Tag: Golden State

Omari Spellman critical of Warriors after ‘no effort’ loss in Memphis

Omari Spellman didn’t shy away from being critical of the Golden State Warriors during their eight-game losing streak.

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.

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.

Warriors losing streak grows to season high with Memphis loss, 122-102

D’Angelo Russell’s return to the Golden State Warriors lineup wasn’t enough to end their losing streak, falling 122-102 in Memphis

The return of D’Angelo Russell to the Golden State Warriors’ rotation came when the team needed him most. The Dubs were riding a seven-game losing streak and desperately needed the scoring of the former All-Star. However, the 23-year-old’s 34-point night against the Memphis Grizzlies wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. 

The Grizzlies handed the Warriors a 122-102 loss in Memphis, dropping Golden State’s losing streak to a season-high eight games. 

The Golden State Warriors battled the thriving Grizzlies for 36-minutes, but the 12-minute third quarter was where this game was decided. At halftime, the Warriors only trailed the Grizzlies by one point, but a 35-17 third quarter from Memphis put this game out of reach for the understaffed Dubs.  

Grizzlies center, Jonas Valanciunas, scored 15 of his 31 points in the third quarter alone. Valanciunas added 19 rebounds and two blocks, nine of Lithuanian’s boards came off the offensive glass.  

Things won’t get any easier for Golden State on their losing streak with games against the Western Conference playoff-hopeful Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets next up on the schedule. 

The return of D-Loading

Russell returned to the Warriors’ lineup in Memphis after missing the previous six games with a shoulder injury. In his first game action of the 2020 new year, he did not disappoint.

After only scoring one point in the first quarter, the Ohio State product ended his night with 34 points, adding seven rebounds and four assists. Russell shot 12-of-24 from the field, including five makes from beyond the arc.

Omari Spellman stays hot

Omari Spellman started his second straight game for the Golden State Warriors and continued his impressive play. After scoring 12 against the Memphis Grizzlies, Spellman’s now registered six consecutive scoring nights of 10 or more points. Over those six games, Spellman has shot 15-of-24 from 3-point range, good enough for 62.5 % from beyond the arc. 

Clippers Patrick Beverley says Steph Curry is ‘like a brother’

Patrick Beverley shared the story of his and Stephen Curry’s long relationship from the time they college roommates, to rivals in the NBA.

Southern California versus Northern California will always be a rivalry no matter what it comes too. Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Rams versus San Francisco 49ers. Who has worse traffic or who has better burritos? All pertinent questions that will be debated between California natives for centuries.

When it comes to basketball, the Golden State Warriors have had playoff battles against the Los Angeles Clippers over recent history, but their rivalry is only blossoming.

While it may not be a rivalry yet, one member of the Los Angeles Clippers has taken a throne as the villain at times for the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the rest of the Golden State backcourt has been on the opposite side of Patrick Beverley’s feisty playing style.

From his time in Houston, and now with the Clippers, Beverley has battled Golden State throughout his career.

To start the 2019-20 season, the Los Angeles Clipper blew out the Warriors in their first-ever game at Chase Center in San Francisco. Beverley was yelling at fans in attendance who were leaving the game early.

The Warriors squared off against the Clippers for the second time in the 2019-20 season, this time in Los Angeles. After the game, Beverley checked in with the Warriors injured All-Star on the bench.

Beverley was asked about his interaction with Curry in the locker room postgame and shared how far he and the two-time Most Valuable Player go back through their basketball playing careers.

Steph is like a brother — I don’t really talk about relationships with the people I do have in the NBA — Freshman year of college, roommates. USA team, roommates. Sophomore year of college, Paul Pierce camp, roommates. Lebron James camp, roommates — these are things people don’t know, but we been knowing each other since we were pups.

Beverley had a near triple-double against Golden State on Friday night with 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. The Warriors won’t play the Clippers until March, right around the time Curry could be nearing his return. The former roommates will get a chance to face each other again on the court, instead of postgame meeting on the bench.

Late game collapse spoils Warriors’ upset bid vs. Clippers, 109-100

The combination of Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams ruined the Warriors chance or a major upset in Los Angeles with fourth quarter comeback for the Clippers.

