When the playoffs start, the 8 Western Conference teams will be so evenly matched that there is no way to predict who will win and play for the title.
For the Warriors their post season success will depend on:
1. staying injury free and being at full strength (hoping Festus Ezili gets healthy soon and back on the court so he can get minutes and contribute on the front line);
2. spreading the minutes around to all players on the roster without a significant drop off in the level of play so that the starting five will not be worn out at the start of the playoffs; and
3. continuing their style of play on both ends of the floor (lock down defense; and a pedal to the metal fast break offense that spreads the ball around through passing, driving to the basket, kick outs to spot up shooters on the perimeter and crashing the boards for offensive rebounds).
The deep and talented roster the Warriors have this year is a huge plus for the team. Apparently the players on the team are all buying into what Steve Kerr is doing in his first year as a coach.
In the 3rd quarter of tonight's game he scored 37 points on 13 for 13 shooting (including 9 for 9 three point shots) and two free throws. He scored 37 of the 41 third quarter points his team scored. He scored 52 points in the game in 33 minutes, less than 3 quarters. With about 9 minutes to go in the third quarter the score was tied at 60. The Warriors won the game 126-101.
35-6 now thanks to Thompson scoring 37 points in one quarter, a new NBA record.
Sunday they play the Celtics and my son and I are going to the game. Should be fun.
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
That was the most impressive scoring display I think I've ever seen. Stunning.
And then to hear this kid talk about it in all the post-game interviews.....humble, respectful, well-spoken, intelligent. And Curry is the same way. If you're an NBA fan, you just can't not like these guys.
I've been on a Thompson RC buying binge over the past couple of months. I think it's about to pay off.
<< <i>Didn't matter who was guarding him, he was in a zone. The hoop was as wide as an ocean the way he was shooting. >>
I wasn't trying to diminish his accomplishment, for the record. Prior to 15 minutes ago I hadn't actually seen the highlights, thus I couldn't help but envision a slew of open looks. When you score 37 in a quarter that has to be the case, right?
Not really. I counted only a couple of uncontested shots throughout that barrage. For almost every other attempt there was very little air space. Sacramento couldn't even double up on him to get the ball out of his hands, because he was releasing just as quickly as he was receiving. A chilling display to watch.
Top 5 scoring quarters in NBA history:
2015 - Thompson (37) 2008 - Carmelo Anthony (33) 1978 - The Iceman (33) 1978 - David Thompson, he of the 44-inch vertical (32) 1962 - Wilt (31)
What I found interesting: no MJ, Wilt's best was "only" 31, and Gervin & D Thompson accomplished their feats on the exact same day while chasing the scoring crown.
I remember the David Thompson, George Gervin battle for the season scoring crown on the final day of the NBA regular season in 1978. Luke Skywalker (David Thompson) played a game earlier in the day and scored 73 points to take the lead over Iceman (George Gervin) for the scoring title.
When Iceman heard that Thompson scored 73 points his comment was "D.T. for 73????"
Iceman's game was played later in the day (April 9, 1978) after Thompson had scored 73 points. Iceman needed to score 58 points to overtake Thompson and win the scoring crown. Icemand scored 53 points in the first half, then quickly scored 6 more at the start of the second half to take the scoring crown. He then was pulled from the game, only to return later to score 4 more points to end up with 63 points for the game.
In the closest scoring race ever Iceman edged Thompson with a PPG average of 27.22. Thompson's PPG for the year was 27.15.
As for what Klay Thompson experienced in the 3rd quarter of last night's game, anyone who has played basketball for a long time inevitably has an experience where they are playing "In The Zone". Klay Thompson was In The Zone last night, in a game against NBA players (who are at the very top of the top of the most physically talented adult men basketball players).
I played hoops in middle school, high school, small college and recreationally post college into my mid 30's. I had a few In The Zone experiences.
One that comes to mind was a rec league game when I was 24 years of age during my final year of law school. I played with fellow class mates, some of whom were very good basketball players who had played high school and college. The rec league we played in was very competitive with teams comprised of men in their 20's and 30's who had played competitively in high school and college.
I played a part of the game and at some point I caught fire. Everything jelled and I could do nothing wrong. It was as if I was moving and playing at warp speed while everyone else was playing slow motion, running through a thick layer of sand or even running underwater. It was as if my mind was separate from my body during the game and was a detached observer of my body and everything going on around it.
I saw the floor, saw openings, flowed into the openings, got separation from the defenders and could do anything I wanted. Whatever my mind envisioned I could do, my body did so instantaneously. Dribbling, passing, rebounding, steals, finding open spots, filling the lane, anticipating what opposing players would do and shooting the ball (from long range, on drives to the hoop, under the basket, free throws, etc.) all came together and I could do all of them effortlessly.
When I realized I could make any shot I wanted to I started shooting every time I touched the ball. After hitting multiple baskets in a row my teammates realized I was In The Zone and they started feeding me the ball to shoot. I figured why not shoot until I missed.
So I lit it up and shot the ball. Every shot went in during a hot streak. Post up shots, mid range jump shots, floaters in the lane, layups on drives to the basket, three point shots, shots off the dribble. Catch and shoot from the perimeter. Rebounding the ball on the defensive end and dribbling coast to coast, through traffic, behind my back to avoid a defender, slicing through the lane for a slam dunk. Same thing except instead of driving the lane I stopped and popped from three point range. Open shots because no defenders were close. Closely contested shots when one or more defenders were on me like glue. It did not matter what was happening. I could do no wrong and everything I did on the court, every mental decision I made on the court and even every instinctive reaction my body made while on the court turned out to be correct.
My team destroyed the other team, largely due to my being In The Zone. After I had finished my hot streak we had a large lead and I headed to the bench for the rest of the game. I had scored just under 40 points in about 3 quarters of play with most of the points coming in a hot streak that played out during one quarter. While I was on my hot streak my teammates (on the floor and on the bench) were in awe. Players on the opposing team (on the floor and on the bench) were stunned.
I was stunned and could not believe how well I had played. It was like "who is this guy?" and "why can't you do this all the time?" and "where did this come from?".
After the game players from both teams were very excited for me. The next day at school word had spread through my fellow students and through some of the professors and administrators about how well I had played the night before. I was the object of much attention and received accolades that day because I was In The Zone the night before.
Instances of being "In The Zone" like the one described above do not happen very often, but when they do it is one heck of a great experience.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be "In The Zone" like Klay Thompson was last night before 19,000+ screaming fans during a home game in the NBA.
His experience last night makes the one I had so many years ago in a rec league game seem pedestrian, but I will always remember the experience like it happened yesterday.
I remember the David Thompson, George Gervin battle for the season scoring crown on the final day of the NBA regular season in 1978. Luke Skywalker (David Thompson) played a game earlier in the day and scored 73 points to take the lead over Iceman (George Gervin) for the scoring title.
When Iceman heard that Thompson scored 73 points his comment was "D.T. for 73????"
