Month: May 2014

Golden State Warriors: Why Firing Mark Jackson Was the Wrong Move

Apr 21, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson looks on during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

The Golden State Warriors have officially fired Mark Jackson. Some of the criticism about his coaching was justified, and Jackson wasn’t a perfect coach. However, firing him was the wrong decision for this team.

Perhaps the most important reason why firing Jackson was not a smart move was that he received unwavering support from the players. The Warriors’ players have the utmost respect for him, they listened to him, they trusted him fully, and they believed that he would guide them to play their best. Often, motivating a team and getting them to buy into a system and a coach’s methods can be the hardest part of coaching, and this was one of Jackson’s strengths.

Coach Jackson brought out the best in his players, partially because he was very open and honest with them. Jackson’s influence could also be seen in how relaxed the team was in Game 7, how confident they were throughout the season and in the playoffs, and how the players didn’t fear the big moment.

In fact, based on his fine work with the Warriors last season and his impact on the team’s chemistry, both Andre Iguodala and Jermaine O’Neal wanted to sign with the Warriors last offseason. The Warriors could’ve potentially persuaded big-name free agents to sign with them this summer because of Coach Jackson’s reputation around the league and his player-friendly coaching style.

All the players were vocal about their support for Coach Jackson, especially Stephen Curry. He badly wanted Jackson to remain the head coach, and Curry spoke about his love for Coach Jackson to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle after Game 7.

“What Coach has gone through this year has been unlike anything I’ve seen – just the amount of distractions, the circus that has been around him and the decisions he has had to make,” Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said. “I love Coach more than anybody. For him to be in a position where his job is under scrutiny and under questions is totally unfair.

“It would definitely be a shock to me if anything like (a firing) would happen. I’m definitely going to voice my support for Coach to anybody that asks me all summer.

“He deserves to be our coach next year, and we’re going to come back and build off of the momentum we’ve gained over the past three years and continue to grow as a team. I want Coach Jackson to be that guy leading us.”

The Warriors should’ve listened to Curry, because he’s the face of the franchise and a fan favorite. Curry is the ultimate professional and will adjust to a new head coach, but it’s not smart for the Warriors to start to ignore their superstar. It’s unlikely Curry will get so upset that he’ll want to leave the team, but the Warriors definitely need to involve him in the process of hiring a new head coach.

Whoever they hire to be the new head coach will be Curry’s fourth head coach in just six seasons. Curry will play hard for anyone and could succeed in many systems, but it seems slightly unfair to make him adjust to yet another new coach and new system.

Apr 24, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob reacts after a call against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter of game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

In addition to upsetting the players by firing Jackson, the Warriors could potentially hurt themselves in terms of on-the-court production. Jackson certainly could’ve improved on his rotations, play-calling, and decision-making. However, if they don’t find the right replacement, some players might struggle adjusting to a new system or having to play a new system in general.

Joe Lacob has a “win now” mindset, and he wants immediate success, which Jackson apparently didn’t bring. He needs to understand that in the NBA, success is long-term not short-term. Look at Oklahoma City. It takes time to develop a core of players and a coach’s system. Jackson had to improve on some aspects of his coaching, but he wasn’t given the opportunity to build on the success he developed.

It seems as if Jackson’s “strained” relationship with management was one of the main reasons why he was fired, which is just unfair. Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group agreed with this statement in a recent article that he wrote before Jackson was fired.

“Logic says work to fix his weaknesses instead of starting over. It would be a shame if the playoff streak has to end because of office politics.”

Thompson also made a good point in that same article when he said:

“But just as Jackson is responsible for his locker room, management is responsible for the team.”

Lacob and Myers will need to make some changes to the roster in the offseason, so it’s also their duty to make this team better and put them in a better situation to succeed.

For such a risky move, in terms of disappointing players and fans, the Warriors better back up firing Jackson by hiring a fantastic new head coach. Joe Lacob and Bob Myers are incredibly smart people, so they’ll do their best to find the best possible coach out there for this team. They have to hope though that the risks involved with this decision pay off and that ultimately the benefits will outweigh the costs.

Not all personnel moves are going to be liked by everyone in the organization and all of the fans, and that’s fine. Lacob and Myers’ jobs aren’t necessarily about making everyone happy, but they have to make sure they hire not just a good coach but a great coach that they know will fluorish. If not, this situation could get really ugly, really fast.

Firing Mark Jackson won’t completely shatter the organization. The Warriors still have an immense amount of talent, and they can potentially contend for a title next season. It all comes down to if Lacob and Myers hire the right coach though, and if that head coach can lead the Warriors to more wins next season than this season.

