-
Feb12
Game No. 54, live: Trail Blazers (32-19) at Warriors (18-35)
Filed under: Commentary;FOURTH QUARTER:
** I’ll have to double-check, but I believe Randolph’s plus-12 all came in that third quarter.
** As the game tightens up, Jamal Crawford makes a horrible decision, missing a early-offense pullup from 21 feet, and a Maggette flop goes unrewarded at the other end of the floor.
** Monta Ellis is putting to rest those questions about who will be the Warriors’ top option in crunch time. Three straight buckets, and he looks like he’s in total control out there right now.
** And as soon as I post that, Ellis gets doubled and gives up the TO and dunk to make it a four-point game with 51.1 seconds left.
** If you’re going to foul, Rudy Fernandez, why do it after letting 13 seconds run off the clock?
** PDX: The Warriors are playing defense with Ronny Turiaf on the floor, Anthony Randolph came up huge, Corey Maggette has been selling the flop time and again. As for the Blazers, the combination of fatigue-induced sloppiness and the absence of Steve Blake led to 22 turnovers.
** I know they pimped this idea on the last broadcast, but I do wonder what might have happened if the Warriors had won the triple-overtime debacle vs. SAC and those two buzzer-beating losses to OKC and CLE. That would have been seven straight victories before heading out for the Texas/New Orleans trip. Maybe they pick up another one there … suddenly this team is 23-31 after tonight. A 21-7 push would have been needed to realistically think about the playoffs, but that would have been filed in the realm of “highly unlikely” rather than the “certifiable lunacy” that postseason talk deserves right now.
THIRD QUARTER:
** The Blazers are desperately missing Steve Blake’s ability to make that simple, accurate initiating pass most every time downcourt.
** That’s bad luck for Turiaf, taking a foul after a bad decision from Jamal Crawford leaves him trapped in mid-air with nowhere to pass the ball.
** I guess Randolph’s self-confidence has survived intact.
** It’s been mentioned already that the Blazers on the second half of a back-to-back, but I think even more important is the fact that the Warriors are not. Those fading jumpers that are falling tonight for Golden State rarely seem to touch net when they are finishing off contests on consecutive nights.
** In much the same way as Brandan Wright (you remember him, right?), when Anthony Randolph spins in the lane, with his height, hops and reach, there’s no way anyone can really bother him, let alone block his shot.
SECOND QUARTER:
** The Blazers still scored, but it was good to see that when Turiaf was beaten on the S/R and could not get back in time to Oden, Corey Maggette made the correct secondary rotation to keep him from getting a wide-open, point-blank look.
** That travel call on LaMarcus Aldridge was the exact same shuffle-the-feet move that Maggette was caught doing six times on one play, as you probably already saw here. I wonder if the league issued a point-of-emphasis bulletin after that got play on TrueHoop and Dime, just to name two spots.
** I don’t know what it is, but the Warriors just LOVE to flop against the Trail Blazers. LaMarcus Aldridge had three, IIRC, before fouling out in his previous appearance at the Arena this season.
** Too funny: The triple-team collapses on Stephen Jackson in the corner, and Maggette and Monta Ellis both instinctively cut to the same spot to get the pass.
** Cazzie, I’m with you: The flopping on both sides, rather than playing real defense, is detracting from this game in a major way.
** The Warriors have been getting their pick of shots lately — on that last break, Azubuike could have dumped off to the left wing for an open 3-pointer by Jackson, but took it himself to the hole for an equally uncontested look. And after it rolled out, Maggette scooped up the miss for a putback bucket.
** That buzzer-beater from Ellis is just a straight thumb to the eye of Nate McMillan.
FIRST QUARTER:
** Greg Oden comes into this game off two contests with a combined line of 33 points/22 rebounds/9 blocks. This doesn’t bode well.
** Kelenna Azubuike is showing more game defensively of late, with his game-opening block on Rodriguez being the latest example.
** Ronny Turiaf did a great job by showing out top to check the progress of Rodriguez on the S/R, then charged back to wreck the play.
