Damian Lillard savors win over doubters with belief in Blazers

The Splash Brothers Lead The Warriors To a 2-0 Series Lead | April 19, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. -- On April 9, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard sent a text message my way. It was a picture of himself and his backcourt mate CJ McCollum high-fiving each other with the caption "Clinched."

Lillard has a great memory. He was alluding to an exchange we had almost four months ago.

The Trail Blazers were a night removed from suffering a horrific 45-point loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 17. Lillard told ESPN it was one of the lowest points of his season.

The next evening, the two-time All-Star tried enjoying some leisure time at Spin, a popular pingpong social club in downtown San Francisco. I was a guest of the social club that night. He was seated in a private area at the bar, overlooking McCollum dominating the pingpong field. When Lillard saw me entering the club and approaching him in the roped-off section, he said, "Uh oh. What you got to say?

He cracked a smile. It was one of the rare times that evening. The night before, he had questioned the heart of his team and challenged them to compete at an elevated level. The Bay Area, specifically Oakland, is where he was born and raised. He was humiliated in front of friends and family.

Proving doubters wrong is something Damian Lillard enjoys. Getting past Golden State would be, too.Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images

Portland had lost six of its last seven and was an underwhelming 13-16 while possessing the second-highest payroll in the association.

I"ve tried to give it to him straight from my time covering him during his first two years in the league. This time was no different. "You guys aren"t making the playoffs," I said.

He understandably wasn"t in the mood to hear that, but he reluctantly asked for my opinion, so I gave it to him.

Then a couple of fans moseyed over, requesting pictures. He graciously agreed. He stood up and made their night. For roughly a minute, he was off the hook from hearing me out. He sat back down and could see me staring at him from the corner of his left eye.

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We continued our discussion about some of the Blazers" problems, but Lillard had heard enough.

"Man, f--- that," he said. "We"re making the playoffs, with or without help."

McCollum then made his way over after completing his round of pingpong. "What are y"all talking about?" he asked with a smile. But he already knew the answer. Lillard filled him in. McCollum busted out in laughter.

"We"ll be all right," McCollum said. He departed briefly to resume his game.

The next five minutes or so was pure quiet. During this time, a confused male clubgoer, who was observing all the fans scoping out Lillard, whispered in my ear, "You think Stephen Curry would let me get an autograph?" Had Lillard been in a good mood, I would have told this guy that it was indeed Stephen Curry. This wasn"t the time.

Lillard finally broke the awkward silence. "You"ll see," he said out of nowhere with a deadpan expression on his face. He was looking straight ahead and not in my direction when he said it. I gazed at him, puzzled. He said, "You"ll be surprised by what I can handle."

In February, Portland acquired center Jusuf Nurkic via a trade from Denver for big man Mason Plumlee, and the team took off on a hot streak. With a new inside-out DNA, the Trail Blazers owned the second-best record in the NBA since March 1.Can Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum cook up some realistic upset plans of the No. 1 seed Warriors?Garrett Ellwood/NBA/Getty Images

Lillard registered career highs in points (27.0) and rebounds (4.9) this season.

On April 9, Portland clinched the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings. Lillard"s text was essentially an "I told you so" message. He still gets amped up proving the doubters wrong. I was one of them.

"I took the challenge of what everyone thought we couldn"t do," Lillard told ESPN this week. "I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. For me, at that time, I was like, "Right now, everybody can say whatever they want." And if we didn"t make the playoffs, they"re going to say they had a disappointing season. But I was looking towards the end, saying, "Well, we had our struggles. If we can pull ourselves by the time the end of the season comes and we sneak into the playoffs, they"re going to say this happened, this happened and this happened, but at the end of the day, we still got the job done. A lot of other teams had the same opportunity, but they just couldn"t bring themselves to do it. We did. There were never any doubts in my mind that [we were] making the playoffs.

"I"m a believer. I don"t think people understand that a lot depends on what you put into your results, and I felt like we weren"t getting the results that we wanted, but we were working hard, we were locked in and we were trying. Guys really cared. And when you"re expecting things to just happen, then you don"t know what kind of results you"re going to get, but I was a part of what happened every day. I knew our team was really together. We"re not just saying, "We"re together."

"I know we were really together, and we were on board the same thing. And as long as we stayed true to that, I knew that eventually, that"s the way life is. It comes back in your favor. Sometimes you"ve got to go through those dark moments. And we went through it, and we were true to it. And because of that, once again, we rose above the struggle and the hard times and we got it done."

Now Lillard and the Trail Blazers face another dark period, and it"s inflicted by the Warriors once more. They"re down 0-2 with the series shifting to Portland on Saturday night (ESPN, 10:30 p.m. ET). Golden State was without Kevin Durant, but Lillard"s squad still lost by 29.

The task of advancing to the second round is a strenuous process, one that can appear unattainable. But this is Lillard"s habitat. He relishes these predicaments. The odds are against him, but he has made it clear that he"s ready for the challenge.

Since the NBA instituted the current 16-team playoff format in 1983-84, no team has come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series to defeat the No. 1 seed in its conference in either of the first two rounds, going 0-62 in those series.

"We were in a tough spot in December, and we worked our way out of it," Lillard told ESPN. "We knew coming in it was going to be hard to win on their home floor. We had an opportunity in Game 1, and they closed the game out. In Game 2, we didn"t play a good game. They took advantage of that, and they took care of home court. It was a blowout, but the scores don"t carry over. We"re not going to start Game 3 down 19-0. We"ve got to understand that, but we also got to really believe that we"re going to win and that we"re supposed to win. i believe in us. always have."

source: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19217167/2017-nba-playoffs-facing-warriors-damian-lillard-enjoys-proving-doubter-wrong

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Warriors take 2-0 series lead on Blazers, win without Durant

Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors - Full Game Highlights | Game 1 | April 16,2017

OAKLAND, Calif. JaVale McGee has made a name for himself catching lob passes and reliably slamming them home to the pure delight of his teammates, and oh did those matter for the short-handed golden state warriors as they moved one win closer to another NBA championship.

The typically spot-on Splash Brothers weren"t hitting consistently. Kevin Durant wasn"t on the court at all, nor Shaun Livingston.

McGee shined on a night none of the usual stars found their steady shooting strokes and sparked Golden State off the bench with 15 points, and the Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 110-81 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday night as Durant sat out injured.

"That"s my whole thing, I just try to be efficient out there," McGee said.

The backup big man made all seven of his field-goal attempts and delivered several more of his signature alley-oop dunks as Durant watched with a strained left calf he hurt in the playoff opener Sunday.

