The Warriors missed two chances to close out their first-round series with the Rockets, but they remain confident going into Sunday’s Game 7, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Golden State was blown out in Game 5 and watched Houston pull away in the fourth quarter of Game 6, but there were no signs of panic in the locker room after Friday’s loss.
“We’re good. We’re smiling,” Jimmy Butler said. “We’re listening to our music, celebrating life. We’re ready to compete. We were ready to compete tonight. Things didn’t go our way. OK, we’re going to be ready to compete on Sunday. We’re going to make the game go our way.”
The Warriors believe their experience in high-stakes games will ultimately decide the series, Youngmisuk adds. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have a 3-2 record in seventh games during their time together, with the last one coming in 2023 when they won handily at Sacramento. Butler has been in four Game 7s, going 2-2.
Many of the Rockets’ core players are going through their first playoff experience, but Youngmisuk notes that they have some veterans who’ve been in this situation before. Jeff Green, Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet and Aaron Holiday have collectively been in 10 seventh games.
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Steve Kerr made two changes to his starting lineup before Game 6 — replacing Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski with Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II — and he might consider revising it again on Sunday, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Slater explains that Golden State is trying to get Alperen Sengun involved in actions involving Curry, but the zones Houston has been employing are making it easier for Sengun to avoid that matchup. Slater suggests that Kevon Looney could see more time to battle against Adams after playing just two minutes on Friday.
- Kerr said putting Jonathan Kuminga back into the rotation is “100 percent on the table” for Game 7 (Twitter video link from Slater). Kuminga has made just two appearances in the series, logging 26 minutes in a Game 2 loss and 17 minutes in a Game 3 win.
- Butler dismissed concerns that the veteran Warriors are being worn down by a younger, more athletic opponent, per Ann Killion of The San Francisco Chronicle. “We’ll be all right,” Butler said. “I’m 35, I can’t remember how old Steph is (37), Dray is 35, too. Everybody’s got to travel the same distance. Ain’t like we’re going to go around the world and land in Houston and they got only a five-minute flight to Houston. They’ve got to travel just like we’ve got to travel.”
Do I really have to say go Rockets?
=(
Young inexperienced team coming out on top in a game seven? Not gonna happen.
Oh kuminga is living upto the warriors fan bias. Future perennial all star type I kept hearing. Warriors still need a 5 that can spread the floor for a guy like kuminga. Who should be a two way hustle plug and play/slasher type. Does game 7 even mean anything? Probably not, if you replace Probably with very doubtful or just a plan NO. What’s the end game here?
Some of us have been wanting to trade JK away for two years. He can jump. That’s his résumé.
He was playing pretty well in December but then suffered an ankle injury and fell behind. Now he’s back to Jonathan Kuminga of his first three years and that was summarized as “undeveloped potential.”
Rockets have real talent. Warriors starting to believe that now. Young talent has to learn to win. I’d say Rockets are doing that. You can’t let Curry and Jimmy go off. Rockets are deeper. They have to trust that. Jalen has to show up too. Been too quite.
Rockets have another lesson to learn. Win a gm 7.
Home crowd will help …… Go Rockets
Rockets have real talent? To me they’re a bunch of Jonathan Kumingas. Athletes who rely on said athleticism, but when the game slows down, they are neutralized.
I just don’t think they have enough shooting. Green is hot and cold and hopefully stays cold tonight. Fingers crossed.
Fred has been hot and that just can’t continue.
Yes, the Rockets are good. Sengun can score whenever he wants and they play very very good defense and have length.
But I don’t think the Rockets have enough trained, refined, “talent” to win this game tonight.
This is a bunch of sentences full of bad takes Gary.
The disrespect for your opponent is a bad look.
Kuminga wouldn’t crack the rockets rotation either.
Druu, I pray you watch the fourth quarter this evening of tonight‘s game 7 between the Rockets and the Warriors.
Watch very closely while you consider my comments above. I think you’ll have a different opinion when the clock hits zero.
I say this with all respect and admiration for the Houston Rockets. Solid #2 seed in the tough west and handed it to the warriors in more than one game this series.
