Playoff Run in the West

Discussion in 'Golden State Warriors' started by jason bourne, Mar 12, 2007.

  1. jason bourne

    jason bourne JBB JustBBall Member

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    I swear this is a weird, unreal way to end a season, but it's been like this for all the West's playoff bottom feeders.

    Maybe the West isn't as dominant over the East as it used to be the past several years.

    As comparison, last year's 8th seed from the West was Sacramento with a 44 - 38 record. Before the season, I remember Kings announcer Grant Napear saying it will take about 45 wins to make it in the West. Boy, was he wrong!

    In the East, Milwaukee ended up making it with a 40 - 42 record last season.

    The point is, even though it's a screwy, out of the normal, season for the West's playoff bottom feeders, there are two types of teams which make the playoffs or nearly make it in the bottom feeder category. Those teams on the rise like -- NO/OKC, Portland and Orlando or teams on the way down like Sacramento, Minnesota, New Jersey and YOUR Golden State Warriors.

    Look at last year's 8th seeds and their record this year -- Milwaukee and Sacramento. The Bucks had some key injuries, and even though they were a team on the rise, they suck this year. Sacramento is still competing, but they were ready to pack it up and make major trades before the trading deadline.

    So, it's not over for the Warriors because the playoff bottom feeders in the West suck so bad this season, but they should just regroup and get ready for next season. It's not a team you can build for the future even if they get lucky and back into the playoffs.

    We STILL got suck.
     
  2. AnimeFANatic

    AnimeFANatic JBB JustBBall Member

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    Who cares if we suck, I still want to be in the playoffs! I want to be able to root for the Warriors in the playoffs at least once. It's on the list of things to do before I die, so they better goddamn do it.

    Anyway, Mavs should just let the Warriors win. They clinched the playoffs and pretty much the 1st seed, help us out man!
     
  3. jason bourne

    jason bourne JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who cares if we suck, I still want to be in the playoffs! I want to be able to root for the Warriors in the playoffs at least once. It's on the list of things to do before I die, so they better goddamn do it.

    Anyway, Mavs should just let the Warriors win. They clinched the playoffs and pretty much the 1st seed, help us out man!</div>

    I WANT the Warriors to make the playoffs, too. It's just that they HAVE to make it. It's a MUST do situation. There is no in-between.

    That said, it is so difficult to pick out a pattern for this team. Could you have predicted this to happen?

    1. The Warriors blow out the odds on favorite NBA champs for this season ending their 17-game consecutive win streak on the second game of a back-to-back. On the other hand, they get blown out by the weaker Portland Trailblazers the night before.
    2. The Warriors have repeated this in the past month or so, too. They beat playoff teams like Detroit, one of the East leaders, Denver, LA Clippers and even Washington (consider it a weak despite freak loss) and have losing season records against teams like Atlanta, Milwaukee, New York and Philadelphia.

    I mean what is this team's MO or identity? We only win when Baron's in the lineup even for a few minutes? Baron is key. It's gotta be a home game and not on the road? The Warriors win only against playoff teams and can't get up for the lesser teams?

    Then there are the nagging injury questions. Can Baron finish out the season on his knees? How about Stephen Jackson's turf toe? Is JRich 100%? And does AB have enough left to make it to the finish line? How important is Foyle to this team?

    We all have been through it this season. Just when we have this team pegged after losses to Atlanta or Philadelphia, they turn around and end up beating Detroit or Dallas. They also show they can beat the Nuggets and Clippers on a given night. It's the most schizophrenic team I've ever seen -- YOUR Golden State Bi-polar Warriors [​IMG]?

    GO BI-POLAR WARRIORS IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!1111!!!!!1111 [​IMG]
     
  4. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Here is my prediction for the rest of the season based off your insights...

    Record right now 30-36. I predict a 39-43. I dont know if that will be enough for the 8th seed. That would be a .476% which might be good enough to land the 8th spot considering the Clippers have a .468% right now and they have the last playoff spot locked up. So unless everyone is healthy including Baron and we play our butts off, hopes are pretty slim...

