If I Could Send One Player to Any Team (Southwest Division)

DALLAS MAVERICKS (39-43) - RUSSELL WESTBROOK

There was recently an article up about Westbrook still not being signed, even though next season is about to begin type shit.  It does seem sorta weird, and I've been arguing for years that "the ScapeGOAT" is the victim of a conspiracy.  But in more recent times, I'm really starting to think, you know what I'm saying?  Like the Thunder didn't just win a championship with wildness, more with athleticism + consistency.

Meanwhile, the Mavs are woefully thin at the point, especially if you're one of those people who believe D'Angelo Russell is washed.  I don't, nor do I advocate forcing Cooper Flagg to play point.

I remember what Jason Kidd did with Giannis, how he taught him how to dribble and in the process transformed him to into "Juggernaut GLP".  But trying to force Flagg to play point would be like a waste of height, like how they did with Zion.

HOUSTON ROCKETS (52-30) - BEN SIMMONS

This may seem like a strange selection.  But Fred Van Vleet, despite being short with a big head, is not someone I would classify as a traditional point.

I've been sleeping on Fred his entire career, up until last season's playoffs whereas, even though the Rockets may have disappointed, Van Vleet proved to be one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA.  It's like he caught the spirit of Dame or some shit - so much so that I questioned if adding a super-scorer like KD was overkill.

I would also argue that questionable foul Amen Thompson performed on Jimmy Butler turned Playoff karma against Houston.  So imagine KD and Van Vleet on the wings, with Simmons as the facilitator.  Besides having a non-scoring G facilitator that can do other things to help even out the mix, the Rockets could also use a little bit of tenderness.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (48-34) - RUSSELL WESTBROOK

As of late, mainstream writers have been more or less calling Westbrook old.  But based on the eye test, he remains one of the most athletic NBAers.  So I'm imagining him coming off the bench behind Morant who, according to Steph, is the most-athletic player.  It'd also be the first time in Ja's career that he's playing alongside another superstar, even if it's one who's 'not on his timeline'.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (21-61) - GARY PAYTON JR.

Let me be the first to say, I believe in these Pelicans.  You heard it here first.  New Orleans has an outstanding braintrust when it comes to amassing top-heavy talent.  The bigger issue has been compatibility, specifically around Zion Williamson.  But for some reason I can't quite explain, I'm expecting him and Poole to match marvelously.  That reads like a decision the braintrust actually thought out rather than just being like 'oh shit, such-and-such is available'.

The Pelicans' depth, I mean I don't know a bunch about a lot of these dudes, but it doesn't appear particularly inspiring.  So the temptation is to go with the best player available.  But for an organization that isn't adept at meshing talent, bringing the ScapeGOAT in wouldn't be ideal.

I'm going to go with Gary Payton Jr. because first of all, him and Poole kinda blew up together.  Second, he's the type of player that could thrive in any system, as his style is naturally complementary and more importantly impactual.

At least, that's what I think.  I was really looking forward to "the Mitten" showing that he could replicate his effectiveness with another organization, but that didn't happen.  Maybe he's just that good (and healthy) on the Dubs type shit.  So then the question is, why haven't they re-signed him?  If you claim you don't have enough shooting - even with Steph, out of every player in NBA history, on your roster - then try to beat teams another way, like defense.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (34-48) - TRISTAN THOMPSON

Ron Harper was one of the most underrated players of the 1990s.  He's only 6'6" but could do like everything.  He was at times unstoppable, but "the Braincase" never achieved ubiquitious stardom.

So I'm totally expecting his son, if he has the same body-type and skillset, coming in and dominating, as he, based on his father's experience, already knows what time it is.  Remember that a star NBA player has never had a star son.  It's rather those types who've produced the next generation of superstars.

So there's no need to push Westbrook on this one.  Nor I won't go with any PG at all as, if Dylan Harper actually does pan out, the Spurs may have the deepest point core in the league.  Who foresaw that?

So being compelled to go with a big, I decided Tristan Thompson, even though he really ain't worth a damn on the court these days.  Why?  Because first of all, he's a veteran with championship experience, who would be on a squad where the second-oldest (notable) player is De'Aaron Fox, better all-around though one whose greatest accomplishments are like sympathy All-Star nods.

Second, it's very much possible that San Antonio, if Harper does represent, will be one of the most-popular teams next season.  So adding an A-list media personality to the mix, with Thompson being better-known than even Wemby, wouldn't hurt in that regard.  You'd be hard-pressed to get notable production out of the ol' chap, but maybe someone will throw a sex toy when he's on the court or some shit, you know, something viral, like dude getting somebody pregnant, hashtag Spurs.

CONCLUSION

If Westbrook's career has truly reached the point where being benched behind the likes of Christian Braun during crunchtime in the Playoffs is the new norm, then yes, he should just retire.

If I Could Send One Player to Any Team (Pacific Division)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (48-34) - BOL BOL

As it currently stands, the Dubs don't have a C to speak of, and if they traded Kuminga for, say, Keegan Murray, that wouldn't solve their problem with size.  But at the same time, they've already won a few championship without a widely-recognizable C, tho that was back in the Splash Bros.' days.

I'm going to once again go with Bol Bol here.  He's arguably the best big big still on the market, if you average his stats by the minutes he's been granted.  I get the Al Horford argument and can totally see how he would fit in Golden State.  But first of all, you have to question the logic of going even older.  Second, it seems that the Warriors are going to eventually get Horford anyway, whether Kuminga sticks around or not.

Imagine a starting front of Green + Kuminga + Butler?  They could arguably be the best from a defensive standpoint.  And on one hand it's like 'damn, they can't shoot threes'.  But isn't Steph on the team also?

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (50-32) - AL HORFORD

They're saying the the 2025-26 Clippers are the oldest team in NBA history.  So, why stop now?  They have the deepest roster since the turn-of-the-century Blazers.  Wearing the opponent down with an endless supply of good players is a viable strategy, esp. in today's NBA.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (50-32) - AL HORFORD

Now we're seeing more of the aftereffects of Lebron coming to the Lakers.  The best brainstrust in the NBA has become such that they're in the present and future at the same time.  And funny thing once again is that these problems would be solved if LBJ just stuck to the 4 and played harder defense (more consistently) - the latter which he probably can't due to age.

Outside of the point, the Lakers aren't deep at any position.  I'm once again thinking about Horford, if they actually want to win now and has had a winning history, even when not winning championships.  Also, he can play like three different positions.