"Sometimes we get caught up in looking for him too much when he"s not open because we feel he can do something spectacular above the rim," Stephen Curry said.

Draymond Green put together another fantastic all-around game, getting 12 rebounds, 10 assists, six points and three more blocked shots after swatting five in Sunday"s win.

Curry went 6 for 18 for 19 points and also had six assists and six rebounds. Klay Thompson was 6 of 17 with 16 points and CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard were hardly were the dynamic scoring duo for Portland they"d been combining for 75 points only three days earlier.

Again, Golden State did it on defense holding the Blazers to 12 points in the third.

"Our offense got scattered, we were rushing everything. We were just not poised offensively and that put our defense in a bad position," coach Steve Kerr said. "I thought in the third quarter we settled our offense down which helped our defense."

And now the Warriors own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series as it shifts to Portland for Saturday"s Game 3, just as Kerr"s group did going ahead on the Blazers in last year"s Western Conference semifinal won in five games.

"We"ve got to have this one," Lillard said.

Maurice Harkless scored all of his 15 points in the first half and the Blazers gave up seven straight points to start the third as the Warriors were off and running. Portland played again without center Jusuf Nurkic, and missed him. The 7-footer still isn"t 100 percent from a nondisplaced fracture in his right leg that sidelined him for the final seven regular-season games.

McCollum, who shot 16 for 28 to score 41 in the 121-109 Game 1 loss, scored 11 points on 4-for-17 shooting. Lillard was 5 for 17 and held to 12 points.

"Coming in the first two games we just wanted to take one," Lillard said. "We didn"t do that."

Coach Terry Stotts called on his team to be more balanced to have a chance against top-seeded Golden State, which finished with the NBA"s best record for a third straight season.

Instead, the Warriors once more showed their remarkable balance despite Livingston being sidelined after he also got hurt in Sunday"s win.

Ian Clark scored 13 points, Andre Iguodala contributed 10 rebounds, six assists and six points, and Zaza Pachulia scored 10 points. McGee did his thing with three alley-oops in the first and two on consecutive possessions late in the period.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: The Blazers" third-quarter scoring output was their lowest in any period this season and tied for the fewest in a quarter by a Warriors playoff opponent in the shot clock era. ... Portland shot 7 for 34 on 3s and 30 for 90 overall. ... The Blazers have lost 11 out of the last 12 to the Warriors and 11 straight at Oracle Arena.

Warriors: Thompson matched Hall of Famer Rick Barry for second place on the franchise list for postseason games played with 66. ... Livingston sat out with a sprained right index finger and bruised hand, while F Matt Barnes didn"t play as he is still working back from a sprained right ankle and foot. ... Rookie Patrick McCaw earned his first playoff start in place of Durant and had nine points and five rebounds. ... Curry joined Barry as the only Warriors with 100 steals in the playoffs.

UP NEXT

Kerr hopes to have a healthy lineup for Game 3, though might choose to hold out Durant again given the series lead.

___

More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Source: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/04/warriors_take_2_0_series_lead_on_blazers_win_without_durant

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Warriors: 7 must-see photos from Game 1 win over Blazers

LA Lakers vs Golden State Warriors Full Game Highlights April 12 2017 2016 17 NBA Season

Weve dissected the Warriors thrilling Game 1 playoff victory over the Blazers from many different angles, now take a closer look at some of our favorite photos from Sunday night.

After checking out our staff photographers shots, you can read how Draymond Greens defense, solid offense from Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, and timely contributions from others made the different in the warriors 121-109 win.

For complete game coverage and analysis, go here. Click here if you have trouble viewing the photos on your mobile device.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/17/warriors-7-must-see-photos-from-game-1-win-over-blazers/

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Forgot about Dray? Green does it all in Warriors" Game 1 triumph

GS Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers - Full Game Highlights | Game 1 | April 16 | NBA Playoffs

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors pulled away from the Portland Trail Blazers to win Game 1 121-109 after Draymond Green & Co. finally doused Portlands offensive fireworks. Green was magnificent, claiming 19 points, 12 boards, nine assists, three steals and five blocks -- a line that might actually undersell his impact Sunday afternoon.

Green attacked the defensive end with unreal vigor, especially late in the game. He blocked two dunk attempts; one block broke up a 2-on-1 and the other was the result of a dead sprint across the court. The second one, a fourth-quarter swat of an attempted Damian Lillard tomahawk, sent Lillard tumbling to the floor, his highlight upended. Although its too late to submit Defensive Player of the Year clips, Green did much to showcase why many consider him the sports best defensive player.

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The Blazers have not been given much of a shot in this series, which is one reason Lillards (cajoled) Portland-in-six prediction made waves. To Lillard, it doesnt matter if few think Portland is near Golden States level. Well, it matters, but it wont stop the Blazers from playing with immense confidence.

Lillard and backcourt mate CJ McCollum gave the Warriors a rude early reminder that they are indeed facing a force to be reckoned with. The two combined for 48 points in the first half, the most they"ve ever scored together in a half. McCollum was especially impressive, as he hit shots from a variety of angles and against converging closeouts.

Meanwhile, the warriors werent exactly sharp. klay thompson started somnambulistically, both offensively and defensively. Although Kevin Durant looked wholly healthy coming off his return to action, he lessened his aggression in the second quarter. Stephen Curry was 1-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first quarter and missed some open looks.

Green as Primary DefenderPlays20Points11FG4-16TO3Plus: 5 blocks (3 as help defender)

Yet the game was tied at the half. Perhaps, for all of Lillards confidence and for all of his and McCollums brilliance, this speaks to the gap between the teams as nothing else does. Blazers not named CJ or Damian went 3-for-16 with five turnovers in the first half.

The teams continued to exchange blows into the third quarter, when Curry awoke and Warriors center JaVale McGee changed the game. Currys run of drives and jumpers was perhaps expected; McGees galvanized third quarter was a less expected development, as many commentators throughout the season asserted that he wouldnt see the floor come the postseason. The reality is that McGee, for all his pratfalls, changes the game when hes on. Thats more than you can say for so many bench players.

It started with the energy of JaVale there in that third quarter, Green said after the game. And though they made a run at the end to close it out, our energy transferred over. Then David [West] came in, and he was huge. He was huge on those ball screens. Damian couldn"t get downhill anymore, CJ couldn"t get downhill anymore, and we were able to get a grip, and then we went on a 15-2 run.

