For all intents and purposes it is over. The Jazz just completed the most impressive win of this years playoffs. In one game the Jazz accomplished:
1. A rebound from the game three blowout
2. A win in Golden State where the Warriors are “unbeatableâ€
3. And by accomplishing points one and two, completely ripped out the hearts of the Warriors
All that is left to do now is closeout the series at the ESA on Tuesday.
And make no mistake, it is going to be over on Tuesday. The Warriors looked completely stunned and dejected as they walked off the court. And after their fourth quarter melt down, which saw two of the most unbelievable cheap shots that I have ever seen (more on this later), the Warriors have already thrown in the towel. Game five is simply a formality. All the Jazz have to do is absorb a couple more body blows and deliver the knock out punch.
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Back to the cheap shots. We knew the Warriors were a volatile bunch, but did anyone think that we would see what we saw tonight, especially in the fourth quarter? The league should look carefully at this game, and there should be at least one, if not two suspensions. In order of least offensive:
1. Al Harrington taking Boozer’s head off in the third quarter. It was violent, aggressive and malicious. Most importantly, he swung at his head and in the regular season that warrants an automatic one game suspension.
2. Jason Richardson with the dangerous take down of Memo as he drove to the basket with just over a minute to go in the game. I was absolutely disgusted to listen to Doug Collins talk about how you shouldn’t go to the basket late in games.
So if I understand his logic correctly, just because it is the end of a game and the home team has thrown in the towel, it is ok to intentionally do physical harm to the other team if they go to the basket. It is ridiculous. Didn’t we learn this lesson in New York earlier in the year when the Nuggets and Knicks had a convenient little brawl.
And, more importantly, did someone forget to tell Jason Richardson that it is round two of the playoffs? Did he forget that he plays for the most offensively potent team in the NBA? Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to run to the finish line against that type of opponent? Memo was trying to finish the game strong by putting is foot on the gas. I can not believe that he was trying to rub it in.
Regardless of Memo’s intent, he could have been seriously injured by that throw down by Richardson and he should at very least be fined.
3. And without further ado, we have the grand champion of the night with Baron Davis throwing a blatant cheap shot to Derek Fisher’s head. Not only was it NOT during the course of a regular basketball play, but it was to the head of a former teammate. And just to refresh everyone’s memory, Derek Fisher is having a rough couple of weeks.
If there has ever been a worse PR move, I have not seen it. I mean talk about kicking a guy when he is down. What was Davis thinking? Furthermore, what was going through his head as he saw Fisher laying on the court clasping his head?
He should be suspended.
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My guess is that nobody gets a suspension. The league will ride the last California wave as long as they can. If any one of these three players get suspended it puts the final nail in an already closed coffin. That is not good for ratings and league popularity. But someone needs to be punished for trying to turn this game into a UFC.
I for one would like to see Davis be the guy, and not because he is the best player for the Warriors, but because he threw an elbow to Derek Fisher. It was to his head, and it was during the course of a non-basketball play. In the regular season that is an easy call for the league office; Davis gets a suspension. Let’s just see what kind of consistency the league office has.
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In the end, it does not matter to the Jazz. Golden State is mentally finished.
The good folks over at Golden State of Mind have graciously agreed to a Q&A session with us here at Utah Jazz Blog (see our part of the interview here). What follows is an inside look at the Golden State Warriors from those who know them best — the fans.
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Utah Jazz Blog: What was your first thought when you heard you’d be playing the Jazz? What concept or opinion did you have of the Jazz as a team and how has it changed thus far?
DJ Fuzzylogic: The Jazz are a tough team, no doubt. They’re well coached, disciplined, and they have skilled, strong, and aggressive players at all positions. The Warriors managed to blow them out towards the end of the season and in game three, but the Jazz are historically– 80s, 90s, and now– a solid team, so you can’t underestimate them. However, I knew that the Warriors would put up a fight though– and have– despite the size and strength difference.
From watching the Malone, Stockton days back in the late 80s up until now, it’s evident that they are disciplined. The Jazz will continue to come at you, sticking to a very patient half court game– a lot of passing and 2 game– and utilize their skilled post players. Through three games, I’ve been surprised most by their composure.
Utah Jazz Blog: Break down the huge mid-season trade for the Warriors. What did you think about it at the time, and how do you feel about it now?
Atma Brother #1: When the 8 player deal went down between the Warriors and Pacers, GSoM went nuts. I’m not even kidding:
At the time of the trade I thought it was an absolute joke. I couldn’t believe anyone in the league would be dumb enough to trade for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy. They have two of the worst contracts in the league and are two of the league’s softest players. The fact that the Pacers were willing to gift wrap one of the league’s most underrated ballas and teammates in Stephen Jackson and one of the league’s top 3pt shooters and a good post defender in Al Harrington in this blockbuster deal was just icing on this already delicious chocolate cake. It’s been several months since that heist and I’m still laughing- what were the Pacers thinking? HAHAHAHA.
