Klay Thompson – Warriors Huddle

July 2, 2024 — No Comments

A Tribute to All the Klays

Klay Thompson gave so much to the Golden State Warriors, and for that, Dub Nation must be forever grateful. Whether it is legendary performances on the court, or his paradoxically quietly larger than life personality off of it, the man was one of the heartbeats of a great NBA dynasty. Klay is my favorite basketball player. Of the 8 jerseys I own, 5 of them tout the 11th pick of the 2011 draft's name and signature number 11. While this parting may be a somber one, we should all celebrate all the ways Klay, and his various iterations enriched Warriors Basketball.

First, there was 37 points in a quarter Klay. This was the birth of the legend. On January 23, 2015, mere months before the Warriors announced themselves as THE TEAM with their first title, Klay lit up the Sacramento Kings in a third quarter will go down in history. In the 12-minute frame, Klay took 13 shots and made all 13. 9 of them were three pointers. Sacramento, as a team scored 22, in that period. Klay finished with a total of 52 that night, despite only paying for 2 and a half minutes in the fourth.

There was also Toaster Klay. In March 2017, Klay was at an autograph signing session when a fan presented him with a toaster to sign. Klay's puzzled reaction was captured on camera, and the photo instantly went viral.

Another memorable Klay was the birth of Headband Klay, aka NBA Record 14 Threes Klay. On October 30, 2018, Klay was in a funk. In the first seven games of the season, Klay had only 5 total three pointers made. He was shooting a ghastly 13.9% from beyond the arc and averaging a measly 15.1 points per game. That night in Chicago, however, he busted out of the slump in a big way. Klay scored 52 points in 27 minutes, making a still standing NBA record of 14 threes (on only 24 attempts). During this sizzling performance, Klay ended up with a laceration on his forehead, which necessitated that he wear a headband to cover the bandage. This was something very different for a player who, up until that point in his career was a no frills, no accessories, just show up and play player. Headband Klay would sit dormant until his return from his devastating leg injuries, but reappeared in 2022, just in time for the cherry on top title.

One of Klay's more memorable off court personas was China Klay. Coming off of the redemption that was the 2017 title, Klay took a trip to China after inking a ten year deal with Chinese shoe manufacturer, Anta. Quickly, the viral videos started, showing us a Klay that he had never really shown the world before. He was completely carefree and having a blast. From embarrassing failed dunk attempts to wild dance moves, Klay was having the time of his life, and we all loved seeing it.

There are also a handful of smaller glimpses into who the man Klay is on and off the court that are worth noting. There was 60 points on 11 dribbles. There was the interview he gave with a local New York City reporter about his t houghts on scaffolding. There was casual post-game beer Klay. There's his love of Rocco, his English Bulldog. And of course, his love of his boat, which he reportedly drove to practice often.

The Klay that Warriors fans love the most, however, is Game 6 Klay. This Klay came to life on May 29, 2016. The Warriors, who had just won an NBA record 73 regular season games, were down 3-2 (after being down 3-1) to Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Playing in OKC, it was do or die. The Warriors entered the 4th quarter down 8. Klay went on to outscore the entire Thunder team 19-18 in the frame as part of a 41 point performance and playoff record 11 threes in the game. Game 6 Klay would show up again in 2018 in the Western Conference Finals against the Rockets, scoring 35 points and hitting 64.3% of his threes in a win to tie the series at 3 apiece.

Then there was his most memorable Game 6: the 2019 Finals. It was a do-or-die Game 6. Through three quarters, Klay had 30 points on 8-12 shooting and was 4-6 beyond the arc. Then on a fast break dunk, Danny Green clipped him from behind. Klay landed awkwardly, tearing his ACL. Despite that, he came back onto the court to shoot the free throws and then tried to stay in the game. Unfortunately, the Warriors could not hold on without him in the 4th Quarter, losing the title and ending their run at Oracle Arena on a down note. But this night showed exactly who Klay was: willing to give everything to the franchise when the stakes were the highest, no matter what he could or could not do physically. And that is the Klay that we should all remember.

Admittedly, the last two years have not been the best for Klay with the Warriors. There have been more frustrating times than jaw-dropping moments. While I think we were all hoping the Splash Brothers would stay together through it all, I hope that Klay can find the peace and happiness that seemed to elude him since hoisting the Larry O'Brien in 2022. Because there is one Klay that is truly the best Klay: Joyful Klay. That is the Klay that brings out all the other Klays mentioned above. So, for all of Dub Nation, thank you, Klay Thompson, and here is hoping you find the best Klay.

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Klay Thompson

April 17, 2024 — No Comments

It’s Time

By: Matt Anderson

The Golden State Warriors have missed the playoffs three times in the last five years.