Outside of their tight loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors haven’t played up to their opponents since the 2020 new year began. Things weren’t getting any easier for them with a game against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers looming on the schedule.

However, the Warriors battled the Clippers for 36 minutes, even leading by 10 heading into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Leonard and Lou Williams decided to show up in the final period.

Leonard gave the Warriors a replay of their 2019 NBA Final loss with his performance late in the game. The 2019 Finals Most Valuable Player had multiple defensive wizard-like plays, paired with a mix of powerful dunks down the lane.

The game was close with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter, yet a pair of possessions hurt the Warriors’ chances of an upset in Los Angeles. The Clippers defense forced Omari Spellman to launch a desperation three-pointer, on the other end of the court, Williams nailed a deep three to give Los Angeles a five-point lead down the stretch.

Without D’Angelo Russell, the Warriors couldn’t answer the play of Leonard and Williams in the final quarter, losing the game 109-100. In the fourth quarter alone, the Clippers outscored the Warriors 36-17.

Leonard finished the night with 36 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, extending the Warriors losings streak to seven games.

Spellman’s first start

Second-year big man, Spellman has been one of the best members of the Golden State Warriors since the new year began. Without Kevon Looney, and Marquese Chriss getting waived, the Villanova product has received a more significant role in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Tonight he took his most critical step as a Golden State Warrior, starting his first game and he did not disappoint, Spellman scored 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 beyond the arc.

With his impressive first start, Spellman has now registered five-straight games with double-digit scoring numbers.

Cold in downtown L.A.

After hitting 13 three-pointers against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Golden State Warriors struggled from three against the Los Angeles Clippers. Even with both Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry on the bench, the rest of the Warriors roster couldn’t channel their inner “splash brother.”

The Warriors shot a miserable 8-of-39 from long distance, with Spellman hitting four of the eight. Without Russell, and playing against one of the best rosters in the NBA, Golden State didn’t do itself any favors going cold from beyond the arc.

 

Draymond Green dons a new jersey number at Warriors practice in L.A.

After losing six-straight games, the Golden State need to take new measures to end their losing streak. For Draymond Green he used rookie, Alen Smailagic’s No. 6 jersey at a recent Warriors’ practice.

The start of the new decade hasn’t been kind to the Golden State Warriors. Since the ball dropped in New York City at Times Square to ring in the new year, the Warriors haven’t won a game.

To cap off 2019, Golden State won four of its last six games, but 2020 has been an unwelcome wake-up call. The Warriors have been missing their leading scorer, D’Angelo Russell, in every game of 2020. Without Russell, the team is averaging under 100 total points per game over their last four contests.

Losing streaks can be hard to shake. Some individuals take extreme measures to snap a losing streak, for former Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green, it could be as simple as a jersey swap.

Before the struggling Dubs tipped off against the Los Angeles Clippers, the team practiced at UCLA in Pasadena and Green suited up a little different. Green was spotted wearing rookie Alen Smailagic’s No. 6 practice jersey during the team’s morning shootaround.

Smailagic is coming off a career-high 10 points against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks — it looks like Green is taking notice of the 19-year-old Serbian product.

Things don’t get any easier on the Warriors when the team travels to Staples Center to face Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers sit at third place in the Western Conference with only 12 losses on the season.

The Clippers could extend the Warriors losing streak to tie a 2019-20 season-high of seven straight losses. If the Warriors can break their losing streak, Green might have to stick with the rookie’s practice jersey for a while.

Injury Report: D’Angelo Russell out vs. Clippers, set to return soon

D’Angelo Russell isn’t ready to play against the Los Angeles Clippers, but his return from a shoulder injury is inching closer with a potential return date set.

Two crucial things have been missing at the start of 2020 for the Golden State Warriors — victories and D’Angelo Russell. A loss to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks registered Golden State’s sixth straight loss after previously setting their season-high win streak of four consecutive wins.

Russell’s injury against the Dallas Mavericks marked the start of the Warriors’ losing streak, and Golden State has struggled since. Russell collided with the Mavericks’ Slovenian star, Luka Doncic, in the third quarter of the game. However, Russell quickly returned to the bench after spending time down on the Chase Center floor. Russell re-entered the game to finish off a 35-point effort.