    Min-W
    @Sea-W
    @UT-L
    Was-W
    @LAL-L
    SAS-L
    Phe-L
    Mem-W
    @Hou-L
    @Mem-W
    @SAS-L
    UT-W
    @Sac-W
    Min-W
    Dal-L
    @Por-W
     
  5. Clif25

    Clif25 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">jason voorhees Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I WANT the Warriors to make the playoffs, too. It's just that they HAVE to make it. It's a MUST do situation. There is no in-between.

    That said, it is so difficult to pick out a pattern for this team. Could you have predicted this to happen?

    1. The Warriors blow out the odds on favorite NBA champs for this season ending their 17-game consecutive win streak on the second game of a back-to-back. On the other hand, they get blown out by the weaker Portland Trailblazers the night before.
    2. The Warriors have repeated this in the past month or so, too. They beat playoff teams like Detroit, one of the East leaders, Denver, LA Clippers and even Washington (consider it a weak despite freak loss) and have losing season records against teams like Atlanta, Milwaukee, New York and Philadelphia.

    I mean what is this team's MO or identity? We only win when Baron's in the lineup even for a few minutes? Baron is key. It's gotta be a home game and not on the road? The Warriors win only against playoff teams and can't get up for the lesser teams?

    Then there are the nagging injury questions. Can Baron finish out the season on his knees? How about Stephen Jackson's turf toe? Is JRich 100%? And does AB have enough left to make it to the finish line? How important is Foyle to this team?

    We all have been through it this season. Just when we have this team pegged after losses to Atlanta or Philadelphia, they turn around and end up beating Detroit or Dallas. They also show they can beat the Nuggets and Clippers on a given night. It's the most schizophrenic team I've ever seen -- YOUR Golden State Bi-polar Warriors [​IMG]?

    GO BI-POLAR WARRIORS IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!!1111!!!!!1111 [​IMG]</div>

    I love it, the "Bi-Polar Warriors", haha. That is so true. Or maybe more it's like the Golden State Warriors make us, the fans bi-polar. Then again Don Nelson is confused on what to even expect from this team, it seems. This team's identity and MO aren't that great. Fortunately the opponents like the Clippers, Kings, Hornets, and Minnesota have a similar MO of losing on the road as well. Unfortunately the Warriors have the worst road record out of that bunch. The Clippers are 8-21, Kings 10-20, Hornets 9-23, and Minnesota 9-22 on the road. The Warriors however do have the best confrence record from the bunch, it's just a losing record vs. the East which also hurts this team. Basically the rest of the season looks like it's all vs. the West so there aren't going to be any easy ones, which may be good for the Warriors mentality at least. Also teams like the Clippers without Livingston and Cassell(unless if he is cleared to play now), Denver (after the AI deal), and the Kings aren't really teams that have great chemistry, I'd say either. So the Warriors definitley externally are in the picture and aren't that far out at all. The Clippers play the Spurs tonight on the road which could give the W's a good shot to gain half a game tonight.

    Basically for the Warriors it's win or go home. There is no more "next games" and no more "next weeks" or "next road trip" or "next home stands", each game and each week is critical to make the playoffs. I can see the Warriors going on a losing streak with this upcoming schedule. But I will keep some hope that they can keep it going. I can also see this team going .500 the rest of the way, but I am not sure if that will be enough, like Warriorfansnc93 said. Hopefully the Warriors can add one victory such as a steal from the Spurs at home to end the season going 10-6 which may be good enough (40-42)

    An important player is Mickael Pietrus. I suppose his performance is related to Baron "The Boss" Davis, but when his game is on I see good things happening for the Warriors, such as this last win. When he is air-balling, charging, travelling, not playing defense, then this team is not able to reach its full potential. To build off this Dallas game and to keep that type of game going, it will be up to Mickael Pietrus to be the catalyst he can be to really keep that going. And again, Pietrus' game which is effected by the Boss, which also means that Baron needs to stay healthy as well.
     
  6. AlleyOop

    AlleyOop JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Warriorfansnc93 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
    Min-W
    @Sea-W
    @UT-L
    Was-W
    @LAL-L
    SAS-L
    Phe-L
    Mem-W
    @Hou-L
    @Mem-W
    @SAS-L
    UT-W
    @Sac-W
    Min-W
    Dal-L
    @Por-W</div>

    Can't argue with this, although that Utah win will be tough.
     
