Andre Iguodala took a jab at casual fans yesterday after Golden State Warriors practice. When asked about what he’s seen from the team since the back-to-back losses in New York through the current homestand, he said, “We just haven’t been able to get our rhythm. And then Steph (Curry) goes down and it gets gloomy and you win four championships. Now, the entire area has become basketball experts once you start winning championships? Interesting how that happens. And everyone has something to say about what’s here, what’s there, who you’re drafting. Everything’s under a microscope.
But, talk about confidence, we have to remind ourselves (that) we’ve won four championships and we know what we’re doing, just following the game plan and everything will work itself out.”
Iguodala added, “It’s really good for the younger guys to start building that confidence when Steph’s out and getting wins. When he comes back, that confidence is still rolling. And now the second group’s rolling — there was a lot of talk about that early in the season — things starting click (snaps fingers). It’s funny because we’re still right there in the West…getting a home court advantage-type seed.”
In other news, Joe Lacob did a podcast with Tim Kawakami and Bob Myers did a pregame interview on NBC Sports Bay Area, and I hope to cover that in a separate post because there are 64,000-foot topics that were discussed. Also, Draymond Green announced his return to podcasting.
Here’s the rest of the relevant game-related notes, quotes and video from Curry at practice and the loss to the Detroit Pistons, from which we got a lot of good courtside footage, in reverse chronological order…
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.
• Andre Iguodala on having a minutes restriction: “That’s fine. Trying not to get too caught up in it because then I start overthinking and pressing based on how many minutes you’re playing. Just gotta do what you have to do with what you got…. I’ve been playing for so long I understand this: June is a lot more important than January.” (CJ Holmes)
• On last year’s journey compared to this year: “Last year was weird because obviously I came out the gates so hot and strong. And then I might’ve played too many games early on and I was doing too much. So, like I said, Rick had a really good approach to it even in late September, early October, and he kind of mapped it out, so he’s been on point so far.” (CJ Holmes)
• Praising his New Balance shoes, while commenting about Rick Celebrini’s plan for this year: “My feet feel good, because I’ve been wearing these shoes. Who made New Balance cool, DC or Philly?…They got some other joints. Joe Freshgoods, Chicago guy. He’s designing a lot stuff for them. That’s why, my feet started feeling well…You know, I just stuck to the plan. Rick had a plan all along. Just buying into that, he’s done an excellent job with that. … So, just bought into the plan.” (me, Dalton Johnson)
• Anthony Slater on 95.7 The Game on Andre Iguodala’s return: “They’re going to slow-play it. In particular, they just want his single-game minutes to be down….you’re going to see him in the 18-minute range.” (95.7 The Game)
• Steph Curry on his first full team practice since he suffered his left shoulder injury. That included contact and 5-on-5 work, what he called a “no limits” practice. He says he doesn’t think he’s lost much conditioning. “Today was pretty much no limits. But the first real reps I’ve gotten, it was nice to break a sweat, feel the speed of the game again, the physicality of it…It felt good…I feel like I haven’t lost too much in terms of conditioning in terms of understanding what 5-on-5 is like… hopefully the transition will be pretty smooth once I get back out there.” (CJ Holmes, Kendra Andrews, Melissa Rohlin, Dalton Johnson)
• As far as a possible return next Friday, Curry said the plan is “to be ready when I’m ready.” He hopes to get a few more reps in and continue to move in that direction. (Kendra Andrews)
• On visiting the White House Jan 17: “I’m definitely looking forward to it. It’s one last opportunity to celebrate our championship last year before you kind of put everything in the rear view about what’s gonna happen with the rest of the year.” (Kendra Andrews)
• On the Warriors getting Andre Iguodala back: “It’s exciting, he’s put a lot of work in…He’s still doing Andre things at both ends of the floor and scrimmages that we’ve had. I’ve seen him play, so I’m excited for him to get out there because rehab is boring and it’s tough and it’s isolated…. I’m sure he’s just excited to go hoop and just enjoy what that means for him.” (Dalton Johnson, CJ Holmes)
• On Curry’s leftover purple KT tape on the video of his interview: The KT tape helps to provide some degree of external stability while also helping to alleviate surrounding muscle inflammation/pain allowing the muscles to more effectively stabilize the shoulder dynamically. It also doesn’t restrict motion which is problematic with “braces”. (Dr. Nirav Pandya)
