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RE: Warriors - Mick - 05-06-2025

(05-05-2025, 07:29 PM)lex24 Wrote:  
(04-21-2025, 03:04 PM)Leftcoast Wrote:  
(04-21-2025, 11:17 AM)BrevinsBest Wrote:  There is almost no chance Kuminga is on this team next year. They'll sign and trade him to whoever offers him the biggest contract.

Agreed.  It's a bit of a head scratcher for fans (like me) who see limited players who do ONE THING well like Moody, Payton, and Hield getting minutes while the more talented and athletic Kuminga can't get off the bench.

Kerr looks at it differently.  Kuminga plays the same position as Butler and does not have the court skills to adjust his play to fit with Butler's game.  Kerr doesn't believe they can both be on the floor together in the play-offs.  With Butler playing 42 minutes in Game 1 against the Rockets, Kuminga becomes a very limited player in Steve Kerr's eyes.

Kuminga makes too many mental mistakes.  Case in point.  Game 2 Houston has front court sideline OOB.  He’s on in bounder who passes it near 28 ft line.   Kuminga follows ball with eyes, loses eye contact with man who cuts straight to basket, gets return pass.  Lay up with Kuminga trailing.  Thats as basic a defensive off ball principle as there is - don’t lose man/ball vision.  It’s a mistake a HS player doesn’t make.

Kerr pulled him shortly thereafter.  

Kuminga needs to go to a 30-52 team.  Get minutes.  And learn.

Totally agree. If you look at the Warriors' team statistics, the +/- per 100 possessions is a decent look into the efficiency and balanced offensive/defensive contributions. Of the top five starters, Butler was highest (+7.5), followed closely by Green, Podz, Curry, Moody (+2.2). Of the second-stringers, Santos (+9.3), GP2 (+4.4), Looney (+3.4), Quinten Post (-0.9), then Kuminga (-4.9) and Hield (-4.1).

Not coincidentally, all the players that the Warriors traded had even worse figures, including Waters (-6.1), Wiggins (-7.9), Anderson (-10.3), Schroder (-14.6).

The disparity between offensive and defensive rating is telling. Butler is +23, Loon is +20, GP2 is +14, Curry is +7, Santos is +5, Post and Podz are +4, Moody is+2. Kuminga is -4, Hield is -5.

RE: Pasportsfan - Jamesy - 05-06-2025

(05-05-2025, 08:43 PM)PAsportsfan Wrote:  
(05-05-2025, 08:17 PM)Jamesy Wrote:  
(05-05-2025, 10:11 AM)Giants Wrote:  An interesting item regarding the upcoming Warriors-Timberwolves series…

For the first time since Steve Kerr became the head coach, the Warriors are underdogs in a playoff series.  This breaks a string of 27 consecutive series in which GS was the favorite.

Another interesting factoid, the Timberwolves are one of just two Western Conference teams that have yet to play the Warriors in the postseason in the Curry era. Can you name the other?

New Orleans?

Warriors played NO in 2018 and San Antonio in 2017 with Zaza Pachulia famously spraining Kawhi's ankle early on. 

The only WC team the Curry-era Warriors have not played in the postseason after today is... the Suns.

RE: Warriors - Mick - 05-07-2025

Great win last night. Curry was on fire, for the 13 minutes he was in the game. Now he has a hamstring injury, won't play in game two. I don't see how he can come back for the rest of the postseason, hamstrings are notoriously finicky.

Curry missed a lot of playoff games in both 2016 and 2018, but as Coach Kerr pointed out after the game, they had an All-NBA roster at that time. They definitely don't know. Man, it is painful to watch Jonathan Kuminga, -9 in 13 minutes of play. I think they'll play Quentin Post more, he gives them length and they were +14 in his six minutes of play. Moody was strangely silent.

Three fun facts:
- W's outrebounded the T'wolves 51-41. Team effort; Butler had 11, Podz, Buddy and Draymond all had 8, Looney had six, GP2 had five.
- W's had just 12 turnovers
- Warriors shot better from three point range (43%) than otherwise (total 39%).