The difference between me and most of you on HR. Is I make it my purpose to now talent. You want an explanation I’ll give it to you. Rockets have high draft picks. They also have later picks. Who have shown up big. Sengun, Eason, Whitmore. I’m sorry you can’t evaluate talent. Clearly you don’t even know what you have in Kuminga. The difference here is. ( for all the nons out there absorb this). Rockets youth has been developing cause they play. Unlike Kuminga. Reason is they are developing a young team. Not trying to squeeze playoff runs out of the team.
So thats what it means. When I say one day this young talent will grow up. Another thing you can’t comprehend. Then you use this failed analogy to judge Rockets. You really can’t see them growing talent on this Rockets team. It Will be even better next year and the year after that. You think they were lucky to get the 2nd seed. Rockets are deeper, its clear to me. Becoming a contender doesn’t happen overnight. Rockets haven’t won a series yet. Yet are a home win away from sending Warriors home. You will learn the hard way tonight. You can’t beat a team until you respect who they are. You clearly don’t know who they are.
Everything you’re writing here Al is spot on hundred percent correct.
I know these things to be true and it is clearly seen by anyone who knows basketball.
But I still think the Warriors come out on the winning side here in game 7.
To say that is not to deny any of the points you made above.
Houston IS good, not lucky to get the 2 seed. They ARE developing and not riding the coattails of veterans. They ARE playing their youth and growing together.
All that is true Al. Basketball fans can see it. You see it and I see it.
But the Warriors win today. That’s a no-brainer.
Why? Just as you said, they’re going to be better next year and the year after.
This is not a game 7 they can win. Write it down. Take a screenshot.
@KnickAl:
No question that Kerr is bad at player development and Kuminga would have been better on a team where he could start.
But the Rockets were lucky to end up with the 2 seed (by only 2 games) because they barely had any injuries all season. Green played all 82 games, Sengun 76, Brooks 75, Amen 69, and VanVleet 60. All the teams below them had significantly more missed starter games.
Everyone who knows basketball knows the Rockets’ rebuild is working great and they will be a force in the coming years.
Steve Kerr has tried to use shooters to overcome the big line ups Houston has been playing. Trying to get Sengun, Adams, Jabari on the perimeter on smaller quicker guys and if they sag then hit the 3 ball over them. Hasn’t really worked the last couple games tho.
Jimmy and Dray both aren’t shooters like that and both guys stay on the floor and hence why he has not used Kuminga I’m guessing.
I’d almost be inclined to try Jimmy at the 2 and Kuminga the 3 with Post at the 5. Match them for size. Try get Curry on Thompson defensively and have Jimmy on Green and Kuminga on Fred. Which should in theory stop them also having any perimeter offence and make them go to the inside with Sengun and Adams.
Offensively you have one less shooter with Kuminga on the floor but you have Post who offers shooting from the 5 spot, meaning they have to somewhat match his size and pull a big out and that should again in theory make the paint easier to attack. In would also create more mismatches from screens pulling a big onto Curry or Jimmy. Kuminga would still be of use because of his athleticism as a cutter and lob threat.
Idk just an idea as a couch coach.
I’d also like to see Heild get some more shot attempts he’s a lethal 3 point shooter if you get him going. I also like the idea of Looney coming on to help match Adams. If anything I’d be playing GP less cause he’s more of a guard on ball defender and they’ve only got Fred and Green which have a three ball and you need to watch off the dribble.
Knowing Kerr, he’ll just revert to starting Steph, JB, Dray, Moody, and Podz.
I think Post with Kuminga might work, but Kerr is adamant that he won’t play Kuminga with Butler (which seems silly at this point).
Ime was sleeping with the trainer so she would give players steroids.
Steve Kerr needs to be fired. Kuminga needs to be traded. Can’t wait for next season, warriors are gone
There’s three problems the Warriors must overcome, and perhaps two of them will take care of themselves.
Fred’s hot shooting. That ain’t gonna happen in a game seven in the second half. It just won’t.
