Really good read from the Athletic.
https://theathletic.com/5378659/2024/03/31/golden-state-warriors-nba-playoffs-aldridge/?source=user_shared_article
> The Warriors have played .667 basketball for 30 games (20-10). Since Feb. 1, the Dubs have been in the top 10 in a lot of meaningful categories. During this stretch, Golden State is sixth in the league in defensive rating (110.9) and eighth in net rating (5.4). The Warriors are tied with the Miami Heat for third in opponent field goal percentage allowed (.456), trailing only Minnesota and the New Orleans Pelicans. They’re tied with Houston for sixth in opponent effective field goal percentage allowed (.529). They’re tied for eighth in opponent 3-point percentage allowed (.350). And they’re just outside the top 10 in opponent free-throw attempt rate (.219).
by unspooling
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Another snippet 🙃
> “Being comfortable in hostile environments, being comfortable in allowing your defense to travel and being able to rely on that, whatever the case is, it’s the polar opposite of last year,” Curry said. “I was joking that we might need to stay in hotels in San Francisco the night before home games and act like it’s a road game, take the bus in.”
Lol never ceases to amaze me that Dubs’ core is forever the only one in the league that’s “old” and in this case brittle along with it.
– Clippers’ core is just as old yet Kawhi is used in his diatribe as an example of a player running the table with age not even a consideration. Never mind he and PG frequently struggling with injury and their 35 year old 6th man out with a broken hand.
– 2 of the Suns’ core 3 are 30+ with their 35 year old being the only one of their core 3 not in and out with injury (but nope, not old or brittle). Oh and a handful of their key role players are also in their 30s (Gordon is 35 even).
– 3 of the Bucks’ starting 5 are 32 or older and the other two are 29 with both Giannis, Middleton, and even Dame frequently injury plagued.
– 2 key players and a high minute role player (Gobert, Conley, and Slowmo) for the Timberwolves are 30+ and KAT’s already out injured (but nope, not brittle)
– Lakers have a literal 39 year old as the player they rely on most with the other guy they rely on being a 31 year old who is on a miracle run of health that’s so uncharacteristic of his entire career they’ve gotta be crossing their fingers it sticks otherwise they’re screwed.
But yes lol it’s the Warriors and Warriors alone whose marquee characteristics are being old and brittle. FFS I’m begging for people to find a new slant lol I mean this year, especially, it’s the most unoriginal slant imaginable to lead with.
I hope the media keeps talking shit so Steph can read it all and go nuclear when it’s playoff time. Remember the ‘washed’ and ‘12% chance to beat the Celtics’ narratives in 2022?