Warriors at .500 Again

Defense!! They won with Defense. Who would have ever thought that the Warriors would win with D? Not me. I kept waiting (I started in the 2nd half) for the offensive explosion which never came yet they hung in there and smoothered the Kings and held them to 2 of 23 in the 4th and 14 pts. Wow.</p>

Maybe there's really something special cooking.</p>

SJax with two huge 3s to put the Ws ahead, then some hustle rebounds and two clutch FTs by Monta (he smiled before the 2nd, nice to see some confidence).</p>

 

Great 4th quarter. </p>

I was cringing at Sjax on the 2nd three point make, but he made it. He's got the green light for anything as far as I'm concerned. I never really liked the way he dribbled the ball because he doesn't protect it enough, but there's few things that you can complain about with Sjax. He's the difference maker because he's quick, he passes, shoots, drives, defends, and he's clutch. He's as complete as a player can be without being a superstar. He should be on that all-star ballot though. He's got to win at least once like Nick Van Exel, Michael Redd, Wally Scerzbiak, Clif Robinson, Dale Davis, Manu Ginobili, and Andrei Kirilenko have. Maybe it will happen one of these days because he's just been terrific when it counts.</p>

And, yeah, he's a thug, but he's our thug. He's a brilliant ball player as a complimentary or lead guy.</p>

 

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

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Four straight wins for the Warriors, 7 out of their last 8, and 5-1 since SJax returned from suspension. The Warriors are right back in the playoff picture in just two weeks.</p>

An interesting statistic has been the opposing teams FG%. Warriors are getting it done with the defense!</p>

<u>5 Game losing streak</u></p>

vs. LAC (.482) (41/85)
vs. UTA (.630) (51/81)
vs. CLE (.471) (41/87)
vs. DAL (.500) (42/84)
vs. DET (.530) (44/83)</p>

[background=rgb(255, 255, 0);]Average - (219/420) = [/font]<strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">52.1%[/b]</p>

<u>3 Game win streak</u></p>

vs. LAC (.412) (35/85)
vs. TOR (.435) (40/92)
vs. NYK (.392) (31/79)</p>

[background=rgb(255, 255, 0);]Average - (106/256) = [/font]<strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">41.4%[/b]

<u>4 Game win streak</u></p>

vs. WAS (43/84) (.512)
vs. PHI (34/81) (.420)
vs. PHX (43/88) (.489)
vs. SAC (30/87) (.345)</p>

[background=rgb(255, 255, 0);]Average - (150/340) = [/font]<strong style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">44.1%[/b]</p>

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It probably helps that Nelson can actually play somebody over 6'7 at power forward and that has decent balance, quickness, strength, and defensive know-how to deal with larger power forwards. Our bad defense in the beginning was really Nelson's choice in position assignments, but at the same time there is no questioning that Sjax is that good when he applies his abilities. Having Biedrins and Monta emerge as our best inside and outside guys (after a slow start) also helps. And Baron is always good, he just has to limit those shot attempts and direct the offense more. I think sometimes he's frustrated because nobody moves for him or they don't know the quick plays. I remember Sjax and Baron sometimes have to tell Pietrus where to be on offensive sets and one guy can screw things up just like how one guy can be the hero of the game.</p>

I think personally that less Pietrus (despite his better play) means better ball for the Warriors because guys will actually cut and read each other better. Even though Barnes was crap tonight, there were plays in the last few games where he just dove at the right time whereas a guy like Pietrus would just sort of hang back trying to shoot a three. We know Ellis, Azu, Biedrins, Harrington and the other guys are pretty smart when it comes to the dynamic and chaotic play of trying to work off isolations and kickouts. But if one guy doesn't move, there's just nowhere for others to go because it gets too crowded.</p>

Back to defense, though, I think not only did we win with defense, but we shot 80% at the foul line. That was important. If Baron and Ellis were back to their usual business, we'd be shooting threes to tie.</p>

 

Very nice. I thought it would take quite a while for us to be .500 again.</p>

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I guess some has to do with relatively easy schedule, since only Toronto and Phoenix were above .500. But, Warriors actually went 5-1 in road games, and that's really impressive agains any team. And, up until last season, this team couldn't win any type of road game. After Jackson returned, we actually played quite well in 4th quarter and made number of stops when we need to. 26-18 against Clippers in 4th quarter, 26-12 against Toronto, 31-20 against NY, 33-26 against Wiz, 15-14 and 10-8 against Philly, 26-22 agaisnt Suns, and 22-14 against Kings. For a team, that can't save themselves to defend, holding 6 out of 7 teams under 22 pts in 4th quarter is very impressive. And, for a change, we do not necessary live and die with 3 pts right now, since our 3 pts has been quite bad even in 7-1 stretch.</p>

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I thought Dallas game was the game when we started to wake up and find our identity once again. We should have won both Dallas and Pistons game, and after that, we went 7-1.</p>

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In a sense, Jackson is in a perfect world. 99% of coaches would hate his shot selection. But, Nelson and his entire system is very forgiving for players with bad shooting selection. And, Jackson brings so much on the table, and he is a difference maker along with Davis. Hopefully, he remains as a good citizen as well. Can't believe I once thought Warriors should nullify his contract if he is convicted to save 6 mils per year. Now, that is a bargain contract...</p>

 

Yeah, I hear you, Kwan, I remember hoping that Jackson's contract would be nullified also.</p>

I really love how this team is just finding ways to win, as if they don't believe they'll ever lose, no matter how many three's they brick.</p>