TAKE CARE OF THE BALL

The Detroit Pistons went into Golden State last night and beat the Warriors 115-107. It was the second game of a back-to-back for Detroit.

Golden State committed 26 turnovers. Coach Kerr wasn’t too happy.

“We are throwing the ball all over the place,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Even some passes are just hitting guys in the shoes even if they are not turnovers. It’s focus and execution.

“Our guys are lacking in energy, focus and discipline and that’s coaching,” he added. “I have to find a way to get the right combination of guys out there and execute the right stuff. Maybe we are running too many different plays, I don’t know but I got to do a better job.”

Credit the Pistons defense and their bench. They brought a lot of energy and toughness. Defense too…

“At some point, the ball just has to matter,” Kerr said. “The game has to matter enough for us to win. Teams are coming after us every single night and we know that. We are getting everybody’s best shot and if you don’t match that type of energy and play with some intelligence and some discipline you are not going to win.”

(Source: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/csn/warriors/Plagued_by_ball_security_issues__Warriors_have_two_choices_in_front_of_them___-454042133.html)

SHARE THE BALL

GOLDEN AND SO MONEY

Lonzo Ball is fast becoming one of my favorite players in the NBA.

After the Lakers win over the Wizards.

“It would be a lot easier to win if I make some shots but I’m going to rebound, I’m going to try to defend every time I can, and I’m going to find the open man.”

If you know anything about basketball, you have no problem with Lonzo.

THE PLAYBOOK

Courtney Lee of the New York Knicks following their loss to the Boston Celtics:

“We messed up on a lot of plays, whether it was the ball getting delivered on time, or one or two guys not being on the same page as far as play calling. That’s on us, we got to pay attention more in practice and make sure we execute when we’re out there.”

CELTICS 110 KNICKS 89

Kristaps Porzingis:

“Obviously Boston is much more talented than us and they have more weapons. But that’s why we as a group – we have to play the right way and execute our stuff and do everything almost 100 percent right to win these type of games.”

MIKE D’ANTONI

POP ON THE “RIGHT GUYS”

“You hope that you’ve done your homework. You hope that you’ve done enough research, what kind of character guys have, how they’re going to adjust to team play. If they have the mental ability to grow, to learn, become better players. Because lots of times it’s not a question of physicality, it’s between the ears. That’s a function of character so as much research as you can do, you do. But it’s hard to hit, be correct, every single time.”

DUNK ON DRAYMOND?

Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks tried to dunk it on Draymond Green.

“Yeah, that s— ain’t happening,” Green said after the game. “This ain’t Summer League, bro. Not just gonna dunk on nobody. Better luck next time.

“Never. That ain’t happening. Come on, dude.”

Smith has hops. The rookie drove baseline trying to slam it over Green, only to be fouled by the former Saginaw High standout.

“I don’t know what he was talking about. He can’t say nothing. He fouled me. It doesn’t even make sense. I was just laughing on him. He’s rambling on about nothing. It ain’t like he blocked it. He’s just rambling and I laughed at him.”

Smith added…

“I’m not doing it just to let people know I’m not backing down. I’m just not backing down from nobody. That’s just how I am. All that extra stuff, I don’t really dabble with all that. That’s about it. I just handle myself accordingly.”

LEBRON ON THE BUCKS

“I know they’re going to play the right way because J-Kidd played the right way. So that’s the only way he know how to preach is to play the right way and play hard.”

LONZO BALL

The Lakers rookie point guard did not have a good game on opening night against the Clippers. The Clips came out on top 108-92.

Before the game Ball was asked how he deals with all the hype.

“Go out and do my job.”

Excellent answer.

Luke Walton, head coach of the Los Angeles was asked what Ball can expect?

“They’re going to come after him,” Luke Walton said Thursday morning, eight hours before Ball was set to make his regular season debut. “That’s what people in this league do. They come after young players, and when there’s young players a lot of media and a hype around them, they really come after them.”

It’s true. Walton hits the nail on the head. Patrick Beverely, Clippers point guard and one of the best defensive players in the NBA came after Ball…like he should.

How much better would our game be if more players took Beverely’s mentality about defense and playing hard?

Here’s Ball’s numbers from last night:

29 minutes

1-6 FG (1-3 from distance)

0-2 FT

9 rebounds

4 assists

2 turnovers

-14

3 points

Society is obsessed with numbers. That’s okay, the rookie is going to be fine.

He has poise, courage and most of all he shares the ball.  Loved the fact that he rebounded. When a guy rebounds, it shows he is engaged.

Bet you Ball was back in the gym this morning working hard on his game. Wouldn’t surprise me to hear he was working on his shooting last night after the game.

Please remind yourself, he’s 19 years-old!

I love his game…