Iceman's game was played later in the day (April 9, 1978) after Thompson had scored 73 points. Iceman needed to score 58 points to overtake Thompson and win the scoring crown. Iceman scored 53 points in the first half, then quickly scored 6 more at the start of the second half to take the scoring crown. He then was pulled from the game, only to return later to score 4 more points to end up with 63 points for the game.
In the closest scoring race ever Iceman edged Thompson with a PPG average of 27.22. Thompson's PPG for the year was 27.15.
As for what Klay Thompson experienced in the 3rd quarter of last night's game, anyone who has played basketball for a long time inevitably has an experience where they are playing "In The Zone". Klay Thompson was In The Zone last night, in a game against NBA players (who are at the very top of the top of the most physically talented adult men basketball players).
I played hoops in middle school, high school, small college and recreationally post college into my mid 30's. I had a few In The Zone experiences.
One that comes to mind was a rec league game when I was 24 years of age during my final year of law school. I played with fellow class mates, some of whom were very good basketball players who had played high school and college. The rec league we played in was very competitive with teams comprised of men in their 20's and 30's who had played competitively in high school and college.
I played a part of the game and at some point I caught fire. Everything jelled and I could do nothing wrong. It was as if I was moving and playing at warp speed while everyone else was playing slow motion, running through a thick layer of sand or even running underwater. It was as if my mind was separate from my body during the game and was a detached observer of my body and everything going on around it.
I saw the floor, saw openings, flowed into the openings, got separation from the defenders and could do anything I wanted. Whatever my mind envisioned I could do, my body did so instantaneously. Dribbling, passing, rebounding, steals, finding open spots, filling the lane, anticipating what opposing players would do and shooting the ball (from long range, on drives to the hoop, under the basket, free throws, etc.) all came together and I could do all of them effortlessly.
When I realized I could make any shot I wanted to I started shooting every time I touched the ball. After hitting multiple baskets in a row my teammates realized I was In The Zone and they started feeding me the ball to shoot. I figured why not shoot until I missed.
So I lit it up and shot the ball. Every shot went in during a hot streak. Post up shots, mid range jump shots, floaters in the lane, layups on drives to the basket, three point shots, shots off the dribble. Catch and shoot from the perimeter. Rebounding the ball on the defensive end and dribbling coast to coast, through traffic, behind my back to avoid a defender, slicing through the lane for a slam dunk. Same thing except instead of driving the lane I stopped and popped from three point range. Open shots because no defenders were close. Closely contested shots when one or more defenders were on me like glue. It did not matter what was happening. I could do no wrong and everything I did on the court, every mental decision I made on the court and even every instinctive reaction my body made while on the court turned out to be correct.
My team destroyed the other team, largely due to my being In The Zone. After I had finished my hot streak we had a large lead and I headed to the bench for the rest of the game. I had scored just under 40 points in about 3 quarters of play with most of the points coming in a hot streak that played out during one quarter. While I was on my hot streak my teammates (on the floor and on the bench) were in awe. Players on the opposing team (on the floor and on the bench) were stunned.
I was stunned and could not believe how well I had played. It was like "who is this guy?" and "why can't you do this all the time?" and "where did this come from?".
After the game players from both teams were very excited for me. The next day at school word had spread through my fellow students and through some of the professors and administrators about how well I had played the night before. I was the object of much attention and received accolades that day because I was In The Zone the night before.
Instances of being "In The Zone" like the one described above do not happen very often, but when they do it is one heck of a great experience.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be "In The Zone" like Klay Thompson was last night before 19,000+ screaming fans during a home game in the NBA.
His experience last night makes the one I had so many years ago in a rec league game seem pedestrian, but I will always remember the experience like it happened yesterday.
Too funny. I had one total in the zone game like you describe. I did not play in high school or college but played a ton of school yard ball throughout life. I don't know where to set a screen or move without the ball but I know how to shoot! About 8 years ago I was playing in an adult "C" league. Guys in their 30's and 40's. As there was no A or B then the C league was pretty good. Most everybody played in high school, except me, and many played in college. We actually had two guys on our team (both lawyers) who played professionally. One drafted into the ABA (ok, he was old but could still shoot) and another drafted by the Knicks in the mid 80's back when the draft was 7 or 8 rounds. Anyway, I couldn't miss that one night. I went for about 35. The thing I most remember was when guys on the other team, sounding to be a panic, were saying "get shooter." Oh that was me!? How nice for a change to be the focal point of the defense. I got the player of the league award for that week. I probably still got that award somewhere!
As for Klay... AMAZING! The Kings drafted Jimmer one spot ahead of Klay. Darn it.
Warriors won a close game by 3 points. The game was not what I had hoped. I wanted to see the team play at their best. They did not.
My impressions of the team are:
1. Unbelievable depth on the roster;
2. No overpowering egos on the team;
3. All players are committed to the team and striving for a title and thereby keep their individual wants in check; and
4. They are having fun.
Tonight the team was off. There was little effort made to rebound on the offensive end. The players took too many perimeter jump shots in the first half and did not shoot a high percentage. Boston rebounded and thus kept in the game. The players should have chosen to drive to the basket for layups, dunks or kickoffs to open spot up shooters. They did this some in the second half to bump the lead to 13. The team never went on a run to distance themselves. They made some mistakes at the end of the game to let Boston back in it.
However, even given the above the Warriors played well enough to win. The team is so versatile and deeply talented. They share and distribute the ball so well. All 5 players on the floor can bring the ball up the floor and initiate the offense. The offense can be run through any player on the floor from point guard to center. Everyone is a great passer and has floor vision. Every player is an offensive threat who can shoot quickly off the dribble, when catching a pass, when driving to the hoop and when rebounding. Bogut and Lee are very good interior scorers. Every player in the first and second unit can shoot from the outside and most can shoot very well from beyond the arc. On the defensive end the players are all very long, quick and they help out. Bogut is a tremendous force on the defensive end and is very quick to block shots.
Curry and Thompson are unbelievably talented. Tonight Thompson had 31. I did not realize that until hearing it on the radio on the drive home. I would have guessed he had 18-20.
The Warriors are now 36-6. Chicago is next up. In about a week the Warriors and the Hawks play in Atlanta. That game will be fun to watch.
The Warriors are pretty amazing this year....the ride has been incredible.
BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
After being down 40-18 to Dallas in the first quarter last night the Warriors stormed back to win 128-114. The bench led the comeback. Curry went off for 51. Dallas made only 5 shots in the 4th quarter against tight defense.
Tomorrow the Warriors play in Atlanta against the Hawks. That will be a fun game to watch.
I hope Curry and Thompson put on a show in the All Star game.
Warriors won a close game in Minnesota tonight to wrap up a stretch of 4 games on the road in 5 days. They are 42-9 going into the All Star break and do not play again until next Friday.
A great season so far. Many more road game this month still to play. If they keep winning at this pace (82%) for the final 30 games of the regular season they will be on track to win about 65 games.
After a break for the All Star game the Warriors took the court last night and beat the Spurs by 11. The final score was closer than the game really was. The Warriors were able to extend their lead to over 20 points in the fourth quarter before the Spurs scored some points in garbage time.
