Warriors looking mortal
I thought these Golden State Warriors were immune to hiccupping in crunch time but, wow, what a choke job in Salt Lake City in the first two games. I wanted to be nice about this, but the more I look at the first two games of the series I keep saying the Warriors should be up 2-0.
I am not like Charles Barkley. I happen to love the Bay Area. I used to travel there every time I got a chance when I played for the Sacramento Kings. Right now there has to be a dark cloud over the city. The Warriors should have the decency to at least hold up the image of the downtrodden Dallas Mavericks.
Where’s the team that made plays against the Mavericks at will? But hold up… Did they?
Hmmm, let’s reflect back a minute.
Well, the Game 1 victory against Dallas was indeed a barn-burner. The Warriors held up under pressure and rode the great play of Baron Davis, but since then it’s been suspect when the games have been close.
Remember Game 5 against Dallas? The Warriors had almost a double-figure lead with few minutes left. Dirk Nowitzki went crazy and the Warriors lost composure down the stretch.
Well, here we go again. I will concede the Game 1 loss to Utah, but Game 2 was extremely disappointing. The Warriors had a nice lead late in the game and had a chance to seal the victory by executing the only thing on the basketball court where the opposing team can’t play defense: shooting a free throw.
Where is Mark Price, Calvin Murphy and Rick Barry when you need them? I know it drives me nuts when guys miss key free throws, but those guys must start throwing dishes when they see it.
Mickael Pietrus looked like he was facing a firing squad when he threw his two bricks and Davis, who is showing everyone how great a player he can be, missed one out of two and a chance to put the Warriors up three points later.
What really added insult to injury was the fact that Andris Biedrins, who might be the worst free-throw shooter I have ever seen other than Ben Wallace, made both of his to increase the Warriors lead.
This is a pattern that seems to be quite obvious and Utah has feasted on the weakness.
Keep the Warriors in a close game and you can beat them because of silly mistakes like Baron Davis not pushing the ball up the middle of the floor and instead stepping out of bounds on the sideline. This is all about fatigue. And the Warriors, who only play seven guys, seem to be tiring late in games.
So what should the Warriors do? What seems to be the answer to their woes?
Blow the Jazz out in Game 3 and 4 – which they will do. The Jazz are terrible on the road despite their Game 7 victory in Houston.
The Warriors and their crowd will be in rare form this weekend. The Warriors will ride the emotion of their crowd and abuse the Jazz and send the series back to Utah 2-2.
The Jazz might look like the better team in the series because they are up 2-0, but the Warriors have made things easy for the Jazz to grab the first two games.
Here are the keys…
The Warriors need to shut down Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur. Both players struggled on the road in the Houston series and I expect the same this time around. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer will continue to flourish because they are fearless and Derek Fisher will cause problems with his defense.
They also need a good weekend out of Monta Ellis, who has looked intimidated and lost, to finally play like the Most Improved Player. Al Harrington has to rebound and keep Boozer off the offensive glass.
I picked the Jazz in seven games and I am sticking with it. But how can I not root for the Warriors? Although they quite frankly drive me crazy.
But I love it!
Pop Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Game 2 was horrible for the warriors. Everything was right except for free throws. I really thought the warriors got that game. Oh well.
My prediction is Jazz in 6 but I really hope the warriors win.
Lupe Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
I think some players on the Warriors need to step-up, specifically Al Harrington and Monta Ellis. They have been terrible lately for the GSW. I think in Oakland however they may rise to the occasion with the homecrowd providing much needed energy. On a sidenote: Hey EJ, how come receding contracts(I don’t know if that’s the proper name, the contracts that get most of the money upfront, and decline as the years go by) aren’t more popular in the NBA. Players like Shaq would help their teams manuever in free agency as their skills decline.
Jax Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
GSW in six!
razr Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Warriors will embarrass the Jazz in games 3 and 4, which will result in the spirit of the Jazz being forever crushed, allowing the Warriors to steamroll them at home in game 5, and putting the icing on the cake in game 6 at home. that’s gonna be sweet
doctor love Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
warrios in 6
bay area warrior Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
warrior at 6 homeboy.. they probably already has 3, 4, 5 and 6 covered..
mattbarnes.. mattbarnes.. mattbarnes..
Eddie Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
looking good. Did Baron send a message to Kirilenko or what? wow
Daniel Said,
May 11, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
warriors are by far the funnest team to watch in these rather dull playoffs, and they sure have the talent, skills, and coaching expertise to win it all. Hope it happens, and since my heat broomed out, GO GSW ALL THE WAY!!
pierced Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 2:43 am
GSW will win this series.. Gm 5 will be impt though cuz GSW will run over the Jazz come Gm4..
Dirk Is Gay Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 2:50 am
Warriors in game 6!!! Too bad for them they just chocked in closing games.. but with the style and pace that both teams are playing, it favors the warriors!! the jazz are not used to playing up tempo and when they run out of offensive plays they might not be able to keep up with the warriors. Baron davis and company just needs to focus and push and push the ball as don nelson said!!
Jerry Maine Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 3:30 am
Yeah, that was quite a dunk.
Warriors in 6
J
Omar Aberilla Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 5:29 am
The Warriors is absolutely great for the fans and for the NBA in general. Unfortunately no surprises here, the Jazz is the better team. Jazz in whatever number of games. One thing is for sure though, the Jazz will come out on top.