This year's team sealed that stat with a complete no-show in Sacramento last night. While the "vibes" may have been better, the fact that that 2023-2024 Warriors were a ten seed proved the adage that if you are standing still, you're moving backwards. The same is going to be true this offseason. Oklahoma City, Houston, and Memphis are all going to be better next season. Denver, Minnesota, Dallas, Phoenix, New Orleans, and the Clippers are not going anywhere. That's ten teams right there. We don't even have to mention the Kings (who just thumped us) or the Lakers, who might take a step back due to player movement/age but could be just as good next year. It also does not factor in the Spurs taking a giant leap after year 1 of the Victor Wembanyama experience.

Last night's flame out is just another in a season-long line of signals that a drastic change is necessary for this franchise (and which your humble scribe has pointed out many times now). Afterwards, Stephen Curry told The Ringer: "I want to win. Plain and simple. It's not my job to make all of those decisions, but it's my job to hold people accountable...." This is as close to acting like Lebron that Steph will ever get, and it is telling he's reached that point. Whatever team employs 30 should be challenging for a title, and if they aren't they are doing him a disservice. And Steph is telling Joe Lacob and Mike Dunlevy, Jr. that.

It is now the front office's job to respond to that message. There are only two responses that will be acceptable here. The first, and the one with a percentage chance that is infinitesimally small, would be to ship Steph to a contender and start a full-scale rebuild. I'll say it again for the people in the back: that is not happening. The other response will be to do whatever it takes to win another title with Stephen Curry. Not win another title with Steph and Klay. Not win another title with Steph and Dray. Not win another title with Steph and Wiggins. Not win another title with Steph and anyone. It is Steph and Steph alone that matters.

There have been two massive problems plaguing this team since 2022. The first is inconsistency. Practically every player not named Steph is a yo-yo player. Some nights they look like they are absolutely critical to the success of the team. The next, you wonder why they are even playing. For some of these players, that is just the consequence of being young and inexperienced in the NBA (e.g., Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Brandin Podziemski) . For others, it's the consequence of being old in the NBA (see, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, Kevon Looney). Some, this inconsistency is because of their availability (like Draymond, or Gary Payton II). Others, it is baffling like Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody (though that is less on him and more on Steve Kerr).

The second problem is that there is no second. This last month of the season, Steph looked exhausted more times than he should. For the current iteration of this team, given the discussed inconsistencies, Steph, at 36 years old, has to carry a massive scoring and creating load. If this team is going to be successful in the near-term, they need to find a second player who can take the ball and make the offense go. This is obviously easier said than done, given the financial state of the team. And that is what is going to make this summer so difficult for the front office and Warriors fans.

Moves have to be made. And some of those moves are going to have to be painful. One of the most frustrating things about this past season was the feeling that if we could just get everyone playing at a B+ or better, this team would be great. But the sample size is large enough to see that most of our players cannot be a B+ or better every night. And that makes life exhausting for the only A+ on the roster. I love Klay Thompson. He is my favorite Warrior ever. But the team really needs to think long and hard about how much his dwindling talent and lack of ability to show up in the post season is worth. Draymond may be the heartbeat of the team, but Dunleavy needs to consider whether we want to keep playing with that fire or if we sell while he's sellable. GP2 is a great story, but is his unavailability a problem? Kuminga took a leap this year, and we need to figure out if that leap should be parlayed into someone who can contribute to a title right now.

All of this must be done with the backdrop of the new financial rules. Ducking the second apron is a must. Getting out of the tax would be phenomenal. But the over all goal has to be clear: these moves have been made to win a title.

Published by Matt Anderson in Uncategorized

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Joe Lacob, Jonathan Kuminga, Klay, Klay Thompson, Moses Moody, Stephen Curry

March 27, 2024 — No Comments

Play-In Placebo

By Matt Anderson

As of publication, the Golden State Warriors have a one game lead (plus the tiebreaker) over the hard-charging Houston Rockets (winners of 9 of their last 10 games) for the tenth and final spot in the NBA's Play-In Tournament. The Warriors have been slumping since Stephen Curry went out with an ankle injury at the end of the March 7 game against the Bulls. The team went 1-3 without him (including an embarrassing 13 point loss to at Spurs team without Victor Wembanyama or Devin Vassell at Chase Center). They have gone 3-3 since he's been back. Those three losses: a listless performance against an undermanned Knicks, a no-show in a must-win against the Pacers, and another blown fourth quarter lead in Minneapolis.

A few weeks ago, Dub Nation was doing the math on getting a sixth seed. Now, we are crossing our fingers and toes hoping the team has just enough gas left in the tank to hold off a young and hungry Houston team. For what, though? To go to Crypto.com Arena and have the season ended by Lebron James and the Lakers? To maybe win two play-in games on the road for the privilege of being swept by a Denver team that doesn't sweat to beat the Warriors anymore?

Some may argue that this team has a puncher's chance because they have Steph Curry or that any playoff-like experience will help youngsters like Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, or Trayce Jackson-Davis. And that may be true (at least the latter part). But getting the 10 seed might also do more harm than good.