Number two Steven Adams. I’m not a basketball coach, but the Warriors have to figure him out. The twin towers is just throwing a wrench into all things the Warriors do and do well. It’s really an issue and I haven’t the slightest idea what to do about it. The only thing I can think of is to play Kevon Looney, all Steven Adams minutes or at least most of them.
Alpie Sengun. This guy is good. This guy has talent and can score. You’ll probably have a good first half. Maybe 18 points. He will go off. But the second half will be different story. Green needs to stay out of file trouble and guard out be the entire second half. If he saves his fouls, he can guard tightly and even put him on the line where Sango will break a lot of free throws most likely.
Aside from these three things the Warriors have to shoot the ball well. That means curry that means Poskey and if buddy can get 5-10 from three that would be amazing.
If all the above falls, the Warriors way, then the Jimmy factor will be enough to win the game. He’ll do what Jimmy does and that’s fine open teammates, get some buckets himself, play, great defense, and be the straw that stirs the drink Sunday evening.
Warriors by 4.
Ran out of time to correct the spelling errors. Five minutes isn’t quite enough when you write a book. Apologies. Voice to text works until it doesn’t lol.
@ GaryRSW
If the Warriors can manage to shoot well and Draymond doesn’t hit anyone in the head they’ll win – everything else doesn’t matter.
We can see why Quentin Post’s name is NOT mentioned in this article.
He will be a non-factor today.
Zero, zilch, nothing.
This is the true manifestation of what Kerr and the Warriors said about Post at the beginning of the year.
Many were mesmerized by his shot, but the warriors said he’s going to take quite a bit of work and need a lot of development.
Well here we are and we can now understand that very clearly.
So they are going with an older lineup…good luck with that Houston going to make them run. You just benched the youth so don’t be surprised when they sub in they lack confidence. Kuminga is suppose to be the athletic dynamo and never played him.
Seems the Warriors fans here. Don’t respect the young talent the Rockets have. I know Kerr and the Warriors do. Going big is what you do against a small team. The way you counter that is by shooting. The way you counter that is by good team defense. Thats called competing and adjusting. If you understand what you’ve been watching. You see all this. When good teams compete. One of them will win more battles. Good Rockets defense and efficient offense. Is what has brought them back. Warriors without the three point efficiency is a team that will lose. Bad shooting good opponents defense takes care of that. The Warriors are in this cause their D has stepped up. Rockets are younger deeper and more talent (in numbers). They are wearing the Warriors down. You need your legs to shoot. You need your legs to play D. Do you even know that ?? Jalen Green who is their best talent. Has only scored in one game. Yet it’s three to three. I would start to show Rockets respect. Warriors have shown Green respect. By making sure he doesn’t go for 30. Just pray Jalen doesn’t go for 30 tonight. Amazing how homers get tunnel vision.
Rockets are tge 2nd seed. They are young and growing up in front of our EYES. Yet you don’t see it or respect it….. Rockets will learn to win a gm 7 Tonight …… I told you it would go 7.
link to x.com
According to Kerr. Kuminga is available tonight. Warriors will need all hands on deck tonight. It’s too bad Kuminga gets caught up in Warriors quest for another run. Hard to develop young talent that way. Already bkew it with Wiseman …. Just read what they say about him
“ Butler simply does everything Kuminga does, only better. Kuminga’s presence on the court at the same time as Butler can be redundant, which has proven to be a problem on the basketball court.”
Young talent doesn’t develop on a team’s timeline. It takes as long as it takes. And you want your personnel to understand that. Otherwise You only damage or prolong the process. I like Kuminga. And think learning backing Jimmy is great for him. Cause he really can be another Jimmy Butler. Unfortunately the Warriors don’t have the time for that.
link to profootballnetwork.com
Al, you say that I don’t respect the talent of the rockets. Yet you don’t respect the talent of a superstar player.
You think a young player with athleticism has it within him to be a mamba or a star.
There’s very few of those guys and you can’t really say you believe JK can become a Jimmy Butler.
