97 replies to this topic

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

...maybe? For the record, I am a life-long Celtics fan and I love this era of Celtics basketball as much as the Bird-era teams.

That said, I live out of market and don't subscribe to League Pass, so I get my NBA product from the ESPNs, TNTs and local channels. Excepting 2007, there hasn't been much to really care about on the latter, given that the Golden State Warriors were in varying states of disarray, especially as Don Nelson's NBA coaching career crashed, like a whiskey-soused driver driving into a fence-post.

This year, however, is different. While the Celtics faced the Western Conference media darlings of the NBA last night in the Clips, the Warriors have quietly put up an a pretty impressive start themselves, and at 20-10 they sit right behind the CP3s in the Pacific standings. It is worth noting that they are 11-6 on the road (equalling last season's total road victory mark) and 9-4 at Oracle Arena, which features a great crowd despite there being no Jack Nicholson or Billy Crystal sitting court-side.

More to the point, the Warriors are winning because they play very good defense (sixth in the league in terms of FG% allowed) and have two top 10 players at their position (using PER) in Steph Curry and David Lee. Neither guy may make the all star squad for the west but believe me when I tell you that both of them are playing fantastic basketball right now. Curry is electric and Lee may just be the best true PF in the game right now.

That is in addition to a supporting cast that seems to benefit from what some might term "good chemistry" given the additions of Jarret Jack and Carl Landry (also having a very good season) in addition to the development of Klay Thompson as well as rookies Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes. Even the easily forgotten Andris Biedrins has proved useful for the Dubs this season, especially of late.

All of these words are to say that the C's, while not facing as ridiculously a deep team as the Clips, have their work cut out for them in OakTown. Go forth and win. I know the season begins in earnest in the spring but I'd like to see Boston win a game against a squad that plays good defense and features team basketball.

Edited by DeJesus Built My Hotrod, 29 December 2012 - 01:51 AM.

[AMS25]

More to the point, the Warriors are winning because they play very good defense (sixth in the league in terms of FG% allowed) and have two top 10 players at their position (using PER) in Steph Curry and David Lee. Neither guy may make the all star squad for the west but believe me when I tell you that both of them are playing fantastic basketball right now. Curry is electric and Lee may just be the best true PF in the game right now.

My daughter has been blessed to have David Lee on her fantasty team. Out of gratitude, she has voted several times for him to represent the West in the All Star Game. He's a beast.

[Sille Skrub]

This the first time the Dubs have had 20 wins before January 1st since like 1980.

Looking forward to this one. Even though Oakland is a shithole, the Dubs get great support and the games are fun to attend.

Hope this continues for them as I'd love to see them make the playoffs. Oracle will really rock if that happens.

[JohnnyTheBone]

David Lee has indeed been impressive, but the C's have their own Tower of Power named Kevin Garnett. It's time to go Back To Oakland and find the stroke. Hey, let's find the stroke! Let's find the Oakland Stroke!!

[Stu Nahan]

Win. Rondo needs to show up big. That effort the other night was like a night off for him. I'm expecting big things.

[scottyno]

Win. Rondo needs to show up big. That effort the other night was like a night off for him. I'm expecting big things.

that might be tough, he's out tonight with a right quad injury,

[nattysez]

KG will have to score 50 on DLee in order for the Celts to win tonight. Very unlikely.

[scottyno]

Just remembered this is the 1 team a year where I can't watch the celtics from vegas because sports packages seem to think oakland is a local market to las vegas. I hate blackouts.

Pierce needs to play like he did 2 weeks ago and drop 40+ on these guys

[JohnnyTheBone]

Hey, let's find the stroke!

[Nomar813]

They're penetrating at will. Terry should wear a bullfighter's costume in lieu of a uniform.

[Blacken]

Just remembered this is the 1 team a year where I can't watch the celtics from vegas because sports packages seem to think oakland is a local market to las vegas. I hate blackouts.

Pierce needs to play like he did 2 weeks ago and drop 40+ on these guys

It's on firstrowsports.

[Blacken]

GS announcer: "Brandon Bass can put up points in a hurry."

Where, against his kids?

[Nomar813]

Holy shit snacks, Sully got a call in his favor.

[JohnnyTheBone]

So tough to watch the NBA product...

[JohnnyTheBone]

Sully continuing to do gorgeous work.

[JohnnyTheBone]

Ba$$ Money!

[Ed Hillel]

Shooting foul!?!?

[Nomar813]

GS announcer: "Brandon Bass can put up points in a hurry."

Where, against his kids?

I miss Mike Gorman so much.

[Ed Hillel]

Bass is so fucking bad on the defensive end.

[JohnnyTheBone]

If Terry has trouble finding a matador costume, he can just as well suit up as a bricklayer.

[Ed Hillel]

lol Sully didn't even touch him.

[Ed Hillel]

Bass passes on a wide open layup. Good call.

[Nomar813]

That's some pretty rough shot selection so early in the shot clock.

[JohnnyTheBone]

that foul is what is called a bunch of horseshit by industry insiders.

Edited by JohnnyTheBone, 29 December 2012 - 11:11 PM.

[JohnnyTheBone]

pierce returns. hey, let's find the stroke!

[SoFloSoxFan]

GS announcer: "Brandon Bass can put up points in a hurry."

GS color guy: This is where Landry likes to operate, but he's against a pretty good defender in Brandon Bass.

[Ed Hillel]

lol @ the no travel call on Bass. He just picked up his dribble, dropped the ball, and picked it up again.

[Ed Hillel]

This has gotten out of hand.

[Nomar813]

Without Rondo, this kind of game by Pierce is a killer.

[Ed Hillel]

Holy shit, Sully gets abused by the refs.

[JohnnyTheBone]

This is bogus.

[ifmanis5]

Getting run out of the gym w/out Rondo. Pierce and Green are a combined 0-12. Ouch.

[Brickowski]

Looks like another 30 pt loss.

[ifmanis5]

Dubs can't miss.

[Blacken]

What the fuck.

[Nick Kaufman]

Jarred sullinger, lone bright spot.

[BigSoxFan]

So...who can we draft this year?

[Ed Hillel]

If Melo pans out, Sullinger and Melo would be an unbelievable haul for 20 and 21. I still can't believe Sullinger fell to us.

[Blacken]

The fuck is up with Pierce?

[Nomar813]

I'm impressed both of Biedrins' free throws reached the rim.

[Jed Zeppelin]

I don't really feel like watching anyone on this team besides Sullinger. Lee works his tail off as well.

[Blacken]

The Warriors can't fucking miss.

[eddiew112]

2-18 for Pierce and Green. Yikes

[Helmet Head]

This team sucks at defense

They don't challenge anyone.

Hopefully Bradley can fix some of that

[JohnnyTheBone]

Looks like another 30 pt loss.

I don't think so, Brick. Warriors have barely missed, and the C's have had some tough bounces. I think it will even out and end up a 6-10 point game at the end.

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I think this game will end up a lot closer - JTB is right. That said, the Warriors aren't the same team people remember. They are pretty good. Fucking David Lee is out of his mind right now.

[Nomar813]

G-State can shoot, but this is some bullshit.

[Blacken]

The Celtics aren't playing the best defense of the year, but this shooting performance is unreal.

[JohnnyTheBone]

C's have struggled in Oakland even as they were winning ~60 games a year in the KG era and the dubs were sucking.

[Helmet Head]

Man. Pierce has looked awful at times this year. Tough to watch.