Golden State Warriors

[CirocBoy]

I guess Draymond has a new nickname, "Lil D"

[Guiness]

Klay Thompson: 'My game isn't changing' because of Kevin Durant

 

Klay Thompson doesn't believe that the Golden State Warriors will have to "sacrifice" after the addition of Kevin Durant during free agency this summer. In fact, that type of talk just motivates him even more.

 

"I feel kind of disrespected that people keep using the term 'sacrifice' to describe me and describe us," Thompson told The Vertical on Tuesday. "We all want to see each other do well. But I'm not sacrificing [expletive], because my game isn't changing. I'm still going to try to get buckets, hit shots, come off screens. I want to win and have a fun time every game we play.

 

"The NBA season can get mundane; 82 games are so long and there can be some boredom. Now, we can embrace being the hated team and getting everyone's best, and adding some tension every night. It'll be a fun experience going into arenas on the road, with opposing fans hating what we've built."

 

Golden State set an NBA regular-season record with 73 wins and led the league in scoring last season, but the Warriors fell just short of a repeat NBA title and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

 

The 27-year-old Durant, who had spent his nine NBA seasons with the Thunder, announced his decision to join the Warriors on July 4. He won the MVP in 2014, has been named first-team All-NBA five times and has made seven All-Star teams. He has appeared in four Western Conference finals and one NBA Finals, in which he lost in five games to the Heat in 2012.

 

He joins a Warriors lineup that -- in addition to Thompson -- features two-time defending league MVP Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Zaza Pachulia and Andre Iguodala.

 

"We want Klay to stay Klay," Durant told The Vertical. "We don't want him to change. The games dictate where the shots come from. I may shoot 12 shots one night, Klay may shoot eight or nine shots one night, and Steph may shoot 25 shots one night. And it could be a different flow another night."

[iggy112]

My partner and I were having a discussion on who my favorite team is. Because she said, it seemed like I changed teams all the time and I liked multiple teams.

 

It made me think, and I figured out. I follow coaches. Not teams.

So I followed Phil from Chicago to LA (and sort of NY because he's there, but I'm only half invested there because he's not the coach).

I still follow Pop in San Antonio

Regardless of what critics say, I really think well of Spo in Miami (aside from the fact that he's half Pinoy)

 

And not so recently... Steve Kerr in GS. I remember saying, I think he'd make a good coach, all the way back since his Phoenix days.

And actually everytime you hear his interviews, you could see he was a smart, thoughtful guy who knew the game.

Plus, if you remember his championship parade interview after making the final shot for one of Chicago's championship --- that was really witty.

 

Having said that, I think the great coaches find ways to make the talent and more importantly, egos fit in one team, and then align them towards the goal of winning championships.

 

Really excited to see how he'll make GS fit together this year.

Edited August 15, 2016 by iggy112

[numina]

agree KT

[Hari ng Spakol]

BLOGTABLE: DO WARRIORS HAVE A SHORT WINDOW TO CONTEND?

 

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2016/08/24/blogtable-do-warriors-have-a-short-window-to-contend/?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

[Guiness]

Curry doesn't make rookies' list of favorite NBA players

 

By Rob Perez

 

Aug 30, 2016 at 7:00p ET

 

On Tuesday, NBA.com's John Schuhmann released the results of a survey which polled 38 NBA rookies on eight topics.

 

One question: who is their favorite player in the league? The answers came back with eye-popping results:

 

"Who is your favorite player in the league?

 

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State — 29.7%

 

T-2. Carmelo Anthony, New York — 9.4%

 

LeBron James, Cleveland — 9.4%

 

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 9.4%

 

T-5. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio — 6.3%

 

Kobe Bryant (retired) — 6.3%

 

Paul George, Indiana — 6.3%

 

Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 6.3%

 

T-9. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota — 4.7%

 

Others receiving votes: Vince Carter, Memphis; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland

 

That's right: Steph Curry, the league's first unanimous MVP, received less than 4.7% of the total vote — suggesting that his proverbial "heel turn" is a sentiment shared not just by fans cheering against the Golden State Warriors, but, incoming rookies as well.

 

Durant, on the other hand, has now won this poll three years in a row with his percentage increasing each season. While some NBA fans and a large chunk of the Oklahoma City metropolis might feel differently, among his peers, Durant isn't the villain of the NBA — rather, he is the role model.

