Within a season of such desultory results, the Golden State Warriors and those who follow them closely seem to be watching for smaller signs of future success. There was a flurry of optimism recently when two-way player Quinten Post got significant minutes in three consecutive games. Although the Warriors lost two of them, Post still won praise and statistically was a net positive.
But especially in the game they won--a 20 plus point victory over the Bulls--Steph Curry and Coach Kerr were exultant. Post's 7-foot presence is something they haven't had, but he's also capable of hitting threes (which he did consistently against Chicago.) He "opens the floor" as they say.
His play, along with the energetic and increasingly skillful play of other young players like Gui Santos, Moses Moody and Brandon Podziemski revived by his rehab for a lingering injury, changed the conversation. Especially since until now they weren't even in the conversation. But with the injuries to Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Kyle Anderson, and Kerr's continuing experiments with lineups and rotations, they've gotten their opportunities.
Now the Warriors at the moment don't look competitive even with their second-tier rivals like the Kings and the Lakers. Their hopes for stringing a win streak during the current homestand may be fading. They were utterly embarrassed by the Celtics, who they beat in Boston early in the season. Everything is trending towards an OKC v. Boston finals matchup.
But it's not quite the All-Star break, and Steve Kerr is radiating a sense of confidence and patience this week--as the trade deadline gets closer. Their won-loss record says if there are trades out there, some will be made. Steph is a little less patient--but then he's interviewed just off the floor, especially after his frustrating shooting night against the Lakers.
But Kerr--he doesn't seem to be constitutionally cynical enough to be talking up players to make them more attractive as trade bait, so I have to believe he sincerely believes in them. But it's a risk. They could all go down together.
The current enthusiasm for Post, Santos etc. follow excitement over Buddy Hield, Dennis Schroder etc. that has faded, so who knows? When Kuminga comes back, the Warriors may have the weapons they need to relieve Curry. Andrew Wiggins has been showing his old form as well. With Wiggins, JK, Moody and Post all capable of getting shots all over the floor, this could yet repay Kerr's faith and patience. But...the trade deadline is still out there.
Football: Ohio State looked like an NFL team playing a Notre Dame college team--at least for the first half. Notre Dame gave it that old college try and late in the game were in striking distance but Ohio State exploited their gambling defense for another score. Do the Ohio State players make more money than the Notre Dame players? I don't know, but they played like they do.
In the NFL, Washington upset Detroit last week, Buffalo out-slogged Baltimore, Philadelphia outclassed the Rams and Kansas City survived with some necessary Mahomes and Kelsey heroics. The story this week is Kansas City, the reigning champs, who still seem to be doing just enough to win. To become the first team to three-peat the Super Bowl, they will have to get past Buffalo. Is Buffalo as good as they looked last week, or did they overachieve? The Chiefs still seem vulnerable, but they've got those playmakers plus that coach. I don't see Washington beating Philadelphia, but the Buffalo v. Kansas City game could go either way.
