FanPost

Shayne's Stray Warriors Notes #4: At Brooklyn

Week 5

11/16/21

At Brooklyn

The Warriors used another Q3 run to pull away from their opponent, this time being the surging Brooklyn Nets in a road win 117-99. The score was 63-58 at half and the Warriors then outscored the Nets 35-18 in Q3 to basically secure the win. Besides everyone in the Warriors starting five having 3+ fouls each, they played another great game to bounce back from Charlotte.

NETS NOTES:

- Kevin Durant has had an insane start to the season. He is shooting 70+ FG% from midrange and is leading the league in scoring yet outside the top ten in FGA in the league. This speaks to the efficiency Durant plays with. But the Warriors elite defense held him to his worst offensive performance of the season. He finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. He shot 6-19 FGA and 2-6 3PM. He also was a -24 in his 32 MP.

- Harden was able to get to the line at will tonight hitting 10-11 FTA. But he also shot 2-6 3PA with 5 turnovers and a -22 in his 32 MP. Harden is slowly regaining his Rockets form but still is short on his threes and still tends to overdribble. Sometimes the Nets offense falls into Durant iso then Harden iso, which seems to stall them sometimes.

- Patty Mills had 29 points hitting 9 three-pointers in their last game. Tonight, he got another start and had 8 points on 8 FGA. He really didn’t feel like a threat all game and was nowhere near as aggressive as he’s been at points during the season.

- Bruce Brown ran PF at 6’5 and did a good job. He had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. This was while hitting 6-8 FGA. He is a true swiss army knife that acts as their Draymond. He controls the defensive tempo for this team and plays with energy each possession.

- The final starter, Blake Griffin, was a non-factor this game finishing with 4 points and 2 rebounds missing all 4 of his FGA. It was nice to see Griffin share the court with Harden and Curry who were all 2009 Draft Class members. Griffin may not be on those two’s level but still acts as an additional playmaker who can still be valuable on both ends. Tonight, was one of those nights that come with his age and mileage.

- Their bench has some decent assets. These include Deandre Bembry who played good defense in his 30 MP, Jevon Carter who made a three, Cam Thomas who should be a future 6MOY candidate, and Lamarcus Aldridge their veteran who is still a midrange maestro.

- The Nets did play without two starters in Joe Harris and Kyrie. Also, were without their backup frontcourt with Nic Claxton and Paul Millsap. So, I will give them some leeway, but the Warriors also played without two potential starters in Klay Thompson and James Wiseman.

DUBS NOTES:

- Curry led the team with 37/7/5 and a couple steals. He also recorded another block to add onto his most prolific shot-blocking season in his career. He hit 9 threes for the 37th time in his career which stands out as one of those potentially unbreakable NBA records. No one else in the history of the game has double digits games with 9+ threes. He also stayed in a couple extra minutes during garbage time to try to get that 40 bomb. He was close but no cigar. Ultimately, he bounced back from a bad shooting night in his hometown and looked like he regained MVP frontrunner status.

- Draymond had a nice game with 11/6/8 and a steal. He hit a three in KD’s face and stuck his tongue out in front of him on the way down the court. It’s always fun to see an animated Draymond. He also called out Poole and GPII on two separate occasions for picking up dumb fouls and you can tell his leadership style is harsh but influential. Neither guy responded in a hostile manner but instead learned from their mistakes. D Wade was on First Take earlier today and spoke to Draymond’s qualities as a PG in the Warriors offense and how much he has admired his game since retiring.

- Jordan Poole had 17/4/4 and missed all 7 threes. This meant he hit all 6 of his 2-point attempts. He also took about 3 threes that were so deep and senseless I’m surprised Kerr left him in. But his ancillary scoring with Klay still rehabbing has still been a massive help to this squad.

- Wiggins remains in a stretch where his offense is hitting on all cylinders. He dropped 19 points in 22 MP hitting 7-11 FGA and 2-3 3PA. He didn’t get much run in the H2 but remained aggressive getting to the rim. If he can maintain this consistency (which we know as Wiggins main problem) then the Warriors will only unlock another level.

- The final starter, Kevon Looney, played his role with 4 rebounds and a couple blocks. He stayed in front of Harden and Durant a couple possessions that always remind people that Looney is nimble on his feet

- Damion Lee and Iggy had 5 points apiece, Kuminga got some good run at 19 MP and 7 points with 6 rebounds to show for it, Otto Porter with 6 points and 6 boards, and Gary Payton with 6 boards himself and his usual steal. He also almost ended Durant’s life on a Fastbreak dunk attempt.

- And finally, Bjelica, Moody, and JTA got garbage time run. This was another statement win for the Dubs and the NBA world needs to start showing this squad more respect with a win against an elite team we could see in the Finals.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!