The fourth quarter is when Golden State got its final burst of separation, when it fatally clamped down on Portlands offense. Green had 10 points, three blocks and two steals in the quarter. In the game overall, the Blazers went 4-for-16 against Green as primary defender, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Green further explained how Golden State turned Portlands water off: CJ hit tough fadeaways and tough 3s over contested hands. But we knew at some point you have to make them miss. You can do all you want and say, "Oh, man, I got a great contest, and he hit a tough shot," but at some point, we have to make them miss.

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Thats a quote aspiring defensive superstars can take to heart. Yes, you theoretically can be content with teams taking certain kinds of contested shots. Yes, its a make-or-miss league, as the clich goes, and some lucky shots can defeat good defense. But great defense, Draymond-level defense, is not so incidental to the outcome. By force of will, he chases players into shots that evoke a quarterback throwing the ball away to avoid pain. By reading the situation, he appears seemingly out of nowhere and kills the prettiest of plays.

Greens brilliance put the Warriors up as they started the fourth quarter with their West-Thompson lineup, which allowed Durant to salt the game away with midrange jumpers over mismatches.

Make no mistake: Unless Jusuf Nurkic returns, the Blazers are in trouble. They might be confident but theyre undermanned, and they face a defensive player whose brashness is matched only by the extreme skill with which he dispatches the boldest scorers.

Source: http://www.espn.com/blog/golden-state-warriors/post/_/id/4348/forgot-about-dray-green-does-it-all-in-warriors-game-1-triumph

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Why the Warriors needed to take a step back

Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves - 1st Half Highlights | Mar 10, 2017

SAN ANTONIO A few hours before the Golden State Warriors placed in greater peril their hold on the Western Conferences top seed and willingly surrendered a tiebreaker to the San Antonio Spurs, Stephen Curry was seated in front of his locker-room stall, gleefully staring into his smartphone with his headphones in his ears. Coach Steve Kerrs decision to sit his three remaining, healthy All-Stars and a vital reserve drew considerable criticism, but it was a calculated risk worth taking for a team that needed a mental and emotionalbreak from the game.

The physical vulnerability that came from playing eight games in eight different cities in 13 days was obvious. But the Warriors needed to not concern themselves with exerting every ounce of energy to continue compensating for Kevin Durants absence and holding on to a Western Conference lead that they might eventually cede. The Warriors have played one way over the past three seasons, with a level of unprecedented intensity that was unrealistic to sustain, regardless of pulling one of the greatest free-agent coups in NBA history last summer. After churning out wins at an alarming rate and spoiling fans with their sustained dominance, they needed a chance to not care about something important.

Currys joy during that quiet moment, all alone with his phone, revealed the importance of disengaging. Through their unexpected rise to join the NBA elite, the Warriors have gone from heroic underdogs to hated for being on top. They wanted to embrace the role of villain after luring Durant and they certainly have some villainous elements on the roster. But it hasnt been a role in which theyve thrived. There have been moments when Klay Thompson has dropped 60 points in 29 minutes, when Curry strutted after a 3-point barrage or when Durant has simply beenDurant, but there has also been less fun, less magic. And every misstep which continues to be rare has either raised panic or inspired more ridicule.

The Warriors have lost five of seven, their worst stretch of basketball since Kerr became head coach. But every team endures bad stretches, why cant these guys? After their 107-85 loss to the Spurs on Saturday night, Golden State remains on a 65-win pace. And here comes some perspective: There have been 19 65-win seasons in NBA history and the Warriors could potentially have three in a row.

If this is tough, then we dont got it that bad. We dont have much to complain about. Ive been in tougher situations, Warriors reserve Shaun Livingston told The Vertical. But end of the day, its good to get a rest. Guys needed it, to get away from the game, probably. Its been a long season. Always a long season. Probably a little longer this season, considering everything were going through.

Michael Jordans Chicago Bulls had the most incredible three-year stretch in NBA history, winning 72, 69 and 62 games in successive seasons. The Warriors would only need to go 12-4 the rest of the season to have a better regular-season run. Larry Birds Boston Celtics won 60 games each season from 1984-86, peaking at 67 wins in the final season but began to decline every season afterward. The franchise wouldnt win 60 games for another 22 years. Bill Russells Celtics never won more than 62 games. Shaquille ONeals three-peating Los Angeles Lakers won 67 games in the first season under Phil Jackson but never won more than 58 the rest of the way. Magic Johnsons Lakers finished first in the West every season from 1981-90, winning at least 62 games four straight seasons between 1984-1988. They won three championships during that latter stretch but only won 65 games once.

Kevon Looney and other Warriors reserves played extended minutes Saturday. (AP)

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The Spurs have wonfive championships during this 20-year playoff streak but only two of those title runs were attached to 60-win seasons. They have also been that quiet source of motivation the past two seasons. Its often forgotten that the Warriors essentially had to win at least 70 games last season to simply hold on to the top seed. San Antonio didnt have its stars for Saturdays game, but injuries forced coach Gregg Popovichs hand Kawhi Leonard was undergoing concussion protocol, LaMarcus Aldridge was shutdown indefinitely with a heart arrhythmia and Tony Parker had a back injury not his known habit of needling the leagues network partners by putting first the health of his players. Aldridge will continue to have more tests on Monday to determine what comes next. His health scare could have a long-term influence, especially given his past heart problems.

No one should fault Kerr if he decides to scale back a little more over the final 16 games after resting Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala on Saturday night. Its easy to get caught up in the debate over resting stars, the grueling NBA schedule and shafted fans. But Kerrs decision went beyond not leaving his players susceptible to injury. His Warriors are the overachieving honor student, on the verge of a breakdown, learning that getting an A-plus on every assignment isnt more important than passing the final exam.

You can see, sometimes the physical wear and tear and you can see it, cognitively, as well. You get beaten down, you get worn down, your mind doesnt work as well, either, Kerr said. You can have these wild swings of feeling prepared or feeling wiped out. Yes, you have to play through all that stuff, but if a coach can help you out every once in a while and give you a break, thats a good thing.

The Warriors had no intention of replicating what happened last season. And they wouldnt have been the same had they decided to bring back Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Mo Speights, Leandro Barbosa, Brandon Rush and Festus Ezili. Golden State played with postseason intensity throughout their run to 73 wins. Currys unfortunate knee injury in the first round disrupted much of the teams flow, but the final two rounds of the playoffs exposed something else that was concerning to the team: When Oklahoma City and Cleveland elevated their level of the play, the Warriors couldnt go higher. Thats why they needed Durant. More than greed, more than a desire to be unfair to the rest of the league, the Warriors needed Durant to remain light years ahead. the warriors struggles without durant have proven his importance to the team.