Another option is Gary Payton II, a player who knows how to make an impact without having the ball in is hands.

PHOENIX SUNS (36-48) - AL HORFORD

Phoenix has an exceptional braintrust that's difficult to figure out.  They're like a poker player being dealt a winning hand but then saying 'hey, let's gamble anyway, since we have the chips'.  The Suns' long-term relationship with Booker is inspiring but, you know what I'm saying?  Dudes really need to think outside the box.

Meanwhile Horford, at the age of 39(!), is arguably the best unrestricted free agent on the market.  He wouldn't make the Suns into contenders, but it's like if they remain healthy, who knows?

It's difficult for me to envision Kuminga on Phoenix's roster, and he wouldn't likely make them into contenders either, though the Suns may once again prove exciting.  That Bradley Beal contract, oh my goodness.

SACRAMENTO KINGS (40-42) - BEN SIMMONS

It's been years since I watched the Kings play, so this following suggestion is made based upon a presumption.  Anytime you pass the ball to DeRozan, Lavine or Sabonis in a halfcourt set, you have to more or less take for granted he's going to shoot.  And why not?  All three are consistent 20ppg scorers, and this is besides other viable scoring option on Sacramento's roster.  So what you rather need is a complementary player who isn't going to shoot the ball but excels at other areas.

It amazes me how NBA teams with a lot of firepower can't see that.  There needs to be a team that reminds the world that a championship can be won with two-pointers(?).

The Thunder just more or less did.  So if the Kings are going to be stuck with this core, might as well let them go buckwild - complete shoot-at-will though inside the arc type shit.  What the team would then need though is exceptional rebounding and perimeter defense, both of which I think Ben provides.

I can also envision the ScapeGOAT on this squad.  But at the end of the day the Kings are likely going to have to reboot, with like Sabonis being the only man untouchable.

CONCLUSION

It's funny how, after the youngest team ever just won a championship, the hottest free agent heading into this August is almost 40 years old.  I guess NBA players are like action stars.  We like what we're familiar with, even if the younger guys are more athletic.  Al Horford is like the Bruce Willis of the NBA.

2025 NBA Playoffs Ruminations (27 April)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS VS. HOUSTON ROCKETS

The fact that the Rockets, the number 2 seed, couldn't beat the number 7 seed in the pivotal game while the latter was lacking their second-best player says it all as far as I'm concerned.  Houston may make it out of the series, but they appear to me as one of those 'built for the regular season' type of achievers.

Of course, as long as Steph is on the floor, you can never take beating the Warriors for granted.  But this was a concerted effort on the part of GSW, sorta like the days of old.  I'm glad to see Kuminga playing, though he can probably use the type of mentor to teach him how to truly take advantage of his size.

Gary Payton Jr., he's one of my top five players (when he's healthy), but you see I didn't even mention him this season and can't really remember the last time I gave him a shoutout.  Honestly, I thought those series of injuries he suffered awhile back, like his time in the NBA was done.  And yes, it does seem that he lost a step or two.  But he still has that sixth sense inherited from his dad.

One of the reasons he's a personal favorite is due to having this ability to sorta make the opposing team forget he's out there.  Payton also looks like he grew an inch or two, which I don't know if it's like physically possible.  But it doesn't really feel right calling him "the Mitten" anymore.  So now I'm thinking of a new nickname, something ninja-related, like "the Black Glove", lol.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. OKC THUNDER

Speaking of sons of all-time greats, Scottie Pippen Jr. may be the best player ever (statwise) to be born to a HOF dad.  That bonehead play he made near the end of Game 4, forcing himself into the lane only to get ripped, I kinda blame that on the coaches for that.

OKC, so long as they're healthy, is too balanced for most teams to beat in a seven game series.  Outside of the 2 arguably, every player in their starting lineup is likely to be better or just as good as his counterpart on the opposing team.

If OKC goes on to win the championship, this is one of those situations, sorta like the 2004 Pistons I guess, where you really have to give props to the braintrust.  They have done the nearly impossible, i.e. building a contender that is actually affordable and therefore sustainable, at least into the near future.  And to note, they were able to do that in large part through the draft.

Now we're getting to that 'where do we go from here' moment for the Grizz.  Didn't dudes fire their coach recently?  In hindsight, that bold, borderline-stupid move didn't amount to a hill of beans.  I would presume they want Morant around, if no one else, because he's the draw, and also Bane and I guess and Pippen Jr.  You know, their backcourt is set.  As for everyone else, I mean who knows if Memphis is going to be able to ever put that type of quality and depth around Ja that they had a few seasons ago.  Remember Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones, all those dudes.  In the NBA, you either have be real savvy in the draft and/or overpay to build and keep a contender.

DETROIT PISTONS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS

Ultimately, it took late game heroics from Jalen Brunson for the Knicks to win Game 3, and I don't know if that's really a good thing from their perspective.  Early in the contest, their offense did appear more inclusive of Mikal Bridges, and he proceeded to have an effective all-around game, which I do think is a good thing.

I believe what's ultimately going to do the Knicks in is either injuries (like last season) or being unable to maximize all of their pieces due to have too many good players. You sit there and say too yourself 'I'd rather have too many good players than too many bad ones', but it isn't that simple, esp, you know, if dudes lose.  But let me stop jinxing them.  The true test of whether they made progress will not only be (hopefully) getting past the Pistons but also facing most likely the Celtics in the 2nd Round and besting them also.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Like the Grizzlies, the Lakers are another team who I'm hoping will be knocked out sooner than later.  In these entire playoffs, this is the only series where the lower seed is clearly better than their opponent, at least to me.  Like Luka + Lebron would have to be really, really hot to pull this one off.

One good thing I can say about the Lakers is taking for granted Luka will stick around and Lebron will more or less be the same next season, along with Reaves they have the best 1-3 (offensively) in the NBA.  So in theory, all they need now is an above-average player in the post or a couple of those crash dummy types, those kinda bigs that Dallas surrounded Luka with.

One of the saddest things about the Mavs trading Luka like that is they actually did a damn good job building a roster around him.  Maybe they could've waited at least to the end of the season to really start worrying about his contract.  Oh well.

MIAMI HEAT VS. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

It isn't hard to imagine the the Finals will feature Cleveland vs. OKC, the only two teams with legitimate twin towers.  Where are all of those pundits now who, not to long ago, were trying to argue that size doesn't matter in the NBA, that big men are anachronisms?  There were stretches when Zach Edey looked like the most impactful player on Memphis.

