Golden State Of Mind: All Posts by lilboots"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.png2016-06-04T06:27:30-07:00https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/authors/jps/rss2016-06-04T06:27:30-07:002016-06-04T06:27:30-07:00Muhammad Ali passes away
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<p>Muhammad Ali died tonight after respiratory complications.</p> <p>The great Muhammad Ali passed away last night in a Phoenix-area hospital. Ali had spent the past few days being treated for respiratory problems. The champ is survived by his legendary legacy in and out of the ring. He spoke up against racial prejudice and historical injustice, all the way to the end. Ali will always be remembered for embodying greatness, global humility, and wisdom. Rest in peace, champ.</p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/6/4/11857678/muhammad-ali-passes-away-at-74lilboots2016-05-28T00:35:16-07:002016-05-28T00:35:16-07:00WCF Game 6 preview: Elimination looms
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<p>The Warriors look to overcome the mighty Thunder in front of a hostile crowd.</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Golden State Warriors tonight on Reno Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City.</p>
<p>Whether you're a Celtic junkie or season ticket holder for the L.A. Clippers, every NBA fan has kept one eye on the Warriors all season. Now, the entire basketball world will bear witness while asking the question: If the Warriors are eliminated, was the mammoth 73-win season all for naught?</p>
<p>Reasonable people will differ, but Golden State shook the dust off after being mauled by a bear and buried for dead. After patching their wounds, the Warriors are back in the hunt and out to settle the score. <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Only 18 teams have won 65 or more regular season games in NBA history. Fourteen of those teams went on to win NBA championships. If the Thunder manage to beat Golden State, they will have beaten two of those 65+ win teams in the same post-season. Conversely, the Warriors will be one of nine teams <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.si.com/nba/photos/2015/05/18/nba-playoff-3-1-comebacks/1">to ever come back from a 3-1 deficit</a> in the playoffs, if they make it out of the round.</p>
<p><i>Teams to come back after falling 3-1</i></p>
<p><b>Rockets beat Clippers, 2015. </b>Western Conference Semi-Finals. Rockets come back after being down 19 points in Game 6 to win in Game 7 and reach Conference Finals for 1st time since '97.</p>
<p><b>Suns beat Lakers, 2006. </b>The Suns bring it back to blow out the Lakers in Game 7 with a 31-point blowout in the first round. Leandro Barbosa scores 26 points on 10-12 shooting.</p>
<p><b>Pistons beat Magic, 2003. </b>The Pistons find a way to defuse Tracy McGrady's dominance scoring the ball, and blow out the Magic 108-93 in Game 7.</p>
<p><b>Heat beat Knicks, 1997. </b>The Knicks lose Game 6 and Game 7, 95-90 and 101-90 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.</p>
<p><b>Rockets beat Suns, 1995. </b>Houston wins their 2nd straight NBA title after Mario Elie sinks a corner three with 7.1 seconds remaining in Game 7 of the WC Semi-finals.</p>
<p><b>Celtics beat 76ers, 1981. </b>Both teams had won 62 games that year. Larry Bird nails a mid-range bank shot in the last seconds after rallying his squad from a 6-point deficit in the final 4 minutes of this EC Finals round.</p>
<p><b>Bullets beat Spurs, 1979. </b>San Antonio was called for 7 fouls in the final 4 minutes and Washington went on a 10-2 run with only 120 seconds remaining, to win the EC Finals.</p>
<p><b>Lakers beat Suns, 1970. </b>Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and ElginBaylor rally the purple and gold back for the final three wins of the Western Division Finals.</p>
<p><b>Celtics beat 76ers, 1970. </b>Boston has their own version of the massive comeback as they fight back behind Sam Jones to be the first team ever to come back after being down 3-1. They dethrone the defending champions.</p>
<p>-----</p>
<p>Steve Kerr's dirty dozen has a chance to be the 10th team to round out the list of teams to make a 3-1 comeback. Game 5 had its own share of magic moments.</p>
<p>Whether it was Draymond Green swatting Westbrook off the glass, or Stephen Curry picking Durant in the final moments like some street orphan in an early Charles Dickens novel, the Warriors can look back to those plays as a reminder that Durant and Westbrook are just men.</p>
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<p><b>KEYS TO VICTORY</b></p>
<p><i>Andrew Bogut and help defense. Bogut</i> must stay in the game, ideally playing over 30 minutes. He's the only Warrior who can handle Adams and deter the attack of Russell Westbrook. When Steve Kerr talked about how the Warriors would need "defensive stops and rebounds" to win, he could have said so while pointing directly at Bogut's face.</p>
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<p><i>"He's almost fouling out of every game in 10-15 minutes. He's got to be smarter with his fouls. We need him out there. When he's out there, we rebound better and we've got a good passer out of the post. We want to play Bogut more, but he's got to stay on the floor."</i><span> — </span><b>Steve Kerr</b></p>
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<p>Bogut responded with maybe his best game of the year.</p>
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<p>* Much will depend on Harrison Barnes' initial on-ball defense. If HB can cause Durant to settle for shots away from the basket, then it will allow Bogut to refrain from first quarter fouls and play more aggressively down the stretch. Durant has struggled from three-point range this series, <i>(.296%) </i>and his night from the arc in Game 5 was no exception <i>(3-11 3pt, 44:36). </i>Will Durant insist on imposing his range, or will he attack HB with everything he's got in the close/mid-range? If the latter rings true, Barnes will earn a big paycheck if he can misdirect KD's drives and give Bogut the favorable angle.</p>
<p><i></i>* Klay Thompson needs to mind the Steve Adams screen — it's coming, and it will be hard to alert him over the noise. Adams sets one of the nastiest screens in the NBA with his mobility, and Westbrook can get by anybody without a pick. Draymond must pay attention to this situation and break away from Ibaka if necessary to help Klay recover. If the Warriors must live and die with Ibaka threes, then so be it. They must fight for Bogut at all costs. It may be their only chance to win there. Force Russell to kick it out to the open man back towards half court. Put the onus on his ability to beat them by passing out of his shots.</p>
<p><i>Shooting the ball. </i>If Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson can make 50% of their 3pt FGA's, while keeping Bogut in the game, then victory will be in the cards. Stephen Curry may be in a lull. You could see it in his post-game interview after Game 5. Not to delve too deeply into conjecture, but Stephen looked preoccupied in his thoughts. His mind may be on Russell Westbrook.</p>
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<p>With Curry's game in a dip, and coming off inactivity in the prior round, it's very possible that Westbrook might've found a way under Steph's skin. People in the sport always compare the talents of the two, as Westbrook was widely regarded as the runner-up MVP, and the 2nd best point guard in the NBA. With such a contrast in styles, and a comparable greatness in their capabilities, the fact the Russ is outplaying Steph right now may be a tough pill to swallow for number 30.</p>
<p>It might be Sonya, or it could be Kobe Bryant, but somebody needs to get into Steph's ear and remind him of what he's capable of doing, even when things are looking down. Game 4 overtime in Portland should be looped for 2 hours on Stephen's big screen while he listens to his favorite beats and eats Ayesha's spinach. If Curry can leave lasting fingerprints on Game 6 and 7, it would be huge to his great legacy, and pave the way for an even greater performance against Cleveland. His involvement in the physical game two days ago at Oracle catered towards winning basketball, and Curry is poised for a big night.</p>
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<p><i>Big Shot Shaun. </i>While Steve Kerr opted to stay with the 2nd unit in Game 5 for an extended stretch, Shaun Livingston and Mo Speights added to the spread, <i>(from 4 to 9 points) </i>while the starters sat.<i> </i>Livingston goes through stretches when he admittedly rides his confidence into the following game. Amidst all the noise and confusion playing in front of the Thunder crowd, Steve Kerr will rely on the steady hand of Shaun to not turn the ball over, and take smart shots. The maturity of Livingston's game must pay dividends if the 2nd unit wants to keep the crowd uninvolved. No big runs, no turnovers.</p>
<p><i>Draymond Green taking it to Durant's chest. </i>Durant must be forced to play both sides of the court. Whether he's guarding Harrison Barnes or Draymond Green, the Warriors must attack him, because Durant is sure to play 45 minutes. If the game goes down the stretch, then the Dub's early work in forcing KD to defend, will pay off.</p>
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<p><i>"Going into Oklahoma City will be a hostile environment and it's going to be tough. There's no relief, because we are still down 3-2, and every game is a Game 7 at this point. I don't feel like I got my mojo back, but I feel like I'm heading in the right direction."</i></p>
<p><i>"All I can do is battle. Everything else will take care of itself. I feel better. I feel good. But I feel like I have a way to go to being myself. You can't control how a game goes. But I can control how hard I play."</i></p>
<p><b>— Draymond Green</b></p>
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<p>Let's hope he finds himself before tipoff. He's dragging the ankle, but his teammates need his heart, and they need his soul.</p>
<p><b>TO WARRIORS FANS</b></p>
<p>If your team falls tonight, remember where you were six years ago in late May. Some of you were reluctantly watching the finals, others were browsing Draftexpress.com.</p>
<p>You are only as great as your enemies. The Thunder look to give us exciting battles for years to come. No matter what, celebrate this clash of fast-break giants, as both teams dash to the finish line. Long-time supporters will count their blessings as they remember the stretch of seasons between 1997 and 2002, when the Warriors won the following totals.</p>
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<p>Those days are over. Enjoy, and good luck to all of you tonight.</p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/5/28/11804216/nba-playoffs-2016-preview-golden-state-warriors-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-game-6lilboots2016-05-26T23:18:56-07:002016-05-26T23:18:56-07:00Should Warriors make a lineup change in Game 6?
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<p>The Warriors showed problems rebounding, defending in OKC. Would lineup adjustment help?</p> <p>The Thunder have looked indestructible at home this month. The crowd infuses nitro into an already superior rebounding team. At Chesapeake Energy Arena, <span>Russell Westbrook</span> goes into killer-cyborg mode before he kicks the brakes off his teammates and starts firing assists. Durant performs like he's shooting by himself in the comforts of his personal home gym. And here, <span>Andre Roberson</span> is a household name. It's safe to say that the pace and high-stakes of the sixth meeting will make this game a very draining experience. Additionally, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> just pulled out a close, physical home win after being tornadoed off the court in games 3 and 4.</p>
<p>As the team flies back to OKC for the biggest fight of this young core's career, a coach or spectator has to wonder how the Warriors will sustain an efficient passing game under the pressure of their circumstance and hostile audience. Can the Warriors be cerebral there and take care of the ball well enough to trump their disadvantage on the boards?</p>
<p>Last year, the Warriors won a championship by going small against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. This time, they may need to go big to compete for one. The roaring crowd can cause distraction in a fast break clash. The pace of this game is unfamiliar ground for the Warriors, because Golden State is used to always dominating the speed instead of matching it.</p>
<p>* If the Warriors can take away the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder's</a> advantage on the boards, then they can afford to make more mistakes sharing the ball. In a passionate clincher, living and dying by efficiency may be a tough bet.</p>
<p><b>1 - PG / <span>Stephen Curry</span></b></p>
<p><b>2 - SG / <span>Klay Thompson</span> </b></p>
<p><b>3 - SF / <span>Draymond Green</span></b></p>
<p><b>4 - PF / <span>Festus Ezeli</span></b></p>
<p><b>5 - C / <span>Andrew Bogut</span></b></p>
<p><b>---</b></p>
<p><b>6 - SF / Andre Igoudala </b></p>
<p><b></b><b>7 - </b><b>PF / <span>Harrison Barnes</span></b></p>
<p><b>8 - PG / Shaun Livingston</b></p>
<p><b>9 - C / Mo Speights</b></p>
<p><b>10 - SG / Ian Clarke</b></p>
<p><b>--</b></p>
<p><b>1st Substitution - </b><i>Igoudala for Ezeli / Green slides to PF</i></p>
<p><b>2nd Substitution - </b><i>Barnes for Green </i></p>
<p><b>3rd Substitution - </b><i>Livingston for Curry </i></p>
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<p><b>FIRST UNIT</b></p>
<p><i>Draymond Green</i> - There are two major changes here, and it starts with Green at small forward. Draymond is the best defensive option against Durant for Golden State. He has the lateral speed to challenge the drive, he's long enough to contest, and he's strong enough to defend KD in the post. Green would provide a free-range rebounder and help defender.</p>
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<p><span>"Don't consider me a power forward because you are taking away what I can do as a small forward.</span>"</p>
<p><span> </span><i>- Draymond Green</i></p>
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<p>Green has the athleticism to play small forward in this league. With serviceable, stout swingmen like <span>Jared Dudley</span> doing well, it's hard to say otherwise. Draymond could force Durant to defend more, driving the ball at him with Festus and Andrew cleaning up or squeezing hustle points from drop-off passes. This would also eliminate Ezeli as the primary roller off the screen for the 2nd unit.</p>
<p>Everyone knows that Festus can't catch that pass. Passing to Ezeli with velocity in traffic is always a risky proposition. The Warriors were forced to do that too often at CE Arena, and it was ammunition for a landslide. Instead, the 2nd unit will pass to Speights on the pick-and-roll, and Mo does well in those situations.</p>
<p><i>Festus Ezeli - </i>He can guard Serge Ibaka. The length and raw athleticism of Ibaka is problematic for our smaller front court matchup. Durant's length really penalizes the Warriors here when starting 6'7 Draymond at power forward. Ezeli can bang out some of those extra possessions that keep the Thunder's rhythm seemingly one step ahead of Golden State's. Adams is a terminator, and it's taking every bit of Andrew's body to go up against this young machine. Festus neutralizes that power and sandwiches it under the glass. The Thunder then rely on Roberson and Westbrook to crash more, and that cleans up some better fast break touches for the Warriors. Think of Fez as the Warriors countering Andre Roberson here - a specialty, energy role.</p>
<p>Defensively, his ability to come out on Ibaka is legitimate. Ezeli's soccer shuttle can pull him back to the rim when Russell Westbrook slashes at Andrew Bogut. This defensive length in the paint will force Westbrook to pass out of layups more and tempt him to kick it back out towards half court to an open Ibaka. That's good transition opportunity.</p>
<p>Festus can mitigate the scorer better on the weak side angle because his close out speed and explosiveness is greater than his ability to time shots. With Durant, he will help on those long, gathered, Euro-step takes. The problem with KD's drives are not that they beat you with speed; Kevin just knows when to put the ball where you can't contest it. But a lot of times, it takes him a moment to set that up. Festus can cover a lot of ground for a defense if there's already a shot blocker back. With Bogut stationary, focused on protecting the goal, the interior shot contesting and power of Draymond and Festus could cut OKC down to size.</p>
<p><b>SECOND UNIT</b></p>
<p><i><span>Marreese Speights</span> - </i>He's big for <span>Shaun Livingston's</span> confidence, and deserves huge reserve minutes after his play in Game 5's victory. The Warriors need to value and capitalize on the possession to beat the Thunder on the road. Speights at center means less dropped passes, less mishandles, more big shots. Igoudala and Livingston, when handling the ball, would have three shooters to pass to: Barnes, Mo, and Ian Clarke.</p>
<p><i>Harrison Barnes - </i>HB has been showing life lately. With an understanding that he could come off the bench and make a huge difference while Durant, Westbrook, or both rest, Harrison might be pushed to a greater purpose. Speights and Barnes stretch the floor and force Kanter to leave the rim. It'd give the ball handler (Livingston, Igoudala) more room to make plays. Livingston can really benefit here, if he wants to look for some offense on the block.</p>
<p>**The Warriors need to make Klay Thompson their number one scoring option in Game 6, not Stephen Curry. Clearly, the two-time MVP is still the master, but Thompson is riding the momentum of a shutdown series against the Portland Trailblazers, and a huge quarter on the road in Game 5, when he single-handedly kept the Warriors in the competition. Curry is coming off of an injury, rest, and a couple of shaky games handling the ball.</p>
<p>The smart move might be to go aggressively with Thompson and challenge the MVP to follow suit. As the pace picks up, Klay's accuracy will as well. He's an efficient volume shooter. Hopefully that gives Curry some breathing room, allowing him to enter the scoring party at his pace, perhaps later in the first half.</p>
<p><b>To Change?</b></p>
<p>The element of surprise is most useful when you anticipate a disadvantage. If the Warriors could shock the Thunder long enough to bring the series back to Oakland, then it may be worth a try. Steve Kerr said it best: "Defensive stops and rebounding."</p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/5/26/11794874/should-warriors-make-lineup-change-in-okclilboots2016-05-16T04:07:53-07:002016-05-16T04:07:53-07:00Golden State and Oklahoma City will run in Game 1
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<p>Oklahoma City matches up against Golden State and looks for the upset at Oracle</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Season series: <i>GSW 3-0 vs. OKC</i></p>
<p>Times are quickly changing in the basketball universe. Strange signs, as the cosmos rearrange and the old gods make way for the new. Kobe has decided to relieve the NBA globe from his back, for the wider-shouldered Stephen Curry. Destiny seemed to magnetize Golden State and San Antonio together for a final face-off of titans. But the Spurs shot themselves in the foot on the way to the fight.</p>
<p>After 67 wins, and a chance to ride away on chariots of fire, the Spurs will miss the grand shootout and crawl away without even a 3rd round bang. While Timmy and Manu prepare for the afterlife, Pop finds himself in a somewhat precarious place after verbally agreeing to stick around for Aldridge.</p>
<p><i>The bottom line: </i>The Spurs have cheated the Warriors out of a revenge that would have quenched the thirst of being slapped around from pillar to post for the past two decades. Longing to mark SA's final chapter with defeat, the satisfaction of beating the best possible opponent, has vanished...Or has it?</p>
<p><b>Styles make fights</b></p>
<p>Tim Duncan clumsily lumbered on the floor over a 10 game stretch before San Antonio's elimination. Averaging 21.8 minutes a game, it was clear that Duncan just couldn't quite get to the right places on the court the way he could even a year ago. Parker is no longer the deconstructionist on the drive. He used to be a serrated army-ranger blade, searing white-hot from the fire. OKC made him look a bit more like the Swiss army knife your aunt uses to clip her toe nails.</p>
<p><i>Parker vs. Thunder</i></p>
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<p><i>(Not bad - but Tony was arguably the fastest player in the league with the ball in his hands, and the most lethal at the rim)</i></p>
<p><i></i>Emanuel David Ginobili implored his body to allow him to be the hungriest competitor on the floor. He begged it a warrior's dying wish, but it just croaked, "No." Ginobili will make thirty-nine on July 28th, and he's no longer able to occupy the minds of opponents with his relentless explosiveness as a closer.</p>
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<p><i>"If there's a reason why you always want to come back and keep being part of this, it's because of the amazing chemistry, the good times and the good people that you play with and spend time with. It's not always about winning a game or winning a championship. It's been an amazing run." </i><b>- Manu Ginobili</b></p>
