Tonight the Warriors followed up their tough loss to the Pacers with a stupid loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at home. Yup, stupid. There's really no other way to put it.
At least the threads were hot!
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Thanks for the Great 3 Quarters...
The Warriors were absolutely rolling on all cylinders for the first 3 quarters of this game. Offensively at least they looked like this:
SMOKING HOT!
There are undoubtedly several positives to take from this loss:
- Boom Dizzle had a pretty nice night featuring some beautiful drives to the hole. He got his double-double and played good D. 19 points, 11 dimes, and 2 picks ain't not joke.
- Monta Ellis had 19 points on an efficient 8 for 11 shooting which featured some nice glides to the bucket. His 7 assists and 3 steals were money too.
- Andris Biedrins didn't have his best defensive performance or do his smartest job avoiding silly fouls, but he still pitched in big with 17 points, 12 rodmans, and 3 swats.
- Troy Murphy had his best game of the season (see below).
Keep ya head up BD! You showed up tonight.
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
But the Game is 4 Quarters Long.
The Warriors just fell apart in the 4th quarter. After 3 quarters of high scoring (24, 36, and 34 respectively), the Dubs only managed 16 points in the final period. They looked like this in the 4th:
It wasn't pretty.
Going scoreless in the final 2:54 of a close, high-scoring game won't get you a win in middle school, high school, college, the NBDL, or the NBA. The Warriors deserved to lose this game. They earned this loss. You can't blame the refs, the injuries, or anything else.
Milk Carton: Warrior Small Forwards
Last season the Warriors had a gaping hole at the small forward spot. Tonight they were completely MIA. Check out these lines (or better yet don't!):
Mickael Pietrus
12 minutes: 4 points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3pt, 0-0 FT), 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls
Mike Dunleavy
19 minutes: 0 points (0-6 FG, 0-3 3pt, 0-0 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls
A Mike Dunleavy sighting!
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
And another one!
(AP photo Ben Margott)
Uh, thanks for playing guys?
Trust me- these guys DO NOT want to talk to Nellie after tonight.
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Operation Unclutch
It's becoming painfully obvious that this squad as presently constituted is unclutch like the Utah Jazz against the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. Well I guess after a 3 point loss at home to the Suns, a 3 point loss at home to the Nuggets, and a 2 point loss at home to the Pacers, you probably already figured that one out.
Someone please tell me how this formula makes any sense: Hall of fame head coach + close game + homecourt advantage + best fans in the league = loss?
Warrior Wonder
Troy Murphy hasn't put up the numbers this season, but tonight he filled up the box score with 23 points, 11 boards, 4 dimes, and a steal. His 5 treys were pretty impressive too.
The Warriors just kicked off a tough December month with a silly home loss to an inferior Leastern Conference squad. This month the Warriors will be on the road 10 times, including 6 straight away games. What are your predictions for the Warriors in December? Will it be a December to remember or a December to forget?