  7. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Can't argue with this, although that Utah win will be tough.</div>

    Yeah, but it is at home...
     
  8. AnimeFANatic

    AnimeFANatic JBB JustBBall Member

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    Lets hope Dunleavy and Murphy can help the Warriors out by beating the Wolves...
     
  9. AnimeFANatic

    AnimeFANatic JBB JustBBall Member

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    Ugh... they can't even help us out a little. Damn you Murphleavy!!
     
  10. Clif25

    Clif25 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ugh... they can't even help us out a little. Damn you Murphleavy!!</div>

    Yeah both Denver and Minnesota won. Fortunately the other teams, the Clippers, Kings, and Hornets each lost tonight. Apparently the Warriors hold their fate in their hands. All they need to do is win. Nobody else is deciding to run away with it.
     
  11. Run BJM

    Run BJM Heavy lies the crown. Staff Member Global Moderator

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    <div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ugh... they can't even help us out a little. Damn you Murphleavy!!</div>

    Ugh... the Pacers had a 14 point 4th Q, Minny scored 28 in the fourth and won by 5. Indy has now lost 10 in a row and it looks like they'll be in a tie with NJ for the 8th spot. Dun and Murphy will never make the playoffs.

    Other than that its been a good night for the W's. Sac lost to Cleveland, NO lost to NJ, LAC lost to SA. Denver has a comfortable lead over Portland right now but its not a big deal since I'd rather we have the 8th seed, Denver is pretty far out of reach from us, and Portland is actually getting a bit close to being a somewhat serious playoff contender.

    Warriors are still in the 9th spot, a half game back of the Clips, who've now lost 4 in a row and have 5 more games left on their current road trip, including Houston tomorrow. We're a half game ahead of the Wolves and we play them in Oakland on Friday, also a half game ahead of Sac who lost 3 in a row and has 4 games left on their road trip including a 4 games in 5 nights stretch (first game being their loss tonight). We're now a game ahead of NO, who've lost 6 in a row with a 2 game back-to-back road trip coming up. Since there isn't much separation anything could happen but its encouraging to see all these teams falling apart while we're starting to play better.

    The W's have a tough schedule ahead but have played more games than any of the other teams and will have more rest between games. Also, IIRC Fitzgerald mentioned last night that we have a few more home games than any other PO contenders and we don't have any more giant road trips to the east coast. We also own the tie breakers against the Kings and Hornets.
     
  12. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ugh... they can't even help us out a little. Damn you Murphleavy!!</div>


    Dunleavy is even getting booed in Minnesota! [​IMG]

    "Dunleavy drew boos in the fourth when he batted the ball out of bounds. A fan had to have quick hands, to keep it from hitting his face. ..."

    [​IMG]

    I think Murphleaviogu had a combined 27pts or something like that...
     
  13. AlleyOop

    AlleyOop JBB JustBBall Member

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    Diogu had 3 points in 22 minutes
     
  14. boogiescott

    boogiescott JBB JustBBall Member

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    YEs Warriors make the playoffs .... but watching the lakers on another free fall losing streak while denver creeps up on them makes me happy as well.. The Warriors in ...the lakers in the lottery.... a perfect world
     
  15. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">boogielew Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">YEs Warriors make the playoffs .... but watching the lakers on another free fall losing streak while denver creeps up on them makes me happy as well.. The Warriors in ...the lakers in the lottery.... a perfect world</div>

    I doubt that would happen. What happend to the Lakers, they looked like one of the elite teams again at one point.
     
  16. iLL PiLL

    iLL PiLL JBB JustBBall Member

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    I heard they are having major chemistry problems. Vujacic or whatever cursed out Odom, Smush cursed out Phil and Brian Cook threw his warmups at Phil when going into the game
     
  17. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">iLL PiLL Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I heard they are having major chemistry problems. Vujacic or whatever cursed out Odom, Smush cursed out Phil and Brian Cook threw his warmups at Phil when going into the game</div>


    Wow, maybe they will fall apart and not make the playoffs. Wouldn't that be something. So LAL, LAC, SAC would all be out of the playoffs and GSW would be in. How about that for ironic, the Warriors the best team in CA?[​IMG]
     
  18. Kwan1031

    Kwan1031 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Well, Lakers also have their share of injury problem. So, that's the main reason why they have been losing. We are 4-0 with healthy line up, and hope we can maintain this healthy line up (Finally!) as long as we can. Who knows? We may even see something called 'road win'.