At this point, Mobley is arguably better than Adebayo, but I'm not blaming it all on Bam.  I've been saying for a couple of seasons now that the Heat should use him like a PC (point-center).  That means, they need the right type of pieces to surround him with.  And yeah, they have pieces but are still missing something, even if a consistently-sound strategy.

Oh shit, what happened to Jaime Jacuez?  I'm now reading that dude is injured.  Either way, by the looks of things he didn't have to type of progressive sophomore season viewers, including myself, were expecting after that exceptional rookie campaign.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS VS. INDIANA PACERS

This dude Gary Trent Jr., I've always had a hard time keeping him on my radar because, well, his name is too damn common.  Like in all these years of following the NBA, how many Garys and Trents and Jrs have we come across?  It's sorta the same thing with Kevin Porter Jr., who after all these years I can finally distinguish from Jalen Green since they're now on different teams. 

I know that Trent is above-average, from his time with the Raptors.  He had a big moment in the sun in Game 3, but whether or not he proves to be the next Khris Middleton remains to be seen.

As for the Pacers, there's something about the way they play that still doesn't have me convinced.  They have that smallball playing style and are very good at it.  The thing is that there's teams out there who are better at smallball or that has size that Indiana can't counter.  We sorta seen the latter with the way Giannis has been running amok.

Kyle Kuzma is trying but looks sorta lost out there, like he still hasn't acclimated to being on this roster and perhaps never will as far as these big games are concerned.

Bye Bye, Dubs

The Playoffs have finally arrived, so it's time to dust off the keyboard and get back on the grind.  I've watched less NBA this season than I have in the last five or six years.  After being a fan for so long, you know what I'm saying?  Even a game between two scrubby teams can prove to be a thriller.  But in terms of attracting regular viewership, basketball is a sport that's very much dependent on its superstars.  So now that Lebron and Steph aren't the draws they used to be, thank goodness for Wembanyama, the first must-watch player the NBA has drafted since Ja Morant.  And concerning Ja, like who knows if he'll ever be the same again.

And speaking of Steph, this post is in fact about the Warriors, aka "the Dubs".  Those of you who have been following this sporadic blog for some time would know that I started saying that this team was too old like three years ago.  However, I'm not claiming guru-ship for that prediction, because it was premature.  The Warriors were my sentimental favorites back in 2022, but honestly, I was just as surprised as the next man that they actually proceeded to win a championship.

Even heading into this very season, there was hope for the Dubs.  With a healthy Steph Curry on your roster, you never really know.  But this is an organization that's too proud  for its own good.

For instance, giving up Jordan Poole for Chris Paul was downright foolish.  At the time, with Steph and co. being excited about CP3's arrival, even though I didn't agree with that acquisition I was also like 'okay, dudes are enthused, so it may work'.  But age is real, folks.  LBJ is an anomaly, not the norm.  And even with Lebron, as he's aged, it's like his defense sucks.

Another thing you have to give the Dubs credit for is not being afriad to lose.  There's so many superstars these days who won't even suit up unless they're on a stacked roster.

One of the most memorable parts of The Last Dance was when Jordan was saying that at least let the Bulls lose before breaking up the roster.  That was a team that Steve Kerr played on.   And with the Warriors, they really did play to the very end, if you will - to be beat by a team led by a player (Keegan Murray) who isn't better than Steph or Klay but does have the athletic advantage of youth.

But enough of the gushing.  Now it's time to identify the parties and factors that led to the Warriors', let's say embarrassing demise.

THE BRAINTRUST

Whenever a team disappoints like this, winning a championship less than two years ago but now failing to even make the playoffs, unless it's due to injury, the first place to look is at their braintrust.  This is one which has remained doggedly loyal to the combination of Splash Bros. + Draymond.

Being loyal isn't a sin.  But when you have a city and global fanbase to answer to, you have to try a bit harder to exercise your intellect.  And it ain't like the Dubs haven't done cutthroat sh*t before.  They just have never done it to their big 3 per se.

STEVE KERR

I've been arguing for years that Steve Kerr, as a coach, is overrated.  He was lucky enough to inherit a team - one who's ultimate success some would argue is more attributable to Mark Jackson - that was already on the verge of winning a championship.  And throughout all of these year he never, in my opinion, managed to consistently display a level of coaching intelligence that's superior to the next man.  When the Warriors' superstars are hurt or, as is the case now, aged, they lose games just like they would under any average coach.  Give Kerr a mediocre or challenged roster, and see how exceptional he actually is.

That said, please don't take this as if I'm bashing "the Brain".  He was actually one of my favorite Bulls back during Chicago's dynasty.

STEPH CURRY

Another idea I've floated, or let's say a conspiracy theory I concocted from watching the Warriors, is this being a team that sucks when it comes to player development.  Or put more simply, they aren't very supportive of young players.  It's generally understood and accepted that Draymond is a difficult teammate.  But with Steph sometimes, I don't think he's overly encouraging either.

For instance, remember last season when dudes used to show their disapproval of Poole's game while actually on the court?  From Jordan's perspective, that was some 'I learned it by watching you' type shit.  But Steph could never accept Poole as being his protégé.

Also, this is just something I personally noticed.  I feel that back during the Dubs' last championship run, Steph was getting jealous of the sudden and unexpected come-up of Gary Payton Jr.  I'm not going to sit here and knock somebody for being jealous, because that's an emotion which is sometimes difficult to control or even detect.  But then, when the Dubs let Payton walk that offseason, I was like 'man, WTF is this?'  And now you see that since then, Gary Jr. has never been quite the same.  I believe that if he would have stayed with the Warriors throughout all that time, he would have healed better than he eventually did, and the roster wouldn't have had to go through as many fluctuations and uncertainties.

DRAYMOND GREEN

Having Draymond Green on your team is for the most part advantageous.  He's a bully who the NBA powers-that-be more less accept and allow to do his thing.

The problem is that after awhile, the crabby schtick starts to gets old.  And you began to realize that he isn't able to control his fits for the benefit for the team, so his antics sometimes prove more detrimental than beneficial.  This is besides the fact that his own coach often appears to be afraid of him, which is an issue the organization should have nipped in the bud a long time ago.

Earlier this season, about a month or so ago, there was a report of Green once again being ejected, but, since the Warriors aren't as good as they used to be, Steph now becoming perturbed with his antics.  It felt sorta like 'dude, grow up already.  We need you on the court, not going around trying to prove your macho.'

