a Bruce Bowen-type role"
Playoffs!!??
by PAWarrior on Feb 26, 2008 7:05 PM PST 0 recs
Bruce Bowen?
by IQofaWarrior on
Feb 26, 2008 7:16 PM PST
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Utah loses
by gsw4life on Feb 26, 2008 7:28 PM PST 0 recs
asdf
by NotoriousCruz on Feb 26, 2008 7:35 PM PST 0 recs
wow
by gsw4life on Feb 26, 2008 7:38 PM PST 0 recs
I just watched the Stevenson play today so now
by gsw4life on
Feb 27, 2008 12:09 PM PST
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lol
Looking forward to seeing Wright start, it's his 2nd start isn't it?
art by jnazaire 07
by disguy on Feb 26, 2008 7:40 PM PST 0 recs
Houston...
by sunghan on Feb 26, 2008 7:43 PM PST 0 recs
was being sarcastic
by nautica on
Feb 26, 2008 7:52 PM PST
up
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HEY TONY.PSD.......
"Its Time For Some Action"
OakFoSho
by Sneaky275 on Feb 26, 2008 7:46 PM PST 0 recs
Seriously, we don't even try
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 7:47 PM PST 0 recs
OOooooh noes
by dandydaniel on Feb 26, 2008 7:48 PM PST 0 recs
down 9
by saintdee on Feb 26, 2008 7:48 PM PST 0 recs
I hope your just being pessimistic
by belilaugh on
Feb 26, 2008 7:52 PM PST
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LOL
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 7:50 PM PST 0 recs
link
by thebighead on Feb 26, 2008 7:50 PM PST 0 recs
go to
They have the game link there
F**K REFS!!!
by faetati on
Feb 26, 2008 7:52 PM PST
up
0 recs
stream
If you click on the relevant link it'll give you a url to paste into a media player. That forum has served me well to watch the Ws from the midwest!
by jjj111 on
Feb 26, 2008 7:58 PM PST
up
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Wright Stuff
Welcome to Oracle.
by tadams1080 on Feb 26, 2008 7:51 PM PST 0 recs
Brandan
i want to see AB with BW on court both soon
build a team & destroy the roof
by Lat We N Trash on Feb 26, 2008 7:52 PM PST 0 recs
wtf
by disguy on Feb 26, 2008 7:53 PM PST 0 recs
in fairness
by GSwarrior on
Feb 26, 2008 7:58 PM PST
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in continuing with the pattern
by jam3rz on
Feb 26, 2008 7:59 PM PST
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DAMN
by GSwarrior on Feb 26, 2008 7:57 PM PST 0 recs
remember the 1st kings game?
"To my dear brother, Noompsy."
by Tim N Chris Burger on Feb 26, 2008 8:01 PM PST 0 recs
I know the Warriors probably consider it
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 8:01 PM PST 0 recs
Durant...
by sunghan on Feb 26, 2008 8:03 PM PST 0 recs
sucks to be francisco elson
by AJC3317 on Feb 26, 2008 8:05 PM PST 0 recs
still think missing beans doesn't hurt?
by AJC3317 on Feb 26, 2008 8:07 PM PST 0 recs
way to go nelson
by pree t zinta on Feb 26, 2008 8:07 PM PST 0 recs
lol
by AJC3317 on
Feb 26, 2008 8:08 PM PST
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we all know
by jam3rz on
Feb 26, 2008 8:10 PM PST
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okay
Can the Warriors hire someone to work exclusively with Ellis to teach him how to defend? On that Durant dunk, Ellis was guessing which way Durant would go and guessed wrong. He is holding the defense back right now, as much as I love him.
Durant doesn't look impressive at all, how many jumpshots has he made? the Warriors just aren't defending, I could score a lot of points on easy layups and dunks (if I was tall enough) too.
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 8:11 PM PST 0 recs
PIETRUS!!!
"We're educated in the Bay Area."-- My momma's other Big Daddy: Baron Davis
by warriorgirl on Feb 26, 2008 8:11 PM PST 0 recs
Is it bad that I was surprised that the Warriors
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 8:12 PM PST 0 recs
wtf?
by AJC3317 on Feb 26, 2008 8:13 PM PST 0 recs
Very good point Barnett
by belilaugh on Feb 26, 2008 8:13 PM PST 0 recs
What do you expect?
by belilaugh on
Feb 26, 2008 8:16 PM PST
up
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