6 years ago a small group of friends spread across the country, all die-hard Warriors fans, decided to start a Warriors blog, goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com. It was a way for us to have fun and connect despite being thousands of miles apart. We wrote as a way to share our misery with each other and the small group of people who managed to find the site. Sharing our misery mainly meant making fun of ourselves as Warrior fans and the players. 99% of the time we made fun of everyone's favorite punching bag, Mr. Mike Dunleavy Jr.

It wasn't long before SB Nation noticed our efforts and recruited us to join their team. In February of 2006, we became Golden State of Mind and have been here ever since. For myself, it's been an amazing, unforgettable 6 years highlighted by the miraculous run in 2007 where the Warriors were the darlings of the NBA and we were the darlings of the blogosphere.

6 years: a couple season's worth of game threads and recaps, 10 GSOM Nights, 3 GSOM Kids Days, season tickets, draft coverage, report cards, summer league coverage, web pins, overly optimistic, overly pessimistic, bad jokes, so many things I can't remember and...

...it's time to hang'em up, say goodbye and give up my spot on the GSOM Crew. It's time to put my efforts into a new hobby and spend more time with the new wifey. I wish I could "retire" with the Warriors on top, but 36 wins will have to do. I leave with the GSOM Crew as strong as it's ever been with a lot of new faces and writing styles.

Before I go, some thank you's after the jump.

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Jeremy Lin's first made 3 of the season. No, really it is.

Final Boxscore  |  Game Day Links  | Game Thread

Blazers Edge

The end. No dramatic finish. No surprise outcome. No holy crap, that's Keyser Soze moment. The Warriors finish the season with a 36-46 record. It's what most of us thought would happen since the beginning of the season - somewhere in the neighborhood of 34-38 wins. We didn't know how it would happen, but we knew what would happen, mediocrity and a double digit lottery pick. No amount of ownership change is going to turn a bad 26-56 team around quickly enough to get into the playoffs without some sort of divine intervention or Tim Duncan falling into your lap.

Was getting to the playoffs unrealistic? Yes. Overly optimistic? Yes. The Warriors finished with 10 less wins than the 8th place Memphis Grizzlies. That's a long way to go. But you know what, a 10 win improvement is nothing to scoff at. In fact, it's a pretty big jump and something this team can build on. And just think, if they keep doing that every year, in another 4 years they'll be 76-6. Sweeeeeet. 

As far as this game is concerned...hit the jump.

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Portland Trailblazers (48-33) @ Golden State Warriors (35-46)

Tip-Off: 7:30 pm | CSN Bay Area | KNBR 680

You know what this game reminds me of?

Think back 4 years ago. 2007. Final game of the season. Ring any bells?

The Warriors were playing the Portland Trailblazers in the final game of the regular season. Win and they're in the playoffs. The Warriors won 120-98 setting off insanity in the Bay Area and leading to one of the greatest upsets in the NBA playoffs. Good times. Great times.

Ahhhh memories. I can re-watch that video clip and re-read that recap all the time. It's a reminder of what it could be like if this team could ever be in the playoffs.

This year's final regular season game versus the Trailblazers is not a must win. Nobody will reminisce on this game. Nobody will remember where they were when they watched this game. Their might be some tears shed just like 4 years ago, but they will be tears of frustration and sadness, not joy.

And so we close another season in the same way we have closed 17 of the last 18 seasons.

Lottery-bound.

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This is how I feel whenever the Warriors play the Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers (55-22) @ Golden State Warriors (34-44)

Tip-Off: 7:30 pm | CSN Bay Area | KNBR 680

When the Lakers come to town it's always rowdy and raucous at the Oracle. A significant amount of the crowd is pro-Laker sporting their purple and yellow Kobe Bryant jerseys. They're loud, obnoxious, and have bad breath. It's no fun to be a Warrior fan, especially when you have these bandwagon Laker fans in your face chanting MVP when Derek Fisher steps to the free throw line. Actually Warriors fans should do that just for the sarcasm.