Since the collision, Russell’s dealt with a lingering shoulder injury that has taken him out of every game since the start of the new year. Russell’s been able to return to practice with the Warriors. Still, the team is being cautious with their 23-year-old All-Star, holding him out against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Russell missed nine-straight games early in the season with a hand injury, now six with a shoulder ailment, but he could be on his way back to Golden State’s starting lineup soon. The Louisville, Kentucky native could be set to return when the Warriors travel into the south over the weekend.

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Russell would return to action when the Warriors travel to Memphis on Sunday.

Prior to missing the past six games, Russell was playing at an All-Star level during the Warriors win-streak. Russell scored 30 or more points in three of his last four games. Without their 23-year-old All-Star guard, Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III have stepped up for Golden State, leading the team in scoring in each night without Russell.

Steve Kerr and the Warriors will need to lean on Robinson and Burks again when they arrive at the Staples Center. Against Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and the rest of the 26-12 Clippers, Golden State will need all the help they can get to end their losing streak.

Report: Steph Curry gifted Giannis Antetokounmpo a signed jersey

According to The Athletic, After the Milwaukee Bucks took down Golden State Warriors, Giannis Antetokounmpo received a signed Stephen Curry Warriors jersey from the two-time MVP himself.

The Golden State Warriors dropped their sixth straight in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, yet the score wasn’t the thing that made headlines after the final buzzer — the lead story surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo’s debut in San Francisco’s new Chase Center. 

Antetokounmpo dropped 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field while grabbing 12 rebounds. The understaffed Golden State squad battled against the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks, but the “Greek Freak” proved why he’s the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player. 

The Warriors’ two-time MVP, Stephen Curry didn’t suit up against the Bucks, as he’s still dealing with a hand injury, but sat along the Golden State bench with Antetokounmpo in town. 

With Antetokounmpo in San Francisco and Curry on the bench, the pair MVPs shared a moment postgame. 

Many have speculated on what the two All-Star were discussing along the sideline after the game. However, According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that Curry and Antetokounmpo were talking about playing the video game, ‘PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.’

Curry and Antetokounmpo’s night didn’t stop on the sideline. In the visiting locker room after the game, Antetokounmpo reportedly had a gift from Curry. Steve Berman of The Athletic reported that Antetokounmpo had a signed No. 30 Curry Warriors’ jersey in his locker. According to Berman, there was a long note down the zero half of the number 30. 

The jersey swap isn’t their first interaction, as the two MVPs have a history dating back to the 2018 All-Star game. Both Curry and Antetokounmpo served as captains in the NBA All-Star game in 2018 and 2019. In last year’s All-Star game, Antetokounmpo selected Curry with his first overall pick. 

Antetokounmpo will have the chance to return the favor and gift Curry his No. 34 when the Warriors travel to Milwaukee on March 14. Perfect timing for Curry, who could be nearing his return to the court from injury around that time.

Steph Curry drops ‘Chinese New Year’ colorway for UA Curry 7 shoes

Stephen Curry rolled out a new edition of his signature Under Armour Curry 7 shoes, with the latest getting a Chinese New Year colorway.

The 2019-20 season has been a change of pace for the Golden State Warriors two-time Most Valuable Player, Stephen Curry. Injuries have turned Curry from one of Golden State’s key contributors to lead hype man on the bench. However, one thing has stayed the course— the All-Star sharpshooter’s shoe game has been on-point.

Curry may not be sprinting around the three-point line, but his signature Under Armour Curry 7 shoes have continued to roll out new releases. Whether it’s Willie Cauley-Stein, Seth Curry, or Luka Doncic, Curry’s signature shoe has been represented across the NBA world while the former champion is dealing with a hand injury.

The All-Star guard has released kicks themed around the Warrior’ fanbase and his favorite candy, but his latest drop is an ode to the Chinese New Year.

The Under Armour shoe is two-tones of gray with a shiny gold accent line that’s capped off with a pink and green floral pattern on the heel.
According to Under Armour’s website, Curry got his inspiration from Chinese paintings.

The Curry 7 Chinese New Year colorway features a gray on gray upper comprised of several layered materials. An original floral pattern—inspired by Chinese shui-mo ink and wash painting—elevates the shoe’s back panel and a golden, flexible plate helps augment its white heel.

