Dream Team 4: Golden State Warriors

[Rich]

Listen...GS has had a nice, impressive start to the season. But they are going to lose a handful of games this year. This is an odd thing to say given the competitiveness of the conferences over the last few years, but I really wish Golden State played more Eastern Conference teams. You're not going to beat them by playing their style of ball...a fast-paced scoring onslaught with a bunch of 3s. You're going to beat them by getting them out of rhythm and torturing them through gritty, grind-it-out defense. That's what Eastern Conference teams excel at more than teams in the West.

I think that's the Eastern Conference living on reputation at this point. That comes from the days when Detroit, Boston, and Chicago dominated the conference. Even to a lesser extent Indiana. But Chicago, starting last year, stopped being a grind you down defensive juggernaut, Indiana is a totally different team, and the teams that have since replaced them are not those teams of old. Really, look at the best teams in the East and find the really good, slow paced, defense first teams. Not Atlanta, not Chicago (anymore), not Toronto. Cleveland is the only team that I think can play a slow, grindy style and succeed at it. It doesn't fit the personnel of the other good teams in the East to play that way.

EDIT: And btw I think this is a good thing for the East. Indiana completely transformed its roster from a half-court, grind you down defensive team to a team that could play a faster, more athletic game that benefits its best player. The Conference looks more competitive than ever right now.

 

[Adam]

You lose way too much defensively with Love at center. TT at least has some sort of defensive presence too him.

dont need rim protection if no player stands inside the 3 point line

 

[Spencer Hawes]

We are Holly Holm to GS's Ronda Rousey. As long as the refs call fouls on that bitch Iguodala and don't let Green get away with all his shit, I have no doubt we can beat them with a healthy team. No doubt about it. Refs were holding their whistles in the Finals cause it's a more "physical" game but that plays into GS's strategy because then they can get away with a lot of shit compared to the regular season.

 

[Birdy89]

If GS gets back to the finals the NBA will be all in on making sure they win another one because then they can start the potential dynasty talk. The league absolutely loves that kind of stuff, and anyone thinking the refs would call a tight series in an NBA finals with GS having a shot at back to back titles is crazy.

To beat GS you are going to have to out physical them and impose your will. Waiting on the refs to bail you out against this team will be a completely fruitless strategy.

 

[Birdy89]

No Barnes for the Warriors tonight and they are already starting slow.

They can't handle the injuries it seems. Ass Fingers is looking to have a big game.

 

[FritzLn]

they're going to luck their way into finding another death machine lineup while barnes is out. just watch

 

[Rob933]

The warriors hit 3s like it's nothing.

 

[Birdy89]

Steph Curry is on another planet right now.

He was already a superstar last year and somehow made another leap. That is not supposed to happen.

 

[FritzLn]

Listen...GS has had a nice, impressive start to the season. But they are going to lose a handful of games this year. This is an odd thing to say given the competitiveness of the conferences over the last few years, but I really wish Golden State played more Eastern Conference teams. You're not going to beat them by playing their style of ball...a fast-paced scoring onslaught with a bunch of 3s. You're going to beat them by getting them out of rhythm and torturing them through gritty, grind-it-out defense. That's what Eastern Conference teams excel at more than teams in the West.

aren't the grizzlies called "grit N grind"? didn't they lose by 50?

i'm starting to think no one has a clue how to beat the warriors

 

[Rob933]

You have to keep the game slow and be able to score to beat GW

 

[Birdy89]

Iggy is the kind of thing that pisses me off about the Warriors.

The guy is shooting 45% from 3 this season, and is a guy who built his rep partially as a guy that could defend but was pedestrian on offense.

Puts on a Warriors uniform and suddenly he's dead eye shooting the rock. It is ridiculous.

 

[Rich]

This is really interesting by the Kings. They are purposefully playing a slow pace by running a lot of 1on1 with Rudy Gay. Even though it has been anything but efficient, it does slow the Warriors down. I don't know if you say can it's "working" because they are down by 10, but it's something, maybe.

 

[TyGuy]

Figures the Kings would be without cousins twice against the Warriors.

 

[Birdy89]

Even though it has been anything but efficient

Nothing says that more than Rudy Gay going 5-17 from the field in the first half. Story of the guys career.

 

[RealKingsFan]

Wanting to trade Rudy Gay for a bag of chips and a late 2nd rounder, anyone?



He went 1-11 the game before, so combined he's 6-28 right now atm over two games.