• Andre Iguodala will be on a minutes restriction Saturday, but what that will look like hasn’t been determined yet, Steve Kerr says after Warriors practice. Added that the goal was to “push the clock back” and get him ready to go around this time, also says they’re also still figuring out what his availability will look like moving forward in back-to-backs, and called Iguodala a “freak athlete,” adding that he’s in amazing conditioning and is highly intelligent. (CJ Holmes, Kendra Andrews, Melissa Rohlin)
• Kerr said Iguodala looked good in scrimmages: “Well he’s such a freak athlete, he’s still in amazing condition. And then his brain is one of his most powerful assets. So he immediately steps on the floor and is kind of a step ahead of everybody in the game on both ends. It’s great to see him out there playing…I’m not concerned about his production and play, it’s more about trying to preserve him over the long haul.” (Dalton Johnson, Madeline Kenney)
• On Andrew Wiggins, who practiced in full today: “There’s a chance he could play tomorrow.” (Kendra Andrews)
• On the 50-game limit for the two-way players as it relates to the return of Iguodala and Wiggins: “I think that’s all to be determined. We just have to see how everybody’s doing.” (CJ Holmes)
• Andrew Wiggins is probable for tomorrow’s game against the Magic. It is expected to be the end of the longest absence of his career. He’s missed the previous 15 games. Never missed more than 11 total games in any season. Curry, JaMychal Green, Kuminga and Wiseman all remain out. We’ll get an official update on Curry tomorrow, but he returned to practice today and is feeling good. (Anthony Slater, Madeline Kenney)
• Steve Kerr on weekly show with 95.7 The Game, on Klay Thompson: “What he had to overcome to get back on the court… Just insane what he had to endure. It’s just wonderful to see him enjoying himself.” (95.7 The Game)
• On Draymond Green’s second technical that got him ejected last night: “Just watching the replay. I didn’t think he deserved a technical.” Warriors will appeal. (95.7 The Game)
• On Andrew Wiggins: cleared to practice tomorrow and “if all goes well, then he’s really close (to returning).” (95.7 The Game)
• On Jordan Poole: “I’ve always felt that the game is more difficult for the players who are more talented when they’re young because they have a big menu of possibilities in front of them.” (95.7 The Game)
WARRIORS-PISTONS BEHIND-THE-SCENES
WARRIORS-PISTONS TOPICS
5:30 based on Jordan Poole’s games started only, he is averaging 26.9 ppg which would be 13th in the league just behind Devin Booker (27.1) and just ahead of DeMar DeRozan (26.7)
7:15 check the article on LetsGoWarriors.com for more JP positivity
9:45 most likely a visit to the White House on Tue 1/17 based on the upcoming road trip
14:15 JP has his right thumb taped up again
19:30 are the Warriors a bit exhausted from the double-OT game? Possibly. They took a day off, then also cancelled morning shootaround today. Two days in between the next two games.
24:15 I feel tired from the double-OT game!
33:00 looking at the fouls this season on the game log for Moody
48:30 we haven’t run our offense in a long time (with Klay off the floor), since the Moody corner three catch-and-shoot
52:30 the Warriors just had a stretch up until 4min45 Q2 where it was very helter skelter by both teams, but mainly because both Draymond and Klay were off the court. It’s ironic that right now we are talking about Klay settling down the offense — we would not have been able to say that one month ago (for example, the game in Phoenix)
??:?? analyzing the play where Klay lost Bojan on the pick
1:00:30 Anthony Lamb lefty delivery to Klay, impressive 2min00 Q2
1:01:30 both Lamb and Jerome playing well, but there’s no hurry to sign them to regular contracts, as GSW controls their contracts with the two-way
1:05:30 if I were forced to pick between Jerome and Lamb, I pick Lamb because of his defensive versatility as a wing. If I were forced to keep both and cut someone on the roster of 14, I guess it would have to be Andre Iguodala, but this just goes to show you that it’s too early to make that prediction/decision. I wouldn’t cut JaMychal Green because I think he will be great in the playoffs defending some of the bigger guys — SERMON ON ENJOYING THE PROCESS AND STOP BEING ADDICTED TO PREDICTIONS
1:13:30 it’s like a school assignment for High Basketball IQ Academy/University: if you say cut J-Mike and get a veteran on a buyout, you HAVE TO present a list of buyout candidates
1:16:00 Bob Myers in the pregame said that with the trade deadline, the difficulty is finding a trade partner these days in a very parity-filled NBA
1:34:30 Fitz says Andre wore his jersey during pregame routine today, we look at 95.7 The Game’s pregame video
1:46:30 Donte DiVincenzo making a bad foul like that to end the quarter is very akin to Poole’s turnovers. It’s just part of who they are. You’re gonna get the great defensive plays, but sometimes you’re gonna a gamble that didn’t work.
1:54:00 8min58 Q4 gotta tap into that grittiness, do we still have the magic dust?