Remember that it was also Draymond who basically chased KD out of town.  Durant was drafted before Green, Steph or Klay, but he appears to have aged more gracefully, in terms of being a professional athlete, than they have.  KD led the injury-ridden Suns to the sixth seed in the West, while the Dubs, with their younger (than KD) big 3, failed to even make the playoffs.  Imagine if the Warriors had been able to retain Kevin's services even up until now?

Last offseason, when Draymond's stock was hot and he probably could have gotten something like a max contract with another organization, I suggested that he would be a good fit with the Rockets.  Since then, he has publicly dissed that organization.  And now, under the presumption that there's a lot of people around the league who probably don't like him, it's hard to imagine Green playing for another squad, which he may soon be forced to.

THE DEPARTURE OF JORDAN POOLE

Back when I first started noticing the Warriors' age, the suggestion wasn't that they break up the team.  I too wanted would rather see the Splash Bros. + Draymond go out in a blaze of glory rather than giving up or going the superteam route.  What I was arguing is that they needed to focus more on their youth movement which, at the time, was actually viable.  And in hindsight, not doing so has been Kerr's biggest mistake and why I doubt he'll be around much longer than the middle of next season.

Andrew Wiggins may be the elder statesman for the next generation of Warriors, but Poole was their leader.  He was the one who was able to imitate the output of Steph or Klay when they were hurt.  He was literally 'the Jordan', i.e. the alpha, of their youth movement, being buttressed by Payton Jr., Kuminga, Moody, etc.

Given to keys to the car to Wiggins, imo, was never an option.  There's too many times when he's out there and proves to be a nonfactor.  Contrarily, as for Poole, whether positively or negatively, he always impacts games.  Also, I wouldn't be totally surprised if Wiggins just ends up and retires in the near future.

Then, with all the NBAers out there who would probably love to play with the Dubs, who do they go out and get in Poole's stead?  Chris Paul, one of the oldest players in the entire league.  So when Jordan went, so did their youth movement.  And as for his current struggles, I would argue that he's a victim of the Ewing effect, i.e. a player who has grown accustomed to being on the team that drafted him and is therefore flunking elsewhere.  Indeed, up until the moment he was traded, the Warriors having gave the impression that Poole was part of their future.

THE STUNTED DEVELOPMENT OF JONATHAN KUMINGA

Kuminga, as a rookie, was one of the best players in his draft class.  The world wouldn't know this though, because he was always riding the bench.

Steve Kerr stunted his development, for what reason I don't know, maybe to give more minutes to the older players.  That seniority shit is cool sometimes, but not when you're supposed to logically be thinking about the future.

The Dubs then proceeded to do some next suspect sh*t which I predicted, which was waiting until sh*t really got hot and then throwing Kuminga into the fire, basically putting the onus on him, even though they hadn't adequately prepared him throughout the years.  Remember a few months ago when Curry was talking that sh*t about 'if you're going to complain about playing time, then don't even show up'.  Yeah, way to encourage your younger teammates, Steph.  Now in hindsight, you see that some of them may have had legitimate concerns.

CONCLUSION

I've written the Dubs off in the past only to later eat my words.  So I'm not about to make that mistake again.  But I will say is that those hard questions concerning Klay and Draymond's future with the team have now apparently been answered.

So moving forward, what will most likely happen is the Warriors rebuilding around Steph (duh).  But knowing these geniuses, they'll probably proceed to do so by chasing an aged superteam rather than recognizing that their star player needs all the crutches he can get and gradually decreasing the load he's expected to carry.

2023 NBA PLAYOFFS RUMINATIONS (12 MAY 2023)

ARE THE HEAT THE PERFECT TEAM?

The Heat are like a perfect team in a way.  You have accomplished vets like Butler, Adebayo, Love and Lowry, buttressed by young stars like Herro and Robinson, alongside other dudes with little to no notoriety, like Vincent and Strus and Martin, yet who always represent.  I thought Lowry was washed, but now it feels like he just needed to be in the right situation again, i.e. games that actually matter and a chance to compete for a championship.  And the thing that's really scary about Miami is the braintrust.  They have been fielding contenders so consistently that you might as well call them the Spurs of 2020s.  And what really the current iteration altogether, imo, is the play of Adebayo.  Butler may be the leader, but out of all of the star centers in the league Bam is the most athletic.

But if any team has the depth to beat them, it's the Knicks, I guess.  What it seems it ultimately boils down is, interestingly enough, is RJ Barrett.  Like every time NYK wins, it's like he had a good game.  I was on his Wikipedia page recently, and dude was like a basketball phenom, as was Jalen Brunson.  And speaking of Brunson, there's no way I'd ever say he's better than Luka one-on-one.  But in terms of running a team, that's another story.

SHOUTOUT TO THE GAUNTLET

Yes, I'm once again gushing over Gary Payton II, in terms of the way he played in Game 4 especially, which was a thriller.  I'd also like to give a shoutout to Lonnie Walker IV, who I remember namedropping a few posts back.  But the Lakers rely too much on luck for my liking.  And I like Austin Reaves, but sometimes it looks like he literally can't defend anyone in the NBA, though not for lack of trying.

And still, nobody has figured out a consistent way to shutdown Steph.  I also believe that GSW has been incepted, because after mentioning "Steph fatigue" a post of two back, it's like now he's passing the ball more, even when he has a shot, and the Warriors look better that way imo.  Somehow amidst it all, Jordan Poole got lost in the sauce.  And after this season, I'd rather see him (and Kuminga) get traded rather than endure this treatment.

REMEMBER HIM? (KEMBA WALKER)

And speaking of Walkers, whatever happened to Kemba.  It just doesn't feel right the way various teams turned their backs on him, especially considering the way he played for Team USA back in 2019, when the squad was garbage.

2023 NBA PLAYOFFS RUMINATIONS (5 MAY 2023)

SHOUTOUT TO THE GAUNTLET

Gary Payton Jr. was the shortest dude on the court last night, and he had what, three offensive rebounds in less than nine minutes?!  I know it was during garbage time, but dude was out there bangin' it on like Lakers (backup) bigs.

And it says a lot that the Warriors didn't really need him nor Poole, two guys they leaned on heavily last postseason (until Payton got hurt), to dismantle LAL.  If my previous theory is true, that the NBA wants the Lakers to win this series, then let's just say that the powers that be really have their work cut out for them.  Or maybe, concerning Game 1, that was just their way of prolonging the series, making sure that Los Angeles doesn't get swept and therefore allowing the league to generate more revenue.