Two years ago, the Warriors hoisted their fourth banner in eight years. It was my favorite title because it proved so many nay-sayers wrong, particularly with regards to Steph's ability to lead a team to the promised land. But since that title we have had: The Punch, Wiggins disappearing (literally and figuratively), Klay struggling with his mortality; more Draymond violence; Steph injuries; Chris Paul injuries; and, most importantly, the unfortunate sudden passing of Dejan Milojevic. Then there is also the phenomenon of players/teams who can't hit the broadside of a barn from three lighting us up, or 8th men having career nights against us, or countless games blown at the last minute.

It seems that since the confetti dropped in TD Garden in June 2022, the Warriors have had rotten luck. But, nearly two years is not bad luck. And to quote the late great Obi Wan Kenobi: "in my experience, there's no such thing as luck." At some point that "bad luck" is not bad luck, but the result of organizational failures. Failure to understand the role of big men in today's NBA. Failure to timely develop younger players. Failure to adopt a defensive scheme that accounts for improved three-point shooting. Failure to play with consistency or urgency. From top to bottom, the Warriors have had a hand in their own demise.

A postseason appearance could cloud an honest self assessment. Last year's whimper of a title defense was chalked up to bad vibes. This year the vibes have been, by all accounts, great. Yet, the team is essentially performing the same. I wrote back in December that the franchise was at a turning point, and some of the issues were addressed. But, it turns out, those issues were only the start of the problem, because the new configuration of the team is just as inconsistent and lackadaisical as the old. The franchise needs a rude awakening, and missing the post season entirely could be just that. It will force the club to declare its intentions for the next half decade. Will the push every button and flip every lever to put a team around Steph worthy of competing for a fifth ring? Will they ride Steph, Klay, and Dray into a sunset of mediocrity? Or will they close the book on the Dynasty and begin building the next iteration of this team?

As a fan, I want this team to clearly message what it is doing. Without tough introspection, I fear they will continue to flail around hoping that small moves on the edges will somehow drastically change the .500 team we've watched the last two years. That's why missing the play-in and the sugar coating it would allow might be the best thing for the Warriors. Anything that would give the front office, coaching staff, or players to hide from their roles in the recent mediocrity is bad for the team.

The current version of the Warriors is very far away from being a Western Conference Finals team, much less a champion. Consequently, marginal moves are unlikely to change that. So if missing the play-in is what it takes to convince every level of the organization to make the big moves necessary to put us back into contention, then that is a good thing.

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Joe Lacob, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry

January 8, 2024 — No Comments

SOS: Trades to Save Our Season

By: Matt Anderson

In the midst of a disastrous homestand that saw the Golden State Warriors barely squeak by the worst NBA team of all time, the Detroit Pistons, and put up a putridly atrocious performance against a mediocre Toronto Raptors team, it is clear that this team is going nowhere fast. The Dubs are 17-19, sitting outside the play-in picture at 11th. Compounding matters, they don't have their first-round 2024 pick this year unless it's in the top 4. But there are 11 teams with a worse record than them, so it would take a lottery miracle to jump that high.

Currently the team is plagued by underachievement, an inability to play defense (especially in transition), reckless turnovers, and a coaching staff that is still too stubborn to bench the shitty veterans in favor of young players who are actually playing well.* As I wrote a month ago, things need to change. The difference now is that it is clear this roster is not going to make those changes as currently constructed.

*Here's a fun stat: Jonathan Kuminga has never played 30 minutes or more in consecutive games as a Warrior, despite being the second best player on the team this year.

We are officially one month from the trade deadline, so now is the time to put together some fake trades that might save the season, or at the least, begin to set the table for a better 2024-2025 campaign. Here are some of those fake trades.

Finally Do the Siakam Deal

It feels like the Pascal Siakam to the Warriors rumor has been circulating for a while. After the OG Anuoby trade, people seem to think Toronto are sellers. Here's the best version of that trade from the Warriors prospective would look like:

Warriors get: Pascal Siakam

Raptors get: Chris Paul's expiring and JK

In theory, this is a great trade. Siakam has been an All-Star/All NBA caliber player in the past. He can score, play defense, and has been in some big games. In practice, I hate this trade. First, Siakam is an expiring who will want max money. So, this is probably a four month rental that puts the Warriors as a second round playoff team at best. Siakam cannot shoot anymore (sub 30% on 3s on almost 4 attempts per game), so fitting him next to Draymond (assuming Draymond doesn't get suspended for the rest of the year) is tough. You also don't really help the log jam of players that is messing up the rotations. Giving up on Kuminga for this just does not feel worth it to me.

Raid the Bulls

Part of the Warriors' problem this year is they are middling on both offense and defense. Steph has to be everything for this team to score, and he's about to be 36. One solution would be to get him a guy who can score score score to lighten the load. That's where we get the Zach LaVine trade. But I don't think LaVine moves the needle a ton for this team, so why not get a proven defender from a team that is (theoretically) selling off assets.

