Last Four Games

Sorry for the lack of updates on the games. But know, you aren’t missing much. I know it is bad to rag on a team, but when you come home after a pretty successful road trip (3-3) and then get outworked when you play at home, it is very hard not to rag on you. Especially, if it is because there is a lack of effort. I was unable to watch the the entire game, but I caught the end of the third and full fourth quarter. The Warriors looked like they were disinterested in the game. And they looked tired. Of course, they looked tired. They are playing so many game sin such a short time frame! But what team isn’t. The Grizzlies sure didn’t look like they were tired. They looked like a bunch of young guys were ready to come into the Oracle and spank the home team. And spank them, the Grizzlies did.

In the first quarter alone, the Warriors let the Grizzlies go on a 21-4 run. After a chorus of boos from the crowd ( I doubt the fans are the only ones who are frustrated with the team) the Warriors stormed back in the second quarter to tie it all up at 35 a piece. Monta Ellis scored from a nice pace from Stephen Curry (why don’t we see more of that?!!?!). But then the Grizzlies took control of the third and then coasted their way into the fourth. Except for the second quarter, the Grizzlies easily handled the Warriors.

The lack of effort is what is frustrating. It is even frustrating for Mark Jackson, who along with us, have seen the Warriors play with boundless energy and effort. Then they go on nights where they pack their sleepwear and go play crappy. They were outworked, out hustled and basically out played. They gave up 32 fast break points and 52 points in the paint. That to me shows that there was a lack of commitment on the defensive end. It also shows me that Warriors haven’t broken out of their old habits. They continue to want to score more than the other teams and expect that is the way to win. NEWSFLASH. That type of style hasn’t worked in the past and it certainly won’t work now. The game is changing in the sense that teams, coaches, scouts are looking ways to make it more difficult to score. They’ll hone in on a player (or two if you’re like the Heat) and then try to make the supporting cast score more than their power scorers. And they’ll scheme every night just so they have that edge.

Let’s be real with one another now though. Monta Ellis is electric. The guy can flat out score. But there isn’t another player who is going to step up and this step up by committee is not a winning combination. David Lee only had 11 points and four rebounds. Can’t have that, when you traded for this huge contract. And it gets worse because Stephen Curry still has issues with his right surgical repaired ankle. He did give 15 points and four rebounds to the cause, but he also had two turnovers to three assists. Not the best ratio. And forget about Dorell Wright. Not only did he make the poster, capping off the 21-4 run the Grizzlies had when a pass floated over his head, he gave you nothing as well. No points, ONE rebound and that’s about it. Thank goodness he didn’t play a whole lot of minutes, but somewhere tells me that this guy shouldn’t have come right out of HS. He needed a year or two or four in college to perfect his game. His game is pretty bad. At this point, Jeremy Lin is better than him (or at least he is consistent with getting turnovers).

The one bright spot that came out of last night’s game is Klay Thompson. The rookie has had an up and down season (though mostly up) and he shined the brightest last night in a dark black hole featuring most of the Warriors. In a modest 27 minutes, the kid scored 16 points (to match the 33 minute Ellis’ total points) and secured six rebounds.  He continues to look more comfortable playing with the big boys and he has now shown he can score and score with range.

The Warriors continue their two game homestand against the Mavs this upcoming Saturday at Oracle. Game time starts at 7:30pm.

The one bright spot of the night: Rookie Klay Thompson