Golden State Of Mind: All Posts by Jordan Wong"UNSTOPPABLE BABY!" - Warriors rookie Marc Jackson to the Mavs' bench, after a lay-up during a 29-point loss (2000)https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50563/gsom-fav.png2019-05-10T11:00:00-07:00https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/authors/jordan-wong/rss2019-05-10T11:00:00-07:002019-05-10T11:00:00-07:00It is now or never for the Houston Rockets
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<img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zxlKNopBwtV_Eo-DJ-CSW9j9dHc=/7x0:4488x2987/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63785161/usa_today_12670695.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Kevin Durant out, Houston has its best chance to knock off the Warriors.</p> <p id="SMFiw9"></p>
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<p id="at5qN2">Normally, this would be a post that our fellow writers over at <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com">The Dream Shake</a> would be writing about. But this is special, because <span>Kevin Durant</span> is special. </p>
<p id="kMjJ4j">The <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> have their greatest chance to dethrone the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> as champs after <span>Durant</span>’s injury in Game 5. There is no other way to put it.</p>
<p id="aU3fpm">When you lose the best scorer in the world, arguably the second greatest player in the NBA, and the man who has <em>carried you hard </em>throughout the playoffs so far<em>, </em>let us be clear — there is no ‘replacing’ <span>Kevin Durant</span>. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/V1qew6p7WGmfNoi8Ts610VAnszY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16234858/usa_today_12670578.jpg">
<cite>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="EVezX6">But as <span>Stephen Curry</span>, <span>Klay Thompson</span>, and company have pointed out, the Warriors have identified and will continue to identify with the ‘Next Man Up’ mantra. Which, in this case, is all that they can do. Whether that mentality fits in through the likes of <span>Curry</span> and <span>Thompson</span>’s scoring, <span>Draymond Green</span> or <span>Andre Iguodala</span>’s defense, or <span>Kevon Looney</span>’s persistence on the glass, the Warriors will have to fill in pretty big shoes in multiple aspects of the game. </p>
<p id="FHkQeu">Still, this is a team that has championship-level play and experience seeping through its blood, and with what we have seen from <span>Curry</span> and <span>Thompson</span> in the past, there’s a good indicator that those two will step up in the face of some adversity and try to minimize the impact that the loss of <span>Durant</span> has on the team. </p>
<p id="lLs0rC">If there’s one team that was built to overcome these odds, it’s the Golden State Warriors. Shots will likely be tighter, and the defense will have to be pristine, but the Warriors have proven time and again that they can execute such plays. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PvsAE1dew12DkTvyT8vGgg7pG88=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16234862/usa_today_12670979.jpg">
<cite>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="GNvnFv">For the Houston Rockets, there actually shouldn’t be too much change. The Warriors are likely to start <span>Kevon Looney</span> in <span>Durant</span>’s absence, which means Houston will have to continue to fight hard for rebounds. The loss of Durant impacts the Warriors’ offensive attack, obviously, and with the team looking to <span>Curry</span> and <span>Thompson</span> as their primary scorers, Houston’s efforts should go to neutralizing the Splash Brothers efficiency from beyond the arc and mid-range. Whether that means double-teaming, playing more aggressively on ball, or highly contesting on close outs, they will still have to make sure their defense does not let up. </p>
<p id="I3BOgX">The remaining group of the Warriors, despite all their accolades, stand in front of an obstacle that they haven’t faced since the 2016 NBA Finals: the playoffs without Durant. And despite being without the best player on their team, the Warriors find themselves in a position that they have overcome before, and I believe they will overcome again. </p>
<p id="kjlbND">The Rockets, however, have to be salivating at this opportunity. <span>James Harden</span> has proven he is here to take it from the reigning champs. <span>P.J. Tucker</span> has played well, and the team has gotten some major contributions from the likes of <span>Austin Rivers</span> and <span>Eric Gordon</span>. I don’t think I am ready to say that Houston now becomes the favorite, but this opportunity becomes the greatest chance that they have had to beat this team of Warriors to this date. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FPp7APF-udgN8mImPxZ7bxEoB3Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16234865/usa_today_12670567.jpg">
<cite>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="JhltOf">It will depend on the play of <span>James Harden</span>, <span>Chris Paul</span>, and the rest of the team. And more importantly, it will depend on how the Warriors are able to respond to the likely surge that they will be feeling at the Toyota Center this evening. </p>