Warriors get: LaVine and Alex Caruso

Bulls get: CP3, JK, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II

This trade also clears out the rotational problems. You get a proven scorer in LaVine who might live up to his contract in a Steph-centered environment. You also get Caruso who can take CP3's place leading the second unit, shoots the ball decently well, and has the size and grit to lock down perimeter players. The Warriors may have to part with some draft capital to make this work, but given LaVine's massive contract and the fact that the entire Chicago organization seems to be done with him, it might not be as heavy of a draft sell as one may think.

Get a Two-Way Wiz

The Washington Wizards have proven to be a team that will deal with the Warriors. They are clearly going nowhere, and the Jordan Poole/Kyle Kuzma combo is not reaping huge benefits. So, maybe they will want to help their rebuild by dealing with the Dubs again.

Warriors get: Kyle Kuzma

Wizards get: JK, Moody, GP2, and Kevon Looney

That is a lot of players for Kuzma. But the Warriors have too many players (especially underperforming/injured vets like Loon and GP2). Kuzma is a great defender and has the IQ and offensive game that would flourish in the Warriors' movement-based system.

Hope Utah Says "Fuck it, let's bail"

It is really unclear what Utah's long-term plan is for their roster. They have a ton of draft capital and some great young pieces. It could be debated that 26 year old Lauri Markkanen is an excellent piece to build around. But at the same time, he's not going to be the best player on a championship team. So, maybe the Jazz are willing to part with him? If so, here's how the Warriors could get him:

Warriors get: Markkanen

Jazz get: JK, Moody, Loon, 2025 pick swap, 2026 first rounder (with light protections), 2028 first rounder

Markkanen immediately adds size and skill to this team. He can stretch the floor, so he and Draymond can play together well. Shipping out three players would also firm up the rotations. You would have the clear starting unit of Steph, Klay, Wiggins, Drayond, Lauri and a closing group based on Steph, Draymond, Lauri, and whoever the matchup dictated. You'd keep CP3 to help TJD, Pods, and Saric continue their great form. In all, this would be a huge win for the Warriors. The problem is, however, that if Markkanen were available, there's a team that could probably beat that offer.

Wild Swing for the Fences

This is the most unlikely trade here, but I think of it as a bit of a masterpiece. The Brooklyn Nets are in limbo right now. They have some talented players on their roster, and for a hot second it looked like they had their centerpiece in Mikal Bridges. But, this year has shown that maybe Bridges is not a number one guy. He's maybe a second guy. What if the Nets decide to cash in while his stock is relatively high and get younger. Then the Warriors could offer a pretty good package that would help the Nets both get younger and clear out some guys who aren't on that young timeline:

Warriors get: Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Nic Claxton's expiring

Nets get: CP3, Looney, JK, Moody, a 2025 pick swap, 2026 first round, 2027 pick swap, 2028 first round

This is a real swing for the fences. It mortgages the entire future for win-now pieces. Bridges is young compared to our core, but he's about to enter his prime. DFS is the perfect 3 and D piece for the Warriors' system. Claxton adds size and athleticism we have not had since JaVale McGee. The Nets get off of long-term money for guys who are nearing 30 by bringing in two guys under 22 who can play with Cam Thomas and Day'Ron Sharpe, the Nets more promising young guys. They tried a quick reset in the wake of the Kyrie/Harden/KD fiasco, but this really lets them go into a youth/talent centered rebuild with additional draft capital to work with. Is this trade likely? No. But it would be exactly what is needed to give this Warriors team life over the next two years.

Photo credit: Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Klay Thompson, Moses Moody, Stephen Curry

December 4, 2023 — 1 Comment

Quarter Season Check-In: Two Roads

By: Matt Anderson

We are twenty games and practically a quarter of the way through the 2023-24 NBA season, which is an excellent time to perform a high-level diagnoses of how the Warriors are doing. Let's start with the hard numbers: they are 9 and 11, 11th in the West. They have an offensive rating of 114.8 (13th), a defensive rating of 114.4 (16th), and a net rating of +0.3 (17th). These numbers are a pretty apt descriptor of a very "meh" performance by the team so far this year.

As listeners to the popular soccer podcast, Men in Blazers, know, there is a German word for "turning point," Wendepunkt. It feels, a quarter of the way through the season that the franchise is at its Wendepunkt. The team started 6-2 despite a brutal schedule that saw them play 8 games in 7 different cities with two back-to-backs thrown in for good measure. They also survived either the literal or figurative absence of Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. Since then, the team is 3-9 and has blown leads of 17, 24, and 22 to teams they allegedly will be competing with for a playoff spot. This recent nosedive in performance has prompted the question: Do the Warriors stay true and loyal to the core that won them three titles, regardless of the results, out of respect and reverence? Or is it time to make some people uncomfortable in the hopes of securing another banner?