Before the season began, Draymond Green explained to The Vertical why a team that was about to set the NBA regular-season wins record would even need to consider adding a former league MVP. Obviously, when you add a player like Kevin Durant, you end up with more than just one thing, Green told The Vertical. Its not, Oh, were trying to fill in a gap. You dont fill in a gap with a Kevin Durant. The things he adds to this team, hes going to fill more than one category. Its a bunch of categories. Hes an MVP, scoring champion multiple times, hes done some great things in this league, and we hope to continue to help him do more great things.

Golden State wont win a championship without Durant. The time with Durant sidelined, however, could help Curry, Thompson and Green recalibrate their games and fight through no longer leaning on his consistent brilliance. Or the challenge of wanting to do too much. Curry looks like a flame-throwing pitcher who lost a little off his heater and he appears to be pressing of late. He had the most difficult adjustment of any player on the team, going from All-Star to superstar to all-time superstar before having his ascension disrupted when he slipped on a wet spot in Houston in last years postseason. Another dumb-luck incident Zaza Pachulia getting tossed into Durants knee has raised the expectations for Curry to be that mesmerizing player once again. But thats unfair. For Curry. And the Warriors. They all just need to dial it back a bit. Put their excellence in perspective. Sit back. Smile into a phone. And chill.

People dont understand how hard it is to win in the NBA. Its not easy to do. The last couple of years have been an anomaly, in a sense of putting together so many wins, staying healthy, Livingston told The Vertical. Fantasy owners, if you dont go 82-0, the world is over. But in an NBA locker room, it doesnt work that way. We dont think that way. We dont feel that way.

Popular video from The Vertical:

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-the-warriors-needed-to-take-a-step-back-043807506.html

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What"s left of Spurs beats what"s left of Warriors; real question is how does league avoid games like this in future?

Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves - Full Highlights | Mar 10 2017 | 2016-17 NBA Season

This is what the Spurs do men go down with injuries, next man steps up. Kawhi Leonard (concussion), LaMarcus Aldridge (heart condition), Tony Parker (back) were all out, so Patty Mills stepped up with 21 points and an impressive performance (he should get some Sixth Man of the Year votes, but thats another topic).

That was better than the second team of the Warriors, who rested Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala, all that on top of Kevin Durant still being out injured. The team that was out there was a defensive disaster, especially rotating out and contesting at the arc.

The Spurs won 107-85 in a game that wasnt interesting to start and became a blowout. TNTs David Aldridge summed up how we all feel.

Even the Andersons dont want tickets for Spurs-Dubs now.

David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) March 11, 2017

This is not a good look for the NBA a marquee Saturday night, showcase game between two of the best teams in the NBA and the stars are all sitting. This instance was not on Gregg Popovich his guys were injured but in the past he has had no qualms about resting superstars on nationally televised games.

Blame for this if you think blame needs to dished out has to start with the NBA and its scheduling. In the quest to get the ratings-driver Warriors on more national games, the Warriors finished a gauntlet of eight games in eight cities in 13 days Saturday night. That included two cross-country flights. If the NBA wants playoff-quality games scheduled in prime time on Saturday night, then they need to think through the run-up to said games. Treat it like a playoff game, where the teams have at least a day and maybe three off in advance of it.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that the Warriors medical teams which tracks players with wearables in practice monitoring their condition told them guys needed rest. He was following their instructions, and its clear rest has been an issue. The Warriors are slumping, struggling without Durant, Curry and Thompson have been cold from three, but part of that is their legs look heavy. This team looked tired. Kerr did what he thought was best for his team.

The NBA loves analytics, and the numbers show rested players both play at a higher level and are less likely to be injured. Coaches that can afford to do so are going to rest guys to keep them fresh. This isnt on the player (usually), these are directives that comes from the coach or higher up the food chain.

But at what point does this start to turn the fanbase off? At what point dues it hurt ticket sales in arena or ratings on television because fans never know who might be rested on a given day. In a star-driven league like the NBA, sitting a healthy Curry or LeBron James or James Harden or whomever disappoint a fan base. And it almost always is done on the road, not at home to the home fans (and sponsors).

The answers here are not simple. The NBA, the players union, representatives from the teams all need to sit in a room and discuss this.

Is the answer to fine coaches who do this for nationally televised games? David Stern did this before? Television money is driving the league economy right now, and you can be sure ABC didnt love getting to run the Davis Bertans vs. Ian Clark show Saturday night in primetime. The problem here is Kerr would have just rested his players the night before in Detroit, hurting those fans but not the television audience. Also, this system is unfair to the Warriors, Cavaliers, and other teams on the biggest national stages with their games those teams are nationally televised all the times, where the Bucks or Grizzlies or a host of other teams would barely be touched by this.

But its not good for the league that we are talking about who didnt play, and not the game. And this has been the topic for days, all around the league and on sports talk radio. Its something the league needs to address this summer.

And while Id love to see a more holistic answer, maybe fines are the best call.

Source: http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/03/11/whats-left-of-spurs-beats-whats-left-of-warriors-real-question-is-how-does-league-avoid-games-like-this-in-future/

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Warriors tonight: 10 Things about the Nets matchup

LA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors - Full Game Highlights | February 23, 2017 | 2016-17 NBA Season
1. THE BASICS

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Oracle Arena. TV: CSN Bay Area. Radio: KGMZ 95.7 The Game in Oakland and San Francisco, KRTY 95.3 in San Jose, KION 1460 and 101.1 in Salinas and Monterey.

2. THE RECORDS

Warriors: 48-9, No. 1 in the Western Conference by four games over San Antonio.Nets: 9-48, worst record in the NBA.

3. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE LATELY?

Warriors: Completed a season sweep of the Los Angeles Clippers with a 123-113 come-from-behind victory on Thursday at Oracle Arena. Los Angeles led by 16 points in the second quarter and 61-49 at halftime. But the Warriors charged back in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 50-26. the warriors shot 17 of 23 (73.9 percent) from the field and 9 of 15 (60.0 percent) on 3-pointers in the quarter. Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 35 points in the period, with 17 coming in the final 3:37. And this all came after Curry missed a technical free throw at the very beginning of the half. Kevin Durant had 15 of his 25 points in the period. Golden State went on to lead by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter. The victory was the Warriors 10th in row overall against the demoralized Clippers and 11th straight at Oracle Arena.Nets: Lost at Denver 129-109 on Friday night. Brooklyn has lost 15 in a row and has not won a game since defeating New Orleans 143-114 on the road on Jan. 20. Before that, the Nets had lost 11 straight. They have lost a mind-boggling 31 times in their past 33 games.