** With Turiaf picking up the cheapie, Anthony Randolph has a chance to prove himself, and he grabs a nice defensive rebound in traffic on his first play.
** That was a hell of an offensive board from the young fella.
** Since the start of the Jazz game on Sunday, the Warriors have forced 41 turnovers while committing only 19. Those are almost WE BELIEVE stretch-drive type of numbers.
– Geoff
55 Responses to “Game No. 54, live: Trail Blazers (32-19) at Warriors (18-35)”
-
We’ll kill ‘em.
B2B, All Star break, we’re on a hot home streak. -
I’ve hated Buke’s style as long as I can remember… so this is tough for me… he’s more tolerable now. He’s still unaware for the most part on defense, but he’s doing much better w/help defense than for the past 2 years… if Nellie would actually limit his minutes, he might get promoted from tolerable to potentially likeable…
-
Randolph was ready Day One. The Act sucks.
-
Hopefully that cheapie on RT won’t come back to haunt us. AR is going to have to be aggressive yet smart on defense… big task…
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
AnthoRony Randiaff
Luv it
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
So, Geoff, will we see Morrow?
-
Basketball is the one sport where the video replays (especially on Comcast) always seem to be irrelevant, routine plays from two minutes ago, rather than the interesting play that just caused the stoppage (Jackson makes a blind over the shoulder pass to Azubuike, and Kelenna cleverly draws a foul… and we get a replay of a Monta drive and layup).
-
What a save by Randolph!
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Sloppy, but good pace for the dubs.
Bayless is interesting.
-
What a turnover by Randolph! ;o)
-
I hate Nellie’s strategy against bigger teams: try to get them to foul out.
It never works when push comes to shove in a menaingful game.
Dirk getting sand in his shorts doesn’t remotely count.
-
Anonymous February 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Great opening. What do you guys think of Jack for Outlaw, Rodriguez and Frye?
-
I think Portland can get way more for Outlaw.
-
Only Outlaw is decent… Frye’s a scrub and Rodriguez has been supplanted by any PG POR can find… thats pretty awful return for Jack.
-
Turiaf over the back. Not good.
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Corey Flopette
-
CazzieRussell February 12th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Hate the flop! Even when it benefits my team.
It ruins the game!
-
CazzieRussell February 12th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
How could any coach not love Randolphs energy…That alone deserves playing time!!!
-
We’ve got Maggette at the 5, and Roy shoots a three?
-
ANOTHER offensive foul on Aldridge. Unbelievable.
-
Jackson, save that innocent look for times where you’re actually close to being innocent.
-
Well, I seriously doubt that Portland is going to continue turning it over at the same pace in the second half… I just hope we’re not going to hang our offensive hopes on iso’s if the pace slows down. In the first half, we didn’t move the ball very well on most of our possessions where we weren’t running.
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Got his 7 seconds of rest, so Chuckson should be good to go for the 2nd half.
-
Randolph’s not only got his confidence, he’s got his brain switched on much more of the time. Too bad Monta couldn’t have gotten that lob just a little bit higher… would have been a crowd-pleasing slam for AR.
-
Go AR, GO.
-
Larry P. February 12th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
The Monta at point guard experiment is officially over. He’s just not a good passer at all.
Randolph may have found his niche this year as a backup center. He plays pretty physical out there.
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Man, I remember really liking Morrow when he played for the Warriors.
-
CazzieRussell February 12th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Notice how the bench, the crowd,everyone goes crazy when Randolph does something good!
So (lightbulb) why don’t we get more of Randoplh on a regular basis?
-
I’ve gotta admit it… Maggette should be considered for an Emmy.
-
Larry P. February 12th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Monta needs to do a lot of ankle strengthening exercises this summer.
-
CazzieRussell February 12th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Interesting…Randolph goes out…Blazers start to come back?
(Shouldn’t play young guys, they could cost you the game)
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Credit where it’s due…good timeout Nellie.
CJ channeling his inner chucker. Learned from the best in Davis/Jackson.
-
wbf, I was thinking the same thing re Morrow.