RE: Warriors - Leftcoast - 05-07-2025

(05-07-2025, 06:28 AM)Mick Wrote:  Three fun facts:
- W's outrebounded the T'wolves 51-41. Team effort; Butler had 11, Podz, Buddy and Draymond all had 8, Looney had six, GP2 had five.
- W's had just 12 turnovers
- Warriors shot better from three point range (43%) than otherwise (total 39%).

The Warriors performance was surprising in a very good way.  Despite flying directly from Houston after a brutal Game 7, it was the Warriors who played with more force and purpose in the first quarter.  When Steph went down the team took the loss in stride and EXTENDED their lead.  When the Wolves finally responded with a push of their own in the fourth the Dubs absorbed it and preserved a ~10pt lead through the final buzzer.

So, was this a one time happy event or can the Warriors win against the Timberwolves without Steph?  Sometimes arguably "better" teams like the experts claim the Timberwolves to be struggle against a particular opponent.  Maybe the Warriors are that opponent for Minnesota. After all the Dubs are now 4-1 against them this season. t will be much, much harder without Curry but maybe not impossible.

(Game 2 and probably games 4 and 5 will be Buddy, Jimmy and Draymond games with no Curry. Kuminga and Moody both looked lost but they will need to hold their own against talented Wolves big wings/forwards for any chance. Golden State really wants Curry for Game 6 but hamstrings are notoriously slow to heal.)

RE: Warriors - BostonCard - 05-07-2025

Grade 1, so supposedly out a week; he'll be out games 2, 3, and 4, but if it is only a week, he could be back for a game 5.  Best case scenario is that the W's steal one and the series is 2-2 when Steph comes back.  Worst case is that they will be down 3-1, which will be a tough hole to climb out of, but not impossible.  Just ask the 2016 Cavs, who did it in the NBA finals... against the Warriors.

Actually, take that back.  Worst case is that it takes longer than a week, and this was Curry's last game this season.

BC

RE: Warriors - Mick - 05-08-2025

(05-07-2025, 01:11 PM)Leftcoast Wrote:  
(05-07-2025, 06:28 AM)Mick Wrote:  Three fun facts:
- W's outrebounded the T'wolves 51-41. Team effort; Butler had 11, Podz, Buddy and Draymond all had 8, Looney had six, GP2 had five.
- W's had just 12 turnovers
- Warriors shot better from three point range (43%) than otherwise (total 39%).

The Warriors performance was surprising in a very good way.  Despite flying directly from Houston after a brutal Game 7, it was the Warriors who played with more force and purpose in the first quarter.  When Steph went down the team took the loss in stride and EXTENDED their lead.  When the Wolves finally responded with a push of their own in the fourth the Dubs absorbed it and preserved a ~10pt lead through the final buzzer.

That bodes well for tonight's game. I liked when the broadcaster said "It just seems like the Warriors have been so much quicker than the Timberwolves the entire game."

The Warriors have now won four straight against the Wolves and Curry has had a big impact in all five games. But the other wins happened so long ago that many of the starters are either no longer with the team (Schroder, Wiggins, Anderson) or are no longer starters (Looney, Kuminga, GP2, TJD, Gui Santos). Trayce Jackson-Davis had a brobdingnagian game as a starter against them, went 7 for 8, led the team with nine rebounds, only one turnover. Another game as a starter, TJD had 15 rebs. against them.

RE: Warriors - Mick - 10-01-2025

With the signing of Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors are $2 mms. under the second apron. As a result, Seth Curry signed as an Exhibit 9 player. It means he gets to play in training camp with the Warriors, but technically, he will be signed, waived, and signed again, effective 11/15, and won't be eligible to play until November 15.