What was interesting about the game was that in the first half the Spurs were on fire, shooting around 60% from the field. Did not matter as the Warriors stayed with the Spurs through fast break points and excellent 3 point shooting. The Warriors lead by about 7 at half time and they pulled away in the second half.
The Warriors play only 2 home games in February and start tomorrow on a lengthy 6 game road trip back east. They play some good teams, including Cleveland, Washington and Toronto. If they can do well on this road trip they will go into March sitting at the top of the league record wise. The team is 17-7 on the road (70%) and 26-2 at home (92%). The team has 15 home games and 15 road games left. 11 of the 15 road games are against teams that currently are .500 or above. 9 of the 15 home games are against teams that currently are .500 or above. 13 of the remaining 30 games are against Western Conference teams that are currently .500 or above. 7 of the remaining 30 games are against Eastern Conference teams that are currently .500 or above. 10 remaining games are against teams with sub .500 records. The Warriors should win at least 8 of these games.
The team plays 12 games against Eastern Conference teams and 18 games against Western Conference teams to finish out the regular season.
If the Warriors play at there current pace on the road and at home in the next 30 games they will win 24 and lose 6 giving them a regular season record of 67-15. If they stumble and just play .500 ball the rest of the way they will end the regular season at 58-24. A regular season record of at least 62 wins is likely [barring injuries].
Will be fun to follow the next 30 games and see how the team sits going into the playoffs.
On national TV today the Warriors easily beat the Clippers. The final score does not reflect how one sided the game was, as the Clippers scored some during garbage time.
The team is now 49-12, winning at an 80+% rate. If the team maintains this rate it will end up 66-16 for the year.
Strange. I posted I reply yesterday after the Clippers game and this thread did not return to the top of page one. Must be a computer glitch. Maybe this time.
Are you concerned about a potential first-round matchup against the Thunder? They made a great trade shipping out Reggie Jackson and picking up a formidable center (Kanter). If Durant manages to come back healthy, they will be the toughest 8 in the history of the NBA playoffs. No one will want any part of them.
If OKX ends up making the playoffs and has KD back at 100% no one would want to play them, especially in the first round. As for the Warriors, if they get the 1 seed in the West I do not care who they play. If it is OK that would be great. The games in that series would be great to watch. While I like the Warriors I am a casual fan and merely enjoy watching very well played games. The Warriors are playing great all around hoops this year. If they go far in the playoffs that means more fun for me. If they fail to win the title, it will not bother me because I never expected it. It has been 40 years since they last won a title. The Western Conference playoffs this year will be really good to watch.
If OKC makes the playoffs this year I do not think that any team would want to play them, especially in the first round. If Durant is back at 100% OKC becomes even more formidable.
However, I would not object to seeing the Warriors play the Thunder in round #1. That series would be extremely fun to watch and I would like it to go 7 games with the Warriors winning a close game at home in game 7.
I am a casual Warriors fan and am more of a fan of good basketball. This year the Warriors are playing beyond expectations and are excellent in all phases of the game. They have incredible depth, versatility and are playing lock down defense. They are 29-2 at home so far and 30-0 when they hold opposing teams to less than 100 points. If the Warriors go deep into the playoffs and even win a title that is great for them, for the league and for the SF Bay Area. For me it just would mean more fun watching entertaining games. If the Warriors lose in the playoffs, it will not bother me since they are playing beyond expectations and given the 40 years since their last title it is not as if the Warriors should be expected to win a title. They are like Cinderella and who knows how the season will turn out.
I have enjoyed watching the team play games this year, in part because you never know which player will step up and make a big contribution. All but one or two players on the roster has stepped up and played very well at times during the year, so well in fact that other teams just get worn out with the constant flow of fresh players coming off the Warriors bench.
As for your question about the western conference playoffs... BLOODBATH!
So unfair to have OKC battling injuries so they'll limp in at #8 and be close to full strength. Then you have the Spurs resting games and what not so they'll come in at 7. I would be mad if I was 1 or 2 this year.
I would say all 8 teams that make the playoffs, in the west, have a legit chance at being NBA champions. As of right now:
GS Memphis Houston Portland Clips Dallas San Antonio OKC
MVP is an award that is given based upon regular season performance.
If you view things from the perspective of a player that makes his teammates better and thus the entire team better, then I could easily see Curry winning the award. He is the catalyst that makes the Warriors the very good team that they are. His own personal numbers/stats this season are also very good.
Westbrook is amazing and is keeping OKC in the playoff picture. However, his team is only in 8th place right now and he has not been on the floor the entire season.
About 25% of the season remains. Who knows how Curry and Westbrook (and Hardin and LBJ and Anthony Davis) will play the rest of the season. The MVP is up in the air and I think that whoever wins the award will be deserving. It may be that the award is given to someone other than LBJ this year simply to make it "fresh" and to promote the marketing of the "game" by putting a new face out there (Curry, for example) who has many, many positive attributes that can be used to market.
Warriors played the Suns tonight and ran away with the game 98-80. Lock down defense by the Warriors held the Suns, who have the #3 offense in the league, to 25 points below their average.
The Warriors are now 50-12 with 20 games to go. A few more wins and they will be close to locking up the # seed in the Western Conference.
<< <i>Your thoughts on the Western Conference playoffs? >>
It's gonna be riveting stuff. Per usual, the West is locked and loaded. But clearly this season has a different feel to it due to key injuries, and the standings are completely out of whack as a result.
In a sense, I feel for GSW. Great team, great story, great season.....and their "reward" for catapulting to the top is a looming first rounder against OKC? Sometimes life just isn't fair. I sure hope it goes down, though, because it'll be a must-see series.
My March 9th prediction is that OKC takes the whole enchilada. But that, of course, is contingent on KD's foot. If he's not right, they'll be setting up tee times in May.
My quick take on 1-8:
Golden State - could easily hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy. What a job by first-year coach Steve Kerr. Sure they have stars, but he has created the quintessential team. Almost impossible to beat at home, and someone will have to do it at least once to oust them.
Memphis - rock solid year in and year out, but they receive very little notoriety. Handled GSW in their one and only meeting thus far this season. Lowest PA in the league. You know what they say about defense and championships...
Houston - I follow this team closer than any other. D-Howard has been MIA for half of the season, and without him it has been Harden, Harden and more James Harden. Beyond those two, there's just not enough substance to make it through the brutal West unscathed.
Portland - this squad has a lot of talent, but there's one slight problem: there are a number of teams in the West with a lot of talent. Love the inside-out game with Lillard & Aldridge, but the Blazers always seem like more of a tease than a serious contender.
LA Clippers - see Portland. If they were in the East, they'd be a perennial powerhouse. But very good in the West lands you in the middle of the playoff pack. Similar to a Durant-less OKC, if Griffin doesn't come all the way back, golf in May!
Dallas - a puzzling team. I can't decide if they'll be summarily bounced in the first round or make an unexpected deep run. Hard not to root for Dirk. Personally, if I were coaching a team in the top half of the draw I'd much rather play...
San Antonio - ...this bunch. I love the Spurs and everything they have stood for for years, but last I checked, Father Time is undefeated. They just look old now. Duncan, Parker & Ginobili appear as if they're finally hitting the proverbial wall, and the stats seem to bear this out. But never, ever count out a Coach Pop team.