Cazzie, maybe Nelson’s filament burned out. When AB comes back, AR is going to need to remain in the rotation now that he’s shown he can play under control.
-
Jackson, stop shooting.
-
Turiaf denying Przybilla AND Outlaw on the same play. I couldn’t tell for sure, but I think he got at least a partial standing o.
-
Larry P. February 12th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
CJ’s inching towards that doghouse.
-
HUGE play by Turiaf to follow Jack’s forced shot.
-
PDX Fan February 12th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Just getting in to catch the end of the game… What’s gotten into the Warriors tonight? Or is it just the Blazers are on the 2nd of a back-to-back?
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Here’s a hint Nellie/Crawful: when the lead is slipping, the iso, pound, pound, long contested jumper is the wrong choice. Low percentage, boring, and stupid. But what do I know.
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Monta’s back?
GO Floppette! Pfft…
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Monta’s back.
-
Monta’s jumpers were clutch, but Turiaf kept our momentum alive.
-
It’s a fix!!!
Nellie is letting them back in the game so he has reason to NEVER play the young guys in a blow out.
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Game ball to Rudy Fernandez. Gracias, idiota.
-
Wow this team is coming together at the break .Its gonna be a interesting second half .
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Geoff,
Despite enjoying them in the moment, any win is just fool’s gold.
It validates Nellie/Rowell/Cohan and their utter suck. The roster is completely lopsided with wings (again). We have no PG and no PF (again). Minutes and injuries continue to pile up hand-in-hand (again). Until injuries (surprise) forced Nellie’s hand, AR got no burn. Now Morrow is buried because wins are more important than player development and health. Can’t you smell it. It’s the sour smell of mediocrity.
Anyone on the team for Bosh and Calderon.
Go Dubs.
-
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Actually, I think that smell was home cooking. Yum, yum. We got 26 more free throws.
Game ball to Floppette.
-
Pretty lame game, though we played some D against a BEAT Portland team.
Refs, thank you very much: 43-17 free throw differential. Dirty and not real.
Jackson was godawful.
-
Geez you dont need a pure point is you have a lot of versatile players . The Bulls won multiple titles with Ron Harper starting at point. If you dont have the players with perimeter skills then of course you need a point to help them get shots .But when you have 4-5 guys that create for themselves then what you need is for them to be willing to play unselfishly and commit to your offense.
These wins are player development .Ive never seen so many fans who are just so bedazzled by youth that they think teams will shelve everyone just to play them.Whats really weird is 23 year old Monta played 43 minutes and AR got good burn in a win and yet there is no player development because they wont give the summer league invitee burn on a roster they already admit is wing heavy .
This team plays 4 of their next 5 at home and could be 6-7 games back on March 1st which would make for a great march/April especially with the way the jazz and Suns have been playing and possible Amare trade . -
wordbfree February 12th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Luke,
1. The Warriors don’t have MJ and Harper would be an improvement over the CJ/Monta//Crawful/Jax creature.
2. That “summer league invitee” can give you 37 points in a game and lead the league in 3-point %.
3. Fool’s gold.
It’s just too bad the morons out there actually believe
the hype. Like Bosh or Stoudamire (Garnett/Arenas/Brand) would even come here if the Dubs really did make them offers.Nighty night…
-
So Harper would be a improvment at PG ? Again thats just plane troll talk .
One game doesnt mean you change your entire organizational direction. Again thats FOOLS GOLD. We invested in Monta in the backcourt and hes getting the minutes .What you are doing is essentially pining for the 3rd string QB in football. Morrow is not better than the guys ahead of him and whining that he is not getting minutes over CJ who is a pg is stupid .
What hype ? Your goal should be to get better and acquire the best players you can . You seem to have low self esteem issues .”Ill never be able to get that job or that girl so why even try” thats about right isnt when it comes to your mentallity its better to pin all our hopes on a free agent summer league signing . Again troll; talk .
