Quick notes from the behind-the-scenes (BTS) video of Game 1 LA Lakers at Golden State Warriors:
• George Kittle was on-hand and rocking a Kevon Looney jersey, accompanied by San Francisco 49ers teammates Christian McCaffrey and Sam Darnold.
• Stephen Curry threw the ball to the other team on the opening possession. Again. I do believe the Warriors have lost every game in which he’s done that, although I’ll say I haven’t officially checked it (I will check and report back here, in due time). Andrew Wiggins was guilty of an opening turnover in Game 6 of the previous series and Draymond Green in Game 2.
• There’s a nice courtside view of Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt “top-blocking” Klay Thompson and Curry, respectively. Andrew Wiggins ends up taking a contested shot without exploring the offense, as Steve Kerr likes to say. Another example where the Warriors tend to, as I wrote on here before, want to throw a couple haymakers and see if they can get away with it — unless it’s a backs-against-the-wall situation where they will consciously try to avoid “shot turnovers”. Btw I’d say tonight, Game 2, is actually not a backs-against-the-wall situation, but we’ll see.
• In another courtside clip, Thompson does a really good job of making Reaves bite on a pump fake. This was a pump fake that actually led to a dribble drive. Later in the game, Klay hit a three immediately after pump-faking which was incredibly quick. He is absolutely legendary at those.
• There’s a rare clip of the Warriors running through the tunnel with sound, although it occurs a little bit after the “Just us 1-2-3!” yell by Steph. Gary Payton II, as expected, brought up the caboose. Actually, photographer Noah Graham did, shortly after Payton. I don’t think I could run with a heavy camera trailing GP2. I’m taking it slow. These are long games with plenty of moments to cover.
• Jordan Poole loves to do pivots and spins right after intros. He also has a ritual of standing on the baseline until after the ball is tipped off (if he’s not starting).
As mentioned in the previous article, I want to do some commentary based on the notes from the game livechat, but I don’t have time this go-around. We’ll see.
Below are BTS video, then the livestream commentary from Game 1, and finally the notes, quotes and video from the day off yesterday. It was fun to see Wiggs chuckle on the question about Looney shooting threes, which thankfully was an off-the-beaten path topic brought up by Monte Poole. One commenter on our channel said Andrew should take a shot of espresso before the game because he looked like he was about to fall asleep during the interview! 😂
Additionally, Jonathan Kuminga had some exclusive quotes, Klay’s dad Mychal Thompson did an interview and Wiggs did an interview as well but I’ll save mentioning it for later as I haven’t read the article yet.
Warriors-Lakers bts G1: Kittle dons Looney jersey, E40/Mistah FAB, Just Us tunnel run, Steph tying 3
0:00 Lakers!
3:00 Keith Smith said that it would benefit both parties if Dillon Brooks is in a sign-and-trade — $11M+ salary is not doable with GSW
9:00 Kuminga’s “youthful abandon”
11:00 Dean: effort against the Lakers wanting the matchup they want, we should run, run, run
13:45 Dean: is this a series where Steph plays more point guard?
24:00 Dean: winning Game 7 avoided embarrassing lost or dynasty on the line, made up for such a rough season, and using the depth
29:15 Loon wins another tip!
11m55 Q1 Steph tov ofc, but Reaves misses and Wiggs 3
11m20 Dray is gonna double AD on the drives vs Loon
11m05 Steph foul
10m31 Kerr calls elbow which is DHO to Wiggs
8m55 Dray leaves Vando who misses 3 corner
8m35 Klay 3 transition over DLo AD, after a bad DLo 3
8m20 ATO AD ofc
8m05 Dray to Loon backdoor
7m40 Vando 94 vs Steph
7m20 Wiggs stick in Reaves’ face
7m00 Klay elite hesi catch-and-shoot long 2 vs Reaves wow
6m20 Steph wild tov, knows it, my bad on the AD J
5m55 Klay heat-check bounces 35 feet off the rim
5m49 Steph sits down, GP rushed off the bench (as if unscheduled) for Wiggs (?) (legs from G7?)
5m05 Klay casual fade over Reaves
4m50 good help by GP on AD miss
4m40 Chamber-Loon!!! putbacks
44:45 have made 4 mistakes: 2 Steph tov, Dray missed layup, Klay’s 35-foot bouncer off the rim
3m55 Troy Brown grabs Klay and they call it
3m20 good hustle by Moody on the miss by JP but DLo got the reb
2m30 top blocking by Schroder vs Steph
1m40 Steph gets open via GP2 screen
1m00 Steph Dray PNR 3 over DS
0m45 Dray shows for Steph vs Rui, AD scores
0m35 Steph heat-check 2-for-1 miss
0m15 LeBron assists AD easily
11m15 Q2 DS picks Steph easily
10m51 Maple Jordan fade!
