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.
Don’t Let Golden State Warriors’ First Losing Streak Undermine 12-5 Start To NBA Season
Maintaining Momentum
Dubs fans, Charlie Walter here, and I had to get a show in before the Warriors take on the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night.
The upcoming stretch of games will be a true test of the Warriors’ makeup. Facing teams like the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets will reveal whether the Warriors are truly contenders or if in-season adjustments are needed. This period is critical, not just for the standings but for the team’s morale and confidence.
As we look ahead, it’s essential to remember that the Warriors are still in a strong position. The potential for growth and improvement is there, and with strategic decisions, the team can continue to thrive. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Warriors’ strategies and challenges, tune into the Locked On Warriors podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Warriors Podcast:
- Analysis of the Warriors’ recent game against the Brooklyn Nets
- Potential trade scenarios and their implications for the team’s future
- The importance of maintaining team morale during challenging stretches
- A look at the Warriors’ upcoming schedule and key matchups to watch
The show will provide you with enough positives to feel good about where the Warriors stand entering a tough stretch.
Lock in and beat the Thunder, Charlie Walter - Host of Locked On Warriors
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
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
Analysis The Warriors are facing significant free-throw issues, with even Steph struggling from the line, impacting their game outcomes. (Golden State of Mind)
Rumor A blockbuster trade idea suggests Jimmy Butler could join the Warriors in exchange for multiple stars, sparking significant intrigue and discussion among fans. (Sports Illustrated)
Fans An insane photo of Draymond Green and Victor Wembanyama has gone viral, capturing the attention of fans and adding a fun moment to the season. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
Don’t let other episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Warriors podcasts.
Golden State Warriors Finalizing Deal To Land Dennis Schroder Of Brooklyn Nets
Live reaction to the reports that Dennis Schroder is being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Golden State Warriors.
When And How Will The Golden State Warriors Late Game Scoring Struggles Change?
The Golden State Warriors were in a similar position late, failing to score for a long stretch to close the game and giving away a game the Dubs should have won. Where did it go wrong for the Warriors, and how are they going to fix this from continuing to be a theme??
Steph Curry Speaks Out: The Urgency of Tightening the Warriors’ Rotation
With the Golden State Warriors in a slump, Steph Curry made a subtle push for change. Today’s show debates the balance between development and immediate performance. The episode also explores trade rumors and the strategic decisions Coach Steve Kerr faces in optimizing the roster. With a mix of analysis and speculation, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the Warriors’ path forward amidst a competitive Western Conference landscape.
