What A Difference A Year Makes In The Bay: Sharks and Warriors
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on May 19, 2010 3:25 PM PDT
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PrintOne year ago, the Sharks GM, Dan Wilson was home after a quick exit from the playoffs and he was dreaming of ways to blow up his underachieving "Tiborones" and acquiring the pieces that it would take for the City of San Jose to life Lord Stanley's Cup over it's collective head.
One year ago, the Golden State Warriors, the only basketball team in the Bay Area, NO Sacramento does not count YET, although in 30 years it probably will, as some count Fairfield and Vacaville as in the Bay, was in complete disarray. Their star players wanted out and their alcoholic coach was signed to an extension.
All of these things have changed, in 365 days, well, except for the alcoholic coach still threatening to coach again this season.
The Sharks are one step away from reaching heights that they have never seen. Although the franchise is still one of the youngest in any major sport, it seems like with all of the talent and fan support that has been in San Jose that they would have at least tasted the Stanley Cup Finals. Alas, they have not, and now stare an 0-2 deficit and two games in Chicago in the face. This will be quite a challenge, but, don't count these guys out. That would be a mistake. (I am only listing the Sharks in order to make a point about how Bay Area Sports have turned around in one year, anyone who actually has in depth knowledge of this please feel free to add it and I will link it here)
Now onto a team which I am a Decade long Season Ticket Holder for, the Golden State Warriors.
Don't laugh Warrior fans, BUT, I believe that this team has MOST of the pieces it will need to make the playoffs next year. Losing Kelenna Azabuike, Brandon Wright, Beidrens, Turiaf and Randolph for long stretches last season absolutely killed this team. That was all of your up front power/rebounding and in the paint scoring. Without that, the team was left to play the Ultimate Nellie Ball.
The reason that I am thinking that this team can challenge for the Playoffs is that Steph Curry matured into a real point guard in this league and EVERY team in the NBA that doesn't run the Point Forward in L.A. is built around an outstanding point guard.
Having a real point guard to team up with a pure scorer like Montay Ellis in the background is a great place to start. Then you add in length and rebounding ability and some bigs that can spread the floor and you have a shot to beat anybody. All they need now is two thugs in the front court rotation and they could be special.
Needless to say, as a Warrior fan, I am much happier at this point of the year than I was last year, even if Nellie shnockered. Heck, maybe he'll go back to the jovial drunk that he was in 2006!!!
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Sad news, Sharks fans
Even being formerly from Chicago, I am rooting for the Sharks against my former team, but it does not appear that this going to be much of a series.
Yup
I am not an avid Hockey Fan, but support all Bay Area teams and just can’t express how frustrated I am with them looking this bad in the two games against the Balckhawks.
You dropped any mention to the A’s and Giants. So, the A’s are where I expected them to be at 20 – 20 one-quarter of the way through the season.
Just my opinion, but I believe that the A’s and Warriors need new ownership and new GM’s.
Stop.
On the Sharks front, you don’t know what you’re talking about, so don’ t talk. Pretty simple.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
Sto What
They are 0 – 2. That is just fact.
by Mallard Davis on May 19, 2010 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Sto.
Yeah, and if you would have said they were 0-2, I wouldn’t have an issue with it. What I have an issue with is you saying they ‘looked bad’ in the two games against the Hawks. Losses does not a ‘bad’ game make. They outplayed the Hawks in Game 1 almost the entire time. They won in the faceoff circle, they had more shots on goal, and they finished their checks and wore out their defensemen.
Game two? Now, I’ll give you that they looked bad. Because they did. But to say they looked bad in both games simply because they lost them, a) makes you look like you have no clue what you’re talking about (which you confirmed before saying it.) and b) lets everyone know that you don’t know much about hockey.
The remedy? It’s simple. Just don’t talk about what you don’t know. Because trust me, man. If it’s one thing that Sharks fans don’t need right now, it’s bandwagoners talking about the position their in.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
I watched the sharks on Sunday and they had a blackhawk in the box for tripping w/his stick and were in the power
play mode and had two opportunities to tie the game and choked. I only watch hockey in the playoffs (I’m won’t pretend to appreciate the full game) but in terms of physicality do you think Chicago is tougher/more physical than S.J.?
by Sons-of-Blanda on May 19, 2010 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
It's a coinflip.
I’d say over the course of the season SJ was tougher, but Chicago has BIG dudes, and they are NOT easy to move. That’s why you’ll see Nabby give up those airmail goals, because they get in front of him, screen him effectively, and I think a few of times (especially yesterday) you’ll see some of the Sharks stop bothering with them, which is the reason for the soft goals. It’s why it’s essential that we finish our checks, check hard, and play the puck deep into their zone. In game 2, we waddled around and struggled to make passes in the neutral zone.
