By: Billy Hoyle
The first quarter was very even. It was a back and forth contest where everyone was contributing. Steph curry was in scoring mode but not tallying any assists.
The second quarter saw the first playing time of Lou Amundson this season and in a Warrior’s uniform and the rust showed. We saw right away the hustle he is known for and that registered in a couple of blocks and a rebound but fundamentally he isn’t there yet. Dirk gave him a quick hook and spin on the block for a dunk at the beginning of the second quarter and left Lou looking like he was waiting for the bus, standing all by his lonesome.
Gadzuric instantly helps the Warriors defense as soon as he’s on the court. Curry threw him a nice oop and Gadz finished it well. This seems to be the extent of Gadz offense, aside of course from the rare 12 foot jumper that he seems to miraculously make with some consistency. It seemed like Curry has had problems throwing the oop and it was nice seeing him complete one.
The second half had a lot of hustle and exceptional basketball being played. There was good defense and fantastic individual effort. Curry hurt his ankle… again… and played through the injury… again.
Dorrell was in trouble and got the ball to Lee who made a dangerous behind the back pass to Monta who hit the three. That’s a play that team make when they are going to win. Those magical plays when you can’t seem to get out of your own way and fate just seems to say, “Tonight gentlemen, you’re my boys”. Except it wasn’t.
Dorrell did end up having a fantastic game again. I think if the Warriors are anything but cellar dwellers he is a lock for the Most Improved Player Award. Even more unlikely, if the Warriors can make a trade and sneak into the play-offs, Larry Riley has a real shot at GM of the year. I’d vote for him. I really like the way the team is headed despite their tremendous lack of success.
David Lee should consider building homes when he’s done playing basketball because that dude gets roofed. Dave has seen more roofs than Santa Claus. I think his ability to be ambidextrous is over-emphasized, how valuable can it be to be blocked using either hand? I don’t know if Coach Smart has a sense of humor but Dave Lee guarding Dirk is hilarious.
The return/debut of Amundson was good and he showed some flashes of why the Warriors brought him in, so the bench depth may be coming around. It’s evident when you watch the game and look at the box score that the Warriors have 4 quality starters and a guy who is starting but should actually be a back-up. Andris just isn’t talented enough to be a starting center. He can finish under the hoop but lacks a real offensive game, he is definitely a good rebounder and defensively he can hold his own. All of that adds up to “not quite good enough to be a starter”. It’s not like he was going up against a marquee big man either. For example, his counter-part Ian Mahinmi had a far superior and a much stronger impact on the game.
Not a bad game, the Mavs are the hottest team in the league right now winning their tenth game in a row tonight, but the Warriors still are missing something… and that is a starting center.
Stephen Curry was in scoring mode and for most of the game, Monta Ellis was trying to be the distributor. Ellis still dropped 18 points, but these two don’t seem to excel on the court together. This was a winnable game, but their inability to get both of the guards going offensively is what cost the Warriors another win.