HKF

I was very interested in seeing how the Warriors came back this year after last year's playoffs and then the Stephen Jackson suspension happened and they basically lost 3 games by 7 points or less. If Jackson were available, I think you'd be looking at a team that is 8-4, rather than 5-7. They have won five of the last six games. Regardless, a favorable schedule is coming up for the Dubs and what do you expect over the next seven games?

The Warriors play five of their next seven games at home.

vs. Phoenix
@ Sacramento
vs. Houston
@ Seattle
vs. Orlando
vs. Milwaukee
vs. Miami

I got the Warriors as sweeping their home games (with the exception of Phoenix) and drubbing Sacramento and Seattle on their way to a 6-1 run heading into a Dec. 9th game at the Lakers. That would make the Warriors 11-8 and the memories of their poor start would be distant.

What say ye?

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My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler

2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)

College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"

bruindre

Let me see...

vs. Phoenix - L
@ Sacramento - W
vs. Houston - W
@ Seattle - W
vs. Orlando - W
vs. Milwaukee - W
vs. Miami - W

At first glance, I thought we'd lose our next 3 home games.

Houston has always played us tough, and with the transition into a Rick Adelman-styled offense, I think we lose that game. Also, Orlando is tough, physical, and could easily drub us on our home court. Hell,I can't sleep on Milwaukee - they've quietly started 7-4, including 4 wins in a row, over the likes of Cleveland, LA Lakers, and this evening's win vs Dallas.

After looking closer at the schedule, we play Houston, Orlando, Milwaukee, and Miami on the 2nd of back-to-back road games - a factor to consider, especially for the Eastern Conference teams.

I like that call, HKF - and not 'cause I'm a homer, either. Of course, if the W's can't improve their free throw shooting (another turd laid by the W's - shooing 21/31 FTs tonight @ Philly), they'd surely make those games a lot closer than they ought to be.

I'm excited to see what the effect of Jackson back in the line up has for this club in their home games.

HKF

Dre, this thread is also on the Main NBA board. I think you can't help but be encouraged by the 5-1 run right now, but Nellie needs to trust his bench a little bit more. Brandan Wright and Patrick O'Bryant should be able to give 8 minutes each a piece.

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My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler

2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)

College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"

bruindre

You're preachin' to the choir - I'll admit to being a bit of a POB hater (for no good reason, too), but the guy has looked promising in the limited action he's seen. Same can be said for Brandan Wright - I'm waiting for the day Nellie puts them in steadily in the 2nd and/or 3rd quarters. Instead, the Warriors go out and get DJ Mbenga (presumably because he's more 'seasoned' than POB or Wright).

Not trusting the bench is what cost the W's a chance at being Utah in last year's playoffs - W's could easily have won both game 1 and 2; by the end of the games, players were out of gas. Nellie has GOT to rely more on his bench - now to get the younger guys experience AND later (post-season run and in the playoffs) to make sure he doesn't run his stars into the ground again.

essbee

As I said in another thread the last thing we need is for nellie to stop giving the guys pt now that jax is back. this is why he always wears his starters out. WE need to give guys like Wright consistent time if for no other reason than to shut up people who don't understand why we made the J-Rich trade lol.

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bruindre

stop giving guys PT? Hell, I'd argue that they hardly got PT to begin with.

Nellie, when will you learn to rely on that bench? The signing of DJ Mbenga pissed me off - it was essentially a sign to the young front line players (i.e. POB and Wright) that they wouldn't be trusted for the season (and it sent another young guy packing in Stephane Lasme).

dk1115

Am I the only one that's pissed off at Nelly playing too small? He's always got Jackson/Pietrus or some obvious SF SF combo. On some nights that might look genius, but I get so annoyed at Nelly when the team struggles to rebound, and he leaves that combo in. Who gives a hoot in O'Bryant or Wright can't play offense? They're 7 feet, and they can help get some boards.

HKF

1-0

__________________
My favorite NBA players: Deron Williams * Kobe Bryant * Carmelo Anthony * Ben Gordon * Joe Johnson * Kevin Martin * Tim Duncan * Kyle Lowry * Thad Young * Amare Stoudemire * Dwight Howard * Josh Smith * Brandon Roy * LaMarcus Aldridge * Rudy Gay * Al Horford * Brandan Wright * Craig Smith * Renaldo Balkman * Wilson Chandler

2008-09 Favorite Rookies: Jerryd Bayless (POR), Roy Hibbert (IND), Greg Oden (POR), Chris Douglas-Roberts (NJN), Joe Alexander (MIL), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (NYK)

College Basketball: "Where 7-Foot Bigs Foul Out Happen"

PFortyy

Wow, there was a few upsets last night. Warriors beat Phoenix, New York beat Utah, Sacramento beat San Antonio and the T'Wolves beat the hornets.

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PFortyy

4-0 so far

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Chan

Mbenga was probably a Nellie favorite in Dallas. I mean, the other guy was Pavel Podkolzine (lol), you gotta assume Nellie sided with this guy.

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Hold on a sec, sweetie.

bruindre

Heck, I knew it wouldn't bode well for POB or Wright when the W's waived Stephane Lasme to make room for Mbenga. I knew he was on Dallas' bench when Nellie coached them - figured he'd rely on a 'vet' he was familiar with over unproven young bigs.

It's unfortunate, though - time and time again, Nellie won't give a big guy a break unless he shows the ability to shoot from 3-point range.

Chan

I don't think Nellie loves 3 point shooting that much. Just guys that compliment the system. Maybe he was hoping Mbenga could be like Biedrins. Wright has no strength, and I like Mbenga over POB at the backup 5. The guy is real intimidating.

O'Bryant is a pending bust. He is Andrew Bynum without Kareem to mentor him. Somebody needs to come in and teach him before he goes down the path of mediocrity, or crapocity. He still has potential, but he is going nowhere on this team, and I doubt Nellie cares. Coach is known to leave guys in the dust that don't fit his system- look what he did to Danny Fortson. Somebody save POB.

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Hold on a sec, sweetie.

bruindre