That's also why it's fun when the Lakers visit. People get all riled up and excited for no reason other than pride. We all know who the better team is. We all know who has the better franchise. We all know we'd swap the Lakers team for the Warriors team in a heartbeat as long as they changed the laundry to the Warrior blues. But it's fun to boo, cheer, and for 2.5 hours forget about everything except what's happening on the court.

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Warriors (30-42) at Raptors (20-51)

Tip-Off: 7:30pm | CSN Bay Area | KNBR 680

SB Nation Blog Buddy: Raptors HQ

6 losses in a row with 5 of them on the road and all of them by at least 10 points. I didn't expect the Warriors to win any of those road games but to get beat by an average of nearly 17 per game makes me wonder if the players still care. This is in no way a defense of Coach Smart, but getting blown out multiple times in a row is on the players. These teams are clearly better than the Warriors, but not "we're going to blow you out every game" better.

So if the players don't care anymore, should the fans? Or rather, do the fans care anymore?

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Magic (41-24) at Warriors (28-36)

Tip-Off: 7:30pm | CSN+ | KNBR 680

SB Nation Blog Buddy: Orlando Pinstriped Post

That was one of the easiest road trips the Warriors have had all season - 6 of 7 teams with records of .500 or worse - and they completely flopped. 2 wins, 5 losses. They beat the worst team in the league and the second worst team in the league. And they lost to the Nets who just flew back from London and were without Deron Williams.

Well at least they're home and can sleep in their own beds, not hotel rooms.

So what should we expect as our heroes return home to face the Magic?

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I couldn't resist. Dunleavy pictures never get old.
Unfortunately, the Warrior within won't feel better soon.

Warriors (26-32) vs Pacers (26-32)

Tip-Off: 4:00pm | CSN Bay Area | KTCT 1050

SB Nation: Indy Cornrows

Warriors fans will always have a special place in their heart for the Indiana Pacers for being so nice and taking Mike Dunleavy Jr and Troy Murphy off our hands for Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington. We got two guys the Pacers didn't want and they helped lead us to the promised land. They got two guys we didn't want, and they helped lead the Pacers nowhere.

After Sunday's disaster in Minnesota, the Warriors better get their act together or else this road trip is going to get ugly fast.

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The softest interior in the league!

There are a lot of problems on this Warriors team. Tops among those is a lack of toughness both physically and mentally. Toughness gets you a long way when you lack skill. It means you work hard on defense, box out, crash the boards. It means you play smart and don't commit silly fouls. It means you lay it all out on the floor and work harder than the man opposite you. It means a whole lot of things that the Warriors just lack. It means you don't let the Timberwolves have their way with you.

How can this team be so Charmin soft for so many years in a row? The D-Leaguers last year had more heart and toughness than these guys do, especially the big men.

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Warriors (26-31) vs Timberwolves (13-46)

Tip-Off: 2:00pm | CSN Bay Area | KNBR 680

SB Nation: Canis Hoopus

After 2 months of what seemed like nothing but home games, our fearless Warriors hit the road for a long 7 game, 11 day road trip. At least the upcoming schedule isn't filled with Eastern Conference powerhouses.
@ Minnesota (13-46)
@ Indiana (26-31)
@ Washington (15-43)
@ Boston (46-15)
@ Philadelphia (29-29)
@ Cleveland (11-47)
@ New Jersey (17-42)

One team above .500 and 5 teams with the same or worse records than the Warriors. Given how awful the Warriors play on the road this could be a 1-6 road trip even if they played Cleveland all 7 times.

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Just a friendly reminder to get your GSOM Night 10 tickets before they sell out.

Kevin Durant! Russell Westbrook! Stephen Curry! Monta Ellis!

Free Tony.psd designed t-shirt!

Participate in a post-game 3 point contest!

