Game 82: Golden State Warriors (58-23) @ Utah Jazz (47-33) - 9:00 PM ET

[KevinMcreynolds]

We have no depth and Draymond has been terrible all season. Basically KD and Klay have to carry us to the 2nd round. What's a scary thought is Quinn Cook is the 3rd best scoring option on our roster right now.

[Phase 3]

GS is out in round 1 unless Curry comes back and is himself, regardless of opponent.

Bold take. I don’t completely agree with you...but I gotta admit, the way the team is playing now I wouldn’t be surprised. Warriors best shot at winning without Curry is against the Pelicans or the Spurs(without Kawhi). I’m not confident against any other WC playoff team without Steph.

[HiRez]

We avoid OKC/Utah/Portland so its all good. None of the possible match ups are threats

I agree with the first part, those are the 3 teams I really didn't want to see. But I disagree with the second part, they can definitely still lose to any of Denver, SA, Minn, NO unless they get a serious wake-up, which we've seen zero signs of yet. They are listless and sleepwalking right now. Most veteran playoff teams tune up before the first game but we haven't done that at all, in fact we look worse than I can remember us ever looking since Lacob & Guber bought the team and we acquired the modern roster.

It's interesting that KD just announced he's opting out because if KD is unable to carry us over a first round playoff matchup I would not be shocked if Lacob decides it's not working and goes an entirely different direction. Of course it wouldn't be fair to put the whole fiasco on KD's shoulders but when you're an A+++ superstar looking for a max deal, it kind of comes with the territory. I don't expect KD to go anywhere, but I don't think it's impossible.

[Phase 3]

Anyone else see the comment by KD postgame about the team having low morale. That’s not good at all.

[clyde21]

Still waiting for our all-stars Green and Thompson to play like all-stars without Steph.

[SFrush]

We avoid OKC/Utah/Portland so its all good. None of the possible match ups are threats

I agree with the first part, those are the 3 teams I really didn't want to see. But I disagree with the second part, they can definitely still lose to any of Denver, SA, Minn, NO unless they get a serious wake-up, which we've seen zero signs of yet. They are listless and sleepwalking right now. Most veteran playoff teams tune up before the first game but we haven't done that at all, in fact we look worse than I can remember us ever looking since Lacob & Guber bought the team and we acquired the modern roster.

It's interesting that KD just announced he's opting out because if KD is unable to carry us over a first round playoff matchup I would not be shocked if Lacob decides it's not working and goes an entirely different direction. Of course it wouldn't be fair to put the whole fiasco on KD's shoulders but when you're an A+++ superstar looking for a max deal, it kind of comes with the territory. I don't expect KD to go anywhere, but I don't think it's impossible.

Lacob isn't that crazy.

[GswStorm3]

GS is out in round 1 unless Curry comes back and is himself, regardless of opponent.

I hate to call you out but you have become quite pessimistic about this team since last season.

[cpower]

I want the Spurs

pop will destroy Kerr in PS

[Sam Lowry Jr]

If there's one silver lining to this recent "slump" is that its bringing posters out from the woodwork. Feels a little like 2012-2014 again for better or worse.

[The-Power]

Best to worst first-round match-ups are, imo:

NOP
DEN
SAS
MIN

Don't see the Pelicans taking us out even without Steph and with Davis putting up big numbers – the roster is too inexperienced, not deep enough and not talented enough. New Orleans has not been able to build a really good roster around Davis, and Davis himself is just not impactful enough to carry mediocre talent very far. He'll have impressive numbers and could easily steal a game or two with the support of Holiday and Mirotic, but I'd still prefer to face them over the alternatives.

Denver will be closer, imo, but they are young and have some exposable flaws. I see us winning this series as well, but they will probably take a couple games if they don't fold under the pressure. Jokic is great on offense but they will struggle defensively and I expect their movement-offense to struggle with the adjustment to postseason basketball. The games are probably going to be nice to watch and ultimately I believe our experience would decide the series.

San Antonio is going to be tough match-up even without Kawhi. They are incredibly well coached and despite the lack of talent, that team is just created to make it tough in the PS. On days where our shots are falling, I doubt they can keep up. But once our offense struggles they will be ready and score steadily enough to cause us problems. We are still favorites but it wouldn't surprise if that series got to seven games – and then everything is possible.

Minnesota has a talented leader in Butler who has played the best season of his career, and proven to be capable of given the Timberwolves a pretty high ceiling. It's obvious that the Timberwolves are a flawed team without him – Wiggins is just not good, Towns has defensive flaws and isn't always fully integrated into the offense, Teague is a mediocre PG and Gibson a valuable but limited role player. Thibs also doesn't trust his bench, and nobody is scared of Crawford or Rose. But add Butler to the mix and this is a really dangerous team, he has played at superstar level for them and Towns can be a serious problem for us if they use him properly (which I believe Butler will help with). If Butler proves to be at 100%, this series feels like it could go either way.

If I had to add the chances of advancing against these teams without Steph, I'd say that would be – in order – something like: 85%, 75%, 60% and 50%. With a fully healthy Steph, this would feel more like 75%-95% depending on the opponent (and I would actually prefer SAS over Denver, as the Spurs are very unlikely to be able to keep up with our offense with Curry available).

[CaptainMorgan78]

San Antonio is who I want to face in the first round.

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[CaptainMorgan78]

GS is out in round 1 unless Curry comes back and is himself, regardless of opponent.

You're out of your mind.

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[GS Warriors 1]

Spurs down 18 at the half. Looking like that's who it will be.

[Impuniti]

GS is out in round 1 unless Curry comes back and is himself, regardless of opponent.

Relax. Don't act like the general board. I'm sure the team will get it together.

[Little Digger]

Fire Lacob!

[Mylie10]

I want the Spurs

pop will destroy Kerr in PS

In what way? Lets bet

[floppymoose]

GS is out in round 1 unless Curry comes back and is himself, regardless of opponent.

I hate to call you out but you have become quite pessimistic about this team since last season.

Totally true. Of course, from my point of view, most of you have become starry eyed optimists.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

GS is out in round 1 unless Curry comes back and is himself, regardless of opponent.

I hate to call you out but you have become quite pessimistic about this team since last season.

Totally true. Of course, from my point of view, most of you have become starry eyed optimists.

Time to test out the "when they flip the switch they will be fine" theory.