Heartbreak and Hope

 After sustaining yet another humiliating loss against a team of subs, the Golden State Warriors suddenly experienced true heartbreak with the death of beloved assistant coach Dejan Milojevic during a team dinner.  After two games were postponed for mourning, the Warriors responded with a double digit win over the Atlanta Hawks.  However, the next two games were authentic heartbreakers: a one point loss to Sacramento, followed by a one point loss to the Lakers in double overtime.  

The potential silver lining in these last two losses was finding a starting lineup for the future, with guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, forwards Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga, anchored by Draymond Green at center.  The Lakers game in particular was heartening for effort and efficiency.  Coach Kerr and the players are positive, at least in public.

If it turns out to be a turning point, is it too late for this season?  It seems pretty clear that the Warriors, slipping further below .500, are no longer among the half-dozen or perhaps even the dozen best teams.  Even Steph Curry was snubbed for the starting lineup at the All-Star Game.  Several young superstars on other teams are coming into dominance, leading their teams to high hopes. 

Meanwhile the trade deadline approaches though the sports gossip has changed.  It's become clear that Kuminga is emerging as a star, so he is no longer in trade chatter.  Nor suddenly is Andrew Wiggins.  Only Chris Paul (not playing due to injury) and perhaps Klay Thompson are talked about, apart from the younger players.  But whether the Warriors front office can make a move depends on other teams, and available players wanting to come to Golden State.  It's starting to look like the Dubs may be in the same position as the SF Giants--stars don't believe they are contenders.  Anyway, I seriously doubt that Klay Thompson is worth more to any other team than he is to the Warriors.

As for the San Francisco 49ers, the spectre of heartbreak became the hope for a Super Bowl championship with their second half in the conference final, coming back from 17 points to defeat the Detroit Lions.  As they did the previous week (though they held on to win), Detroit played a  dominant first half and all but disappeared in the second.  Some bad coaching decisions and some bad luck also figured in.  The Niners rose up to do the rest.

In a further twist, the highly favored Baltimore Ravens were smothered by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.  The Chiefs haven't looked that great all this season, in particular settling for field goals when in previous years they got touchdowns.  But they are an experienced playoff team that can outlast any opponent.  Whatever anybody expects from the Super Bowl, it's most likely to surprise.