Utah Jazz Blog: Which player or players on the Jazz have surprised or scared you with their play? Who don’t you fear?
DJ Fuzzylogic: Even though he’s been in a lot of foul trouble and during long stretches a non-factor, I am most scared of Deron Williams. He’s a young dude, but he’s developing that killer instinct that Baron Davis has (along with other great NBA players). He’s fearless, strong, has great court vision, and great instinct. As we’ve seen so far, his ability to dribble penetrate at will has helped his team go.
Least scary player? Kirilenko. He’s scary looking, but that’s about it. He is a huge weakside shot blocker, but I think Jax and the rest of the Warriors figured out pump faking will help them get him in foul trouble. I like this player from his stats alone, but his game has been disappointing so far.
Utah Jazz Blog: What similarities do you see between the Jazz and the Warriors? What differences?
DJ Fuzzylogic: Everyone claims the Warriors lack a logic to their game; they are the antithesis to the “methodical” Jazz. Heck, even I believed that in the beginning. But in my opinion, these teams are not nearly as diametrically opposed as everyone thinks they are. The Warriors frantic, frenetic pace is really a strategy unto itself. Most critics assume that the Warriors’ main goal is just to outscore their opponents. I would agree, but add that the Warriors game is equally mental as it is based on physical talent. Check the Nowitski et al. meltdown, a product of Warriors frenzied, swarming defense that while at times porous, disrupted the Mav’s game plan big time. The crazy pace doesn’t just play to the Warrior skill set, but looks to tear down the logic of their opponents’ mental concentration. The looks of frustration followed by several technicals evidenced by the Mavs and to a lesser extent the Jazz show that “scoring fast” is in part of the Warriors’ mental strategy of getting into their oppositions’ head.
Utah Jazz Blog: Describe the merits of “Nellie-ball.” How does the style of play make the Warriors more dangerous? What effect does this style have on the fans?
Atma Brother #1: When everyone thinks of Nellieball they think of offense, offense, and more offense. It’s definitely true that under this hyphy version of Nellieball the Warriors score a ton of points, but there’s two key aspects of this edition that a lot of people seem to be missing- tempo and defense. The Warriors are pushing the tempo of the game to levels not approached since the 80’s with the fastest overall collection of players in the league.
While the Warriors have been scoring a rapid rate post Pacer rip-off, they’ve really been winning games with their gambling, aggressive defense. They’re getting in the passing lanes, picking pockets, and denying entry passes to the post with ridiculous frenzy that leaves other teams simply confused. There isn’t another team in the league that even attempts to play defense like this for a full 48 minutes.
When watching this Dubs squad there is rarely a dull moment for Warrior fans. If you take your eyes off the TV set or blink when you’re at the arena you could easily miss a nasty dunk, quick layup, swish from downtown, beautiful pass, or a sick swat. A major reason the Oracle Arena is so loud is that there’s simply so much to cheer for with Warrior tempo. We don’t have to wait for long drawn out, methodological plays to materialize before we can cheer. Instead we get to root for our squad furiously and frantically because of the constant action.
Utah Jazz Blog: Oakland has long relished its bad boy image, with the A’s and Raiders as well as the Warriors. Where does this come from, and how is it reflected in the current Warriors team?
DJ Fuzzylogic: The Warriors have a public image? If I’m not mistaken, much of the nation and even many sports commentators, analysts, and former players have no idea who the Warriors are and where they play. I don’t know if the same could be said for the A’s either, who the media and MLB purport as a small market team in a major market area. The Raiders for sure have built their reputation on a specific bad boy swagger. I’m not really sure where Oakland’s “bad boy image” comes from but I have some educated guesses.
I don’t know if “bad boy” is really the image that gets circulated, but rather “thugs” that has distinct racial connotations, assumptions and biases to it. The common assumption is that Oakland is a haven for thugs, gangs, and deviant behavior and to a certain extent that representation holds water. For the last few years, the amount of homicides in Oakland have been rather depressing and sad, though reports say the death tolls are much better than they are used to be. But people often forget that places like New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Detroit, Pittsburgh and even smaller towns also have high rates of gun violence. What about the rising patterns of suburban youth shooting up high schools (or colleges) at random? To assume that Oakland’s violence exists outside of “normal non-violent” America is a fiction. Gun violence or violence in general is a national problem. I think Oakland just gets a bad rap.