OKC - as I said, my brazen pick to win it all. Had they not picked up Kanter, I'd be selecting someone else. I just think he's the legit big man that they've been coveting for years. Russell Westbrook is playing like LeBron on roids. Last 10 games: 35 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 10.4 APG. But KD is the ultimate X factor. Will his foot hold up?
One strategy that teams have been using against GS is double teaming Curry and Thompson, and forcing Green and Barnes to make shots. If that happens in the playoffs, I could see Kerr putting Livingston in for Barnes and going with a three guard lineup. Livingston creates matchup problems because he's quicker than most forwards and can post up smaller guards and hit that 12-15 foot turnaround jumper.
Warriors played an off game last night but still managed to win against Detroit. Now they are 51-12. Last night's win gave the team the same # of wins they has last year.
19 games to go.
Tomorrow's game is in Denver and after that the team plays 6 games at home.
Assuming the team keeps up its current pace, it will win 15 more games to end the season 66-16.
Really looking forward to the playoffs, particularly the Western Conference games. I hope the Warriors lock up home court advantage through out the playoffs. If so, that bodes well for the team since it is now 29-2 at home this year.
Warriors beat the Lakers last night and tomorrow host the Atlanta Hawks in a game between the #1 in the East and the #1 in the West. Should be fun to watch. Oracle will be rocking.
The Warriors clinched a palyoff spot with its win last night.
Funny thing about this thread is that the past 2 or so replies have failed to show up in the thread. I wonder if this reply will show up?
The magic number is 10 for the Dubs to win the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Any combo of 10 Warriors wins or Grizzlies losses will guarantee them home court advantage through the playoffs, up to the finals.
The remaining regular season games for the Warriors include a number of games against many of the better teams in the league including:
1. Atlanta at home
2. New Orleans at home;
3. Utah at home (the Jazz are playing well);
4. Washington at home (the Wizards have stumbled lately);
5. at Portland;
6. at Memphis;
7 at Milwaukee;
8. at LA Clippers;
9. Phoenix at home;
10. at Dallas;
11. at San Antonio;
12. at New Orleans;
13. Portland at home;
14. Minnesota at home;
15. Memphis at home; and
16. Denver at home.
Of these sixteen games, only three teams (Denver, Minnesota and Utah) have losing records. The other 13 have records above .500 and many are way above .500. Of these 13 teams only three (Atlanta, Washington and Milwaukee) are from the Eastern Conference. The other ten games are against very good Western Conference teams (Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio, LA Clippers, New Orleans, Portland and Phoenix). All of these teams, except New Orleans are currently sitting in spots 2-7 of the Western Conference playoff race. OKC has spot #8 and New Orleans is just 1/2 game behind OKC for the #8 playoff spot.
If the Warriors win most of these upcoming 16 games (12 or 13 wins would be on par with their current .803 winning percentage) that would be very impressive. Doing so would easily lock up the #1 seen in the Western Conference. If they beat Atlanta tomorrow night they would increase the small lead they have for the best record in the league and the #1 seen throughout the playoffs.
If the Warriors win 12 or 13 of the next 16 games the team would have to be considered the favorite to win the Western Conference title. If instead they stumble and end up losing half or more of the upcoming games then I think that other teams in the playoffs would be emboldened to think that they have a good chance of knocking out the 2014-2015 Cinderella Warriors and sending them home.
Correction: the magic number is not 10, because there are teams other than Memphis that have a chance of catching the Dubs. However, it would be correct to state that if the Dubs win 10 more games, they will be the #1 seed in the Western Conference.
With Durant still out and Serge Ibaka going under the knife (4-6 weeks), OKC may be the team for GSW after all. If they make it. Currently they're grappling with the Pelicans for the 8th and final spot, and if the season were to end today the Thunder would be on the outside looking in.
I watched the game. If the Warriors mirror that output in the playoffs, they'll win it all. No Klay Thompson, no problem. They are so friggin' deep -- I think they ran about 10 guys at the Hawks last night. Draymond Green looked like Ray Allen out there. Their execution is off the charts -- almost an assist for every made attempt from the field in that game.
I touched on this up above, but it's what I keep thinking about. They've lost two games at home the entire season. In any given playoff series, if GSW takes just one road game, then their opponent will have to beat them twice at Oracle to remove them. That, my friends, is a daunting proposition.
In addition to having incredible depth and playing unselfish, high speed, perpetual motion, spacing the floor and passing to the open man offense (averaging about 110 points per game, the most in the league this year) what really makes this Warriors team stand out is the fact that they have bought into the idea of playing lock down defense.
Atlanta shot about 36% from the field last night.
The Warriors are long, quick and hard nosed on defense.
When all things are clicking for the team they are fun to watch. Opposing teams on the receiving end of a game like the one played last night can only shake their heads in disbelief.
The Warriors started 21-2 (winning at a rate of 91.3%) Since then they have cooled off and are merely 33-11 (winning at a rate of 75%, or three out of every four games). If they keep up this 75% winning rate they will win 11 of their remaining 15 games and end up with a 65 and 17 record.
Galaxy27 is correct. If the Warriors have home court advantage in the playoffs, one win by the Warriors on the road would mean that the opposing team would have to win 2 games in Oakland. Since the Warriors are now 31-2 at home this season, it is unlikely that a team could win these 2 games.
55-13 courtesy of tonight's blowout of the Pelicans. The Warrior bench played most of the minutes tonight and played outstanding basketball. Atlanta lost again so the Warriors have a three game lead over the Hawks in the loss column.
Warriors beat a Utah team that is playing very well right now. Utah is out o f the payoff hunt but is playing so well that no one would want to face them in he postseason. Final score 106-91.Leandro Barbosa, Harrison Barnes and Ande Iguadala have stepped up their play with Klay Thompson out. The team has played great without him the last three games. The team is now 56-13 and is 9-1 over its last ten games. Next win should be Monday at home against a Washingtom Wizards team that is having trouble.
It would be great if the Warriors saw Klay Thompson return in a week and also run the table for the remaining 13 games of the regular season. With the way they have been playing it would not surprise me.
My wife and I went to the game. The first half was close with the Warriors leading 52-49 at the half. The crowd was sedate in the first half and the Warriors did not shoot well.
The second half was a different story. Washington scored 8 points in the third quarter as the Warriors clamped down on defense and started shooting better. The crowd went nuts as the team got rolling. Next thing you know the Warriors were leading by 22. NCThe fourth quarter saw more of the same with the Warriors allowing 19 points and pushing the lead to over 30.
the depth on the team is unbelievable. Everyone can light it up and scores in bunches. You never know who will scores in droves but you know someone will. Add to that the fact that the team thrives on playing lock down defense at a high level. Tonight the Wizards were just steamroller on both sides of the ball.
Next up is a tough road trip of 4 games against top western conference teams. If the Warriors plays like they did tonight the team should win all of its remaining 12 games.
Road Warriors ran down Portland last night 122-108 to go to 58-13 and to win the Pacific Division Crown.