1:59:00 replaying Draymond to PBJ 8min14 Q4, Dray knew to hit PBJ’s shooting pocket, plus PBJ’s feet weren’t even beyond the arc yet. So how do we find more mins for PBJ, bench Moody? But then shortly after commits a turnover to a 3, Klay shoots a bad 3, Burks goes past Jerome for an and-one vs Loon
2:21:00 I feel bad for JP because all young players go through this
2:22:00 STEVE KERR IS A FREAKING GENIUS FOR THAT PLAY CALL LOB TO LAMB BACK TO KLAY OFF A CURL SCREEN 0min01 Q4
2:25:00 we’re still taking teams too lightly, it’s like we can predict the trap games
2:28:00 two-minute sermon on staying positive after a loss and keeping supporting our guys
2:38:00 maybe taking non-playoff teams lightly is just an Achilles heel of championship DNA franchises, which do not harm us until it harms us
2:53:00 remember Steph’s behind-the-back pass to Klay that went into the courtside seats in Game 7 of 2016
2:55:00 looking at JP with the glass half full (which you guys are doing a great job of in the comments)
• Klay Thompson postgame on how frustrating the loss was: “It never feels good and I felt we fought really hard tonight…gave ourselves a chance to win it…proud of every single man who played. Five wins in a row at home…bounce back Saturday.”
• On what Poole can learn: “I told him in the locker room there’s a reason why I threw him the ball…we all go through those lapses early in our career. I remember missing two free throws in a loss against the Nuggets and leaving the arena in my uniform…continue to trust him with the ball in his hands…makes the engine go.”
• On the second technical: “Draymond is such an important piece of what we do. Still could’ve had a chance to win…sucked he got kicked out but it’s not his fault. We lost. We had a chance to win.”
• On the fans braving the storm: “I hope they get home safely…there’s a reason why our record is so great at home.”
• On if it’s possible to take the boat in this weather: “Have you seen The Perfect Storm? It doesn’t end well…she is a beast.”
• On what he said to Poole: “continue to work hard…we would not have that banner without Jordan…the work will reveal itself…we’re better than our record reflects.”
• On if these losses sting more early in careers: “You wanna be so great every night…embrace that journey.”
• On Lamb and Jerome: “They’re bonafide NBA players.”
• On the bench in this homestand: “We’re without two All-Stars, an MVP…PBJ…Moses…thrown on a defending champion team…big toll to take…we’re above .500 finally…five or six games behind first…this run was vital to that.”
• On feeling the affects of guys out: “I don’t feel that. We’re all pros…we all take responsibility…I’m aggressive, play hard with it, and have fun…try to lead…pay off in a few months when it’s winning time.”
• On how he feels: “I feel incredible. I’m almost a year anniversary to when I came back in the NBA…I’m super-proud of the way everybody played…just gotta start a new (win streak).”
• Ty Jerome postgame on Klay then Bey: “We’ve won a bunch of close games during this homestand. Tonight they made a lot of shots down the stretch…I don’t even know if our defense was that bad…Bogdanovic…Isaiah Stewart…we missed some open ones.”
• On the first quarter and feeling the double-overtime: “Last game I only played in that twenty-minute range…some of our guys played in the forties…maybe.”
• On the Pistons shooting 45% on threes: “Some of them are tough ones. I can point back to two Bogdanovic threes that are tough ones…two seconds left on the shotclock and he hits a running three-pointer…Diallo…go back and watch the film.”
• On taking advantage of the opportunity with Lamb as a two-way: “Uhh, I mean, of course.”
• On Klay having a slow start then erupting in the fourth: “That’s Klay. Even at the beginning of the season, a lot of people were writing him off…I was, like, this is Klay Thompson…I never have a doubt…probably the second-best shooter of all-time…we like our odds of Klay shooting the ball.”
• On the last play with Bey: “I was on Bey in the corner and Bogdanovic came…switch didn’t happen. I was just late…a shot that he probably makes two out of ten times.”
• On his floaters: “I’ve been doing that since I was probably eight years old…when I was in college I actually watched a lot of CJ McCollum…you can get real creative in the paint.”
• On Poole’s responsibilities and turnovers: “We don’t win any of these five games without him…he’s stepped up tremendously…what is he averaging in the last six games, close to 30?…23-year-old…best player in the world out and an All-Star. You know, he can make a mistake or two.”
• Anthony Lamb postgame on the Bey game-winner: “a step late. Just had enough time to get it off…about as good a contest as you can get.”
• On Draymond’s fire: “I don’t think Draymond was out of control at all today…didn’t say anything crazy, didn’t push anybody overly.:.gotta be consistent with the way you officiate…calm as you can be.”
• Steve Kerr postgame recap on Jordan Poole rushing: “Yeah. He’s also hitting huge shots for us…two big jumpers…what’s great is that everything is a learning experience for him at this stage of his career…played well and played hard…I just told the guys how proud I am of them for holding down the fort…given the state of our roster for us to win five of these first six games…scrapping and clawing night after night…we’ve got reinforcements coming.”