When
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 5:00p vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Tickets (Purchase Tickets Online, password: GSOM)
- Club 200 Sideline: $30 each (regular $36)
- Club 200 Corner/Baseline: $25 each (regular $30)

For Every Ticket Purchased
- Tickets to watch Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook take on the Warriors
- Free Tony.psd t-shirt
- Participate in the post-game on-court 3-point shootout for a chance to win Courtside Club tickets

Hit the jump for t-shirt info and rules on the 3 point contest.

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Reverse alley oop off a 70 foot pass from Steph!

Bucks vs Warriors boxscore  |  Game Thread  |  Game Day Links

Brew Hoop

In a game the Warriors had a very good chance of winning, they took care of business and got the W. In the end, it doesn't matter how they got the win. At the end of the season, the W doesn't come with an asterisk saying that the Bucks didn't have Andrew Bogut, Drew Gooden, and played with a still recovering Brandon Jennings. None of the Warriors L's early in the season come with asterisks about injuries. None of the Warriors past 17 years comes with an asterisk about having a crappy owner.

It's about time the Warriors faced and beat a team with more significant injuries than the Warriors have.

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Updated 11:08pm: After the jump, added info for t-shirt pick up and 3 point contest rules

Updated 7:55pm: Get a free t-shirt if you purchase by Feb 8!

Free GSOM Night 10 t-shirt designed by Tony.psd

It's just under 2 weeks until GSOM Night 10 on Sunday, February 13, Warriors vs Thunder (Kevin Durant!). We're revealing the GSOM Night 10 t-shirt design courtesy of Tony.psd. It's the first ever shirt with designs on the front AND back. It's also got a silhouette of Monta with another one of his acrobatic layups. It's going to be awesome.

While you're wearing the shirt at the game, you'll also get a shot to win courtside club tickets by knocking down a few 3 pointers in our first ever 3 point contest after the game. Grab some tickets and practice shooting some 3's.

When
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 5:00p vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Tickets (Purchase Tickets Online, password: GSOM)
- Club 200 Sideline: $30 each (regular $36)
- Club 200 Corner/Baseline: $25 each (regular $30)

For Every Ticket Purchased
- Tickets to watch Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook take on the Warriors
- Free Tony.psd t-shirt (if you purchase by Feb 8)
- Participate in the post-game on-court 3-point shootout for a chance to win Courtside Club tickets

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GSOM Night 10!

We've been working on getting the details done for awhile now but we can finally announce the next GSOM Night. This time we secured one of the most popular games on the schedule - a Sunday game against one of the most exciting up and coming teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. If you haven't had a chance to see KD in person, he's silky smooth and a lot of fun to watch.

You get a discount on the game ticket and by purchasing before February 1, you get a Tony.psd designed t-shirt (guaranteed to be hot) and can participate in the first ever GSOM 3-point contest (rules to come). Get your tickets to the game quick

When
Sunday, February 13, 2011 @ 5:00p vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Tickets (Purchase Tickets Online, password: GSOM)
- Club 200 Sideline: $30 each (regular $36)
- Club 200 Corner/Baseline: $25 each (regular $30)

For Every Ticket Purchased
- Tickets to watch Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook take on the Warriors
- Free Tony.psd t-shirt
- Participate in the post-game on-court 3-point shootout for a chance to win Courtside Club tickets

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Originally posted Jan 17, 2011 7:01 AM PST

Nets (10-30) @ Warriors (16-23)

TV: CSN Bay Area / Radio: KTCT 1050

Tip-Off: 1:00pm

Blog Buddy: NetsDaily

It has become an annual tradition for us at GSOM, Martin Luther King Jr. Day = GSOM Kids Day. For the past 3 years, including today, the Warriors and GSOM team up to give away 100+ tickets (118 this year) to local organizations so that the youth involved in those organizations can attend a game. Sometimes, it's the first game they've ever been to. The Warriors donate the tickets to us and we find the youth organizations who can benefit from these tickets.

If you've never been to a Warriors game on MLK Day, it's quite interesting. Most schools get the day off and the Warriors know this. I'm sure they donate plenty of tickets on that day because the arena is full of kids. The vibe and the energy during the game is completely different than normal. It's different and a lot of fun.