4. PREVIOUS MEETING

On Dec. 22 at the Barclays Center, Golden State trailed 65-49 after a sluggish first half. But the Warriors came out of halftime and cranked up their defense against the most turnover-prone team in the NBA and won 117-101. The Nets wilted under the pressure, turning the ball over 11 times in the third quarter and 18 times in the second half. For the game, the Warriors scored 32 points off the Nets 26 turnovers. The Warriors were credited with a season-high 19 steals, five by Curry and four by Klay Thompson.

5. MATCHUP TO WATCH

Zaza Pachulia vs. Brook Lopez: In the last meeting, Pachulia had 15 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes in his best game as a Warrior. Lopez, the former Stanford star, needs 19 points to reach 10,000 for his career. He is averaging 20.7 points this season and is the Nets biggest remaining 3-point threat, hitting 91 of 266 for a respectable 34.2 percent. (Brooklyn traded Bojan Bogdanovic and his 99 3-pointers to Washington last week.) In the last game before the All-Star break, Lopez had 36 points and eight blocked shots against Milwaukee, making him the first player with six 3-pointers and eight blocks in the same game.

6. 50-POINT HISTORY

The Warriors 50-point quarter against the Clippers was the fourth in Warriors history. Amazingly, the other three came in an 18-day span in March of 1989. Golden State scored a franchise-record 57 points in the third quarter in a 155-143 victory over Sacramento on March 4, 1989. Three days later against the Clippers, the Warriors scored 50 in the fourth quarter of a 138-112 triumph. The Warriors trailed 89-88 after three quarters in that one. On March 21, the Warriors had another 50-point fourth quarter as they beat Portland 151-127. Those Warriors teams were led by Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond and Terry Teagle in the pre-Run TMC days before Tim Hardaway was drafted three months later. The last 50-point quarter in the NBA not counting the All-Star Game was on March 25, 2014 when the Los Angeles Lakers (without Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol) scored 51 against the New York Knicks.

7. TOUGH STRETCH

This is Game 2 of the Nets eight-game Circus Trip while the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus occupies the Barclays Center. Brooklyn already owns the leagues worst road record at 2-24 and figures to add to the loss total with games at Oakland, Sacramento, Utah, Portland, Memphis, Atlanta and Dallas still to come. But at least they wont set an NBA record for worst road season. The 1990-91 Kings were 1-40 on the road.

8. MISMATCH

The Warriors (48-9 .842) and Nets (9-48 .158) enter this game with won-lost records that are the exact opposite. But the discrepancy in their winning percentages (.684) isnt quite that of the .727 when the Warriors faced the Los Angeles Lakers last March 6 at Staples Center. The Lakers won that game 112-95 in the biggest upset in NBA history based on winning percentages.

9. HOW LOW CAN THEY GO?

Besides having the worst record in the NBA, the Nets are also at the bottom of the NBA in several categories. They are last in points allowed (114.5 per game), last in point differential (minus-9.0), last in turnovers (16.5), 28th in rebound differential (minus-3.8), 28th in offensive rebounds allowed (11.3), 29th in getting their own shots blocked (5.8), 28th in offensive efficiency (101.2 points per 100 possessions) and 28th in defensive efficiency (109.5 points per 100 possessions).

10. BACK IN ACTION

Palo Alto native Jeremy Lin returned to Brooklyns lineup Friday night in Denver after missing 26 games because of a strained left hamstring suffered the day after Christmas against Charlotte. He had seven points and five assists in 15 minutes against the Nuggets.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/25/warriors-tonight-10-things-about-the-nets-matchup/

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Clippers" Paul Pierce says back-and-forth with Warriors" Draymond Green is no beef

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers Full Game Highlights Live Stream

If you believe Clippers forward Paul Pierce, he doesnt have an issue with Golden States trash-talking forward Draymond Green.

Even when Green mocked Pierce during the game Thursday night between the Clippers and warriors, pierce claimed friday that he has no beef with the Golden State forward.

Green could be heard yelling at Pierce while he sat on the bench during the game at Oracle Arena.

You cant get no farewell tour, Green said to Pierce. They dont love you like thatYou thought you was Kobe?

When asked about those comments before Friday nights game against the San Antonio Spurs, Pierce, who is retiring after the season, laughed.

Hes not beefing with me, Pierce said, laughing, smiling. That wasnt no beef. I aint got no beef in the NBA. I done already settled all my beefs. Naw, that aint beef.

But Chris Paul did respond on Twitter to Greens comments.

73 wins and u thought u was gonna win a title that yr..3-1 lead oops, Paul tweeted.

Paul was referring to Golden States NBA best-ever record last season and how the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to Cleveland in the Finals.

Thats just good banter, Pierce said, laughing again. Thats all it is. Just good back and forth banter. Thats all.

Expect lineup changes

With Paul back playing for the Clippers after missing 14 games recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb, Coach Doc Rivers said h**l now be able to use different starting lineups.

The Clippers have 24 regular-season games left, and thats more than enough time for Rivers to tinker with his players.

Though Rivers started Luc Mbah a Moute at small forward against the Spurs, his position is the most likely to see change. Rivers also started Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, J.J. Redick and Paul.

When Paul was sidelined, Rivers at times started a three-guard lineup of Austin Rivers, Raymond Felton and Redick.

So depending on the opponent the Clippers face the rest of the way, the coach figures that he has options to play big or small.

Well make changes, Doc Rivers said. I think what we want to do now is go with what we talked about before the year. We really havent had a chance to do it, but were going to go to the matchups we like and play that way. We want to start this lineup most nights, but there will be nights where we probably have different lineups.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter@BA_Turner

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20170226-story.html

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Klay Thompson Injury: Updates on Warriors Star"s Heel and Return

Nuggets Fan Reminds the World that the Warriors Blew a 3-1 Lead | Feb 13, 2017 | 2016-17 NBA Season
Tony Dejak/Associated PressTimothy RappFeatured ColumnistFebruary 13, 2017

Golden State Warriors star guard Klay Thompson is suffering from a sore right arch. An official date for his return to the court has yet to be announced.

Continue for updates.

Thompson out vs. nuggets

monday, feb. 13

the warriors announced that Thompson will miss Monday night"s game against the Denver Nuggets due to his arch injury.

Warriors Need Thompson Healthy for Finals Push

Thompson, 27, has emerged as the NBA"s best shooting guard. He averaged 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 2015-16, shooting 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. His ability to rain three-pointers, move the ball and play elite defense made him the ultimate sidekick to two-time defending MVP Stephen Curry.

