Oh my....
First off, big ups to my boy Chef Bagel Dogg for inviting me to the game last night. At first, I was a bit skeptical, and truthfully, I always avoid picking the Spurs game in my annual Golden State Warrior Season ticket draft because frankly, the Spurs have owned the Warriors (30-5 in the Tim Duncan Era) and I just didn't think they could win. But the other truth, is that my boy Bagel Dogg's seats are the kind where no matter who is playing, you do not turn down an opportunity to sit at half court, 8 rows from the floor, at eye level with the rim.
The first thing that was clearly obvious to me, and what was so much more evident from my new vantage point was JUST how good Andris Biedrins is. With Monta Ellis turning the ball over on 3 of the first 4 possesions, it was Biedrins who steadied the Warriors in that first quarter with an array of great catches and touch put backs. For a guy his size, his hands are amazing and he moves with the fluidity of a guard. He catches everything, and really has a soft touch around the rim.
As for the aformentioned Ellis, I love to see that Nelson had no point yanking him early in the first quarter because of his miscues. Bruce Jenkins has a good article in today's SF Chronicle about impact of Nelson. The thing I love most about what he has shown us through the first 15 games, is that:
1. No one is above the team.
If you are not producing on the court, you will sit, and he will find someone else who will produce.
2. He is not afraid to mix and match lineups in an effort to find the best possible match ups for the current game. He plays to win, and to win on that given night.
This is a huge contradiction to Mike Montgomery who ran the same tired line up out on the court for two straight years, even when the team proved that they could not play well together.
Who is this Matt Barnes?
Bucking all UCLA powder blue trends, this cat is going to be a fixture in Golden State Warrior rotations for as long as Nelson is coaching here. The dude is ballin right now, filling it up, and contributing more than just shows up in the box score. After posting back to back career highs in points against the Nuggets and Jazz, Barnes was again in the starting lineup, and again made his impact felt. Though he did not score 20+, he scored, rebounded and defended extremely well. As Tim Kawakami points out in his blog, Barnes gritty-ness has possibly inspired Mike Dunleavy to play with a little bit more passion, and edge. Dunleavy was fantastic again last night, and really sealed the win by hitting a huge 3 mid way through the 4th quarter to cap the decisive 13-0 Warriors run, that took the Dubs from down 82-81, to up 94-82. The Spurs were never able to recover, thank mostly impart to a swarming Warriors defense, and Andris Biedrins who at one point blocked 3 straight Tim Duncan shot attempts.
Last night was a great win at the "O". The Dubs inproved to 8-3 at home, and as Bobby Fitzgerald pointed out on the post game show, the Warriors are relly starting to defend the home court, and gain a home court advantage. Lord knows, that Warriors fans deserve it. But most importantly, winning at home is the number one recepie for gaining entrance into the playoffs.
Other random NBA notes:
Tony Parker is amazing. He dominated Monta Ellis early, causing the three turnovers, and then getting into the lane, and finishing with an array of layups, floaters, and assists to Duncan for easy buckets. He is one of the fastest players in the league, and really a joy to watch. He scored 28 points, and all without hitting a three point shot, which for a guard, shows real offensive effiency.
If you were ever wondering why so many NFL teams are mimiking basketball players with their end zone or sack dances, here is your answer
Lastly, if you have not already seen this, it is worth replaying over and over and over. (As I did yesterday)
Warriors host the Indianapolis Pacer tomorrow. Trying to make it three in a row.
The first thing that was clearly obvious to me, and what was so much more evident from my new vantage point was JUST how good Andris Biedrins is. With Monta Ellis turning the ball over on 3 of the first 4 possesions, it was Biedrins who steadied the Warriors in that first quarter with an array of great catches and touch put backs. For a guy his size, his hands are amazing and he moves with the fluidity of a guard. He catches everything, and really has a soft touch around the rim.
As for the aformentioned Ellis, I love to see that Nelson had no point yanking him early in the first quarter because of his miscues. Bruce Jenkins has a good article in today's SF Chronicle about impact of Nelson. The thing I love most about what he has shown us through the first 15 games, is that:
1. No one is above the team.
If you are not producing on the court, you will sit, and he will find someone else who will produce.
2. He is not afraid to mix and match lineups in an effort to find the best possible match ups for the current game. He plays to win, and to win on that given night.
This is a huge contradiction to Mike Montgomery who ran the same tired line up out on the court for two straight years, even when the team proved that they could not play well together.
Who is this Matt Barnes?
Bucking all UCLA powder blue trends, this cat is going to be a fixture in Golden State Warrior rotations for as long as Nelson is coaching here. The dude is ballin right now, filling it up, and contributing more than just shows up in the box score. After posting back to back career highs in points against the Nuggets and Jazz, Barnes was again in the starting lineup, and again made his impact felt. Though he did not score 20+, he scored, rebounded and defended extremely well. As Tim Kawakami points out in his blog, Barnes gritty-ness has possibly inspired Mike Dunleavy to play with a little bit more passion, and edge. Dunleavy was fantastic again last night, and really sealed the win by hitting a huge 3 mid way through the 4th quarter to cap the decisive 13-0 Warriors run, that took the Dubs from down 82-81, to up 94-82. The Spurs were never able to recover, thank mostly impart to a swarming Warriors defense, and Andris Biedrins who at one point blocked 3 straight Tim Duncan shot attempts.
Last night was a great win at the "O". The Dubs inproved to 8-3 at home, and as Bobby Fitzgerald pointed out on the post game show, the Warriors are relly starting to defend the home court, and gain a home court advantage. Lord knows, that Warriors fans deserve it. But most importantly, winning at home is the number one recepie for gaining entrance into the playoffs.
Other random NBA notes:
Tony Parker is amazing. He dominated Monta Ellis early, causing the three turnovers, and then getting into the lane, and finishing with an array of layups, floaters, and assists to Duncan for easy buckets. He is one of the fastest players in the league, and really a joy to watch. He scored 28 points, and all without hitting a three point shot, which for a guard, shows real offensive effiency.
If you were ever wondering why so many NFL teams are mimiking basketball players with their end zone or sack dances, here is your answer
Lastly, if you have not already seen this, it is worth replaying over and over and over. (As I did yesterday)
Warriors host the Indianapolis Pacer tomorrow. Trying to make it three in a row.
posted by DailyDub at 8:51 AM
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