The Golden State Warriors looked like they capped off the end of 2019 on a high note, winning four straight games — their longest win streak of the 2019-20 season. However, since the 2020 new year kicked off, the season couldn’t be more upside down for Golden State.
In a year riddled with losses, the Warriors have surpassed their season-high after their recent loss in Memphis. The Warriors were blown out by The Grizzlies 122-102 to seal their eighth consecutive loss. Golden State has yet to register a win since the calendar turned to 2020.
One of the bright spots during the Warriors struggles has been their second-year center, Omari Spellman. The Villanova product has had double digits scoring nights in six straight contests, good enough to earn him his first start as a member of Golden State.
Even with his steady play and growing role, Spellman is unsatisfied with Golden State’s losing streak. The former Atlanta Hawk spoke to the media after the Warriors’ loss to the Grizzlies and didn’t hold back when it came to his team’s performance in Memphis.
No effort. No intensity. No nothing. We just out there running, that’s it. Them being NBA basketball players, they hit us over the head, that’s all that happened.
Omari Spellman after the Warriors 20-PT loss to the Grizzlies
"No effort. No intensity. No nothing. We just out there running, that's it… We didn't play hard" pic.twitter.com/Qx9BLsR0B9
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) January 13, 2020
Grizzlies center, Jonas Valanciunas, racked up 31 points and 19 rebounds against the Golden State frontcourt. According to Spellman, it wasn’t the Memphis size that hurt the Warriors; it was due to the team not playing hard.
No, we didn’t play hard, he’s just taller than us — If you’re not playing hard and just standing there, that happens.
Spellman doesn’t have a solution to why the young Golden State club is lacked effort.
I don’t know — I really don’t, I’m too young to know stuff like that, but I know what I see.
Spelman will find out soon if his message resonated with the Warriors locker room as they will be challenged right away with Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks up next on the schedule. Following the Mavericks, the playoff-hopeful Denver Nuggets will travel to San Francisco.