Here's the final roster:
1. Steph Curry
2. Jimmy Butler
3. Draymond Green
4. Brandon Podziemski
5. Moses Moody
6. Buddy Hield
7. Trayce Jackson-Davis
8. Quinten Post
9. Gui Santos
10. Jonathan Kuminga (two years, $23.3 mms in year one, team option year two)
11. Al Horford (Got taxpayer mid-level exception, $5.7 million, likely starting center)
12. De'Anthony Melton (Will start season on injured list, finishing up ACL rehab, one year vet minimum $2.3 mms.)
13. GP2 (agreed to contract)
14. Seth Curry (see above)
15. Will Richard (Second round pick, signed to a four-year deal, two guaranteed)

Two-Way contracts
Jackson Rowe
Pat Spencer (he re-upped. Says he had offers elsewhere, likes the W’s, worked on his three-point shot in the summer)
Alex Toohey (the second 2nd round pick of the Warriors, the player from Australia)

RE: Warriors - gocard14 - 10-01-2025

(10-01-2025, 10:20 AM)Mick Wrote:  With the signing of Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors are $2 mms. under the second apron. As a result, Seth Curry signed as an Exhibit 9 player. It means he gets to play in training camp with the Warriors, but technically, he will be signed, waived, and signed again, effective 11/15, and won't be eligible to play until November 15.

Here's the final roster:
1. Steph Curry
2. Jimmy Butler
3. Draymond Green
4. Brandon Podziemski
5. Moses Moody
6. Buddy Hield
7. Trayce Jackson-Davis
8. Quinten Post
9. Gui Santos
10. Jonathan Kuminga (two years, $23.3 mms in year one, team option year two)
11. Al Horford (Got taxpayer mid-level exception, $5.7 million, likely starting center)
12. De'Anthony Melton (Will start season on injured list, finishing up ACL rehab, one year vet minimum $2.3 mms.)
13. GP2 (agreed to contract)
14. Seth Curry (see above)
15. Will Richard (Second round pick, signed to a four-year deal, two guaranteed)

Two-Way contracts
Jackson Rowe
Pat Spencer (he re-upped. Says he had offers elsewhere, likes the W’s, worked on his three-point shot in the summer)
Alex Toohey (the second 2nd round pick of the Warriors, the player from Australia)

This is a great roster (given the circumstances). Horford, while old, unlocks a ton of lineup versatility due to his 3 point shooting and defensive chops. A backline of Jimmy, Draymond, and Horford has the potential to be elite defensively.

It will be interesting to see how we position our minutes at the 5. We will find out if our best lineups in crunch time are with Horford at the 5, or with Draymond at the 5 and we use Horford to try to keep those minutes down. Horford would also really help our bench lineups, and could help unlock Kuminga to a degree. Kuminga needs a stretch 5 for spacing, but Post/Kuminga as a defensive backline will be problematic. 

I think it makes more sense to pair Post in lineups with Draymond at the 4. Say Horford and Jimmy are the first off the floor for the starters, you sub in moody/buddy and play a lineup of Steph, Buddy, Moody, Draymond, Post (or insert melton for one of them when healthy). When steph is resting, lineups with Podz, (moody/hield/melton), Jimmy, Kuminga, Horford should be excellent at covering for the shooting weaknesses of Jimmy and Kuminga.

RE: Warriors - TrumpCard - 10-01-2025

The Warriors have done pretty well this offseason, but as of now, I still see this as a bubble playoff team that isn't really a contender.  If Horford counts as the 4th best player on the team right now, then the top 4 average 37 years old and all of them are in the second half of their 30s.  

That said, the veteran minimum contracts indicate that players still see the Warriors as a good destination.  Plus, due to the status of the relationship between Kuminga and the team, I view the current roster as being highly temporary.  By February, if the team is reasonably healthy and performing well, I expect the team to trade Kuminga and draft capital for someone who's more likely to put the team over the hump to legitimate contender.  That's not a perfect situation, but it's about as good as Warriors fans could have hoped to achieve given the headwinds.

RE: Warriors - Mick - 10-01-2025

All excellent points. I might also mention Trayce Jackson Davis at the five...I think he's come a long ways, presents a different look. Of the regulars, Butler had the greatest net between offensive and defensive rating, Looney was second and Jackson-Davis was third.