Good start to a tough 4 game road trip.
Next up Memphis on Friday night. That game will be a good test of the Warriors. If they put a beat down on Memphis on the road that will likely put the Warriors in the driver's seat for the Western Conference title and the NBA title.
If OKC manages to hold onto the eighth seed in the west, I don't see them as much of a threat now that Durant is out for the year. The Dubs just need to stay healthy and rested for the next 11 regular season games.
I did not get a chance to watch the game today due to working late but I just heard that the Warriors beat Memphis by 23 points, 107 to 84. Another beat down with the Warriors playing lock down defense against the #2 team in the Western Conference.
Since the All Star break the Warriors are 17-4 and have won 13 of their last 14 games, mostly by 15 or more points. The team has recently just destroyed opponents in the third quarter with lock down defense and offensive fireworks. In the third quarter tonight the Warriors outscored Memphis 31-16. Curry went off for 17 points in the third quarter and he alone outscored Memphis.
Clippers bite the dust and the Warriors won a close game last night 110-106 in LA.
The Warriors started slow and were down by 17 points in the 2nd quarter. Blake Griffin put on a clinic, but it was not enough.
The Warriors battled back and made a game of it. In the fourth quarter the Warriors clamped down defensively on the Clippers and held the Clippers to 18 points in the 4th quarter (of which at least 10 were free throws leaving the Clippers with making only 3 shots in the entire quarter).
The Clippers played their starters most of the game and the Warriors played their second team significant minutes. The Clippers made some mistakes at the end to let the game get away form them. The loss last night must really sting for them.
The Warriors have won four straight road games against very good teams (Portland, Memphis, Milwaukee and the Clippers) by an average of 13.5 points. Since the All Star Break the team is 19-4 and they have won 15 of their last 16 games and 10 in a row.
Eight games to go in the regular season, with 5 at home and 3 on the road.
Next up Phoenix at home and then a final road trio to Dallas, San Antonio (that will be fun to watch] and New Orleans. The four games at home against Portland, Minnesota, Memphis and Denver.
Warriors won a close game in LA against the Clippers on Tuesday. After being down by 17 points midway through the 2nd quarter the Warriors rallied to win the game. The Clippers made some mistakes in the last minute of the game to end their chances of winning the game. The Warriors held the Clippers to 18 points in the 4th quarter with 10 or more of them being free throws. The Clippers made only 2 or 3 shots in the 4th quarter. The Warriors ended up winning all 4 games on their road trip [Portland, Memphis, Milwaukee and the Clippers] by an average of about 14 points per game.
61 and 13, winners of 10 straight, 19 and 4 after the All Star Break and on a roll.
Tonight the Warriors play the reeling Suns [losers of 4 straight with key players out with injuries] in Oakland. They should win tonight.
Then off on the road for games in Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans before coming home for games against Portland, Minnesota, Memphis and Denver to close out the regular season.
They way the Warriors are playing it would not surprise me to see them run the table and win their remaining 8 games to finish at 69-13.
Comments
When the playoffs start, the 8 Western Conference teams will be so evenly matched that there is no way to predict who will win and play for the title.
For the Warriors their post season success will depend on:
1. staying injury free and being at full strength (hoping Festus Ezili gets healthy soon and back on the court so he can get minutes and contribute on the front line);
2. spreading the minutes around to all players on the roster without a significant drop off in the level of play so that the starting five will not be worn out at the start of the playoffs; and
3. continuing their style of play on both ends of the floor (lock down defense; and a pedal to the metal fast break offense that spreads the ball around through passing, driving to the basket, kick outs to spot up shooters on the perimeter and crashing the boards for offensive rebounds).
The deep and talented roster the Warriors have this year is a huge plus for the team. Apparently the players on the team are all buying into what Steve Kerr is doing in his first year as a coach.
In the 3rd quarter of tonight's game he scored 37 points on 13 for 13 shooting (including 9 for 9 three point shots) and two free throws. He scored 37 of the 41 third quarter points his team scored. He scored 52 points in the game in 33 minutes, less than 3 quarters. With about 9 minutes to go in the third quarter the score was tied at 60. The Warriors won the game 126-101.
35-6 now thanks to Thompson scoring 37 points in one quarter, a new NBA record.
Sunday they play the Celtics and my son and I are going to the game. Should be fun.
MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Have fun at the game, Sanc! Report back!
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
And then to hear this kid talk about it in all the post-game interviews.....humble, respectful, well-spoken, intelligent. And Curry is the same way. If you're an NBA fan, you just can't not like these guys.
I've been on a Thompson RC buying binge over the past couple of months. I think it's about to pay off.
<< <i>Didn't matter who was guarding him, he was in a zone. The hoop was as wide as an ocean the way he was shooting. >>
I wasn't trying to diminish his accomplishment, for the record. Prior to 15 minutes ago I hadn't actually seen the highlights, thus I couldn't help but envision a slew of open looks. When you score 37 in a quarter that has to be the case, right?
Not really. I counted only a couple of uncontested shots throughout that barrage. For almost every other attempt there was very little air space. Sacramento couldn't even double up on him to get the ball out of his hands, because he was releasing just as quickly as he was receiving. A chilling display to watch.
Top 5 scoring quarters in NBA history:
2015 - Thompson (37)
2008 - Carmelo Anthony (33)
1978 - The Iceman (33)
1978 - David Thompson, he of the 44-inch vertical (32)
1962 - Wilt (31)
What I found interesting: no MJ, Wilt's best was "only" 31, and Gervin & D Thompson accomplished their feats on the exact same day while chasing the scoring crown.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
When Iceman heard that Thompson scored 73 points his comment was "D.T. for 73????"
Iceman's game was played later in the day (April 9, 1978) after Thompson had scored 73 points. Iceman needed to score 58 points to overtake Thompson and win the scoring crown. Icemand scored 53 points in the first half, then quickly scored 6 more at the start of the second half to take the scoring crown. He then was pulled from the game, only to return later to score 4 more points to end up with 63 points for the game.
In the closest scoring race ever Iceman edged Thompson with a PPG average of 27.22. Thompson's PPG for the year was 27.15.
As for what Klay Thompson experienced in the 3rd quarter of last night's game, anyone who has played basketball for a long time inevitably has an experience where they are playing "In The Zone". Klay Thompson was In The Zone last night, in a game against NBA players (who are at the very top of the top of the most physically talented adult men basketball players).
I played hoops in middle school, high school, small college and recreationally post college into my mid 30's. I had a few In The Zone experiences.
One that comes to mind was a rec league game when I was 24 years of age during my final year of law school. I played with fellow class mates, some of whom were very good basketball players who had played high school and college. The rec league we played in was very competitive with teams comprised of men in their 20's and 30's who had played competitively in high school and college.
I played a part of the game and at some point I caught fire. Everything jelled and I could do nothing wrong. It was as if I was moving and playing at warp speed while everyone else was playing slow motion, running through a thick layer of sand or even running underwater. It was as if my mind was separate from my body during the game and was a detached observer of my body and everything going on around it.