 

My, how the tables have turned...

[Guiness]

Report: The Golden State Warriors are seen as an arrogant organization

• by Kyle Hancox
• Senior Writer

Published

 

an hour ago

 

The Golden State Warriors franchise has been hugely successful over the past two seasons and has built the foundations for a lot of joy further down the line.

 

They won their first championship for 40 years in 2015 as they beat the Cleveland Cavaliers before making it back-to-back Western Conference titles this year by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder.

 

After adding Kevin Durant to their team in free agency, creating a family feel in the franchise and starting on plans to build a new arena, things are looking really good for the franchise who occupied the lower reaches of the league for so many years.

 

However, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst on a recent episode of the Truehoop podcast, there is a sense around the league that the Warriors organization believe they are better than the rest.

 

He said: "Within the NBA, there's a belief that the Warriors are a bit arrogant.

 

 

"I can't tell you how many times in the last four or five months, when I'm talking with other people in the league, whether it's agents or executives or whomever, coaches ... there's the reference, 'Well, they are light years ahead so they'll be fine'."

 

That reference comes from a previous interview in March where owner Joe Lacob sang the praises of his organisation by telling the New York Times they were 'light years ahead' of the competition.

 

 

The Warriors have had some luck along the way, but they are a powerhouse that is here to stay.

Edited September 2, 2016 by hahnz

[numina]

Curry doesn't make rookies' list of favorite NBA players

 

By Rob Perez

 

 

Aug 30, 2016 at 7:00p ET

 

 

On Tuesday, NBA.com's John Schuhmann released the results of a survey which polled 38 NBA rookies on eight topics.

 

One question: who is their favorite player in the league? The answers came back with eye-popping results:

 

 

"Who is your favorite player in the league?

 

 

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State — 29.7%

T-2. Carmelo Anthony, New York — 9.4%

LeBron James, Cleveland — 9.4%

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 9.4%

T-5. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio — 6.3%

Kobe Bryant (retired) — 6.3%

Paul George, Indiana — 6.3%

Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 6.3%

T-9. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota — 4.7%

Others receiving votes: Vince Carter, Memphis; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland

That's right: Steph Curry, the league's first unanimous MVP, received less than 4.7% of the total vote — suggesting that his proverbial "heel turn" is a sentiment shared not just by fans cheering against the Golden State Warriors, but, incoming rookies as well.

 

Durant, on the other hand, has now won this poll three years in a row with his percentage increasing each season. While some NBA fans and a large chunk of the Oklahoma City metropolis might feel differently, among his peers, Durant isn't the villain of the NBA — rather, he is the role model.

 

My, how the tables have turned...

Maybe because shooting is really hard to aspire for? It is a unique talent to shoot the way steph shoots...

[Guiness]

Maybe because shooting is really hard to aspire for? It is a unique talent to shoot the way steph shoots...

 

i don't think it has anything to do with talent. shooting requires repetition. to be a great shooter. you have to practice shooting the ball from all angles. there is this shooting drill called 15, 17, 19 reggie explains the drill on this vid on the 11:23 mark of the clip. once you are able to be comfortable with your form and your shot. you can extend away from the basket until you are comfortable in that range.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlKmY7QWZzE

 

If you watch Curry, he regularly practices shooting the ball that's why he got good shooting it because he kept practicing and once his range extended to at least 30 feet. he got stronger by doing shooting drills. He probably shoots 1000 shots a day. But being a good shooter doesn't show his total skills. He had to learn how to create separation from the player guarding him. He has a lot of vids showing him doing his dribbling drills. Anyone who works hard at these will get to be good.

 

The reason why the majority of rookies don't have him as favorites is because he doesn't have the total package to be a complete basketball player. He isn't a great defender, he's not that athletic like the other guards like Westbrook. During each of the Finals the past 2 years if you look at players who guard him they try to be physical with him and that throws him off his game a bit because he isn't as physically strong

 

He makes up for it by working on what he can be better at and that is to shoot the ball and have a great dribble. These 2 skills enabled him to create that space to get his shot off.

 

But other than that, the rookies are looking at him and don't see him as a complete package. If you look at their top 3 picks. KD, Lebron, Melo, Westbrook. These players are physically strong, athletically gifted. Their not just 1 or 2 dimensional players like Curry is.

 

That's how im looking at how they gauge a players skills. and Curry doesn't seem to fit those skills they are looking for in a player.