PASSING THE TORCH TO WHO?

Game 2 also illustrated what I meant a few days ago when I said Lebron isn't passing the torch to anyone.  The only way the Lakers can beat the Warriors is by first of all punishing them inside, but this time around, you see that AD was no longer the focal point like in Game 1.

And I'm not blaming it all on Lebron, because it's actually Darvin Ham who's supposed to ensure that the team plays the right way.  Also, Davis sometimes sorta looks like he doesn't want to be out there to begin with.  But that kinda sh*t can happen when you have a superstar player who isn't getting enough touches.  Back in the Pelicans days, AD would at least like touch the ball during every offensive possession.  And I remember one postseason the lowly Pelicans, with AD and Jrue Holiday, did give the Dubs a run for their money.

AD + Lebron can potentially work, even against a team like the Warriors, if you have the right type of PG running the show.  The thing is tho, Lebron doesn't really let anyone else run the point.  But, I'm tired of beating that dead horse.  Obviously, you can't count the Lakers out.  But secondly, they need to be really focused on defense, and at this point in the season, it's kinda late to be experimenting to see who would be their best starting five defensively.  In fact if it were really like that, Lebron may not be starting to begin with.

2023 NBA Playoff Ruminations (April 18th)

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NBA Offseason Power Stinkings (Northwest Division)

It's that time of the year again when we go about predicting who's going to succeed and who's going to suck during the upcoming season.  And for the first time since who knows when, there may be a champion coming out of the Northwest Division.  But instead of harping on the more competitive teams first, since this is the Power Stinkings we'll rather start with:

1.  Utah Jazz

Within the blink of an eye, the Utah Jazz went from perennial (regular-season) contenders and one of the more-admirable braintrusts in the NBA to now looking like they don't what the hell they're doing.  Deciding to engage in a full rebuild wouldn't look like that bad of a decision if not for the fact that just the week prior to making Donovan Mitchell available, they were rather sounding like the plan was to build around him.  Perhaps the lot of them have been incepted.  So now it's like so long as Mitchell is out dangling on the market the Jazz aren't making any progress, as in being out actually shopping for players who complement his skillset.  And since this team has been so good throughout the last few years or whatever , they didn't even have any draft picks, meaning that once the vets get discouraged/traded, this may well be the worst squad in the NBA.  And the funny thing about it is that their current roster, with Mitchell, may actually be a playoff-bound team if they were committed to staying together.

2. OKC Thunder

I regret not watching the Thunder play more last season because now, with Chet Holmgren, this is supposed to be a team on the rise or at least one that's now more entertaining.  Even last season they were pretty entertaining with Shai and Dort and them, but I have yet to see Giddey play.  Either way, Holmgren doesn't look like a player that's going to come in and have an immediately profound impact.  So dudes may be better than they were last year and put up good fights now and then (when their stars aren't hurt).  And if they remain healthy I wouldn't be totally surprised if OKC made the Playoffs, considering how thin the West is looking at the moment.

3.  Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers have my hard-earned braintrust respect.  And it isn't only about what they did this offseason by getting Payton II and Grant but also the fact that they've been competitive for like a solid decade now.

And this is how you build a team around an injured, aging, loyal superstar like Lillard.  If Kobe had this kind of roster around him during his latter seasons, the Lakers would have still been making the playoffs.  Like no one is predicting that the Blazers are going to win a championship.  But at least Damian won't be stuck on a garbage team like some of the other older perennial all-stars.  And as much as I like CJ McCollum, if this were vintage Lillard playing alongside Payton, a player who complements his skillset better, I'd probably be predicting contender right now.

2.  Denver Nuggets

Last season I was convinced that, if the Nuggets were fully healthy, they were the best team in the NBA.  This season I'm convinced that they'll never be fully healthy.  Maybe they will for stints, and hopefully that'll be around playoff time.  One thing I will give them credit for though is that landing Caldwell-Pope, imo, was one of the smarter moves of this offseason.  Kentavious may never be an all-star, but he is someone who should complement this roster well or better than some of those dudes who were around last season.  But like I don't see why the Nuggets didn't hold on to DeMarcus Cousins.

1.  Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves, for the first time in franchise history to my remembrance, have the best starting 5 in the NBA.  There shouldn't even be any debate about that.  So I agree with KAT that now, it is like championship or bust.  In fact the Wolves looked good during last season's playoffs also, to the point that I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the Grizzlies having been recipients of some favoritism.  

There are certain things that have to be hashed out, and this is a roster that could definitely benefit from a good jump-shooting Whiteboy (which are kinda rare in the NBA these days) or a PG that doesn't shoot (who they kinda just got rid of in recently Beverly).  But Gobert + KAT has to be the most-potent twin towers the league has seen since Robinson + Duncan.

CONCLUSION

I would say that at least four of the NBA's six division have at least two contenders amongst their ranks.  But with the Nuggets and Timberwolves, the Northwest has to be the most top-heavy - if the Nuggets are healthy.  And hopefully, we'll finally be able to see Jokic + Murray + Porter compete.

Congrats to the Warriors (I Guess)

The Warriors are my favorite team in the NBA and therefore were my sentimental favorites to win the Championship. The reason I like them so much is that there's more players on this squad I can identify with than any other, as in players who are underrated.  For example, people were even dogging the Splash Bros. + Draymond headed into this season.

Also, Golden State is the only team that you can look at them now and like see their future, as in having successful vets alongside a crop of up-and-coming players.  With other teams, even young ones like the Pistons and Rockets, there's no telling how they'll look years from now because if dudes keep losing, that would only make the young players, when they become eligible to bounce, more likely to do so.  Meanwhile, you have players on the Dubs like Kuminga, Poole and Payton who are being afforded the opportunity to gradually grow into stars and find their niche instead of being expected to turn around a mediocre franchise.  But of course there's no telling how long they'll stick around either, which is something I hope to get into in my next blog post.

But let me be honest and say that I wasn't really jumping for joy when the Warriors beat the Celtics.  In fact based on the little I saw, it doesn't really look like anybody was, though Steph was, understandably, quite emotional.

And I'll be honest and say that I thought Boston was going to win the series, at first.  But as it progressed, it became increasingly obvious that they were outmatched, not in talent but in depth.  And by the time Game 6 ended, you're sitting there saying to yourself like 'so if the Celtics are getting their asses bust like this now, then how did they even make to the Finals to begin with?'

