Tag: Maple Mamba

March Madness: How members of the Warriors performed in the NCAA Tournament

With no basketball on the schedule, take a look at how members of the Golden State Warriors fared in the NCAA Tournament.

For many basketball fans, March is considered the best month on the calendar. Selection Sunday marks the start of a four-week, drama-filled sensation known as March Madness. However, in 2020, things are a bit different.

There will be no “Cinderella story” or “bracket busters” in the 2020 edition of the NCAA Tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic. The NCAA has canceled its 68-team championship tournament in precaution to COVID-19.

With no games on the NBA or college basketball schedule, Warriors Wire looked back at how members of the 2019-20 edition of the Golden State Warriors fared in March Madness.

Before they were with Golden State, three different Dubs made trips to the final game, with others stamping spots in the Elite Eight. At the same time, one newly acquired Warrior was a victim of an upset in the opening weekend.

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Andrew Wiggins and rookies drive Warriors to comeback win in Denver, 116-100

Andrew Wiggins records a double-double in a 15-point comeback win against the Denver Nuggets.

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The Warriors road trip to Denver started as a typical game for Golden State in the 2019-20 season. Golden State battled the Nuggets early to keep it close, but eventually, Denver’s talent overwhelmed the young Warriors squad.

Golden State fell down by 15-points against the playoff-bound Denver Nuggets, but a strong ending to the third quarter sprung the Warriors back into the game. The Warriors have struggled throughout the season to close games, yet in Denver, things were different. The Warriors outscored the Nuggets 34-19 in the fourth quarter to seal their comeback win, 116-100.

Golden State has registered wins in two of their last three games. With the defending champion Toronto Raptors coming to town next, the Warriors could get some help in the return of Stephen Curry from injury.

Andrew Wiggins

In Denver, Andrew Wiggins played one of his best games as a member of the Golden State Warriors. The former member of the Minnesota Timberwolves recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists — the second time in his career, he’s tallied 20 points and 10 assists in the same game. Wiggins added five rebounds, a steal and a block.

Rookie Run

Two picks from Golden State’s 2019 draft class made a significant impact in the Warriors comeback effort in Denver. Second-round pick Eric Paschall filled the stat sheet with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, with five rebounds, five assists and a steal against the Nuggets.

Golden State’s first-round pick Jordan Poole continues his impressive play at point guard recording 15 points, six assists and three rebounds. Poole added four 3-pointers on six attempts from long distance.

Beyond the arc

Since the All-Star break, the Warriors have struggled from 3-point range, shooting only 26.3 % from deep. However, against the Nuggets, Golden State performed their best “Splash Brothers” impression. The Warriors shot 18-of-41 from beyond the arc, with the Nuggets only hitting three 3-pointers on 20 attempts.

10-day contract turned starter, Mychal Mulder led the Warriors from long distance, adding five 3-pointers on 10 shots. Five other members of the Warriors added two or more makes from deep.

Andrew Wiggins is making things easier for the Warriors defensively

Steve Kerr told reporters in Phoenix Andrew Wiggins is making things easier for the Golden State Warriors on the defensive end of the floor.

With Golden State holding the worst record in the Western Conference and their playoff hopes inexistent, the key focus the Warriors’ second half of the season is getting to know Andrew Wiggins.

The 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick was acquired on trade deadline day in a blockbuster deal that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the All-Star break, Wiggins will have a spotlight on him as he grows into a role with his new team until the remainder of the season.

As Wiggins tries to fit in with his new team, his impact on the defensive side of the floor is making things easier on the Warriors, according to Steve Kerr.

After the Warriors 112-106 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Kerr spoke to reporters about Wiggins’ defensive prowess.

The one thing we’ve been able to do is just plug him in on the opponent’s best player. That alone just allows us to set up our defense better. Tonight he was on Booker; he was on LeBron the first game. Because of his size and length, we can just put him on the opponent’s best guy and then match up from there, so it makes our defensive matchups easier.

Wiggins registered three games as a member of Golden State since the trade and has stuffed the stat sheet in each contest. The former Kansas Jayhawk has punched scoring totals of 24, 18 and 27, adding multiple 3-pointers in each contest.

While Wiggins as a scorer is noted, his defense is what’s standing out in Golden State. In his short sting with the Warriors, Wiggins has been tasked with guarding All-Star caliber players like Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler.

Wiggins tallied career highs in both steals (6) and blocks (4) since being traded to Golden State.

Wiggins is slated to slide in next to a pair of the league’s most dangerous scoring threats in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson once they return healthy. Adding Wiggins’ defensive ability to the mix gives Golden State a formidable duo on both ends of the court with Draymond Green in the lineup.

As Wiggins continues to develop his role with the Warriors, adding him to the core alongside Curry, Thompson and Green could project Golden State back into the playoff conversation as soon as next season.

Steve Kerr says ‘the fit is there’ for Andrew Wiggins and the Warriors

After scoring 27 points against the Suns, Steve Kerr praised the fit of Andrew Wiggins with the Warriors.

The NBA trade deadline opened up a new edition of the Golden State Warriors. While Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are still the headliners, D’Angelo Russell is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In a blockbuster deal that moved Russell out of Golden State, Andrew Wiggins became the newest member of the Warriors. Since the trade, the spotlight has shined on the 2014 No. 1 overall pick.

In three games with Golden State, Wiggins has fit the bill, scoring 18 or more points in each contest. Wiggins has been proficient shooting the basketball, hitting 23-of-40 from the field, good enough for 57.5 %.

Adding more than just scoring, Wiggins has stuffed the stat sheet, registering multiple assists, rebounds, steals and blocks in his opening stint with Golden State. The former Rookie of the Year has done it all.

Against the Phoenix Suns, Wiggins played his best game yet, tallying 27 points, five assists, four rebounds and a career-high four blocks.
The former Kansas Jayhawk racked up his game-high 27 points efficiently, shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

After the game, Steve Kerr praised Wiggins’ fit with the Warriors to reporters in Phoenix.

The fit is there. The position is so needed for us, given the losses in our roster over the last couple of years. He’s been a perfect fit, and he’s been playing well. He’s got to keep getting better, and we’ve got to keep pushing him.

Kerr references Wiggins’ fit at the 1:49 mark in the link below:

Wiggins will have the remainder of the season to get comfortable with Kerr’s system and find his role in Golden State. However, when Stephen Curry returns from injury, things will start to ramp up.

Once the two develop an on-court relationship, Warriors’ evaluators could have a glimpse at what their future rotation will look like.