This is an old, old team. Warriors will be the second-oldest in the NBA in 2025/2026. Lots of injuries and days off to come.
Youngest and Oldest NBA Teams 2025-26: Average Age for All NBA Teams - Bookies.com

And...separate questions...what are Kuminga's strengths, exactly? In this lineup? He can't rebound. He can't play defense. He had the second greatest negative disparity between offensive and defensive ratings among the regulars. Why do we want him again?

RE: Warriors - TrumpCard - 10-01-2025

(10-01-2025, 02:39 PM)Mick Wrote:  And...separate questions...what are Kuminga's strengths, exactly? In this lineup? He can't rebound. He can't play defense. He had the second greatest negative disparity between offensive and defensive ratings among the regulars. Why do we want him again?

As an offsetting salary, with an expiring contract, in a trade that gives draft assets for a player who can actually help the team.

RE: Warriors - bl82 - 10-01-2025

Don't overlook De'Anthony Melton. Sure, he is still recovering from an ACL injury, but he clearly earned his starting role just before he was injured. I had thought of him mostly as a defensive specialist before he came to the Warriors, but the kid was doing absolutely everything from scoring, distributing, playing disruptive defense and fitting in with a high BB-IQ style of play that we really lost an important cog when he went down.

Let's hope he can get back to 100%. I think he complements Steph nicely.

RE: Warriors - gocard14 - 10-01-2025

(10-01-2025, 02:39 PM)Mick Wrote:  All excellent points. I might also mention Trayce Jackson Davis at the five...I think he's come a long ways, presents a different look. Of the regulars, Butler had the greatest net between offensive and defensive rating, Looney was second and Jackson-Davis was third.

This is an old, old team. Warriors will be the second-oldest in the NBA in 2025/2026. Lots of injuries and days off to come.
Youngest and Oldest NBA Teams 2025-26: Average Age for All NBA Teams - Bookies.com

And...separate questions...what are Kuminga's strengths, exactly? In this lineup? He can't rebound. He can't play defense. He had the second greatest negative disparity between offensive and defensive ratings among the regulars. Why do we want him again?

As pointed out, we don't "really" want him. But if he took the QO or we let him walk, we would lose the salary slot that he represents. 

He does have a valuable skill set, namely the ability to get downhill, get buckets with reasonable efficiency, and get fouled. He also has on ball defensive chops. He also has some major liabilities, namely his bad off ball defense, mediocre three point shot, and ball stopping tendencies. His rebounding numbers aren't actually bad, they're just not as good as they should be for his athleticism. 

I think the pacers provided a good blueprint in how they used Mathurin in the playoffs. He is the closest comp to Kuminga in the league IMO. He would get run as a 6th or 7th man and if he was attacking, scoring, locked in on D he might get 25-30 minutes. Other nights when he doesn't have it or isn't playing with as much force he might get 5-10 minute. 

Ultimately we probably move him at the deadline for a more complementary piece, but we can/should use his skill set in the meantime, even if it's an awkward fit.
(10-01-2025, 03:51 PM)bl82 Wrote:  Don't overlook De'Anthony Melton.  Sure, he is still recovering from an ACL injury, but he clearly earned his starting role just before he was injured.  I had thought of him mostly as a defensive specialist before he came to the Warriors, but the kid was doing absolutely everything from scoring, distributing, playing disruptive defense and fitting in with a high BB-IQ style of play that we really lost an important cog when he went down.

Let's hope he can get back to 100%.  I think he complements Steph nicely.
 

Agreed. I had forgotten before watching some videos how much he was doing as an on ball creator before he got hurt. He really is a perfect 2 guard next to Steph and could easily be closing games for us if his health permits. Of our abundance of riches at the 2-3 spot (Melton, Podz, Moody, Hield), he is definitely the most complete package.

RE: Warriors - Mick - 10-02-2025

(10-01-2025, 09:34 PM)gocard14 Wrote:  
(10-01-2025, 02:39 PM)Mick Wrote:  All excellent points. I might also mention Trayce Jackson Davis at the five...I think he's come a long ways, presents a different look. Of the regulars, Butler had the greatest net between offensive and defensive rating, Looney was second and Jackson-Davis was third.

