Warriors vs Clippers Part 1: War, Huh, Yeah
Warriors vs Clippers: Their first meeting of the 2015-16 NBA season didn’t disappoint, with the Warriors sending a loud message
What is it good for? The NBA that’s who! When it comes to the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors disliking each other, there’s no elephant in the room.
The dislike between both teams likely started during the 2012-2013 season when the two teams met in a seven game playoffs series. The Clippers got the best of the Warriors that season yet last season, the Warriors won the season series 3-1. Also, during last season, Clippers forward Dahntay Jones bumped Green after the game, which definitely caused some tension.
During a post game interview, Draymond Green stated:
"“If [Dahntay Jones] gets suspended, they may not even notice…He got some camera time, which he needed because there wasn’t much celebration from their bench today, so you didn’t see him much. So he got the camera time that he was looking for…He served his purpose in today’s game.”"
In more recent news, when talking about the Warriors winning the NBA Championship last season Doc Rivers told Zach Lowe of Grantland.com. “You need luck in the West,” “Look at Golden State. They didn’t have to play us or the Spurs.”
When Warriors center, Andrew Bogut, was asked about Rivers’ comments on the Fitz & Brooks podcast on KNBR he responded with this statement:
"“I’ve actually got my ring fitted for my middle finger so they can kiss that one.”"
The other half of the “Splash Brothers,” Klay Thompson, gives his input on Rivers‘ comments below:
Last night, the only remaining unbeaten teams – the Warriors and Clippers – in the Western Conference faced off. A rubix cube is hard to figure out, and so is Steph Curry. In just four games coming into their game against the Clippers, he’s averaging 37 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 5.0 RPG, but almost three minutes into the game, the reigning MVP found himself on the bench with two fouls.
Although the Warriors leader was forced out of the game, they still managed to go on a run – like they do so many times during the course of a game. The Clippers led 23-19 before their starters went out in the 1st quarter, poor play from their bench resulted in them trailing 43-29 during the 2nd quarter. Rivers subbed his starters back in which resulted in the Clippers cutting the Warriors lead to seven, and Chris Paul leading all players in points and assists at the half.
The Clippers kept their intensity up throughout the 4th, leading by 10 points, but then they allowed Steph Curry to re-introduced himself. He connected on three 3’s, a 2-point jump shot, and two free throws to score 13 points in six minutes. With seconds left in the game, the Clippers had a chance to tie the game, but Draymond Green‘s defense on Paul helped stymie LA’s attack.
Luke Walton said, “Draymond had great ball pressure on CP…And without that ball pressure, Blake’s getting a dunk at the rim.”
Next: NBA MVP Rankings: Stephen Curry is playing like the best player in the world
The Warriors faced their first tough matchup this season, but through composure, and a little “luck” apparently, they still managed to come out with a win.
"“Hit some big shots to regain the lead and our defense really finished it out for us. Classic way to finish a game,” Curry said."
The Clippers probably gained a moral victory from this game, but moral victories don’t win rings. The way the Warriors have started the season, I think it’s safe to say the they are making their critics from this offseason into believers. The feel in Oracle Arena was definitely not that of a regular season game; these two teams meet again on Nov.19th, so in the words of Dr.Dre and Snoop Dogg, “Until the next episode.”