Dub Hub: Warriors make a ‘statement’ with big win over the Celtics

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, November 7th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Warriors make a statement with big 118-112 victory over the Celtics.
• Steph Curry passes Charles Barkley for 30th on the all-time scoring list.
• 76ers’ Paul George booed in Los Angeles return game vs. Clippers.

The Golden State Warriors capped off their most impressive win of the season on Wednesday night, defeating the defending champion Boston Celtics, 118-112. Several players on the team emphasized the importance of Wednesday’s game, including Buddy Hield who finished the night with 16 points and a team-high plus-minus of +20.

Prior to the victory, many questioned if the Warriors’ hot start was just a result of a weaker schedule, as five of their six wins came against teams with a record below .500. However, by taking down the Celtics, the Warriors showed they can compete—and win—against the league’s best teams.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, November 7th:

Warriors News:

Focused and disciplined, the 7-1 Warriors make a statement with road win in Boston | The Athletic

“Everyone else is playing fast and shooting 3s, too, these days,” Kerr said. “Boston shot 20 more 3s than we did in the second half. So it’s tough to win if you are giving away possessions. I’ve been all over Steph and Draymond. It’s incumbent upon them because they are our leaders and they’re the guys who handle the ball most. They gotta cut back on their bad decisions like that.”

That second quarter turnover allowed Kerr to deliver Curry a loud reminder. One or two plays like that against the Celtics could be fatal.

“The beauty with Steph is he lets me yell at him, which sets the tone,” Kerr said. “He accepted it. He knew it.”

Steph Curry on Steve Kerr’s reaction to his second quarter turnover: “I want to be coached just like everybody else”

Looney delivers vintage performance in Warriors’ win over Celtics | NBC Sports Bay Area

Every possession, every opportunity matters in the NBA. The Warriors took two more shots than the Celtics, had three more offensive rebounds than them and outrebounded the defending champions by seven. That’s thanks to Looney constantly generating positive energy.

If heroes get remembered but legends never die, cult heroes have their own unsung category that winners understand, and can feel, more than anybody. Count Looney as part of the lot.

“Loon’s a winner,” Kerr said. “Whatever you need, he’s there for you.”

How the Paul George negotiations changed the direction of the Clippers | ESPN

The Warriors and Clippers engaged in talks about a potential George opt-in for the final year of his contract worth $48.7 million and then a trade. The Clippers were willing to make a deal with their division rival, according to sources, but were looking for something of value to help restock their asset cupboard if they were going to take back an undesirable contract and be in the second apron.

Swapping George for Andrew Wiggins, who has three years and $85 million left on a four-year, $109 million deal, plus other salaries to make the math work, would have been acceptable only if the Clippers received a young player such as Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski and a pick or two.

Steph Curry passes Charles Barkley for 30th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list

NBA News:

Clippers fans boo Paul George in return; 76ers’ star has no ‘ill will’ against organization | The Athletic

After the loss, George spoke about the icy reception, saying he didn’t understand the boos, but looks forward to returning to play in front of his former supporters again next year.

“I was a free agent. It wasn’t something where I demanded a trade or pointed against the team here,” he said.

“It was cheers, I appreciate them. Those were the ones that I played hard for. The boos, I didn’t get. I still don’t get it when I go to Indy. But it is what it is.”

Ja Morant after Grizzlies take out Lakers: ‘I don’t like them’ | ESPN

“I think I did the ‘too small’ to somebody who was too small,” Morant said afterward. “[James] came back and did it respectfully. …He did it, and I don’t back down from nobody. I don’t care who you are.

“My job was to just come back. I got my bucket, and I set the tone. My teammates fed off of it, and you see what happens. Top dog in our league. You take out the top dog, who else you fear?”

Hawks rookie and first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher scores 33 points in win vs. Knicks

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors ride defense, Curry to biggest win of the season over Celtics

Overall, Wednesday night was a referendum on whether the Warriors’ hot start was legitimate. Their 6-1 record was achieved primarily against an injured New Orleans Pelicans team and some bottom-dwellers in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, though they didn’t have Curry for half of those games. But beating the defending champions on the road shows that the Warriors’ defense and depth — Kerr used an 11-man rotation again — aren’t an illusion.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.