<p id="nAjbRX">This series has become nothing short of exhilarating, and this crucial game 6 will continue to prove it. I have no doubt that both <span>Curry</span> and <span>Thompson</span> will step up in some capacity, but I fully expect <span>James Harden</span> to do the same.</p>
<p id="0lh4HD">Next man up. </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2019/5/10/18564174/nba-playoffs-2019-houston-rockets-vs-golden-state-warriors-game-6-kevin-durantJordan Wong2019-03-26T08:00:00-07:002019-03-26T08:00:00-07:00What the Warriors need to remember heading into the playoffs
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<img alt="NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AF3oXbvuvcHijDVFxOoop4QYttI=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63301593/usa_today_11455850.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As playoff season approaches, the Warriors will need to gear up for the final push to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.</p> <p id="wa2GVT"> As this long, drawn-out season comes down to it’s final couple of games and with the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> already locking down a playoff spot, they will turn their attention to post-season play. Despite a season full of bumps in the road, the Warriors remain the favorite to repeat as champions, which would be their third in a row and would make four out of the past five seasons. And with the return of <span>Kevin Durant</span> from his ankle injury, the Warriors seemed poised to be at full strength at the start of the playoffs. </p>
<p id="vEzDLB"> However, this season has also shown that when the Warriors are at full strength is when they are most susceptible to be their own worst enemy. They will have games where it’s just not their night - Saturday’s poor showing against Dallas was evidence of this, given their abysmal 13.3 percent night from deep - and it will be easy to shake off, as both the players and coaches have indicated. But there will also be times where poor performances won’t be as excusable. As they make the final push to the playoffs, there are a few things that the Warriors need to remember.</p>
<ol><li id="jDcQZN"><strong>Take care of the ball</strong></li></ol>
<p id="0HGV2A">If there has been a constant downfall of the Warriors over the past few years, it has probably been that they need to take better care of the ball and not turn the ball over. The Warriors have done a lot better this season of taking care of the ball, going from 26th in the league in turnovers last season to 12th so far this season, and they are on track to turn the ball over 100 fewer times than last season. However, they need to continue the habit of taking care of the ball throughout the playoffs. Careless mistakes can easily amount, and better teams know how to take advantage of it. If the Warriors can limit the number of turnovers and, as a result, limit the number of opportunities for opponents, it puts that much more pressure on other teams to keep up with the team with the highest rating so far this season. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v5nDNLh4DgEsi_BLBsbyeALzEAQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15983614/usa_today_12394613.jpg">
<cite>Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="lyoH7i">2. <strong>They need to play their game</strong></p>
<p id="m1nP7R">It’s fine to call it cliche. But no other current team in the NBA can do what the Warriors are capable of doing. They are the most talented team in the league, and when they continually play at a high level, they are an avalanche that is impossible to stop. If the Warriors continue to execute their transition offense, move the ball and move off screen well, and lock down opponents through switching and help defense, every game becomes theirs for the taking. As a team that has “been there before,” they know what it takes to win and they know how to make it happen. It becomes a matter of execution. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kGScrVTo8hu3sHays_MfUcD8D2I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15961023/usa_today_12340607.jpg">
<cite>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="HUhUMo">3. <strong>They are a championship team</strong></p>
<p id="1ZbIJO">Plain and simple. The Warriors have won three out of the past four Finals for a reason - the playmaking ability and collective basketball IQ of their superstars is unmatched in this league. They have the same coaches that have brought them there in the past, and even the idea of approaching the playoffs as something other than the number one seed is familiar. They are capable of taking down other teams with multiple All-Stars and teams built for the primary reason of beating the Warriors. Other teams are capable of doing the same, but the Warriors have done this for a couple of years now, and they have the credentials to show that their way has worked. Until another team finds their own piece of championship strategy, the Warriors are favorites to repeat. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Finals-Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sVqqL0Bvaf9sz0IQQkna2Sf5EJQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11507079/usa_today_10881571.jpg">
<cite>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2019/3/26/18279758/nba-2019-golden-state-warriors-basketball-playoffs-finalsJordan Wong2019-01-23T17:34:16-08:002019-01-23T17:34:16-08:00How do the Warriors stack up against the best ever?
