Game 75: Hornets @ Warriors Preview/Open Game Thread
by Rohan on Apr 3, 2009 9:09 PM CDT
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The big news is Peja Stojakovic will return tonight. According to Byron Scott, he should get about 20-25 minutes off the bench. I will consider tonight a success if Peja is healthy at the end of the night; for now, I don't really care how he shoots. As long as he can build up some strength over these next few games, he can once again be an invaluable piece. There's still no word on Tyson Chandler, though Chandler did blog this week that his cast has been removed. The Times-Pic also reported that TC could return for the final three games.
Anyways, the Warriors are something of a mess right now. That said, they're still a very capable offensive team (10th in offensive efficiency). If we fail to close out on shooters, this could turn into a bad night in a hurry. The Dubs also have Monta Ellis back in the mix and playing well. He had a scary moment against Sacramento on Wednesday but otherwise appears to be fine. Stephen Jackson is out for the year, but that could actually be a bad thing for us. Instead of Jackson firing up ill advised threes at a 33% clip, they now have Kelenna Azuibuike, who not only shoots very smart threes, but also connects on 45% of his looks.
The key to coralling GSW's high key offense is to stop them from getting to the line. Currently the league's 3rd best free throw taking attack, the Dubs' foul drawing is led by Corey Maggette (9.4 FTA/36). Nobody else is close to that, but some other key players- Crawford, Randolph, and Wright- all average in the 3-4 range. That puts the onus big time on Hilton Armstrong tonight. He could either be in for a terrible night or he could take a big step forward defensively. We've seen him make significant strides on the offensive end, so I have some confidence.
Defensively, Golden State allows opponents to shoot great percentages, doesn't force turnovers, and fouls more than average. Most importantly, they are the worst defensive rebounding team in the NBA by a good margin (Interestingly, 3 of the bottom 5 and 5 of the bottom 11 defensive rebounding teams reside in the Pacific Division). So I expect Julian Wright to have a big impact on this game, given his high offensive rebounding totals of late. Go Hornets.
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Funny
One of the Warriors’ TV network “Keys to the Game” was allow Chris Paul to shoot the jumper. Not working out to great for them.
So I just turned on the game
What’s the problem so far
That's pretty much it.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
The bench has really progressed in the past couple of games.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions
They look flatfooted on defense
Just watching people drive to the basket.
Why is Chris Paul not in the game again?
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
He'll have to play the whole 2nd half
so he’s getting as much rest as possible
They are about to be down 15 to a 7 man team
because they are not thinking or taking them seriously.
WTF JUJU!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
I think if I could combine one player's mind into another player's body
I would put Chris Paul’s brain in Anthony Randolph’s body.
draft dejuan blair
WTF is JuJu doing?
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Wow
David West. That was absolutely pathetic. Did anyone else see that? LAZIEST play of the season by any player
You know
I’m happy he’s trying to tough it out but he’s a total liability on D. And if he’s not going to be affective on offense at least try on defense. He just figured the time would run out and halftime. No you don’t stop until the buzzer sounds.
And CP should’ve been at the freethrow line with that bump. crawford got touched and a foul was called. I hate when refs have two different rules
How's Kiwi doing?
StupidTV in NZ doesn’t broadcast many Hornet’s games
Love his energy
It’s great how he tries to dunk every time he’s near the hoop. Hilton’s learning too, but if Marks could teach him how to do that..
yeah
SA has been playing really poorly. Portland plays there this next week… I wonder if they will keep resting Ginobili and Duncan on the second night of back to backs, like it will be on Wednesday.
draft dejuan blair
Hello everyone.
Dallas lost too. I predict CP goes supernova in the third, envelopes the entire Oracle Arena, and leaves a heap of rotting corpses behind. FIguratively. Maybe.
Julian's shot is not there tonight
he’s rushing too much.
Julian looks disgusting tonight.
Although he does have 8 rebounds.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow Hilton. That was disgraceful.
I think he’s the first Hornet to airball a free throw, correct?
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Doesn't matter how good Chris Paul is
If we don’t play defense. We’re turning the Warriors into 5 Chris Pauls on every play.
So Peja is back from injury and MoPete
Is back to riding the pine?
Hey I have an idea.
If we can’t score, let’s leave Mo Pete on the bench. You know. That guy who was our starting 2 on Day 1. Yeah. Maybe DB and AD can come in for that deadly 1-2 punch. Woo.
Why no Mo tonight?
Better question; Why Devin Brown tonight?
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
I love how we all thought about the lack of Mo tonight at the same time.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
they are lazy fouls too
getting beat and just grabbing guys. stupid
Good to see we're within 3 now
And havent see Mr. Marks get 6 rebounds in a long long time
Let’s keep it going Hornets!!
Grind, grind, grind.
It’s how you beat a Nellie / D’antoni team. They are irregular with shots they take, so if you can just keep pegging away…you’ll find yourself back in it.
What's up with Rasual tonight?
On a side note, if we want to win this game our first key is to stop Jamal Crawford. MUST!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
I think mW jinxed D-West.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
This is the way Marks should play every game.
Minus that one jumpshot. None of those please.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Good to see Sual hit a jumper.
Total CP3/DX domination. Keep it going.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Feels good.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Very iffy.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Dammit soon as they get to within 1
dwest takes a bad shot.
Paul has 5 fouls.
No, we HAVE to score on this possession though.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Dude screw Devin Brown. Why the hell is he playing over Marks?!?
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
They both provide that reliable jumper.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Byron Scott.
I like him. I really do. But he has an achilles heel for untalented hard working players. Exhibit A: Devin Brown.
Perfectly put.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Clearly. Marks is having his best game so we bring in DEVIN BROWN! WTF!!!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions
SCREW DEVIN BROWN!!!!!!! STOP SHOOTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Agreed.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Figures. Could have jumped Houston.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I hate Devin Brown. Seriously, the guy is a disgrace to anyone who has ever touched a basketball.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Butler kills me with his slow pump fakes
only to take an even more contested shot and miss it
Man we lost to a teeam with rookies, delaguers and fee agents. NICE!
One thingZ for sure. Anthonly Randolph is a stud
by dungeness crabdribble on Apr 4, 2009 12:38 AM CDT reply actions
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