Donte DiVincenzo said the “spirit and the energy postgame was something that we needed,“ that with the two back-to-backs on the road coming up, the team needs to be in the “right mental space” (see below).
Patrick Baldwin, Jr. was recalled from Santa Cruz yesterday after Andre Iguodala was listed as out with hip soreness for today’s game at the Chicago Bulls. Jonathan Kuminga, JaMychal Green and James Wiseman all remain out. Look for some frontcourt minutes from PBJ today.
First off are the behind-the-scenes views from the record-setting attendance of 68,323 as announced by David Robinson. Stephen Curry stayed late to sign autographs and Jordan Poole gave a close-up postgame recap, then funnily pummeled the podium mic, kind of in the way the Golden State Warriors pummeled the San Antonio Spurs. Everything below is in reverse chronological order:
7:00 diatribe on Steph Curry’s quote: “it can swing very quickly”, the NBA is the wildest pendulum we have ever seen it, I like our chances in a 7-game series
8:30 ANNOUNCEMENT: WE WILL BE GIVING AWAY KT8 KOI!!!!! SUN 1/13 GSW-CHI LIVE!!!
14:00 Anta’s market cap is $38.8B, Under Armour is $4.9 billion
17:00 Klay is so gracious towards Chinese reporters and audiences
35:00 Andre Iguodala is the sub rotation for Looney
48:00 5min00 Q1 Moody over Lamb, sub for Wiggins
1:02:30 a lot of early shot-clock threes early Q2
1:09:45 8min00 Q2 Warriors in zone with Steph on the baseline, two wings on the corners a la Erik Spoelstra Miami Bubble
1:11:30 interesting how the Tiki-Taka comes back when Steph checks in
1:13:00 7min00 or so Q2 Donte dunk Tiki-Taka again, refer to ESPN broadcast
1:19:00 4min55 Q2 Donte dime to Lamb
1:35:00 Warriors are out three guys from their frontcourt so it will be dicey for at least a few more days, with the Bulls game being an early tipoff, should be interesting to see Kuminga’s recovery
1:40:00 we have a highly paid performance/training staff and part of their job is to make sure everyone is 100% for the playoffs so it’s hard for me to be mad about guys being out any given game
2:01:00 5min58 Q3 Kerr says to run thigh-tap, Draymond ends up faking the DHO for a dunk
2:06:30 is Denver a legit contender? Me: “We’ll see (I prefer the unknown rather than predicting)”.
2:15:45 as I wrote on the website, as the season wears on there will be less enthusiasm to show out against the Warriors from the younger teams (I think), so that’s when there’s more separation. Last season the 5th seed ended up 14 games over .500.
3:18:00 DEAN CHAMBERS COMES ON AFTER DRAY ON-COURT AND STEVE PODIUM
3:21:00 points in the paint!!!
3:24:00 Draymond’s impact (again), rebound and outlet all in one motion
3:37:00 Jordan Poole’s short responses (after his podium)
4:04:00 Dean: sometimes we’re too carefree
4:31:00 REMAINDER OF KERR POSTGAME VIDEO
4:44:00 here’s a problem of keeping the main guys together throughout, that ran through my mind earlier: if I’m Joe Lacob, I would want to keep those salary slots. If Klay is to retire a Warrior, what is his salary slot upon and retirement and do we let it disappear. Modern economics of the NBA might prevent a guy from retiring with the same team, with Steph as a GOAT exception. Dean makes the case for economically making it advantageous to home-grow your franchise star.
DISCLAIMER: These are all just notes for my main workflow of YouTube videos, tweeted by beatwriters, as listed, or transcribed by me. I used to transcribe every interview but it became too tedious and not worth the investment for the small amount of views we got on the soundbites on YouTube. The links to the tweets are not available because sometimes I don’t use the full tweet and just having a ton of tweets on this website imo isn’t aesthetically pleasing and gets away from the main goal: transferring information (not so much entertainment) to the brains of DubNation asap.
• Steph Curry on the Alamodome: “it was special from the jump…the vantage point…cool to see them recognize their fifty-year history…David Robinson, Manu, Tony Parker, Avery Johnson.”
• On the Spurs: “trying to figure out what their future looks like…Pop’s seen it all…there’s gonna be some good time…tonight was more about how we played and the details…and not really worry about the opponent.”
• On being angry or embarrassed: “the three losses in a row, the atmosphere that we were in…get off to a good start on the road trip…very inspiring night in that we can get to that level…starters rest the fourth quarter…same sense of urgency.”
• On being part of history: “We were joking and laughing with Ty and JP…they were talking about it like it was their prime years of youth basketball…over the last 14 years…it brings a level of attention, support, energy…even we went overseas for preseason games…wild to think about what we’ve been through…embrace the love that we get wherever we go.”