This Warriors team is older, smaller, less athletic, and slower, than most teams in the NBA. Where they will win is savvy, guile, and experience. So far, however, they have not utilized that advantage. They still turn the ball over way too much. They still foul too much. Many would say that the fouling issue is due to the lack of athleticism, but I would argue they are smart enough to defend without fouling despite that deficit. The problem is that it is the veterans who have been just as guilty as the youngsters of these issues. And this could be where Coach Steve Kerr's philosophy of yanking younger players at the slightest whiff of a mistake has started to act like a double-edged sword. It has conditioned the likes of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to make smart plays and hustle plays. But at the same time, it has given Steph, Klay, Dray, and Wiggins a greenlight to play however they would like with no fear of consequences. This has led to sloppy turnovers, selfish shot-hunting, lack of hustle, and unhinged behavior on the part of a certain veteran.

For years, this reliance on the vets was a sound strategy; they were simply better than the younger players. But for the first time, that may not be the case. Moody, JK, and Brandin Podziemski have all shown that they are strong, capable players willing to do the little things for the team to succeed. They fight hard every possession and execute well when given the opportunities. Yet, as the recent flameout versus Sacramento showed, that might not matter. Moody had a hot hand as the game tightened, yet he was still taken out in favor of a veteran who provided precisely zero points in the fourth quarter. This not only may have cost the Warriors a much-needed win, but undermined the entire Steve Kerr philosophy of "close with the players of have earned it that night."

It is clear that something needs to change with this Warriors team if the goal is to win as many titles as possible. Is that a trade? Maybe, but that is some very complicated calculus that depends on a lot of factors outside of the team's control (namely, the willingness of another team to make a deal). There are, however, things the team can control that could provide that Wendepunkt. It starts with having tough conversations with the veterans. They need to know they will be held accountable for their detrimental actions, that they are not untouchable. Many have speculated that the team cannot do that because, for example, Klay's ego is too fragile. The man, who is known for his Game 6 do-or-die heroics, who has won four titles, and who has come back from two absolutely devastating leg injuries does not have a fragile ego. People claiming he is not tough enough to handle tough love and demanding standards are not giving him nearly enough credit. Similarly with Draymond, he may think he is untouchable after getting a new contract post-punch. But if his antics continue to be toxic, the team can bench him, and he has no recourse. No team will trade for him; so, it will be shape up or sit down.

In short, if the Warriors want to have even a faint shot at a title, they need to make drastic changes led by their veterans. They need to put all of their energies into playing the smartest, most connected basketball they can. Because they will need every ounce of experience and familiarity to make up for the clear lack of ability to physically match the best teams in the league. They showed they can do it back in 2022. The question remains as to whether that was the last gasp for this group, or if a change in how they've played the last 1.25 seasons can bear the same fruit.

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Joe Lacob, Jonathan Kuminga, Klay Thompson, Moses Moody, Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr

October 20, 2023 — 1 Comment

Season Preview: Three Players to Watch

By: Matt Anderson

We are days away from the start of the 2023-2024 Golden State Warriors season. The Dubs are, by most experts, a team that has a puncher's chance to win a title (at best). The Western Conference is talented and deep. The Warriors are going to hope that last year's malaise was an aberration caused by the chemistry shattering punch and that the offseason moves fix the vibes. Given the schedule, the team better hope that the road woes were a result of relying too much on youth and inexperience and not some new reality. If this team has another slow start, they could be looking at a hole that is too deep to climb out of.

Many outlets have their season previews. Here at The Warriors Huddle, we wanted to do one that does not tread the same path as the others. Instead of looking at this year's squad as a whole, we wanted to focus on three players to watch, using that as our frame to talk about this season's prospects. Without further ado, here's that list:

1. Klay Thompson - One of the core dynastic pieces is the only one left without a contract for next year. There was hope a few weeks ago that a deal would get done, and indeed, Klay gave an interview to The Athletic's Anthony Slater suggesting a new contract was not something that would be an issue. A few days ago, however, Klay posted an Instagram story set to Tupac's "Me Against the World." That was concerning, especially since it came on the heels of a Woj report that contract talks had stalled. While it may be true that Klay will not be a locker room malcontent if he does not enter the season with a new deal (and talks have seemed to stall in the last few days), that does not mean it won't have a negative impact on the team. Last season saw three phases of Klay: atrocious, amazing, then atrocious again. Many are chalking the atrocious stretches up to his lack of playing basketball in the offseason (came in rusty, ran out of gas). But, those people forget the other piece of that atrocious start. Does the name Charles Barkley ring a bell? What about Klay showing Devon Booker four fingers after getting roasted by Booker so bad it led to a Klay ejection? During that opening 3-7 stretch of the season last year, one of the problems was that Klay was playing for Klay. He was not playing within the offense and, instead, appeared to be trying to prove the haters that he was still Klay.

It will be interesting to see how Klay's motivation for getting a new contract presents itself. Will we see the Klay from the start of last year, trying to prove he was still KLAY, chucking shots, playing selfishly, and being an overall negative to the on-court product? Or, will he be motivated to show his value to the Warriors? Will he play within the offense, raise his defensive game, and generally be the overwhelming positive that he was December through March? If he's the latter, not only will he get the contract he wants (or close to it) from the Warriors, but the team will be very successful. If he's the latter, he might get the contract he wants (but from someone else) despite the fact that the team under achieves for the second straight year.