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<img alt="Golden State Warriors Media Day" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YM3023uPaMlkKy3LdlE1aVpbpKw=/0x167:4548x3199/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62895432/1039507208.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>How do the defending champs stack up against some of the greatest of all time?</p> <p id="H62ns9">If you are a <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> fan, in any sense of the term, you have probably been part of a discussion (or actively avoiding a discussion) comparing the 1990s <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> to the Warriors team of the past few years.</p>
<p id="A9JQRM">If you’ve taken part of any discussion surrounding the idea, you also have probably been on the receiving end of phrases such as “They could not keep up” or “They would get destroyed” or something of the likes of <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnba%2Flakers%2F2018%2F12%2F12%2Fshaquille-oneal-lakers-beat-warriors-jordan-lebron-debate%2F2274485002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstateofmind.com%2F2019%2F1%2F23%2F18001044%2Fnba-2019-season-golden-state-warriors-chicago-bulls-statistical-analysis" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">what Shaquiille O’Neal recently had to say concerning the modern day Warriors</a>. And while the Warriors have had a decent amount of supporters and naysayers for the idea that they are the best of all-time, there hasn’t been and probably won’t be a unanimous decision anytime soon. </p>
<p id="3Igugb">How the Warriors compare to the Bulls</p>
<p id="YXus7J">The 1990s Chicago Bulls had a guard named Michael Jordan, who, during the ‘95-’96 season, averaged 30.4 points per game - starting all 82. The team also had this fellow named Steve Kerr, who during that same season was the same age as <span>Stephen Curry</span>. But the two draw more similarities then age - their trigger happy three-point tendencies brought an added element to their respective teams. On paper, the Bulls finished first in both offensive rating and defensive rating, and also boasted two to-be Hall of Famers next to Jordan in <span>Scottie Pippen</span> and Dennis Rodman. </p>
<p id="JeaQlv">Put simply, the Bulls were dominant because there was, and in my opinion still is, nobody close to the caliber of Michael Jordan. He was The Man - the ability to shoot off the dribble with such precision, the court vision and passing ability, the defensive awareness, coupled with being the embodiment of “clutch” were just some aspects of Jordan that led him to be commonly hailed as the greatest of all time. If you factor in Pippen, Rodman, and Kerr, it’s not hard to see why the Bulls were such a dominant team. </p>
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<img alt="Michael Jordan #23" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eC4MYL4E5i7snMUXLacVySNAUmg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13704964/72562277.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="1kUqiS">However, the game back in the mid 1990’s was not the same game that is played today- on average, <span>Stephen Curry</span> takes as many three point attempts as Jordan, Kerr, and Scottie Pippen combined during that historic ‘95-’96 season. Is it justifiable to compare the Jordan-led Bulls to the Warriors of today? </p>
<p id="5Roo9J">In some ways, yes, and in some ways, no. </p>
<p id="qNBkR4">The game is obviously different today than what it was back then - the blend of strength, size, and speed is a hard variable to quantify from era to era, and each individual matchup could swing for either team - does <span>Klay Thompson</span> guard Jordan or does <span>Kevin Durant</span> step up to defend the greatest of all time? And how do the Bulls matchup with all of the Warriors weapons? Truth be told, we may be talking about two of the greatest individual teams of all time, but a matchup and comparison between the two would be hard to generate. There are both current and historic teams that were better built to counter Golden State’s offense and defense, and the same could be said for the 1990’s Bulls. </p>
<p id="O2UqBK">But all the same, it is the game of basketball - the argument that the game is different today than what it was “back then” can be also be applied on a more micro level within today’s league - the Warriors fast paced tempo contrasts Gregg Poppovich’s methodical offense, yet the two teams finished first and second in the Western Conference for multiple years. </p>
<p id="ZAmWKf">The current Golden State Warriors have to adjust their defense from team to team throughout the season (and the same goes for the teams guarding the Warriors high tempo offense), so what would make the Bulls any different? Truth be told, the Bulls would be a special breed in the here and now NBA - arguably even more of a special breed than the Warriors - but it would not be impossible to try and compare the two teams since so many teams in today’s League are so different from one another. </p>
<p id="ijM0di">How the Warriors compare to the Lakers</p>
<p id="A0BUYs">In a similar manner, the Warriors could be compared to the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, but the comparison could only be drawn so far. Between Shaquille O’Neal and <span>Kobe Bryant</span>, the Lakers commonly feasted on other teams they faced. Bryant’s rare ability to hit difficult shots and O’Neal’s revolution as one of the game’s quintessential big men, combined with the most accomplished coach in NBA history in <span>Phil Jackson</span>, made the Lakers almost impossible to stop. </p>