This is an old, old team. Warriors will be the second-oldest in the NBA in 2025/2026. Lots of injuries and days off to come.
Youngest and Oldest NBA Teams 2025-26: Average Age for All NBA Teams - Bookies.com

And...separate questions...what are Kuminga's strengths, exactly? In this lineup? He can't rebound. He can't play defense. He had the second greatest negative disparity between offensive and defensive ratings among the regulars. Why do we want him again?

As pointed out, we don't "really" want him. But if he took the QO or we let him walk, we would lose the salary slot that he represents. 

He does have a valuable skill set, namely the ability to get downhill, get buckets with reasonable efficiency, and get fouled. He also has on ball defensive chops. He also has some major liabilities, namely his bad off ball defense, mediocre three point shot, and ball stopping tendencies. His rebounding numbers aren't actually bad, they're just not as good as they should be for his athleticism. 

I think the pacers provided a good blueprint in how they used Mathurin in the playoffs. He is the closest comp to Kuminga in the league IMO. He would get run as a 6th or 7th man and if he was attacking, scoring, locked in on D he might get 25-30 minutes. Other nights when he doesn't have it or isn't playing with as much force he might get 5-10 minute. 

Ultimately we probably move him at the deadline for a more complementary piece, but we can/should use his skill set in the meantime, even if it's an awkward fit.
(10-01-2025, 03:51 PM)bl82 Wrote:  Don't overlook De'Anthony Melton.  Sure, he is still recovering from an ACL injury, but he clearly earned his starting role just before he was injured.  I had thought of him mostly as a defensive specialist before he came to the Warriors, but the kid was doing absolutely everything from scoring, distributing, playing disruptive defense and fitting in with a high BB-IQ style of play that we really lost an important cog when he went down.

Let's hope he can get back to 100%.  I think he complements Steph nicely.
 

Agreed. I had forgotten before watching some videos how much he was doing as an on ball creator before he got hurt. He really is a perfect 2 guard next to Steph and could easily be closing games for us if his health permits. Of our abundance of riches at the 2-3 spot (Melton, Podz, Moody, Hield), he is definitely the most complete package.

Agreed, when healthy, Melton is a superior 2 guard, fun to watch. Great instincts...and speaking of which, a friendly acquaintance of mine is a D2 head basketball coach. His opinion on Kuminga is that he has poor instincts, or really no instincts. He has to think too much, too often doesn't react well or doesn't react at all. He says you see this with some really athletic players, particularly those who haven't played much basketball at a high level as a youth. They rely on their athleticism and don't develop instincts.

Take rebounds. Rebounds are about effort, jumping ability, positioning, anticipation (rebounds have a very symmetrical spatial signature), timing, leverage and strength. A 6'3" guard who is not particularly strong or physical, Steph Curry, averages 5.0 rebounds per 36 minutes. Podziemski, a 6'5" guard at the shallow end of the athletic gene pool and can't really jump (NBA-wise) but is strong and physical and has great instincts, averages 7.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. Kuminga, 6'8" and can jump out of the gym averages 6.6 rebounds per 36 minutes.

RE: Warriors - Mick - 10-02-2025

(10-01-2025, 01:53 PM)gocard14 Wrote:  This is a great roster (given the circumstances). Horford, while old, unlocks a ton of lineup versatility due to his 3 point shooting and defensive chops. A backline of Jimmy, Draymond, and Horford has the potential to be elite defensively.

It will be interesting to see how we position our minutes at the 5. We will find out if our best lineups in crunch time are with Horford at the 5, or with Draymond at the 5 and we use Horford to try to keep those minutes down. Horford would also really help our bench lineups, and could help unlock Kuminga to a degree. Kuminga needs a stretch 5 for spacing, but Post/Kuminga as a defensive backline will be problematic. 

I think it makes more sense to pair Post in lineups with Draymond at the 4. Say Horford and Jimmy are the first off the floor for the starters, you sub in moody/buddy and play a lineup of Steph, Buddy, Moody, Draymond, Post (or insert melton for one of them when healthy). When steph is resting, lineups with Podz, (moody/hield/melton), Jimmy, Kuminga, Horford should be excellent at covering for the shooting weaknesses of Jimmy and Kuminga.

