Golden State @ Charlotte: Game Thread, 11/13/2004

<u>Golden State Warriors</u> (0-6) at <u>Charlotte Bobcats</u> (1-3)

Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 4:00 PM PST
At the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, NC
Golden State: 4.5 GB (Pacific, 5th place)
Charlotte: 2 GB (Southeast, 4th place)

Starters:
Charlotte Bobcats
PG Jason Hart
SG Eddie House
SF Gerald Wallace
PF Emeka Okafor
C Primoz Brezec

Golden State Warriors
PG Derek Fisher
SG Jason Richardson
SF Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
PF Troy Murphy
C Adonal Foyle

Quick Recaps
The Warriors are mired in a horrendous six game losing streak. They lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 96-67, shooting only 27%, and all but 3 players only made one shot or less. They are last in the league in offense, averaging 79.5 points a game while shooting under 35%. The Warriors defense has been suspect as well, allowing opposing teams to score 93.7 points per game.

The Bobcats have been playing competitive ball, which is probably as much as can be expected of any first year expansion team. They have only won one game, and lost two games in a row, including their most recent bout with the Boston Celtics. Still, they have lost their games by an average of only 7 points despite playing a host of young, untested players. Primoz Brezec, Emeka Okafor and Jason Hart have stepped it up for the Bobcats, and Steve Smith has given the club a veteran presence off the bench.

Key Matchup
Troy Murphy v. Emeka Okafor

Murphy, as the rest of the Warriors, has had an up and down season so far. He hasn't been as effective on the boards as in previous years (averaging only 7.7 rebounds a game, down from 2002, where he averaged 10.2), nor has he showed the outside touch which is his staple (making only 5 shots out of 15 attempts a game). Although he has been getting to the line more often this year, he's had some horrible nights at the line. He's fully recovered from his injury and played well in the preseason, suggesting that his recent funk is much more mental than physical. (Maybe the Warriors should hire a psychological trainer?) Murphy must focus on grabbing defensive rebounds against the effective Bobcats front line, and especially keep both Brezec and Okafor off the offensive boards, as they both average at least 4.0 offensive rebounds a game.

Okafor has played effectively, doing everything that the Bobcats could ask for. He currently is averaging 12.0 rebounds per game, good for 4th in the league (just ahead of fellow rookie Dwight Howard). He is also chipping in 11.3 points per game with 1.3 blocks. Murphy's outside shooting touch may draw Okafor away from the basket, which would benefit the Warriors' offense by removing a good shotblocker and rebounder from the basket.

Prediction
With the Bobcats putting up impressive offensive numbers and playing with nothing to lose, the Warriors are no sure thing to win against this expansion team. This will be the first game the Warriors face a team from the Eastern conference, against whom the Warriors tend to have better success. If the Warriors forget about their past games and just go out and play, they should win this game.

 

Initially I want to say the Warriors are going to kill these guys, but with the way we have been playing recently, I have my doubts. This is a perfect game to get out of our funk and maybe get our mojo back...

 

If we keep shooting poorly there is no way we will win. It doesn't matter who we play, we will lose. I can't believe this is the same team from last year. If JRich, Murphy and Dunleavy combined to score 45-55 points a game we would be 3-3 or better. I am predicting a loss. Monty's got to get his players to move around and be active and I don't think it'll start all of the sudden tonight.

 

On Paper,The Warriors have the veterans and the depth to go at Charlotte,but the way they have been playing,things do not look good at all for the Warriors.

The Warriors will dominate the game for the most part,but they will however blow the lead and the Bobcats will win this one,not by much.

Bobcats 82 Warriors 79

 

Looking at the way the Bobcats have been playing and the way the Warriors have been playing, I'm gonna have to take the bobcats on this one, I think Golden State is doomed for the lottery unless Mullin pulls a deal involving some big names like Fisher and Richardson. Right now I have no clue why the Warriors are losing, but I still have my hopes they surprise me. 88-72 Bobcats.

 

Judging by the way the Warriors have been playing I think the Bobcats are going to win. If you have no confidence, you can't shoot or play defense... But then again when did some of our players ever do those things well. We play an ole' defense with a red cape and poor old Foyle is inline to be posterized night after night if he doesn't try to foul or block.

 

Easily the biggest game of this season so far. If we win, it will take off some pressure from players, and fans will get some hope for this season. If we lose, bring out torches and forks. We are going to burn Mully's house...

 

Well, we are winning 51-34 in the first half. I told you this game could be what they needed. Now lets see if they can end with a win and carry it through to the next game...

 

It's never too early for the warriors to start getting scored on. Watch for Eddie House the guy is dynamite. BTW for a while I couldn't tell which team was the expansion team.

 

Well, we won. Jrich, Murphy and Dunleavy finally all had solid games. Lets see if this gives us a boost...

 

It was an expansion team, but hopefully it boosts their confidence.

 

I know, but it still feels good. I hope this does something for their confidence. They all came up big...

 

Yeah even Dunleavy

 

Well congrats on your first win Warriors, forget about the past... just move forward and you'll be fine. But let's not move too forward and talk about the playoffs

 

Are you kidding once we get back Foyle, the 4th allstar on our team, we'll win more rings than the whole team's fingers and toes combined.
<Laugh>

 

^ Hahah lol and you all wouldn't be complaining about Monty and GM Chrissy and all non-Warrior-fan moderators and members will sport Warrior signatures for losing bets... and I guess shapecity will transfer the JustBBall onwership to Rudeezy

 

Sweet.

 

Man February can't come soon enough. I know it's jumping the gun, but I guess we have to wait and see how the team fares against the other 76 or so games left. We've got to find a way to improve the team because the other teams are lot tougher than Charlotte and no way are the Warriors going to be consistent.

I think the big thing is just to be positive, but its so frustrating to see the team off to a rough start.

 

It would be impossible for the Warriors to play the way they have been playing for the rest of this year. Remember, it is early, and this is the same team from last year with some improvements and losses. All in all we should be right around where we were last year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">It would be impossible for the Warriors to play the way they have been playing for the rest of this year. Remember, it is early, and this is the same team from last year with some improvements and losses. All in all we should be right around where we were last year.</div>

But we've never had consistency from players. Maybe it was last year's coaching system and its double edged sword style of play, but there are some hot/cold nights with all shooters. We need some inside game and to improve on team defense.