Posts tagged ‘chris paul’

Opening night wasn’t supposed to be this close.

After all, without Baron, Monta, a banged-up C.J., an unhappy Al and the youngest squad in the league, the Warriors would be lucky to hang with the 2nd best team in the Western Conference by most accounts.

But close enough isn’t enough to get a win, and without a real closer in crunch time, this game could be an indicator of things to come.

There is a lot of fight in this year’s team. That’s one thing we uncovered in the Dubs 108-103 loss to New Orleans at the Oracle. Now if only they can get their offense in gear, they could surprise some people.

The Warriors were paced by Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette, both of whom will have to have big starts to this season if the Warriors are to going to stem the tide before Monta returns. Jack played all 48 minutes, but tired out in the 4th and ended up with 26 points, knocking down five treys.

Corey scored 27 and showed why the Dubs will have an inside game this year, getting to the line 10 times (knocking down 9 of them).

Unfortunately, the turning point of this closely contested game was when Andris fouled out with three minutes to play. ‘Dre played well, scoring 14 and grabbing 12 boards. But once he was gone, the Hornets kept scoring and outrebounding the Dubs down the stretch. Add a few critical Warriors miscues on their final possessions to the mix, and GSW is now 0-1. Chris Paul had a quiet 21 & 11, but made his presence felt when it counted, scoring twice with under a minute to play.

A hard fought game, but one that a more seasoned Warriors squad would’ve likely put away. Whether that seasoning take place during this season remains to be seen.

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Al Harrington
Corey Maggette
Kelenna Azubuike
Stephen Jackson

Chris Paul runs his city.

Box Score

Chris Paul, Peja Stojakovic, David West, and Jannero Pargo made their rekindled fan base proud - and demonstrated that they belong in the top spot in the West.

The Dubs played a solid game with several strong contributions, but demonstrated why they’re scratching and clawing their way between 8th and 9th.

Monta and Andris were the go-to guys for the Warriors for the second game in row. Monta completely dominated on offense, driving and shooting his way to a game high 35 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and snatching 4 steals. Beans was incredibly active beneath the basket and on the glass, putting up 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

It was a good, competitive match. The Warriors lead for most of the first two quarters thanks to Monta and Beans. The Dubs’ defensive plan of aggressively fronting Tyson Chandler in the post was very effective, until the Hornets’ back-up point guard Jannero Pargo decided to become an assassin. Pargo piled on 16 points in 6 minutes in the heart of the second quarter, bringing NO back from the brink and kick-starting their offense.

Paul vs. Davis was the featured match up, unfortunately for us it ended up being very one sided.

Baron was booed soundly every time he touched the ball due to the messy end to his Hornets’ career. He shut up the boo-birds with big plays occasionally, but not for good.

The real star of the show was Chris Paul. Paul ran his team like the MVP he deserves to be, going off for a triple double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 steals. The most telling shot of the night came from CP3 with 7:43 left in the game. The Warriors had just muscled their way back to a 90-90 tie, and looked hungry to go on a run when Paul took the game into his own hands and nailed a cold blooded three - triggering a 12-2 Hornets’ run, sealing the game.

In a perfect reflection of the game, Baron attempted his own three to answer Paul’s that fell short - triggering a small collapse by the Dubs and sealing the loss.

Al Harrington finally got a decent game under his belt, he and Monta carried the Dubs in the second half. The two provided 30 of the Warriors’ 45 third and fourth quarter points. Monta was unstoppable and was the toast of the ABC commentators.

The Hornets’ ultimately victorious answer was a deadly trio of Paul, West, and Stojakovic - those three calmly picked apart the Warriors’ defense and nailed all the open shots they needed to.  

Baron and Jack couldn’t come up with any magic. They each individually tried to make big plays but fell short. Baron went 8-22 from the field while Jack put in another weak performance, going 3-11 in 43 minutes. For a couple of guys who supposedly thrive under pressure and live for competition they sure look like they’re wilting after a gruelling season and have come up empty for the final run.

Jackson and Baron are struggling, and there is no one to fill that big of a gap. They’re the heart of the team, no young up-and-comers or bench player combo can cover for a disintegrating heart.

The Warriors aren’t the only ones scuffling; Denver dropped a double overtime loss against the rookie phenom Kevin Durant and his Sonics. We’re still tied for 8th with a head to head against them Thursday.