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<img alt="Los Angeles Lakers Unveil Shaquille O’Neal Statue" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DUVCbxP8VvcThTsHS5A0Z0N0idI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13704965/657488208.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="aSC9uk">The Lakers signature triangle offense in particular proved to cause the most difficulty for opponents to key in on, and it would be interesting to see how the Warriors’ defense would match up with that specific offense, given that the offense required players to be versatile enough to play almost anywhere in the triangle and given that the Warriors’ defense requires that most players should be able to guard anything from the point guard to the power forward position. </p>
<p id="TnYffi">This ongoing question of ‘Who’s the best?’ probably won’t come to a conclusion anytime soon, if ever at all. All three teams were dominant during their time, and all of them were marked by their shear ability to impose their will and skill on all the other teams in the league. </p>
<p id="khnGIb">This has not been as often a case this year for the Warriors, but there is still a good amount of games to be played this year, and watching <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> out on the court will make the games that much more exciting. As the Warriors prepare for a push to their fifth consecutive trip to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-finals">NBA Finals</a>, eyes will continue to watch this team grow into their own story. </p>
<p id="0OxCrX"> </p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2019/1/23/18001044/nba-2019-season-golden-state-warriors-chicago-bulls-statistical-analysisJordan Wong2018-10-09T17:00:01-07:002018-10-09T17:00:01-07:00Which team is the biggest threat to the Warriors?
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<img alt="NBA: Finals-Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G1tu9Jckd9VlaGvYwz_jMa4mQfs=/0x0:4622x3081/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61710651/usa_today_10881571.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After an offseason full of big names getting moved, which team stands the best chance to claim the title? </p> <p id="QsiUPk">In an offseason where you could practically read an article about a big name player being moved every day while brushing your teeth in the morning , the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> made a couple moves themselves. Even though we are still not quite done hearing about some possible moves (e.g. <span>Jimmy Butler</span>), LeBron James’ move to the L.A. Lakers was the highlight of the offseason followed by a series of other moves.</p>
<p id="jzI0ZC">But who will emerge as the top contenders this season? </p>
<p id="4TR5mC">There are a lot of teams that are rearing and ready for the regular season to start, including the Warriors. Let’s take a look at how five other contenders stack up.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="xXPZy2">
<ol><li id="oTKlRy"><a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a></li></ol>
<p id="XRQM90">The Boston Celtics, who are now probably the argued favorites to win the East with <span>Gordon Hayward</span> back, will also be bringing their core consisting of, but not limited to, <span>Kyrie Irving</span>, <span>Terry Rozier</span>, <span>Jaylen Brown</span>, <span>Jayson Tatum</span>, <span>Marcus Morris</span>, and Al Horford. Despite not having <span>Hayward</span> for all but a few quarters of last season, the Celtics were able to do well and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and barely fell to a James-led <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> team. </p>
<p id="43wUx3">Boston was second only to Golden State in three-point percentage and that had a lot to do with their ability to spread the floor with their talented backcourt. They were also able to hold opponents to a .440 field goal percentage, second best in the league right ahead of the Warriors, and also held their opponents to the third lowest average point total in the league. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Preseason-Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N3iYRB7jYY6EGJwN2yXD_PuWhic=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13203091/usa_today_11335098.jpg">
<cite>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="4yotwH">Having this abundant amount of talent, how will coach <span>Brad Stevens</span> approach his rotations throughout the season? Even more, how much luck would it take for these Celtics to get through the season without an injury? Time will tell. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="bD5RbO">
<p id="pcQFrt">2. <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a></p>
<p id="Dyz5z4">The Houston Rockets, who fell to the Warriors last year in the Western Conference Finals, are looking for their shot at redemption. Their core trio of <span>James</span> <span>Harden</span>, <span>Chris Paul</span>, and Clint Cappella remains intact, and they are bringing back <span>Eric Gordon</span> and PJ Tucker. The Rockets still have the core to challenge the Warriors.</p>
<p id="eI4ZOc">If you partner their original unit with the likes of veterans James Ennis, Marquesse Chriss, and <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>, this team sees nothing but the stars above when talking about their potential. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZUAh4FNyIrk3ja3PQ-Hb6WGtY84=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13203123/usa_today_10797478.jpg">
