Preview: Trail Blazers at Warriors
by Mike
Portland
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Golden State
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Oracle Arena
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| 2010-11 Meetings | ||
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| December 18, 2010 • Recap | ||
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Warriors | 95 |
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Trailblazers | 96 |
| December 25, 2010 • Recap | ||
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Trailblazers | 102 |
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Warriors | 109 |
| April 5, 2011 • Recap | ||
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Warriors | 108 |
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Trailblazers | 87 |
| April 13, 2011 • Recap | ||
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Trailblazers | 86 |
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Warriors | 110 |
This is it, the merciful end to the season. No matter what happens tonight, this has to be considered a year of deep disappointment for the Warriors. On the heels of a new owner and a big offseason acquisition, it seems like if anything the team regressed from last year (despite the increase in wins). At least last year there were significant disruptions (Stephen Jackson) and injuries to blame things on (I just don’t buy the argument that David Lee’s injury cost this team that many games — the stretch he missed was one the Warriors would have had trouble succeeding in anyway).
Instead, we have a new high-paid interior player who just isn’t that good inside, an owner who appears surprisingly accepting of treading water (when he isn’t stocking the bench with inferior players), and a team that STILL CAN’T PLAY ANY FUCKING DEFENSE. Top it off with the fact that our potential-star young PG didn’t take the leap forward that most of us expected this year, and it’s hard to feel that this franchise has turned much of a corner — much less put itself on the path to the playoffs.
Really, the only things to get excited about is that the players genuinely seem to get along for once (not insignificant, considering the history of the franchise) and that their draft pick doesn’t appear to be a bust (though the smart money is on him remaining limited throughout his career).
As for tonight, I’ll kinda be rooting for a loss. I don’t feel this team deserves the AWESOME ACHIEVEMENT of a 10-win improvement over last year, and they could potentially tie Milwaukee for the 10th-worst record in the league (I think the draft position would then be decided by a coin flip?). That’s unlikely as the Bucks would have to win but are playing their final game at Oklahoma City, and considering that Portland’s playoff position is set I doubt they’ll try hard.
So if they have to win, I’d just love to see something positive from Udoh and Curry. I just don’t trust this front office to get anything done, so if the Warriors are going to be any better next year I feel like those two are going to have to be the primary drivers of improvement.
Tags: blazers, ekpe udoh, stephen curry, warriors