Hit the jump to find out which youth organizations we're working with this year.

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Warriors vs Hornets boxscore  |  Game Day Links  |  Game Thread

At The Hive

Up and down, down and up, and all around and around. This game was a rollercoaster ride if there ever was one. There were points in the game where it looked like the Warriors would whither away being down by double digits and I was ready to give up. Then there were times where it looked like the Warriors would make a big run and keep the game close. Hornets 10-0 run, Warriors 10-0 run. Back and forth it went for the entire first 3 quarters.

And then the 4th quarter started and of course, this Warriors team who have struggled many times in the 2nd half the past games, came up BIG. Makes sense right?

That 4th quarter? Warriors started it down 10 and won by 7. They won the quarter 38-21! Amazing performance in which they attacked the basket and got a lot of free throws, got Emeka Okafor to foul out, and made some big shots.

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It's the Chris Paul school of defense

Warriors (13-21) vs Hornets (21-14)

TV: CSN | Radio:  KTCT 1050

Tip-Off: 5:00pm

Blog Buddy: At The Hive

In the last 2 games, once against the Heat and once against the Magic, the Warriors have blown first half leads with poor play in the 2nd half. These aren't the only two times the Warriors have played poorly in the 2nd half of a game, but these two stick out because of the opponent. Something must be happening in the locker room at halftime for the Warriors to come out and play as a completely different team.

Hit the jump for my suggestions for halftime. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.

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Originally posted Jan 3, 9:20pm

Just because this was more fun to watch than the 2nd half

Warriors vs Magic boxscore  |  Game Day Links  |  Game Thread

Orlando Pinstriped Post

This game was almost identical to the previous game against the Heat. The Warriors play very well in the first half and take a sizable lead only to get blown out in the 2nd half and lose the game.

Halftime score: Warriors 53, Magic 44

3rd quarter score: Warriors 18, Magic 35

4th quarter score: Warriors 19, Magic 31

The Warriors were beat by 29 points in the 2nd half. This begs the question, do the Warriors know that the 2nd half also counts towards the final score?

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Warriors (13-20) vs Magic (21-12)

TV: CSN | Radio:  KTCT 1050

Tip-Off: 4:00pm

Blog Buddy: Orlando Pinstriped Post

10 years ago in 2001, the Warriors drafted both Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas. They join forces now as savvy vets on the Magic to face their former team - an organization that looks completely different than when the two first entered the league.

But the results are still the same. Losing, losing and more losing.

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Monta has the ability to make defenders look bad

Warriors vs Heat boxscore  |  Game Day Links  |  Game Thread

Peninsula is Mightier

The schedule maker is unkind, a back to back on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? That's just wrong. As pointed out in the broadcast, it has only happened 4 times in the last 38 years. When I saw the schedule I figured the Warriors (and their fans) should be happy to win one of the games. Why then, do I feel so disappointed? Here's why...

The Warriors were on fire in the first half! They dropped 72 points in the first half against an excellent defensive team. They hit everything from everywhere and a lot of those were from behind in arc. They played with a lot of confidence and were very much in control.

It was the best half of the season.

The Warriors held a 20 point lead with 1 minute left in the first half against a team that nobody gave them a chance to beat. The Heat made a 6-0 run to close the quarter and at halftime it was Warriors 72, Heat 58 - a 14 point lead.

But then halftime came and it got in the way of the Warriors chance at winning.

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Canis Hoopus

Well it's about time!

A win.

The Warriors won a game. It's been so long since the last win that I almost forgot what it was like.

So, here's what the Warriors have established in their last 14 games. They're better than the Timberwolves, not better than a bunch of other teams. But the Warriors don't get to play the Timberwolves every game for the rest of the season so they're going to figure out how to beat someone else other than the Timberwolves.

But first, a win is a win is a win is a win. I'll take it.

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Watching from Jeremy's front row seat would have me in tears too.

