Klay's 11 Treys - Game 6, NBA Western Conference Final - Warriors vs. Thunder

source: Bleacher Report
The Unworthy One - Warriors owner Joe Lacob, Klay Thompson

Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference final takes place tomorrow, Memorial Day in Oakland, California.

Less than a week ago, the possibility to go to Game 7 seemed very unlikely. A scenario eerily similar to the 2012 San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Like the Warriors, the Giants were down 3 games to 1.

Warriors-Thunder Game 5 took place in Oakland, and the Warriors won, 120-111.

Game 6 returned to Oklahoma City. An away game and having been blown out 2 previous times, the Warriors would have to win, or end a record-breaking 73-9 season and go home.

Go home, yes. Eliminated, no.

Oklahoma City held the lead for most of Game 6.  The quieter Splash Brother sinks 11 3-point goals, his most important one, was to take the lead for good at 104 - 101 with 1:35 left in the game. He finished with 19 of his playoff high 41 in the 4th quarter.

This game is adding to the long library of unforgettable games in Warriors franchise history.

Here's a recap:


And, the link to view Bleacher Report columnist Kyle Newport's Joe Lacob video loop.

Golden State Warriors Go Bowling

source: cheapbowlingballs.com

Not more than 30 minutes ago, the Golden State Warriors won their 69th game of the season. With 4 games remaining in the 2015-16 season, the Warriors would have to win 3 games to match the 72-10 record the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls achieved. One of the players on that team was Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

On a road trip in the 2014-15 season in February, 2015, the Warriors took a break and headed to Memory Lanes in Minneapolis, Minnesota for some bowling (see below video). A brief shot of Steve Kerr, David Lee and Steph Curry with some decent mechanics.

Steve Kerr Introductory Press Conference

source: San Jose Mercury News

It's been 2 weeks since the Golden State Warriors won their first NBA title in 40 years.

Credit former head coach Mark Jackson to assemble the players, but the missing piece was hiring a former player without any head coaching experience.

The coach who would succeed Mark Jackson for the 2014-15 season is former Arizona, TNT analyst, Phoenix Suns General Manager and member of 5 NBA Championship teams (3 with the Chicago Bulls, 2 with the San Antonio Spurs), Steve Kerr.

If you have about 33 minutes, I've attached the video of Coach Kerr's introductory press conference. I find it fascinating to hear the Warriors incredible season come full circle. He transformed a good team into a great one.

Need a condensed version? Forward it to the 4-minute mark and listen for about 2-3 minutes. Listen closely to Kerr's answer as to why he'd want to give up a great gig with TNT to coach in the NBA.

Anyone who's ever left a high paying job to work for less money and deeper fulfillment will understand.

Splash Brothers and their Dads

Top L to R: Mychal Thompson, Dell Curry
Bottom L to R: Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry
source: San Jose Mercury News

Fresh off their NBA Championship and in honor of Father's Day, we hear from proud dads Mychal Thompson and Dell Curry, both former NBA players with prominent careers. Congratulations to the Thompson and Curry families. You done good.

Basketball 101

source: Wikipedia

Tonight was Game 2 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. As it was in Game 1, it went into overtime. A very physical, bruising game with the Cavaliers emerging with the win, 95-93. And if you weren't a Cavaliers or Warriors fan, I don't blame you if you turned off the TV or changed channels. Because the officiating, or lack thereof, made the game hard to watch. 

So, taking a page from Dummies.com here are 2 non-foul violations not often called during NBA games.

Traveling: Any time a player possessing the ball is not dribbling, he must keep one foot (known as his pivot foot) planted on the floor. He may move the other foot in any direction and as many times as he desires. After a player establishes a pivot foot, he may not move it, or the referee whistles him for traveling.

Three seconds: No part of an offensive player may remain in the free throw lane for more than three consecutive seconds unless the ball is being shot. If the shot hits the rim, the player standing in the lane gets a new three seconds. Thus if you happen to be camping out in the lane for two seconds and the shot hits the rim, you may remain in the lane for another three seconds.

While we're at it, let's reacquaint ourselves with the definition (Breakthrough Basketball) of a personal foul, which is any type of illegal physical contact such as:

• Hitting
• Pushing
• Slapping
• Holding
• Illegal pick/screen -- when an offensive player is moving. When an offensive player sticks out a limb and makes physical contact with a defender in an attempt to block the path of the defender.

From Wikipedia: players routinely initiate illegal contact to purposely affect the play, hoping it is seen as too minor to be called a foul. The threshold is subjective and varies among officials and from game to game. 

The last sentence is what drew the ire of many viewers in tonight's game.

Stephen Curry's pre-game workout

source: Golden State Warriors/YouTube

Tonight, the Golden State Warriors go into Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Final versus the Houston Rockets. The Warriors are currently 3-0 in the series. A win tonight will put them into the NBA Finals which begins June 4.

If you've watched any of the Warriors post season games, it's not (pun fully intended) rocket science to see why Steph Curry was selected this year's MVP. So far, he's broken Reggie Miller's record of post season 3-point goals and scored 30 or more points in his last 4 games.

Steph's defense isn't exactly shabby either. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, Chef Steph and teammate/fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson prevented Houston Rockets guard/MVP runner-up James Harden from scoring to end Game 2 with a 99-98 win.

In Game 3, Steph followed his own missed shot and boxed out Rockets center Dwight Howard for the rebound. Curry is 6'3", 185 pounds. Howard is 6'11", 275 pounds. Howard is a 4-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

To get a glimpse of why Steph is a megastar, you have to watch (in awe) and appreciate his pre-game routine. Greatness doesn't happen without practice. Lots of it.

Stephen Curry, 2014-15 NBA MVP - full speech

source: vibe.com

Last week, as many of us here in the San Francisco Bay Area knew would happen, Golden State Warrior point guard Stephen Curry was selected by the National Basketball Association as this season's Most Valuable Player.

In my opinion, it couldn't have happened to a more likable, hard-working, humble guy.

If you're a Steph Curry fan and have 40 minutes to spare, watch the full version of his acceptance speech. It's clear how grateful and appreciative he is to current and former coaches and teammates, Warriors staff and management, friends, and most of all, his immediate family.

Again, congratulations, Steph. We couldn't be any prouder.

Stephen Curry, 2014-15 NBA MVP?

source: ESPN

As of this writing, the Golden State Warriors are 65-15, mostly due to a baby-faced point guard named Wardell Stephen Curry II. Chef Curry has been a one-man highlight reel all season. On April 9, 2015 game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Steph scored 45 points and broke his own 3-point goal record.

MVP. MVP. MVP.
UPDATE****May 4, 2015. Steph receives 100 of 130 first place votes to win the NBA's MVP for the 2014-15 season. He is the first Warrior since Wilt Chamberlain in the 1959-60 (a few months before I was born) season when the Warriors were in Philadelphia. Congrats Steph!

Aaron Craft - former Buckeye, future Warrior

image source: ESPN

As reported this past week, the Golden State Warriors signed former Ohio State Buckeye defensive standout/point guard Aaron Craft to a partially guaranteed contract.

Undrafted, Craft played in this year's NBA Summer League. His play impressed new Warriors head coach Steve Kerr enough to sign the Findlay, Ohio native.

Whether or not Aaron's career will go far in pro basketball, his 3-time first team Academic All-American selections tell me he'll do well in whatever he decides to do. This Ohio State alum and San Francisco Bay Area resident is very excited he's here. Best of luck to you this season, Aaron.

Courtesy of David Allin, here's a video highlighting Aaron's career at Ohio State: