Home stretch, 11 left to go

[Hambombs]

I suppose any win is a "good" win, but the defense was underwhelming until the last 3:30. As it is the Grizz still shot 51% for the game.

Definitely NOT an elite D.

Great win actually. Playing without a frontcourt

 

[tzill]

I think its a good win when you are playing a team battling for their playoff lives and you are missing your starting C and PF. Speights and O'neal played 60+ min and the Warriors could have folded down 7, but instead stepped up and won. I agree it wasn't elite defense, but you are much more pessimistic IMO on this board and get stuck on some of the other posters views right or wrong. You are better than that from the years of my reading of these boards and I usually enjoy your posts, but morons like TT seem to bother you too much.

Nah, I've got Toolish Foolsense on ignore, so I never read him unless he's re-posted. Anyway, I agree it was a gutty win, but if we are a "no excuses basketball team" and a "defense first team" as Jax says then I'd sure like to see it more consistently.

Also, I really, really don't like Crawford.

 

[tzill]

Man, you are quite schizo between the Giants and Warriors. With the Giants it's all 'Morse will be fine...Vogelsong will be fine...Panda will be worth every penny...Dodgers are suspect...", with the Ws no win counts, nothing is good enough, beating a playoff team handily without their best defensive player and their PF and holding them to 93 pts is 'meh'. What gives?

Also, you can stop it with the 'elite' carping, it's already been established that the Ws defense is very good this year and constantly bringing up a certain word that no one can really agree on the definition of is kind of trollish. We get it, they aren't 'elite'.

Do "we?"

 

[msgkings322]

Do "we?"

Well, most of us do. And anyway it's just arguing about vocabulary.

 

[Reefer]

Nah, I've got Toolish Foolsense on ignore, so I never read him unless he's re-posted. Anyway, I agree it was a gutty win, but if we are a "no excuses basketball team" and a "defense first team" as Jax says then I'd sure like to see it more consistently.

Also, I really, really don't like Crawford.

I hate to put it on one guy, but a huge part of that consistency is due to Barnes and his terrible play since December. I know that Jackson says these things, but most fans understand that the lack of consistent offensive contributions from the bench is keeping this team from taking the step to the elite level. Look around the league and the elite teams have guys step up when injuries occur and contribute off the bench. OKC loses Westbrook but the team doesn't drop of. Clippers lose Paul, same thing. The Spurs rest their big 3 all the time and continue to win. The Warriors miss anyone from their starting lineup and they drop off, especially having Iguodala out and Barnes in. I think Green has been great and O'neal solid when able to play, but that energy, leadership and consistent scoring that Landry and Jack provided off the bench is sorely missing. I agree with the decisions to not bring them back, but this team is missing a piece IMO that could take them to the next level.

Banking on Barnes to replace what Jack/Landry gave them has been what has hurt them most. I'm sure many are aware of these stats, but really I think this explains the season, they banked big on getting Iguodala and having Barnes lead the 2nd unit and the latter has failed miserably.

Bogut-Curry-Iguodala-Lee-Thompson is the best 5 man unit in point differential this season at + 14.5 per 100 possessions. Average 112.1 points and give up 97.1 points. Thats the best offensive production and the second best defensive production behind Indiana's starting 5 (95.5). The problems, they've only played 800 minutes together and when you sub Barnes for Iguodala those numbers drop from 112.1 to 97.3 and defensive they rise from 97.1 to 102.7. The drop off is insanely dramatic, but if Barnes can somehow find his game in the playoffs and the starting lineup is healthy I believe they can beat anyone. That is a big if with Barnes though.

 

[NBKLee]

I hate to put it on one guy......

Banking on Barnes to replace what Jack/Landry gave them has been what has hurt them most. I'm sure many are aware of these stats, but really I think this explains the season, they banked big on getting Iguodala and having Barnes lead the 2nd unit and the latter has failed miserably.

................

Most folks were expecting AI#9 to replace what Jack/Landry gave us last year. I don't believe anyone here believes HB would replace that production.

I think that HB started strong in SL, and got overworked in Preseason, leading to an injury (to his ego), and never really recovered this year.

AI#9 has brought the defense this year, he's allowed Klay, Steph, and other's to relax a bit on defense not having to guard some of the other teams better players. I wish he was 100% healthy, and able to contribute more on offense, but that's another story.

 

[southernfriedwarrior]

Amongst the core group, Barnes was clearly the x-factor going into his second year. His lack of progress and development has really hurt the Warriors chances of being a real contender this year. He has all the tools, but no instruction manual. The more I watch him, the more convinced I am that he has a poor feel for the game and no natural bball instincts. He also won't move without the ball on offense. He cut to the basket early in the game against the Grizzlies and was rewarded with an easy dunk. Unfortunately for rest of the game, he showed very little movement, and it was back to standing around and missing open jump shots. At least there weren't many ill fated dribble drives with his usual poor finishes.

I think this team has far too many offensively challenged players, so the overall mix just isn't right. Bogut and Iguadola aren't inefficient statistically, but they just aren't offensively minded, so they can't be counted on. Barnes (39.2%), Green (39.3%), Blake (41%), Crawford (40.4%) and Speights (43.7%) are inefficient and of course Crawford and Speights are very inconsistent to boot. All of the punch and offensive consistency on this team is concentrated around a few players (too few players), and then things just fall off the table. Compare this to teams like SA and Phoenix who have much more consistent production (and offensive efficiency) throughout their entire lineup. Blake tries to generate offense for the second unit, but it's difficult with so many offensively challenged players on the court. He's a poor offensive player himself outside of being a solid three point shooter. Myers has work to do in the offseason.

 

[rayhl111]

This team like every NBA team minus the SPurs are a work in progress. Everything I know about bball goes out the window when talking about the Suns. Nobody but nobody would have imagined they would be this good w that roster. HB has a shot of proving himself in the post seaon. If he does not, they should look to move him. Elsewhere might be a better place.

 

[NBKLee]

.....I think this team has far too many offensively challenged players, so the overall mix just isn't right. Bogut and Iguadola aren't inefficient statistically, but they just aren't offensively minded, so they can't be counted on. Barnes (39.2%), Green (39.3%), Blake (41%), Crawford (40.4%) and Speights (43.7%) are inefficient and of course Crawford and Speights are very inconsistent to boot. ..

There is more to offense than just FG%.

HB is the exception, he looks lost on offensive, and defense at times.

Money Green may shoot 39.3%, but he has assumed the role of "stretch 4" , extends his defender to the 3 point mark, and actually plays defense. He is > than HB.

Blake runs the offense for us, and he provides a veteran presence, often times he has to shoot the bail out shot for our team when the play breaks down. But I'll take his handling, defense, and shooting anyday.

Crawford is a wildcard, he is only of the only Dubs who can break down his defender and get to anyplace on the basketball court he wants.

Speights 43% isn't that bad considering he does take many jumpers, he isn't a low post option, besides the easy put backs, mainly shoots from 14 foot and out.


I'd take any of the later 4 out of 5 vs HB taking shots.

 

[NBKLee]

This team like every NBA team minus the SPurs are a work in progress. Everything I know about bball goes out the window when talking about the Suns. Nobody but nobody would have imagined they would be this good w that roster. HB has a shot of proving himself in the post seaon. If he does not, they should look to move him. Elsewhere might be a better place.

I blame Steve Kerr for setting that team back 2-3 years. On paper that team shouldn't be this good, but they seem to make it work. A bunch of hard working , underrated players. Plumblee, the Morris Brothers, Fyre, and of course Dragic doing their thing.

Preseason, I would have thought DEN may have squeezed off the 8th spot, but PHO's emergence is impressive.

 

[_so_money_]

I had Phoenix picked dead last in the West, oops.

 

[southernfriedwarrior]

There is more to offense than just FG%.

HB is the exception, he looks lost on offensive, and defense at times.

Money Green may shoot 39.3%, but he has assumed the role of "stretch 4" , extends his defender to the 3 point mark, and actually plays defense. He is > than HB.

Blake runs the offense for us, and he provides a veteran presence, often times he has to shoot the bail out shot for our team when the play breaks down. But I'll take his handling, defense, and shooting anyday.

Crawford is a wildcard, he is only of the only Dubs who can break down his defender and get to anyplace on the basketball court he wants.

Speights 43% isn't that bad considering he does take many jumpers, he isn't a low post option, besides the easy put backs, mainly shoots from 14 foot and out.


I'd take any of the later 4 out of 5 vs HB taking shots.

I give Green a pass because he contributes in so many other ways. Green has also improved significantly on the offensive side of the ball this year (from horrible to just mediocre LOL), whereas Barnes is stuck in reverse. Blake is solid so no complaints there, but this team needs someone to provide some consistent scoring off the bench and it just isn't happening.

 

[southernfriedwarrior]

This team like every NBA team minus the SPurs are a work in progress. Everything I know about bball goes out the window when talking about the Suns. Nobody but nobody would have imagined they would be this good w that roster. HB has a shot of proving himself in the post seaon. If he does not, they should look to move him. Elsewhere might be a better place.