<cite>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="YszBly"><span>Harden</span> and <span>Paul</span>, the two most cerebral parts of the Rockets team, were able to effectively challenge the Warriors last season. They actually scored more points per 100 possessions than the Warriors, while also allowing the sixth fewest points per 100 possessions. </p>
<p id="X6Tvcq">If this new team’s chemistry can blast off from the get-go, they have the potential to be just as dangerous, if not more, than last year. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="m9ybDh">
<p id="BuvG1f">3. <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a></p>
<p id="nvQMbx">The Oklahoma City Thunder, who at this time last year were excited for their “Big Three” of <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, <span>Paul George</span>, and <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>, have regrouped following what was a disappointing end to their 2017-2018 campaign after being knocked out in the first round. After watching Anthony leave to join the Rockets, the Thunder went and grabbed <span>Dennis Schroder</span> from the Atlanta Hawks, who will be all the more important to the team now that Russell Westbrook will be coming off of a knee surgery. </p>
<p id="ABgjCs">The Thunder led the league last season in steals and were just outside the top ten in blocks per game. Led by a combination of <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>Andre Roberson</span>, the Thunder continued to pickpocket their opponents, despite the latter not being available from the end of January and through the rest of the season. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-vqDY5rQEBW8H4C_nj1XPV8FgnI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13203147/usa_today_10685082.jpg">
<cite>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="pVXdIt">Despite their defensive statistics, the Thunder were eighth in offensive efficiency. While eighth place is not bad, they did not seem to meet the high expectations that were set in place when <span>George</span> and Anthony joined. Part of it had to do with Anthony’s poor season showing, but Oklahoma City is hoping to rebound this season, especially with the addition of <span>Schroder</span> and getting back <span>Roberson</span>. </p>
<p id="2U6ZEb">Of course, most of the Thunder’s season rests on the shoulders (or rather, the knees) of Westbrook. Will his lightning quick strike ability and do-it-all mentality be as good as before? One can only imagine. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="W1wUwG">
<p id="ACZcU7">4. <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a></p>
<p id="0hpZTG">The Philadelphia 76ers, in my opinion, were one of the most fun teams to watch last season. Fueled by the electrifying duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, it was hard to tell that this was the same team that had two years ago only won one more game than the Warriors had lost - largely because they didn’t have Simmons and Embiid. </p>
<p id="HZH7fL">Between their on-court chemistry and their off-field banter, making videos like the one posted below, you could tell that they enjoyed being teammates and were ready to show the rest of the NBA who they had become. </p>
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<img alt="NBA: Playoffs-Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FfnsVDaNISEgW6o4onQEGUiVrHs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13203155/usa_today_10829072.jpg">
<cite>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="fTxezk">After rolling into the playoffs on a 16-game win streak to end the regular season, the 76ers had the Finals on their mind. </p>
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<p id="gRaUV3">The 76ers didn’t make too many changes this offseason, unless you count <span>Markelle Fultz</span> and Ben Simmons’ work on their jump shots. They added <span>Mike Muscala</span> and <span>Wilson Chandler</span>, and also added a pair of journeymen post players in <span>Amir Johnson</span> and <span>Emeka Okafor</span>, who along with <span>Muscala</span>, will take some of the pressure off of Embiid. </p>
<p id="HaLuYN">This years’ 76ers will be that much more fun to watch with Fultz.</p>
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<p id="HoWWWr">5. <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Utah Jazz</a></p>
<p id="GwDrqA">The Utah Jazz, like the Philadelphia 76ers, were pretty entertaining because of their youth last year and that was mostly because of Donavan Mitchell. Others had their moments, but Mitchell seems to be not only viewed but also treated as their next franchise player. </p>
<p id="4Gs15M">The Jazz continued with their steady stream of top tier defense, allowing the fewest points per game in the league, along with the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>. Rudy Gobert acted as the ultimate rim protector, and they had a young complimentary core of players like <span>Dante Exum</span>, <span>Derrick Favors</span>, <span>Alec Burks</span>, and <span>Ricky Rubio</span>. </p>
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<cite>Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="dnNH65">After trading for <span>Jae Crowder</span>(during last season), signing <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span>, and drafting <span>Grayson Allen</span>, the Jazz look to make a run for the championship through the use of that stellar defense and the offensive firepower of Donavan Mitchell. </p>
