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Ugh. That wasn't the best game to watch.
The Warriors needed Draymond Green this game. The Warriors lacked spacing, playmaking, rebounding, and defense were lacking the whole night, and the team couldn't retain the breakneck pace it usually thrives in. The Nuggets led most of the way due to Will Barton's electric play and Danilo Gallinari's free throws. Turnovers, isolation plays, and letting the Nuggets get on the glass doomed the Warriors early.
But very late in the fourth quarter, Stephen Curry began to heat up. Racking up his sixth 20-point quarter of the year, Steph got to the rim with ease, and finally started hitting threes. He was amazing, but no other Warrior was able to chip in enough scoring to help him out, and the defense gave up one too many open shots. The game was close at the end, but the Warriors were clearly outplayed tonight.
Also, we're all not 1.5 billion dollars richer, so there's that.
The Takes
The Warriors were really bad this quarter
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) January 14, 2016
You guys, it’s Nelson-Foye-Barton-Gallo-Faried vs. Curry-Livingston-Rush-Thompson-Bogut. I CAN’T FEEL MY HANDS THIS GAME IS SO WEIRD.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) January 14, 2016
CURRY ACTUALLY LAUNCHED FROM THE ROCKIES DRAWING ON THE COURT. HE LITERALLY LAUNCHED FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) January 14, 2016
The Clips
Bogut Spin Pass to Curry @SherwoodStrauss @unstoppablebaby pic.twitter.com/o3V1LZD0CV
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) January 14, 2016
Steph Curry has the #Warriors up 64-60 in the third quarter on 680. https://t.co/Mp5VI0BVf6
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 14, 2016
Bogut the street baller pic.twitter.com/yWQaQsSrxl
— L-E-N! (@LENism) January 14, 2016
The Nuggets beat the Warriors, but not before surviving this Stephen Curry bomb. https://t.co/1bnJK98Nc9 https://t.co/fNZFLvwpHZ
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) January 14, 2016
Closing Thoughts
- I understood Brandon Rush replacing Harrison Barnes in the starting lineup, and he's panned out. But I see no alternate universe where Jason Thompson replaces Draymond Green in which the Warriors thrive.
- Harrison Barnes' first half hot hand completely disappeared in the second, yet his decisiveness on his ill-fated midrange pullup jumpers didn't wane. The offense should not devolve into Harry B isos. It's 2016, not 2013. When will Steve Kerr return?
- The Kevon Looney hype train is full speed ahead. The backup 4 is the Warrior's biggest weakness.
- I'd place a bet on Draymond Green playing against the Lakers tomorrow.