Going to have to be careful with time this season. No NBA team in history has started a 39-year-old (Horford), a 37-year-old (Curry),a 36-year-old (Butler), and a 35-year-old (Green).

Maybe Horford will be like Robert Parish who played 27 minutes a night both as a 39 and 40 year old for Boston. LeBron played 35 minutes as a 39 year old on average.  Karl Malone, 36. Jordan, 37. Reggie Miller, 33.

Seth Curry is 35. GP2 and Buddy Hield are 32. Melton is an old, injury-prone 27.

Dr. Rick Celebrini might be the team's MVP this season.

We'll see.

RE: Warriors - TrumpCard - 10-03-2025

On the Kuminga contract situation, the qualifying offer was $7.9 million.  Kuminga supposedly was prepared to sign that instead of a 1+1 that would have paid $45 million over the two years (if the team picked up the option).  Ultimately, the Warriors persuaded him to sign by increasing the amount of the contract to $48.5 million over 2 years (again, this total applies only if the team picks up the option).  I've read that the Warriors probably plan to trade Kuminga before the deadline, and that the contract will be more valuable specifically because of the team option to terminate after one year.  So, here's the question:  Why would the Warriors prefer 1 year north of $20 million instead of 1 year at $7.9 million?  I would be happy for you all to educate me, but here's the only explanation I see:  The Warriors are willing to pay Kuminga a big windfall so that, under salary cap rules, the team can take back a bigger salary in the anticipated trade.  Do you all agree with that?

RE: Warriors - Leftcoast - 10-03-2025

(10-03-2025, 12:39 PM)TrumpCard Wrote:  .. Here's the only explanation I see:  The Warriors are willing to pay Kuminga a big windfall so that, under salary cap rules, the team can take back a bigger salary in the anticipated trade.  Do you all agree with that?

Yup, salary caps create very weird economic logic.

RE: Warriors - Mick - 10-03-2025

(10-03-2025, 12:42 PM)Leftcoast Wrote:  
(10-03-2025, 12:39 PM)TrumpCard Wrote:  .. Here's the only explanation I see:  The Warriors are willing to pay Kuminga a big windfall so that, under salary cap rules, the team can take back a bigger salary in the anticipated trade.  Do you all agree with that?

Yup, salary caps create very weird economic logic.

I wonder if any of these would be doable: 

Forwards / Wings
Centers / Big Men
(These are premium names — landing them would require serious financial commitment or trade assets.)

RE: Warriors - TrumpCard - 10-03-2025

(10-03-2025, 01:42 PM)Mick Wrote:  
(10-03-2025, 12:42 PM)Leftcoast Wrote:  
(10-03-2025, 12:39 PM)TrumpCard Wrote:  .. Here's the only explanation I see:  The Warriors are willing to pay Kuminga a big windfall so that, under salary cap rules, the team can take back a bigger salary in the anticipated trade.  Do you all agree with that?

Yup, salary caps create very weird economic logic.

I wonder if any of these would be doable: 

Forwards / Wings
  • Mikal Bridges — A prototypical two-way wing: good defense, reliable 3-point shooter, and can slot into multiple lineups. He is projected to be a free agent in 2026.
  • Kristaps Porziņģis — A stretch forward option. If healthy, he provides size, spacing, and shooting. He is projected as a 2026 free agent. 

Centers / Big Men
  • Jusuf Nurkić — An established big who can rebound and provide post scoring. He is listed among 2026 UFA centers.
  • Zach Collins — Offers mobility and shooting from the big spot; might be an interesting compromise center option. 

(These are premium names — landing them would require serious financial commitment or trade assets.)

I strongly doubt the Knicks are looking to trade a guy they just emptied the cupboard to get.  I suppose the others might be possible, depending on the circumstances.  But may I ask why you are looking exclusively at 2026 FAs?  Is there some salary cap reason that the Warriors wouldn't be able to take on a longer term contract?  I was thinking Nic Claxton, for example.  He doesn't bring the 3-pt shooting of some of the others, but he's a good/versatile defender.