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<p>Elite coaching has a way of putting talented, high-chemistry teams on cruise control during the regular season. But when the best meet the best after the 82nd game, pace and intensity dictates the outcome even more. Russell Westbrook's reckless style showed us that militant discipline doesn't always reign supreme on the playoff court <i>(playoff avg - 25.5 PPG, 4.3 TOV). </i>This is why the Thunder pose the biggest threat to the Warriors.</p>
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<p><b>Pace, Pace, Pace</b></p>
<p>The distance of the Warriors' fast breaks are abbreviated - and this is why they blow teams out of the water. After achieving a defensive rebound, the Warriors need only to run 60 feet before they reach their <i>red zone. </i>With two shooters <i>(Klay, Curry)</i> on each side of the break, the Warriors can keep the defense in limbo as they arrive to the distance between the half-court circle and the three-point line. <i>Almost </i>every other team must run to the dotted circle <i>(70-75 ft)</i>, feet before reaching their red zone. This is why the Thunder present a more dangerous matchup. <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Russ Westbrook is not Darren Collison or Ish Smith, respectively. He's a mutant ninja. The finishing ability, matched with the unparalleled speed, bumps OKC's capability in transition to an echelon above 80% of all NBA teams - it even rivals GSW, despite the Warriors' advantage in shortening the court.</p>
<p><i>NBA Fast Break leaders</i></p>
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<p><b>Kevin Durant </b></p>
<p>KD complements Russell in transition because he provides the same sort of rangy, efficient, moving target that Klay or Curry would - and he's fast. Those long strides take Durantula to the same red zone our shooters seek, while he's every bit the finisher Westbrook is. He gives OKC their own amped version of a two-point pressure attack on the fast break. When our transition opportunity evaporates, we can take it to opponents in the half-court with our passing game.</p>
<p>Conversely, Oklahoma can give you problems with their <i>Isolation </i>offense when their break is quelled. They have two of the best one-on-one scorers in the league, not named Stephen Curry.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Look, we're not the San Antonio Spurs. We're not going to make 30 passes in a possession. Of course, people want us to be that. That's great basketball, don't get me wrong. But we're not that. We've got guys that can score. We've got two guys on this team that can get a bucket. There's going to be times we gotta iso, there's going to be times we gotta be aggressive to look for our shot to make a play.</i></p>
<p><i>But basketball is simple when you got a guy that can get into the paint. That's what San Antonio wants to do, but they've got guys, multiple guys that'll pass, pass, dribble, to get to the paint. But we've got guys -- Russell, myself, Dion, Cameron Payne -- we can get into the paint, kick out or dump down for a layup. That's ultimately what you want: get the defense off balance, drive, kick, make the right play -- simple basketball. But we just don't make five or six passes before we do it sometimes. And that's not a knock against us, I don't think. We've got dynamic guys that can play and do different things on the floor; I think that's to your advantage."</i></p>
<p><i>"When you have iso players and guys who can score as many points as Russ and me, you've got to live playing some iso ball. What do you want? Just pass the ball around and not be aggressive? If they're looking at me and Russ is open, he gets the ball. But if I've got it, I'm going to work. Iso. It's pick your poison."</i></p>
<p><span> </span>- <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/okc-thunder/post/_/id/1062/thunders-kevin-durant-were-not-the-spurs-nor-should-they-be">Kevin Durant</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Steven Adams & Enes Kanter</b></p>
<p>The 7-foot bash brothers present a problem in the possession game...</p>
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<p><i>(Warriors' rebound differential avg. in the 9 regular season losses: GSW: <b>44</b> Opponent: <b>47</b>)</i></p>
<p>Steven Adams averaged a double-double during the Thunder's 6-game series over the Spurs. <i>(11 ppg / 11.8 Rpg / 4 Orebs) </i></p>
<p>The 22 year-old Maori hammer anchors OKC's style when the game slows down, and he plays with the sort of ferocity that tips the balance when the going gets rough. New Zealand and Australia are neighboring islands, and homes to Adams and Warriors center, Andrew Bogut. Both nations from down under will be cheering their heroines during the conference finals. But, while Bogut's status remains "questionable" for Game 1, the Warriors will look to Ezeli. This could work to G-State's advantage.</p>
<p>Enes Kanter might give Draymond the biggest challenge of his post-season career yet. In a game where Portland was good enough to beat Oklahoma City, Enes Kanter still managed to score 33 points, <i>(13-18 FGs)</i> and pull 20 rebounds <i>(9 offensive rebs). </i>Enes has half a foot and 10-15 pounds on Green. With Kanter diving to the rim or popping to the elbow, it's going to be hard for Green to leave him and execute the sort of help defense he did so masterfully against Portland.</p>
<p><b>Festus Ezeli</b></p>
<p><i>Andrew Bogut might be the better player, but Festus has the quicker feet. That will pay more dividends than usual when recovering on defense to meet Russell in the lane.</i></p>
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<p>While <a href="http://www.movienewsguide.com/nba-trade-rumors-golden-state-warriors-festus-ezeli-to-go-in-la-lakers-along-with-assistant-coach/209121">trade rumors</a> involving the Lakers swirl around the Dub's Nigerian masher, Festus knows, that much will depend on his ability to retreat to the paint when Westbrook tucks in his chin and charges. Adams is a very violent center. Ezeli can match his affliction while preserving the ailing Bogut for a championship series. If there were an ideal time for Andrew to go down, it's now. Ezeli has found his confidence and health after being involved in a narrow 4th quarter victory during Game 2 against Portland.</p>
<p>* I firmly believe that in this series, Ezeli is the better man to pair with Draymond against Kanter and Adams, given the Warriors decide to set up their offense through Green as a point-forward. Ezeli can bang with "Jaws," and for a center, Fez has exceptional ability closing out on a shooter. Kanter is rangy and can also give you physical buckets inside. Festus has the defensive versatility to make the switch on either Enes or Steven, and play them well.</p>
<p><b>Dion Waiters</b></p>
<p>Waiters played very well against the Spurs, and he's ready for the Warriors. Weighing a legitimate 220 lbs, the compact scoring guard has the strength to keep Thompson out of the post, and mitigate Klay's plans to use his size as an inside advantage. But like McCullom, Dion lacks the length to bother Klay on closeouts. Incidentally, Jerry West was in love with Waiters' game during the 2012 draft, and it's not hard to see why. With Klay taking the lion's share of reps against Russ, Stephen will see the powerful Waiters on the defensive end, and may have a hard time redirecting his drives without fouling.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b75H-4kILuw" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><i>Like Harrison Barnes, Dion has shot a low percentage this year, but has shown up as an X-Factor for some big games.</i></p>
<p>Regular Season:</p>
<p><i>Washington Wizards - Win / 7-10 FGs / 25 points</i></p>
<p><i>Denver Nuggets - Win/ 6-9 FGs / 18 points</i></p>
<p><i>Portland Blazers - Loss / 10-19 / 25 points</i></p>
<p><i>Houston Rockets - Win / 7-11 / 17 points</i></p>
<p><i>Sacramento Kings - Win / 8-11 / 22 points / +30</i></p>
<p><b>Speights luring Ibaka</b></p>
<p>In a run-and-gun series, Steve Kerr should pepper Speights' confidence and let him know ahead of time that there will be plenty of minutes flying his way with Bogut on the mend. If Kerr can match him up with Ibaka, it will open up the lane and allow the Warriors to mix up their attack. The Congolese shotblocker had a monster game against Golden State on the 27th of February, <i>(7-12 FGs / 20 Rebs / 15 Pts / 2 Blks) </i>and then again in the final meeting of the season between the two clubs.<i> (8-12 FGs / 2-3 3pts / 20 Pts)</i></p>
<p><b>* </b>I love Ibaka's game. And personally, if the Warriors plan on trading Festus Ezeli with Luke Walton, I'd rather see them import 26 year-old Serge Ibaka, than anyone on the Lakers not named Jordan Clarkson.</p>
<p><b>Draymond Green and the transition game</b></p>
<p>If this series goes the way many expect it to, high-scoring totals and breakneck speed will make for one of the most exciting series in franchise history - going back to the days when Wilt rocked the headband at the Philadelphia Civic Center.</p>
<p>If this is to be the case, the Warriors need to return to Draymond leading the break on offense and defense - pushing the ball, with Klay and Steph manipulating screens when things slow down.</p>
<p>If Draymond Green weren't the MVP of the Portland series, you can count on him to be this time.</p>
<p><b>Imagine that</b></p>
<p><i>Westbrook pulls up from 25 feet and chases down his shot while Kanter and Adams wrestle Ezeli in the key, shoving Barnes away. Out of nowhere, Draymond's hand appears over the rim and he yanks the rebound with one arm - dropping it off to Curry before his Nikes touch the hardwood. Green sprints down the court and leaves OKC's monsters in the dust. Steph sends it back to Dray in stride, and Andre Roberson is the last man standing on the backpedal. They cross the timeline and Green puts the ball on the floor before breaking right, then yanks Roberson back to the left. The move puts Andre on ice and he turns his back to regain some space - but they're already in the paint. The shot is coming, so Roberson jumps. A freight train hits him. "AAAND OOONE!!!" On the way down, Roberson looks up in time to see the ball kiss the glass, and fall through the net as he crashes and slides into the TNT cameraman. </i></p>
<p>This series will be a contest of lungs, skill, and brains. May the best team win...</p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/5/16/11680786/preview-thunder-at-warriorslilboots2016-05-14T10:01:34-07:002016-05-14T10:01:34-07:00How will GSW look to fill the void at assistant?
