The mere fact that this discussion is even occurring should tell you something about how good GS is. GS ended up having a better record than we did and then gave the then undefeated Spurs a handful during the playoffs. We did matchup better with them the previous season but that was because they were lacking a truly good wing defender. Now they have that in Iggy as well as adding Speights. The loss of Jack and Landry are pretty big since those 2 were great contributors off the bench but, I think their additions so far, at the very least, surpass the losing of Landry and Jack as well as shoring up their bigger need at the wing defense. They have good cohesion and great complementary pieces. All they're lacking now is a backup PG. I don't know if they're necessarily media darlings as much as an eye opener because of what they did during the playoffs ousting a favored team then giving the Spurs an honest run all in their 1st year together. I think we still have their number and look forward to our matchups. I'm not arrogant enough to think that we'll roll them as easily as last season. Depending on how each team fills out their roster, this should be a fun match-up all season.
Jack was needed for that team, because of Curry's tendency to disappear up his own ass in crunch time.
It all depends on Bogut's health, Barnes' development and _avid Lee's D. If Bogut's fully healthy, Barnes plays like an all star and Lee plays decent D, they're a great team and we'd have a great rivalry. But of course, those are big IFs.
Golden state is overrated because they had a nice play-off run against a limping nuggets team. People forget how mediocre the second half of the season was for Golden state. They are not a great team. They lost key players (altough i'm not a fan of Jack), and while i'm a fan of Iguodala i do not think he improved them that much. If the entire team is healthy they are a tier below Houston, but we all know they will not be healthy.
GS is turning into a team I absolutely hate, in larger part due to Mark Jackson. But they're young, very good and their GM did a remarkable job so far clearing cap space and adding significant pieces. AI was a beast of a pick up and improves their starting rotation from last year. I think he is a perfect fit next to Curry and Thompson. If Barnes improves from last season he is going to be dynamic off of the bench. GS should be excited about that team. I think they have a legit shot at the WCF, Steph Curry is one scary dude if you only need one shot to win the game.
Their roster does not have any glaring weaknesses and question marks like the Rockets. Who will start at PF? Garcia is the only proven wing player off the bench. There is a chance one or both of d mo and jones become NBA material (my money is on jones), but what if neither of them do? Now we don't have a backup PF. The rockets created a redundancy and a bit of a prima donna. How do you know Dwight will be happy with Harden and Parsons taking most of the shots? Will teams just collapse and double him off of one of our power forwards? The warriors, however, added a player who has already shown he can succeed on any team. He played well in Philly, and on a fast paced Nuggets team. They now have an elite wing defender which changes everything for them. Now, harden will struggle against them.
I could see Golden State winning more games than the Rockets if they stay healthy and we don't. But I think we still have the edge over them should the two teams meet in the postseason. Aside from that horrible home loss where the Rockets played arguably their worst game of the season, we had no problem handling them in the other 3 matchups including 2 in Oakland.
The anti-homer always looking for an opertunity to minimize our own players. Iggy PPG - 13 APG - 5.4 SPG - 1.7 RPG - 5.3 FG% - .451 3PT% - .317 FT% - .574 CP25 PPG - 15.5 APG - 3.5 SPG - 1.0 RPG - 5.3 FG% - .486 3PT% - .385 FT% - .729 Stats wise Chandler is better... period. Much more efficient than Iggy on the offensive end and it's not even that close. Defensively, CP25 took a step back from his rookie year but he is still a plus defender. Iggy was most likely slightly better than CP25 on the defensive end. Advantage CP25.
The Center position is the Most Dominating position in the NBA. Howard is the Best Center Since Shaq. #1 Center in the NBA. Who the Warriors Have to stop him? No one. That's going to make Harden Better and the rest... and he good in the paint. So we get out on their shooters... and D up like we suppose to. Rockets are made for the playoffs.. and we have room to get better and grow..
The addition of Iggy just about equals out the subtraction of Jack/Landry IMO which was one of the strongest attributes of that team last year. The fate of their team next year, and for the future rests on the ankle of Steph Curry. If this guy is healthy, they can be a legit contender in the West. If he's not, they aren't going anywhere. I think the West is wide open next season, and alot of where teams end up will be reliant upon health, other moves that are made, and if the Spurs can remain ageless.
Iggy is not slightly better than CP25 defensively, he is way way better. Iggy might be the best on the ball defender in the league.
Iggy is overrated. He is mediocre on offense and his defense is overrated. Ty Lawson was hurt and Gallinari was out. But you'd think if Igoudala's reputation the league's superstar wing defender, he still could have done something to stop Denver from getting completely whalloped by GS's perimeter-centered offense.
On Ball defense is great, but team defense is more important. And i'm NOT saying Parsons is a better team defender because i don't have those stats. Also Be prepared to see Iggy's offensive numbers decline on GSW. On the other hand, i'm thinking by the playoffs that T-Jones will be playing at similiar level to D.Lee. (i know this prediction is bold, that's why i put it in bold)
Harden, Parson, Lin, Jones, Dmo and Bev will improve as well. The Howard signing is much better than the signing of Iguodala and Spieghts. Oh and we re-signed Garcia.. So as it stands I'd take the Rockets all day everyday over the Warriors.