One last thought, thanks to Mark Jackson for bringing the Warriors out of irrelevance and making them a legitimate threat in the Western Conference. He instilled an effective defensive system, and he brought a winning mentality to the Warriors. He truly changed the culture, and he should be greatly commended for that.

Golden State Warriors: Thoughts on Game 7 and the Season

Apr 27, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

The Golden State Warriors lost a heartbreaking battle in Game 7 of their first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Some might classify this season for the Warriors as “disappointing,” because, with that Game 7 loss, they failed to advance the Western Conference semifinals after doing so last season. However, this is far from the truth.

The Warriors’ franchise had been stuck in mediocrity or the basement of the NBA for so long, so to see a Warriors team in a Game 7 and with that strong of a desire to put up a fight for all 48 minutes was absolutely inspiring and far from disappointing. The Warriors displayed that fight and determination throughout the 2013-2014 season.

The Warriors were the underdogs going into this series, and as usual, not one ESPN analyst picked them to win this series. The Warriors perform best when they’re underestimated though. They showed in this series against the Clippers that they have the ability to overcome being the less talented team in a series with their heart, team chemistry, and motivation.

Both teams faced adversity in this series. The Clippers went through a devastating scandal involving their owner, Donald Sterling. It completely changed their franchise, and it affected their focus at points in the series.

However, the Warriors had to face adversity as well. Before the playoffs started, Andrew Bogut fractured his rib and was ruled out of the playoffs. Based on his significant impact in the playoffs last season, this was a huge blow to the Warriors. Their confidence didn’t waver though.

Without Bogut, the Warriors easily could’ve lost this series in four games. The fact that they were able to push this series to seven games without their defensive anchor, their rim protector, their hard screen setter, and their token tough guy was extremely impressive on many levels.

The Warriors can learn a lot from this season, and they can take a lot away from their Game 7 loss.

First of all, the Warriors proved in the playoffs that they are truly a tough team. Bogut’s emergence as an extremely effective defensive anchor certainly added toughness, but the Warriors were still viewed as a “fake tough” or “soft” team by many other NBA teams this season. The way the Warriors battled with the Clippers, matched their physicality, and weren’t afraid of the Clippers’ size in the frontcourt showed that they are one of the toughest teams in the NBA.

Draymond Green is a significant part of their newly established toughness. He is the ultimate competitor, teammate, and enforcer out on the court. He isn’t afraid of anything, and he’s a winner. The Warriors’ toughness as a team really showed when Green was put in the starting lineup.

Apr 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors players begin to celebrate with head coach Mark Jackson after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-120. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Second, Mark Jackson has been heavily criticized this season, but he showed in the playoffs why he’s the right coach for this team. This article isn’t about why Jackson needs to remain the Warriors’ head coach (more on this later…), but we’ll get into a few reasons why he should stay now.

One of the biggest criticisms about Jackson has been his questionable rotations and allocation of minutes. As the series progressed, Jackson decided to go with a small-ball lineup by starting Green, and he played Harrison Barnes more as a stretch four. He also moved away from his lineups of just bench players and mixed in his starters well. Jackson made the proper adjustments, and he should be commended for that.

The Warriors also played so hard throughout the series and never gave up, despite being overmatched at times. This type of determination and fearlessness should be partially attributed to Jackson. He inspires this team to be the best that they can be.

Many players, including Stephen Curry, stepped up in crunch time and proved to not be afraid of the big moment. That is a testament to Jackson’s personality, coaching, and confidence in his players. With Jackson’s guidance, Curry truly grew into a leader for this team, and he led this team’s fight to prove themselves.

Third, as mentioned before, the Warriors proved that they possibly have the most heart of any team in the NBA. They played a near perfect game of basketball in Game 7, and even though they didn’t reign victorious, they showed that they will never give up, no matter what.

What should be remembered about their Game 7 loss and their 2013-2014 season in general is the determination and the fight that they showed on a regular basis.

This Warriors team is hungry, and they will certainly make another run in the playoffs next season. Who knows how far the Warriors could’ve gone with Bogut healthy, and if Bogut is healthy next season, this Warriors team will be even more dangerous.

Entering this season, many people put high expectations on the Warriors. Although the Warriors might not have met those unfair expectations, they set up even bigger expectations for next season based on their performance in this series, and that is a big accomplishment and a testament to Coach Jackson.

Warriors fans should be incredibly proud of this Warriors team. Game 7 was an unforgettable battle that showed this team’s identity and heart to everyone in the NBA. Warriors fans should be excited for next season. The Warriors will be stronger and even more determined than ever.

Golden State Warriors: Keys to Upsetting the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7

Apr 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during 1st half action in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

It all comes down to this. The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers are heading to Game 7 of their first round playoff series. This series has been filled with drama, physical play, controversy, injuries, and the highest level of competition.

