There's a thread about the 2022 editions of the teams, and their forthcoming titanic struggle. That's all great.
But it's also a long 4 days until Game 1, and in between, my thoughts have turned to all of the great games these two teams have played, in particular the last few years. In the Steve Kerr / Marcus Smart era (since summer 2014), it was pointed out that there's only one team that has a winning record against the Warriors. Yep. C's are 9-7 vs GSW in that span.
There's two games in that run that I'd like to highlight, and I'd invite others to nominate some good watchin' as well. Because I think some of these games still say something, even with the years in between then and now, about how the two teams match up and their respective team cultures.
The first is April 1st, 2016. In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors would of course break the NBA record for wins in a season, and went a mind-boggling 39-2 at home. As of April 1st, however, they had won 54 straight games at home, itself an NBA record. Had not lost in Oakland since January 2015, so 15 months. We were coming off a tough west coast road trip with back to back losses at the Clippers and Portland. Anyway, here's 22 minutes well spent:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkPjzQe3laY
In it you'll see:
- Marcus Smart doing plenty of Marcus Smart things, though perhaps not peak Smart
- Izayer building his "king in the 4th" reputation (this was one of the games that made me fall in love with him)
- Avery Bradley having some remarkable agility
- Steph making at least 4 or 5 absolutely absurd shots
...But of course, it's the possessions they don't show which mattered too. I started noting the length of time in between those made-bucket highlights, wishing I could see some of the defensive plays.
(palate cleanser from March 2017: Curry taunts rookie Jaylen Brown, who he thought was yapping too much. I wonder if Jaylen remembers?)
The other game I'll bring up is November 16, 2017, in Boston. The teams are a bit more recognizable: Horford, Brown, and a rookie Tatum (6 weeks into his NBA career) making a cameo. Looney into the first season where he actually played in the playoffs and was a rotation contributor. Durant was the recent signing by the defending-champ Dubs, which had caused just a bit of consternation around the league. And away we go:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ys3FMNLH0
What stood out to me:
- It appeared that Jaylen Brown perhaps did, in fact, remember the previous spring's matchup and taunt
- During the 19-0 run that turned the game around, you'll note it began with Irving subbing off and Scary Terry coming on, even if the star of that run was Brown
- Horford has noticeably more spring in his step on offense than he does today
- I had forgotten what a threat Draymond is from 3. It's not his first option but if you give it to him he'll take it.
- Half of Curry's magic is an absolutely instantaneous release on the outside shot. Sure, he's got the range and accuracy, but part of that has got to be the fact that it's out of his hands before his defender even gets in close-out range. That's got to be a skill that ages exceptionally well.
Anyway, those two games felt like they still had plenty of context to offer us. Maybe you prefer the classics, or more recent vintages, but there's lots to choose from.
But it's also a long 4 days until Game 1, and in between, my thoughts have turned to all of the great games these two teams have played, in particular the last few years. In the Steve Kerr / Marcus Smart era (since summer 2014), it was pointed out that there's only one team that has a winning record against the Warriors. Yep. C's are 9-7 vs GSW in that span.
There's two games in that run that I'd like to highlight, and I'd invite others to nominate some good watchin' as well. Because I think some of these games still say something, even with the years in between then and now, about how the two teams match up and their respective team cultures.
The first is April 1st, 2016. In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors would of course break the NBA record for wins in a season, and went a mind-boggling 39-2 at home. As of April 1st, however, they had won 54 straight games at home, itself an NBA record. Had not lost in Oakland since January 2015, so 15 months. We were coming off a tough west coast road trip with back to back losses at the Clippers and Portland. Anyway, here's 22 minutes well spent:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkPjzQe3laY
In it you'll see:
- Marcus Smart doing plenty of Marcus Smart things, though perhaps not peak Smart
- Izayer building his "king in the 4th" reputation (this was one of the games that made me fall in love with him)
- Avery Bradley having some remarkable agility
- Steph making at least 4 or 5 absolutely absurd shots
...But of course, it's the possessions they don't show which mattered too. I started noting the length of time in between those made-bucket highlights, wishing I could see some of the defensive plays.
(palate cleanser from March 2017: Curry taunts rookie Jaylen Brown, who he thought was yapping too much. I wonder if Jaylen remembers?)
The other game I'll bring up is November 16, 2017, in Boston. The teams are a bit more recognizable: Horford, Brown, and a rookie Tatum (6 weeks into his NBA career) making a cameo. Looney into the first season where he actually played in the playoffs and was a rotation contributor. Durant was the recent signing by the defending-champ Dubs, which had caused just a bit of consternation around the league. And away we go:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48ys3FMNLH0
What stood out to me:
- It appeared that Jaylen Brown perhaps did, in fact, remember the previous spring's matchup and taunt
- During the 19-0 run that turned the game around, you'll note it began with Irving subbing off and Scary Terry coming on, even if the star of that run was Brown
- Horford has noticeably more spring in his step on offense than he does today
- I had forgotten what a threat Draymond is from 3. It's not his first option but if you give it to him he'll take it.
- Half of Curry's magic is an absolutely instantaneous release on the outside shot. Sure, he's got the range and accuracy, but part of that has got to be the fact that it's out of his hands before his defender even gets in close-out range. That's got to be a skill that ages exceptionally well.
Anyway, those two games felt like they still had plenty of context to offer us. Maybe you prefer the classics, or more recent vintages, but there's lots to choose from.