10m37 Dray blocks Vando from behind
10m10 Steph guarding Vando, Dray guarding DS, Vando tramples, Dray yells at Marc Davis
10m00 Reaves shakes Donte J
9m00 Steph nods head as ref didn’t fall for Reaves flop
8m33 Steph bad 3
8m10 J-Mike catch 3 via Dray
7m55 Dray 3rd pf vs Vando
1:08:00 commenters asking for JK — for whom? Can’t go 6-on-5! Loon came back in for Dray (J-Mike stays)
7m40 J-Mike 3 as AD drops off
7m30 AD draws foul on roll vs J-Mike
7m23 LeBron talking with AV
7m10 nice lead pass by J-Mike to Klay who missed reverse, JP downhill to Klay 3
6m00 Klay another missed layup
5m40 Donte pulled chair on LeBron
5m05 DLo blows by a tired J-Mike
4m40 tiki-taka-ish JP 3
4m26 JK cheering on the squad
4m20 JP 3 off curl handoff
4m10 AD sells the fade and-one
4m00 Klay hesi 3 catch — how does he do it?
3m30 JP heat-check 3 splash
3m15 GP good D on DS
2m55 JP heat-check 3 from logo off
2m00 DS downhill foul vs JP (SVG laying into JP about not wanting to defend) — too many fouls
1:24:45 both Kerr and Ham talk to their teams about keeping hands up and not fouling
1m45 Loon foul even though AD had gotten the rebound, when you establish that you’re fouling, they’re gonna call everything
1m20 LeBron great post vs Klay
1m00 Klay ends drought down 5 now down 3
0m55 DS gets to rim AGAIN (vs JP)
0m45 JP 3 bank and-1 vs DLo, almost taunts DLo
0m31 Loon 13th reb!
0m14 DS ticky-tack vs Wiggs but it’s consistent
0m11 Andre offers the butt-pad to… Dray?
1:31:30 Jeannette asks how Steph is playing: 4 tov! But only 48 hours after G7, which is far different than a feel-out G1 — also, get more physical and stop the point of attack, makes me want to just play Donte and GP2 a lot, we’ll see if Steve gives JK a chance (it’s a long series)
1:34:00 FT discrepancy: 17 to 3 LAL
1:35:00 might throw out a little zone, but also good not to play that card yet, also Dray (3 pf) on AD in crunch time if needed (23 and 11 first half)
1:37:15 JK on LeBron and what Steve is doing is waiting for that time because LeBron is so smart he’ll figure out a way to demoralize JK
8m30 Q3 DLo controlling tempo, drawing fouls — we start out with fouls on Loon, Steph, Klay in the first 3.5 mins
8m10 Loon tip over AD oreb
1:56:00 Percy: “Steph is gonna have to come alive” — or the defense!
7m00 Steph bangs in a 3 via Dray over Vando
6m30 LeBron missed layup, Loon dribbles off his foot!, Reaves 3 as Steph falls asleep
6m10 Klay rushed catch 3 with 14 on shotclock
5m20 Steph loses shoe, 5on4, LeBron open 3
4m56 Steph and Loon out
4m52 Klay tough shot corner 3
4m40 good box out on AD by Dray
4m25 Dray clutch 2 baseline
3m55 Mo oreb to Klay behind-the-back to GP
2m45 Klay curl catch 3
2m33 JP bad foul on DS, not playable D for later
2:09:00 this doesn’t feel like a playoff game, feels like regular season which is an issue
2m00 DLo nice move, somebody bit
1m30 Dray furious at Ed Malloy who doesn’t give him a tech which is why I like Malloy, Dray laying in to Malloy, but I like it because we have little energy rn (DVDV says AD tried to kick Dray?)
2:12:00 I kinda don’t mind the tech because Dray is trying to conjure up energy when we don’t have it
1m24 really pushing the line with Malloy but he knows he won’t toss him
2:13:00 Steph has 25 mins so plus 12 more is 37 mins total
0m50 good Donte steal on AD then reb later
0m15.6 both Steph and LeBron check in, I think Steph could play the full Q4 if nec
0m12 Klay to Loon tiki
0m00 good stop by GSW, DLo miss
2:18:00 down 6, Steph to play all of Q4, I like my chances, that’s why you saw the rotations, Steve wanted to set it up so that Steph could play the whole 4th
11m55 JP downhill! via Donte screen
11m30 Steph juts out on LeBron who misses 3
11m15 great hanging pass by JP to cutting Loon
10m50 Wiggs loses LBJ to alley oop, good lob by Reaves
10m30 Steph 5th tov vs Vando’s long arms but I’m not worried, Steph will adjust — FEELING THEM OUT
2:21:15 if we can apply this confidence in Steph we can apply it to all Warriors
10m00 what a charge take by Reaves vs Wiggs
9m50 AD misses a corner 3 whew, leads to a goat 3
2:26:00 we’re still figuring out the Lakers, learning tendencies
8m35 Loon swatted easily by Vando, been making several mistakes tonight despite all the rebs
8m00 Steph goat 3 handoff by Dray
6m15 Steph to Klay miss 3 new play
5m50 goat and-one
2:34:00 Jeff Chua: “Monk tougher to guard than DS?” — pace and environment completely different
5m30 in zone, good boxout Wiggs on Vando creates transition 3 for Klay
4m50 LBJ block on Steph
4m35 great stop by Dray leads to Steph layup, JP can’t get Dray’s tip rebound
4m10 Klay great D on DLo
3m40 2-3 chances but we miss reloads — COULD BE CRITICAL MOMENT(S)
3m10 Dray stops AD to Steph reb to JP 3 wow!
