This is exactly why I think they won’t tank. The last three lotto picks they had in the middle of their dynasty have amounted to exactly nothing. If they had it back, they definitely would’ve traded those picks for ready-to-win talent.
Or they could have just drafted better. There were decent talents in/around their drafting position. Imagine Wagner or Sengun or Murphy on the Warriors—woof.
I just love filling my needs with schadenfreude whilst we go through a rebuild season. Solid replacement for wins.
I mean, that’s true. But that doesn’t make anything I said false. I still have a hard time believing that if the Warriors landed in the top 4, they could convince Draymond that it will be different this time. Could you imagine if Schmitz was hired by the Warriors just two years before we did? Yikes, I’m glad the miracle of three lotto picks that landed in the lap of a dynasty in the middle of their run has largely amounted to nothing.
Oh yeah, I don’t think there’s any validity to them drafting high now. Their guys are way too old for it to even be a question. then again, dunleavy jr would end up in a leveraged position like cronin was—in a down year draft.
Rest of November for them: vs OKC twice vs HOU @ PHX vs SAS ————— @ SAC vs LAC Games above the line are w/o Draymond, games under are with him back. Not sure how long Curry will be out for, but Draymond’s defense is almost as important, if not just as important, as Curry’s offense. Playing against the Spurs without Draymond is going to be interesting. I’d be satisfied with 8-12 after November. Anything under 8 wins, and we’ll be in a good spot.
December also looks brutal for them. Not included in a game @ LAC before the tournament in Vegas. They can probably pencil in 1 sure win, Washington. We are the only other non-playoff contending team in their December, but we will be highly motivated to win both games.
Even if the GSW had the worst record in the NBA they'd be over 3x more likely to have the #5 (48%) pick than #1 (14%) We want them to finish with the worst record possible, as it greatly increases the value of the pick if it's outside the top4 and sent to us. The chance we get the pick is basically a coin flip for the 3 worst teams and more likely to convey to us from pick 4 onward. Yes each higher slot gives us a higher odd of receiving it but that is offset by the likely worse position of the pick. I highly doubt the warriors will be one of the absolute worst teams since they won a title 18 months ago and yes don't fully control or benefit from their pick. So just root for as many GSW losses as possible!
Why will we be a motivated opponent moreso than any regular season game? I don't think any Blazers players or coaches care about GSW pick value improvement from 1 regular season win. Maybe Cronin would care a small amount. But a GSW loss would potentially harm the Blazers own pick as much as it improves the GSW pick so I don't think he ultimately cares either. If anything he might want them to lose for the whole GPII cortizol fiasco out of spite, but again none of the players or coaches will care about that. He probably cares much more about Miami or Toronto wins than GSW though.
The Warriors lose their 6th straight game, tying us with 6 losses in a row as well. Their games to finish November: vs Houston at Phoenix vs San Antonio at Sacramento vs LA Clippers SA could be the only guaranteed win in that stretch.