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<p>With the departure of Luke Walton to the rival Los Angeles Lakers, Kerr will look to find a new presence on his bench</p> <p>The Warriors' towering success stands as the ultimate precursor to NBA supremacy. Golden State's trending Midas model is coveted and endures to be emulated. The only downfall to this attention: opposing western conference franchises keep nabbing Steve Kerr's top assistants.</p>
<p>Under Kerr and Ron Adams, Bob Myers owns a young, bright, revolving, assistant coach stable similar to the Oakland A's farm system: we keep them for a little while, then they move on. But Myers can walk proud, like some Sicilian father with a clan of the prettiest daughters in town. As the suitors line up and jockey for position, Bob can cheerfully offer his blessing, because it's all the same to him -- he still has the swan of the town, the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year, Steve Kerr. Even if the second chair is in perpetual evolution, the staff is built on a solid foundation. From owner, to GM, to coach, to superstar(s), the pieces combine to form a high octane vehicle set on cruise control towards trophy land.</p>
<p>Beyond Steve Kerr, the most dependable cornerstone of the brain trust is Old Man Adams. At 68, "The Professor" has allowed Steve to spread his wings as a young coach and grants the staff the freedom to grow, as they can count on Adams to leave no stone unturned. His versatility and stability gives any coaching group "the Draymond effect," as he can literally do it all. He can coach, he can teach, he can scout, and he can develop. This creates a great environment for assembling young teachers of the game.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"He's a big-time secret weapon." </i> - <b>John Lucas II </b></p>
<p><i>"He's one of the top five coaches in the NBA. Head, assistant, it doesn't matter." </i>- <b>Tom Thibodeau </b></p>
<p><i>"One of the things I wanted was a truth-teller. I wanted somebody who's not afraid to say, 'Boy, you screwed that up. You better do it this way.' That's Ron. Ron will tell it like it is. He's our resident guru, our wise sage." </i>- <b>Steve Kerr</b></p>
<p><i>"It doesn't matter how many points I score. He seems to find that one or two things that I can do better on the defensive end after every game. That kind of knocks you back into reality a little bit." </i> - <b>Stephen Curry</b></p>
<p><i>"Ron is my individual coach, but he's like a dad to me." - </i><b>Festus Ezeli</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>"At a certain age, either something happens for you or it doesn't happen. I never took a job with the idea that I'm working toward something else. I was never one of those guys who looked ahead, and I was never a good self-promoter. My take on coaching, is that I always want to be involved and make a difference. Provide some glue.</i></p>
<p><i>You might be working for a coach who is excellent at player relations. You might be working with a person who that isn't their strength. So you, as the support person, are really trying to prop up the coach in the areas that they need help. Sometimes it's unbeknownst to them. That's your job."</i> -<b> Ron Adams</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p>via Buck Harvey, <i>San Francisco Chronicle </i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Despite the qualities of Adams, Luke Walton brought a unique sort of zen, comical presence to the edgy Kerr. While Steve and Ron might sour and steam over a blown assignment or turnover, it is known that Luke would often say just the thing to keep Steve grounded and focused on the next play.</p>
<p>That will be missed...After all, everyone has a friend like that, the mellow, monotone, king of one-liners. You listen to Luke talk, and sometimes it takes you a second to realize that this dude just said one of the funniest things you've ever heard - and with that, the Warriors lose probably the most personable coach on the team, other than Steve, himself.</p>
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<p><i>Yeah, Luke went 006 Alec Trevelyan on the Warriors</i></p>
<p>After the 24-0 start, after Papa Billy told his boy to stay at the dance, 36-year-old Luke Walton will be the youngest coach in the NBA this October. In all seriousness, this is an ideal situation for Walton and the league. Kobe is gone, and so is his 25 million dollar contract. The team is young, Luke is young, and the Lakers' cap is wide open. He's got a shot to make his mark in turning things around for possibly the greatest franchise in sports history. All of the Warriors family wishes Luke the best, and fans are indebted to him forever for holding down the fort in Coach Kerr's absence, and co-scripting chapter one of the legendary 73-win season.</p>
<p><i>Now, on to the candidates...</i></p>
<p><b>Theo Robertson </b></p>
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<p>Cal's very own, Theo Robertson finished his senior season as the school's all-time leader in 3-point percentage <i>(45.3%) </i>and had the ambition of becoming a sport's manager immediately after his graduation in 2010. He served as Cal's Director of Basketball Operations for one year. In 2014, the Warriors brought him in as a video intern and began showing him the ropes at the NBA level. Theo exceeded expectations, and was promoted to Video Coordinator/Player Development. Incidentally, Erik Spoelstra was hired as VC in 1995 for the Miami Heat. A decade later, Spoelstra was shaking hands at the White House over an NBA championship trophy.</p>
<p>Robertson has earned the trust of the organization, and sits behind the bench every game. He's especially close to Draymond Green, and has helped Green develop into a top five player in the league these past two years. Theo works extensively with the coaching staff every day in the film room, and has committed his life to pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of the competition.</p>
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<p><b>Jarron Collins</b></p>
<p>The Stanford product knows basketball, and might be the most insightful coaching prospect in the entire NBA. Although Luke Walton acted as interim head coach during Kerr's absence, the organization praised Collins' aptitude during the Warriors' blazing start. Many say that his planning and strategic contributions were invaluable during that stretch, and Steve Kerr raves about his superior intelligence. He's regarded as one of the keenest defensive minds in terms of schemes and coverages, and is quietly labeled around the league as one of the quickest studies on the assistant bench.</p>
<p>Collins relates to the guys, and has a knack for spotting subtleties within a player's habits. <i>(He served as a scout for the Clippers before joining the Warriors staff)</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p>On becoming a head coach some day:</p>
<p><i>"Eventually, down the road. I'm not in a rush to part with such a special environment. But that's the goal."</i></p>
<p><i> <span> </span> - Jarron Collins</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bram Kincheloe <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2015/7/17/8980773/nba-golden-state-warriors-jarron-collins-interview">wrote a great piece</a> on Jarron last year. Additionally, <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://media.957thegame.com/a/114042497/jarron-collins.htm">here</a> is an extensive audio interview with Collins conducted via 95.7 The Game.</p>
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<p><b>Steve Nash</b></p>
<p><b></b>We haven't seen enough of him. If Nash were born an Apache warrior, he might have been the greatest who ever lived. It's not hard to picture this man chucking a spear or a tomahawk with laser precision while in full-sprint and then charging into a company of Mexican troops, wielding two obsidian swords -- one man deep, in full war paint...Or watch him turn 180 degrees, mounted with his bow in mid-gallop to harvest some venison on the run from 100 yards away.</p>
<p>In contrast to that vision, Steve Nash and Steve Kerr share the same sort of quiet, steady demeanor that players appreciate. Ironically, the Warriors have two back-to-back MVP point guards on their roster - what a further coincidence it would be to have two zen Steve's seated atop the coaching hierarchy. <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Nash looks like he could play <i>right now </i>as the Warriors third string point guard; that's a quality that Steve Kerr loves in his assistants. Not only is the Canadian possibly the greatest court general who's ever played the game, but the Santa Clara product is still young enough to run with the guys in practice and teach them from a hands-on perspective.</p>
<p>Nash and Kerr go back all the way to the former MVP's glory days, when coach Kerr assumed GM duties in Phoenix during the 2007-2008 season. It's often said that former great players make poor coaches, but Nash wasn't born a great player, he was made one. Selected 15th overall, Steve took about four years to develop into a special point guard, and his vision within the game can only be paralleled by names like Magic and Cousy.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Nash has got so much to give and so much knowledge. There's just not enough that you can say about his demeanor and his professionalism. Obviously, he displayed a tremendous work ethic. It's hard to find people who others will listen to unequivocally. He's one of those people. The hope is that he can touch everybody." </i></p>
<p><span> </span>- <b>Bob Myers</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>"He was awesome. He gave a lesson on what to look for and what to read and how to react to defenses. It was brilliant." </i><span><i> </i> </span>- <b>Luke Walton</b></p>
<p><span></span><span> </span></p>
<p><i>"I think he's one of the most innovative athletes I have ever seen when it comes to pursuing greatness, whether it's conditioning, basketball drills or whatever. He's got an amazing feel for the game and an amazing mind. Steve was the most efficient player I've ever been around, and my hope is that he can help make our guys be more efficient. I think he will." </i><span><i> </i> </span>- <b>Steve Kerr</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>"I can't go wrong. This is the perfect environment for me to stay involved in the game, share my experience, and at the same time, not get too close to it while I see if I'm any good at it." </i><span><i> </i> </span>-<b> Steve Nash</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i>via Rusty Simmons, San Francisco Chronicle</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Jeff Hornacek</b></p>
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<p><i>Kerr and Horny? Best shooting coaching duo, ever. </i></p>
<p>Steve Kerr, himself, admits that much of his style and planning for his debut coaching season with the Warriors was taken from Horny's playbook. Hornacek led the Suns to a 48-34 record during the 2013-14 season. Teammates in Phoenix during the 1988-89 season, Jeff and Steve's paths have crossed more than a few times during their journeys as players, coaches, and winners.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Jeff and I are pretty similar personalities. There's a lot of fire inside, but pretty calm and laid back at the same time. I think players appreciate that. You don't want a huge emotional ride every single day, but you've got to have some direction and some fire. So I looked at Jeff and the job he did last year and the success he had, and I drew inspiration from that. I still watch him and watch his team with a lot of respect. They do a lot of really innovative things offensively, and they play hard." </i></p>
<p><span> </span> <b> - Steve Kerr</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p>It's a long-shot, but you never know exactly how the summer head coaching hunt will close. While Jeff is drawing considerable interest from the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, it's very possible that they go another direction, and leave Hornacek without a coaching job. One way for him to ensure that he is promptly hired again, would be to sign on with the Warriors. The gathering of Kerr and Hornacek would be seamless, and Jeff may just pick up his first ring in the process. A coaching foursome of Kerr, Adams, Hornacek, and Collins, might be amongst the greatest of all time, if not the best. And interestingly enough, the low egos and laid back nature of these leaders would maintain a harmonious coexistence.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"It's just a jolt of NBA reality. Every coach is sort of a victim of circumstance, good or bad. So much depends on the talent you have and the support you have and the chemistry in your organization and your locker room. Unfortunately, it's a really, really hard thing to discover or to create. I feel very lucky to have that here because I know it doesn't exist in most places."</i></p>
