How many games will the Warriors win?

[Andrew]

I do think the older players, coaches, and fans are getting thrown under the bus too much, with rhetoric about "bad opinions", "bitterness", and "haters", just because people do make comparisons and dare to debate the Warriors' supremacy and place in history.

At the same time though, you can only play the competition that presents itself, with the rules and style of the era. You still have to maintain a level of consistency and excellence over the course of an entire season. At this point, it's fair to mention the Warriors in the same breath as the great teams of the past, though they do still have to finish off the season with a championship to truly solidify their place; otherwise, it'll be one of the biggest choke-jobs in sports history.

Of course, if you're going to say they're clearly the best team ever, or that Curry has surpassed Jordan - particularly the latter suggestion - there's going to be more resistance, and rightfully so, as those are some bold claims that require strong arguments. If they end up going 73-9, as one would expect at this juncture, they will unarguably have the best regular season record to date. That's the record they'll have achieved, a statistical fact in black and white. But if arguments could be made about the 72-10 Bulls not being the best team of all-time - and such arguments have indeed been made - then the Warriors shouldn't be above those debates either.

After all, the same arguments that were used against the Bulls still apply to the Warriors. Of course, by the same token, the same arguments that were used in favour of the Bulls also apply here, too.

[PeacemanNOT]

You're talking about Danny Green not playing well... have you not seen Kevin Martin this season? I'd rather have Danny Green defending the offensive juggernauts of Stephen and Klay than Kevin Martin.

Ultimately the Spurs lost because of Kawhi's FG Attempts. He gave up so many possessions of stupid iso post ball that rarely ever works. They played good overall... Pop just had some questionable lineups at certain points of the game.

[NovU]

This new record feels somewhat forced in contrast to the Bulls record which felt natural at the time being. Perhaps the difference is that the Bulls had no record to break or aim for.



As for Danny Green, he's been greatly disappointing for the season especially when you consider he just signed a contract.

[Andrew]

Again, I'm not saying playing Kevin Martin was necessarily a good idea. I just don't think it was a deliberate attempt to lose the game. Pop is one of the best coaches in league history, but even the best make blunders from time to time.

[ThePointForward]

As for Danny Green, he's been greatly disappointing for the season especially when you consider he just signed a contract.

Isn't that how it works? Players are at their best during their last year of the contract and often take it easy with a new one?


As far as Popovich and his lineups go... I think he was just experimenting, there's a good chance Spurs will go against Warriors in the Conference Finals, so he might have wanted to experiment a bit while nothing too important was on the line for the Spurs.

[benji]

But if arguments could be made about the 72-10 Bulls not being the best team of all-time - and such arguments have indeed been made - then the Warriors shouldn't be above those debates either.

It's true, neither of these teams are the 1971 Bucks.

[koberulz]

This new record feels somewhat forced in contrast to the Bulls record which felt natural at the time being. Perhaps the difference is that the Bulls had no record to break or aim for.

I'm pretty sure there was a record before 1996, given the NBA existed before 1996.

[NovU]

Which was something like 65 wins or lower. The Bulls had no record to break but their own especially after 65+ win.

[Andrew]

The 1972 Lakers went 69-13, a mark the Bulls would equal a year after going 72-10. The 1973 Boston Celtics also went 68-14, and the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks went 66-16.

[Andrew]

And there it is, 73-9. I'm sorry to see the Bulls' record fall, but records are made to be broken, and all that. You can only tip your hat to these Warriors.

That said, I will say this about some of the more...fanboyish members of the Warriors' fanbase. You can't take jabs at other teams, talk tough about your own team, and then squawk when someone dares to criticise or even dislike your team. Valid criticism and discussion is not "hating". Furthermore, you can't cry about haters when you're hating yourself, like...oh, I don't know. This?



Uh huh. Stay classy, Warriors fans. As Kenny said on Twitter, some of you have been waiting two whole years for this moment!

[benji]

[air gordon]

good stuff by the warriors. i'm sure the players are ready for the playoffs to start. let the 'ain't no thing without the ring' talk begin

[NovU]

Kinda insignificant buried story of Steph Corry:

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/4/15/11437 ... int-record

Steph became the first player ever in the 50/40/90 club to average 30 points per game

Stephen Curry finished the season averaging 30 points on at least 50 percent shooting. Jordan was the last guard to do that in the 1991-92 season.

B-R Advanced Stats

Curry's this season (Usage 32.6%)
MP: 2700
PER: 31.5
BPM: 12.4
VORP: 9.8
TS%: .669
WS/48: .318
WS: 17.9

LeBong's Statistical best season (Usage 33.8%)
MP: 3054
PER: 31.7
BPM: 13.0
VORP: 11.6
TS%: .591
WS/48: .318
WS:20.3

Kobe's Statistical best season (Usage 38.7%)
MP: 3277
PER: 28.0
BPM: 5.8
VORP: 6.5
TS%: .559
WS/48: .224
WS: 15.3

Wade's Statistical best season (Usage 36.2%)
MP: 3048
PER: 30.4
BPM: 10.7
VORP: 9.7
TS%: .574
WS/48: .232
WS: 14.7

Chris Paul's Statistical best season (Usage 27.5%)
MP: 3002
PER: 30.0
BPM: 11.2
VORP: 10.0
TS%: .599
WS/48: .292
WS: 18.3

[Andrew]

Crazy numbers.

[JaoSming]

another amazing mix by the NBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECdKuQz3NA

phpBB [video]

[shadowgrin]

2016 Warriors best team in NBA history.

Suck it 96 Bulls.

[Sauru]

2016 Warriors best team in NBA history.

Suck it 96 Bulls.

lets revisit this comment when the warriors get eliminated and dont bring home the trophy

[shadowgrin]

Trophy or no trophy it still shows 'Golden State Warriors 73-9' in the history books.

[Sauru]

Trophy or no trophy it still shows 'Golden State Warriors 73-9' in the history books.

coming from a fan of Boston sports i can tell you that means absolutely nothing if they do not win the championship

[Andrew]

If the 1996 Bulls had failed to win the championship after going 72-10, their place in history would be questioned, and rightfully so. You can't take the record away from the Warriors, but if they don't follow it up with a championship, it will stand as one of the biggest choke-jobs in the history of the NBA. I don't see anyone beating them though, so I'd suggest it's highly unlikely that they don't cap off the season with another championship.

[NovU]

I'd say they're one injury away from winning it all though or perhaps a minor injury to Curry(ankle). I think the Spurs has a good shot. Perhaps the Heat too if they make it to the Finals.

[Andrew]

If anyone does beat them, it'd have to be the Spurs. But I prefer Golden State's chances.

[NovU]

Looks like Curry's ankle isn't 100%. Perhaps he has enough time to get his ankle and rhythm back before the 2nd round?

How do you like Clippers' chance against the Warriors anyways? They got Griffin back and they have been somewhat impressive even without him.

[Andrew]

They might take a game or two from them. If Curry's ankle is still bothering him, they can afford to have him sit the rest of the first round against the Rockets, so chances are he'll be fine for Round 2.

Just for fun, this is the 73rd reply to the thread.

[air gordon]

Would it really be one of the biggest choke jobs in nba history if GSW didn't win it?! If the Spurs beat them there's no shame in that. Or if it's OKC.