Many NBA analysts expected the Warriors to fall early and easily to the third-seeded Clippers, but the Warriors are doing what they did on many occasions in the regular season. They fight. They play with that underdog mentality, and they find ways to win games when the odds are against them.

Going into Game 7, the Warriors, yet again, have the odds against them. They’re the underdog in many ways. They’re the road team, they’re banged up, and they’re exhausted.

However, they shouldn’t be counted out. How can they win Game 7 and pull off the upset of the Clippers?

First of all, the Splash Brothers need to shoot efficiently. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are yet to both have big shooting nights in the same game, and based on the confidence of these two shooters, they’re bound to have breakout performances in Game 7. Neither Curry or Thompson are afraid of the big moment, and they’ve both come up in clutch situations before. Look for them to carry the offense.

Second, the Warriors need to stay aggressive on defense and on fast breaks. In Game 6, the Warriors forced Blake Griffin and Chris Paul to shoot a combined 11-for-34 from the field. They also forced J.J. Redick to shoot just 2-for-10 from three, and they held DeAndre Jordan to just nine points, after he scored 25 in Game 5. If they can play lockdown defense, especially on Paul and Griffin, they could pull off the upset.

Small-ball lineups are most successful when they score in transition and let their defense create their offense. In Game 4, the Warriors’ best game in the series so far, they scored 27 fast break points. In Game 6, the Warriors had just 14, but that game was more about physicality than fast breaks.

May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) shoots the ball for a three-point basket while being fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 100-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Curry, Thompson, and Andre Iguodala need to stay aggressive on fast breaks and on offense in general. Paul has been dealing with an injured right hamstring and left thumb, so Curry needs to be aggressive from the start to test Paul. In Game 6, Paul seemed to have trouble moving around the court and chasing after Curry, so Curry should exploit this.

Iguodala has been much more aggressive recently, and it’s led to him scoring 55 points in the last three games. In Game 6, Iguodala was the Warriors’ second leading scorer with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting, and he scored 11 of those 15 points in the second half.

Iguodala is great in the fast break, he’s decisive, and he’s quick, so he can help the Warriors get easy transition buckets.

Iguodala is also incredibly clutch, which is a huge reason why the Warriors acquired him in the offseason. He hit a huge three late in the fourth quarter in Game 6, which caused Griffin to pick up his sixth foul. Iguodala needs to step up again in Game 7.

Third, the Warriors need to do the little things and stick to the fundamentals in Game 7. There will be lots of excitement and energy around Game 7, so the Warriors will need to calm down and play fundamentally-sound basketball. Game 7 is a new experience for this group of Warriors, so they need to focus on boxing out, committing hard fouls when needed, being active on defense and on the boards, and, most importantly, limiting their turnovers.

The Warriors have struggled all season with limiting the careless, avoidable turnovers, especially Curry. In Game 6, the Warriors had just eight turnovers to the Clippers’ 12. Curry, by himself, had eight turnovers in Game 5. The Warriors need to take care of the ball and value each possession.

Lastly, in Game 7, the Warriors need to bring that same physicality that they had in Game 6. Game 6 wasn’t pretty for either team, but the Warriors were able to earn a grind-it-out type of win. The Warriors will most likely have to play this type of style again in Game 7.

May 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9), Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) battle for position during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Clippers have more talent on their roster than the Warriors do, but the Warriors can’t control that. What they can control though is their effort level. They’ll have to play that gritty style of basketball and match the Clippers’ physical play.

The Clippers are a team of floppers, so they’re bound to get more foul calls. The Warriors can’t shy away from giving hard fouls and absorbing hard fouls though. In Game 6, the Warriors shot 37 free throws to the Clippers’ 33. The Warriors also won the points in the paint battle 42-24 in Game 6, so they need to be aggressive.

In Game 6, the Warriors and the Clippers combined for 52 total fouls and 70 free throws, and Griffin, Redick, and David Lee all fouled out. The Warriors need to embrace playing a physical game.

Both teams looked exhausted in Game 6, and the Warriors’ starters are probably going to have to play extended minutes in Game 7. The Warriors’ bench might struggle on the road, since it’s unlikely that Marreese Speights will have two good games in a row, Jermaine O’Neal’s injury status is unclear, and Steve Blake didn’t play in Game 6. The starters have to be ready to give it their all in this must-win situation.

Game 7 could very easily come down to which team can battle harder. Both team is facing adversity. The Clippers want to overcome the scandal involving their owner, Donald Sterling, and prove that they can win a championship. The Warriors want to win this series for their coach, in hopes that a playoff series win will ensure him some job security.

