Stephen Curry

How Do the Los Angeles Clippers Match Up with the Golden State Warriors?
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers are the best teams in the Pacific Division. The Los Angeles Lakers have been the kings of the division in recent history, but with their disappointing season last year and the departure of Dwight Howard, the Warriors and the Clippers will compete for the division title in the 2013-2014 season.

The Warriors have not won the division since the 1975-1976 season. The Clippers won their first division title ever last season. The Clippers were championship contenders last season, but they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. We all know about the Warriors’ miraculous playoff run last season that almost took them to the Western Conference Finals.

Not only are these two teams the best in the Pacific Division, but they are going to compete for two of the top four spots in the Western Conference. Both of these teams have aspirations for having home court advantage in the playoffs this upcoming season, so their games against each other will be significant.

Last season, the Warriors won the season series against the Clippers 3-1. The Warriors won the first game against them in Los Angeles 114-110, when Stephen Curry drew a huge charge against Chris Paul at the end of the game. The Warriors blew the Clippers out in their second matchup, at Oracle Arena, 115-94. They played again a few days later in Los Angeles, and the Clippers returned the favor and beat the Warriors 115-89. The Warriors then won the last matchup against them 106-99.

This upcoming season, the Warriors play the Clippers four times. Their first matchup is in Los Angeles, and it’s the second game of the season for the Warriors. The next game is on Christmas Day at Oracle Arena. The next matchup is also at Oracle at the end of January, and the last game is on March 12th in Los Angeles.

Both teams have had excellent offseasons so far. The Warriors have progressed a lot by adding Andre Iguodala, Toney Douglas, Marreese Speights, Jermaine O’Neal, and Nemanja Nedovic. They have a deep roster this year, and, arguably, the best starting five in the NBA.

The Clippers have also had an active offseason. First of all, they now have a head coach who knows how to win championships, Doc Rivers. Unlike Vinny Del Negro, Rivers is one of the best coaches in the NBA, and he’s a proven defensive specialist. The Clippers were a talented team last season, but Del Negro really held them back based on his poor coaching.

Also, in the offseason, the Clippers have added Darren Collison, Jared Dudley, Byron Mullens, and J.J. Reddick. The Clippers have added more shooters to their roster, and they’re certainly a deep team.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In terms of rosters, both teams are stacked with talent. The Warriors are, obviously, led by Curry, but they also have some intriguing young players such as Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes. They also have a 2012 Western Conference All-Star in David Lee, and they have their dominant inside presence in Andrew Bogut. The addition of Iguodala certainly made them one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

The Clippers are led by All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, and they also have other solid contributors in Jamal Crawford, DeAndre Jordan, Matt Barnes, and Lamar Odom. The Clippers added some solid pieces to their bench also.

In terms of defense, the Warriors were a much improved defensive squad last season and held opponents to just 43.9 percent shooting, which ranked fourth in the NBA. They also averaged 45.0 rebounds per game, which tied for second in the NBA. If Bogut can stay healthy for the majority of the season and with the additions of Iguodala, Douglas, Speights, and O’Neal, the Warriors are only going to become a better defensive team.

The Clippers are more known for their offense than their defense, but they only allowed 94.6 points per game, which ranked fourth in the NBA. Paul also led the NBA in steals per game with 2.41.

The Warriors scored the seventh most points per game last season with 101.2, and the Clippers weren’t far behind with 101.1 points per game, which tied for eighth most in the NBA. The Clippers scored more efficiently though, as they shot 47.8 percent from the field last season, which ranked fourth in the NBA. The Warriors shot 45.8 percent from the field last season, which ranked 11th in the NBA.

The Warriors and the Clippers match up pretty well, categorically. In the past couple years, the Clippers have been closer to a championship contending team than the Warriors have been, but this season that might change. The Warriors have made some significant, bold moves this offseason that might have propelled them past their Pacific Division rival. Regardless of which team wins the division this upcoming season, it’s guaranteed that their rivalry will continue to grow and their games will be entertaining.