Warriors (8-16) @ Timberwolves (6-18)

TV: CSN (HD)  Radio: KNBR 680

Tip-Off: 7:30pm

Blog Buddy: Canis Hoopus

The good thing about facing the Timberwolves is now you know that brutal 7 game stretch is over: San Antonio, Phoenix, @Oklahoma City, @Dallas, @San Antonio, Miami, @Utah. 7 games and 7 losses by an average of 12.5 points.

The schedule maker is a woman with a funny sense of humor because the Timberwolves are back to face the Warriors. The Warriors lose 7 in a row and then are given a chance to win. The Warriors last win was against the Timberwolves, waaaaaaaay back on November 27 giving themselves a Clipper-like 1-12 in their last 13 games. Let that one sink in Warrior fans - 1 win, 12 losses. 1 win, 12 losses.

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More dance moves from Keith Smart. I'm waiting for him to call a play doin' the dougie.

I was actually surprised by the Warriors...for a half. They faced a tough Jazz team without Stephen Curry and grabbed a 3 point first quarter lead. After a back and forth 2nd quarter in which the Jazz took a sizeable lead, the Warriors snatched it back and the halftime score was Warriors 46-43. Crazy. A 3 point halftime lead in Salt Lake City. It was at this point while listening on the radio that I thought the Warriors might actually have a chance and pull this one out.

But it was not to be.

The fake Jazz team the Warriors played in the first half stayed in the locker room and the real Jazz team came out to play the 2nd half to punish the Warriors in the 3rd quarter 31-24 and then again in the 4th quarter 34-25.

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I think he's got more passion than his players

Final Boxscore  |  Game Thread  |  Game Day Links

Welcome to Loud City

For awhile there this was a pretty disgusting game. The Thunder came out like they were taking out their anger from the previous loss to the Raptors on the Warriors. The game started out 18-2, and then 28-9, and then the 1st quarter ended 32-17. I was laughing during that first quarter watching the easy layups, alley oops, and extreme ease with which the Thunder made the Warriors look like Angola facing the Dream Team. Occasionally, the Thunder would have a mental lapse and let the Warriors score too.

Then the Warriors found their legs or skill or whatever it was. They won the 2nd quarter 25-22 capped off by an Andris Biedrins offensive rebound who then passed to Reggie Williams for a free throw line jumper as the clock expired. But they were still down by 12.

The 3rd quarter rolled around and the Thunder made some adjustments. They put the Warriors back in their place by winning the 3rd quarter 36-28. It was a quarter marred by lots of fouls and free throws, thus the high scoring quarter.

And then I fell asleep. I was lying on the couch with a nice warm blanket and the Warriors losing by 20. I figured my 16 point loss prediction was going to be close. Oops, because the Warriors came back, a furious comeback really.

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MVP? Not even on his own team.

Warriors (8-11) @ Thunder (13-7)

TV: CSN (HD)  Radio: KNBR 680

Tip-Off: 4:00pm

Blog Buddy: Welcome to Loud City

How will the Warriors even compete in this game? I have no idea. I also have no idea how the Thunder lost to the Raptors by 12. So maybe there's a chance. There's also a chance that the Thunder are really, really mad and plan to take it out on the Warriors.

Everyone was talking about Kevin Durant this year as the MVP candidate. After his amazing last year and his ridiculous performance at the FIBA tournament, there was plenty of reasons for that discussion.

But then Russell Westbrook.

He's the MVP of the Thunder right now and if voting were today, he'd get some votes for MVP of the league. At 24.4ppg (TS 55.3%), 5.5 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 2.2 steals, he's killin' it. Compare his line with Kevin Durant: 27.4ppg (TS 54.4%), 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Durant's shooting percentage is way down this year while Westbrook's is way up.

For the Thunder to have 2 MVP caliber players at just 22 years old is just unfair.

And then we have the Warriors...

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No Amare. No Tony.psd either.

