Kylen Mills, the host of the daily Locked On Warriors podcast, with your daily Locked On Warriors newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Warriors and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Andrew Wiggins Is Playing Good Basketball, Really Good Ball
November 20, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesKyle Terada/Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
What’s good Dubs fans? Charlie Walter here and I linked up with one of my friends from the 95.7 The Game days, Evan Giddings.
On today’s show we got into the challenges the team faces after De’Anthony Melton was announced out for the entire season due to knee surgery. His absence will be felt, especially against top-tier teams where his defensive skills were crucial.
Despite this setback, the Warriors’ depth remains a strength. Players like Lindy Waters and Andrew Wiggins are stepping up, to a different extent of course. Waters, a reliable plug-and-play option, has impressed with his low turnover rate and solid three-point shooting. His ability to play significant minutes without making mistakes has made him a favorite of coach Steve Kerr. Meanwhile, Wiggins appears to be in a great headspace, showing aggression and confidence on the court, reminiscent of his championship-winning form.
The Warriors’ rotation has sparked debate among fans, particularly regarding the playing time of young talents like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. While some argue they deserve more minutes, it’s clear that Kerr is managing a deep roster, ensuring everyone gets a chance to contribute. Kuminga ranks fifth in total minutes played, indicating his importance to the team, while Moody is also within the top eight.
Brandon Podziemski, in his sophomore season, is experiencing a slump, but it’s important to remember his age. Despite shooting struggles, Podziemski continues to make winning plays, contributing with his defense and playmaking. The expectations placed on him may be high, but his ability to play effectively with any lineup is invaluable.
Looking ahead, the Warriors’ main challenges include handling teams with length and versatile defenders, as well as improving their free-throw shooting. These factors could impact their performance in tight games. However, with a strong start to the season and a roster full of capable players, the Warriors are well-positioned to tackle these issues and continue their pursuit of success.
Listen to the entire show and check us out on YouTube as well.
Lets get two this weekend, Chuck Walter- Host Of Locked On Warriors
They’ve had close wins, technical wins, nail-biters and blow-outs; they’ve (reportedly) turned down superstars and and currently sit third in the west with a record of 11-5 — In a Western Conference finally coming alive, can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
The Rockets are on pace to tie or surpass the franchise’s win record of 64, set by a team led by James Harden in 2017-2018. It was Harden’s — and all the failed years of being in the running for title contention — ghost that still hung over the franchise as recently as last season, no matter that Harden himself has been part of three different rosters since he sulked his way out of Houston. Everything from the Rockets brand of basketball to the team’s waylaid trajectory back into competition had been set and then upended by him.
It was something of an exorcism then, that Houston handily beat Harden’s current team, the Clippers, in back-to-back games this week.
What feels especially lasting about the winning pace the Rockets have set is that there’s plenty room for the team to improve. Houston’s sitting at 25th overall in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point percentage, and is still claiming the ninth overall offensive ranking in the league. Their starters have all been shooting well below their career bests, and yet, nothing about the Rockets’ wins have looked harried.
For a team that has an average of just four years NBA experience between them, there’s a wealth of patience. When the Rockets have been pressed this season, or teams like the Pacers and Bulls have tried to rush them with pace, they fall back on snapping passes and sinking into ball movement. There are still sequences of ISO ball and flubbed defensive rotations, but Houston has leaned into their transitions as opportunities to reset. No doubt in part to having the always unflappable Fred VanVleet driving this thing, plus the veteran offensive ballasts of Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview The Warriors will take on the Pelicans in a battle at the Smoothie King Center at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Injury The Warriors have been granted a Disabled Player Exception due to De’Anthony Melton’s injury. This allows them to potentially sign a replacement player. (Golden State of Mind)
Legacy Will NBA expansion bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle? Find out. (The Athletic)
Biz Amid their early-season tank, the Sixers expected to scour the trade market for power forwards. (Real GM)
Shopping
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Franz Wagner A First Round Fantasy Basketball Player?
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left in the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic edged out the LA Lakers with a 119-118 victory. The game was a showcase of talent and strategy, with the Magic overcoming a deficit to secure the win. Franz Wagner was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form with a stellar 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. His all-around game, including four steals and four threes, solidified his status as a top fantasy asset. Wagner’s recent performances have elevated him to first-round value in fantasy leagues, making him a potential sell-high candidate, though his current form might make holding onto him equally appealing.
Dalton Knecht’s Role and Performance
Dalton Knecht played a significant role for the Lakers, logging the most minutes on the team. While his 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist were solid, they highlighted the limitations in his fantasy profile. Knecht’s reliance on scoring and shooting efficiency means that while he’s a valuable asset, his contributions in other categories remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor his role closely, especially as the Lakers adjust their rotations.
Anthony Black’s Consistency Concerns
Anthony Black’s performance was less consistent, with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 25% shooting. While his recent games have shown flashes of potential, this outing underscores the volatility in his production. Fantasy managers who picked up Black for his upside should consider holding him through the Magic’s favourable schedule but remain cautious about his long-term consistency.
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Could The Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry Be First 36 Year Old To Win NBA MVP?
Steph Curry has outshined three NBA MVP frontrunners to start the season, propelling the Warriors to a 9-2 start. Could he quietly be an MVP candidate with a strong season and a Warriors resurgence?
Steph Curry Scores Final 12 Golden State Warriors Points To Defeat Dallas Mavericks In Epic Game
Steph Curry gave Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks a night-night in the final moments, with Curry scoring the final 12 Golden State Warriors points, and racking up 37 total in the victory to begin NBA Cup play.
What We Learned After Golden State Warriors Blow 31-Point Lead, Win In OT Against Houston Rockets
The Golden State Warriors ran the Houston Rockets out of the gym.... For a half. How were the Dubs able to survive a momentum shift that saw their 31-point lead turn into a 4th-quarter deficit, and who led the charge?