 

It's not hating on the guy but they just think that other players are better than him in terms of overall skill sets.

[The Cunning Linguist]

Curry doesn't make rookies' list of favorite NBA players

 

By Rob Perez

 

Aug 30, 2016 at 7:00p ET

 

On Tuesday, NBA.com's John Schuhmann released the results of a survey which polled 38 NBA rookies on eight topics.

 

One question: who is their favorite player in the league? The answers came back with eye-popping results:

 

"Who is your favorite player in the league?

 

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State — 29.7%

 

T-2. Carmelo Anthony, New York — 9.4%

 

LeBron James, Cleveland — 9.4%

 

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City — 9.4%

 

T-5. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio — 6.3%

 

Kobe Bryant (retired) — 6.3%

 

Paul George, Indiana — 6.3%

 

Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 6.3%

 

T-9. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota — 4.7%

 

Others receiving votes: Vince Carter, Memphis; Stephen Curry, Golden State; Marc Gasol, Memphis; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland

 

That's right: Steph Curry, the league's first unanimous MVP, received less than 4.7% of the total vote — suggesting that his proverbial "heel turn" is a sentiment shared not just by fans cheering against the Golden State Warriors, but, incoming rookies as well.

 

Durant, on the other hand, has now won this poll three years in a row with his percentage increasing each season. While some NBA fans and a large chunk of the Oklahoma City metropolis might feel differently, among his peers, Durant isn't the villain of the NBA — rather, he is the role model.

 

My, how the tables have turned...

 

 

What is the specific instance that is being described as his heel turn? I'm quite curious...is it because he teamed up with KD? then makes KD a heel as well, but clearly the number of Rookies who idolize him doesn't see it that way or it just isn't a factor in them not choosing Curry.

[atsuko]

Good Morning atsuko hir SPA AICHI

[MrRoboboto21]

Spurs parin

[Guiness]

 

What is the specific instance that is being described as his heel turn? I'm quite curious...is it because he teamed up with KD? then makes KD a heel as well, but clearly the number of Rookies who idolize him doesn't see it that way or it just isn't a factor in them not choosing Curry.

 

i think the author just added the heel turn comment to the column. But i don't think it was a determining factor for the rookies when they were asked the question. They look at the overall skill set of the player they like and this is what they use to determine the player they like.

 

The heel turn question should be directed more to the fans, and media. Even before Durant decided to sign with the Warriors. There was already a growing resentment of fans towards Curry and his clean cut image. They are thinking that its fake and pretentious because in their mind no one is that nice.

[The Cunning Linguist]

With the way the majority of society thinks nowadays, they are just hating the Warriors just to have someone to hate and because they are the team to beat. They hated the Heat back then too during their LBJ era. That's just the way it goes.

[Guiness]

There is some truth to people hating just to hate. But not all the people had that excuse to hate. There was a lot of fans who had good reasons to hate the Warriors even before Durant joined . I noticed this during last season when they were going on this run to get to 73 wins. The year they won in 2015. People loved them and not just in Oakland. Fans outside of Oakland liked them because they were portrayed as a team who empitomized great team play and had the best backcourt in the modern NBA. This in turn had people glued on them and had the media put them in a microscope coming into this season.

 

Add to that the pressure mounted considerably when they were on this run towards 70+ wins. And all of this was used to turn against them. The Draymond Green kicks to the nuts of Steven Adams, and Lebron, to his halftime tirade against Steve Kerr. Curry was also getting resentment by showboating too much before his shot went in he was already celebrating and shimmying even before the ball went it. This got fans to turn on them because now they're not really good guys but a bunch of dirty and coc.ky brash players. Not the goody good players they were being portrayed as.

 

Not to mention they were the heavy favorites coming into the Finals.

 

I'm one of those guys who love the underdog team winning against a heavily favored team. David vs Goliath type of result.

 

Now they're more hated because Durant decided to join them. Durant is being hated because of his decision to join the Warriors where he had choices of teams he can join and he joined the team they almost beat last season. It just heightened the hate level more because its the Warriors. Plus people hate it when they look at a season and they see no reason to watch the games because all they will see is the Warriors winning all the time and no other team legitimitely challenging to knock them off.

 

People are looking for the Warriors to lose again this season which would give them more ammunition to deride Durant if they end up losing