Ed on Warriors

Nice post Brad.  I agree with the generational comparisons and with the changes in the game that these comparisons don't do justice to how different the game really is.   I also agree that the greatest players from each generation are perfectly suited for playing the game in their generation - an insightful point.

I've told friends that the Warriors to me are the Spurs with more sugar and pizazz.  I didn't and don't like the Spurs, not because they aren't or weren't a great team, but because they were boring to watch. Sure, an occasional great pass or spectacular shot, but generally they just put the ball in the hole, played great defense and won lots of games.  As a spectator that doesn't benefit or lose from wins/losses, I want and prefer entertainment in addition to sound basketball.  That's the Warriors.  As you pointed out, the Warriors play team basketball, but in an exciting way that's tons more fun to watch than the Spurs.  My point is not to pick on the Spurs (sorry Marco), but rather, to praise the Warriors.

I'm a self-admitted fair-weather NBA fan but I must admit that because the Warriors are chasing the Bulls record I want to know if Golden State won nearly every night.  Checking my phone or ESPN to find out, and seeing the highlights of what they do to win basketball games.  It's exciting and fun even for someone who doesn't generally follow the NBA.  The Warriors chasing the record set by the Bulls in the Jordan era has been very good for ratings, the NBA, and fans.  Any time you can take one of the game's most iconic players (I was careful not to say greatest of all time!) and insert him into discussions about the current year's teams it is going to be a huge win.  

One further note, and comparison.  The 'my generation' Detroit Pistons also played team basketball that was exciting to watch.  They won lots of games and had a colorful cast of characters that played the game as a band of brothers.  But they were thugs and they prided themselves on that.  Another admirable element of the Warriors seems to be the way the players carry themselves ... on and off the court.

I read a story about Steph Curry being interviewed by Craig Sager following one of the Warriors wins (I'm fairly certain you both saw it as well so I won't attach it here) where Steph was asked about whether they should pursue the Bulls regular season record, or rest players in preparation for the playoffs. Given what Craig is wrestling with Curry had the perfect answer, "I mean, seeing you and what you're doing, we've got no excuses. Your an inspiration for us to just keep doing what we're doing, keep fighting, and that's the mentality that we have and it's kind of contagious, so thank you."

With that on and off court presence and mentality I don't think there are many people cheering against Steph Curry and the Warriors.  So I'm eagerly watching to see if they break the Bulls record, and their probability increases with every win.  I believe they will.  And if a record goes down by my beloved Bulls (I have the same admiration for those Bulls teams that you do Brad) then I hope it goes down at the hands of this Warriors team.

Fun to watch and full of class (from what I can tell) ... GO WARRIORS!