The Warriors have a lot to prove, and that’s just the way they like it.

What Do the Golden State Warriors Have to Do to Force Game 7?

Apr 27, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

The Golden State Warriors’ first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers has been an emotional roller coaster, on and off the court. The Warriors have had to overcome a serious injury to their defensive anchor, Andrew Bogut, and the Clippers have had to overcome a horrible scandal involving their owner, Donald Sterling.

On the court, the series has been extremely competitive, physical, and entertaining. The Warriors won Game 1 and Game 4, and the Clippers won Game 2, 3, and 5.

Besides Game 4, the Warriors haven’t played great basketball during the series, so the fact that they’re down just 3-2, with their center out, is extremely impressive. The Warriors face a must-win situation in Game 6, so what do the Warriors have to do to force a Game 7?

There are a lot of things they need to improve on or fix from Game 5. First of all, Stephen Curry is going to have to show a little more of the Steph Curry from the 2013 playoffs in Game 6. Throughout this series, the Clippers have done a great job, except in Game 4, containing Curry, limiting his shot attempts, and forcing him into tough shots.

The Clippers have forced Curry to be a distributor, which sometimes works for the Warriors. However, Curry committed eight turnovers in Game 5 and only made five field goals. Curry has to become more of a scorer than a distributor and limit his turnovers in Game 6, if they want to get to Game 7.

This isn’t just on Curry though. The Warriors could do a better job getting Curry some better looks. Mark Jackson could continue to run the high pick-and-roll, but they have to run it higher up and not so close to the free throw line. This will drive DeAndre Jordan further away from the basket and could potentially create more opportunities for Curry to dribble to the three-point line for a shot or drive to the basket for a shot or a trip to the free throw line.

Also, if Curry is ever guarded by Darren Collison, like he was at times during Game 5, and not Chris Paul, he needs to exploit that matchup. He had success against Collison in Game 5, and those will be his best opportunities to score.

Apr 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) posts up on Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Second, the Warriors need to stay out of foul trouble, which is hard to do against a team that is known for their flopping and dramatic style of play. In Game 5, the Warriors clearly struggled when the Clippers went at the Blake Griffin-Draymond Green matchup early, because it led Green into foul trouble.

The Clippers shot 41 free throws in Game 5, which is a lot, but it’s even worse because the Warriors shot only 19 free throws and made just 13 of them. The Warriors need to knock down their free throws, especially when they’re given so few opportunities.

The Warriors are bound to be called for more fouls than the Clippers because of the Clippers’ flopping the Warriors’ use of the hack-a-Jordan strategy, but they need to find a way to stay out of foul trouble, especially Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Green.

Third, speaking of small ball, the Warriors need to continue to run the small ball lineup of Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Green, and David Lee. It’s their only chance to be successful against the hefty frontcourt of the Clippers.

With that being said, they need to utilize the strengths of their small ball lineup more. The Warriors need to push the ball more and get into fast breaks. This limits Jordan’s impact on the defensive end and gives the Warriors some easier scoring opportunities.

In Game 4, the Warriors first used the small ball starting lineup, and they finished with 27 fast break points to the Clippers’ seven. In Game 5, the Clippers won the fast break battle 21-13.

This cannot be the case in Game 6. The Warriors need to get into transition, and they need to limit the Clippers’ fast break opportunities, especially early on in the game when the Clippers are establishing their rhythm.

Apr 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) goes up for a dunk against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Fourth, the Warriors’ bench needs to step up. Steve Blake and Jordan Crawford have done close to nothing in this playoff series, and they’re seeing less playing time because of it. Harrison Barnes was great in Game 4, and they will need him to be efficient and effective if they want to advance to Game 7. Barnes should post up less and look for easier scoring opportunities in transition and on open threes.

In Game 4, the Warriors got 29 points from their bench, and in Game 5 they got just 19. The Clippers have a deeper bench and more players who can create their own shots, so they will most likely win the bench battle on a game-to-game basis. However, the Warriors’ bench still needs to step up, in limited minutes, in Game 6.

In Game 6, the Warriors need to contain Paul and Griffin, even if that means giving Hilton Armstrong or Ognjen Kuzmic a chance to guard Griffin. They also need to play lockdown defense as a team and focus on that end of the court. If they focus on defense, it can lead to more fast break opportunities, which will take pressure off their offense.

On offense, they need to run their small lineup effectively, run high pick-and-rolls, get Curry more shots, and drive to the basket and stay aggressive if their threes aren’t falling.

Hopefully in Game 6 the Warriors and Clippers can move past all the off-the-court distractions. The Warriors need to play Game 6 as if it’s their last game of the season, because it easily could be. If the Warriors can go back to playing their brand of basketball, they will win Game 6.