At times, the Warriors relied on Thompson to lead the way in their record 73-9 season. Never was he more instrumental in the team"s success or valuable than in his 41-point outburst against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, when he drained 11 three-pointers.

Amazingly, a Warriors team that was one win away from a second consecutive NBA title got better this offseason, adding Kevin Durant to a core of players that includes Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.

And while there have been hiccups, the team"s core of unselfish superstars adjusted to playing with one another very quickly and has overwhelmed more than a few opposing defenses. Thompson"s production hasn"t suffered much, as he"s averaging 21.8points, 3.8rebounds and 2.0assists this season.

With Thompson sidelined, however, Ian Clark will likely see additional minutes.

While Thompson"s injury doesn"t seem particularly serious, losing him for any extended period of time would be a blow for most teams. The Warriors are in a slightly different position, however, with the MVP winners from the last three seasons in Curry and Durant to pick up the slack, so they"ll likely be able to survive without the game"s top shooting guard in the short term if Thompson misses more than one game.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2652566-klay-thompson-injury-updates-on-warriors-stars-heel-and-return

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How to watch Warriors vs. Mavs: Live stream, TV, matchup, line, odds, picks

Toronto Raptors vs Golden State Warriors • Full Game Highlights • Dec 28, 2016 • 2016-17 NBA Season

The Golden State Warriors will welcome back Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut to Oracle Arena for the second time Friday. That first reunion didn"t go that swimmingly for Barnes and Bogut as the warriors whipped the Dallas Mavericks 116-96 on Nov. 9.

How to watch

When: Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET

Who: Dallas Mavericks

Where: Oracle Arena

TV: League Pass

Streaming: League Pass

Line: Warriors (-18.5)

What to watch for

Golden State"s improving defense: Led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Draymond Green and aided by Kevin Durant as a legitimate rim protector, the Warriors are now one of the league"s top defenses. Golden State is first overall in steals per game (9.5), blocks per game (6.3), opponent field goal percentage (42.9 percent) and opponent 3-point percentage (32.7 percent). The Warriors are also second in the league in defensive rating (101.0 points per 100 possessions) and defensive rebounds (36.2). Not good news for the Mavs, who have the 23rd-ranked offense and are playing on the second of a road back-to-back.

This could get ugly quick: Weary Dallas must guard against a quick start by the Warriors. This will be the seventh time Dallas is playing on the second night of a back-to-back and in those instances, Dallas has lost six times by an average of 14.5 points. Not only that, but the Mavs likely will be without J.J. Barea (Achilles). Bogut may skip the game because it"s the second of a back to back, and Dirk Nowtizki missed Thursday"s game because of illness and his status is unclear. That means Dallas will be playing a lot of their young guys like Dorian Finney-Smith.

Key matchup

Stephen Curry vs. Seth Curry: OK, this likely isn"t a true key matchup but the sibling rivalry (which really doesn"t exist) is the most entertaining one we got. Steph Curry had the better game the first time around, going for 24 points and six assists. Seth Curry struggled with shot and had 10 points and nine assists.

PICK: Warriors (-18.5). As mentioned above, Dallas is brutal on the second night of back-to-backs, so picking Golden State is easy.

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/how-to-watch-warriors-vs-mavs-live-stream-tv-matchup-line-odds-picks/

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WATCH: The Warriors" best highlight against Toronto didn"t even count

Golden State Warriors vs Brooklyn Nets - Full Game Highlights | Dec 22, 2016 | 2016-17 NBA Season

The craziest moment in the Golden State Warriors" 121-111 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday was not Kevin Durant"s clutch block against DeMar DeRozan or Stephen Curry celebrating Durant"s 3-pointer before the shot went up. It was a meaningless bit of fun that didn"t count.

In the fourth quarter, Durant was fouled by Cory Joseph in transition and shoveled a pass to Andre Iguodala as he fell down. After the whistle, Iguodala jumped, put the ball through his legs and threw a behind-the-back alley-oop pass to Shaun Livingston, who dunked it home. It was completely unnecessary, and it was awesome.

"One of a kind," Curry said, via let"s go warriors. "that was pretty amazing. the fact that he was able to execute it and the fact that Shaun was aware enough to be there and jump for it and dunk it. It"s not often the play of the game is one that didn"t count."

It was one of those times where the crowd reaction was louder for the in-arena replay than when the play actually occurred -- you can forgive fans for not quite understanding what they saw at first. Warriors commentator Bob Fitzgerald called it "the greatest fast break that never happened."

Source: http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/watch-the-warriors-best-highlight-against-toronto-didnt-even-count/

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Warriors coach Steve Kerr: election result tough for "respect and dignity"

Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors - 1st Half Highlights | Nov 9, 2016 | 2016-17 NBA Season

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has never been a man to immerse himself solely in basketball. While some players and coaches talk only about the game, dodging greater social topics, Kerr has created an atmosphere around his team where players are encouraged to explore themselves as people and not just athletes. He wants them to have voice and personality. And so he did not stay silent when Donald Trump was elected president.

Before the Warriors beat Dallas on Wednesday night, Kerr used a section of his pregame press conference to criticize an election that ran out-of-control, saving his harshest words for Trump. The man whos going to lead you has routinely used racist, misogynist, insulting words, thats a tough one, Kerr said.

Mostly, Kerr spoke about the previous few months during which the election seemed to sink to a low of insults, comparing the process to the Jerry Springer Show.

I have no idea what kind of president h**l be because he hasnt said anything about what hes going to do, Kerr said. We dont know. But its tough when you want there to be some respect and dignity and there hasnt been any and then you walk into a room with your daughter and your wife who have basically been insulted by his comments and theyre distraught. And you walk in and see the faces of your players, most of them who have been insulted directly as minorities, its sort of shocking. It really is.

He added that the team had discussed the election. We talked about it as a team this morning. I dont know what else to say. Just the whole process has left us feeling disgusted and disappointed. I thought we were better than this. I thought The Jerry Spring Show was The Jerry Springer show, said Kerr. Watching the last debate, Trump would make a crack at Clinton, and youd hear the fans in the stands Oooooh, oh, no, he didnt. Oh, yes he did. This is a presidential election, not The Jerry Springer Show.

After the Dallas game, Warriors forward David West also attacked Trumps election calling it disappointing. Its been in the past that the whole idea around what it means to be a president and the esteem of that office is supposed to bring all that is out the window, West told ESPN.

