1-Game Overreaction: Warriors Bore Everybody By Winning
Jan 30, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Marreese Speights (5) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half. The Warriors won 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports. Warriors won 111-92.
Fans left disappointed after the Golden State Warriors took on the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena Thursday night, as there was no visible animosity displayed between the division rivals.
Sure, Golden State won the game 111-92 without ever trailing, but where was the excitement? Where was that palpable enmity that has marked the last few contests between these two organizations?
As the Warriors went on their third quarter tear and limited the Clippers to a SINGLE FIELD GOAL to open up the second half, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something missing. You have to take your opportunities when they present themselves, after all, and this was a great opportunity to send a message to a team that the Dubs could very well see in the playoffs if certain scenarios unfold.
What would I have liked to have seen, you ask? Perhaps a well-timed ball thrown at Blake Griffin’s head after one of the many Golden State dunks, à la Charles Barkley? Or maybe a finger point to add a little exclamation point to one of those slams in homage to Shawn Kemp? Hell, Stephen Curry could’ve gone for an eyes-closed free throw if he wanted to make things really interesting.
I mean, there’s a lot of precedence for this, so there’s no reason the Warriors shouldn’t throw their hat into the ring. I don’t care if it’s the regular season, people pay good money to see the Clippers get embarrassed, so give the people what they want Warriors!
Oh yeah, as far as the actual game goes, Curry had 22 points and went 4-for-4 from three-point range, Andrew Bogut put up 14 points — including a long two-pointer! — with 17 rebounds and three blocks, and David Lee posted his usual double-double. Glad we got that part out of the way.
At this point I suppose I’m picking nits, but you have to get these sort of things figured out now before it becomes a problem later. I fully expect Mark Jackson to run a few drills tomorrow in the shootaround before Golden State’s game in Utah in which the team practices these sort of “statement plays. I think it’ll really make the difference in the long run, especially in regards to team morale.
I’m sure Coach Jackson will be reading this at the airport today, so don’t feel obligated to tweet him the link or anything. Expect to see the Warriors play tomorrow night’s game against the Jazz with a little chip on their shoulder, if you catch my drift.