I saw the floor, saw openings, flowed into the openings, got separation from the defenders and could do anything I wanted. Whatever my mind envisioned I could do, my body did so instantaneously. Dribbling, passing, rebounding, steals, finding open spots, filling the lane, anticipating what opposing players would do and shooting the ball (from long range, on drives to the hoop, under the basket, free throws, etc.) all came together and I could do all of them effortlessly.
When I realized I could make any shot I wanted to I started shooting every time I touched the ball. After hitting multiple baskets in a row my teammates realized I was In The Zone and they started feeding me the ball to shoot. I figured why not shoot until I missed.
So I lit it up and shot the ball. Every shot went in during a hot streak. Post up shots, mid range jump shots, floaters in the lane, layups on drives to the basket, three point shots, shots off the dribble. Catch and shoot from the perimeter. Rebounding the ball on the defensive end and dribbling coast to coast, through traffic, behind my back to avoid a defender, slicing through the lane for a slam dunk. Same thing except instead of driving the lane I stopped and popped from three point range. Open shots because no defenders were close. Closely contested shots when one or more defenders were on me like glue. It did not matter what was happening. I could do no wrong and everything I did on the court, every mental decision I made on the court and even every instinctive reaction my body made while on the court turned out to be correct.
My team destroyed the other team, largely due to my being In The Zone. After I had finished my hot streak we had a large lead and I headed to the bench for the rest of the game. I had scored just under 40 points in about 3 quarters of play with most of the points coming in a hot streak that played out during one quarter. While I was on my hot streak my teammates (on the floor and on the bench) were in awe. Players on the opposing team (on the floor and on the bench) were stunned.
I was stunned and could not believe how well I had played. It was like "who is this guy?" and "why can't you do this all the time?" and "where did this come from?".
After the game players from both teams were very excited for me. The next day at school word had spread through my fellow students and through some of the professors and administrators about how well I had played the night before. I was the object of much attention and received accolades that day because I was In The Zone the night before.
Instances of being "In The Zone" like the one described above do not happen very often, but when they do it is one heck of a great experience.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be "In The Zone" like Klay Thompson was last night before 19,000+ screaming fans during a home game in the NBA.
His experience last night makes the one I had so many years ago in a rec league game seem pedestrian, but I will always remember the experience like it happened yesterday.
When Iceman heard that Thompson scored 73 points his comment was "D.T. for 73????"
Iceman's game was played later in the day (April 9, 1978) after Thompson had scored 73 points. Iceman needed to score 58 points to overtake Thompson and win the scoring crown. Iceman scored 53 points in the first half, then quickly scored 6 more at the start of the second half to take the scoring crown. He then was pulled from the game, only to return later to score 4 more points to end up with 63 points for the game.
In the closest scoring race ever Iceman edged Thompson with a PPG average of 27.22. Thompson's PPG for the year was 27.15.
As for what Klay Thompson experienced in the 3rd quarter of last night's game, anyone who has played basketball for a long time inevitably has an experience where they are playing "In The Zone". Klay Thompson was In The Zone last night, in a game against NBA players (who are at the very top of the top of the most physically talented adult men basketball players).
I played hoops in middle school, high school, small college and recreationally post college into my mid 30's. I had a few In The Zone experiences.
One that comes to mind was a rec league game when I was 24 years of age during my final year of law school. I played with fellow class mates, some of whom were very good basketball players who had played high school and college. The rec league we played in was very competitive with teams comprised of men in their 20's and 30's who had played competitively in high school and college.
I played a part of the game and at some point I caught fire. Everything jelled and I could do nothing wrong. It was as if I was moving and playing at warp speed while everyone else was playing slow motion, running through a thick layer of sand or even running underwater. It was as if my mind was separate from my body during the game and was a detached observer of my body and everything going on around it.
I saw the floor, saw openings, flowed into the openings, got separation from the defenders and could do anything I wanted. Whatever my mind envisioned I could do, my body did so instantaneously. Dribbling, passing, rebounding, steals, finding open spots, filling the lane, anticipating what opposing players would do and shooting the ball (from long range, on drives to the hoop, under the basket, free throws, etc.) all came together and I could do all of them effortlessly.
When I realized I could make any shot I wanted to I started shooting every time I touched the ball. After hitting multiple baskets in a row my teammates realized I was In The Zone and they started feeding me the ball to shoot. I figured why not shoot until I missed.
So I lit it up and shot the ball. Every shot went in during a hot streak. Post up shots, mid range jump shots, floaters in the lane, layups on drives to the basket, three point shots, shots off the dribble. Catch and shoot from the perimeter. Rebounding the ball on the defensive end and dribbling coast to coast, through traffic, behind my back to avoid a defender, slicing through the lane for a slam dunk. Same thing except instead of driving the lane I stopped and popped from three point range. Open shots because no defenders were close. Closely contested shots when one or more defenders were on me like glue. It did not matter what was happening. I could do no wrong and everything I did on the court, every mental decision I made on the court and even every instinctive reaction my body made while on the court turned out to be correct.
My team destroyed the other team, largely due to my being In The Zone. After I had finished my hot streak we had a large lead and I headed to the bench for the rest of the game. I had scored just under 40 points in about 3 quarters of play with most of the points coming in a hot streak that played out during one quarter. While I was on my hot streak my teammates (on the floor and on the bench) were in awe. Players on the opposing team (on the floor and on the bench) were stunned.
I was stunned and could not believe how well I had played. It was like "who is this guy?" and "why can't you do this all the time?" and "where did this come from?".
After the game players from both teams were very excited for me. The next day at school word had spread through my fellow students and through some of the professors and administrators about how well I had played the night before. I was the object of much attention and received accolades that day because I was In The Zone the night before.
Instances of being "In The Zone" like the one described above do not happen very often, but when they do it is one heck of a great experience.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be "In The Zone" like Klay Thompson was last night before 19,000+ screaming fans during a home game in the NBA.
His experience last night makes the one I had so many years ago in a rec league game seem pedestrian, but I will always remember the experience like it happened yesterday.
As for Klay... AMAZING! The Kings drafted Jimmer one spot ahead of Klay. Darn it.
My impressions of the team are:
1. Unbelievable depth on the roster;
2. No overpowering egos on the team;
3. All players are committed to the team and striving for a title and thereby keep their individual wants in check; and
4. They are having fun.
Tonight the team was off. There was little effort made to rebound on the offensive end. The players took too many perimeter jump shots in the first half and did not shoot a high percentage. Boston rebounded and thus kept in the game. The players should have chosen to drive to the basket for layups, dunks or kickoffs to open spot up shooters. They did this some in the second half to bump the lead to 13. The team never went on a run to distance themselves. They made some mistakes at the end of the game to let Boston back in it.
However, even given the above the Warriors played well enough to win. The team is so versatile and deeply talented. They share and distribute the ball so well. All 5 players on the floor can bring the ball up the floor and initiate the offense. The offense can be run through any player on the floor from point guard to center. Everyone is a great passer and has floor vision. Every player is an offensive threat who can shoot quickly off the dribble, when catching a pass, when driving to the hoop and when rebounding. Bogut and Lee are very good interior scorers. Every player in the first and second unit can shoot from the outside and most can shoot very well from beyond the arc. On the defensive end the players are all very long, quick and they help out. Bogut is a tremendous force on the defensive end and is very quick to block shots.