Stephen Curry: A Superstar On and Off the Court
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

Stephen Curry is a superstar. Over his four-year career with the Golden State Warriors, he has accomplished a lot. He was the runner-up for the 2009-2010 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He was a First Team All-Rookie selection. He won the Taco Bell Skills Challenge at the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2011. He was a Gold Medalist at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. He had a 54-point game. He made the most three-point field goals (272) in a single season in NBA history, and he should’ve been an All-Star last season.

Despite all of these incredible accomplishments, Curry means much more to this Warriors team than just being their best player. Curry is exactly the type of player an organization would want representing their team. He’s respectful, grateful, humble, friendly, and classy. He’s just a genuinely good person, and he hasn’t changed who he is as a person or how he conducts himself on the court, despite his newfound fame.

Off the court, Curry is extremely giving and generous. He has done a lot of charity work since entering the NBA. First of all, he is a National Spokesperson for ThanksUSA and holds an charity golf tournament to support the organization.

Also, Curry and his father, Dell, hold a summer basketball camp for children and their parents. Steph and Dell also run the Curry Celebrity Classic, a charity golf tournament that supports the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, NC.

In addition, Curry recently became the North American brand ambassador for the children’s basketball e-book series, The Dream Ten.

“I really think it’s a great series,” Curry said about The Dream Ten. “…I think the messages are equally important: work hard, stay positive, and believe in yourself. These are the kind of values I’ve always believed in. Kids are going to love it.”

Curry also held a Three for Three Challenge this past season with the organization Nothing But Nets, which meant he donated three life-saving bed nets for every three-pointer he made. This was a great season for Curry to run this challenge, given that he set an NBA record with 272 three-pointers. Curry recently went to Tanzania to visit refugee camps and distribute the bed nets.

“You just try to use the platform the best way you can,” Curry said about his involvement with Nothing But Nets. “A lot of people who watch our games may not be as aware of the problem of malaria and how preventable it is.”

(photo: Stuart Ramson/U.N. Foundation)

(photo: Stuart Ramson/U.N. Foundation)

Not only does Curry represent the Warriors perfectly off the court, but he is the face of the franchise and a symbol of new beginnings. He gives this loyal Warriors’ fanbase hope. The future is bright for the Warriors, and, make no mistake, the culture has changed.

The Warriors have become a legitimate force in the Western Conference because of their “never give up” attitude, their exciting style of play, and because of the emergence of Curry as a superstar. He played at an All-Star caliber level all last season and is, arguably, one of the best point guards in the NBA. Also, with Monta Ellis not on the team anymore, Curry became more of a leader and more of a vocal presence on the team this past season.

After his spectacular 31 point and seven assist performance in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets, Mark Jackson claimed that Curry’s performance alone didn’t make him a superstar. In fact, Jackson claimed he already was one because of his leadership and character.

“He’s a guy you point to as an example when you raise kids,” Jackson said. “It could not have happened to a better guy.”

Curry has sacrificed a lot as well. He plays hard and gives everything he can for the Warriors every night. Curry averaged 38.2 minutes per game in 78 games this past season, which ranked as the seventh most minutes per game in the NBA during the regular season. Especially after having two ankle surgeries on his right ankle in the past two offseasons, it’s truly incredible that Curry was able to play in 90 total games last season. Curry is a lot tougher than people give him credit for, and that’s a quality that fans appreciate.

Most importantly, Curry loves being a Warrior. For Warriors fans, the feeling is mutual. The fans worship him for his play and his character. Luckily for the fans, Curry wants to be a Warrior for a long time too.

“No offense to New York, but I’m so, so happy I didn’t fall to them in the draft,” Curry said. “No matter what they do with the new arena, they better not change the dynamics of the fanbase. If we have the same fans, in this new place…man, I’d want to play here forever. Wouldn’t you?”

