The Sacramento Kings attacked relentlessly and the Warriors of an earlier era would have had an answer, but not last night's Warriors. These were not the Dubs. These were older, slower, less aggressive Warriors. So, what can be said, realistically? There is no dishonor in saying that the great Dubs era that saw 4 NBA Championships and 6 Westeern Confrernce Championship is over. The Splash Brothers and D. Green will be heading to the NBA Hal of Fame. Lat night, with the addission of CP 3,we had the priviledege, despite the loss, of seeing 4 Warriors Hall of Fame players on the court at the same time.
So what's nextThe Kings were beaten badly by the Pelicans abd akk tge play in teams have found their places eithr in or out. Teimberwoves, Knicks, Denver, Clevland all won their first games. It is Sunday and their will be the rest of the first round games to watch. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pels upset OKC. I wouldn't be surprise if the Mavs upset the Clips. Boston should go through the first two rounds easy enough. But if it runs out it is the Knicks vs the Celts for the East, I wouldn't be surpised if the Knicks upset the Celtics. My grandson like the Mavs as his upset team. I have no faith in Kyrie Irving's defense. But the Mavs made a fabulous trade at the deadline gettin Gafford and PJ. So, it's possible. But I don't see a Western team that will beat Denver in a seven game series. This is someting that I was used to saying about the Waarrios. You could upset the Dubs once, but not over seven games. True for Mike Malone's team.
So, let's get back to "What's next" for the Warriors. First, the era of small ball is over. The Warriors must acquire long, tall and altheletic players to compete in the future. Let's use as an examle, Franz Wagner of the Magic. The Warriors could havd drafted for him, but didn't, selcting instead Johnathon Kuminga, a 6'5" granted athletic guard or wing. As one coach told me, "Franz Wagner had Warriors written all over him." Too bad. Nothing agains Kuminga, but will he ever be a reliable 3 poin shooter. Anyway, this is just about saying The Wariors must retool. How the go abou ti is not for me to say. But no moar small ball please. Hats off to Steph Curry for continuing to carry the Warrios on those talented shoulders. but how long before he becomes frustrated? If I were him, I sure wouldn't want to do it for one more season, like the last two.
I live in Sacramento, so the Kings are my alternative favorite team. What's next for them? They have plenty of offense. And I've seen them play some decent defense. But I've NEVER seen them play sustain aggreseive defense for 4 quarters. They might be the worst second half team I've seen in a long time. Sorry, Mike Brown, reality check. So, the answer is: get defense credibility or it's a future of PlayIns. Ugh!
Hat's off to Michel Porter Jr for not allowing his terrible family misfortuen to affect his play. I'm sure he loves his two brothers,, Coban and Jontay, but he also feels a commitment to his teammates. He's a pro.
Thrilled to see the picks for our Olympic basketball team. Thrilled to se that Jrue Holiday was selevted, proving that Grant Hill know the value of a two way point guard. This is going to be the best American Olympic team since the Dream Team.
My pick for the NBA Championship? The Denver Nuggets.
VENDER
Let me tell you guys something, it belongs to us,
The hawkers with the cotton candy and the ice cream bars.
a few extra bucks. In my case, to save money
for my son to go to camps, become great,
perhaps someday win a ring like ya’ all.
I’m thinking wouldn’t it be great to be like
Stephen Curry’s dad watching his kid hit
those silky jump shots, or Klay Thompson’s dad.
the time his son scored 50 point, 34 in one quarter.
Or Durant’s mom, how proud I’d be to be
that proud of my son, and him proud of me.
Here I am hawking frozen ice cream bars,
counting up in my head how much I can make
this basketball season to send my son to camp.
Only ten years old but, damn, he’s pretty good already.
Heck, isn’t this what fathers dream for their sons?
Like little boys dream of going to games
sitting with their dads, eating cotton candy
and watching the Dubs win an NBA Championship?
Tom Meschery
