Game 23: Golden State Warriors (15-8) 128 - Toronto Raptors 131 (19-4)

[golden]

Result aside, a great NBA regular season game for the record books. Thoroughly appreciated the effort from both teams in this game. In echoing the same sentiment as other internet commentators, this game should be viewed in the context of character building rather than "Can we realistically beat the Warriors in a 7 game series?". We showed that not only can we beat the best team in basketball the past 5 seasons, we can also hold on to a lead for the better part of 48 minutes against them. We also proved that we can win in OT when it seemed that the momentum had been shifting. This is not small stuff that should be pushed aside during a regular season building phase; just listen to Kawhi mention how guys are "buying in" to Nurse when he was asked after the game.

I'd also like to sound off on the hypothetical scenarios being thrown around. To those mentioning the Curry/Draymond situations and that the outcome would almost certainly be different if they'd played, how about our guys? What if FVV had scored his season average of 9 points? What if Lowry had 5 more points? What if Curry had played and KD couldn't get that hot since he couldn't touch the ball? These scenarios can go on forever (literally) and yet we're still non the wiser. We should take this game for what is was and not what is wasn't.

Yeah, you can't just throw a bunch of high usage guys together and expect the equivalent production to exceed 100%. It will be hard for the Warriors to get full value out of the starting lineup, but where the high-end depth really helps them is: (a) getting through the long season resting injured players (keeping them fresh for the playoffs), (b) having all-stars boost bench & transition lineups, and of course (c) closing out games with a lethal Durant/Curry pick & roll with Klay as the 3rd option "bailout" - yikes. The lack of depth showed last night.... Iggy is almost done, and he basically coughed up the game for them.

[nubreed000]

Don’t think you watched the right play. KD was on Kyle and helped slightly but would have had enough time to get back on Lowry if Kawhi made the pass. It was Looney who over helped on Kawhi and left Ibaka wide open.

As usual people focus on the one negative over multiple positive things Lowry did. I agree he should have taken that shot, but he made some brilliant plays down the stretch. Hit a big 3 with a minute left, made a terrific pass to Danny for the 3 in OT, made a terrific defensive play on Iggy.

You're right. I forgot about that steal on Iggy and the 3 in front of the GSW bench. That one play stood out though and made me forget the 3 clutch plays he had.

[nubreed000]

Result aside, a great NBA regular season game for the record books. Thoroughly appreciated the effort from both teams in this game. In echoing the same sentiment as other internet commentators, this game should be viewed in the context of character building rather than "Can we realistically beat the Warriors in a 7 game series?". We showed that not only can we beat the best team in basketball the past 5 seasons, we can also hold on to a lead for the better part of 48 minutes against them. We also proved that we can win in OT when it seemed that the momentum had been shifting. This is not small stuff that should be pushed aside during a regular season building phase; just listen to Kawhi mention how guys are "buying in" to Nurse when he was asked after the game.

I'd also like to sound off on the hypothetical scenarios being thrown around. To those mentioning the Curry/Draymond situations and that the outcome would almost certainly be different if they'd played, how about our guys? What if FVV had scored his season average of 9 points? What if Lowry had 5 more points? What if Curry had played and KD couldn't get that hot since he couldn't touch the ball? These scenarios can go on forever (literally) and yet we're still non the wiser. We should take this game for what is was and not what is wasn't.

One thing to keep in mind in these scenarios is that if Curry was healthy, Golden State's closing line up would have been more conventional. That's one thing I noticed. Their line up was: Klay, Durant, Iggy, Jerebko and 1 other guy (can't remember who). They did not have a PG on the floor at all, so Lowry was outmatched on a lot of possessions. If Steph had been there then Lowry would've been guarding him more easily than covering the likes of Durant or Iggy (even though he did get a steal on him).

[The Claw Reborn]

“I mean, I rather we blew them out,” said Lowry, who finished with 10 points and 12 assists and just one turnover and made a critical triple late in the fourth quarter to keep the Warriors from ending the game in regulation. “But it was a fun game. Those are fun games. It’s what the league is about. You got guys going at it, KD had 51 and put them on [his] back, made two huge threes down the stretch and Kawhi made some big shots. Honestly, was a good, fun, game.”

Kyle is always honest how he feels about players that are just above his tier and are true superstars. He does not see these guys as equals.

The acquisition of an elite player will change Kyle’s approach to games when the lights shines the brightest. He understood that. Pecking order 101.

Now he does not have to concede even before a playoff series starts, how great a Lebron James of the world. He now has one truest shiny toy to play with and to brag about against those guys who bullies this bulldog when it matters most.

[Yuri Gagarin]

I wonder when was the last time 4/5 starters shot 50% or better? There actually might have been one game a few weeks ago but probably years before this season

[Yuri Gagarin]

That lowry move on the baseline near the end was an incredible example of agility

[KeonClark]

At a time when NBA teams need to have a scoring PG. Wonderful.

Is that a rule? You're basing that off what exactly?

[A.I]

Is that a rule? You're basing that off what exactly?

Everyones got a be Curry

[jacobdr4]

Don’t think you watched the right play. KD was on Kyle and helped slightly but would have had enough time to get back on Lowry if Kawhi made the pass. It was Looney who over helped on Kawhi and left Ibaka wide open.

As usual people focus on the one negative over multiple positive things Lowry did. I agree he should have taken that shot, but he made some brilliant plays down the stretch. Hit a big 3 with a minute left, made a terrific pass to Danny for the 3 in OT, made a terrific defensive play on Iggy.

People keep mentioning Lowry not taking shot but nobody mentioned on that same play Ibaka had a wide open shot at the free throw line that he didn’t take either.

[jacobdr4]

Btw all the love for Craig sager is a little ridiculous. Sure he was a big personality but he also cheated on his wife with an ex cheerleader and left all his kids out of his will. Not exactly a guy to be praised like he is.

[rocwell]

Btw all the love for Craig sager is a little ridiculous. Sure he was a big personality but he also cheated on his wife with an ex cheerleader and left all his kids out of his will. Not exactly a guy to be praised like he is.

[KeonClark]

Btw all the love for Craig sager is a little ridiculous. Sure he was a big personality but he also cheated on his wife with an ex cheerleader and left all his kids out of his will. Not exactly a guy to be praised like he is.

Theres at least 2 bad dads and 6 adulterers in every nba locker room. They don't care. They like his shiny coats

[Jangles]

Kawhi's team is 19-4. Durant's team is 5-6 without Curry.

Kawhi > Durant.

Wonder what the Raps record would be if Kyle and Serge or Pascal missed 10 games.

[KeonClark]

Wonder what the Raps record would be if Kyle and Serge or Pascal missed 10 games.

Kawhi missed 5 or 6, and kyles team was not below .500..

[Nilanka]

Btw all the love for Craig sager is a little ridiculous. Sure he was a big personality but he also cheated on his wife with an ex cheerleader and left all his kids out of his will. Not exactly a guy to be praised like he is.

Dying is a great business decision. Just ask Tupac.