I only saw a little bit of the game, and I wasn't there in person, but the Warriors looked like a really different outfit last night. I owe SWOPA a big, big apology, and I might just have to go see these guys now. Any team that spanks the Spurs deserves some love and at least one ticket purchase.
Just to show one game, especially the first does not mean much. We all know Spurs will get better. However, it was still a great win for the Warriors to boost up confidence.
Musselman's a heck of a coach. Wish he had never left Orlando. He's getting the most out of his players, and though it's early, it's a safe bet that Fortson gets dropped on some unsuspecting team for nearly nothing, yet that "nearly nothing" will be worth more than Fortson, if you catch my drift.
I do catch your drift. It's actually amazing to see them outboard the Spurs without Fortson on the floor. That points to effort and energy, big time. So I hope nobody thinks I'm all excited about the Warriors snagging a playoff spot or anything. Just sounds like, at least early in the season, it'd be worth checking them out if they're really hustling.
It really does look like they hired the right coach this time. GS started off down 12-4 -- only scoring 4 points in the first six minutes! -- before the first time-out. (Musselman didn't even call it; he waited for the mandatory official time-out.) When they came out of the time-out, it was like an entirely different team. Under Cowens or Winters the game would have been over, but Musselman really knows how to give players confidence.
Maybe I should become a Warriors fan because according to several people in the Rockets forum the season is over, or nearly over!!
Swopa, give us your Ginobili report. ROY candidate?? Did he guard Jason or did Bowen? I can't image Gino covering Jamison.
It's tough to judge a rookie on one game, but no, Ginobili did not look at all like a ROY candidate last night. He and Welsch looked about equal -- both have game, but both have a lot of adjusting to do, too. And his shakier 3-point range (especially contrasted with Steve Smith) made it easier for GS to shade defenders toward Duncan. Ginobili guarded Richardson, Bowen had Jamison ... and both had their hands full. I think Jamison in particular is going to enjoy having teammates who defenders actually have to pay attention to.
Seems like Bowen in particular got burned repeatedly. Jamison is not a one-on-one player, per se, but you couldn't tell with the amazing defensive specialist.
Guys Bowen is a fine, fine defender. Maybe he got overmatched with Jamison's size and being tired having to play Kobe the other night. It is Bruce Bowen's not quite CBA level offensive capabilities that limits his usefulness as a player.
I heard when Musselman was asked why Dunleavy only played one minute he replied, "because we wanted to win the game." Hopefully he just misspoke, because that's pretty cold.
I saw Musselman on Rome's tv show and he was talking about changing the paint in the locker rooms and bringing in Bob Knight and some Navy SEAL guy to speak to the team. He really sounded like he was about changing the culture in that organization.
Dammit, this isn't good. We have enough competition in the West as it is. Now we gotta worry about the Warriors? Not good.
I got tickets to both Rockets games in O-town. Is anyone else going? Do they allow signs? I am going to take a ClutchCity.net banner.
Whoops. Back to normal. I may have to withdraw my apology, SWOPA! At least they rallied last night in the 3rd quarter against the Mavs, but they could not cover those guys at all. I can't believe how many open looks the Mavs got.
