“Warriors WrapUp”: Warriors get benefit of ‘superstar non-call’; McGee not bad as starter; Golden State locks up Pelicans late

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Steinmetz

You’ve heard of superstar calls, right? Well, on Tuesday night the Warriors got what we’ll call a superstar non-call, and it helped them win a very close game. That’s right: A superstar non-call.

Draymond Green stole the ball from New Orleans power forward/center Anthony Davis in the final seconds with the Pelicans down two, helping seal the Warriors’ 113-109 win in the fifth and final game of their road trip. Davis was in the mid-post area while being guarded by Green, who appeared to have two hands on Davis’ back as Davis started to make his move.

On “Warriors WrapUp” on 95.7-FM The Game, the postgame show on the Golden State flagship, we talked about Green’s defensive play and other topics.

Here’s link to tonight’s “Warriors WrapUp” after win over Pelicans.

Davis tried to square Green up, but Green reached in and stripped the ball from Davis. The Warriors came up with possession, and that was your ballgame. Davis, not the most vocal of players, went ballistic and drew a technical foul with 2.3 seconds left. Was it a foul? Depends on whom you ask. Warriors fans will say: No way; Pelicans fans will say: Absolutely.

But Green is one of the best defenders in the NBA, if not the best, so let’s call it a “superstar non-call.” He’s also the likely front-runner for this year’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Said coach Steve Kerr: “It looked clean because I’m the Warriors’ coach.”

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Warriors finishing up 5-game road trip; David West’s consistency; DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Steinmetz

The Warriors finish up their five-game road trip on Tuesday night against the New Orleans  Pelicans. Golden State has won three of four on this road trip, but there’s alway a challenge when it comes to the final game of a trip.

I talked to Joe, Lo and Dibs on 95.7-FM The Game this morning to discuss the Warriors, this last game of the roadie, David West’s contribution, DeMarcus Cousins’ future in Sacramento and a few other topics. Below is a link to that interview as well as the talking points of some of that discussion:

Here’s the link to that interview on 95.7-FM The Game.

–If there’s one thing the Warriors have proven over the past two or three years, it’s that they find their own motivation where others might not see it. While the final game of a road trip can sometimes prove challenging, for the Warriors it’s more of an opportunity.

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A new appreciation for Pachulia; West’s spotty start; Which bigs are good enough to play against Warriors’ smalls?

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Steinmetz

I had an opportunity to talk Warriors basketball with Greg Papa during his show on 95.7-FM The Game on Monday. Below is a link to that interview. Among the topics of conversation during the 20-minute discussion were some of the following:

–Just how valuable is center Zaza Pachulia, who has missed the past two games with a wrist injury? While Pachulia has drawn some criticism from the media and fans at times, it’s apparent right now he represents the best center on the team not named Draymond Green.

But you can’t play Green too many minutes at the five, and the Warriors are going to have to find someone to give them a little boost in there. I’m not sure if JaVale McGee, Anderson Varejao or James Michael McAdoo are going to be able to cut it — at least not when the games are high stakes.

So, the question becomes: Can Pachulia, Kevon Looney, David West and perhaps even rookie Damian Jones hold down the middle when it’s not being held down by Green? We’ll see. But don’t be surprised if general manager Bob Myers goes sniffing around for another big.

–As for West, the question becomes whether he can become a consistent rotation player on this team. Coach Steve Kerr has given him plenty of opportunity, and likely will continue to do so, but West has been spotty for the first part of the season.

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Posted in Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, Utah Jazz, Warriors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A new appreciation for Pachulia; West’s spotty start; Which bigs are good enough to play against Warriors’ smalls?