<p><span> </span>- <b>Steve Kerr on Jeff Hornacek's Feb. 1st firing</b></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/5/14/11674736/nba-2016-golden-state-warriors-assistant-coach-candidates-jarron-collins-steve-nashlilboots2016-05-01T00:15:42-07:002016-05-01T00:15:42-07:00Warriors vs. Blazers Game 1 preview
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<p>Warriors rely on core of team against Portland, key match ups, Ode to golden child, Fate of the Clippers</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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</p>
<p>The youthful, brilliantly-coached Trail Blazers have come together this season, standing to test the limits of their chemistry at 12:30 PM against the champs at Oracle.</p>
<p><b>January 8th, 2016</b></p>
<p>In their first matchup of the regular season, Golden State celebrated a 20-point blowout, despite a sub 50% scoring game from Steph <i>(8-18 FG, 4-11 3pt).</i> Damian dropped 40 that night, but the Warriors defensed C.J. McCollum to a 7-23 FG outing, while riding the success of Klay's hot 7-10 3pt shooting <i>(36 points)</i>. Draymond was also extremely active, posting another triple double, and the Dubs got the most efficient game of the season from Brandon Rush. <i>(8-9 FG, 4-4 3pt)</i></p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w1na5x2p4hw" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><b>So what?</b></p>
<p>The Warriors need to emulate the strengths from that game. This is Klay Thompson's moment. He enters this postseason as a player with new realizations about his career. If this were a Scorsese film, Klay would be hitting his character arc. He's conquered a new plateau of self-doubt, and has busted through the proverbial glass ceiling of legitimate superstardom.</p>
<p>I bumped into Marc Spears and Rusty Simmons at a local restaurant the summer before last year's championship season. Interrupting their oyster-romp, I walked up to the table, just like this:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>Me: "Marc Spears...NBA writer for Yahoo Sports..."</i></p>
<p><i>Spears: "Uhhh...yes, how you doing?"</i></p>
<p><i>Me: "Hey Rusty, I like your stuff too."</i></p>
<p><i>Simmons: Nods. </i></p>
<p><i>Me: "Anyway, saw you guys over here, and wouldn't let it go until I spoke my mind - Mark my words, Klay Thompson will be the best player to put on a Warrior jersey since Rick Barry."</i></p>
<p><i>Spears: "Ah, ok. I don't know about that one. But we're definitely going to see."</i></p>
<p><i>Simmons: (Staring at me, chewing silently)</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes, Stephen Curry has made me eat my words. Incidentally, Klay is beginning to tap into his highest potential and the playoffs are the marrow of a player's growth.</p>
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<p><i>Mychal Thompson played for the Blazers 1978-86, and Klay grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Many who know him, will be watching. </i></p>
<p>When Steph's knee gave way from under him, the Warrior fan thought his luck had finally run out -- for all of one day. The MRI not only promises the return of the torch, but also affords Steve Kerr's team the chance to take another round without their best guy. A winning series against Portland would ice Steve's rightful place as COY, and add drama to the Warriors' legendary saga as a quintessential sports team -- without fear, without weakness.</p>
<p>Klay single-handedly put the Rockets to bed with his seven three-point hammers. The league will remember that. The approaching pages remain unwritten, but the author returns to his old stomping grounds near Washington State, and promises to give his old followers something to remember. Thompson will look to scribe his masterpiece at the Rose Garden, and the ball will be his pen. The spectator should not be perplexed to watch Klay put up 10+ bombs a contest this round.</p>
<p><b>Thompson vs McCollum</b></p>
<p>C.J. is a 6'-4" combo guard with average shot-contest ability. He will need to match his defensive efforts with his offensive production, as shooting guard is perhaps the most crucial position this series. Golden State's number 1 option will go head-to-head against Portland's number 2.</p>
<p>McCollum will have a hard time grabbing and jolting the stronger Thompson off the ball, and doesn't have the length to recover on defense after going over the screen. Not only do the Blazers count largely on C.J.'s scoring to hurt the Warriors, but they're depending on him to contain Klay.</p>
<p>Portland's starting scoring guard is extremely crafty with the ball, and is a master of the step-back midrange shot. He can make the best defenders leave their feet with a suggestion of his forehead, as his shot must be honored. Klay needs to play him vertically and take from fouling early.</p>
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<p><b>Livingston vs. Lillard</b></p>
<p><b></b>The locomotive power of Lillard in the lane versus the floaty craftsmanship of Livingston presents the NBA landscape a new meditation. We can assume Klay will take the majority of reps against Lillard, with Livingston contributing some good licks there too. Shaun has proven to be the ultimate veteran. His aggressive play continues to catapult Klay Thompson's confidence, and his inside-out style is a spacing dream for shooters. In 5 playoff games against Houston, Livingston showed a steady hand and joined Draymond in dictating the pace of the game.</p>
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<p>The two-headed, 6'-7" duo of play initiators in Shaun and Draymond gives this Warriors starting lineup a new look, presenting a new set of problems. Shaun is playing with a different mentality and coming fresh off a 7-8 FG performance. He's going to be attacking a young backcourt. Although coached thoroughly by Stotts, Livingston has the length in the post to keep the ball away, and the wisdom to calmly pick his spots. Unlike Curry, Shaun can take his time surveying the court from the post against Portland's smaller backcourt. This will enable room to operate off the ball on the perimeter.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"It's a different game, playing inside-out. I've got to be more aggressive just because of the production that's out. We've got to cut harder, we've got to play harder, and we've got to defend harder. Every little thing. He (Curry) covers a lot of mistakes, a lot of holes."</i></p>
<p><i>"I don't expect to make all of that up - that's a guy who leads the league in scoring, and he's the most valuable player. But it's really important to make sure we all remain aggressive and confident. We're trying to make a run for a few more weeks, so I don't think he (Kerr) wants to overexpose me or my body to 40 minutes a night or something like that. But I feel good - trying to remain healthy."</i></p>
<p><span> </span> <span> </span>- <b>Shaun Livingston</b></p>
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/sports/basketball/shaun-livingston-stephen-currys-fill-in-takes-a-far-different-approach.html?_r=0">NYTimes.com</a>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Harkless vs. Green </b></p>
<p>Most people think Mo Harkless is cooked. They're probably right, but Harkless boasts a level of athleticism not dissimilar to that of Harrison Barnes. He's got great size, power, and full-court speed. You need all of these things if you want to step to Draymond, and Harkless has them. But even with his superb physicality, at 22 years old, the Queens, NY native will lose the mental edge to Green and tons of technique.</p>
<p>Draymond is the ultimate chess player in this league from the power forward spot, and Mo Harkless has recently learned the rudiments of checkers. In my personal opinion, the biggest box here that Green must check, is the rebounding battle. Portland will look to stay alive with extra possessions at the cost of Mo's sweat, while denying them to Golden State. Draymond can't let this happen.</p>
<p><b>Plumlee vs. Bogut</b></p>
<p>I'm a little worried about this Mason fella. In Chicago, Plumlee shot a total of 13 free throws, making 10 of them. He knows how to create contact. Against Dallas, Mason pulled ten offensive rebounds, and he's coming off a high-energy first round performance. It's imperative that Bogut saves his fouls and stays in the game to protect the goal from Lillard. Some help on the glass from Barnes is in order here.</p>
<p><b>Barnes vs. Aminu</b></p>
<p>This is perhaps the biggest wildcard matchup of the series, in my opinion. Harrison's arrival remains unpredictable. Aminu, like Harkless, is a bit of a hybrid swingman with his combination of length, power, and speed. Truly, Portland's youth, earnest physicality, coaching style, and range on the defensive end, make for a greater challenge than even a healthy LAC team could offer -- and Aminu is no exception to that quality. After something of a breakout year, it's impossible to predict whether he or Barnes will show up to help their clubs.</p>
<p><b>Speights vs. Davis</b></p>
<p>Mo would do wonders for his team this round if he could sustain his defensive improvement, or even kick it up one notch. Davis will look to make a difference in the paint, and I can't help but think he's looking at Speights like he has a crosshair on his forehead. Speights needs to hit him. Make him feel pain on the first touch of contact down the court when Davis is looking to gain ground. If Speights can challenge Davis in the position battle while maintaining a decent percentage from the field, it will put Golden State leaps and bounds ahead of Portland. This is a huge match up. Mo has a chance to mitigate one of the Blazer's greatest strengths: the effectiveness from their variety of bigs.</p>
<p><b>Crabbe vs. Iguodala</b></p>
<p>This is a great plus matchup for the Warriors. Crabbe is a long 6'-7"and shoots 40% from three. In both Game 2 and Game 3 of the LAC-POR series, Crabbe went scoreless, and finished in the minus category on both occasions. In other words: Trying to find your game in a playoff round against Andre Iguodala is grim. I'm counting on Andre to keep him under wraps.</p>
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<p><b>Fate of the Clippers</b></p>
<p>Fate can be a funny thing. In late March, Klay Thompson struggled not to laugh in Ros Gold-Onwude's face when she asked about the dwindling rivalry between the Warriors and Clippers after their final regular season contest. The two Pacific-division teams have experienced parallels; both have struggled over the past two decades as bottom-feeding punchlines, and both have seen a major culture change in the past 5 years.</p>
<p>But while fortune seemingly <i>beams</i> on the footsteps of every Dubnation representative nowadays, the Clippers are being silently vacuumed back into the rabbit hole of NBA obscurity.</p>
<p><i>Chris Paul? </i>If it wasn't clear last season, Paul has to know by now that his ultra-talented squad doesn't have what it takes to make any noise in the finals. Chris is 30 years old now, and has undergone his second major surgery since 2010. He can hear LeBron's voice calling him home like Jesus Shuttlesworth's mom from that Brooklyn apartment window. Once Chris Paul leaves the Clippers, they're just the "other team" in Los Angeles again, leaderless and directionless.</p>
<p><i>Doc Rivers? </i>Some are beginning to question his championship tenure with the Celtics, and are starting to doubt his leadership. After failing to make the conference finals in consecutive seasons with a loaded roster and arguably the best general in the league at the helm, Rivers' talents as a coach and his vision as an architect are losing credibility, if not the good patience of the people. After the loss of his mother, respectively, and the falling of his two stars, the Clippers will bow out of another post-season, prematurely. It's a long walk back to that drawing board.</p>
<p><i>Blake Griffin?</i> It's widely speculated that Blake should be moved this off-season. After teeing off on his own man, and then sustaining a season-ending injury instead of a redemption - it's obvious why rumors of his relocation have surfaced.</p>
<p>The Warriors and Clippers should be playing each other in the 2nd round. Instead, they find themselves at a crossroads. Whatever fortune has decreed, it's smiled on the Warriors and frowned heavily on the Clippers. Whatever momentum they've built over the last 6 years is gone.</p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/5/1/11548150/nba-playoffs-2016-golden-state-warriors-vs-portland-trail-blazers-game-1lilboots2016-04-24T01:47:42-07:002016-04-24T01:47:42-07:00Warriors at Houston, Game 4: Hoping to bounce back