Also, I don't know how common this is in NBA history, but the Warriors managed to win a Championship while not only avoiding the best regular season team in their conference (the Suns) but also the best in the East (the Heat).  The Heat would've matched up with Golden State better, because they have depth and Jimmy Butler.   So it's like the Dubs really lucked out, you know, rather playing against the Mavs type shit.  The Kawhi-less Clippers would have gave the Warriors a stiffer challenge than Dallas.

CONCLUSION

But one thing I always try to remember is that in NBA, nay, in life even, it isn't always the best who emerges victorious.  And if I'm still working on this blog next season, instead of going with who's the best team , my predictions will rather start to be based on who I think is favored to win.

But the good thing is that odds makers are already predicting a Warriors v. Celtics sequel next year, which really sounds like a longshot, thus meaning to me that people actually want to see them go at it again, maybe.  But in the meantime the Splash Bros. + Draymond would need to (re-)find the fountain of youth, and the Celtics could use some roster upgrades.  And I don't any of us want to see players like the Gauntlet or Kevin Looney leave.  But at least the Dubs have backups who can hopefully fill those holes.

Shoutout to Gary Payton Jr.

All jokes aside, my original intent today was to write an article entitled "Gary Payton Jr. - My Favorite Player in the NBA".  But since he got injured last night I can't put it like that anymore, because he's no longer active, and, when he does return, like who knows if he'll come back the same.

Earlier, during the 2022 edition of the NBA Inception Awards, I actually advocated "the Gauntlet", as I like to call him, for DPOY.  Most people would rather advocate Rudy Gobert, Marcus Smart obviously or perhaps Payton's teammate, Draymond "the Golden Spaz" Green.  But the thing I really admire is how effective the Gauntlet is in the post, both offensively and especially defensively, considering his size.  

But something else I had to acknowledge while continually biggin' Payton's defense up is the fact that sometimes he relies on... questionable tactics.  When you do those sort of things, of course you're going to occasionally run into other players and teams that decide to retaliate.

I also knew that in this series, he would logically to be the player the Warriors would have to rely on most to effectively defend Ja Morant.  And I'll give it to Steve Kerr - he did go as far as actually starting the Gauntlet in Games 1 and 2.  And no one can lock Morant down, who I've already hinted somewhere in this blog may be the next Jordan.  But that strategy did work in Game 1, in that at least the Dubs won.

And Dillon Brooks is one big dude.  Brooks is so top-heavy, or at least he looks that way on TV, that the first couple of times of I saw him play I actually thought he was a stocky G, until I looked dude up and found he's really like 6'7" .  But like the Gauntlet is also pretty big up top, definitely being the dieselest player on the Warriors.

So now, it's like I finally got around to seeing that play.  Dillon basically slapped Gary in the head (with his forearm) just as Payton sorta did to some player a while back, though I can't remember who exactly.  And it does look like Brooks meant to hit him like that, but he obviously didn't expect to cause any type of injury.  Pain and discomfort?  Yes.  But injury?  I'm not so sure.

Either way, what ended up happening was sort of a fluke injury, kinda like what Alex Caruso suffered a while back.  But I guess that's one of the reasons why you aren't supposed to make malicious plays, especially when the target is up in the air.

The reason Payton has grown on me is because at the beginning of the season, he deadass struggled to to make the Warriors' roster.  And even when he did, it looked like he'd be one of those players who'd be lucky to see playing time, despite being the son of an alltime great.

But instead, he ended up being an indispensable part of Golden State's 2021-22 rotation.  And it's kinda ironic that the Warriors , in reality, are kinda thin as far as guard depth goes.  And I'd like to use this opportunity to say that instead of going back to the Cavs, I hope Rubio signs with the Dubs next season.  He'd be like the perfect fit with all of their wings and cutting guards.

Another thing is that Payton Jr. always has an impact on the court.  Always.  Sometimes it's good to be a player who can't really score, because you can learn to shoot and shit like that as time progresses.  What's more difficult to master is defense and intangibles.  But a lot of that comes to the Gauntlet naturally or like from his upbringing, since he's the son of the Glove.

But what I adore best about Payton Jr. is how he plays downlow.  Offensively, he creeps around the rim to grab rebounds or perform easy layups.  And defensively dude, as short as he is, can like effectively play against centers.  Payton's stats aren't going to knock you out.  But anyone who understands the game of basketball would, I think, recognize that he has the type of defensive presence that, as far as the Warriors go, is only really comparable to Draymond Green.

And there's really nothing more athletic in the NBA than a small guy making powerful dunks.  That something that Payton rather gets from his mom, Monique James.  The Gauntlet was doing that a lot earlier in the season, kinda how he caught Desmond Bane out there in Game 1.  And he can do it a thousand times, but like dude is so short you still wouldn't see it coming.  "Luckily", Payton's elbow got injured and not any part of his leg.

CONCLUSION

Damian Lee got some quality though brief minutes in Game 2, which I guess is Steve Kerr's partial answer to filling the hole left by Payton's injury.  And that's a pretty good decision, as Lee is just as feisty as the Grizzlies, perhaps being overzealous even.

And now with the injury, I can't say that the Gauntlet is my favorite player in the NBA.  But what I can say, at least for me, is that now the Playoffs are less exciting without him.

2nd Round Predictions - Warriors vs. Grizzlies

This is a hard series to call, because all season it's been like the Grizzlies have been beating up on these older, established teams, especially out West.  But in Golden State's defense, I don't think they ever played against Memphis at full strength, as the Warriors are now.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

They still remain my sentimental favorites, but this may be where the buck stops.

STARTING 5 MAKEUP

PG-SG-2G-SF-PF (point guard, shooting guard, 2guard, small forward, power forward)

That's based on the starting lineup the Warriors rolled out in Game 5 against the Nuggets, which consisted of all three Splash Brothers + Draymond and Andrew Wiggins.  That's supposed to be their new "Death Lineup" or whatever, but it leaves much to be desired in terms of starting that combination.

BIGGEST STRENGTH

Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike are my favorite pair of announcers, after only Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy.  Mark and Jeff, being established in the NBA pantheon, don't give AF.  But it's amusing listening to Bob and Kelenna, because you can tell they're real Warriors fan.  Like if Golden State is down by even a point, they get nervous - like true fans, who want their team to lead throughout the entire game.  In Game 5 the Warriors were down by like 10 in the third quarter, and dudes were panicking.