2. Andrew Wiggins - Listeners to the Huddle will not be new to the importance of Wiggins this year. Our esteemed host beat me to this take a few episodes back. But in the run-up to the season, not many people seem to be talking about Wiggins and his role on the team. He missed 37 games last year, and that two-way force was severely missed. Between injuries and his family issues, Wiggins never really had a chance to show that his 2022 playoff form was the new norm. And for the Warriors' sake, we have to hope it is. Wiggins' offensive role has always been fairly consistent: he doesn't need to be electric just steady. While people forget about it, there is little worry he can't continue that from the start this year. Instead, it is the defensive end where Wiggs will need to show that 2022 magic. The key to every Warriors championship has been the team's defense. Right now, it is hard to see how this team will reach that same defensive competency of the title teams.

Instead, it looks like this team will be the middle of the road defense it was last year. Yes, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney are about as good of a backline as you will find in the NBA. Where the Warriors have concerns is on the perimeter. Klay used to be the guy who could lock down the best perimeter player on the opposing team. Steph, while incredibly underrated as a defender, cannot be tasked with being the primary scorer and ball stopper. Chris Paul will be an improvement over the prior Number 3, but the 38 year old 6' guard has his limitations. The job of locking down the perimeter will be given to Wiggins, Gary Payton III, and Jonathan Kuminga. The team will need Wiggins to do what he did to Luka and Tatum back in May/June 2022 if it wants to have any semblance of a top-10 defense. Furthermore, if Wiggins can tap back into the rebounding that was so crucial in that run (especially on the offensive glass), the team will be poised for a much more successful campaign than last time out.

3. Moses Moody - Much has been made of Kuminga making a third-year leap, and the Huddle expects that he will. But overlooked is JK's draft mate: Moses Moody. In his first two years in the league, Moody has started the season as an afterthought/end of the bench guy. The man, however, stays ready. Whenever given the opportunity, he performs. He hits his shots, he defends, he plays solid basketball. As a result, by the end of each year, he makes prominent postseason contributions.

Right now, when everyone is healthy, Moody is probably the fifth guard in the rotation. So, again he is an afterthought. If he can do what he has done the last few years in seizing every opportunity, it could be invaluable to this team. In all likelihood, Steph, Klay, and CP3 will sit a not insignificant number of games. If Moody can be the Moody we have seen at the end of each year each time he has to step in for one of them, the team will survive their absences. Moses' career per 36 are 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists. There was a player who was key to the Warriors' 2022 title whose per 36 were 13-9-2. Like Moody, he was a 36-37% three point shooter. He was also a stout defender. That man was, Otto Porter Jr. The Warriors really missed a player like that last year. And while Moody's rebounding so far has not been quite as good as OPJ's, it is very realistic to think Moody could take that role. At 6'6 with a 7'1 wingspan, Moody could be a solid defender of 2s, 3s, and 4s and a guy who hits the open three when passed the ball. If Moody can do that, this Warriors' team will be a tough one to beat on a night-to-night basis

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors, Klay, Klay Thompson, Moses Moody, Season Preview

September 28, 2023 — No Comments

Jrue to the Dubs?

By: Matt Anderson

The dust from yesterday's block busting, Woj bomb of Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks has not even settled yet, but the NBA coconut telegraph is already starting to speculate on what happens to Jrue Holiday. Holiday was a key piece of the deal for salary purposes, going to Portland, where his veteran presence has already been deemed surplus. It makes sense, the Blazers are looking to start fresh around the trio of Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and number two pick Scoot Henderson. Holiday, who is set to make at least $36.8 million this coming season, would either disrupt the development of those three or provide a level of competency that would push Portland closer to the playoffs than the lottery (which is presumably where they are trying to be as part of the rebuild). Also, earlier this year, Holiday told Andre Iguodala's Point Forward Podcast that he was considering retirement after his contract expires in 2025. One has to imagine that means Holiday is in win-now mode, not help a(nother) franchise rebuild. As a result, the scuttlebutt is that the Blazers will be looking to offload Holiday to a contender.

Indeed, one prominent NBA writer has already speculated that the Warriors would (or should) be in the market for the 33 year-old defensive menace. In a vacuum, a trade for Holiday makes sense for the Dubs. They have the pieces to make it work in Chris Paul's $30.8 million and Jonathan Kuminga's $6.0 million. Holiday is five years younger, is an exponentially better defender, and is not the kind of player to ask a reporter if "[she] coaching." Holiday could slot into the second unit as an excellent offensive facilitator and lock down the best guards in the league. His two-way skills would be crucial on a nightly basis, especially in the playoffs. Golden State also would not have to worry about overburdening him on offense because the team could always pair him with Steph, Klay, or Wiggins. On paper, it seems like a great idea.