The Warriors would be extremely lucky to have a player and a person like Curry representing them for many years to come. The Warriors are building around Curry, and if he does in fact play with them for this whole career, they will most certainly find lots of success.

Curry is a special player and a special person. He plays for the love of the game, not the fame. He’s committed to the Warriors and their fans, and he represents the future of the franchise. Steph Curry is a superstar on and off the court.

Golden State Warriors: Are They Championship Contenders?

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

May 16, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30, left) and power forward David Lee (10, right) react after game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 94-82. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors had a breakout 2012-2013 season. The Warriors defied expectations and captivated many basketball fans around the nation with their stellar, exciting play.

After their incredible playoff run last year, are the Warriors championship contenders now? They’re certainly close to becoming one of the superior teams in the Western Conference, but they’re not quite a championship contender yet.

One of the reasons why is because of the immense amount of talent in the Western Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets are among the elite teams in the Western Conference, and some of them could very well contend for a championship. Out of all those foes, it will be tough for the Warriors to even become one of the top-four teams in the Western Conference.

Even if the Warriors are able to become Western Conference Champions, it will still be a long road to their first championship since 1975. Outside of the Western Conference, some of the biggest championship contenders are the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the Indiana Pacers.

Even though the Warriors aren’t quite as established and experienced as some of the previously mentioned teams, the Warriors could certainly become a top-four team in the Western Conference this season. Here are some reasons why the Warriors are close to becoming contenders:

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How Much Will the Warriors Miss Jarrett Jack?

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This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

Despite an exciting offseason for the Golden State Warriors, they, unfortunately, weren’t able to re-sign their sixth man from last season, Jarrett Jack. The Warriors had to renounce their Bird Rights on him in order to acquire Andre Iguodala. Jack signed a four-year, $25 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers instead.

Jack was a fan favorite. Off the court, he always had great energy, was engaging with the fans, and constantly showed his gratitude for the fans.

On the court, Jack used his infectious energy and toughness effectively in the sixth-man role. Jack averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 assists in 79 games last season, and, in the postseason, he averaged 17.2 points and 4.7 assists. He also finished third in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award voting.

Jack’s toughness and his ability to attack the basket provided the perfect balance to Stephen Curry’s unbelievable three-point shooting. When he played alongside Curry, he played point guard, which allowed Curry to slide over to the shooting guard position, so Curry could focus more on shooting than distributing.

The Warriors will also miss Jack in clutch situations. He hit several big shots during the regular season, and, in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, he converted on three big shots in a 69-second stretch late in the fourth quarter to help send the game to overtime. Jack also went 5-for-5 in the last 17 minutes of the game.

Although he hit some clutch shots in the postseason, Jack also had several costly turnovers and defensive lapses. In the postseason, Jack averaged 3.2 turnovers and only 4.7 assists. In Game 1 against the Spurs when Manu Ginobili hit the game-winning three, Jack should’ve been the one to rotate over to him and contest the shot.

Some other aspects of Jack’s game that Warriors fans won’t miss is his indecisiveness and bad shot selection at times. On many possessions, Jack would dribble too much and with no purpose or definite plan. Then when the shot clock was about to expire, he’d had to force a tough shot. Other times, he would put up a contested elbow jumpshot, early in the shot clock, before letting a play fully develop.

These types of shots were maddening and quite reminiscent of when Monta Ellis played for the Warriors. Both Jack and Ellis showed a lack of awareness at times. They were so focused on what they could do in the possession that they would miss, for example, Curry wide open for three. Just like when Ellis was a Warrior, Jack’s type of play often took opportunities away from Curry.

Although Jack played well alongside Curry most of the time, Curry will benefit more when he’s able to play alongside Iguodala. First of all, Iguodala is expected to play some minutes as a point forward, which will allow Curry to play off the ball again. Iguodala is a much better decision maker than Jack, and since he drives to the basket more than Jack did, he will draw more attention from the defense, which will free up Curry for threes. Second of all, if Curry is having trouble hitting big shots, Iguodala is a viable option in the clutch.