Curry’s new shoes are available for purchase at the Warriors’ San Francisco arena, the Chase Center. The Davidson product and Under Armour have a locker that displays each shoe as they’re released. Inside the locker, Curry shares his colorway inspiration for the new signature shoe.

After being available at Chase Center on January 8, Curry’s shoes will get a global release on January 10, just in time for the start of the Chinese New Year.

Omari Spellman is earning a larger role in Steve Kerr’s rotation

Omari Spellman has been playing well of late for the Warriros, and is earning himself more minutes in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

In a year where the Golden State Warriors have struggled to secure wins, the development of younger players has been the silver lining to an otherwise down season. One of the Warriors bright spots of late has been sophomore big-man, Omari Spellman.

Spellman, after spending his rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks, has been impressive in his first season in Golden State.

Spellman is averaging 7.1 points, 4.9 rebounds per game with 44.8 % shooting from the field this season, while also adding 39.3 % from beyond the arc. Spellman’s numbers with the Warriors in 2019-20 are all above his career averages.

In the past two games, the Villanova product has played over 20-minutes off the bench and registered double-digit scoring numbers in each game. The Cleveland native has also added a rim-rocking dunk in each of his last two contests.

Without Kevon Looney, and Draymond Green getting ejected, Spellman played a significant role against the Detroit Pistons. The former Atlanta Hawk dropped a career-high 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, adding a perfect 4-of-4 from the 3-point range.

With two Warriors frontline pieces out of the game, Spellman used his opportunity against Detroit as an audition for more minutes in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Honestly, I just was going out and trying to play aggressive, and seize the opportunity — I don’t want to lay down and just accept losing minutes — I’m going to just stay ready, but I’m not going to take that lying dow— I want to prove that I can play, I should be out there in my opinion.

In the Warriors practice over the weekend, following their 111-104 loss to Detroit, Kerr agreed Spellman had earned more playing time.

I think Omari has absolutely earned more minutes, he played great last night, played well for us early in the season before things kind of went against him — sometimes it’s just circumstantial, but circumstances turn, especially if you have the fortitude to keep working and remain patient like he has and remain positive — that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of him for.

Both of Spellman’s frontcourt mates, Looney, and Green are dealing with injuries. Neither will suit up against the Sacramento Kings, opening up another opportunity for the Warriors eager forward to build on his impressive play.

Injury Report: D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green ruled out vs. Kings

The Warriors will be without another pair of All-Star talents against the Sacramento Kings.

As the Golden State Warriors season progresses into the new year, their already lengthy injury report grows longer. Golden State has already been without Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney for a majority of the 2019-20 season. Against the Sacramento Kings, another pair of All-Stars will be out with injury.

D’Angelo Russell (shoulder) and Draymond Green (ankle) have both been ruled out for the Warriors matchup in California’s state capital against the Kings.

Monday will mark Russell’s fourth consecutive game the former All-Star will miss with a shoulder injury that he suffered against the Dallas Mavericks last week. Russell collided with Luka Doncic late in the game and has been hampered with a nagging shoulder since.

Before the Warriors tipped off against the Detroit Pistons over the weekend, Steve Kerr said he would “expect” the Louisville, Kentucky native to be ready for their matchup with the Kings. Still, Golden State is being cautious with their 23-year-old point guard, holding him out another game.

Russell returned to practice Sunday; however, he will still miss the Dubs matchup with their Northen California rival.

Green will join Russell on the bench with an ankle injury that caused him to sit out from practice over the weekend. The former Defensive Player of the Year was ejected in the Warriors in Saturday night tilt against the Pistons. Green’s already missed eight games this season with a sore heel and a finger injury.

Alec Burks has carried Golden State with Russell injured, scoring 28 and 27 on different nights. Behind Burks, Glenn Robinson III has also played well with Russell out, dropping 25 against the San Antonio Spurs on New Year’s Eve.

With Green ejected against the Pistons, Spellman turned in one of his best games as a member of Golden State. The Villanova product added 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including a perfect night from beyond the arc on four attempts.

Without Green and Russell, Kerr will have to continue to rely on Burks, Robinson III and Spellman.