That’s ridiculous.
It takes a mentality. It takes a special person who has the athleticism PLUS between the ears PLUS another 18 inches lower with the lions heart.
Guys like Jimmy have that. Stars who win games for you. That is absolutely not Jonathan Kuminga in my opinion.
JK has had four years now to develop his game every day of the week in practice.
You see how many coaches they have behind Steve Kerr on the sidelines during games? Everyone blames Steve Kerr for lack of developing Kamminga but there’s plenty of guys who are paid to work with the Young guys.
Do you think because James Wiseman didn’t work out and Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody haven’t worked out that suddenly the Warriors are bad at developing talent?
No no, In my opinion that’s incorrect.
It’s bad Bob Myers drafting is what it is.
In fact, he wanted Chris Duarte instead of Moses Moody so what does that tell you about his skill level as a player evaluator?
I’m not tracking with you on this Al.
I think you’re incorrect.
Not just any guy can become a Kobe Bryant or a Larry Bird or a Moses Malone.
And I think the gap between a mamba like Jimmy Butler and an athletic young player like Jonathan Kuminga is massive.
What superstar is that ???? Teams win in playoffs. Try boxing or tennis. See That’s respect right there. You don’t respect the game you post about.
Why is Kuminga in your head. I said he can become Jimmy. You really think I need an explanation of what it takes.
Jimmy didn’t come into NBA rated as high as Kuminga. I get you don’t believe in my evaluation of players. Don’t really care. I don’t see anowrong with saying Jimmy is Kumings ceiling. Every top pick should be reaching for the stars. And the team that drafts them. Should be all on helping them get there. But what does any of this have to do with this game.
Jimmy didn’t become Jimmy till after Bulls. Kuminga is 22. And already you are looking for failure. Thats where we are different. I never look at failure. I only see what more do you need. How can we help. I’m not here to debate raising talent. It’s obvious you don’t get it. By the way you talk about Rockets. Imo most failed high draft picks. The teams fail them 80% of time. Cause even a guy like Knox and Ntilikina are good enough to be rotation players. Yes the mamba has to be in them. Well your job as a team is to help them find it. Not give up and make some else’s issue. You act like its personal. Warriors failed Wiseman. Not first or last time a franchise will do that. Like I said in Warriors case. The pressure to go for another run. Has impacted negatively on their young talent
And dude I know plenty of Warrior fans here. Didn’t even want Jimmy. I’m the only poster who has supported him since his Minny days. So please stop with Jimmy.
I asked you look to up Wiseman stats. So you can see they are better than IHarts. Without OKC year. Only difference is experience. And thats a lot. Yet one is considered a failure and the ither gets 30 mill a year. Thibs made IHart. I believe it cayse I seen it every day. Thibs made Jimmy too. Jimmy exudes evoThibs teaches. Jimmy is his biggest achievement. He loves Jimmy. Uts why he loves OG now. Bro I know ball …… cones easy to me. Its not about being right. Its about believing. Been around this game a long time.
Al, I never said you don’t know Ball or you don’t know player evaluation. I’m disagreeing with you on Jonathan Kuminga. One guy. That’s it.
Maybe tomorrow there will be another guy maybe there won’t, but I never said I don’t like your overall basketball player assessments.
Don’t be defensive and attack like you’re in a corner. We’re both at the same table in the middle of the room talking Hoops. I love this stuff. I love you Al. I love reading your comments.
You make a couple of good points here that I didn’t realize. Thibodeau made IHart and Thibodeau made Jimmy Butler. Good points. I can see how those things are true.
Another thing I’ll disagree with you on is that the Warriors failed Wiseman. James body failed James Wiseman. It was unfortunate thing. No problem with waving him and giving another team a shot. How about another two teams?
I feel for James because of these injuries. I think he was on his way to playing time with the Pacers and then the Achilles. That’s horrendous for the young man.
But you know what, he bounces back and gives it another shot. He’s 7 feet so maybe the Achilles won’t affect him as much. He’s got a good shooting stroke and maybe he can Carve out a career like Kwame Brown did. High expectations, horrible beginning, then turned himself into a reliable backup big man.
