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

Baron opened slow, bricking a few lazy jumpers, but got it going in the second half. Warriors second half defense was like night and day from first half -- active, aggressive, and pressuring the ball. Monta had a bad shooting night. Dunleavy had a great game in the flow and his stats don't tell the story. Same with Barnes. Both were key defensively as they were at the top of the zone. Barnes had several terrific defensive plays and rebounds. He gave exactly the kind of production Nellie wants from him.

Mason was on fire in the first half, but had a "dental emergency" in the second half. If it weren't for that NO would have stayed in this game.

Beans? The best player on the floor!! And he had fun doing it. Man -- he just made the whole arena forget about Tyson Chandler. Dominant performance from the lanky-Latvian.

Pietrus was on fire from the corner (he went 4-9 from three and I think all 4 were of the corner variety). He also had a nasty dunk on someone's chrome dome (check Sports Center for the highlight on that one).

On one substitution Murph went out and threw his mask in frustration. Dude just doesn't look like he's having a good time out there.

Overall, it was good to see the Warriors lack-luster defense step it up in the second half, pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers with their zone. That's why they won the game.

 

So I'm guessing we won with a combo of Desmond Mason and Troy Murphy being out of the game? Mutually exclusive events toward the win or not?

 

Well, on the other hand, Murph can really shoot from the top of the key on that pick n' roll. It's a beautiful thing when he's on fire because Baron can always dish it out to him when he hits traffic. On a good night, I'd bet usually 3 or 4 assists that Baron has are to Troy for the top of the key jumper. He even hit a few tonight.

But it's just awkward to watch him in other areas of the game. Take rebounding, for instance. He's so slow and unexplosive, if someone gets position on him, it's as good as over. He can't swim-move around people, or spin and jump, or elevate over anyone. Beans, on the other hand, he probably gets 3 or 4 boards a game even when he has terrible position! Simply because he stays with the play and keeps the gas on.

Tonight, Murphy had 6 foot Pargo all to himself in the lane. Ooh... steak dinner, right? No. Murph awkwardly tried to back him down, couldn't get anything and then dribbled the ball of his foot.

I like Murph and if he can stay within his role he can play well. But he just isn't a cornerstone PF for the franchise. He's a valuable addition though, but GS needs to get Ike back or something.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, on the other hand, Murph can really shoot from the top of the key on that pick n' roll. It's a beautiful thing when he's on fire because Baron can always dish it out to him when he hits traffic. On a good night, I'd bet usually 3 or 4 assists that Baron has are to Troy for the top of the key jumper. He even hit a few tonight.

But it's just awkward to watch him in other areas of the game. Take rebounding, for instance. He's so slow and unexplosive, if someone gets position on him, it's as good as over. He can't swim-move around people, or spin and jump, or elevate over anyone. Beans, on the other hand, he probably gets 3 or 4 boards a game even when he has terrible position! Simply because he stays with the play and keeps the gas on.

Tonight, Murphy had 6 foot Pargo all to himself in the lane. Ooh... steak dinner, right? No. Murph awkwardly tried to back him down, couldn't get anything and then dribbled the ball of his foot.

I like Murph and if he can stay within his role he can play well. But he just isn't a cornerstone PF for the franchise. He's a valuable addition though, but GS needs to get Ike back or something.</div>

Getting Ike back,once he's in game shape will be huge. Nellie figuring out an optimal role for Murphy-and getting him mre assertive on D is part of it-also will be big. Biedrins has played well-but I don't want him worn out by Jan.
Smallball can be effective-just can't be the only card in your hand.

Barnes has been quite a bonus. So far this season-he's outperformed many of the guys picked rd 1 in the last draft.

 

After the Texas disasters-it's mighty nice to win by a good margin.

 

My report from the sidelines last night:

Warriors started horribly, no rebounding, no energy, zip. Down 18-11 with 2:30 left in the first quarter. Typically, a lot of standing around, shooting 3s (wide open whatever), no penetration, turnovers. Worst I've felt in a long time.

Luckily, Paul got into foul trouble in the 2nd and when he left, Hornets started making turnovers at the end of the quarter and the Warriors got some easy fastbreaks in transition.

2nd half, the Warriors started getting penetration which turned into Biedrins dunks and wideopen Pietrus 3s. The 1-2-2 Zone was great because Hornets have no center.

Signature play, Pietrus faked the 3 from the right corner, drove win his left and threw down a monstrous 2 handed dunk over 2 Hornets. Wish I had a picture because it was the ultimate throwdown, in traffic, in a close game. Awesome
! I want that for my signature.

 

getty images

 

That is a great picture.