But in reality, it just does not seem to be in the Warriors' best interest. Part of the reason the team traded Jordan Poole for Chris Paul was financial: Paul's contract for next year is totally non-guaranteed until the end of June. Ducking the second apron and re-signing Klay are the team's top two off-court priorities between now and next summer, and having the flexibility to completely shed $30 million in salaries is a key piece of that. Holiday, on the other hand, has a player option for $39.4 million next summer. If the Dubs acquired him, then one of two things happens. One: he opts in because he played so poorly he can't get a better deal in a incredibly weak free agent class. In this scenario, the Dubs not only would probably not want him, it would probably foreclose any Klay contract (barring an incredibly steep discount or truly horrible season by Klay). Two: he opts out and the Warriors cannot afford to keep him (or are forced to choose between him and Klay). At least with CP3, given his age, there is a small chance that the team can waive the final year of his contract and convince him to take a deal that allows them to still sign Klay.

There are other important reasons why trading for Jrue would not be the best idea. The Warriors have done a lot of work over the summer to integrate Paul into the team. The players, coaches, and front office have fully embraced one of Dub Nation's most hated rivals. Similarly, the team has gone to great lengths to pump up Kuminga in an effort to not only maximize the player, but also shed the label that they cannot develop talent. Trading CP3 and JK now undoes all of that. Remember in 2017 when the Celtics traded Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving after Thomas led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals on a bad hip and after his sister unexpectedly died? The ruthlessness of that trade affected the Celtics' ability to lure stars for years afterwards. If the Warriors punt on James Wiseman, Jordan Poole (after being a key piece to a title and getting punched by Draymond), CP3 (who has not even put on the jersey yet), and Kuminga in a seven-month span, that might have the same deleterious effects to the organization. And everything we have seen since Lacob took over is that the Golden State Warriors want to be seen as a player-friendly organization.

So, while Jrue Holiday would be an excellent fit in Golden State, fans need to remember that this is not 2k. There are real life, bigger picture ramifications for every move. For those reasons, I would urge Warriors fans to temper their expectations regarding any blockbuster trades in the near future.

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday, Klay, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry

June 23, 2023 — 1 Comment

Warriors Free Agency Primer

By: Matt Anderson

Wow. Yesterday was one of the wildest days Warriors fans have experienced in the Lacob era. Gone are Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin, Jr., and Ryan Rollins. In are <gulp> Chris Paul, Brandin Poziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. These moves were as much about roster and salary management as they were about basketball. But that is not why we are here today. We are here to look at how Mike Dunleavy, Jr. and Co. are going to fill out the roster.

As we have seen the last few years, these seemingly marginal moves can make all the difference in the outcome of the season. Two years ago, the Dubs absolutely nailed the Otto Porter, Nemanja Bjelica, Gary Payton III signings, and we won the title. Last year, was 50/50: Donte DiVincenzo was great; JaMychal Green, not so much. As a result, the Warriors had to rely too much on players who simply were not ready to play that kind of role on a championship team.

As of writing this, the Warriors officially have eight players under contract for next year. The hope is that number will be nine in the coming days, with Draymond Green deciding to re-sign with the team. It would be fantastic for DDV to take his player option, but he will probably command offers higher than $4.725 million. We can also bank on the two draftees signing roster contracts. In all likelihood, the Dubs will keep their 15th roster spot open to help save some tax money. Thus, we can realistically look at three free agent signings and two two-way signings. Though, if years past tell us anything, those two-way contracts won't be finalized until the last minute. Furthermore, the due to the new collective bargaining agreement, the Warriors can only sign players to veteran minimums. So, without further ado, here are some players that Warriors should try to sign.

T.J. Warren: Warren fits the OPJ model of player with immense talent that has been held back by injuries the last few years. Starting with the 2020-2021 season, Warren has played 4, 0, and 42 games. But when he's right, he's a great scorer and could slot in nicely in the second unit. In theory, he could replace a good portion of JP's scoring output.

Lonnie Walker IV: He shot 45/37/86, meaning he would be another possible JP second unit scorer replacement. He's not much of a rebounder or a defender, though. And we all know Steve Kerr expects that the bench players to do the little things if they want playing time. Also, signing him might be the Doc Rivers mistake of signing someone just because they had a good playoff game against you.

Austin Rivers: Speaking of the Rivers family.... Look, if we are going to sign players Dub Nation hates, why not catch 'em all. The younger Rivers is still a good defender and a respectable shooter. Kerr loves vets with high IQ, and Austin Rivers is one of those.

Frank Kamisky: Kamisky is another savvy player who does the little things. An eight-year vet who was once a top ten pick? He fits the Warriors mold of being able to coax production out of players many gave up on (see Wiggins, Andrew). As a bonus, Kamisky shot the three well last year after years of flirting with the ability to stretch the floor.

Dario Saric: Saric would be another "Celebrini" signing: a player that has been hampered by injuries recently that the Warrirors bank on thriving health-wise under Rick Celebrini's care. While he played the lowest minutes per game of his career last year, Saric shot 46/39/83. Add in his basketball IQ, and he could be a great back-up big.