But like I said before, big leads, unless maybe you're up by 30, doesn't mean shit against the Splash Brothers.  When Steph gets going, the threes and layups he makes are so unorthodox that there's nothing a defense can do.  When Klay is hot, on top of making his own crazy threes he also attacks from the midrange, and there's nothing defenses can do.  And Poole has like this slashing game in addition to a sometimes-hot threepointer, even though I fear at times he may break his own ankles.

BIGGEST WEAKNESS

I hope Steve Kerr doesn't start all three Splash Bros. like he did in Game 5.  Steph was averaging nearly 30ppg coming off the bench(!) earlier in the series.  And as outstanding as that was, of course when there's egos etc. involved, he wasn't going to remain on the bench for long.  But if you have to start Steph out of respect, then that means Jordan has to go to the bench.

X-FACTOR

I'd like to say Jonathan Kuminga in this case, and maybe the Gauntlet.  If there's one advantage the Grizzlies have over Golden State, it's youthful energy.  And in matching that, there's may be no better player on the Warriors roster than Kuminga.  Also, Gary Payton Jr. has the best chance of all defenders in locking Ja Morant down, even though he seems to play dirty sometimes.

KARMA ASSESSMENT

The Warriors appear to have really good karma in terms of supporting each other.  Even some quality players who haven't been getting any burn during the Playoffs seem real supportive of the ones that are.  But the thing is that if there's one team that perhaps has even better karma amongst its roster, imo that'd be the Grizzlies.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The Grizzlies had a tough time against Minnesota, but that's understandable, because the Timberwolves are a really talented team to be a 7 seed.

STARTING 5 MAKEUP

The Grizzlies benched Steven Adams, perhaps after being incepted.  But I think I finally figured it out.  When Ja Morant is unable to play, Memphis is better with Adams.  But when he's running around all wascally and shit, they're better off playing someone younger and faster at the 5.

So I would presume they'll continue to start Xavier Tillman at C, whose like a cross between a slower, traditional C and a younger, faster one.  But of course Brandon Clarke, who falls more into the latter category, will end up getting more minutes.

BIGGEST WEAKNESS

I'm not inclined at this point to say the Grizzlies have a weakness besides the potential for injury.  But if they had a hard time defending Edwards/Russell, than the Splash Brothers are prolly going to drive their perimeter defense crazy.

X-FACTOR

Dillon Brooks, who I never even heard of until like a month ago, has really grown on me.  And he's like pretty big to be a SF.

KARMA ASSESSMENT

The Grizzlies be deadass partying before and after games.  Sometimes I think it's foolish, or cocky to say the least, to do so beforehand.  And of course, we don't really know what goes on behind the scenes.  But these dudes look like they have each other backs.  Also, it is possible that they have the backing of the NBA itself.

CONCLUSION

It makes me nervous to have the audacity to predict against the Splash Bros. and rather go with a team that has a questionable perimeter defense, but I think Memphis, if healthy, will take the series.

Ja Morant is a giant killer, the one player most responsible for humbling Lebron and the Lakers this season.  He put up Magic-like numbers against the Timberwolves, and his pops still dissed him.  And that may just be the additional fire he needs to pick the Warriors apart.

2022 NBA Inception Awards

Even though the NBA starts giving out its annual awards during the Playoffs, they're supposed to be based solely on regular season performance.  That would explain why for instance they dumbed out and gave Tom Thibodeau "Coach of the Year" in 2021.  So this time, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and also give out the NBA Inception Awards now, before the Playoffs start, as the postseason will inevitably influence some of these decisions.  Maybe later I'll post some postseason awards also.  But in the meantime...

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - JOEL EMBIID

Criteria: a player who most contributed to a team everyone thought would be garbage rather overachieving.

Based on the above criteria, this award could have easily gone to Luka Doncic or even Nikola Jokic (considering the Nuggets injuries).  Ja Morant is another one, but the Grizzlies, for whatever it's worth, have shown that they can win without him.

The Sixers also tend to represent without Embiid.  But I decided to give it to him anyway because truthfully, everyone thought this team would be garbage with Simmons refusing to play, and Philly procrastinating in trading him.  Instead, under Embiid's leadership they proved to be one the best teams in the East.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - DESMOND BANE

This is another tough one.  Draymond Green even recently threw Jordan Poole's name into the mix, someone who I never thought about as a MIP before then but definitely a deserving candidate.  But I have to give to Desmond Bane.  Why?  Because deadass up until like a few months ago, I never even heard of dude.

HONORABLE MENTION - TYRESE MAXEY

Tyrese Maxey may not be "most improved" in the truest sense of the word, because he was also damn good last season but just wasn't getting a lot of playing time.  But I hope this dude is recognized one way or another, because he's an absolute terror and someone who opposing offenses have to respect just as much, if not moreso than the Beard.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - EVAN MOBLEY

Criteria - a rookie who has started on a team everyone thought would be garbage and instead helped them overachieve.

Scottie Barnes also fits the above criteria, arguably more than Evan Mobley, because in reality the Cavs have a pretty good all-around roster.  Meanwhile, at least I was convinced that the Raptors would be terrible this year.  Part of the reason they're not speaks to the culture of the organization, as does the fact that they were able to pick a diamond in the rough in Barnes.  But honestly, I haven't seen enough of Barnes to really evaluate him.

HONORABLE MENTION - JONATHAN KUMINGA

Anyone who reads this blog would know that I'm a Kuminga fan.  But this entire rookie class is impressive.  Cats like Jalen Green and Cade Cunningham have been representing of late, and I also like Davion Mitchell's game (when he's actually attacking the basket).  But Kuminga has to be, quite unexpectedly, like the rookie leader in dunks.

COACH OF THE YEAR - TAYLOR JENKINS

This season started with a lot of surprise teams - the Bulls, the Wizards, the Cavs and the Grizzlies.  Since then Washington has fallen off, as Cleveland and Chicago have cooled down to the point that no one is really taking them as contenders anymore.

Meanwhile, you mean to tell me that Memphis has locked down 2nd place in the West, and they're deadasss better than even the Lakers?  No one saw that coming.  So even though there's other deserving coaches like Doc Rivers and of course Monty Williams, I'd give it to Taylor "White Beard" Jenkins, especially when you also consider how good the Grizzlies have been without Morant.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - GARY PAYTON II

I know the Mitt can't be seriously considered for this award by NBA standards because he's not a starter or someone who's been getting mucho minutes.  But mark my words - in the next couple of years Payton II may be considered the best all-around defender in the NBA.  Dude always has a defensive impact and an outstanding low-post presence and on both ends of the floor.  And that's why his nickname has been upgraded to "the Gauntlet".