-
“Geez you dont need a pure point is you have a lot of versatile players . The Bulls won multiple titles with Ron Harper starting at point. If you dont have the players with perimeter skills then of course you need a point to help them get shots .But when you have 4-5 guys that create for themselves then what you need is for them to be willing to play unselfishly and commit to your offense.”
With Harper, the Bulls had SIZE and STRENGTH on the perimeter and they used it to intimidate PGs. BUT it was a **different** game back then. They could hand check and bump.
Now rules favor small quick guys who can penetrate. Harper would be eaten alive now or foul out in today’s game.
PG has become a key position in the NBA under the new rules which favor PGs and perimeter play. GSW could use a tall or strong PG if possible. Williams and Davis overpower guys. Elite SG/PG hybrids like Roy and Wade also need help and their teams are both looking to imprve PG play to help them out.
-
M.Squared February 13th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Remember too that the PG is a much diminshed position in the triangle offense (Bulls title teams). No Triangle team has ever placed much emphasis on the point. More so, it they look for a cerebral starting 5 that can find the open (or isolation) man and knock down open jumpers when one side of the floor has drawn the defense ( Look at the starters for the Lakers- all pretty good passers/ball handlers). That said, the Warriors offense is not comparable whatsoever. Where the Bulls/Lakers were simply looking for any guard with ball handling skills that were good enough to get the ball past half court, the Warriors need a true ball handler and distributor that can get up and down in a hurry (without a ton of turnovers) in order to win many games and be able to win in a playoff format. While Baron wouldnt be a conventional PG due to his wild shooting nights, he’s is conventional in the essence that he possesses true PG skills.
-
Point guard is not a key position for our offense as currently constructed .It is basically bring the ball dump it off to jack and then let him do his thing .If he passes back out great if he doesnt well….lets just hope he is in a charitable mood.
The player who gets the rebound rarely gives it up to begin with .They rush it up the floor and then after Nelson pleading with them they give it to a guard who then calls the isolation play for Jack.
Versatility on the perimeter is the key under the new rules .You only need a pure point when you have guys who cannot create for themselves. We have multiple guys who can do that. So we dont need one guy controlling the ball we just need all the guys to make good decisions when they have the ball and we create the same effect and its much harder to stop.
Now if Nelson decides to change his approach and go back to the drive and kick system then we may need a guard but hes sewn himself to hip of jack and thats why I dont see PG being as important to the current team right now than capable big PF
-
“Point guard is not a key position for our offense as currently constructed .It is basically bring the ball dump it off to jack and then let him do his thing .If he passes back out great if he doesnt well….lets just hope he is in a charitable mood.”
Yes, we lack a point guard therefore our current style of play demonstrates that we don’t need a point guard.
Q: Who was Baron Davis?
A: Whaat? Whoa!Rules favor perimeter players, one of those position on the perimeter happens to be the point guard position so having a good PG helps set up the offense.
Steve Nash was league MVP twice since the rules changed and he’s about as opposite as you can get from the Bulls Harper.
Lastly, I wouldn’t build a team style around having a SG like MJ, and SF like Pippen. Those kind of players come too few and far between.
Leave a Reply
Categories
- Commentary (138)
- HTLFMARC (52)
- In Their Own Words (7)
- News (139)
- The Morning Report (46)
- The Wrapup (10)
- Uncategorized (6)
Recent Articles
- Cohan hangs the “FOR SALE” sign on Warriors’ HQ, but how much will he get?
- Monta Ellis returns from six-game layoff to face Trail Blazers; Watson in, Turiaf out
- Radio alert: Tune in to KNBR 1050 at 12:30 pm…
- Game 63, Live: Warriors (17-45) at Hornets (31-32)
- Game 62, Live: Warriors (17-44) at Bobcats (29-31)
- Game 61, Live: Warriors (17-43) at Hawks (39-21)
- Game 60, Live: Warriors (17-42) at Magic (41-20)
- Game 59, Live: Warriors (17-41) at Heat (29-31)
- No Monta Ellis tonight vs. Kings
- Game 52, Live: Warriors (14-37) at Lakers (41-13)
Recent Comments