Warriors Win Streak Ends At Five

Dec 14, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (left) and point guard Stephen Curry (right) react after losing 99-85 to the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Warriors lost to the Magic, but that wasn’t the only story. As I’m sure most of you already know, Sandy Hooks Elementary School was shot up by a gunman carrying mom’s semiautomatic weapon. While writing about sports is always a good time, writing about tragedy isn’t fun. Sports is a big part of life, but sometimes it needs to be ignored or put aside to deal with other events. It’s truly, yet another tragic day in the United States. President Obama even said it, as he was tearing up giving a speech. 20 children and 8 adults were killed including the gunman, Adam Lanza. I’m sure most of the nation is speechless, as these children had their whole lives ahead of him. Without doubt, the violence in America is getting to be problematic. Tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. Where’s the line?

On to the Warriors game. Tonight in Orlando, the Warriors didn’t even seem like they were trying to break a record, going 6-0 on the road. No other Warrior team in NBA history has ever done this, and this Warrior team won’t do it either. In the early going of this game, the Warriors played decent defense, and Stephen Curry had some breathing room, as opposed to his smothering night in Miami. Because Klay Thompson picked up two early fouls, the Warriors started to play slow offensively. Orlando went on to shoot high numbers in the 1st quarter. By the end of it, the Warriors shot 29%, but were only down 19-14 by the end of the quarter.

The second quarter was even worse than the first quarter. No one except David Lee could make a shot or get a rebound. Lee finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds, another 20+ game to add to his amazing season. The Warriors desperately tried to put some kind of run together, but the Magic continued to attack and attack. The Warriors found themselves at a 51-35 deficit at half time.

After a disastrous first half, the Warriors picked it up the third. Unfortunately, so did the Magic. More of the same in the third and fourth quarter granted the Magic a 99-85 win. The life of the crowd seemed to be gone, much like the spirit of the United States today. Yes, I’m not happy that the Warriors lost in a boring game, but it’s even worse knowing that 40 parents won’t ever get to see their children ever again. Truly a lamentable day in the United States.

As a journalist, I am always glad to be reporting on the lighter, fun stuff in our world, but reporting about tragedies like this? I don’t know how news anchors do it. From everyone at Golden Gate Sports, our hearts and thoughts go to the families and those effected by the shooting in Connecticut.