Month: January 2014

Golden State Warriors: How To Best Take Advantage Of Chris Paul’s Absence

Oct 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) go for the ball in the first half of the game at Staples Center.Clippers won 125-115. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

The Golden State Warriors are playing dominant, near perfect basketball right now. They just had a 10-game winning streak and went 6-1 on their significant seven-game Eastern road trip. The Warriors are close to unstoppable right now and they continue to move up in the Western Conference standings.

This past Friday, the Warriors were presented with an opportunity to gain a commanding lead in the Pacific Division. On Friday, Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers suffered a separated right shoulder after being fouled by Monta Ellis in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Paul will not need surgery and is expected to miss up to six weeks. Paul is so much more to the Clippers than just their point guard. He’s a superstar in the NBA, he’s the vocal leader on and off the court and he’s their floor general.

Darren Collison, the backup point guard for the Clippers, will have to pick up some of the slack in Paul’s absence. Paul thinks the Clippers will be fine without him, but it’s doubtful that the Clippers will be able to fully make up for the impact that Paul has on the team on a daily basis.

Obviously, Paul’s injury doesn’t directly impact the Warriors at all, but how can the Warriors take advantage of Paul’s absence? The Warriors can’t control how the Clippers respond to Paul’s injury, but the Warriors can control what they do with this kind of opportunity.

The Warriors can start to secure a lead in the Pacific Division. Paul is expected to return before the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans on February 16th, so, until then, the Warriors need to, proverbially, keep their feet on the gas pedal. They need to continue to play as dominantly as they are now, and most importantly, they need to continue to play stellar defense.

In addition, they need to ignore what the Clippers are doing. They need to focus on their own schedule and not worry about how the Clippers are playing.

The Warriors will only face the Clippers once during Paul’s absence. They face off at Oracle Arena on Jan. 30 and this will surely be an entertaining matchup that the Warriors should be able to win.

Dec 25, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala (9) celebrates with point guard Stephen Curry (30) after drawing a charge for an offensive foul against Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

With Paul out of that game, Stephen Curry should be able to dominate. Usually in Warriors-Clippers games, Paul and Curry go head-to-head in a feisty, competitive battle all game long.

Paul knows how to disrupt Curry’s shooting. Paul is quick so he can keep up with Curry and stay close to him, and he forces him into taking tough shots. With Paul out, Curry will be able to score more freely and also not have to worry about guarding Paul at times.

In addition to Curry potentially dominating in the Warriors’ next game against the Clippers, Curry will also be able to gain some ground in the NBA All-Star voting. In the second returns of NBA All-Star balloting for 2014, Curry received the third most votes out of all Western Conference guards, behind just Paul and Kobe Bryant.

Paul and Bryant will both miss a significant amount of time before the All-Star Game this year, so this is an incredible opportunity for Curry to not just make the All-Star team but to also potentially start the All-Star Game. Curry was snubbed from last year’s All-Star Game, so all Warriors fans would love to see him start for the Western Conference this year.

Russell Westbrook is also expected to be out until after the All-Star break after having his third knee surgery since April on Dec. 27. Because of the competitive nature of the Western Conference, it’s always difficult for guards to make the All-Star team, especially for the first time. However, with Paul, Bryant and Westbrook all out, it seems as if this will finally be the year that Curry will make the All-Star team and possibly start.

Paul’s injury doesn’t directly impact the Warriors, and his absence should not affect the Warriors’ play at all. His injury only affects the Warriors in the sense that they now have an opportunity to build a bigger lead in the Pacific Division.

With Paul’s injury, Curry also has an opportunity to finally go to and potentially start for the Western Conference in the 2014 All-Star Game. Both Curry and the Warriors need to take advantage of these opportunities.

LGW: Goin’ Back To M’Waukee: Andrew Bogut Squad 6 Was As Rowdy As Warriors’ #Roaracle
(Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle)

(Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle)

Andrew Bogut will return to Milwaukee today for the first time as an opponent since being traded to the Golden State Warriors on March 13, 2012.

Bogut was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the first overall pick in 2005.

Although his scoring has decreased since his Milwaukee tenure, he’s still showing how valuable he is to the Warriors as their defensive anchor.

Read the rest of the article on Let’s Go Warriors.

Are the San Francisco Giants Playoff-Bound in 2014?

Sep 29, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) thanks the fans after the final game of the season at AT

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

After winning two World Series titles between 2010 and 2012, the San Francisco Giants entered the 2013 season with great expectations. Despite a nearly identical starting lineup and starting pitching rotation as in 2012, the Giants struggled to re-capture the magic in 2013 that they experienced in 2012.

The Giants finished the 2013 season with a 76-86 record, which was third in the NL West. They had to deal with some injuries to key players, poor defense, fatigue, and inconsistent starting pitching.