The Warriors have several players who can pick up the slack at the backup point guard position. Although Toney Douglas and Kent Bazemore aren’t quite the scorers that Jack was, they’re much better defenders. Nemanja Nedovic isn’t known for his defense, but he is much more athletic than Jack, so he can get to the rim much more easily.

Even though Jack was a valuable asset to the team last season, the Warriors made up for his loss with other players who can collectively bring similar, or better, skills. The Warriors wouldn’t have had as successful a season without Jack, but they are still equipped to make another strong playoff run without him.

Why Andre Iguodala Will Help Harrison Barnes’ Development

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This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

Many fans have feared that the Golden State Warriors’ addition of Andre Iguodala will stunt Harrison Barnes‘ development. In fact, the opposite is true. If Iguodala starts and Barnes comes off the bench, this will actually help Barnes develop into a better player. Here are three reasons why:

1. Both Iguodala and Barnes have similar skillsets, so Iguodala will be a valuable mentor to Barnes, especially defensively.

Both Iguodala and Barnes are strong, athletic, and quick. Offensively, they play fairly similarly. They both like to drive to the basket using their quickness, they’re both explosive, and they can shoot threes pretty well.

Iguodala’s mentoring will help Barnes’ offensive game grow, but it will be even more valuable to Barnes on the defensive end. One of Iguodala’s strengths is his defense and his ability to guard multiple positions. Iguodala can use his expertise to teach Barnes how to become a better and more versatile defender. In addition to his defensive prowess, Iguodala’s veteran leadership and work ethic will set a great example for Barnes.

2. With Iguodala starting, it will allow Barnes to play more minutes at the power forward position, which he excelled at in the postseason.

The Warriors will most likely start Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Iguodala, David Lee, and Andrew Bogut. However, Mark Jackson will certainly want to utilize a smaller lineup, in order to play at a faster pace. At any point in the game or even when finishing games, Jackson could decide to use a lineup of Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Barnes, and Lee or Bogut.

With Barnes at the power forward position, the Warriors would be able to get into transition and spread the floor more. In the postseason, the Warriors thrived in these scenarios, especially because Barnes’ skillset matches up with the power forward position so well. He has great footwork in post-up situations, he’s faster than most power forwards, and he’s strong enough to keep up with bigger power forwards. Playing Barnes at power forward will benefit not just the Warriors, but also Barnes’ development.

3. With Iguodala starting and Barnes coming off the bench, Barnes will be able to play against the reserves of the opposing team, which will allow him to dominate offensively.

Coming off the bench, Barnes won’t have to share as many scoring opportunities with Curry, Thompson, and Lee. Instead, he will become the go-to scorer off the bench for the Warriors. If he’s playing alongside Toney Douglas, Kent Bazemore, Nemanja Nedovic, or Marreese Speights, he will become the first option on offense. He will be able to showcase his game even more against the reserves of the opposing team. Barnes would provide that instant scoring and energy off the bench that the Warriors lost when Jarrett Jack didn’t re-sign.

Instead of going up against LeBron James or Kevin Durant, he’d probably be facing the small forward or power forward in the opponents’ weaker lineup. This would allow him to take advantage of his superior speed and athleticism. In addition, when Barnes does play alongside Iguodala, Iguodala can defend the elite players like James or Durant, and Barnes can play more freely on offense and defense.

Fans fear that Barnes will play less minutes now, given Iguodala’s presence, and that this will hinder his development. However, whether Barnes starts or not, he will probably play around 25-30 minutes per game anyway, because of his skillset and value to this team. Also, even if he doesn’t start, Barnes could still finish games for the Warriors, if they choose to go small, or if someone is in foul trouble, much like how Jack finished games for the Warriors last year.