THE TRACY MCGRADY 'MAYBE IT'S TIME TO RETIRE' AWARD - ANTHONY DAVIS

Criteria - a star player who should be considering retirement, even though you know he's not going to actually do it.

NBA basketball isn't necessarily what you would call a contact sport, but there's always dudes hitting the floor anyway.  And it's never enjoyable when it happens to people to like AD, because there's always this fear like 'oh shit, major injury'.  I believe I even recently heard an announcer recently that maybe AD should retire.

Of course, Davis a factor when he's on the court.  But it ain't like it used to be, and at least he has a championship to his name.

THE DARYL MOREY 'LIL TAIWAN' AWARD - ENES KANTER

Not all real niggas are born and bred in the United States.  Enes Kanter comes from Turkey, one of those countries where like they're always some civil rights beef.  And in more recent times, he basically traded in his sports career in the name of publicly calling out some of China's well known human rights issues.

THE "I BELIEVE I CAN FLY" AWARD - GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO

I'm starting to believe that the Bucks drafting Giannis with the 15th pick in 2013 was like the best draft pick in NBA history.

THE PATRIOT AWARD - TYLER HERRO

Criteria - the player who most exemplifies that there's still a place for Caucasian Americans in the NBA.

Last offseason I strongly advocated the Lakers going after Tyler Herro, even making him their top priority after the way the Heat disrespected him earlier in the season.  Instead, they went after players like Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn and Avery Bradley.  And, we see how that played out.

COOLEST DREADLOCKS AWARD - JAE CROWDER

Anyone whose been on this earth longer than  30 years has to be amazed at how now dreads, afros and even dirty beards are in style.  At first, I thought Jae Crowder actually let his hair knot up into one long ponytail.  Now, I see that he's using rubberbands or something.  But still, they look damn cool when he ties them together, like he's the Predator or some shit.

HONORABLE MENTION - DAMIAN LEE

Damian Lee's dreads are part of his energetic playing personality.  He may suck on occasion, but Damian never runs out of energy or vigor.

"REVENGE OF THE NERDS" AWARD - SETH CURRY

Criteria - the player who best illustrates that making it in the NBA isn't all about being a mad tall and/or super athletic.

I remember when Seth Curry was struggling to find a place in the NBA.  This season, he's been a better 3pt shooter (percentage wise) than even Steph and is the one Nets role player that other teams have to fear the most in the Playoffs.

THE GOLDEN SPAZ AWARD - DRAYMOND GREEN

Sometimes I get tired of seeing Draymond bitch and moan.  He's like the oldest dude on the court but often acts like the youngest.  However, he is the Golden Spaz - the only player in the NBA who refs allow to regularly throw tantrums without technicals or ejections.  And more importantly, other some other disagreeable players his spazzing tends to be beneficial to his team.

HONORABLE MENTION - JIMMY BUTLER

I never read up on the origin of that beef between Jimmy Butler and Erik Spoelstra.  But I do know that Jimmy seems to to have interpersonal issues on like every team he's ever played for.

THE PRICE OF A TICKET AWARD - JA MORANT

Criteria - the one player who makes you most appreciative that you actually watched the game.

The truth is that the experience of going to and fro an NBA arena isn't what most people would actually classify as a pleasant one.  There's thousands of other people showing up the same time, meaning that there's traffic, processing lines, etc.  And then even after the game, like sometimes on the way home you can get mugged or some shit.  So the last thing you need in addition to all of that is the game itself being boring.  Well, I can't remember the last time I regretted watching Ja Morant play.

HONORABLE MENTION - DEVIN BOOKER

Devin "Poker Face" Booker is one of the few players whose jump shots are entertaining; his face is like emotionless, and he just straightup embarrasses defenders.  When you combine those three factors with the fact that his team actually wins, he's more like Kobe than any other current NBA player.

Steph "Out Indefinitely" (and now things get interesting)

It seems that Steph suffered some type of serious injury last night, apparently against the Celtics (a team I hope to write about in the near future in terms of them, if I remember correctly, being the dynasty Warriors' Achilles heel).  I just glanced at the headline, via NBC Sports, but I didn't read the article, as I have yet to watch the game's highlights and don't want to spoil things by knowing the winner beforehand.  But now the Warriors, a team who just yesterday I noted as being too deep, don't necessarily have that problem anymore.

Well more ideally they're heavier at the forward position, as in an injury to one of their forwards, even All-Star Andrew Wiggins, would have had less of an impact.  But now, on top of Jordan Poole becoming a permanent starter, I would speculate that Moses Moody is going to be getting a lot more burn at the 2-guard.  I would also have to presume that now the Dubs are going to have to expedite the return of Gary "the Mitt" Payton, which is a good thing, as I have grown weary of seeing him in street clothes cracking jokes on the sidelines.

I would venture to say that before Steph's injury, the Warriors were perhaps the 3rd or 4th best team in the NBA.  That's saying a lot for a squad with a core as old as theirs.  And, fuck it I'm going to say it - they may prove even better without Steph.  That is if Jordan Poole lives up to "the third Splash Brother" billing.

Either way, he's going to have an opportunity to prove to the world, right here right now, his basketball worth.  It's one thing when you're fighting with big brother looking on, ready to jump in if need be.  But now, it's almost like he has to become the next Steph.  And if he fails, there's no foreseeable PG coming off the Warriors' bench - no disrespect to the Mitt - who will be able to fill that void.  Good thing Draymond recently came back, or else the Warriors would really have like an on-court leadership problem.

CONCLUSION

I hate to say that it's 'exciting' to see a star player get injured, but this does stir things up a bit.  Luckily for the Warriors, they're in an overall better position to lose a star player, maybe even two, than any other team in the league.  And for all we know, Steph may well be back for the Playoffs.

Jordan Poole, in my opinion, should be able to pick up the slack, if not exceed it.  I know that Steph dropped like 40 points a couple of nights ago, but there have also been some recent games where he was outperformed by Jordan.

Curry, when energized, can be the most entertaining player in the game.  But he hasn't been putting on such displays with consistency as of late and has even been looking like he needs, nay, deserves a good rest.  So what Dubs' fans should really be worried about, even more than whether or not he makes the Playoffs, is Klay Thompson potentially getting (re)injured also.