The Giants have addressed some of these issues so far in the offseason, and they hope that the corresponding roster moves that they’ve made will propel them to the playoffs in 2014. Let’s examine these moves and determine if these changes will lead to a playoff berth.

First of all, Brian Sabean made it a priority to re-sign Hunter Pence and Tim Lincecum before the 2013 season was over. He didn’t want them to test free agency and potentially sign with another team.

Sabean was able to re-sign Pence to a five-year, $90 million contract. In 2013, Pence hit .283 with 27 home runs and 99 RBI, and he played in all 162 games. He also stole 22 bases, had a .339 OBP, and a .483 slugging percentage.

Off the field, he is the heart and soul of this Giants team. He has an incredible work ethic, he plays with a lot of heart, he hustles no matter what the score is, and he’s a great teammate. Pence made it perfectly clear that he wanted to stay a Giant, and he said that he understood the responsibility that comes with such a large contract.

Jul 13, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) is congratulated by starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) after a diving catch during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

After re-signing Pence, Sabean then re-signed Tim Lincecum to a two-year, $35 million deal. This was a controversial signing. Although Lincecum has been a longtime fan favorite, he hasn’t pitched like a two-time Cy Young Award winner in the past couple seasons.

In 2012, he had a 5.18 ERA in 186 innings, and in 2013, he had a 4.37 ERA in 197.2 innings. Lincecum has struggled with his command, and he’s had to evolve as a pitcher in order to stay relevant and serviceable. He did throw a no-hitter last season though, and he showed elements of brilliance in the second half of the season. Despite his struggles, he will be a key part of the starting pitching rotation in 2014.

The Giants also re-signed fan favorite Ryan Vogelsong, who will be the fifth pitcher in the starting rotation. After not picking up his $6.5 million contract option for 2014, the Giants signed Vogelsong to a one-year, $5 million contract.

The Giants also brought back left-handed specialist Javier Lopez and signed him to a three-year, $13 million contract. This was a key signing, because his ability to strike out left-handed batters is unique and extremely valuable.

The Giants also signed some new faces this offseason. The Giants desperately needed another starting pitcher, so they signed Tim Hudson to a two-year, $23 million deal. Hudson, a 14-year veteran starting pitcher, had a 3.97 ERA, struck out 95, and walked 36 in 131.1 innings in 21 starts last season. Hudson suffered a gruesome ankle injury in July 2013, which cut his season short. He has recovered well and is expected to be ready to pitch by spring training.

Another significant addition to the Giants is Michael Morse, who is expected to be the Giants’ everyday left fielder. The Giants signed Morse to a one-year, $6 million deal plus incentives based on plate appearances, which could lead to $3 million more.

Last season, he struggled at the plate because of a wrist injury, but he had his best season in 2011 with the Nationals when he hit .303 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI, and he had a .360 OBP and a .550 slugging percentage. Morse brings some much-needed right-handed power to the Giants.

Given all these additions and signings, the Giants will enter the 2014 season with a more complete roster. Their starting lineup in 2014 will most likely be: Pagan CF, Scutaro 2B, Belt 1B, Posey C, Pence RF, Sandoval 3B, Morse LF, Crawford SS, and the pitcher’s spot.

Oct 22, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro (19), catcher Buster Posey (28), and third baseman Pablo Sandoval (second from right) celebrate after all scored on a two-RBI double by right fielder Hunter Pence (not pictured) as first baseman Brandon Belt (far right) looks on during the third inning of game seven of the 2012 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT

If everyone remains healthy, which is key for the Giants, then this lineup could definitely propel the Giants to another NL West title or at least another playoff berth. This lineup is well-balanced and has speed, power, and versatility.

The starting pitching rotation will be something like: Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Hudson, Lincecum, and Vogelsong. Cain was uncharacteristically inconsistent last season, but given his history of dominance and his work ethic, it seems as if he’ll bounce back and have another stellar season in 2014. Bumgarner was the ace of the pitching staff last season, and he’s one of the best, most intriguing pitchers in MLB.

Hudson is getting older, but he’s a veteran and will benefit from pitching in the pitcher-friendly AT&T Park. Lincecum and Vogelsong are both question marks going into next season, in terms of production.

The success of the starting pitchers will determine the Giants’ season and if they’ll make the playoffs in 2014. It’s somewhat unclear how some of the pitchers will perform next season, but Giants fans should be hopeful that the extra rest this offseason will help the starting pitchers perform better.

Oddly, not making the playoffs in 2013 was a blessing in disguise for the Giants. After playing so many playoff games in 2010 and 2012 (especially having so many potential elimination games in 2012), the Giants clearly and understandably looked fatigued at several points in 2013.