He jumped from team to team so are you going to blame the Washington wizards for Kwame Brown’s initial failure? I say, of course not.
Al I know you’ve been around a long time. We’ve talked about old time bball peacefully before. No one is challenging you on that.
I’m bringing up Jonathan Kuminga because you did above. I’m saying he shouldn’t play and he should be on the first plane out of town this summer.
You’re saying he should train under Jimmy. I’m saying the training is done.
It’s over.
Four years is enough.., let the next team take care of it and the same with Moses Moody. Gone. Buh-bye.
OK Al thank you for your comments. I appreciate the time you took to write them. All good on my end, so don’t blow a gasket and mute me lol. We’re just talking Hoops.
I love your basketball knowledge and you are a frequent contributor so I feel like I know you in a way. Hope you feel as I do that challenges to our comments are healthy. If everyone thought the same way we did where would be the fun in that?
Go Knicks go Warriors !!
Al, what do you like about Jonathan Kuminga?
What does he DO on the floor that you like.
Don’t say potential, don’t say he has promise.
Don’t say he needs to be developed and don’t say he hasn’t received a chance.
What does he DO NOW that you like about him?
I see Kuminga as very similar to Jimmy. He is very athletic. Has the size and body. To be a great defender. His offense at this time is more advanced than Jimmy was. His shot needs to improve. But his mechanics are solid. I see him as 20 pt a gm player. Who can also defend at a high levei 1, 2, 3. A very good 2way player. Greatness cones with years. So that he will have to prove. His upside is huge to me.
What he is missing is the IQ. The knowledge of the game and NBA talent. Just so you can understand.
Cooper is on Brons level. 18 and all ready plays a smart game. Kuminga is still learning that. Team ball team offense. Is not something that comes natural. Athletic talented guys. Sometimes take longer to understand that. Cause the game came easy. Look at Ant Man. Or Julius Randle. Sports, basketball is not rocket science. So you can teach the game to players. This is where you and me differ. The mamba is not in everyone. We as fans can’t know it. Unless we grew up around them. Or read enough about them. But all teams should know. Its why I never wanted Zion …… as fans we can’t judge commitment and drive. We can see it after awhile. But our teams should be judging that. I know if I’m a paid scout. There is nothing I wouldn’t know.
So like I said the day he got drafted. Kuminga is best 2way player in the draft. The responsibility to reach his potential. Lies with him and the team that drafted him. Its really simple for me lol.
Green, Sengun, Smith, Thompson, Shepperd I consider major talent. All haven’t peaked yet.
Whitmore, Eason, are also solid talent. Then you their add vets. Pleotalent here that hasn’t even mature. Or natured as a team yet. Imo
We are watching it happen. I told you that before series.
Kuminga is a terrible player who is athletic and can do great dunks…always makes bad decisions …right now Pat Spencer is a better option
Others need to contribute big time tonight. Besides Butler, can’t put everything on Steph’s shoulders because he will be getting mugged all night.
Wonder what might happen if some of us routinely blasted dj on a constant basis or as much as he rants about Steve Kerr? Then again, is the constantly wrong patting himself on the back self proclaimed “knows ball” troll worth the time and space??!! smh lol
Dude comes off like an autistic basement dweller tbh
The Buddy Hield experience paid off tonight! Thank you for your contribution’s sir! Go Dubs!!
Stop writing a book. Wtf is wrong with you two.
I know I know. I use a lot of words to explain my point.
“When there’s fire in the belly, there’s going to be sparks coming out of the mouth.”
We know, words are hard.
Yes, they are for me. That’s for sure.
Gary keep commenting as you see fit. Most of us appreciate the perspective.
The kindest words I’ve read all day.
I appreciate it very much and thank you for tolerating my mostly off base opinions lol.
Good win for the Warriors. And after Barkley guaranteed a Rockets win, last night he predicted the Twolves to beat GSW.
I don’t think they’re a dirty team like the Rockets are, it should be a good series.