Here are the quotes of the night after the Warriors continued their dominance over the Los Angeles Clippers.
It’s redundant, but it’s always worth saying: the Golden State Warriors inch closer to making history. After defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, they are just eight wins away from tying the Chicago Bull’s all-time record.
The Warriors and Clippers have provided many memorable games over the last few years. It became the league’s top rivalry as the two squads just didn’t like each other. Referees blew a quick whistle to prevent anything from escalating. The games were physicals and you could bet on a technical foul or two.
But the Warriors won a title and the Clippers have only advanced to the second round. The Warriors are having one of the best seasons ever and the Clippers have countless question marks hanging over them. It’s not a rivalry anymore. At least we think so.
Tonight just felt like the end of a rivalry
— Blue Man Hoop (@BlueManHoop) March 24, 2016
Head coach Steve Kerr noticed it as well. These games aren’t about two up-and-coming teams trying to make noise in the West. It’s about a juggernaut taking on a lesser opponent, a non-factor in the grand scheme of things.
Kerr says there wasn't that same energy to the rivalry
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) March 24, 2016
There was still some fire because these still are two teams that want to win a championship. Stephen Curry, who doesn’t express his frustration often, was assessed a technical foul in last night’s contest after throwing his mouthguard.
You know Stephen Curry's mad when mouth guard flies: “That’s kind of the impulse because I want to talk and I can’t talk w/a mouthpiece in."
— Janie McCauley (@JanieMcCAP) March 24, 2016
Kerr disagreed with the tech.
Steve Kerr on Stephen Curry throwing mouthpiece: "I didn’t think he deserved a T for that. He didn’t say anything."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) March 24, 2016
Andrew Bogut, in his second game back from injury, is continuing to have great success. He’s been extremely active on both ends in what has been his best season as a Golden State Warrior. While Bogut’s impact doesn’t always translate quantitatively to traditional statistics, it’s still there.
Kerr on Bogut: "We were +18 when he was on the floor"
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) March 24, 2016
The Warriors have surpassed the Clippers by a lot and they know it. Per the San Jose Mercury News, Bogut said:
"“All the history between us I think has kind of dwindled away now,” Warriors center Andrew Bogut said. “They obviously have a chance to meet up in the playoffs. … It’s kind of good to make sure that in the back of their minds they know they haven’t beat us yet this season"
There was a little bit of controversy prior to yesterday’s game. All-Star power forward Draymond Green was making headlines, not because of basketball, but because of his personal life. He posted a since-deleted Snapchat of himself driving 118 miles per hour. Green addressed the controversy. Green addressed the video (per San Jose Mercury News):
"“Obviously, poor judgment,” Green said of the video. “But I think it’s kind of out-of-story of what it’s trying to be made out to be. I’m not here to take any attention away from this team.”"
As he said, it wasn’t the best judgment. But he’s young and mistakes are going to happen. Luckily, Green is an extremely intelligent individual so Warriors fans shouldn’t worry.