<p id="Oc5B1j">Quinn Snyder has a lot of tools to work with at his disposal, and it will be interesting to watch how the pieces unfold throughout the season in Salt Lake City. </p>
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<p id="73Aj39">The Warriors have their work cut out for them. It won’t be an easy road to a three-peat, but the team already seems to have gotten mostly back into form and looks ready for the season to start. </p>
<p id="7bBAio">As they continue to progress throughout the season, most eyes will be watching <span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, arguably the two biggest names on the Warriors who are most likely to not come back next year. How will they approach the game with an extra mouth to feed on an already dynamic offense? Let’s hope Steve Kerr has already resolved this issue, because once the season starts, a lot of teams will be preoccupied with championships on their mind.</p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2018/10/9/17842494/nba-2018-golden-state-warriors-offseason-championship-titleJordan Wong2018-09-25T12:00:01-07:002018-09-25T12:00:01-07:00Why the Warriors are the golden standard: A statistical analysis
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<p>After winning three out of the past four Finals, let’s take a look at what helped the Warriors win back-to-back titles from an analytics point of view.</p> <p id="Xmpylu">The <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a> have enjoyed a lot of success over the past couple of seasons - bringing back home a championship trophy for three out of the past four years, they have a lot to be happy about. While other teams try to find ways to topple the Warriors(see <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rockets-challenge-warriors-nba-playoffs-2018-3">Houston Rockets</a>), let’s try to look at what makes the Warriors such a special team. </p>
<h2 id="eLFh2B"><strong>#1. The Warriors have rare consistency in knocking down threes</strong></h2>
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<p id="ykpPms">The first and most obvious thing that sets the Warriors apart is their ability to shoot and knock down 3-pointers. Any random, average basketball fan could tell you that the Golden State Warriors are known for their barrage of threes throughout the games, and there are two notable players who contribute to such notoriety: <span>Stephen Curry</span> and Klay Thompson. While most NBA fans know them as two perennial All-Stars, the Warriors fans have a special title for their two beloved long range snipers - the Splash Brothers.</p>
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<p id="IeKfsr">The first category that Curry stands out in is true shooting percentage. Curry led the league last year with a .675 true shooting percentage. The next non-post players who had the best true shooting percentages were <span>Kyle Korver</span> and <span>Kevin Durant</span>, who shot .652 and .640, respectively. True shooting percentage not only takes into account the points scored and shots attempted, but also takes into consideration the number of free throw attempts. </p>
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<p id="h8lRYi">Taking a look at the equation for true shooting percentage, Curry stands out because of the sheer volume of shots that he has took last season. Based on position roles, it’s ordinary to assume that post players would have the highest true shooting percentage — seeing as how they have a higher field goal percentage, we would expect their true shooting percentage to be high as well. However, Curry defies those odds — he holds the best true shooting percentages in the league, and it’s because of his rare ability to shoot (and make) shots from long range.</p>
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<p id="WfjF0w">In other words, this statistic isn’t supposed to give value to the pure number of three pointers that Curry made, but rather the efficiency in which he makes them — this is a true testament to his ability to not only be precise, but also repetitive, with his shot. </p>
<p id="ly3QXH">For those who argue that Curry’s true shooting percentage is inflated because of his free throw percentage (in which he also led the league), you are correct, at least partially. However, this argument is non unique. “Inflated” gives a negative connotation that the quoted statistics does not accurately represent the players ability on the field. However, the argument that his free throws inflate his TS% can be made for almost <em>any </em>player in the league.</p>
<p id="i1Sx8x">Basically, almost every single player’s free throw percentage helps, instead of hurts, their true shooting percentage. Based on the true shooting percentage equation, if free throws make up 88% of a player’s true shooting percentage (or 0.88 * TS%), then they break even — the player’s free throw production is then independent of the value of their given true shooting percentage. In other words, if a player’s free throw percentage eclipses 88 percent of their true shooting percentage, then their true shooting percentage is positively affected. </p>
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<p id="Wwo12i">When taking a look at the true shooting percentage, the Warriors led all the other teams in the league at 60.3%, with the next best team being the Houston Rockets at 59.0%. The difference isn’t huge (probably around 27 extra shot attempts on Houston’s part...), but it was subtle enough for Golden State to march their way to another championship. </p>
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<h2 id="kwnzrY"><strong>#2. The Warriors know how to pass, and how to pass well</strong></h2>
