CONGRATULATIONS WARRIORS
Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors and their success this season. These NBA playoffs have seen some very competitive First Round series and this one with the Clippers was one of the best first round N.B.A playoff series played. This season or in seasons past. The two teams went in very evenly matched after splitting the regular-season series 2-2.
[ Doc Rivers had this to say about his opposition:
"Mark Jackson is a great COACH and he did an exceptional job."
" Draymond Green was phenomenal this entire series." ]
Every other statistical category for the regular season, between these two teams, went back-and-forth in terms of who the slight edge went to. And that is how this series went. Back-and-Forth to the very end.
The closing seconds of this game 7 Between the Clippers and Warriors done as "play-by-play" style:
Game 7 is coming to a close and it is coming down to the wire at the 12.1 second mark in the fourth quarter. The score is 120-118 Los Angeles leads. Draymond Green fouls J.J. Redick for his 6th personal and fouls OUT of the Ball-Game. Ouch. Draymond leaves the game having 24 pts, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. He leaves second in scoring to Steph Curry. Redick on the line shooting two. He breathes. The crowd silences. Reddick makes. He sets for the second. 122-118 now in the ball-game after J.J. attempts to put the game on ice here. 12.1 remaining.
Golden State Warriors sideline out of bounds. Curry catches the inbound . Dribbles quickly and fires an off-balance two. It's off the rim. Rebound- Clippers, Chris Paul gets fouled and he's at the free-throw line shooting two with 8.2 left.
"This may just seal it.." _ Kevin Harlan, TNT Broadcaster
124-118.
After the made free-throws, Steph Curry gets the inbound Curry dribbles the length of the court, pulls up top of the key and hits a 23 foot jumper to bring the game to 124-121 with 2 seconds left. What a shot and I bet, right now, Mr. Curry who now has 33 points wishes he had that one go in not that long ago. WOW! Too little too late. Foul Golden State. Jamal Crawford goes to the free throw line to close this thing out.
Makes two free throws: 126-121
Game Over
After the game Kenny 'The Jet" Smith said that he thought the Warriors did not have enough guys to "get over the hump." That they "don't have enough players on the team."
There might be some truth in that in terms of getting over that hump as they are definitely on the cusp of advancing in the playoffs in the highly competitive Western Conference. They have actually built a really nice ball club over the last few years.
Personally, I think the talent IS there, Mr. Smith. They have a good, young roster that is ONLY getting better and anytime you have this guy
Personally, I think the talent IS there, Mr. Smith. They have a good, young roster that is ONLY getting better and anytime you have this guy
YOU HAVE A CHANCE!
The Warriors also have a nice collection of talent on their NBA D-League squad, the Santa Cruz Warriors, who finished second to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the championship game. Splash Bros 2.0 are on the squad, brothers of Klay and Steph (Mychel and Seth), along with Hilton Armstrong and Kuzmic who were called up for the playoffs. Santa Cruz also has a nice assembly of guards besides Splash 2.0 in Nedovic (call up to NBA playoffs), Kiwi Gardner, Stephon Hannah, Cameron Jones and Daniel Nwaelele. For a look at their FULL ROSTER CLICK HERE.
The Warriors also have a nice collection of talent on their NBA D-League squad, the Santa Cruz Warriors, who finished second to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the championship game. Splash Bros 2.0 are on the squad, brothers of Klay and Steph (Mychel and Seth), along with Hilton Armstrong and Kuzmic who were called up for the playoffs. Santa Cruz also has a nice assembly of guards besides Splash 2.0 in Nedovic (call up to NBA playoffs), Kiwi Gardner, Stephon Hannah, Cameron Jones and Daniel Nwaelele. For a look at their FULL ROSTER CLICK HERE.
So, after three years of building this team up and having two consecutive playoff runs for the first time since 1990-91 and 1991-92. This team is NICE and their COACH, Mark Jackson has really laid a solid foundation.
I will let these TWEETS speak for themselves:
I would like to say THANK YOU, Mr. Jackson, as a basketball fan first. Having watched you play as a player and then see you succeed as an NBA coach has been a pleasure. As a Laker fan since 1979 I have appreciated what the Warriors have been doing with you as their COACH. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you, sir!
I found this in Mr. Jackson's list of Tweets (I hope you don't mind the post but I found it appropriate)
