With eight men in the rotation last night, the Golden State Warriors fought like hell last night in Salt Lake City They came all the way from 21 points down to give themselves a chance to upset the Utah Jazz. They would eventually lose the game 113 to 109 and fall to 3-14 on the year.
Given the circumstances of this season, it’s pointless to evaluate this roster in terms of wins and losses. For these Dubs, it’s all about the process of progress and effort. If you want to know how much these guys are invested, look no further than Omari Spellman and his postgame comments.
Wondering how much this Warriors team cares? Watch this clip from Omari Spellman’s postgame availability: pic.twitter.com/cWnfqx0aM4
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) November 23, 2019
Here’s more observations from last night’s 113-109 loss to the Jazz.
Inside the comeback
The Warriors were down 90-72 at the end of the third quarter, and it looked as if another blowout loss was immanent. However, the undermanned Warriors displayed the fight of a fully loaded roster, going on a 21-6 fourth quarter run. The Warriors bankrolled their comeback effort by getting back to the basics. The bare fundamentals of the game. Golden State clawed back in the game by acting as if the game was tied. They continued to dive and fight for loose balls. They boxed out their men on rebounds and rotated consistently on the defensive end. Offensively, they moved the ball and capitalized on the best possible opportunities to score on the floor. Just like in previous years, when the Warriors crank up the intensity on defense, the offense follows.
Burks and Robinson III’s emergence
Alec Burks and Glen Robinson III scored 20 and 17 points respectively in a hard fought effort last night. In the midst of all of the injuries this season. Burks and Robinson III have been two of the Warriors most consistent guys. Within 18 minutes, Robinson III scored 12 of his 17 points on 5-for-8 from the field. Burks, with his 20 points on 7-for-18 shooting lead the Warriors in scoring. Burks with his consistent scoring is forcing himself into some conversations about a role for next year. If he continues to play the way he’s playing, I’m willing to bet that the Warriors will find a way to keep him.
Where in the world is Willie Cauley-Stein?
The phrase “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” is more than just a cliche. Willie Cauley-Stein is a walking, playing embodiment of the later part of that phrase. In 28 minutes last night, Cauley-Stein amassed only two points, four rebounds and four assists. Hypothetically, had Cauley-Stein played like Spellman, who hustled and played with all the effort he could scrap up, the Warriors could have completed the comeback. Granted Cauley-Stein’s return to the lineup hasn’t been that long ago. However, the Warriors with their lack of front court depth, needs more offensively and defensively from their starting center.