AlexJones
04-16-2015, 02:14 AM
OAKLAND, Calif. -- After the quasi game against Denver ended, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, “We should absolutely take a few moments to celebrate what has been just a fantastic regular season.” This isn’t a bad idea.
While it’s tempting to just move along to the postseason, to declare the Warriors frauds and failures should they stumble in the next chapter, I prefer to take stock of what’s transpired over these months. In a very short period of time, the Warriors went from playoff hopeful to juggernaut, all with the same roster. It was a staggering feat that deserves some praise.
So ends the greatest regular season in Warriors history, and possibly the greatest Western Conference season since 1972. We’ve gotten slowly inured to what Golden State’s accomplished because they’ve been so steady in their success. And yet, if I’d told you this would happen back in October, it would have been a shocking declaration. Our own ESPN Forecast (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11334331/2014-summer-forecast-west-standings) had the Warriors projected as a 49-win seventh seed. It wasn’t an unreasonable expectation either, given that Golden State had just hired a rookie coach and passed on trading for Kevin Love (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3449/kevin-love).
This was supposed to be a humbling season for Golden State. They would learn the downside of firing a popular coach. They would suffer the embarrassment of overrating their own talent like a myopic little league dad. Klay Thompson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6475/klay-thompson), you might remember, had never notched an above average PER. The Warriors’ refusal to part with him for a theoretical superstar was popularly derided (Indeed I was pro trade (http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/70273/warriors-put-hopes-on-klay-thompson)). To top it off, owner Joe Lacob had just hired his golf buddy to coach the operation. The Warriors were complacent. The Warriors were fools.
This was supposed to be a disappointing season. Instead, it was a magnificent one. Kerr said of the players, “They’ve been amazing,” and it’s true. The Warriors are fortunate to have a core of players who’ve worked hard to develop their games. It hardly needs saying that Stephen Curry (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry) has impressed most of all. This has been a meteoric rise for a guy that, as recently as three years ago, was getting benched for Acie Law’s contributions. He’s weathered many storms, from Don Nelson, to Keith Smart, to Mark Jackson. He’s done it professionally, without making enemies, while improving incrementally, regardless of circumstance. Three years ago, he wasn’t even thought to be a future star. These days, Kerr compares him to Steve Nash (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/592/steve-nash) and Tim Duncan (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/215/tim-duncan). Stephen Curry has earned such comparisons.
The infrastructure aiding player development deserves its plaudits. The Warriors hired top line assistant coaches in Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams. Perhaps it’s just coincidence but the following Warriors improved their play this season: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6578/harrison-barnes), Draymond Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6589/draymond-green), Andrew Bogut (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2747/andrew-bogut), Mo Speights, and Festus Ezeli (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6587/festus-ezeli). You could also talk me into Andre Iguodala (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2386/andre-iguodala) if we’re leaning on his post All-Star break play.
Kerr has not only impressed as a rookie coach, but also as a manager who’s always been quick to deflect credit elsewhere. This was a problem with last season’s coaching staff, which wasn’t short on back-biting and ego. If there is a lesson from this season, it might be that ego is the enemy in sports -- ironic considering how confident athletes are and how fame ultimately comes with success. GM Bob Myers avoided trading Klay Thompson because he respected opinions throughout the front office. Steve Kerr had unprecedented winning as a rookie coach because he relies on smart people he trusts. Curry feeds Thompson when attempting to wrest his teammate from the occasional slump.
Corny, but true: In what was supposed to be a humbling season, Golden State crushed expectations by relying on one another. That’s worth remembering, regardless of what happens next.
Good read tbh for one of the 7 best teams of all time and a dynasty in the making
Stevie Johnson get in here
While it’s tempting to just move along to the postseason, to declare the Warriors frauds and failures should they stumble in the next chapter, I prefer to take stock of what’s transpired over these months. In a very short period of time, the Warriors went from playoff hopeful to juggernaut, all with the same roster. It was a staggering feat that deserves some praise.
So ends the greatest regular season in Warriors history, and possibly the greatest Western Conference season since 1972. We’ve gotten slowly inured to what Golden State’s accomplished because they’ve been so steady in their success. And yet, if I’d told you this would happen back in October, it would have been a shocking declaration. Our own ESPN Forecast (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11334331/2014-summer-forecast-west-standings) had the Warriors projected as a 49-win seventh seed. It wasn’t an unreasonable expectation either, given that Golden State had just hired a rookie coach and passed on trading for Kevin Love (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3449/kevin-love).
This was supposed to be a humbling season for Golden State. They would learn the downside of firing a popular coach. They would suffer the embarrassment of overrating their own talent like a myopic little league dad. Klay Thompson (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6475/klay-thompson), you might remember, had never notched an above average PER. The Warriors’ refusal to part with him for a theoretical superstar was popularly derided (Indeed I was pro trade (http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/70273/warriors-put-hopes-on-klay-thompson)). To top it off, owner Joe Lacob had just hired his golf buddy to coach the operation. The Warriors were complacent. The Warriors were fools.
This was supposed to be a disappointing season. Instead, it was a magnificent one. Kerr said of the players, “They’ve been amazing,” and it’s true. The Warriors are fortunate to have a core of players who’ve worked hard to develop their games. It hardly needs saying that Stephen Curry (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3975/stephen-curry) has impressed most of all. This has been a meteoric rise for a guy that, as recently as three years ago, was getting benched for Acie Law’s contributions. He’s weathered many storms, from Don Nelson, to Keith Smart, to Mark Jackson. He’s done it professionally, without making enemies, while improving incrementally, regardless of circumstance. Three years ago, he wasn’t even thought to be a future star. These days, Kerr compares him to Steve Nash (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/592/steve-nash) and Tim Duncan (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/215/tim-duncan). Stephen Curry has earned such comparisons.
The infrastructure aiding player development deserves its plaudits. The Warriors hired top line assistant coaches in Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams. Perhaps it’s just coincidence but the following Warriors improved their play this season: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6578/harrison-barnes), Draymond Green (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6589/draymond-green), Andrew Bogut (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2747/andrew-bogut), Mo Speights, and Festus Ezeli (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6587/festus-ezeli). You could also talk me into Andre Iguodala (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2386/andre-iguodala) if we’re leaning on his post All-Star break play.
Kerr has not only impressed as a rookie coach, but also as a manager who’s always been quick to deflect credit elsewhere. This was a problem with last season’s coaching staff, which wasn’t short on back-biting and ego. If there is a lesson from this season, it might be that ego is the enemy in sports -- ironic considering how confident athletes are and how fame ultimately comes with success. GM Bob Myers avoided trading Klay Thompson because he respected opinions throughout the front office. Steve Kerr had unprecedented winning as a rookie coach because he relies on smart people he trusts. Curry feeds Thompson when attempting to wrest his teammate from the occasional slump.
Corny, but true: In what was supposed to be a humbling season, Golden State crushed expectations by relying on one another. That’s worth remembering, regardless of what happens next.
Good read tbh for one of the 7 best teams of all time and a dynasty in the making
Stevie Johnson get in here