• On Klay’s 3 then Bey’s 3: “Tough way to lose. It looked like we covered the play pretty well…almost a five-second violation…one of those shots that usually isn’t going in but I also feel like the game rewards the team that played harder…physical, all over the glass…Bogdanovic…they deserved to win.”
• On playing uphill a lot and the first quarter: “We couldn’t get stops. Same thing at the start of the third quarter…they made 16 threes tonight. Their bigs…Duren was 8-for-8…their size and athleticism really hurt us tonight.”
• On Draymond’s 12th technical: “No, he’s never gone over. He knows where the line is. I didn’t really see what happened at the end…in my mind, do we have to call a double-tech…most competitive basketball league on Earth…we’ve got yo inbound the ball and they tell us Draymond is ejected…awareness that somebody’s got a T…we’re not gonna kick them out…I don’t really believe there should be double-technicals that lead to an ejection.”
• On the designed play to Klay’s 3: “some of them work, some of them don’t…he really got hot late…Looney set a great screen.”
• Dwane Casey postgame on the Warriors: “You know this team, once this team gets healthy this team’s going to be in the money. I don’t care what the record is right now, where they are, their DNA is a winning team, they’re going to win. Once they get everybody healthy, get everybody together. They know how to win, they got big shot makers, and aggressive defense that gets into you. (Anthony) Lamb is playing big time for them off the bench. I thought they did a great job of bringing him in. So this team will be in the money when it’s all over with just with their experience and their DNA.” (Warriors PR)
• Patrick Baldwin Jr. will play tonight, per Steve Kerr at pregame before Pistons. He didn’t even know Baldwin was having right ankle issues: “I have a hangnail, so call me probable.” (CJ Holmes, Dalton Johnson)
• On the Jan. 13 target date at San Antonio and if it’s realistic for Steph Curry’s return: “I think so. He’s progressed really well.” Bob Myers went on 95.7 The Game today and indicated the same. (Anthony Slater)
• On if Jan. 13 is a realistic timetable for Steph Curry’s return: “I think so. He’s progressed really well… As Bob said, next week sometime he’ll be able to come back.” (95.7 The Game)
• On Draymond: “He’s the best defender I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around some really good ones. … I’ve never seen anything like it.” (Dalton Johnson)
• On Wiggins: getting the reps that he needs to get his legs and conditioning back, although Kerr doesn’t know how that will impact Wiggins’ availability for Saturday’s game: “He’s gotten really good workouts the last couple days, and another good one just now.” He will miss his 15th straight game tonight. (Dalton Johnson, Kendra Andrews, Anthony Slater)
• On the status of Curry: “He’s progressed really well. There have been no setbacks (left-shoulder subluxation) and he’s getting on the court and doing more and more each day. So, as Bob Myers (President of Basketball Operations/GM) said, we’re hopeful that next week sometimes you’ll be able to come back, so we’ll see how it goes.” (Warriors PR)
• On the previous matchup vs the Pistons: “Well, they took it to us last time. I just think they’re young and athletic and they play hard. They get downhill on you. I think they’re number one in the league in free throw attempts and if not number one, they’re right there. They’re big and athletic in playing those two bigs. You’ve got to get to the glass. The guards have to really crack back and help the bigs out. These games are always dicey. Where a team comes in, maybe the record is not good, maybe they got some guys out and historically these are difficult games because if you let your guard down at all then you’re vulnerable. So I think that’s the biggest thing tonight is we’ve got to be ready to play from the jump. We’re on a nice little run, but the reason we’re on the run is because we’ve played really hard and played well and we’re going to have to continue to do that.” (Warriors PR)
• On the recent uptick in individual scoring output across the NBA: “I guess, just a combination of the three-point line and the way the games are officiated, the way it’s played. Pace is way up. Just feels like the game has gotten a lot faster and more open in recent years. I also think the players today, they’re learning to dribble and shoot from a really early age. I mean, you have guys come into this league and the most impressive thing is the skillset, the handle, and the shooting because they’ve been working on that forever. The league has gone away from the old days of low-post play and it’s now a perimeter game. And so, what’s lacking, I think, is the foundation, the institutional knowledge that players used to have when they came into the league after a few years of college. So sometimes the defense isn’t great. Transition defense is at an all-time low in this league. Every single night on League Pass you see five guys standing there and somebody shoots, somebody runs long and everyone goes ‘Oh, there is a guy laying it up down there’ and the coach calls time out. And we do it. I mean every team does it. I think the game has gotten really loose and the players are so talented and it’s made for a lot of big scoring nights.” (Warriors PR)
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