• On Iguodala: “Everything he is, every sound bite…since 2013…something about him playing big man…he just knows how to play big man…knocked down a three…keeps the defense honest…you can fit pretty much any four guys around him…getting more of a rhythm, his body is holding up.”
• On not playing the fourth quarter: “You wanna do what the game called for…I didn’t mind sitting (Q4)…equal opportunity offense…my body feels good and I’m in shape bouncing back from the injury.”
• On the offense being in rhythm: “the feeling of being organized. You’re gonna miss shots, that’s part of any game…when we’re organized we’re pretty good…when it’s me/Klay/JP just flying around (it’s not as good)…you could feel the focus on that end from the jump.”
• Draymond Green postgame on the Alamodome: “cool experience.”
• On the offense: “the ball moved, we didn’t turn the ball over…really get into a flow. Could’ve been even better if we didn’t foul as much…wasn’t an offensive explosion by any one player…good for us to have a game like this.”
• On Iguodala: “always makes it easier on the floor when you have the chance to play with Andre.”
• On starting the road trip with a win: “get everybody feeling good and confident.”
• On Donte: “been playing well…got off to a good start.”
• On being angry or embarrassed: “allows you to lock in as long as you’re channeling it the right way…when we play our brand of basketball, we’re tough…it’s been awhile.”
• On the Spurs: “they’re a very young team…Tre Jones continues to get better.”
• On the atmosphere: “They were still loud, still enjoying the game (despite the blowout)…you don’t get these opportunities often.”
• On Kerr’s concerns of a lot of minutes for him: “No, I don’t share a concern. That’s what I train for…whatever a team needs…I do understand his concern, though…essentially two guys holding down the five spot.”
• Jordan Poole postgame on the dome: “electric…amazing event and I’m glad we got the win.”
• On game recap: “We made shots today.”
• On if it was redemption for him tonight: “Not really…familiar.”
• On making shots: “We got good looks…guys just played really well…on the road…keep the momentum going…puts us at 21-21…attack every game we can just a day at a time…string together some wins.”
• On some anger from PHX game: “I don’t think anybody likes to lose. Idk if it was necessarily anger…we talked about it in the locker room and guys came out ready…everybody is a good team (in the NBA).”
• On how the rhythm was going: “Shows how dangerous we can be when we start executing.”
• Jordan Poole postgame on the dome: “electric…amazing event and I’m glad we got the win.”
• On game recap: “We made shots today.”
• On if it was redemption for him tonight: “Not really…familiar.”
• On making shots: “We got good looks…guys just played really well…on the road…keep the momentum going…puts us at 21-21…attack every game we can just a day at a time…string together some wins.”
• On some anger from PHX game: “I don’t think anybody likes to lose. Idk if it was necessarily anger…we talked about it in the locker room and guys came out ready…everybody is a good team (in the NBA).”
• On how the rhythm was going: “Shows how dangerous we can be when we start executing.”
• Donte DiVincenzo on the record attendance of 68,323: “surreal…you don’t think about being able to play here again…one in college, one in the pros…definitely cherish for awhile…first time I had jitters in a long time.”
• On the environment compared to the Final Four: “Different. I don’t even know how to explain it…when all the lights came on…people all the way to the top…warmups, I couldn’t really see.”
• On having five threes in the NCAA national championship game and having four tonight: “I was forcing it at the end. I was trying to get that (fifth) one. JP was mad at me (trying to help him get that fifth three).”
• On Iguodala: “Defensively you can just switch across the board with him…me being able to pressure the ball…offensively, he’s a pro’s pro…what plays guys like and where they like the ball…I used to watch him as a little kid when I was in Philly…he was one of my idols growing up.”
• On how to tell things are clicking: “When that ball’s popping and moving and our split actions are working, we’re getting any look we want…how many guys were in double-figures, a bunch…games like tonight when you put up 144 (as opposed to Steph going off).”
• On the importance of the road trip: “just the spirit and the energy postgame was something that we needed…two back-to-backs this road trip…something that we build off…we need to be in the right mental space.”
• On the Spurs: “They always play hard…even to the end of the game…running their plays pretty hard…they’re gonna be good.”
• Marcus Thompson with exclusive quotes from Andre Iguodala, probably from postgame locker room: https://theathletic.com/4089426/2023/01/14/warriors-stephen-curry-attendance-record/?source=emp_shared_article
Andre Iguodala, who returned to Golden State in 2021 after two seasons with Miami, said he really grasped the magnitude of Curry and the Warriors when he left. Even playing for the Heat, one of the league’s top franchises, he couldn’t help but notice the hype was different. Traveling was smoother. Getting in and out of hotels was absent the hassle of swarming fans. After games, the chatter wasn’t nearly as high. Bad games didn’t produce the hot takes and vitriol.
“Doesn’t affect him at all,” Iguodala said of Curry. “It doesn’t bother him at all. He just moves about like a normal human being. So humble. I don’t think the league has seen anything like him.