This certainly explains Cain’s struggles and some of the injuries that occurred to players who participated in the World Baseball Classic before the 2013 season. Posey even said he was going to condition differently during this offseason because his legs felt sore and tired at the end of the 2013 season.

At this point, the 2014 Giants’ team can only be judged on paper. Obviously, health is key to the Giants’ success, but, if key players remain healthy, it seems as if the Giants will have a great shot at making the playoffs in 2014.

LGW: Golden State Warriors vs Miami Heat: #DubNation Has Targets on Their Backs
(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

One of the most significant questions surrounding the Golden State Warriors entering this season was how they would respond to playing with targets on their backs. Last season, they were able to sneak up on some opponents and pull out victories as the underdogs.

This season, it’s a different story. Other teams in the NBA now know the kind of talent that the Warriors have. They have a plan on how to stop Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. They’ve seen the impact that Andre Iguodala has made on the team so far this season.

When the Warriors face the Miami Heat today, they will certainly be playing with targets on their backs. The Warriors pulled off a miraculous 97-95 win over the Heat during last season’s seven-game road trip, and the Heat will not let the Warriors sneak up on them again.

Read the rest of the article on Let’s Go Warriors.

Golden State Warriors: Importance Of Eastern Road Trip

Dec 29, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) dribbles the ball around Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving (2) in overtime at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

The Golden State Warriors are currently on a seven-game road trip, and they will be away from Oracle Arena for about two weeks. This road trip is a significant part of the Warriors’ schedule. The elite teams in the NBA are great on the road, so the Warriors need to do well on this road trip in order to establish themselves as an elite team in the Western Conference.

This long road trip is especially significant, because it’s a great opportunity for the Warriors to gain some ground, in terms of their record, against the less competitive Eastern Conference teams. Besides the Miami Heat, the Warriors play six teams that they should hypothetically beat.

They already beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orland Magic, but they should be able to beat the Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Brooklyn Nets. Since it’s a long road trip, the Warriors might not easily handle all of these teams though. If the Warriors can go 4-3 or 5-2 on this road trip, that will be a successful road trip.

The Warriors need to take it a game at a time and not underestimate any of these teams. If they play down to their opponent or assume that these games will be easy wins, this road trip could really end up hurting their record.

“None of these games are going to be easy,” Mark Jackson said. “We’re playing against teams in their own building, but we’ve got to take care of our business. I think it’s important for us to be true to our identity and things will fall into place.”

Last season, the Warriors had a similar seven-game road trip near the beginning of the season. They played the Detroit Pistons, the Nets, the Wizards, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Heat, the Magic, and the Hawks. They went 6-1 on this monumental road trip, with their only loss coming against the Magic.

Their miraculous 97-95 win over the Heat on that road trip was arguably the most significant win during the regular season. It was a statement win that showed the rest of the NBA that they weren’t the same dysfunctional team that they had been for so long. The Warriors showed that they were a legitimate playoff contender and that they had become a defensive-minded team.

The Warriors will face the Heat on this current road trip as well, and they hope to re-create the magic that they created on last season’s seven-game road trip. If the Warriors were able to beat the Heat on this road trip, it would be a different kind of statement win than last year’s win.

If the Warriors beat the Heat, it will show that they are a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. They don’t have to prove that they’re a playoff contender anymore. They need to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and that they’re even stronger this season. The Warriors would prove that they’re here to stay and here to contend.

The game against the Heat is the ultimate test for the Warriors, but, as mentioned before, they have to take the other games seriously as well. Here are three possible trap games for the Warriors on this road trip.

They need to look out for the Hawks, because they currently rank third in the Eastern Conference with a 17-14 record. They can’t overlook the talent that Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Kyle Korver, and Paul Millsap have. This is also the second game of a back-to-back, with the first game coming against the Heat.

The Wizards could also be a tougher matchup than most people would think. The Wizards have a fantastic backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Wall is an extremely talented point guard who can score and set up his teammates, and Beal is averaging 18.7 points per game and is shooting 46.2 percent from three. Trevor Ariza is also having a fantastic season.

One last possible “trap” game on this road trip is the game against the Nets. After making a blockbuster trade in the offseason for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, the Nets have had an extremely disappointing season and are currently 10-20. This is a potential trap game because it’s the second game of a back-to-back, on the road, at the end of a long road trip. The Warriors will most likely be tired and ready to go home, so they can’t overlook this team.

The Warriors need to think of this road trip as a business trip. They need to stay focused and take the road trip game by game. This road trip could really define their season, and it’s a great chance for the Warriors to prove themselves.

Prediction for the road trip: 6-1, with the one loss coming against the Hawks, not the Heat.