Daily NBA Fix: Golden State Warriors Aren’t Celebrating in November
By Ben Gibson
On today’s Daily NBA Fix, the Golden State Warrior’s 15th straight win to open the season matches the mark of the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and 1948-49 Washington Generals.
Golden State defeated the Denver Nuggets 118-105 and recognized the significance of the accomplishment of going 15-0, but if you’re a fan of other teams hoping that the Warriors would get caught up in themselves, you will remain disappointed.
Neither the team or their young interim head Luke Walton were getting stuck in the moment according to Bay Area News Group’s Diamond Leung:
"“[Stephen] Curry said any postgame celebration by the defending champions was muffled, as Walton merely congratulated the team.‘It’s kind of weird to celebrate on the floor,’ said Curry, who was 8-for-16 from the field and added seven assists. “It’s the regular season, and we’re not even anywhere near the halfway mark or anything.’…Andre Iguodala said the streak was “little stuff in between” now and the postseason.‘What would we be celebrating?’ Iguodala asked. ‘I think we only celebrate in June. I think you’ve just got to put yourself in that state of mind as far as your accomplishments and your goals.'”"
Besides, they have a date with destiny on Tuesday back at Oracle Arena with the Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe if they set a new mark of 16-0, we’ll see more excitement from the Warriors.
Doubtful, though. The Dubs have one goal, like every team: to win the NBA championship. The difference between them and the rest of the league right now is there is a damn good chance they’ll be able to do it. It isn’t a pipe dream for the Warriors as they already have one under their belt. They look better than last year’s 67 win team, and while they are muting their celebrations they are well aware of what the team has a chance to accomplish.
Earlier this month Curry told Leung that he believes the team is capable of just that.
"“‘At the end of the day, that’ll all hopefully add up to something historic,’ Curry said Wednesday of focusing on winning in the present and the 8-0 Warriors’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies.…‘We know how hard it was to win 67,’ Curry said. ‘You feel like, what games did you give along the way? But we’re off to a better start than we were last year, and I think we have talked about we’re a better team, so a lot goes into that. That would be nice to hit (72 wins) and something that we would be very proud of obviously. It’s still more to the formula of winning a championship. We want to be at the best we can be, and if that’s 72, 73 wins, then so be it.'”"
Right now it seems like anything is possible.
DeAndre’s Tip Assist
DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Johnson decided just winning a jump ball wasn’t good enough for the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Jordan punched the ball down court to Johnson for an easy layup, but it was the Toronto Raptors that got the last laugh as they pulled away to win 91-80.
Pelicans Out of Rut?
After an 1-11 start, the New Orleans Pelicans were looking at eliminating themselves from the playoffs before the New Year, but thinks finally might be headed in the right direction.
Anthony Davis came through late for New Orleans as they knocked off the Phoenix Suns 122-116, a few days after beating the San Antonio Spurs 104-90. It doesn’t mean all is well in the Big Easy, but they are finally getting things under control.