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<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em></em>Steph will test his ankle for a 3-1 lead, Draymond wants revenge, will Livingston continue to lead?</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>The Texas winds take a precarious shift in the aftermath of a scrutinized road defeat to the Rockets earlier this week. The locker of No. 30 loomed empty that night, like the throne of an absentee Egyptian demigod. This time, Curry's band of immortals will gear up at high noon, ready to take the saddle with their leader at the helm again.</p>
<p>But before the cheering comes the concern: the infamy of the surgically repaired right ankle extends its dread far beyond Steph's psyche. From Ayesha to the Davidson ball boy, everyone who knows why Curry is getting paid a bargain $11 million a year knows that this is a deadly flirtation.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"The only thing I need to be sure about is the stability of (the ankle) - when I need to call on a certain move, or a certain pivot, or plant, change of direction, change of speeds, that my ankle will be underneath me - and I feel that I'm at that point right now. I can deal with a little bit of pain and discomfort - not pain, (but) discomfort - that comes along with it as long as I can feel stable. I don't foresee that being an issue."</p>
<p>"It's not pain. It's like soreness that comes along with all that my ankle has been through. It's kind of to be expected, and I see it as this is kind of my playoff thing now. Everybody has something that they're dealing with in some way, shape or form. It's stable, there's no swelling or anything so I can do everything I need to do."</p>
<p>"You've kind of got to force yourself (into playing freely) at this point. I don't know how it will be tomorrow, when I get out there in a game situation and I don't know where my mind will be. I know I have confidence with what I've been doing the last couple of days to kind of prove I can do what I need to do, whatever move I need to try to execute."</p>
<p>"Like you say, play with that creativity. I feel like I can do that in this setting, and hopefully that translates to a clear mind and confidence in myself tomorrow."</p>
<p><span> </span> <i> - Stephen Curry</i></p>
<p><span> </span> Sam Amick, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnba%2Fplayoffs%2F2016%2F04%2F23%2Fstephen-curry-back-game-4-warriors-rockets-playoffs%2F83438490%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldenstateofmind.com%2F2016%2F4%2F24%2F11496574%2Fwarriors-at-rockets-game-4-preview-golden-state-stephen-curry" style="background-color: #eeeeee;" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">USA Toda</a>y</p>
</blockquote>
<p>To venture into further precaution, keep in mind that Stephen will be suiting up against an emotional crowd, ready to witness the 8th seed Rockets (who some consider to be the best 8th seed team ever) "shock the world." Feeding from this overwrought energy, is the culprit of Curry's concern, Patrick Beverley.</p>
<p>The combination of Pat Beverley's physicality, the raucous Houston home crowd encouraging a smash-mouth brand of ball, and Stephen Curry's risky situation serves up an intense recipe for Game 4.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="351" width="624" src="http://vplayer.nbcsports.com/p/pcPFDC/bayarea/select/media/V4_lm7Iy3eVC?parentUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.csnbayarea.com%2Fwarriors%2Fkerr-last-two-practices-have-given-curry-confidence-his-body&t=82">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>Draymond Green is anxious to redeem the record to a 3-1 lead before heading back to Oracle. After committing 7 turnovers in Game 3, Green claims that he "wasn't himself," and vows to enact his vengeance this Sunday afternoon.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We got to be better than we were tonight. Especially me. Way too many turnovers. I cost us the game. The world will think I'm talking about that last turnover. And I'm not. Turning the ball over, that happens.</p>
<p>But I was awful the whole game. I care about the turnover, but I don't care to the point where I feel like that turnover cost us. I cost us the game, throughout the game. It's not what I didn't do, more so, what I didn't bring to the game."</p>
<p><span> </span><span> </span> <i> - Draymond Green</i></p>
</blockquote>
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<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 13px; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great players bounce back. The Warriors will count on Green and Klay Thompson to come into Sunday's game ready to bring energy. With Curry back, Klay should return to the mentality of "channeling his inner Reggie Miller," and seek to move unceasingly without the ball. Draymond will look to push the tempo and dare the Rockets' bigs to match his speed. Steve Kerr needs him to be the aggressor, and force Houston to play uphill.</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 13px; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Kerr's squad is yearning for anything from Harrison Barnes at this point. Assuming the Warriors are using this postseason as any sort of measuring stick for HB's future, it's imperative that he contributes today.</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 13px; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*Barnes is averaging 7 ppg over the past 3 playoff games, while shooting 24% FG, 12% 3pt</i></p>
<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 13px; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shaun Livingston has replaced Harrison Barnes as the Warriors, "X-Factor," this post-season. The veteran leader has slipped the noose of the opposition's plan, and continually comes up with big plays during crucial points of the game. His mid-range offense is so sinister within his mismatch advantage, that Steve Kerr's confidence is elevating to new heights, playing him in the 4th quarter. The Warriors will count on him to sustain them in their time of need, and preserve the ailing Curry.</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 13px; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to be a dog fight.</p>
<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 13px; color: #111111; font-family: proxima-nova, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span> </span><i>- James Harden</i></p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/4/24/11496574/warriors-at-rockets-game-4-preview-golden-state-stephen-currylilboots2016-04-14T22:28:59-07:002016-04-14T22:28:59-07:00Harrison Barnes: Enigma or X-Factor?
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The future of Harrison Barnes hinges on the playoffs; the Warriors face choices soon.</p> <p>Euphoria spreads throughout Dub Nation in all its record-setting splendor, while the enigma that is <span>Harrison Barnes</span> springs from the ashes of the phoenix and ignites a new vigor in the starting five.</p>
<p>Observers who have tracked the progression of the young Barnes since his tenure as a 20 year-old rookie would tell you that his late-season Robert Horry-ish emergence is no cause to stand in idle shock or doubt.</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hhzgv7bemgg" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><i>Harrison Barnes has put up a +9 average in 25 playoff wins for the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a>. That's roughly Kevin Durant's +/- average during this year's regular season.</i></p>
<p>Oakland son <a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/thompson/2016/04/10/warriors-getting-playoff-barnes-at-just-the-right-and-expected-time/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Marcus Thompson wrote an extensive article</a> on "Playoff Barnes," chronicling the peaks and valleys of Harrison's contract-year campaign. And undoubtedly HB has shown up for some big games this season:</p>
<p><i>Against OKC</i></p>
<p><b>Game 1: 36 mins, 8-14 FGs, 3-6 3pts, 2 ORB, 4 TRB, 19 points </b></p>
<p><b>Game 3: 31 mins, 6-11 FGs, 2-5 pts, 7 TRB, 5 Asts, 1 TO, 14 points</b></p>
<p>Against HOU</p>
<p><b>Game 1: 26 mins, 5-10 FGs, TRB 5, 12 points</b></p>
<p><b>Game 3: 32 mins, 8-12 FGs, 2-4 3pts, 3 ORB, 7 TRB, 19 points</b></p>
<p>Against SA</p>
<p><b>Game 3: 33 mins, 8-13 FGs, 3-7 3pts, 8 TRB, 21 points</b></p>
<p><b>Game 4: 33 mins, 3-10 FGs, 3 TRB, 2 Ast, 9 points, +16</b></p>
<p>Against LAC</p>
<p><b>Game 1: 36 mins, 5-8 FGs, 2-3 3pts, 5-5 FTs, 9 TRB, 3 Ast, 17 points, +14 </b></p>
<p><b>Game 2: 35 mins, 9-15 FGs, 3-5 3pts, 7 TRB, 21 points, +10 </b></p>
<p><b>Game 3: 29 mins, 6-8 FGs, 3-4 3pts, 5 TRB, 18 points, +13</b></p>
<p><b>Game 4: 37 mins, 3-11 FG, 3-4 FT, 6 TRB, 11 points, +22</b></p>
<p>Yet the question remains: just how valuable is Harrison Barnes to this team on a regular basis?</p>
<p>********</p>
<p>In the aftermath of a championship season, and with the chance to compete in the finals sighted on the horizon, the philosophy of the Golden State Warriors has shifted from the perspective of playoff combatant to perennial finals contender.</p>
<p>With this understanding, it's easier to qualify Barnes' value as an inconsistent offensive player throughout a regular season. This roster has more than enough talent to earn favorable seeding every year without the scoring consistency of Barnes. What happens after 82 games is what matters the most. So far, Harrison has made it count.</p>
<p>Theoretically, let's say the Warriors go back-to-back and cap off a great season with another trip to the jeweler. Let's also say that Barnes plays huge in some of the most pivotal games on the road to glory. Compounded with a historic run of a season, the Warriors may find themselves in a bidding war if the aforementioned perception comes to fruition.</p>
<p>So what are their options?</p>
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<h4>
<b>Option #1</b> <i>Lock him up </i>
</h4>
<p>Harrison Barnes is a home-grown asset from the 2012 draft. The Warriors tanked the final fifth of the season that year to pry him from Utah's hands, as he was a conditional pick. Additionally, Joe Lacob is a man who takes enormous pride in his investments, and Barnes is just that. Yes, Harry turned down a 4-year deal worth $64 million.</p>
<p>With many teams in the running for the Durant sweepstakes, there will be attractive losers who will come clamoring for the Black Falcon's services. However, the question isn't whether or not someone<i> will </i>pay him, but who can offer him more?</p>
<p>Marcus Thompson II, dubbed Harrison "The Demoralizer." Meaning, once opponents think that they've figured the Warriors out, Harrison comes in and mixes it back up with a big game.</p>
<p>Team staff will go back and forth arguing the ceiling of HB's potential, but the fact is this: you could count on three, maybe four fingers, the number of players in the NBA with Harrison's combination of raw athleticism and power. Barnes is offensively unique in the sense that he can match any tempo with which the Warriors choose to play.</p>
<p>If the Dubs run, Harrison possibly has the fastest end-to-end speed on the team, and a 40+ inch leap. If the pace slows to a half-court contest, he can come off screens and flash his solid mid-range game. His jumper is often poorly contested due to the explosive lift under it's peak. When the team needs points at the line, Barnes can create contact at the rim or hold position in the post. If Golden State wants to fish on the perimeter with their passing, HB can capitalize on the deep ball, particularly from the corner — and Harrison can challenge any center when defenders run to close out on him.</p>
<p><span>David West</span> knew to stay out of the way...</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I was about to...," Barnes said, his arm stretched in the air, his right hand cupping an invisible ball, his face scrunched into a scowl. "But he didn't rotate over, so I just did a basic little two-hander. Nothing big."</p>
<p>- Harrison Barnes on dunking on the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a>, <i>via Marcus Thompson II</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Defensively, his power and lateral quickness afford him a similar versatility. But the best attribute in his arsenal is his availability. In four seasons Harrison has played in 81, 78, 82, and 66 games. Most players who base their game from their athleticism risk declining soon after 30, but Harrison takes very good care of his body, and it's evidenced in his outstanding durability.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"When Barnes bumps you, you feel it. That is one strong man."</p>
<p><i>- Curry's personal trainer, Brandon Payne</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>In preparation to man minutes at power forward, Barnes bulked up from 210 lbs to a lean 220 lbs, over the off-season. Brandon Payne plans to take the upcoming summer to improve Harrison's brute power and agility. Barnes won't turn 24 years old until May 30th. By the time he is 26, Harrison could make leaps and bounds, improving his consistency and ball skills, while retaining all of his physical ability. Before injuring his jumping foot, (left ankle) HB averaged close to 15 points per game, while sharing the same perimeter with two of the best scorers in the league.</p>
