By: DJ Fuzzy Logic of Golden State of Mind
Warriors Weekly Rewind
March Madness takes on new dimensions this season as the Pacific Division of the NBA mimics the Pac-10 conference of Men's collegiate basketball. With this many quality teams, the Warriors impressive record is barely enough to be one of those bubble teams with Cinderella written on all over them.
Tuesday, March 18th: Warriors vs. KingsThe Warriors are currently 2-0 this season against their Northern California rivals. The Kings have been marred with injuries all season, but their younger players have taken the increased playing time as an opportunity to showcase their abilities. As a relatively young and experienced team, the Kings are deep at the guard and wing positions. Former late(r) first rounder selections like John Salmons, Francisco Garcia, and Beno Udrich have all finally gotten time to play and made the jump into potential starter status in this league. Kevin Martin, another late first rounder, might be challenging Antawn Jamison for the most efficient and craftiest scorer, if ever an award existed in the NBA. Martin gets to the line OFTEN (9 attempts a game) and, as the team as a whole, hits close to 80%. The Warriors can't get into foul trouble, because this team, like others in the past, has punished the Warriors from the free-throw line. This is an intriguing rebuilding Kings team, but their inexperience might hinder them against a more veteran savvy team like the Warriors.
Prediction: 1 more for the W column.Wednesday, March 19th: Warriors vs. ClippersThe Clippers always seem to have the Warriors' number. Perhaps it was some curse or hex that Mike Dunleavy Sr. had on his son Mike Dunleavy Jr. while with the Warriors, which had some debilitating effect on the Warriors at-large. Since the departure of Dunleavy Jr., the Warriors have managed to win a few more games against their conference rival. Plus, an injury depleted Clippers means the Warriors have set sail for another win! Well, it probably won't be that easy. Historically, Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman have proved too much to handle for the Warriors. Maggette is pretty high percentage shooter, but will look to put in on the floor and attack the basket if his 10 free throw attempts per game are any indication. Kaman has shown this season his ability to dominate the post against the Warrior "bigs"; but his injuries as of late have hampered his improvements this season both on the offense and defensive end (3 blocks a game). The resurgence of what looks to be Corey Maggette 2.0 in Al Thorton has been one of the intriguing subtexts to an otherwise disappointing season of injuries. He's been lighting up against almost everyone and getting it done on the glass as well. Yet, this current assemblage of players might give the Warriors some trouble since it's a back to back for our dubs. But with perennial cast-aways Dan Dickau, Smush Parker, and Brevin Knight are co-managing your point position all season, you know that the team is already thinking about next season.
Prediction: 1 more for the W column
Friday, March 21st: Warriors vs. RocketsThis game could be special for a number of reasons. First, the Rockets could be extending their win streak to 24 games if they survive meetings against elite teams, Boston and New Orleans. Second, it's Golden State of Mind (GSOM) night IV and how awesome and memorable would it be for participants in
GSOM Night IV if it also happened to be the night the Warriors ended their streak?
Funny how everyone is rooting for the Rockets, especially in this post-injury Yao era. Heck, even I'm on their bandwagon. T-Mac, who's integrity and heart was questioned early in the season, has become considered by some fans and sports critics alike as an MVP candidate. The media loves Shane Battier again as being the intangibles guy. Rafer Alston is making everyone on the team better. This team reads like a celebrity tabloid, as if everyone just got out of rehab and have become humanitarians. Heck, they even got a rookie named Carl (Landry) that is making more waves than those rookies with cooler names like Durant, Yi, Oden, Conley, and Thaddeus. This rehabilitated Rockets team is red hot and may still be on Friday. They're a physical bunch that has one of the best defenses in the league. Players like Luis Scola are craft around the hoop and can cause problems against the Warriors smaller and not to mention less physical interior players like Andris Biedrins. The Warriors will need to get out and running if they're going to have a chance. Pietrus' defense lately -- getting steals and into the passing lanes -- has helped the Warriors tremendously lately. Lets hope they can continue that against this team.
P
rediction: 1 for the L columnSunday, March 23rd: Warriors vs. Lakers
The first of a back-2-back against the Lakers. The Warriors face conference rival and expected finals participant, the Lakers (if healthy), on their home court. The Lakers have been hobbling as of late after their fast start with the newest Laker, Pau Gasol. As of yesterday, Pau Gasol is still out indefinitely and far from a return. But if he is by chance ready by next Sunday, our Warriors will definitely have their hands full.
Regardless of whether Gasol is there or not, the Lakers are still a disciplined team that is deadly from the outside. Besides that fact, the Warriors just can't seem to win in LA (versus the Clippers or Lakers). Sasha Vujacic and Vladimir Radmanovic have shed their 'bust' tags this season, both hitting above 40% from beyond the arc. Players like Luke Walton, whom several Laker fans at the last Warrior game thought was the sexist man alive (vomit a little in mouth), and Ronny Turiaf, Mark Madsen with better dance moves and a jumpshot, are crafty, smart, and versatile players that are able to beat you around the basket offensively. The Warriors CANNOT let them get wide open jumpers and must be able to rotate quickly on defense within their zone sets, which they tend to fall back versus larger and/or sharp shooting teams. Oh yea, there's also that Kobe guy, too.
Prediction: 1 for the L column
Monday, March 24: Warriors vs. LakersWarriors take this back-2-back...back to Oaktown! The Warriors tend to bounce back after losses, making major changes and adjustments accordingly. It frustrates the hell out of me (and you I'm sure) when they seem to get on point after having a lapse in memory of what they are capable of when they run they play smart basketball on offense and defense; that meaning, they are moving well without the ball, making extra passes, rotating quickly on defense, and anticipating the game a few plays before they happen (and hence getting into passing lanes, steals, and charge calls!).
My prediction for this game sort of rests upon how the game turns out the night before. I always hold my breath when the Warriors face solid teams, because like Forrest Gump said, "it's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." I would actually say it's like a pack of baseball, football, or even garbage pail cards, because the only thing they can guarantee is the nasty stick of unchewable pink gum. With chocolates, you generally know your going to get some form of nougat, dark chocolate, milk chocolate with nuts, and so on and so forth....
Anyway, the Warriors would have to be in rare form to take the Lakers back-2-back and in a row. Since they're losing the night before, I expect them to take it the house and win in dominating fashion.
Prediction: 1 more for the W column
Overall Week 21 Prediction: 3-2What are your predictions for week 21 for the Warriors?
