The Week that Was:
Considering they went 1-2 during the week, it would be hard to classify it as anything other than at least a mild disappointment.
The Warriors could and should have won the game against the Bulls then got outplayed despite having their full starting five against the Jazz. They may have been looking ahead to the next day’s tilt against Phoenix, which the Dubs pulled out despite a lackluster start.
The Soapbox: Previewing Warriors at Hawks
Even though the Hawks lost their remarkable nineteen game winning streak on Monday, the Warriors coming to Atlanta on Friday still has plenty of sizzle.
Warriors and Hawks had pretty clearly been the two best teams in the NBA this season. Going into tonight’s games, they had the two best scoring differentials in the entire league and still stand as the only franchises with single-digit losses.
Most impressively, at present there are only three teams in the top ten for both Offensive Efficiency and Defensive Efficiency: Golden State, Atlanta and Memphis. The Hawks and Warriors take that one step further and are both top-FIVE in each (3/1 for the Warriors and 5/3 for the Hawks).
Beyond all the numbers and stats, they have been the two most fun teams to watch this season. Each team moves the ball incredibly well and defends at a high level, which should make them even more compelling against one another. In fact, only two teams generate more than 60 points per game by assists and by now I bet you have a guess which ones they are.
We will also learn some interesting details about these coaches. For example, the Warriors can use aggressive switching with many of their lineups due to their balanced heights and amazing defensive skillsets. Those systems can have two different problems: teams with great ball movement and quick release shooters. The Hawks clearly fit category one and Kyle Korver has been at a different level in terms of set shooting. The Hawks challenge what the Warriors do so well and I am excited to see how Coach Kerr reacts.
No matter what, fans should enjoy one of only two times these squads will face one another in the regular season in what should be one of the most beautiful basketball games of the year.
The Week to Come:
A rare and challenging five game week featuring two separate back-to-backs and four games in five nights with only one of those coming at Oracle. The short road trip to Sacramento folds straight into a big game against the suddenly Rondo-less Mavericks. Following that, the Warriors start a four game road trip with the big one against Atlanta, a flight to New York to play the Knicks at MSG and a short jaunt to Philly to beat on the Sixers.
I am expecting 4-1 but we could easily see a second loss considering the tough timetable.