“The saddest part of it all is he’s taken for granted,” Iguodala continued. “That’s what hurts the most is people taking his greatness for granted. And that’s why I’m so vocal about what he rightfully deserves. And I’m not talking about, like, Joe (Lacob). I just still believe that he should own a part of this team. Basically, what he built, in any other organization or company, you get equity when you work for the company and build it up. … They’re going to really miss him when he’s done playing basketball.”
• Anthony Slater with exclusive quotes from Andre Iguodala: https://theathletic.com/4089004/2023/01/14/andre-iguodala-return-warriors/
“I’m alive,” Iguodala said. “Two (dunks) too many. Too damn long (of a jump). I went after the ball. I wasn’t all the way warm. Bones were creaking a little bit. Completed the task.”
…
But then the question shifts to Iguodala’s health and whether it’s wise to throw him out there consistently in the land of the giants.
“That s— terrible,” Iguodala laughed. “Nah. I don’t like playing the big. But I know how to play the big. It’s almost like you get punished for being good at your job. I’m saying that in a joking manner. But I don’t like doing that s—. I was guarding DeMarcus (Cousins) in the first round last year. S— is terrible.”
Does it wear down the body?
“Nah. Nah. Nah,” Iguodala said. “I don’t like it because you don’t get to move as much. I need to get tired. I like to get tired. I need to guard quick guys sometimes, so I need to get used to that. Guarding those centers I really can chill.”
…
“As long as the body is good I want to play,” Iguodala said. “Then before the playoffs, I’d like to get a good run of 10, 15 games straight no issues. So, yeah, that’s pretty much the plan. I want to get comfortable shooting when I’m tired. Once I get that, I’m fine.”
• Steve Kerr postgame says thank you to the Spurs: “For me it was a little trip down memory lane…I got emotional…played the video…to get an ovation from 68 thousand fans gives you chills…I know how fortunate that I was to be part of the Spurs and to meet Pop and RC…the whole group…five years of my life and to be embraced by the fans and my family…my kids they spent a good chunk of their childhood here.”
• On the players getting acclimated:
“Really cool environment…court in the middle of the dome…our guys came out and were very aggressive…disappointed with our effort against Phoenix…a little bit angry…some juice.”
• On 30 assists through 3 quarters: “Yeah, 19 at the half and maybe 5 turnovers…they had 20 free throws…made too many poor decisions…too many reaches. That’s something we’ve gotta continue to harp…good to see the guys play well.”
• On Iguodala: “He’s so smart…long and athletic and versatile…playmaker…whatever lineup he’s out there with he makes better…knock on wood…continues to stay healthy…I didn’t really want to play Looney the last 5-6 minutes…Right now he’s our third big. Idk that that’ll be our rotation pattern…coming in for Loon early…Loon comes back for Draymond and Andre stays in that lineup…he can pair with either one.”
• On starting the road trip with a lot of scoring: “Donte was fantastic. He’s got a lot of great memories from this building, sitting in the same locker…ball was moving…we know it’s gonna get tougher.”
• On Anthony Lamb: “he’s a really good modern-day NBA player…might’ve been a tweener (back in the day)…now a Jack-of-all-trades…high basketball IQ.”
• On Iguodala and small-ball: “there’s a familiarity, a continuity…when there’s a small lineup with a lot of shooters…very effective…got shooters on the perimeter to find.”
• On Jordan Poole: “Our whole game is about ball movement…constantly trying to get out guys to understand the importance of ball movement…running to the corners…leads to a lot of people being happy…the locker room is more fun.”
• On the Spurs: “they played Memphis and Boston real tight…come downhill at you…we had a tough time guarding their penetration…they didn’t get their three-point game going…decent job defensively despite the fouls (Warriors)…we took a lot from the Spurs when I got here…it’s a compliment to hear Pop say (he wants the Spurs to play like the Warriors).”
• On the blowout win positively affecting wind: “We got Wiggs back in the fourth quarter purposely…continue to get his wind.”
• On Moody: “wants it so badly. His playing time has been sporadic…emergence of Lamb and Ty Jerome and combinations…he doesn’t ever stop working…mature…great career ahead…he’s just a guy who gets it. He’s gonna keep working until he breaks through.”
• On the fouling: “We have pockets of games where we do a lot better…minus-14 on free throws…minus-7 (and a half)…tough to win when your opponent is going to the line a lot more.”
• Draymond Green postgame on-court, on playing in front of 68,323: “It feels like you’re playing in the Final Four all over again…you never think you’re gonna feel that again.”
• On 77-52 bench scoring, second unit: “Donte loves this gym, man…JP is doing what you expect…Moses…Andre…starting to shore that unit up.”
• On coming out with focus: “Our force last game was awful. They pretty much punked us last game…when you’re playing in an atmosphere like this, you have to get up.”
• On the importance of this road trip: “just because of where we are…21-21…start putting wins together and build good habits…(don’t) revert back.”
👍👍💛💙