Christmas Night Special: Blazers @ Warriors [[Game Thread]]

[BW32]

Being outrebounded by 22 and still may win. Shades of Nellie. Smart CUI.

What really hurts it's the offensive ones, we should have won this by alot. Hopefully Dre or atleast Gadz comes back soon they would have helped alot on that area.

First game back for Biedrins and we're going to look crappy like we did before.

We might not get outrebounded by as much, but we're going to have that gaping hole in the middle on defense and offense whenever he's out there.

Watch and see.

BTW, we won guys. Hope it wasn't too painful for you.

Yeah because we didn't have a gaping hole tonight whenever Udoh was out of the game.

Not sure who that last part is directed to but I'm very happy about the win, a good way to end a fun basketball day.

[turk3d]

There's a reason why Curry isn't in the game. It's 2-15 and horrible D.

So you really don't think his resting has anything to do with him coming back after a huge layoff?

(btw, you sound like CC. I thought you'd want to know that)

What's funny Nick (and this bothers me about you and others), when it comes to certain players no excuses allowed but with others it's a different story. I think that if he weren't shooting 2-15 he would have played more minutes. Simple as that. Maybe he were a better defender he'd have played some more.

You don't get it. Never have, quite frankly.

You don't get it. Curry can be a great player but won't be until he can play some semblance of consistent defense or goes to a team which is very strong and can help hide his defensive ineptitude. CC never said that and always claimed he would be no more than a 6th man.

I never agreed with that but I do look at what he is right now and sometimes he really hurts this team (granted less often than he helps). It just amazes me how some people on this board rag on certain players and claim that others can do no wrong. I just won't do that, even with players I happen to like (unless I'm just being sarcastic towards some of your bad takes). lol

[St.Nick]

Yeah, because having a center back there really helps out, don't it?

I wasn't sure if you were happy or not with the win. Seems like you only posted when it was time to rip on Lee.

[GSForever]

All the good teams have strong physical PG who can defend Westbrook, Rondo and Rose...Curry will never fit that big strong physical PG mold...

[turk3d]

If you're referring to me, I didn't rag on Lee once this game. I think them killing us on the boards speaks for itself, lol (I know it can't be Udoh's fault, even though he got all of 1 rebound, he needs a Center out there with him).

[St.Nick]

You don't get it. Curry can be a great player but won't be until he can play some semblance of consistent defense or goes to a team which is very strong and can help hide his defensive ineptitude. CC never said that and always claimed he would be no more than a 6th man.

I never agreed with that but I do look at what he is right now and sometimes he really hurts this team (granted less often than he helps). It just amazes me how some people on this board rag on certain players and claim that others can do no wrong. I just won't do that, even with players I happen to like (unless I'm just being sarcastic towards some of your bad takes). lol

You are speaking in very broad generalities that have no bearing on the game we just watched. When someone does that it makes them sound like they are clinging to decisions they've made in advance and are just repeating them because they have nothing relevant to say.

Anyways, you are doing this because you don't like people criticizing Monta and think that being equally critical about Curry will somehow make up for it. But it doesn't. It just helps you dig those huge holes you always find yourself in.

[Coxy]

Sweet, a win is a win, especially on Christmas. Monta's trade value would be off the chain after that closing performance on national television.

Great to see Steph back. He shot a little too much with his jumper being rusty, but distributed the ball like a boss.

Udoh being Epic.

This team is the same without Biedrins, and Lee healthy. Turn Biedrins into expirings I say.

[St.Nick]

If you're referring to me, I didn't rag on Lee once this game. I think them killing us on the boards speaks for itself, lol (I know it can't be Udoh's fault, even though he got all of 1 rebound, he needs a Center out there with him).

No I wasn't talking to you.

[turk3d]

OK.

[old rem]

Well....seems Monta took over. Pretty dominating finish.

Getting outrebounded by a zillion? Not good,and while Udoh did not grab a lot of boards,he still should hve been in there more. He will be a rebounder.

Had Biedrins been playing,and 100%,it would have been an easier win,GSW would have not been outboarded by as much,if any, and would have had more D inside. Portland is in pretty bad shape now,so it's not a glorious victory,but considering the weak rebounding and Curry being cold shooting,it took some special stuff to save a W.