    Not that I ever doubted about the trade, but both Jackson and Harrington have been rather nice additions. I think we all expected Harrington to be a factor. But, Jackson has been a surprise. Where is this 4.4 ast come from? As long as he can maintain to be a solid citizen (crossing fingers), I won't mind having him and his 6 mils price tag.

    For Indiana... I still don't know why they made the trade. Did they really really really want to get rid of Jackson? Did they fall in love with Diogu? Did they honestly think Dunleavy/Murphy package will be better than Harrington/Jackson? Dunleavy has been playing well lately, but Murphy has been surprisingly ineffective. And, once in a while Diogu dominates the post, but most of times, he is quite ineffective. It's as if unless the situation is just right for him, he can't adjust the situation at all. They lost 9 straight games, and without O'Neal, who knows how far they will tumble?

    16 games left. Let's go for 10-6...
     
  19. AlleyOop

    AlleyOop JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Kwan1031 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">For Indiana... I still don't know why they made the trade. Did they really really really want to get rid of Jackson? Did they fall in love with Diogu? Did they honestly think Dunleavy/Murphy package will be better than Harrington/Jackson? Dunleavy has been playing well lately, but Murphy has been surprisingly ineffective. And, once in a while Diogu dominates the post, but most of times, he is quite ineffective. It's as if unless the situation is just right for him, he can't adjust the situation at all. They lost 9 straight games, and without O'Neal, who knows how far they will tumble?</div>

    Good points, Kwan. Murphy has basically been what he was here AFTER his injury problems. Slow and mediocre. Nothing impressive. Meanwhile his counterpart (Harrington) is having 25+ point games and hitting big threes to guide the team to victory. Harrington has his shortcomings inside (defense, rebounding) but he seems suprisingly open to ACCEPT his limitations and try to work harder. On the pre-game he talked about how Nellie will bench him if he doesn't rebound. He seems very coachable and willing to work harder, which is great.

    Dunleavy? he's had a few deep games but his averages since the trade are the same as they were here: average. Basically he puts up Matt Barnes numbers, lol. I guess that deserves 5 years 45 mils, yeah?

    Again, meanwhile, SJax has been clutch. From everywhere: distributing, defending, scoring, etc. Just an awesome teammate. He's not going to dominate a game; but he'll always be ready to be a key factor. A perfect compliment to baron.

    I cannot imagine winning some of these games if we had Murphleavy instead of Sjax/Al. Murphleavy just seemed to bring NO heart or killer instinct. Man, SJax's enthusiasm and demeanor on the court alone outweigh Murphleavy. I'd take Sjax straight up for Murphleavy; Al is just icing on the cake.

    Diogu? I think you're spot on there. It's like, once in a great while, when the stars align, he comes out and has an Elton Brand type explosion for 25pts 10reb and 4 blocks.

    Then, he has five more chances to follow it up, but he lays eggs. Tonight he got the start, and had 3 points and 5 reb in 22 minutes.

    Meanwhile, I don't mind Powell at this point at all. He doesn't look like he could be future all-star, but you know what: he doesn't have off nights like Diogu does. As soon as he checks in, he's ready to play. Can't say that when Ike was here. Ike would come in and not know whether the team was in man or zone, lol. Powell knows his role, it seems, and he quietly does what NEllie asks. Oh, and he keeps knocking down that damn mid-range shot. One of the most consistent mid-range shooters on the team? Powell.

    I think 10-6 or even 9-7 may do it. But with the way they're rolling right now, what's wrong with 12-4!
     
  20. Warriorfansnc93

    Warriorfansnc93 JBB JustBBall Member

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    At 30-36 it would take an 11-5 record to get to .500 by the end of the season. If we do that, we may very well end up with the 6th or 7th seed the way teams are playing up there. Denver is barely .500 and the Lakers are dropping like a rock...

    With that said, I doubt this team is as good as it has looked with this "fully healthy lineup". Baron Davis has admitted his explosiveness is gone. I hope he can rest up these 3 days and not have his knee lock up on him like it did in Portland...
     

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