<p><i>The good news:</i> Harrison does not go home to Iowa during the off-season. He stays in Oakland year-round. He likes it here. That might make a difference.</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V28HVz8q0-0" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><i>The bottom line: t</i>he versatility that Barnes affords on both ends is unique, potentially <i>special.</i></p>
<h4>
<b>Option #2</b> <i>Trade him for a lottery draft pick</i>
</h4>
<p>Who doesn't like rookie contracts? When the Warriors brought Jerry West on board, the culture of the organization ascended to a new standard. It's a move that mirrored the day when Golden State traded Speedy for Baron. "The logo" instantly makes a front office formidable. But Jerry is 77 years old. How much longer he'll stay with the team nobody knows. He'll likely stay until he isn't needed, but his clock may be accelerated as the Warriors crush colossal records.</p>
<p>In terms of adding first round picks, the organization should strike while the iron is hot. In other words: the more draft picks you feed to Jerry, the more Jerry will reward the consensus with sleepers, slippers, and the like. If Myers were to pull off a trade that poised the team to earn multiple draft choices, our current scouting group has the talent to set this franchise up for another decade.</p>
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<p>The <b><a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a></b> are a young warhorse of a team. They have up to <b>four draft picks this year in the 1st round (#'s 7, 15, 17 and 18).</b> The build of their roster yearns for a player like Harrison. Emmanuel Mudiay is a dynamic, physical piece at point guard. Faried is built like a linebacker. In their infancy, Jokic and Nurkic are a bruising tandem at center. Placing a V8 engine like Barnes in between these prospects at the 3, would fit their vision perfectly.</p>
<p><i>What they could offer: </i><span>Danilo Gallinari</span> had a career season this year. <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2016/1/4/10706952/to-trade-or-not-to-trade-danilo-gallinari-nuggets" style="background-color: #ffffff;">But fans in Denver suspect</a> that he may be traded this summer. Swapping Gallo and a pick for Barnes would give the Warriors a skilled swingman in the middle of his prime (27 years old), while adding length to the starting lineup (6'-10"). That kind of size could help out Draymond in the post, while adding a pure shooter to join the Splash Brothers, thus completing the cycle.</p>
<p>To match the youth of HB, the already youthful Nuggets could also offer up one or two of their draft picks. They will have selections in the mid-teens, and <b>Michigan State's Denzel Valentine </b>would fit Kerr's program like a round peg. Valentine has a hybrid NBA game, and looks like a winner with championship DNA. He's a do-it-all kind of guy in the mold of <span>Draymond Green</span> — a winner, manifested in an oversized point guard's body at 6'-6" with a 6'-10" wingspan. He and Draymond would feed off each other, both being Michigan State alums, and would ensure a locker room filled with leadership and winning philosophy for years to come.</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMQKaXvIEvw" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>The Nuggets also have a top ten pick in this year's draft. Cal's <b>Jaylen Brown</b> could fall to Denver. He's a certified beast after Jason Richardson's own heart, and he'd boost any team's overall athleticism. He'd give Golden State what they don't have: a premier G/F who has elite potential, attacking the rim. The alley-oops from Curry/Green would keep the vicarious boobs living in the basement of ESPN's reel-room on the search for invented superlatives.</p>
<p><i>Bottom line: w</i>hether it's acquiring Denzel Valentine and Danilo Gallinari, or simply packaging a deal involving Barnes for the Nuggets' top 7 pick and X player(s), the Warriors would have a chance to retain their perimeter talent while acquiring young, valuable depth.</p>
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<h4>
<b>Option 3: </b><i>Trade Barnes for another young, up-and-coming player</i>
</h4>
<p>The <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a>' <b><span>Avery Bradley</span></b> would be an amazing addition — Steph Curry might tell you, "If you can't beat him, join him."</p>
<p>Bradley should be on the All-Defensive first team throughout his prime, and he is only 25 years old. Nobody slips the screen like him. With Marcus Smart emerging as a legitimate defensive combo guard off the bench, the Celtics could afford to part ways with Bradley if the right deal came along.</p>
<p>Boston has <span>Jae Crowder</span> manning the starting small forward spot. While Jae is good, he's not in the same league as Barnes. Harrison and Crowder complement each other well, and could be interesting in a tandem as one slides to the 4 spot. The Cs are looking to reclaim their place in the east, and a positive locker room guy like Harrison would help realize that mission.</p>
<p>The Warriors, on the other hand, have two big, aging pieces in Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa. When replacing players in a winning formula, you have to match their greatest assets with the replacing entity. Avery Bradley offers that. AB could claim much of Andre Iguodala's ability as a perimeter ballhawk and intermittent ball-handler. There are few in the league who can lock a guy down like Avery can. At barely 6'-3", Bradley could easily man the off-guard position, slotted next to the 6'-7" Shaun Livingston. His athleticism, finishing, and full-court speed replaces a lot of what Barbosa gives the Ws.</p>
<p><i>Bottom Line:</i> The Warriors would simply have a defensive nightmare of a team. Getting up to face Bogut, Green, Iguodala, Thompson, and Bradley sounds like a sleepwalk down Elm Street at 3 AM.</p>
<p>The Warriors would be without a starting small forward, but that in and of itself would leave two options:</p>
<p><b>1)</b> <i>Start Andre Iguodala at small forward again. </i>Avery Bradley and Shaun Livingston are more than enough to bolster the bench depth. Andre joins Klay, Draymond, and Andrew for a super-charged defensive first string. Klay could also play some minutes at forward as his body matures.</p>
<p><b>2)</b> <i>Start Draymond at small forward and exploit his skills as a point forward.</i> <b><span>Kevon Looney</span></b> is a prospect with elite offensive rebounding potential. If you develop Looney as an offensive rebounder next to Bogut, the shooting of the Warriors becomes deadlier with the extra possessions. Looney, on the offensive glass, means 3-5 second chance shots for Curry or Thompson per game. That's a kind of devastation the Warriors are not familiar with yet, and those opportunities would take opponents right out of the game, early. Looney also shot over 40% from deep at UCLA as an 18 year-old, so the Warriors would retain their stretch 4 angle. Also, Kevon is a good distributor with a high IQ; he retains Draymond's passing from the position.</p>
<p>You can count on Draymond shooting 500+ threes every day this summer. Starting Green on the perimeter will preserve his body a bit more going against smaller opponents, and it further allows him to exploit his amazing, improved ball skills. It would also mean that Green would get a running start on the glass help, and a wider lens on seeing the game from the outside-in, rather than the inside-out. His help defense is incredible, and putting him on the perimeter would stretch it to greater realms.</p>
<h4><b>Conclusion </b></h4>
<p>On a personal note, I hope the Warriors do everything they can to retain Barnes. It's unlikely that they won't, because you don't rearrange your center core once you've found a way to win 70+ games. You just don't. It's hard to imagine HB as the highest paid Warrior next season, but the fact that Barnes has been model enough of a citizen to earn a name like "The Senator" speaks volumes.</p>
<p>He loves Oakland, and the Warriors have done nothing but win with him. Yes, his inconsistency can be maddening, but again, has it really mattered? Besides, he's only 23, and has shown improvement every year. His availability and versatility is an immensely valuable combo. He shows up for the big show. That's good enough, if not ideal, for a player of his youth.</p>
<p>Even still, it's hard to not be seduced by the thought of landing some high quality draft picks for West and Myers to spin into gold if they're not willing to break the bank. It's hard to not think about the chance of adding someone like Avery Bradley to our defensive buzzsaw of a squad.</p>
<p><b>Riddle me this:</b> would you pay Harrison Barnes <i>20 million dollars</i> over the course of 5 years?</p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/4/14/11419004/nba-playoff-preview-2016-golden-state-warriors-harrison-barnes-x-factorlilboots2016-04-01T07:14:31-07:002016-04-01T07:14:31-07:00C's come to Oracle, challenge perfect home record
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<figcaption>Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Warriors look to open their four-game homestand with a victory, maintain their perfect home record, demolish the all-time win record of Chicago, and remind competitive Celtics of their champion supremacy. Just another day at the office. </p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p><a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jazz</a> coach <span>Quin Snyder</span> scratched at his mane and told the world that the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> have "no visible weakness." Kenny Smith threw up his hands and called them, "The greatest show on earth." Two days ago, the savior of the franchise, alias Joe Lacob, <a href="http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/241389/Joe-Lacob-Warriors-Light-Years-Ahead-Of-Every-Other-Team-In-Structure-Planning">proclaimed the Warriors</a>, "Light years ahead of the rest of the NBA."</p>
<p>Tonight, the 43-31 <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> will come for a taste of the golden flavor the Dubs have been dishing out to all comers. The C's sit 4th in the Eastern Conference after taking a grinding loss on the road to the Portland Trailblazers last night. The two teams battled for three quarters before Portland gained the upper hand in the 4th, and closed out the young Celtics. Jae Crowder returned to the starting lineup at Portland, and recorded a double-double (13 pts, 10 rebs) in the visiting loss.</p>
<p>Golden State survived a double-overtime tussle in Boston by the skin of their kishkes on December 11th.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YnK3Rr5Qi6Q" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>"Exhausting, but it was fun." - <span>Stephen Curry</span></p>
<p>36 year-old Celtics coach, <span>Brad Stevens</span> had <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics-brad-stevens-one-of-best-teams-i-ve-ever-seen-121015">this</a> to say about Golden State prior to their Dec. 11th matchup:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"One of the best teams I've ever seen. Certainly that I've ever coached against. The energy with which they play is incredible, and as skilled as they are, it seems that that's how much fun they have, and how connected they are as a team.</p>
<p>They're a much-improved team. I think that's what's scary about when we played San Antonio last week. We watched the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> on film, and felt that maybe they were the most-improved team since the first month of the season. And then, you watch Golden State, and they may be the most-improved team from last year to this year, and they won it all. So, heck of a challenge. We'll give it our best shot."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On Thompson and Curry:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Don't undersell that part. Those guys can make shots that other people can't make, at a very consistent rate. For Curry to be shooting 46 percent from three is a joke, for how tough some of his shots are. It just tells you how great of a shooter he is and how good he is with the ball. Because his shots are all challenged. Everybody goes through the game plan with the idea of trying to make it as tough as possible on both he and Klay, and they still make really tough shots."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Curry went 9-27 from the field that night, but was 6-13 from three point range and a perfect 14-14<i> </i>from the free throw line. Boston played him physically, and planned well. But perhaps, most of the credit can be awarded to elite defensive bane, <span>Avery Bradley</span>. I doubt Stephen has forgotten their brief interaction.</p>