Curry and Thompson are unbelievably talented. Tonight Thompson had 31. I did not realize that until hearing it on the radio on the drive home. I would have guessed he had 18-20.
The Warriors are now 36-6. Chicago is next up. In about a week the Warriors and the Hawks play in Atlanta. That game will be fun to watch.
Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
Tomorrow the Warriors play in Atlanta against the Hawks. That will be a fun game to watch.
I hope Curry and Thompson put on a show in the All Star game.
A great season so far. Many more road game this month still to play. If they keep winning at this pace (82%) for the final 30 games of the regular season they will be on track to win about 65 games.
What was interesting about the game was that in the first half the Spurs were on fire, shooting around 60% from the field. Did not matter as the Warriors stayed with the Spurs through fast break points and excellent 3 point shooting. The Warriors lead by about 7 at half time and they pulled away in the second half.
The Warriors play only 2 home games in February and start tomorrow on a lengthy 6 game road trip back east. They play some good teams, including Cleveland, Washington and Toronto. If they can do well on this road trip they will go into March sitting at the top of the league record wise. The team is 17-7 on the road (70%) and 26-2 at home (92%). The team has 15 home games and 15 road games left. 11 of the 15 road games are against teams that currently are .500 or above. 9 of the 15 home games are against teams that currently are .500 or above. 13 of the remaining 30 games are against Western Conference teams that are currently .500 or above. 7 of the remaining 30 games are against Eastern Conference teams that are currently .500 or above. 10 remaining games are against teams with sub .500 records. The Warriors should win at least 8 of these games.
The team plays 12 games against Eastern Conference teams and 18 games against Western Conference teams to finish out the regular season.
If the Warriors play at there current pace on the road and at home in the next 30 games they will win 24 and lose 6 giving them a regular season record of 67-15. If they stumble and just play .500 ball the rest of the way they will end the regular season at 58-24. A regular season record of at least 62 wins is likely [barring injuries].
Will be fun to follow the next 30 games and see how the team sits going into the playoffs.
The team is now 49-12, winning at an 80+% rate. If the team maintains this rate it will end up 66-16 for the year.
The team has been very fun to watch this year.
Looking forward to having the playoffs start.
Are you concerned about a potential first-round matchup against the Thunder? They made a great trade shipping out Reggie Jackson and picking up a formidable center (Kanter). If Durant manages to come back healthy, they will be the toughest 8 in the history of the NBA playoffs. No one will want any part of them.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
If OKX ends up making the playoffs and has KD back at 100% no one would want to play them, especially in the first round. As for the Warriors, if they get the 1 seed in the West I do not care who they play. If it is OK that would be great. The games in that series would be great to watch. While I like the Warriors I am a casual fan and merely enjoy watching very well played games. The Warriors are playing great all around hoops this year. If they go far in the playoffs that means more fun for me. If they fail to win the title, it will not bother me because I never expected it. It has been 40 years since they last won a title. The Western Conference playoffs this year will be really good to watch.
If OKC makes the playoffs this year I do not think that any team would want to play them, especially in the first round. If Durant is back at 100% OKC becomes even more formidable.
However, I would not object to seeing the Warriors play the Thunder in round #1. That series would be extremely fun to watch and I would like it to go 7 games with the Warriors winning a close game at home in game 7.
I am a casual Warriors fan and am more of a fan of good basketball. This year the Warriors are playing beyond expectations and are excellent in all phases of the game. They have incredible depth, versatility and are playing lock down defense. They are 29-2 at home so far and 30-0 when they hold opposing teams to less than 100 points. If the Warriors go deep into the playoffs and even win a title that is great for them, for the league and for the SF Bay Area. For me it just would mean more fun watching entertaining games. If the Warriors lose in the playoffs, it will not bother me since they are playing beyond expectations and given the 40 years since their last title it is not as if the Warriors should be expected to win a title. They are like Cinderella and who knows how the season will turn out.
I have enjoyed watching the team play games this year, in part because you never know which player will step up and make a big contribution. All but one or two players on the roster has stepped up and played very well at times during the year, so well in fact that other teams just get worn out with the constant flow of fresh players coming off the Warriors bench.
Your thoughts on the Western Conference playoffs?
So unfair to have OKC battling injuries so they'll limp in at #8 and be close to full strength. Then you have the Spurs resting games and what not so they'll come in at 7. I would be mad if I was 1 or 2 this year.
I would say all 8 teams that make the playoffs, in the west, have a legit chance at being NBA champions. As of right now:
GS
Memphis
Houston
Portland
Clips
Dallas
San Antonio
OKC
If you view things from the perspective of a player that makes his teammates better and thus the entire team better, then I could easily see Curry winning the award. He is the catalyst that makes the Warriors the very good team that they are. His own personal numbers/stats this season are also very good.
Westbrook is amazing and is keeping OKC in the playoff picture. However, his team is only in 8th place right now and he has not been on the floor the entire season.
About 25% of the season remains. Who knows how Curry and Westbrook (and Hardin and LBJ and Anthony Davis) will play the rest of the season. The MVP is up in the air and I think that whoever wins the award will be deserving. It may be that the award is given to someone other than LBJ this year simply to make it "fresh" and to promote the marketing of the "game" by putting a new face out there (Curry, for example) who has many, many positive attributes that can be used to market.
The Warriors are now 50-12 with 20 games to go. A few more wins and they will be close to locking up the # seed in the Western Conference.
<< <i>Your thoughts on the Western Conference playoffs? >>
It's gonna be riveting stuff. Per usual, the West is locked and loaded. But clearly this season has a different feel to it due to key injuries, and the standings are completely out of whack as a result.
In a sense, I feel for GSW. Great team, great story, great season.....and their "reward" for catapulting to the top is a looming first rounder against OKC? Sometimes life just isn't fair. I sure hope it goes down, though, because it'll be a must-see series.
My March 9th prediction is that OKC takes the whole enchilada. But that, of course, is contingent on KD's foot. If he's not right, they'll be setting up tee times in May.
My quick take on 1-8:
Golden State - could easily hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy. What a job by first-year coach Steve Kerr. Sure they have stars, but he has created the quintessential team. Almost impossible to beat at home, and someone will have to do it at least once to oust them.
Memphis - rock solid year in and year out, but they receive very little notoriety. Handled GSW in their one and only meeting thus far this season. Lowest PA in the league. You know what they say about defense and championships...
Houston - I follow this team closer than any other. D-Howard has been MIA for half of the season, and without him it has been Harden, Harden and more James Harden. Beyond those two, there's just not enough substance to make it through the brutal West unscathed.
Portland - this squad has a lot of talent, but there's one slight problem: there are a number of teams in the West with a lot of talent. Love the inside-out game with Lillard & Aldridge, but the Blazers always seem like more of a tease than a serious contender.
