Congrats to the Warriors, Losers of the 2nd Round to Utah

Despite losing 4-1 in the second round to Utah, particularly when they could have been up 3-2 instead with better free throw accuracy, still, the guys thrilled us with an uplifting first round win, the first taste of playoffs and playoff series win for too long a period, and gave us some great, if frustrating, games in the second round. It was quite a Cinderella break through season for Nelly's first season back with us.

I hope they can build upon their great play they had after the trade and Richmond got back into playing shape and not tease us like they did Baron's first (partial) season with us, winning all those games and then playing crappy again next season. They have a lot to look forward to.

Now the nucleus of the team, Davis, Richmond, Harrington, and Jackson has their first season together under their belt, and hopefully will do more next season. Biedrins and Ellis are now the clear long-term future of the club, and hopefully can also do more next season. Barnes had a breakout year that he too can build upon for next season, assuming we still have him, don't know his contract situation. But he's a pal of Baron's so I think he might stick around.

To everyone else, good luck to everyone who ends up with another team, thanks for your contributions to the Warriors, and for those who end up staying, I hope you get more playing time by doing very well.

Back Against the Wall: Warriors Throw Away Another Free One

The Warriors are down 3-1 in their semi-final series and have their backs to the wall. The clock is ringing midnight and the fairy tale coach appears soon to revert back to a pumpkin. They need to win out now and sweep the final three games. And they only have themselves to blame.

They could have won Game 2 with just one timely made free throw instead of 3 misses, two by Pietrus. And this game, oy vey!, 13 (13!) misses, had they had made around 75% of their free throw up to the point they fell behind 7 point when Boozer completed a three-pointer on the line, they would have been mainly leading and at worse close to the Jazz instead. But no, these millionaires can not be bothered to learn how to make free throws because, basically, they don't care to win.

How hard is it to make free throws? Did Shaq make missing fashionable? Wilt the Stilt was known for clanging them but he was derided for that, but today it's no big deal.

Here's the sorry story from Game 4:

• Harrington missed 2 of 6;
• Biedrins missed 3 of 4;
• Davis missed 3 of 4;
• Pietrus missed all 3 of his.

Jackson missed one but he was a magnificent 11 for 12 from the line. I hope he gets in the other's grill for blowing this game by missing free throws, particularly Pietrus, whose two misses at the end of regulation costed them Game 2. He makes one, we win, but no, missed both of them. And I know they lost by 14, but had they had made just 75% of their free throws, they would not have to be desperate at the end and have to foul and take risks that costed them points given up, they would have been close and could have ran their regular offense instead of having to hurry up and try to score fast and get the ball back from Utah faster.

Another problem was that both Richardson and Pietrus came up small this game. Richardson only scored 7 points in 33 minutes, 3 of 12 from the field. Not that it excuses his poor play at a critical time but at least he's been contributing big all the other games, unlike Pietrus. In this game, Pietrus played 17 minutes in this one, had only 2 points though 3 rebounds and a assist.

He's not playing very well considering he's a free agent looking for a big contract. But, oh yeah, in the NBA they reward crappy play because they are the talents and we are just lucky they are willing to play for us for millions. Hopefully the Warriors can replace the "French Michael Jordan" with someone who can shoot free throws, you would have never seen Jordan missing key free throws at the end of games regularly.

Warriors Win Again At Home, Beating Utah; Now Down 1-2

The Warriors had a great, in your face, win 125-105, after two tough losses in Utah, especially after basically giving away game 2 to Utah, a game they would have won with just one made free throw out of three misses in the final minute or so. After being so close to winning in Utah, one couldn't help but feel that the Warriors would take it to them playing at home, though I could see some feel that such a loss could demoralize a team.

But basically playing them to a standstill for two games in a row on their home court, in a sport build on home court advantage, had to give the Warrior players the confidence that they could take care of things at home. The only question was executing and doing it. And they did, in spades.

Now they have to do it again at home and tie up the series. As before, one game at a time, but if they can bum rush them again in game 4, and beat them soundly, that should give them enough momentum to finally win in Utah in game 5 and take care of things in game 6 at home. Make it so, Golden Ones.

Congrats to the Warriors on Their Stunning First Round Victory

Shades of 1975!!! I don't remember much from that season other than Rick Barry willing the team to victory, much like Baron Davis willing the team to victory in this series, particularly on one leg in the second half of the clincher, after straining his hamstring in the first quarter. They are the first 8th seed to beat a 1st seed since they started having 7 games in the first round.

And the newest member of the Elite Eight still don't know who they will be facing, either 4th seed Utah or 5th seed Houston. They should have a good chance of making it to Final Four, at least better than being in the other bracket and facing the 2nd or 3rd seed. Neither of them scare me that much, but I'm really more a Warriors fan than a basketball fan, so I don't really know those teams that well.

The Warriors are 20-7 now since everyone was healthy and playing together, and clearly is a better team than their record, which was my point in a long ago post, that without JRich, we don't know how good the team could be, but if it was limping along the edge between playoffs and out without him and others, they clearly must be much better with one of the best players in the league back in the lineup, it only made sense. The good thing about him being out was that it gave Monta Ellis a lot of valuable time in the lineup and playing and improving, earning him his most improved player award.