Wood Fused With Diamond

Any whiff of fatalism you could trace from this year’s Warriors was gone in their home game against the Utah Jazz. It left at halftime, along with Stephen Curry’s reticence in the first two quarters.

Wise Blood – Rot My Brain Away (via Transparent)

Curry, who was a game-time decision, had three turnovers and three fouls after two quarters. His injury, and the possibility of reinjuring his ankle was surely on his mind. He played like someone who’d seen familiar faces go down wincing, replaced by men who would inevitably meet a similar fate. The Warriors were a militia of D-Leaguers, somehow kept together by the unlikely duo of Monta Ellis and Curry himself, a partnership on the brink of collapse on every possession.

But bonds have been forged, and the night-to-night rotation debacles have vanished. The lineup we saw last night is made up of the same faces we’ll see come springtime, give or take a hustling big man or two. Stability is key, and surprisingly, nowhere was it more stable than in the frontcourt. Andris Biedrins and David Lee, a two-headed monster in the paint, combined for 24 points and 35 rebounds, 14 of them offensive. Their dominance on the glass proved to be the Warriors’ saving grace; they were awful from the field.

Something that can’t be emphasized enough about the Warriors (4-1) are the roster adjustments made in the offseason, while also placing continued faith in mainstays that have gotten them to where they are now (I swear that’s meant to sound positive.) In their trades and signings, the Warriors have assembled a team that is willing to play. Bringing in a player like Dorell Wright was essential to solidifying the team concept of the Warriors. Though he’s started out the year looking like an Anthony Morrow 2.0, he’s first and foremost a jack-of-all-trades player, as shown from his 7 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Granted, he shot terribly, but so did the rest of the team. And that’s what makes this game such a revelation.

Last year’s team would have faced a blowout against this Jazz team. After all, it was team full of unknown prospects and rejects playing for an opportunity for something permanent. There was no team continuity, nor was there any real desire for growth. Almost everything about the team team was makeshift and temporary. The philosophy was run hard, make baskets. There was nothing else to it. And if there was, then there was a hell of a fault line separating what was apparent and what was needed.

But when you have guys like Wright who is willing to make the extra pass, making a concerted effort in guarding a man or a spot, and relentlessly chasing down loose balls, you start to see some semblances of team-oriented ball. Because one player’s hard work in the right areas can elevate the play of those around him. And that’s beautiful. Especially for this team bursting with talent.

Defense was where you could see the team’s paradigm fully shifting. This is a team that has, thus far, bought into the concept of defense, after years of what I can only call book-burning from Don Nelson. It’s far too easy to get trapped in platitudes regarding the Warriors and their one-sidedness. But this game was a simple affirmation of the changes going on in Oakland. It was just as thrilling to watch the Warriors grind out a victory as it is watching them torch a team for 130+ points. Defense won the game for them. No. Really.

Because again, they could not make a basket.

It all comes back to Stephen Curry, because if it was anyone’s game, it was his (barely). He drove the dagger straight into the heart with a crucial steal late in the 4th. Coast to coast he raced at half-speed, waltzing past Utah’s two bigs, nailing the layup, drawing a foul. 20 points, 6 assists, 5 turnovers. Nothing special, especially compared to what we’ve seen him do in the past. But definitely impressive considering his condition. And when the team has been bestowed upon him, could you expect anything less?

Last year, the buzzer would’ve sounded, the arena would’ve been deserted, and the players would’ve walked off with stoic disposition, unsurprised by the negative outcome. Hopefully this victory issues a positive message: Oakland isn’t bound by the fatalism of years past.

The doubt that has lingered around the team and its fans might be on its way out the door.