Wizzards Pick Up Second Win Against Struggling Warriors

It was another embarrassing exhibition of basketball Tuesday night as the Warriors fell to the Wizzards 124-100. The Wizzards opened the game with high energy, possibly inspired by the recent firing of head coach Eddie Jordan, as rookie JaVale McGee threw down two fast break dunks within the first thirty seconds. The Warriors were executing well on offense, but gave up 11 points on turnovers in the first quarter alone. The Wizzards had no problem scoring on second chance points and converted on Warriors turnovers with high efficiency.

There is a natural law in basketball: easy baskets, like layups and dunks, lead to shooting a higher percentage from the perimeter. This law has worked against the Warriors in the last three games, as Don Nelson's small lineup has failed to finish defensive stands with offensive rebounds, leading to easy points for opponents and allowing opponents to expand leads with relaxed, effective three point shooting. The lineup also looks discombobulated without a proven point guard. There is no lack of fire power, but an absence of gritty workers. (Excluding Biedrins) The Warriors are like a 500 horse power muscle car with no steering wheel or a team of horses with nobody to control the reins. I shudder to think of this team without Captain Jack, but he needs to pump the brakes on his point forwarding.

In the last three losses, this Golden State squad has been careless with the basketball, lazy and timid on defense, and lacking of any chemistry necessary to win at an NBA level. It would help to remember some fundamentals: stop dribble penetration and box out on defense, move the basketball laterally when running the half court offense. What ever happened to drive and kick?

Tomorrow, the W's take on the Celts. I don't expect a win, but it would be nice to see this team attempt to play with some energy. Fight for rebounds, hustle to loose balls, take some charges and stay with guards that dribble penetrate.