[Amazing Curry]

Some points that may or may not have been mentioned that caught my eye:
- Smart putting Lee on LMA even though LMA was clearly outmatching Lee. Meanwhile, Udoh was guarding Cunningham who didn't do much.
- We get Curry and less importantly BWright back, but yet Monta goes 46 minutes and Lee goes 44. Nellie coaching all over again.
- Lee's elbow is starting to close up and heal with the 3 days of rest he got. His shot looks smoother and not as flat as before.

Will save the criticism for a night when we don't win. For now, just gonna enjoy the W. Good way to end Christmas.

[turk3d]

It was a team effort rem. Practically everyone contributed. Vlad with another good game with nice minutes off the bench. Wright and Williams hit some big shots. And Lee (although likely on D) shot 8-11 (his outside J seems to be finally coming along) and even though he got beat pretty bad underneath by Aldridge, he kept on fighting. Udoh with a nice lift defensive (seemed to be the only defensive presence besides Radman at times).

Good team win. That's 2 in a row. Monta really seems to realize that's what it's going to take for he (and the team) to get some recognition. I like what I'm sening and anxious to find out whether or not Udoh and Beans mesh well when given time together. If so, that should solidify our defense and give us a rebounding presence which we haven't had with Beans out.

Udoh can be brought in to play against some of the bigger PFs that tend to give Lee trouble. It would also free Radman to go back to playing more at the 3 where I think he's more effective (although he's been doing much better at the 4 as of late.

[Ramathorn]

All the good teams have strong physical PG who can defend Westbrook, Rondo and Rose...Curry will never fit that big strong physical PG mold...

Spurs and Suns disagree.

[Coxy]

All the good teams have strong physical PG who can defend Westbrook, Rondo and Rose...Curry will never fit that big strong physical PG mold...

Spurs and Suns disagree.

I'd like to say that Curry will be fine, but I'd be lying. I don't think he'll even be a decent defender at the PG position. He's gonna need a Dwight type defender behind him to cover up his poor D. Ekpe could fit the bill.

[Yi Jian Lian]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[oaktownwarriors87]

The Warriors are 3 1/2 games behind Portland for the 8th seed.... the season isn't over yet!

[turk3d]

All the good teams have strong physical PG who can defend Westbrook, Rondo and Rose...Curry will never fit that big strong physical PG mold...

Spurs and Suns disagree.

I'd like to say that Curry will be fine, but I'd be lying. I don't think he'll even be a decent defender at the PG position. He's gonna need a Dwight type defender behind him to cover up his poor D. Ekpe could fit the bill.

Epke will help, but I'm afraid he's going to need a lot more than just him.

[Coxy]

Epke will help, but I'm afraid he's going to need a lot more than just him.

Haven't you heard? Ekpe will be a multiple DPOY guy.

Half Man, half Orangutan.

[turk3d]

From Bob's News thread:

Monta Ellis
On tonight's game:
“We take it for what it is. We keep on playing for 48 minutes. We will take a win however way we can get it and keep building everyday. We are getting a lot of guys back. Once we get our whole team back it’s going to be different. We just have to hold it down until we get key guys back. Steph (Curry) came back today and hopefully Andris (Biedrins) comes back during the road trip. Like I said, we're going to turn it around.”

On Closing Out the 4th Quarter:
“We got after it. We played defense. We contested every shot. We did everything to win this game.”

http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/recap_122510.html

[shazam_guy]

Almost all the folks who rag on Curry seem to talk about what he should be as if there was some indisputable model -- big, physical, great defensive player. Yet there are several other types, and one who's still in the league has won a couple of MVP trophies.

Curry has some holes in his game, some areas where he is just average, and some in which he is freaky good. There are very few any time in history who don't have a few holes. What's so bad with having a world-class shooter (and he's only going to improve, Reggie Miller or even better looks like his top end) who isn't a perfect PG, but who has some other major skills (like passing and playmaking) which will get better as well?

Enough with worrying about Curry. Curry's a serious net plus for us at a tough position to fill well, he's what we've got IN HAND, and thus he's a perfectly good place to start structuring a playoff team.