<p id="Kb6RH0">Throughout the past couple of seasons, the Warriors have also stood out because of their high assist ratio. </p>
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<p id="Ae6p9Z">The reason why I like taking the assist ratio statistic as opposed to the assist rate and assist percentage is because it takes into account the total number of field goals attempted as well as the number of turnovers that a team commits. In other words, the teams with higher assist ratios are the ones who actually get more assists per field goal attempts and who don’t commit that many turnovers, which should be telling of the Warriors assist ratio given their high turnover rate. </p>
<p id="xaJvuA">For a team like the Warriors, this statistics speaks more loud and clear than it would for most teams. Since the Warriors do not run an ISO offense as much as other teams, their assist ratio is a testament to their ability to pass, and everything that leads up to the pass that generates a shot - the off-ball screens, the occasional double team, and their ability to read such defensive adjustments. </p>
<p id="gD4nHQ">However, that’s not to say that the Warriors aren’t capable of running an ISO offense if they wanted to. Having the versatility to run both offenses makes opposing defenses have to worry about that much more. </p>
<p id="hDXrfy">The high assist ratio is also due to the fact that they have some players who can shoot lights out when they are open. As defenses converge onto a specific player as they drive or become open, then that, in turn, opens up opportunities for other players. And that is why the Warriors “death lineup” is so lethal, because every player is capable of knocking down a three pointer. </p>
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<h2 id="1zoiiw"><strong>#3. The Warriors know how to make the most out of every possession</strong></h2>
<p id="4zLeLL">The final statistic that stands out from these Warriors is their offensive efficiency rating. </p>
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<p id="qiwfxG">Taking a look at the team’s statistics, the Warriors top the league in the points per game category, at 112.3, just ahead of the Rockets. We can assume that the reason why they are tops in the league is because they have a combination of exceptional ball movement as well as pinpoint shooting, and they have mastered that craft enough to be the best in the league. </p>
<p id="KFUmFP">Being efficient with the ball means being able to take care of it when you have possession of it, and being sure that you come away with a shot that the team generally wants. This is especially true of a team that has a tendency to turn the ball over a decent amount too, like the Warriors. They were tied for the second highest turnover ratio with the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>. </p>
<p id="QmQTSt">However, when they do not turn the ball over, they do an exceptional job at making sure they get the most of their possessions. What’s also important to note is that as they continue to make shots and get the most out of their possessions, it helps their defense. They are allowed to set up on defense and not be subject to fast break opportunities by the opposition. </p>
<p id="JCX3b4">There are many more reasons why the Warriors were able to win back-to-back championships. Coach Steve Kerr, basketball intelligence, and a roster stacked with natural talent are just to name a few. As they continue to progress and with the addition of <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, it will be interesting to see how these statistical advantages that have favored the Warriors will progress throughout this season. </p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2018/9/25/17842492/nba-2018-golden-state-warriors-statistics-analysisJordan Wong2018-09-10T12:00:02-07:002018-09-10T12:00:02-07:00Warriors Season Review: Jordan Bell is ready for an increased role
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<p>Bell’s rookie season helped bring another title to Golden State.</p> <p id="Ccoj1p"></p>
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<p id="teS3Lv">Heading into last season, an oft-asked question was, “How long could the Golden State <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> keep up this winning way?” Was it going to be another three years? Five years? Was this the last go around?</p>
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<p id="5c9XAR">As the Warriors have continued to work with their core group and have hauled the Larry O’Brien trophy back to the Bay for three out of the past four years, the front office has made it clear that they still view these past few seasons as the beginning of a long term project. Part of continuing this winning way included an attempt to get younger guys who could help develop into the players currently on the team, such as Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green - it’s much harder to find a Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, or Kevin Durant (but if technology did allow us to clone one, as<a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2018/9/4/17816532/nba-2018-golden-state-warriors-steph-curry-kevin-durant-draymond-green-klay-thompson"> you all may have read</a>, Durant would be my choice). One way to approach that was through the draft.</p>
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<p id="wzcRs0">As if a repeat from the previous year, the Warriors decided that the 38th pick of the NBA draft should be theirs. On draft day, they sent $3.5 million to the Chicago Bulls for the draft rights to <span>Jordan Bell</span>, the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. General Manager Bob Myers was not optimistic that the team could land him, but when the opportunity came, ‘Myers Magic’ came into play.</p>