LA Clippers - see Portland. If they were in the East, they'd be a perennial powerhouse. But very good in the West lands you in the middle of the playoff pack. Similar to a Durant-less OKC, if Griffin doesn't come all the way back, golf in May!
Dallas - a puzzling team. I can't decide if they'll be summarily bounced in the first round or make an unexpected deep run. Hard not to root for Dirk. Personally, if I were coaching a team in the top half of the draw I'd much rather play...
San Antonio - ...this bunch. I love the Spurs and everything they have stood for for years, but last I checked, Father Time is undefeated. They just look old now. Duncan, Parker & Ginobili appear as if they're finally hitting the proverbial wall, and the stats seem to bear this out. But never, ever count out a Coach Pop team.
OKC - as I said, my brazen pick to win it all. Had they not picked up Kanter, I'd be selecting someone else. I just think he's the legit big man that they've been coveting for years. Russell Westbrook is playing like LeBron on roids. Last 10 games: 35 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 10.4 APG. But KD is the ultimate X factor. Will his foot hold up?
Ask and ye shall receive.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
19 games to go.
Tomorrow's game is in Denver and after that the team plays 6 games at home.
Assuming the team keeps up its current pace, it will win 15 more games to end the season 66-16.
Really looking forward to the playoffs, particularly the Western Conference games. I hope the Warriors lock up home court advantage through out the playoffs. If so, that bodes well for the team since it is now 29-2 at home this year.
The Warriors clinched a palyoff spot with its win last night.
Funny thing about this thread is that the past 2 or so replies have failed to show up in the thread. I wonder if this reply will show up?
1. Atlanta at home
2. New Orleans at home;
3. Utah at home (the Jazz are playing well);
4. Washington at home (the Wizards have stumbled lately);
5. at Portland;
6. at Memphis;
7 at Milwaukee;
8. at LA Clippers;
9. Phoenix at home;
10. at Dallas;
11. at San Antonio;
12. at New Orleans;
13. Portland at home;
14. Minnesota at home;
15. Memphis at home; and
16. Denver at home.
Of these sixteen games, only three teams (Denver, Minnesota and Utah) have losing records. The other 13 have records above .500 and many are way above .500. Of these 13 teams only three (Atlanta, Washington and Milwaukee) are from the Eastern Conference. The other ten games are against very good Western Conference teams (Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio, LA Clippers, New Orleans, Portland and Phoenix). All of these teams, except New Orleans are currently sitting in spots 2-7 of the Western Conference playoff race. OKC has spot #8 and New Orleans is just 1/2 game behind OKC for the #8 playoff spot.
If the Warriors win most of these upcoming 16 games (12 or 13 wins would be on par with their current .803 winning percentage) that would be very impressive. Doing so would easily lock up the #1 seen in the Western Conference. If they beat Atlanta tomorrow night they would increase the small lead they have for the best record in the league and the #1 seen throughout the playoffs.
If the Warriors win 12 or 13 of the next 16 games the team would have to be considered the favorite to win the Western Conference title. If instead they stumble and end up losing half or more of the upcoming games then I think that other teams in the playoffs would be emboldened to think that they have a good chance of knocking out the 2014-2015 Cinderella Warriors and sending them home.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
I touched on this up above, but it's what I keep thinking about. They've lost two games at home the entire season. In any given playoff series, if GSW takes just one road game, then their opponent will have to beat them twice at Oracle to remove them. That, my friends, is a daunting proposition.
you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet
Atlanta shot about 36% from the field last night.
The Warriors are long, quick and hard nosed on defense.
When all things are clicking for the team they are fun to watch. Opposing teams on the receiving end of a game like the one played last night can only shake their heads in disbelief.
The Warriors started 21-2 (winning at a rate of 91.3%) Since then they have cooled off and are merely 33-11 (winning at a rate of 75%, or three out of every four games). If they keep up this 75% winning rate they will win 11 of their remaining 15 games and end up with a 65 and 17 record.
Galaxy27 is correct. If the Warriors have home court advantage in the playoffs, one win by the Warriors on the road would mean that the opposing team would have to win 2 games in Oakland. Since the Warriors are now 31-2 at home this season, it is unlikely that a team could win these 2 games.
It would be great if the Warriors saw Klay Thompson return in a week and also run the table for the remaining 13 games of the regular season. With the way they have been playing it would not surprise me.
She rocks
My wife and I went to the game. The first half was close with the Warriors leading 52-49 at the half. The crowd was sedate in the first half and the Warriors did not shoot well.
The second half was a different story. Washington scored 8 points in the third quarter as the Warriors clamped down on defense and started shooting better. The crowd went nuts as the team got rolling. Next thing you know the Warriors were leading by 22. NCThe fourth quarter saw more of the same with the Warriors allowing 19 points and pushing the lead to over 30.
the depth on the team is unbelievable. Everyone can light it up and scores in bunches. You never know who will scores in droves but you know someone will. Add to that the fact that the team thrives on playing lock down defense at a high level. Tonight the Wizards were just steamroller on both sides of the ball.
Next up is a tough road trip of 4 games against top western conference teams. If the Warriors plays like they did tonight the team should win all of its remaining 12 games.
Good start to a tough 4 game road trip.
Next up Memphis on Friday night. That game will be a good test of the Warriors. If they put a beat down on Memphis on the road that will likely put the Warriors in the driver's seat for the Western Conference title and the NBA title.
Since the All Star break the Warriors are 17-4 and have won 13 of their last 14 games, mostly by 15 or more points. The team has recently just destroyed opponents in the third quarter with lock down defense and offensive fireworks. In the third quarter tonight the Warriors outscored Memphis 31-16. Curry went off for 17 points in the third quarter and he alone outscored Memphis.
Amazing.
60-13 with 9 games to go.
Next up the Clippers in LA.
The Warriors started slow and were down by 17 points in the 2nd quarter. Blake Griffin put on a clinic, but it was not enough.
The Warriors battled back and made a game of it. In the fourth quarter the Warriors clamped down defensively on the Clippers and held the Clippers to 18 points in the 4th quarter (of which at least 10 were free throws leaving the Clippers with making only 3 shots in the entire quarter).
The Clippers played their starters most of the game and the Warriors played their second team significant minutes. The Clippers made some mistakes at the end to let the game get away form them. The loss last night must really sting for them.
The Warriors have won four straight road games against very good teams (Portland, Memphis, Milwaukee and the Clippers) by an average of 13.5 points. Since the All Star Break the team is 19-4 and they have won 15 of their last 16 games and 10 in a row.
Eight games to go in the regular season, with 5 at home and 3 on the road.
Next up Phoenix at home and then a final road trio to Dallas, San Antonio (that will be fun to watch] and New Orleans. The four games at home against Portland, Minnesota, Memphis and Denver.
61 and 13, winners of 10 straight, 19 and 4 after the All Star Break and on a roll.
Tonight the Warriors play the reeling Suns [losers of 4 straight with key players out with injuries] in Oakland. They should win tonight.
Then off on the road for games in Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans before coming home for games against Portland, Minnesota, Memphis and Denver to close out the regular season.
They way the Warriors are playing it would not surprise me to see them run the table and win their remaining 8 games to finish at 69-13.