10 thoughts on the awesome Warriors Nuggets Game 2-16-2022

10 random thoughts on seeing the Warriors Nuggets at Chase last night:

 

1. The New NBA is the old NBA but better:

 

Never let someone tell you that the play in today's NBA is nothing like the old days.

 

Having seen both versions, last night proved to me again there are a ton of elements (defense, screening, rebounds, passing) of the old NBA mixed with the new NBA (INCREDIBLE shooting, high level athleticism, movement off the ball) that make the product the best.

 

And some of the players play a lot like the classics which brings me to....

 

2. Nikola Jokic is the modern day reimagined Charles Barkley

 

Nikola Jokic is transcendent and mesmerizing to watch in person. I realized last night he is a slightly less athletic (he's way more athletic in person) and better passing version of Charles Barkley.

 

I LOVED Barkley and Jokic has his methodical back you down game to go along with a 3 point shot that's better than Barkley's. He just can't do the crazy athletic stuff Barkley used to do.

 

All I can say is if you get a chance to see him please do. He is able to angle his body, react to his defenders and see the whole court in a way that I've only seen a few do (Magic was a better version but had that court vision).

 

He initiates the break repeatedly with passes from below the bucket to half court that reminds me of the films I see of Bill Walton (who was a better passer). His half court offense passes remind me of Arvydas Sabonis.

 

It's breathtaking to watch in person. And by the way his team around him is average at best.

 

3. Jonathan Kuminga is worth the price of admission

 

Jonathan Kuminga is an athletic superhero. He is somewhat raw but way better than I thought. He's captivating to watch when he's on the court.

 

4. The Ballet of the Warriors Offense:

 

The movement of the Warriors offense in person is something to behold in person. You can't tell on TV how many simultaneous moving parts are happening to create opportunities for the offense. It's magical to see in person.

 

5. Curry the Competitor

 

Curry is still one of the most vicious competitors I've ever seen. He wants nothing more than to win when he plays. He seems like he's this happy go lucky guy (which he is) but he's a hardcore competitor.

 

6. The Modern Day Roman Coliseum...with CRAZY prices

 

The Chase Center is a spectacle unto itself. It reminds me of when they come up to the Coliseum in Gladiator.

 

It's gigantic compared to the old Oakland arena which looks like a stadium for Hickory High in Hoosiers looking back on it.

 

And somehow even though it's huge it feels somehow intimate. There's not a bad seat in the house and the jumbotron is straight out of Blade Runner it's so gigantic.

 

There were a ton of empty seats and some of those in the seats often looked like they were in a fashion shoot which was kind of a turn off for me.

 

The food/drinks, etc. are REALLY REALLY expensive. WOWZA Check your credit score before you buy munchies.

 

7. Best moment of the night (see the picture)

 

There was a REALLY sweet moment when the kids' of the Warriors all stars came on to the court. It was lovely to feel the hearts expand in the crowd because it was so unexpected. Steph's son was a bit of a challenge to get off the court.

 

8. Second best moment Buzzer Beaters

 

It was a great reminder last night how close ends of game are incredible. There were 3 lead changes in the last minute with a shot by Curry that we thought ended it followed by a 3 by Monte Morris which did end it.

 

There is nothing like watching a live buzzer beater, even when it goes against the team I'm cheering for. The emotions of thousands of people going from Curry's shot and 1 to Morris' game ender is the stuff that makes life incredible and makes sports even moreso.

 

9. Boggie is alive and well

 

I took some personal joy out of seeing Boogie Cousins play. He looks like he's legitimately trying (and still complaining). He was one of the very best during his Sacramento years and it's a little sad to see how far he's fallen and yet even in his advanced years, he's still got some of the juice that made him great.

 

10. One last random idea

 

Random thought, I told the boys last night that I believe if you took the last person on every bench in the NBA and made a team of 12 in total that team would KILL the best college team.

 

Agree?