The All-Star Break is over and now it's time to get back to business.
Warriors (31-22) vs Kings (18-35)
TV: CSN Bay Area | Radio: KNBR 680
Tip-Off: 7:00pm PST
Venue: Sleep Train Arena
Blog Buddy: Sactown Royalty
I hope you all enjoyed the All-Star break, but I've got some mixed feelings about the weekend. All-Star Sunday was a blast, but I have to say All-Star Saturday was quite frustrating. It was frustrating to see former Warrior Marco Belinelli (who I projected to be out of the NBA within 2-3 yrs) win the competition with 2 airballs and numerous clanks. (Isn't it amazing what the money ball can do for you?) It was even more frustrating to witness a potentially solid All-Star Dunk Contest turn into the worst one ever because of a silly format.
But moving on, now it's time for business. And by business I mean playoff business.
The Warriors come into tonight win with a 58.5% winning rate. Now anyone who lived through the Cohan-era of "It's a Great Time Out!" GSW hoops can definitely appreciate that. But with last season's success and the summer roster enhancements that's simply underachieving to many Warriors fans. Unless the team steps up in a major way post-All-Star break with a few bad bounces here and there, the Warriors could be back in the lottery. If that happens, expect some major consequences. Owner Joe Lacob will hold people accountable.
Don't miss my man Andy's preview of this upcoming 29 game stretch.
But taking it one game at a time, it all starts tonight against our NorCal rivals the Sacramento Kings. At 18 wins, it's easy to think the Kings are going to be an easy W for the Dubs. I think otherwise.
If he suits up tonight, I expect DeMarcus Cousins to have a dominant outing. Last time around he torched the Warriors for 24 points on only 13 shots. He proved to be too strong and agile for Andrew Bogut who is out tonight. Since Toronto sent him packing, Rudy Gay has been defying all inferential hoops statistics known to man. I'm not exactly eager to see what he's got tonight. Isaiah Thomas reminds me of a pesky little guy on NBA Jam who perennially has turbo on. These guys are better than their record indicates.
My Starting 4
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Here's my picks for tonight:
- Stephen Curry (10): I mean he did spend some good time with GSOM. Why wouldn't I start him tonight? See: Stephen Curry Talks to GSOM: Reflecting on being voted into 2014 NBA All-Star game by fans and what goes into draining 3's and crazy handles
- Andre Iguodala (5): Here's hoping some All-Star rest sets him up for a big second half.
- Jermaine O'Neal (3): With Andrew Bogut out, he'll be in the starting lineup tonight.
- Carl Landry (2): If only he cost less than Marreese Speights in real life.
Predictions
- Jermaine O'Neal parties like it's 2005 and drops 20 and 9.
- Marcus Thornton is not a Warrior Killer tonight.
- Warriors by 1 (Long time readers know what this means. I can't explain it, but something weird happens when these two teams square off.)