Jerry Maine Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Disagree. I would have picked the Jazz before the series started but after seeing them barely sneak through at home, and then get their butts whipped last night in game 3, I’m thinking they’re going to crack at home in either game 5 or 7, or more to the point the Warriors will finally hold onto a lead. Frankly they Utah hav yet to be convincing, and the warriors bench has seemingly come back to life.
chris Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
Horrible free throw shooting, turnovers, and bone headed plays, should be expected. Regardless of what Golden State has done in the playoffs, they were still a team one game over a hundred, who had to win the last game to get in. What Golden State did was ride a ridiculously large wave of momentum, and at some point, (like the last two games) was bound to slam into reality. The problem with Golden State’s approach was that beating Dallas was their moral victory, their championship. After beating them, they lost that sense of urgency that drove them so far. Now, they have to start all over again. This team was never a good fundamentals group to begin with. Their game of unpredictability and frenetic sense of pace has been their calling card thoughout their season. Therefore, we should never be surprised if they fall apart time and time again. Nevertheless, I still feel that they can beat Utah. Golden State in seven, only because of Baron Davis’ brilliance.
Jerry Colangelo's dog, Rover Colangelo Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
How many three’s do you think Golden State are going to make against San Antonio?
My guess is about as many as they’ll make against the Pistons.
Jerry Maine Said,
May 13, 2007 @ 12:59 am
“What Golden State did was ride a ridiculously large wave of momentum, and at some point, (like the last two games) was bound to slam into reality.”
Umm, they like…won. On Friday. Blew them out, looked fresh and hungry again, and got their bench guys going.
Otherwise you’re half right, they make a lot of bonehead plays and miss too many freebies, but their turnover rate is actually very good, and theyre forcing a lot more off their opponent, 24 more out of Utah after 3 games, and GS averaging a very tidy 14 TO per game, while SLoans boys are bleeding 22. They broke even with Dallas at about 15. The benchmark is Detroit, who average 12, then the Spurs at 13, and neither of those teams make as many plays in a game. They shoot so god damn quick they don’t have time to turn the ball over, lol.
Richard Said,
May 13, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Hello:
Sorry to say, but GS has more experienced players in B-Diddy, Barnes(played for many a team who got to the playoffs), S. Jackson, who won a ring in 03 with S.A. (so did Okur with Detroit, but was a bench player in comparison), Al H who saw some time in Indy. Sure, I won’t put out the Jazz out to pasture; Derek Fisher-3 rings, Okur one ring, Harpring and AK, old warriors from the Stockton/Malone days when they were new to the club. Hmm…but I see Golden State whipping by. Utah vs. Golden State hopefully will go to 7 games, for it’s been fun so far to watch, especially for Hoops purists. Thanks….
Omar Aberilla Said,
May 14, 2007 @ 12:59 am
Enough said. The Jazz is the better team. I hate to say I told you so Jerry Maine. Don’t get too carried away with the flair. At the end of the day, the team with more substance players and a more structured offense will win it out. The Warriors seem lost in close games. If they get it going early, good for them. But you can’t always expect to have a rout in the playoffs. That’s where a structured offense comes in handy. The Mavs made a mistake of adapting to the 8th-seeded team’s style of play with those lineup changes and all, rather than imposing their presence and making the Warriors adjust to them, which is what the best team in the NBA (regular season standings-wise) is supposed to do. The Jazz knew better than the Mavs and stuck with their system. But i must admit, a lot of it has to do with the heady play of one of the league’s best point guards, Deron Williams. Either way, Jazz is the better team.
Michael Mitchell Said,
May 14, 2007 @ 4:30 am
I guess in some ways you are like Chuck… cause after making a Warriors prediction you ate pie.
Zane from London Said,
May 14, 2007 @ 11:18 am
As much as I want the Warriors to win, I’m picking the Jazz to win this in 6. Andrei Kirilenko is looking like his old self - that spells trouble for GSW. With AK back, Boozer in All-star form, Okur playing well, Deron Williams running the point and Sloan on the bench, this team is going to go deep in the West.
chris Said,
May 14, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Hi Jerry
I’m the guy who wrote that “golden state was riding a ridiculously large wave of momentum.” Looks like the series shifts back to Utah after Golden State imploded and now, I’m 3/4 right.
Jazzman Said,
May 14, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
I have nothing but respect and admiration for the warriors. If (by chance) they come out on top; no questions asked, I’ll root for them. The Jazz have their number, however. Warriors run and gun too much; they’re slowing down (see game 4 which totally favored the Jazz style of play). GS is running out of Umph. GS believes but Utah believes MORE.
steven thomas Said,
May 15, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Sure Baron Davis made a poster of AK47 but one player cant made a diffrence they need their roll players to finnaly step up like Monta Ellis, he was the high scorer when the baron was hurt wut hapend to him now? washed up allready!
n8theglad Said,
May 16, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Wow I can’t believe the warriors lost. Oh wait yes I can. A bunge of no talent thugs who step up on the stage of the semi’s of the NBA playoff’s expecting to win at Utah. Fat chance. Maybe if they would play basketball I would have given them a chance. But seeing as how all they know is the 3-ball and how to take out their frustration via cheap shots and not with the ball they should have conceded the series right after Baron coldcocked AK in order to dunk on him. Nice try Oaktown, but Al Davis needed a few more “I’m an all-star” babies on the turf this coming season. Davis, Jackson and Barnes here’s your next curtain call.