Wenyen Gabriel: Gabriel is a tazmanian devil, playing with energy and heart. What he lacks in skill, he makes up for in hustle. Could he play a role like Javale McGee played for the Warriors? I think so.

Rodney McGruder: McGruder is a tough, hardnosed guard who had to scrap his way into the league. He came up through Miami, so he has that "Heat Culture" background. As a result, he does all the little things right, including playing tenacious defense. And while last year he was a great three point shooter, he's only been an average shooter through his career.

Torrey Craig: Craig might command more than a vet minimum, but if the Warriors could get him, that would be a steal. He stretches the floor, rebounds, and defends well, which would be perfect as a backup to Kevon Looney. He does, however, have a tendency to make head scratching plays, which we all know can get a player glued to Kerr's bench.

Yuta Watanabe: It's incredible that a guy who is under 30, shot over 40% from three, and is a plus defender is not only available, but projected to be a vet minimum player. Putting him on the floor with Steph and Klay would give him more open looks than he could ever dream of.

The Known Quantities: The Dubs could also bring back players we know all about. Last year, the vibes were off. Who better to reset that locker room than Juan Toscano-Anderson or Damion Lee? Why not roll the dice and see if Lester Quinones' fantastic G-League season was a fluke? I'm sure there are many in Dub Nation who would hate these moves, but they have some upside (and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for JTA).

Published by Matt Anderson in Blog

Tags: Draymond Green, Joe Lacob, Jordan Poole, Klay, Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry

March 5, 2023 — No Comments

Klay Thompson Isn’t Back – He’s Better.

It was November 18, 2022.

In a hard-fought 111-101 win over the New York Knicks, Klay Thompson chalked up 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting. This would be just the first time he had shot ≥50% from the floor in the 2022-2023 season.

Following a disheartening loss to conference rivals in Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns two nights prior, Draymond Green had called a team meeting to address some festering elephants in the room. And, as rumor has it, Klay’s selfish play was the main topic of discussion. Draymond is the only human outside of fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry that could look Klay in the face and tell him he’s playing like a selfish asshole. Something clicked. Draymond’s harsh, but needed words sparked an efficient night from Klay that saw him being intentional in his shot selection, while allowing the game to come to him — two areas that had been absent in all of his prior games this season.

Fortunately, this was the beginning of something truly special. After a slow build of solid and selfless performances over the next five weeks, Klay showed out in vintage fashion, exploding for 54 points in a double over-time thriller versus Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks. If you watched this game, you remember his step-back three to put the Dubs up two points with 20 seconds left in the first OT. After the shot fell through the basket, Klay turned around and powered his fist through the air, smiting the demons and silencing the haters that had been clouding his headspace all season long.

That victory over the Hawks came on the second day of January — a month that proved to be dominant for Klay, as he posted 27ppg -- a new career high. Had you told this to one of the many fans that demanded a trade locked and his head on a stick earlier in the season, they would have scoffed at you. But this Klay was different. It was as though the weight of his injuries, personal struggles, and team-wide woes and frustrations had been valiantly lifted off of his shoulders — by no one other than himself. The month-long stretch breathed new life into Klay, re-establishing his self-confidence and enabling him to settle into a comfortable groove.

Then, in February, we saw a new version of Klay. Not the “Killa Klay” of old that everyone had been wishing for, but a refined offensive machine boasting fresh layers and developments to his game that were never present – even in previous champion runs. Isolation off-the-dribble threes, pump-fakes after penetration to draw contact (Klay shooting free-throws?!), cerebral passes to teammates in situations you may have expected him to live out his “shooters shoot” mentality, and consistent rebounding efforts by the 6'6" shooting guard have given the Dubs the edge they need in a season that has been frustratingly average.

Most importantly, Klay’s well-rounded performances could not have possibly come at a better time. With Steph Curry’s injury in early February, Klay has become a much-needed leader and playmaker for four consecutive weeks. In this span, his newfound offensive bag has been on full display, conveying a more mature and deliberate approach to the game. The best part is that these developments have come in addition to — not in place of — his prowess as the second-best shooter of all time. At 25.5ppg in February, Klay recorded his second-best scoring month, behind only January’s new career-high. Klay’s performance in 2023 has been remarkable -- and it’s the best version we have seen of the 6'6" sniper’s veteran career.

Steph and Andre Iguodala are set to make their return in today’s matchup @ the Los Angeles Lakers (30-34), and the Dubs are sitting at four games over .500 (34-30) for the first time this season, good for sole possession of 5th in the West. Poised to carry their momentum from a perfect 5-0 homestand to the upcoming road trip, Klay Thompson’s sensational play has perfectly positioned the Dubs to make a huge push to close out the regular season.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed, consider following @tannergardner_ and @WarriorsHuddle on Twitter.

Published by Tanner Gardner | @tannergardner_ on Twitter in Blog

Tags: Andre Igaudola, Klay, Klay Thompson, Lakers, Steph Curry