2m30 Dray close out on DLo airball
2m00 Ed Malloy calls travel on LBJ — Percy just asked me if I trust the refs!!!! Lol
1m40 Steph goat via Dray
1m30 DLo scores inside vs ?zone? Wiggs
1m15 Steph blocked by AD, he’s mad because he knew it
1m05 LBJ misses the first! Vando in bec Ham tired of Steph going by guys
0m04.7 Klay wanted a jump ball, now we’re back to not trusting but that wasn’t Ed Malloy making the non-call, it was Marc Davis and Nick Buchert, I don’t mind the shot by JP because they did a good on Steph esp with Vando out there
2:47:45 I didn’t know anything about LAL but they are an interesting team
2:49:00 my message to fans: don’t fall off the cliff, we had to know who we were playing and now we know and I trust the coaching staff to come up with something, we might even play more zone? Also just fouled too much
2:59:00 Jeff Chua: “did we play our A-game?” — this is like a super-hero film where the hero figures out what kind of villain he or she’s dealing with… Dark Knight trying to figure out Heath Ledger, “Avengers vs Thanos”
3:01:00 Steph had the ball going downhill with 18 sec, hard to call timeout in that situation even though it turned out that Vando and whoever else it was did a good job just selling out on Steph, plus we needed 3 not 2, so made it harder. Also Draymond and the team missed a lot of layups
3:02:00 Dean is on!
3:06:30 Dean: one day off and we have to play LBJ AD
3:17:00 DVDV: “Looney GROAT” lol
3:26:00 Dean: they’re gonna trap Steph a lot when he has the ball
3:38:00 Dean: we have to get to the rim
3:39:00 can we get JK into the game to get to the rim? Dean: GP role, dunker’s spot, screen and cut
5:28:00 Dean: LGW means Lose, Grow, Win
5:30:15 Dean: if JP added the slowness of DLo that would really help him
5:31:45 Dean: it was Rambo, they drew first blood
• Andrew Wiggins, day before Game 2 on watching the film: “…just be more forceful, that’s the main thing,.. especially the long rebounds, just stay engaged.”
• On what he needs to do in Game 2 vs LeBron: “Do even more than I did last game. Pressure more, be more aggressive on the offensive side.”
• On what it’s like to guard LeBron in the playoffs: “It’s tough. He’s LeBron… make every shot a tough shot.”
• On if he’s 100%: “Yeah, I feel good.”
• On when he felt good: “Tbh I’m Sacramento (first game)… first bucket.”
• On Anthony Davis: “…gotta be aware he’s a great shot-blocker… still attack and play your game, though.”
• On what he sees from Kuminga: “JK’s always positive. He’s working hard, always wants to learn… young kid… when he does (get his opportunity), I know he’ll make the best of it.”
• On Jordan Poole’s style for this matchup: “I think Jordan’s gonna have a big series… that’s what he’s capable of.”
• On all the off-season work he puts in: “…all the work you put in, in the summer… carries over to the regular season… prepares you for this moment. The playoffs is a different animal… physical… attention to detail.”
• On how he find a playoff rhythm: “…I found my stride as the playoffs went on, but right now I feel good. Every game’s gonna be different… big difference from playing Sac to playing the Lakers.”
• On how they can get to the FT line: “Be more forceful, attacking the basket more, being more aggressive.”
• On what’s different about the playoffs, what he learned last season: “To win is hard…a lot goes into in… attention to detail, how one play, one moment I a game can change the series… physicality… pace slows down.”
• On Looney rebounding: “Shows you how special he is… you would think he’s the tallest guy on the court. He’s a machine… no plays off…”
• On if he’d be surprised if he saw Looney shoot a three: “I wouldn’t complain, he deserves it. If you want one, Big Fella.”
• On if he’s ever seen Looney shoot a 3 before: “Yeah, I’ve seen him take a three before. I don’t remember the result of it (laughs)… Loon can shoot, Loon got touch. Loon’s a do-it-all guy. If he shoots in a game, I’m confident he’ll make it.”