SJ got to where they are by being physical, but it was something they lacked completely in game 2. No doubt about it, I would give the physical edge to Chicago, and I think that’s why we had trouble with them both in the regular season, and now. They take the game to the Sharks. The Sharks have to adjust and take it back to them. I’d say to look for that in game 3.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
Power Plays
If I remember right they did did squat on power plays in game one? How is that outplaying the other team? Also, outplaying the other team only counts when you get a win.
by Mallard Davis on May 19, 2010 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll take straw man arguments for 600, Alex.
Oh man, the expert over here. You’d know this if you watched hockey, but a lot of times, the puck doesn’t bounce your way. It’s about luck as well as skill. If you did notice, which you didn’t, because you don’t know jack shit about hockey and it’s obvious, but they generated quality chances on probably 3 of those 5 power plays. You can’t ask for much more out of your hockey team but to go out there when they’re a man up and generate quality chances on goal. Power plays do not equal free goals, and give Niemi credit because he’s been pretty damn good these first two games.
But yeah, they outplayed us in every facet, especially considering they couldn’t draw a penalty in that game. Please, dude. Oh, and I don’t know if you noticed, but they’re in the Western Conference Finals. Regardless of what you think, this season will not have been a failure, win or lose. I think we’d all agree that we’d like to see them to win, but stop your crybaby bullshit and quit trying to bait me into an argument. The fact of the matter is, they’re in a tough situation, and in game one, try as they might have (and they tried mighty damn hard), they couldn’t put the puck in the net. They sharted game 2. But this is why it takes 4 to win. The series isn’t over and it does no good to be negative. Support the team or don’t, but you don’t deserve the right to bitch because you don’t follow it unless the Cup’s on the line.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
Idiot
I’m not sure what your problem is Junior. I was watching the Oakland Seals before you were born. I never said I was an expert and even a casual fan can be concerned when a team goes down 0 – 2 in any sport. That is better than being a homer with blinders on. Frankly, you are a dick.
by Mallard Davis on May 20, 2010 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Yup, that's me.
You aren’t concerned. You’re flat out bitching. There’s a big difference, and don’t expect not to be called on it. I’m sorry you can’t handle that, but if I may direct you to the nearest box of tissues, maybe those fluffy white squares of goodness can offer you the solace you so seek.
Again, your arguments ring hollow, but that’s because they are hollow. Thank you for recognizing that yourself.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
How About Them Sharks?
I tried to say there was reason for concern. I’m not sure why you took it personally until I called you a dick.
by Mallard Davis on May 24, 2010 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Wow.
And you were wrong the entire way, and still are. 3 of 4 games lost in the final 10 minutes of the 3rd period. But please, continue being a total retard about it. It’s clearly not much of a stretch anyways.
btw, lol at your little gloating attempt here. What a fucking jackoff.
'Like' my band. I mean, it'd be awesome if you did that.
Sharks start another series slow
and get burned. Blackhawks are too good a team to overcome, but I’ll keep the faith. Obviously must take at least 1 of the next 2 in Chi to get the series back to SJ for game 5, a crappy position to be in, but that’s where they are at.
I still don’t see the Warriors making the playoffs next year in the West. Who do they supplant.. San Antonio, OKC, Portland?..I just don’t see it from this team.
Go Sharks Go!!!
Maybe it's just me..
But since I don’t even watch Hockey or root for Golden State, I feel a post like this shouldn’t be Front-Paged..That’s just my opinion though…
In Bruce We Trust
Go Lakers!
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 20, 2010 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't even know you anymore.
I think when people are being funny, they are actually being serious and when people are being serious, it's actually really funny.
by Rich Langford on May 20, 2010 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This is part two: Part one was the Raiders and A's
It is all about coming together as a team. At the end of the day, the team is all we have. - T. Branch 10-14-09
by Raymond St. Martin (Saint) on May 20, 2010 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
The only people that count Fairfield and Vacaville as being in the Bay
Are people from Fairfield and Vacaville. Because it beats the hell out of being associated with Sacramento.
15 going on 16. No, it's not a show on TLC. I'm talking about the Lakers!
I love sharks however....
I really don’t think they can win against the hawks, with the current goalie we have :(. Evgeni Nabokov has aged, and isn’t as great as he use to be sadly. Hope they release him at the end of the season and start fresh coming into next year.
"SAN DIEGO SUPER CHOKERS!!"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LfVfsUGFOc
-Lets bring home da Cup Baby GOOOO SHARKS!!!!
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