You just tell your kids that you basically have to look in a different space in terms of what it takes to be successful because this guy just proved that everything we teach our kids about manners and etiquette, all thats out the window, West continued. Its a very difficult pill to swallow.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFneUeWdKcLE6S6_by6HTaK7aTNxQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779267157954&ei=5qolWJDYNpfQ3QHQrZL4Aw&url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/10/steve-kerr-donald-trump-golden-state-warriors-nba

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Warriors" GM Myers goes to bat for Draymond Green

New Orleans Pelicans vs Golden State Warriors - 1st Half Highlights | Nov 7 | 2016-17 NBA Season

Draymond Green has suggested hes been unfairly targeted by NBA officials this season, and the Warriors are trying to get that turned around now so it doesnt become a season-long problem.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers talked with NBA vice president of basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe last Friday. According to cbssports.com, after Green has been slapped with two technical fouls Myers wanted to get the officials off Greens back.

It was Vandeweghe who decided to suspend Green for Game 5 of the NBA finals against Cleveland, and a source told cbssports.com Myers took him aside Friday when he ran into Vandeweghe at the Warriors-Laker game Friday.

Green got his first technical in the first game of the season against San Antonio for yelling after a dunk. He picked up No. 2 last week after having yelled at teammate Kevin Durant for having blocked a Russell Westbrook shot.

Both times the officials decided Green was taunting.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/08/warriors-gm-myers-goes-to-bat-for-draymond-green/

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Warriors today: Trip continues at Phoenix

Stephen Curry With Deep Three | Warriors vs Pelicans | October 28, 2016 | 2016-17 NBA Season

Tipoff: 3 p.m. Sunday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV: CSN Bay Area.

Records: Warriors 1-1, Suns 0-2.

Last seasons series: The Warriors won the season series 4-0. On Nov. 27 at Phoenix, Draymond Green had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and the Warriors went 22 of 38 (57.6 percent) from 3-point range in a 135-116 triumph. Stephen Curry scored 41 points, making 9 of 16 on 3-pointers, before sitting out the fourth quarter. On Dec. 16 in the game after their 24-0 start was ended, the Warriors routed the Suns 128-103 at Oracle Arena as Klay Thompson scored 43 points in three quarters, including 27 during the Warriors 46-point third quarter. Green had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. On Feb. 10 at Phoenix, the Warriors defeated the Suns 112-104 as Curry had 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists before sitting out the fourth quarter. On March 12 at Oracle, the Warriors defeated the Suns 123-116 as Curry scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter and Golden State outscored Phoenix 37-21 in the period. Marreese Speights had a season-high 25 points in 18 minutes off the bench.

Warriors update: The Warriors won for the first time this season, beating New Orleans on the road 122-114 on Friday night. That ended a four-game losing streak stretching back to the 2016 NBA Finals. The Warriors are still a work in progress, and the progress has been slow.Coach Steve Kerr is still testing various lineup combinations. The trio of Kevin Durant, Curry and Thompson combined for 81 points against the Pelicans. But the Warriors offense hasnt approached the efficiency with which were accustomed to seeing. Its not just a matter of adjusting to the addition of Durant. Swapping in Zaza Pachulia for Andrew Bogut has changed the dynamic, too. Patrick McCaw suffered a sprained left ankle against the Pelicans and his status for Phoenix is uncertain.

Suns update: Young guard Devin Booker is a star in the making. As a rookie last season, he averaged 13.8 points and improved throughout the season. In 51 games as a starter, he averaged 17.4 points and in 28 games after the All-Star break he averaged 19.2. And did we mention that hes young? He turns 20 on Sunday. Eric Bledsoe missed the final 50 games last season after knee surgery. He is the last man left from the point guard trio employed by former coach Jeff Hornacek (Goran Dragic, now with Miami, and and Isaiah Thomas, now with Boston, were the others). The Suns fell to 0-2 after losing to Oklahoma City in overtime Friday night, 113-110 as the Thunders Russell Westbrook had 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. The Suns got a career-high 30 points from third-year forward T.J. Warren, who missed the last 34 games last season because of foot surgery. The Warriors will see old friend Leandro Barbosa, who signed with the Suns during the offseason.

Things to watch:The Warriors rebounding improved against New Orleans, but it had to after that opening night performance against San Antonio, right? Its still an area that needs work. If we start seeing the player movement and ball movement that was the Warriors hallmark the past two seasons, well know theyre on the right track. The Suns will be a better defensive test for the Warriors than the Pelicans. New Orleans had Anthony Davis (45 points), but Phoenix will present multiple offensive threats.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/30/warriors-today-trip-continues-at-phoenix-suns/

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Warriors" McCaw to miss at least 2 games with ankle injury - SFGate

San Antonio Spurs vs Golden State Warriors - Full Highlights | Oct 25, 2016 | 2016-17 NBA Season

PHOENIX Warriors guard Patrick McCaw will miss the next two games with a left ankle sprain before getting re-evaluated when the team returns to the Bay Area, head coach Steve Kerr said after practice Saturday.

McCaw, 21, was going up for a rebound in the waning seconds of the second quarter Friday night in New Orleans when he landed awkwardly. After standing up on his own power, he was helped to the sideline by Shaun Livingston.

X-rays on McCaw were negative. During practice Saturday at Talking Stick Resort Arena, he was seen walking with a soft cast on his left ankle. Missing were the crutches he used after Fridays win over the Pelicans.

It doesnt seem that bad, but thats one of those things where we have to see how he does after a few games, said Kerr, whose Warriors conclude a three-game road trip with matchups Sunday against the Suns and Tuesday at Portland. But he wont play the next two.

It is a setback for a player who was perhaps the biggest surprise of training camp. After leading Golden State in scoring in the Las Vegas Summer League, he averaged 8.4 points on 45.2 percent shooting from the field (40.9 percent from beyond the arc), 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the preseason.

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw (0) in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw (0) in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Warriors McCaw to miss at least 2 games with ankle injury

It was enough for him to earn the final spot in Kerrs 10-man rotation. In 19 minutes of action over the Warriors first two regular-season games, McCaw had five points, three assists, a block and a steal.

His absence leaves Golden State precariously thin in the backcourt. Outside of starters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Kerrs available guards are Ian Clark and Livingston. Small forward Andre Iguodala can also play in the backcourt if necessary.

We just have to make do, Kerr said. It means that, no matter what happens, whether its close, whether its a blowout either direction, were going to have some guys on the floor at the end of the game that otherwise might not be.

