I haven’t written much this year about the Warriors, who are doing just fine anyway, thank you very much. Or at least they have been up to this point. There was a bit of a tragedy on Sunday, when the Dubs not only lost a close one to the Denver Nuggets in their first playoff game since 2007, but lost power forward David Lee to a torn hip flexor.
I am having a hard time finding a positive way to spin this. Lee, an eight-year veteran and two-time All-Star, was playing in the very first playoff game of his life when he decided to challenge shot-blocker Javale McGee at the rim. It was a smart play going into McGee’s body to neutralize his jumping ability; but the results were…ugh, well, let’s not discuss it anymore.
Now my boys have to face a strong and deep Denver team without their best big man, not an appetizing prospect by any stretch of the imagination. But you never know. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson could go crazy. Carl Landry and Andrew Bogut could step up into the void. Jarrett Jack could bust out his Boom Dizzle imitation. Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green could forget they’re rookies and do something special. Hell, Kent Bazemore could turn out to be the second coming of Sleepy Floyd.
Don’t look at me that way. It could happen.
It is happening. Go W’s.