Warriors have a better starting lineup (arguably the best in the NBA actually), but the Suns (and many other teams for that matter) have more productive and consistent players from top to bottom than the Warriors. Golden State's bench owns a .397 FG Pct. which puts them dead last in the NBA. "The gang that couldn't shoot straight" could be their nickname. They've crept out of the basement for points scored (26 out of 30 teams) and points differential (23 out of 30 teams) since Blake arrived, but they're still terrible. Points differential is at -4.6 at the moment.

 

[ColinCoby]

Warriors have a better starting lineup (arguably the best in the NBA actually), but the Suns (and many other teams for that matter) have more productive and consistent players from top to bottom than the Warriors. Golden State's bench owns a .397 FG Pct. which puts them dead last in the NBA. "The gang that couldn't shoot straight" could be their nickname. They've crept out of the basement for points scored (26 out of 30 teams) and points differential (23 out of 30 teams) since Blake arrived, but they're still terrible. Points differential is at -4.6 at the moment.

And Barnes is killing them. Before the season, the plan was for Barnes to be a key offensive weapon off the bench. Given his struggles, he shouldn't be on the court unless it's a blowout.

The bench essentially lost the game in the second quarter. Not that there isn't plenty of blame to be thrown at all the starters not named Curry.

What a truly offensive performance.

 

[ColinCoby]

I hate to put it on one guy, but a huge part of that consistency is due to Barnes and his terrible play since December. I know that Jackson says these things, but most fans understand that the lack of consistent offensive contributions from the bench is keeping this team from taking the step to the elite level. Look around the league and the elite teams have guys step up when injuries occur and contribute off the bench. OKC loses Westbrook but the team doesn't drop of. Clippers lose Paul, same thing. The Spurs rest their big 3 all the time and continue to win. The Warriors miss anyone from their starting lineup and they drop off, especially having Iguodala out and Barnes in. I think Green has been great and O'neal solid when able to play, but that energy, leadership and consistent scoring that Landry and Jack provided off the bench is sorely missing. I agree with the decisions to not bring them back, but this team is missing a piece IMO that could take them to the next level.

Banking on Barnes to replace what Jack/Landry gave them has been what has hurt them most. I'm sure many are aware of these stats, but really I think this explains the season, they banked big on getting Iguodala and having Barnes lead the 2nd unit and the latter has failed miserably.

Bogut-Curry-Iguodala-Lee-Thompson is the best 5 man unit in point differential this season at + 14.5 per 100 possessions. Average 112.1 points and give up 97.1 points. Thats the best offensive production and the second best defensive production behind Indiana's starting 5 (95.5). The problems, they've only played 800 minutes together and when you sub Barnes for Iguodala those numbers drop from 112.1 to 97.3 and defensive they rise from 97.1 to 102.7. The drop off is insanely dramatic, but if Barnes can somehow find his game in the playoffs and the starting lineup is healthy I believe they can beat anyone. That is a big if with Barnes though.

Excellent. Didn't see this. Much better said than I.

 

[NBKLee]

2-1 so far, No Bogut, No Lee, No Problems.

GO DUBS! 9 left to go, finish strong boys

 

[ColinCoby]

Suns and Griz both lose tonight.

Don't want to jinx the Ws, but they should be able to take 5 of remaining 7. They're going to be tough to catch assuming they win they games they should win. (no guarantee of course after the Knicks debacle)

 

[NBKLee]

Impressive win vs SAC, even without Bogut and Lee.

Guess those XO's couldn't save Malone FRI night.

 

[JustOneDennisBergkamp]

Having Bogut and Lee out, as long as they're primed and ready for the playoffs, could be a blessing in disguise. Without Bogut to back them up in the middle, Warrior defenders are having to do a better job of keeping their men in front of them. And absent Lee's scoring in the paint, O'Neal and Speights are stepping up to fill the void.

As long as the Dubs can hold on to the sixth spot, all is well. There is little need to catch Portland for fifth as the Clippers are arguably a better match-up for this team.

 

[tzill]

Having Bogut and Lee out, as long as they're primed and ready for the playoffs, could be a blessing in disguise. Without Bogut to back them up in the middle, Warrior defenders are having to do a better job of keeping their men in front of them. And absent Lee's scoring in the paint, O'Neal and Speights are stepping up to fill the void.

As long as the Dubs can hold on to the sixth spot, all is well. There is little need to catch Portland for fifth as the Clippers are arguably a better match-up for this team.

But, but...I thought they were all giving max effort, all the time? You seem to be implying that they are not...