GAMETHREAD: Hornets @ Warriors 12/09/06 7:30pm pst

Preview: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_ylt=A...?gid=2006120909

Post predictions

I think we can win this one. New Orleans is also on a slump.

We can't get outworked on the glass this time. I don't care if somebody puts up 10 boards, we need both defensive and offensive boards + defense + conversion on second chance points + good fouls (not silly ones) + physical play and hustle that allows one of the teammates to come up with the ball.

If Murphy or Biedrins gets 10 rebounds each we can still suck if the team as a whole isn't doing the things that can earn us the posession or extra posession. We also need to take care of the ball, swing it around, and make defensive stops or get steals. If we stand around or become inactive on defense, then we lose. Baron has to trust some of these guys on his team because he's got no choice. He's even worse if he tries to do too much by himself. He's not very high %.

 

I believe Monta will be out tonight...

No JRichh, Monta (sprained ankle), Diogu, O'Bryant (got hit in the head by murphy or something), Roberson (dislocated finger or something), Zarko...

Though some of them are game-time situation.

Bring on the Dun-Murph combo!

 

groan...

 

Well, NO is still very good, IMO, so this is no gimme. Look for Baron Davis to be the barometer: if he comes out in the first quarter non-chalant and jacks up some lazy bricks from the outside, GS loses this game. If he comes out quick, aggressive and looking to put on a show (like vs. Kings on TNT), GS wins going away.

THe point guard is last player you want to be the barometer, because that's the last position you want inconsistecy from. You always want as solid performance there (not spectacular, just reliable) because the offense starts there.

Nonetheless, Baron is the most inconsistent player at times (not always stat-wise, but mentality wise). He's Dr. Jeckyl / Mr. Hyde. The reason why he's the barometer then is because the young guys take their cue from him; Monta feeds off Baron and looks to him for an example.

 

Who is the barometer then? Dunleavy or Murphy? I mean outside of any post presence, their shots need to go down basically... or else the opposing big men won't respond against those shooters and then the guards can't operate as well because of the paint being too crowded with defenders who want us to shoot.

If we have Biedrins, there's some chance we can force a mismatch inside because he's so active that big men often lose him or have to worry about him and dribble penetrating guards. If no other big man comes inside to score, the big man just has to worry about guards...

And don't get me started about dunks vs. layups with contact. A guy who can do both has respect and fear from the interior defender. They will not challenge people as much that can throw one down with power or look for contact. If we have to go with one more soft PF, I'm going to puke. The only guy who has a pass on that description IMO is Zarko Cabarkapa simply because I think he's better than Don Nelson gives him credit for. How many 6'11 guys can create their own shot, are athletic, and can finish inside and outside with dunks or layups. He just needs to get more aggressive and stronger. I believe in that guy, although for the last two years, most wouldn't.

 

I meant that Baron is the barometer. If he comes out with focus and energy, GS can win. If not, no way.

PS: what's up with the Warriors home page? It still features the screen from their win in Mexico in the pre-season:

http://www.nba.com/warriors/home.html

 

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I meant that Baron is the barometer. If he comes out with focus and energy, GS can win. If not, no way.
</div>

Baron has to do well, but so does the rest of the team. Like Baron says in the yahoo preview, we gotta play team ball... or else he'll start going lone wolf on us.

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
PS: what's up with the Warriors home page? It still features the screen from their win in Mexico in the pre-season:

http://www.nba.com/warriors/home.html</div>

It's because they are trying to purposely distract us from the last 3-4 games! Oh yeah we won in Mexico, but we dropped our last few games and it doesn't look good for the next 5.

 

<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The only guy who has a pass on that description IMO is Zarko Cabarkapa simply because I think he's better than Don Nelson gives him credit for. How many 6'11 guys can create their own shot, are athletic, and can finish inside and outside with dunks or layups. He just needs to get more aggressive and stronger. I believe in that guy, although for the last two years, most wouldn't.</div>

I thought I was the only guy who was still high on Zarko. I love the guys game and I believe he never gets a fair chance, or a consistent chance at that. His offense is just too unique to be ignored. He sucks on defense, but then so does Murphy. I love it when Zarko attacks the rim, he palms the ball like a baseball and does some crazy stuff.

 

This from Contra Costa Times, lol:

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Scrimmaging came to a halt after rookie center Patrick O'Bryant took a hard shot to the temple from Murphy while attempting a layup... O'Bryant, who is also expected to be available tonight, was on Nelson's bad side for much of the two-day minicamp. "Either that was going to happen," the coach said of O'Bryant's injury, "or I was going to knock him in the head." ... </div>

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...ts/16202388.htm

 

Why can't Murphy do that punching people in the head on a layup attempt in a real game?

 

Is the game on yet? I'm on fsn+ and all i see is a college game! nooooo ruin my weekend

 

<div class="quote_poster">iLL PiLL Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is the game on yet? I'm on fsn+ and all i see is a college game! nooooo ruin my weekend</div>Bumped over to FSN+ for the Sharks again I hate you, Comcast...HATE.

 

Where's the game on? Anything?

 

I keep channel surfing and i dont see anything. Right now Mike Montegomery is on...ugh... my FSN+ is channel 77 and I don't see the game. My friends that have 410 can see the game though

 

This sucks.I think I have basic cable package so I don't get fsn plus. I can see digital channels in the 100's though. I was in the mood for a light comedy too, but I guess I won't see the Warriors play defense.

 

Game started off very ugly with no scoring from the Warriors. Desmond Mason is playing unconciously and the Warriors ended up making a run and getting points off turnovers. I dont know if we lost our swagger or what, but man are we playing some very ugly, insecure basketball. Too many outside shots and they are all flat...

This is ugly, but at least we are in the game and not getting blown out. Murphy just causes our offense to go flat. Baron is not really the sparkplug either, especially when he is posting up...

 

Been listening on KNBR. Sounds like the Warriors will win tonight. They got it back going after slow start. Yes or no?

Put in POB!

 

Ah... it's good to be .500 again.

Baron almost had a triple double before being subbed out.

 

Yup. If Baron continues to play like this then no need to trade for AI.

Props to Don Nelson for 1200th win. He held a two day defense minicamp to earn the victory.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooo!!!