<h2 id="w1aUIW">High expectations for Bell entering the season</h2>
<p id="nI7FJv">Before even playing a NBA game, there was already a pretty clear consensus about Bell. According to his draft profile, Bell has never been motivated by being a prolific scorer — he wanted to impose himself by taking out the opponent’s best frontcourt player with his defense. He was described to be an elite shot blocker and athletic playmaker who doesn’t put up a whole lot of shots and isn’t a true center. Pretty much all of those traits followed him to the NBA, and it was just what the Warriors needed — including the shooting and position description. </p>
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<p id="pQQLOu">It’s not that the Warriors were <em>desperate </em>for rim protection — a hodgepodge of Durant, Green, and JaVale McGee seemingly would have done the trick — but rather, they were looking for someone to not only add to the team’s shot blocking ability, but also take some of the burden of being the “Stretch Five” off of Green himself. And while there were some obvious growing pains (and some needed adjustments on <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/2017/10/24/16533006/jordan-bell-dunk-warriors-mavericks-angry-unwritten-rules-steve-kerr">basketball mannerisms</a>), Bell easily held his own as a rookie. Constantly looking more and more like Draymond Green throughout the season, Bell often found himself on the receiving end of alley oops, dishing out assists, and protecting the rim against the opposing teams’ best frontcourt player. </p>
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<h2 id="SltJg0">Bell’s versatility was a fit for the Warriors</h2>
<p id="9LLdMb">Part of what makes Bell fit with the Warriors is his ability to guard multiple positions and having that coveted 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-8 height that the team so highly values while switching against opposing offenses. The fact that he had played as the rim protector for the Oregon Ducks made for a fluid transition to the League as a four-five combo and at the very least gave him working knowledge as a big in the NBA. Not only was Bell able to handle some of the better centers in this league as a five, but also when McGee, Zaza Pachulia, or <span>David West</span> came in(which moved him to the four) he showed he was capable of understanding how to give true help defense through the ‘blindside block’ - blocks which the defender comes from either the other side of the rim or the elbow to help block a shot attempt. </p>
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<p id="Sb9aPC">Bell’s season came to a sudden halt in January, after being badly injured while trying to block Robin Lopez’ dunk. That injury sidelined him for more than a month (14 games). Soon after his return, Bell went down again when he landed awkwardly on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s foot and tweaked his ankle. However, Bell only sat out three games. </p>
<p id="hpJUee">Bell’s opportunities opened up throughout the season as the Warriors grew more open to the ideas of the younger guys playing, or wanted to simply give the veterans some rest. Taking the place of McGee, Pachulia, West, and Green not only gave Bell a plethora of opportunities to gain valuable experience, but also gave him ample time to apply and practice what he had been taught, especially the system of ‘Warriors basketball.’</p>
<p id="sv3JxO">And, man, did he ever make the most of his chances. While lacking in height, Bell more than made up for it by showing the coaching staff that he had the hops and athleticism to hang with the best of them. Bell’s off-the-backboard self alley-oop impressed a good number of his teammates while equally displeasing an equal amount of his opponents. His chase down block on Damian Lillard was much more well received by the general basketball community, and his continual defensive prowess throughout the season helped him fortify a role in The Finals, where he was even matched up against LeBron James a handful of times (what is it about the 38th pick needing to defend James during their rookie year before they are able to hoist up the O’Brien trophy? <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelswander/status/871606698049282049?s=21">See Patrick McCaw</a>).</p>
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<h2 id="hV3lVB">What’s next for Bell? </h2>
<p id="Yayryk">As we look ahead to the 18-19 season, Bell could be seeing a lot more playing time at the center position, largely because there aren’t too many competitors there: DeMarcus Cousins and Green will start when the team is at full strength, but besides Bell only Jonas Jerebko, <span>Damian Jones</span>, and <span>Kevon Looney</span> remain. Bell could see a lot of minutes early on in the year with Cousins sidelined, and even when Cousins returns, there could be a chance that Bell is the first ‘big’ off the bench, especially given that he held minutes at both the four and the five last year and has a year under his belt. </p>
<p id="NgNajf">Put simply, the Warriors are in it for the long haul, and by picking up Bell at the start of last summer and continuing to develop him into a Draymond Green caliber player, they are starting to push further into the possibilities that lie ahead of them. </p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2018/9/10/17798224/nba-2018-golden-state-warriors-season-review-jordan-bellJordan Wong