Fans packed Oracle Arena with excitement as the the Warriors and now Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry received their championship rings before the game. With gargantuan diamond rings.
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And hoped they were starting another incredible journey, though-as with all new tales-some new and tricky plotlines emerged.
Downplaying the notion that the Warriors might be distracted by the celebratory pre-game festivities, Curry poured in 24 points in the first quarter as he hit 9 of his first 12 shots from the field, including four 3-pointers.
Ezeli, in a contract year with a looming payday that could be decided by minutes as a starter, played very well and may have a chance to earn more time as a starter if the team decides to be careful with Bogut. Not allowing second chance points and playing keep away around their own rim made the difference that doesn’t always show in the box score. Unlike the other contenders for top player in the league, Curry is primarily a jump shooter and the laws of probability tell us that the further you get from the hoop the less likely you should be to make the shot.
As he tends to do. He finished the night 14 for 26 with seven assists and six rebounds.
Yes, a few of the national downgrading of the Warriors this offseason was a general slighting of Curry’s status on the superstar spectrum.
The slighting was wrong. The ending of the game was somewhat anti-climatic as Kevin Love kept Cleveland in it with two late three-pointers, shots that helped rescue a sub-par night for the standout forward.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had the game high for scoring, with 21 points.
The Pelicans were unable to rely on two-time All-Star Anthony Davis, who scored 18 points but converted just four-of-20 field-goal attempts.
Bogut is a little beat up already. Who will win this game? But it’s not the same team without him. Apparently, Kerr is not yet ready to take over the head coaching chores due to complications brought about by his recent back surgeries which may require more rest. “I just want to see them healthy”. I think it’s a completely different situation coming back here.
The Pelicans 2015-16 campaign gets underway in mere hours, and I could not be more excited. I know I’m on the right path, I’m on the right track.
Kerr said beforehand he isn’t sure when he will be back on the bench but plans to go on the team’s weekend road trip to Houston and New Orleans.
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After an opening round playoff exit to these same Warriors, then-Pelicans coach Monty Williams lauded Davis and his leadership in the playoffs, calling it “unlike anybody I’ve been around at his age”.