• Steve Kerr media availability, day before Game 2, on any complications on going big or small: “…faced the same… against Memphis or Boston… time and score can dictate… go in with an open mind and feel the game… it’s a decision we’ve had to make many times.”
• On Jordan Poole fitting this matchup, tempting him to go small: “…last night’s game called for a lot of minutes from Jordan and he came through… tomorrow could be totally different…”
• On getting to the line earlier: “We did some good things getting the ball into the paint but you have to get a feel for Davis… Game 1s are great for that reason… see it on tape… we can play with more force overall. They were the more aggressive team… more energy and more force…”
• On if he’s talked to Draymond: “I don’t ever need to say much of anything to Draymond. He was very disappointed… he feels like he could’ve done more… always responds…”
• On if he was surprised AD and LeBron played more than 40 minutes: “Game 1, they felt they had the four days of rest and we didn’t… beginning of the fourth… go for it… who knows but I do think… every other day… our speed, our pace can definitely have an impact.”
• On 40% on threes: “…no problem with the total amount of threes… took a few… get closer to the line… we saw some things we can add…”
• On the Lakers forcing them baseline: “…try to funnel everything to Davis at the rim… a little bit like Sacramento… rather than letting our shooters off the top… we have counters for that, we showed some of them… our guys are really smart… (Lakers try to make us) avoid threes but our guys got them up…”
• On if there’s diminishing returns not playing Kuminga: “The playoffs are tough in that regard. JaMychal just got through not playing six out of the seven games against Sacramento… wasn’t an ideal matchup… opponent changes… opportunity for JaMychal, he stays ready… that’s what the playoffs are about… I tell all our players to stay ready… injuries happen, matchups change, but it’s not easy…”
• On if Kuminga can be a factor vs AD: “The series could go that route and that’s why he needs to stay ready.”
• On the Lakers being a better matchup for Poole: “…trending that way… played under control… a lot of the calls that he gets during the regular season, he’s not gonna get… general rule… part of being a young player is figuring out different officiating… shaking solid, sound decisions.”
• On Poole seeking too much contact: “You have to gauge where your advantage is. If you do have the advantage, you attack, you’re gonna get the call… Sacramento… 8 or 10 free throws… those were crucial.”
• On when he felt Looney could be a great rebounder: “Maybe not til last year… Decky started working with him… a lot of guys like that who played guard… from a guard’s angle… always had an innate feel, an IQ… first thing… was switch defensively… ‘17 playoffs, switching on Harden, staying in front… positional defense inside… rebounding has become elite the last two seasons. It’s a reminder… just like life, we’re all lifelong learners.”
• On wearing down AD but not fouling: “That’s the trick but he’s the master… regrets… Vanderbilt was screening him and Draymond fouled him… he understands he’s better than anybody… playing at a much higher level tomorrow.”
• On how he would feel about Looney shooting a three: “Not great. I think Loon wouldn’t feel good about it either.”
• On Klay: “…found ways to combat the defense he was seeing and freed himself up… all and all I loved his game.”
• On Wiggins: “Yeah it’s amazing he missed ten weeks and his first game back is Game 1… big series for him, it’s a big, athletic team… he represents our athleticism.”
• On what advice he gave to Wiggins: “…don’t try to be a hero, listen to the performance staff, they’ve got a plan… didn’t play the final two games of the regular season… Wiggs is such a great natural athlete that he got his wind back.”
• Mychal Thompson on Klay, exclusive with Mark Medina: https://thesportingtribune.com/mychal-thompson-on-lakers-facing-warriors-klay-in-west-semifinals
What do you remember about Klay’s first matchup against Kobe? (Bryant had 39 points, while Klay had 14 on Jan. 6, 2012)
It was one of my biggest thrills in broadcasting. I was so nervous. As a rookie, Klay was going against the great Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant used to torch 10-year veterans, let alone rookies. I just wanted Klay to hold his own. That’s exactly what he did. I was so proud of him and so impressed by that. He did that as a rookie going against his idol for the first time. I remember going against Kareem for the first time when I was a rookie. I remember how nervous I was. So, I was just hoping I could get out of that matchup with Kareem in one piece. I know exactly how it feels to go against your idol for the first time.
How did your matchup with Kareem go?
I held my own. He had 30 [points], and I had five (laughs). The fact that I can walk back to the locker room on two legs and not faint, for me that is holding my own. He only outscored me by 25! And I didn’t faint! For me, that’s a win.
Where does Klay’s 41-point performance against the Lakers in 2014 rank for you?
That’s the night Klay signed his rookie contract extension. Then he went out and got 41 [points] against Kobe and the Lakers on 14-for-18 shooting. That was impressive. He signed his contract in the locker room, basically. Then he went out and got 41 against the great Kobe Bryant. That shows you how mentally tough Klay is.
👍👍💛💙