Barbosa reunion: Sundays game in Phoenix marks the first time that guard Leandro Barbosa will face the Warriors since he signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Suns in July.

We miss LB, hes the best, Kerr said of Barbosa, who was a spark plug off the bench for Golden State the past two seasons. We were happy for him that he got the contract here. We were selfishly hoping hed come back to us, but he got a much better deal here financially.

Barbosa has yet to crack the rotation in his third career stint with Phoenix. After Barbosa played three minutes in the Suns season-opening loss Wednesday to the Kings, head coach Earl Watson told the Arizona Republic that he had temporarily replaced Barbosa and P.J. Tucker on the second unit with Tyler Ulis and Dragan Bender.

To me, they play with the most heart, Watson said of Ulis and Bender. Heart gets rewarded.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

Warriors on Sunday

Who: Warriors (1-1) at Suns (0-2)

When: 3 p.m.

TV/Radio: CSNBA /95.7

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Patrick-McCaw-to-miss-at-least-2-10422767.php

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Warriors" Kevin Durant hopes to average double-double

REBUILDING THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS! NBA 2K17 MY LEAGUE

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Zaza Pachulia stretches before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Zaza Pachulia stretches before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Andre Iguodala heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Andre Iguodala heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry jokes with assistant coach Bruce Fraser before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry jokes with assistant coach Bruce Fraser before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry watches as he makes a shot from the tunnel before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Stephen Curry watches as he makes a shot from the tunnel before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant warms up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant warms up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Golden State Warriors" Kevin Durant heads to the court to warm up before playing Los Angeles Clippers during NBA Preseason game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Warriors Kevin Durant hopes to average double-double

Kevin Durant has been named an NBA MVP, a Rookie of the Year and an All-Star Game MVP.

In his first season with the Warriors, he eyes a new feat: averaging a double-double. It is an ambitious goal that, if reached, would buoy a team trying to replace two of last seasons top three rebounders in centers Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli.

I feel I can be a double-double guy if I go in there and bang a little more than I have in the past, said Durant, whose Golden State team hosts the Clippers for a preseason game Tuesday night. Its just a matter of me developing that mindset and just going out there and doing it.

At 6-foot-9 with a 7-4 wingspan, Durant has long been a solid rebounder for his position. The four-time NBA scoring champion has averaged 7 rebounds per game over his nine-year career, including a career-high 8.2 last season. But Oklahoma City, which paced the league in 2015-16 with a mind-boggling rebound differential of plus-8.4, hardly needed Durant to be elite at crashing the glass.

The Warriors offer a far different scenario. With Bogut and Ezeli gone, they dont have anyone capable of routinely soaring above the rim for rebounds. Offseason signings Zaza Pachulia and David West, while both proven rebounders in their own rights, rely on boxing out their men.

Though preseason openers should be kept in perspective, Golden State was outrebounded, 58-42, Saturday by Toronto. Durant finished that game with four rebounds, only two shy of Wests team-high.

Ive got to do a better job, said Durant, who would be just the second small forward this century to average 10 rebounds per game if he achieves his goal (Gerald Wallace in 2009-10 is the other). Ive got to do a better job of getting in there and helping Zaza and Draymond (Green) out. And JaVale (McGee) and D-West. Ive got to go in there and help those guys out.

Said head coach Steve Kerr of Durant trying to average a double-double: I think its a great goal. Im pretty sure hes going to get the double on the scoring side. I like anyone who tries to set goals other than scoring.

Briefly: Forward Kevon Looney (left groin strain) is out, and Kerr said he is day-to-day. Kerr said he expects to play his starters more Tuesday than he did Saturday, bumping them up to over 20 minutes each.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Kevin-Durant-hopes-to-average-9704999.php

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Centaurus freshman Christian Nunez has Warriors playing well

Golden State Warriors vs Toronto Raptors - Highlights | October 1, 2016 | 2016-17 NBA Preseason

LAFAYETTE Over the summer, Centaurus soccer coach Lee Stanley was out of town when his phone started blowing up.

Stanley was getting inundated with voicemails and texts about "some kid" who showed up for the first days of the Warriors offseason drills, an incoming freshman who was impressing the assistant coaches with his high level of ability.

That kid was Christian Nunez.

Stanley had seen Nunez play before and hoped that the soccer prodigy would be a part of his program when he got to the ninth grade.

"I used to help run a recess program through Trebol (Soccer Club) with the elementary school around here," Stanley said. "And when he was in the fourth grade, I saw him out at recess playing and I remember thinking "I hope this kid comes to Centaurus.""

Centaurus freshman Christian Nunez leads the 7-2 Warriors in goals scored with 11. (Courtesy photo)

Even at a young age, Nunez had visions of pursuing his soccer playing future through Trebol, notably with the Colorado Rapids developmental squad and then later professionally.

When that fell through and by no means is that vision of playing for them gone Nunez decided to don the red, white and blue of the Warriors and hasn"t looked back.

Through the first nine matches of the season, Nunez has scored 11 goals, including two Thursday in a 4-2 win over Longmont, and has a point in all but one game. To date, Centaurus is 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the highly competitive Northern League.

"I was just hoping to make varsity my freshman year," said Nunez, who scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 shutout of Erie. "These guys respect me a lot and I respect them too."

The respect has come from his ability on the field. His on the ball talent, footwork and ability to make a defender look bad are at the highest level.

"He came in with the talents he has, and I honestly think the game is a little slower for him," Stanley said. "He is able to see things that a lot of other kids his age are just not. His skill is one of the main reason why everyone was so quick to accept him."

The Warriors as a whole have welcomed Nunez who has been playing the game since he was 3 years old and said, "I loved it ever since" with open arms and there was an immediate bond with senior Miguel Ramirez. The two have been a cohesive unit, with each helping the other in their own way.

Ramirez has taken Nunez under his wing and made the freshman feel at home, while Nunez has helped accentuate the leadership ability in Ramirez.

"(Christian) is a big part of this team, he"s like a mortar. When things seem to be going bad, he"ll have a genius play and get us back in the game," Ramirez said. "He"s really good, but he"s still a freshman and he"s going to get better."

The Warriors dropped their first Northern League match of the season last week in Greeley to Northridge and did so without their regular starting goalkeeper. They bounced back to beat Longmont.

The next three games will be the make-or-break game for the Warriors. They get both Silver Creek and Niwot next week before taking on league leading Greeley Central the following week.

Jon Yunt: yuntj@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/JonEYunt

Source: http://www.timescall.com/ci_30425276/centaurus-freshman-christian-nunez-has-warriors-playing-well

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