Suns (8-9) @ Warriors (8-10)

TV: TNT  Radio: KNBR 680

Tip-Off: 7:30pm

Blog Buddy: Bright Side Of The Sun

All I can think about with this game is that the Suns will be without Amare Stoudemire. It's just Steve Nash and his gang of 2's, 3's and 4's, no real center or big man. No Amare. No Amare. No Amare. No Warrior demolisher.

TNT tonight.

First nationally televised Warriors game. I'm sure TNT will be happy about this game. It'll be high scoring with lots of 3's and uncontested layups.

But, the Warriors-Suns game will be overshadowed by the only other game tonight. Some guy returns home to Cleveland for the first time since leaving. When I returned to Berkeley after college nobody cared, I don't know what the big deal is.

Hit the jump for some highlights for why I'm glad there's no more Amare.

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Messed around and got a triple double...15pts, 18rebs, 11asts

Final Boxscore  |  Game Thread  |  Game Day Links

Pounding The Rock

Well that was fun. And by fun I mean torturous, painful, and frustrating. The Spurs do that to you. There should be a warning for Warriors fans when watching the Warriors play the Spurs - "Warning: watching the Spurs smash on your Warriors will be hazardous to your health (and any confidence you once had in them)." The Warriors have now lost 8 straight to the Spurs. The last time the Warriors beat the Spurs was nearly 2 years ago, January 8, 2008.

The Spurs didn't build a big lead quickly against the Warriors and then just cruise to a 20 point win like the Lakers do. They let the Warriors stick around and every now and then would add a point to their lead. After the first quarter, you just kept hoping for a Warriors run because the game was still within reach, but no run came. The Spurs just wouldn't allow the Warriors to make that run. The Warriors stayed close enough to have hope, but never were able to get close to be a threat.

I hate the Spurs. I wish we had their coach and their players. But then all the big men would be injured. And I would hate them all over again.

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The Spurs' Jedi-mind tricks have them at 14-2. Get up Dirk!

Warriors (8-9) vs Spurs (14-2)

TV: CSN Bay Area  Radio: KNBR 680

Tip-Off: 7:30pm

Blog Buddy: Pounding The Rock

Yay, David Lee is back! Just 17 days after getting bit. Not by a stray dog with rabies or a vampire, but another human being. It's the miracle of modern medicine people. Even though he didn't play well, the Warriors won again with him in the lineup although, as jae pointed out, the win may have been more because of VladRad or lack thereof. But whatever, a win is a win and tonight, if the Warriors get another they'll be back at .500 and in 2nd place in the Pacific.

The Spurs are the best team in basketball right now. Betcha didn't guess that would ever be written this year. They're 14-2 and just won 12 in a row. Yikes. So how do you stop a team that can't be stopped? I dunno. They're Big 4, Manu, Parker, Timmy, and RJ, are playing well and they have some nice bench players such as George Hill and Antonio McDyess.

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Lots of free throws, lots of points, lots of smiling

Final Boxscore  |  Game Thread  |  Game Day Links

Denver Stiffs

The Warriors offense sucked. They had no life tonight with the 3rd game in 4 nights. Maybe if they had hit some more shots early they get energized and don't fall apart at the end. Tired legs usually settle for jumpers. Tonight the Warriors took a lot of 3's. Their offense became drive and one pass to the man standing at the 3 point line or swing the ball around and shoot the open 3. Somebody go for a higher percentage shot. Get to the line. Do something other than launch 3's. They shot 26 of them and made 6, good for 23%. Compare that to the Nuggets 12-21 from 3 (8 of 9 at one point), good for 57%.

This game was actually close for most of the game. Both teams shot under 40% for the first half. The Warriors kept shooting poorly while the Nuggets found their stroke. Even with the poor shooting and Nuggets shooting better, with 5:47 to go, the Warriors were down just 5 with the ball. Then Monta misses a 3 and then the Nuggets go on a 9-1 run to go up 92-79 and put the game away.

Overall, the Warriors shot just 40% from the field. You're not going to win many games like that. The Nuggets finished with 47% from the field, an 11 made free throw advantage, and a huge advantage from 3.

Warriors drop to 7-7. Crap.

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