Warriors defeat Grizzlies, 100-99; Quotes of the Night
The Golden State Warriors won their 71st game, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies. Here are the best quotes from last night.
The 2015-16 season has been a very long ladder for the Golden State Warriors. They’ve climbed up one more rung after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies. On the next one stand the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, scared that the impossible might actually happen. With their victory over the Grizzlies, the Warriors now have 71 wins, just one away from tying the Bulls’ all-time record.
The number 73 has been following the Golden State Warriors more closely than Kawhi Leonard chasing Stephen Curry around the floor. It surrounds the team and now, with just two games left, they need to be perfect to reach it.
The Warriors were not perfect for most of the game as their offense struggled to get going and they let a few Memphis players get going. Vocal leader Draymond Green rallied the troops which led to a late game push. He talked about it later, per Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area:
"“Just play hard. Just compete,” he told reporters at FedEx Forum. “Playing with an edge, it’s not necessarily about the record. It’s about having pride in yourself. Don’t go out just moseying around and they are out here manhandling us.“It’s about going out there with heart and having pride and taking pride in who you are. It’s a blessing and an honor to step on this court every game so don’t come out here and take it for granted. I don’t believe in taking this game for granted.”"
While some of the players haven’t discussed it or have downplayed the pursuit of the record, Green has not been shy about his desires.
Draymond: "I’ve always stated that I want people to remember me as a winner. To have the all-time wins record, that would speak for itself."
— Rusty Simmons (@JRustySimmons) April 10, 2016
Andre Iguodala, on the other hand, has been open about not really caring about the record. ESPN’s Ethan Strauss wrote:
"When asked if he cared about 73 wins as it was slipping away, Iguodala responded, “Nah. Not at all. I think when you start thinking about it, the focus goes away from the task at hand, which is the game.”He continued: “I keep saying the same thing over and over. If we just continue to play our game, cut out our mistakes, which is ultimately our weakness, the wins will take care of themselves. So for me, you know, if we do what we have to do, we’re going to ultimately win, because I feel like we’re the best team. So, I mean it’s just nothing outside that matters. So fear doesn’t creep into our mind.”"
The Warriors have to look forward to visiting San Antonio, a place where the franchise hasn’t won a regular season game in in over a decade.
The Warriors played a tight one last night, but Stephen Curry thinks his team is ready for the Spurs.
Stephen Curry on what the Warriors will have left in the tank for tomorrow's back-to-back in San Antonio: "Plenty."
— Rusty Simmons (@JRustySimmons) April 10, 2016
Klay Thompson also addressed the losing streak in San Antonio.
Klay Thompson on 33-game losing skid at San Antonio: "That’s a dark cloud hanging over the history of the Warriors’ regular seasons."
— Rusty Simmons (@JRustySimmons) April 10, 2016
If last game told us anything, it’s that tomorrow night should be a fun one.