But I believe that the connection has larger historical implications. People often forget or don’t know that Oakland was the center for the Black Panther political and cultural movements for self-determination in the sixties and seventies. Popular discourse framed these black power movements as violent and destructive to the “American” (meaning white) identity. Ironically, the American government was the one who deliberately assassinated or incarcerated many of the leaders of this movement. In addition, during and after the civil rights movement, huge medical discourse framed black power movement as “crazy” and “psychologically dysfunctional” in need of mental reform (there are tons of drugs ads from this era that suggest this). So, Oakland residents’ (not all and definitely not only its black residents) of past and current political leanings– historically at odds with a racist government– have often been labeled as “bad boys” (which is heavily loaded with racialized and racist undertones — check most message boards of teams facing the Warriors during the post-season) in popular discourse.
I don’t believe that the Warriors are buying into this mantra that everyone assumes they are. People are quick to jump the gun after one outburst by Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson in game two of the Mavs’ series, which many fans of the opposite team are quick to link with other popular circulating stereotypes. I think this speaks more to people’s racist feelings and fears of urban areas.
Utah Jazz Blog: Describe Stephen Jackson’s role on the Warriors, as well as his reputation around the league. Is his reputation justified?
Atma Brother #1: Action Jackson’s role on the Warriors is multifold: 1) shut down the opposing team’s best scorer and get into their head (you all nowitnessed what happened to Dirk), 2) distribute the rock a la a point forward, 3) take it to the hole strong, 4) knock down the trey, and 5) pump up the crowd. Jax has produced big time in his short stay with the Warriors. He’s found a home here with Nellie, his teammates, and Warriors Nation. The Warriors wouldn’t be where they are right now if it weren’t for his passion and energy.
Around the league I haven’t really seen any evidence that other players don’t like him. I can’t think of a time this season where I saw him get into it with another player or coach aside from a little fun trash talk. He’s not a dirty player like Bruce Bowen or Manu Ginboli, so his bad boy reputation on the court isn’t warranted in that regard.
It’s funny, the negative perceptions about him revolve around his interactions with the refs and fans. He has been painted as the bad guy numerous times and as expected gets very little love from the refs and doesn’t get a lot of calls he should be getting. Being the emotional cat that he is, Jackson constantly complains and yells at the refs. Is his complaining understandable? Yes. Is it unfair that he doesn’t get the calls? Yup. Should he stop complaining to the refs? Probably, but if that’s what gets him to produce 9 times out of 10, then so be it.
His negative perception with fans stems from the Detroit brawl at the palace and the shooting incident at a nightclub in Indiana (haha, do they even have a nightlife over there?). In both situations he was sticking up for a friend and not the aggressor. To tell you the truth, his role in that brawl in Auburn Hills was totally blown of proportion and he and his Pacer teammates were unfairly singled out for the majority of the blame. Now those sorry Pistons fans at the palace that night- THEY should be the ones getting criticized and clowned nonstop. It still shocks me how little censure they got for their role in that melee. The league would be better off if Detroit and its suburbs didn’t have an NBA team.
Utah Jazz Blog: Oracle Arena has only recently come into the national conversation as a tough place to play. What sets Oracle apart from the EnergySolutions Arena, Arco Arena or other tough road venues?
Atma Brother #1: Unlike Salt Lake City or Sacramento, the Warriors are not the only game in town. The Bay Area is home to the 49ers, Raiders, A’s, and Giants as well as passionate college fanbases for Cal, Stanford, San Jose State, and Santa Clara University. Our sports soul is fragmented for these respective sports, but united with the Warriors. That’s a lot of good people rooting for one team.
At the risk of upsetting the entire Jazz fanbase and romanticizing the Bay Area– you would never hear people yelling racist, homophobic, or sexist remarks at a Warrior game. If someone was foolish enough to utter such hateful speech in Oakland, they’d most likely hear it from surrounding folks in the stands or be thrown out by security. This isn’t too say that everyone in Utah is ignorant or that everyone here is conscious, but there’s just no room for nonsense like that in the Bay Area. If that silliness was a frequent occurrence here given the diversity, it would be a war zone. Thankfully it’s not.
Utah Jazz Blog: What’s your prediction for Game 4?
Atma Brother #1: In Game 3 the Warriors thoroughly dominated and flat out embarrassed the Jazz in Oakland. Game 4 will be different, but the outcome will be the same. Warriors by 7. As for Game 5 in SLC- well, Utahns will walk away happy.
DJ Fuzzylogic: We got Game 4.
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Thanks again to everybody at Golden State of Mind for a great idea and their time and candor. Check them out for tons of series links and analysis with a different flavor than you might be used to.