<p><b>Avery Bradley. </b>He's chief of the sticky when it comes to perimeter ball-hawking. After suffering a major shoulder injury early in his career (forcing the young player to undergo two surgeries), Bradley is healthy having his best season yet.</p>
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<p>*On a personal note, it would be great to see Bradley in a Warrior uniform, playing alongside Shaun Livingston. Maybe <span>Harrison Barnes</span> can make that happen. At 25, Bradley does a lot of what Andre Igoudala gives you on the defensive end, as well as Barbosa, with his end-to-end speed and aggressive attack. Bradley recovers speedily on transition defense, has the Charlie Hustle mentality of Draymond, and would be perfect on a fast-paced team like the Warriors. It will be interesting to see how Curry performs against him in one of only a handful of their match-ups.*</p>
<p><b><span>Isaiah Thomas</span>. </b>He's been battling a bad back lately, and remains probable for tonight's game. Isaiah loves playing the Warriors. At 5'-9", he's one of the most dynamic guards to ever play this game while being at such a disadvantage. Remember his 31-point outing a few years ago against the <span>Jarrett Jack</span> squad? From then 'til now, Thomas has embellished his meetings against Steph with strong performances.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K_jW3QREOLw" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><i>Thomas leads his young squad in points and assists, and is, quite frankly, the heartbeat of the Celtics. </i></p>
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<p><span><b>Conclusion. </b>The backcourt of the Celtics is like Curry-Cryptonite. They're simply well designed to make him work very hard on both ends. Klay may need to wear a longer cape, yet again, tonight. Also, this</span> could be a big game for Andrew Bogut. Jared Sullinger is a beast, and if he gets out of hand, and Thomas gets the perimeter offense rolling, the Celtics could be hard to chase down at this point of the season, especially after a grueling contest against the Jazz. Bogs and Green must control the rebounding battle and keep the pace relaxed.</p>
<p>Again, the defense of Bradley and the quickness of Isaiah Thomas could cause high anxiety for Stephen Curry. If Steph's overwhelmed and commits turnovers, the Celtics can really get out and run <i>(6th in the league in fast break points)</i>. They're dangerous if you turn the ball over. The passing and shooting of the Warriors in the half court will ruin them if our bigs can dictate the tempo and keep the game calm.</p>
<p>Anderson Varejao's mobility should really help against the rangy seven-foot-tall <span>Kelly Olynyk</span>, off the bench this time around, defensively.</p>
<p>Despite the particulars of the Warriors vs. Celtics, the focus remains on the overall four game homestead that opens tonight in relation to setting the record for most wins. So, here's to 75 wins.</p>
<p><b>Starting Lineup / Bench </b></p>
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https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/4/1/11343842/preview-nba-golden-state-warriors-boston-celtics-stephen-curry-klay-thompsonlilboots2016-03-19T21:23:11-07:002016-03-19T21:23:11-07:00Ailing Warriors lose close one in SA
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<figcaption>Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Undermanned Warriors fall short yet again in San Antonio</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>The last time the <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> won at the AT&T Center, <span>Stephen Curry</span> was 8 years old. The undefeated home record of the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Spurs</a> was suffocating in its implications on Saturday. The focus of the perennial contenders remained zeroed-in at the task of defending Stephen Curry - effectively dictating the pace of the game. With the Spurs at full squad, and the Warriors without three of their best half-court players and defenders, this had all the makings of a speed vs. power fight, in the most pinnacle sense.</p>
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<p><b>1st Quarter</b></p>
<p>Rush took the start tonight and Kerr decided to slide Barnes over to power forward. And why not? If the Warriors couldn't play big without their two prime centers, Steve certainly didn't entertain the idea of pretending to. Green got the nod over Varejao and Speights.</p>
<p><i><span>Draymond Green</span> - </i>Back-to-back nights and blunting the blows of a rolling <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> proved to be a tall task for Green tonight. LaMarcus was able to shoot over Draymond from mid-range, and without Bogut, Green would leave his man to flash help in the paint. In these instances, LaMarcus would fill the lane off the ball, and that was recognized by Pop's men, immediately. Aldridge was too big to push out of the paint, and once he caught it, Green was severely under-matched against that sort of skill/size.</p>
<p>That said, Green is truly a franchise leader. When Curry couldn't get it done, there was a stretch during the mid-late 2nd quarter where Green looked absolutely determined to take matters into his own hands. He took the ball away from Duncan and started a fast break. When the Warriors came up empty, Dray took it to the rack and threw it down. The next possession, Curry was struggling with the trap and cycled it over to Green with a dwindling clock. He took it to the rim aggressively again and went to the line. This was when the game was threatening to pull away beyond a 10-point spread. Draymond was consciously fighting that on both ends. It was a thing to see.</p>
<p><i>(LaMarcus Aldridge halftime stats: 6-12 FG's, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 18 minutes, 0 turnovers, +10)</i></p>
<p>- Curry looked to hit cutters early, but was irritated by the Spurs' blitzing onslaught of closing double-teams. They often looked to force him sideline on the wing, and he was forced to rush his passes to either the interior, or across court. Steph played hurried. His shooting was also defective. It was obvious he was fatigued from his stellar performance against Dallas last night, but the Spurs were also masterly in their preparation. (<i>Curry went 0-6 in the 1st quarter.)</i></p>
<p><i><span>Boris Diaw</span> - </i>3/3 shooting to open the game. <span>Harrison Barnes</span> was able to hold position well against Diaw with his strength, but lacked the technique to handle Diaw's post play. (Diaw 6-7 FG's, 14 pts) Harrison lost the scoring matchup, (3-10, 8 pts) plus the rebounding battle. (HB 2 BD <b>8</b>) If Harry remains a Warrior next year, one of his off-season endeavors should be to improve his defensive footwork in the post with <span>Ron Adams</span>.</p>
<p><i><span>Brandon Rush</span> - </i>Personally, I'll continue to say that Brandon Rush is a better fit for the starting lineup than Harrison. That's not to say that B-Rush should start, but the Warriors brass should look at that formula, closely. All due respect to HB's defensive versatility, but Brandon seems to be more effective within the flow of the offense. His defensive effort and confidence was on display tonight. He hit his first two shots, including a three.</p>
<p><i>Both teams combined: 1-11 from 3pt in 1st quarter</i></p>
<p><i>Spurs: 8 turnovers in the 1st quarter - Keeps Warriors in game </i></p>
<p>Steve Kerr - Best technical foul of the year. Coach was pissed and it was glorious. Stevie went crimson and LB quickly ran to help Walton shackle him. Kerr wasn't prepared to give up. He struggled there and fired off an impressive 11-hit combo of obscenities while Pop watched on like a choir boy. Duncan later came over during a foul review and the two former teammates had a light-hearted banter over it.</p>
<p><b>2nd Quarter</b></p>
<p><i><span>Shaun Livingston</span> - </i>He generally keeps calm and is patient in these types of games. S-Dot was 1 of 3 Warriors who finished in the plus category tonight. He finished the 1st quarter with a flurry. Livingston stripped Timmy in the high post and took it to the other coast for a heavily defended, botched layup. Draymond was all alone for the trailing offensive rebound and put it back in. The Warriors pulled within 1 point (16-17). Seconds later, Shaun tipped a pass away and started the fast break again. The game clock was winding down, so he went to the baseline and pulled up for 17-foot fadeaway. It gave the Warriors the lead (18-17) and the quarter expired.</p>
<p><i><span>Manu Ginobili</span> - </i>He went 3-4 tonight from 3pt range, and they were all big, timely shots. <span>Kobe Bryant</span> and others have told us time and again of Manu's competitive spirit. He was the dagger for SA tonight. He hit shots that hurt. He seemed to slap the Warriors in the face as soon as they started to smile a bit. His shooting hurt, but he also logged 3 turnovers. Manu played great help defense on Klay, and was key in the defensive rotations that mitigated the Warriors outside shooting.</p>
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<p><i>McAdoo is gaining trust from the coaching staff, and for good reason. He is one of the most active players on the roster when he takes the court, and has a gift for getting open. (2-2 FG's 4 pts)</i></p>
<p><b>3rd Quarter</b></p>
<p><i>Harrison Barnes - </i>He hit a big shot late in the game. But, for the most part, Harrison continued to struggle tonight in his awkward play since his injury, a quarter into the season. When the ball came to him, and there was no pass in the cycle, there's a split moment of overlay where you can almost see Barnes make the conscious decision to "create something." It looks forced and manufactured, and his shots have been falling flat. He visibly sinks, running back on defense. When the ball came to him at one point in the 3rd quarter, he passed up a wide open 14-footer, and passed it out to Klay, who immediately fired a defended 26-foot jumper, and missed.</p>
<p><i><span>Danny Green</span> -</i> He took Curry to task. Whether it was blocking his shot, or leading the double-team, Danny Green took advantage of Curry's off-night by playing smothering defense. He finished the game +20.</p>
<p><i><span>Klay Thompson</span> -</i> He created a lot of space for his offense inside the 3pt line tonight. He's getting much better with his touch around the rim, and wasn't hesitant about shooting over shorter defenders in the post. He even made a nice little hook from 8 feet away in the 3rd quarter. Klay is a legitimate superstar since the all-start break. He played Leonard extremely well in the 1st quarter, and continued to limit his offense. (Leonard 5-14 FG's, 39 mins).</p>
<p>- Curry and the Warriors are attacking the paint now and scoring inside. Green and Barbosa have made up their mind to change the game at the rim. Despite a 1-12 night from 3pt, Steph decides to follow suit. Warriors take the lead and the game begins to see-saw. The complexion changes from a turnover-fest, fast-break clanker for the Warriors, into a one-armed, heavyweight slugfest. The Spurs have the advantage in the possession game: Spurs rebounds: 53 Warriors rebounds: 37</p>
<p><b>4th Quarter </b></p>
<p>- <span>Anderson Varejao</span> had the best pass of the game. He passed across his body and whipped a dime through the defense with a left hand for a streaking Barnes dunk from about 19 feet away. Amazing. Andy is going to be part of the sequel next year, methinks.</p>
<p>- Barnes and Rush combine forces to hit two back-to-back three-pointers.</p>
<p>- The Warriors are fighting valiantly, but are outsized on defense, and the Spurs collected a lot of their own misses during very crucial stretches of the game. They took their time with the ball, and dominated the clock in the 4th quarter. The Warriors were helpless to their will, and the Spurs often went to Aldridge. Barnes was guarding LaMarcus during the final run, and was helpless in contesting his shot.</p>
<p>- Danny Green hit a 3-pointer in the final 2:30, and the Spurs bled the clock down.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion </b></p>
<p>All in all, this was an interesting game. We were offered a glimpse of the Warriors through a different lens - We saw how they fared against the best competition in the league with a heavily modified lineup. We also saw how bad they wanted to win in San Antonio despite being exhausted and out-manned. This was a good game to sort of "test the mettle" of Curry's supporting cast. It certainly did, and Warrior fans should be satisfied with the result. It would have been nice to win obviously, but the team came ready to play after putting together 4 good quarters last night.</p>
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<p><b>Next Game - Monday vs. <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Timberwolves</a></b></p>
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/3/19/11270712/warriors-spurs-recaplilboots