Barnes has incredible potential, so it’s understandable why fans could be worried about Iguodala hindering Barnes’ development. However, once the regular season starts and fans are able to see Iguodala’s game, they will see the positive impact that he will have on Barnes’s development. Even with Iguodala starting, Barnes could still have a breakout year for the Warriors next season.

Let’s Go Warriors 2012-2013 Report Cards: Harrison Barnes

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This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

Harrison Barnes showed his massive potential in his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors. Off the court, he has a veteran demeanor in that he’s extremely hard-working, professional, confident, and dedicated to improving his game and helping the team win.

On the court, Barnes was the X-factor the Warriors last season. He’s athletic, explosive, and quick. He has a good shooting motion, and he has a high basketball IQ. He knows that when he’s going up against a bigger defender, he should use his speed to beat them. When he’s going up against a smaller defender, he knows to use his strength to out-muscle them.

In the regular season, Barnes averaged 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 43.9 percent shooting, 35.9 percent shooting from three, 75.8 percent free-throw shooting in 25.4 minutes per game in 81 games.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Barnes likes to drive to the basket and show off his athleticism and explosiveness. He uses pump-fakes to beat his defender, and he uses his speed to get to the rim, instead of always settling for threes. However, this skillset wasn’t always utilized in the regular season. Instead, he got most of his shots on spot-ups and isolations.

He was solid in the regular season, but not quite as spectacular as he was in the postseason when he started to show his true potential. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 44.4 percent shooting, 36.5 percent shooting from three, 85.7 percent free-throw shooting in 38.4 minutes per game in 12 games.

In the postseason, Barnes showed how confident he is, how he takes good shots, and how he isn’t afraid of the extra pressure in the playoffs. With Stephen Curry injured, Klay Thompson struggling, and David Lee out with his right hip flexor injury, Barnes often became the Warriors’ biggest offensive threat in the postseason.

The Warriors took advantage of his great footwork in post-up situations, his speed, and his strength when they played him at the power forward position. He thrived in that role, because he’s faster than most power forwards, but he has the strength to keep them out of the paint.

In the playoffs, Barnes knew he was the most athletic player on the court, so he used it to his advantage. In the Warriors’ series against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals, he would post up Tony Parker and score rather easily, and he wasn’t afraid to go right at Tim Duncan.

In Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets, Barnes also showed how he can take over a game when his teammates are struggling. He hit three three-pointers in the first quarter when others were struggling to score, and he really carried the Warriors for much of the first half. Barnes finished Game 5 with a team-high 23 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and one block. Barnes certainly carried himself like a veteran in Game 5.

AP Photo/Eric Gay

AP Photo/Eric Gay

In the Warriors’ series against the Spurs, Barnes had 19 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, he had 26 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4, and he had 25 points and seven rebounds in Game 5.

“The guy has grown up before our very eyes,” Mark Jackson said. “He had an off the charts regular season, which put us in position to be the sixth seed. He has elevated his game in the postseason… He’s a guy that’s not afraid of the moment, obviously a guy that embraces the bright lights.”

Barnes certainly has a lot of potential to become a star in the NBA. Next season, he can improve on his off-ball defense and his shooting. He will also probably come off the bench next season because of the Warriors’ acquisition of Andre Iguodala.

However, this will not stunt his development. First of all, coming off the bench would allow Barnes to play against the reserves of the opposing team, which would allow him to dominate offensively. Second of all, the addition of Iguodala is a blessing in disguise for Barnes. Although he probably won’t start anymore, Igudoala would be a great mentor for Barnes. Iguodala could use his defensive expertise to help Barnes grow as a defender, and his veteran leadership and work ethic will set a great example for Barnes.

Barnes has amazing work ethic for a rookie, and, in the playoffs, he showed his veteran demeanor by remaining confident and consistent. The sky is the limit for Barnes, and he will have a breakout season for the Warriors next year.

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