WARRIORS

Draymond Green Expected To Decline Player Option

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The future of Draymond Green is one of the biggest free agency talking points of the NBA offseason. Green has spent his entire career with the Warriors after being drafted in 2012. However, 2023-24 represents a player option year for Green’s $99.6 million contract. 2022-23 was a sub-optimal year for Green, who admitted that he lost the locker room after his viral fight with Jordan Poole.

However, the Warriors had been eager to retain him. Despite criticizing Green for the Poole fight, head coach Steve Kerr said he was eager to have Green back next year. Furthermore, sources indicated that Steph Curry was eager to run it back with “The Big Three” (him, Green, and Klay Thompson) for at least one more year. However, major news has now broken about the potential future of Green with Golden State.

Warriors Will Fight To Retain Green

Per Marc J. Spears of ESPN, the Warriors expect Green to decline his player option year, valued at $27.5 million. “The Warriors expect Draymond Green to opt out of the final year of his $26 million contract,” Spears stated. “But Joe Lacob, [Mike] Dunleavy, the Warriors are going to do everything in their power, if he does as expected, to bring him back.” The Warriors are currently over $100 million over the cap. This could pose a problem in making Draymond a competitive offer on the free agency market.

As mentioned by Spears, the job of retaining Green, if he does decline the option, falls on newly-appointed GM Mike Dunleavy. While Dunleavy is a long-time Warriors exec, it’s unclear what sort of relationship he was with Green. His predecessor, Bob Myers, was seen as the “Draymond Whisperer”. However, declining his option year will allow other teams to pursue Green as well. Furthermore, this could see a major contender or cap-friendly team make a big offer to bring in the veteran big man. Do you think Draymond will stay with Golden State? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Golden State Warriors Can’t Contend Without Draymond Green, JJ Reddick Argues

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The Warriors’ season ended in humiliation. They were bullied out of the playoffs by the Lakers in the second round. A lot has been written, and said, about this season for Golden State. Steve Kerr said the team never felt like a championship roster. Furthermore, Kerr placed much of the blame in regard to team dynamics on the fight between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole last October. Green agreed, stating that he lost the locker room after the incident. Despite this, Kerr is eager to have Green back on the team

Furthermore, while questions remain about the Warriors’ future, there is hope. Both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson both have at least one year left on their contract. Additionally, Green has the option to exercise a player year for $27 million. However, sources have confirmed that Curry, arguably the leader of this team, wants to run it back with the Big 3 for one more year at least. Now, another voice is advocating for the Warriors to do everything it takes to keep Green on the team.

Reddick Argues Warriors Don’t Contend Without Green

“Absolutely not,” Reddick began when asked if the Warriors can contend without Draymond. “Draymond is so important to everything they do on both sides of the basketball. And defensively specifically, what we saw last year was a non-elite defense from the Golden State Warriors…And yet, Draymond Green had another elite defensive season. He is the anchor of that defense. When the Golden State Warriors have contended, it’s because they have had an elite defense. You lose him, with really no way to replace him, you’re not winning an NBA championship.”

While Chris “Mad Dog” Russo sees the Warriors as a top-tier contender next season, Reddick is more reserved. To him, the Warriors have the potential to contend if they play the draft and free agency correctly. However, to him, getting rid of Draymond is getting rid of the team’s championship chances. Green has not yet been the focus of much speculation yet, with many believing that he will pick up his player option. However, what do you think Draymond should do? Do you think the Warriors will let him leave? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Bob Myers Leaves The Warriors: Report

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Bob Myers is one of the most respected executives in all of basketball and it is easy to see why. Overall, he put together one of the greatest dynasties in the entire history of the NBA. The Golden State Warriors won four titles starting in 2015 and made it to six NBA Finals. Although the team had some down years, they came back in 2022 and won it all. It was a huge achievement for the team that showcased just how well put together the Warriors have been throughout all of these years.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, they were not able to get over the hump this year. They had a weak regular season that resulted in a sixth seed in the West. Furthermore, they were pushed to seven games by Sacramento before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in six. It was not the end of the season that the Warriors were hoping for, and now, they have big decisions to make. However, moving forward, Myers will not be making these decisions.

Read More: Steve Kerr Says Warriors Failure Stemmed for Green-Poole Fight

Bob Myers Leaves On His Own Terms

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Bob Myers announced that he would be stepping down from the team. Overall, Myers was not fired or anything like that. Instead, he just believes now is the best time for him to leave. He has accomplished everything he has set out to, and he is happy leaving right now. Although Warriors fans are certainly going to miss him, it seems like Myers will get to enjoy some much-needed time off. Either way, this is an end of an era for the Golden State Warriors. What happens from here on out, is anyone’s best guess.

In the eyes of many, the dynasty ended as soon as the Warriors lost to the Lakers. Steph Curry is getting older, as is Klay Thompson. Additionally, there is this sense that Draymond Green will want to leave and join LeBron James in L.A. Whatever the case, it was a pleasure watching the Warriors over the past decade. Give us your thoughts on this news, in the comments section below.

Read More: Colin Cowherd Roasts The Entire Warriors Roster

Steve Kerr Says Warriors Failure Stemmed for Green-Poole Fight

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The Golden State Warriors crashed out of the playoffs with a blowout loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. It capped a disappointing season for the Warriors, who went from reigning champions to a struggling six-seed.

After their elimination, head coach Steve Kerr admitted that they were not a “championship team” this season. There are a lot of things that went wrong for the Warriors. These include a dismal record on the road and some of the worst transition efficiency in the league. Despite these on-court factors, Kerr has pointed to something else to explain the Warriors’ slump.

Kerr Says Trust Was Never “Rebuilt” After Practice Fight

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 12: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

In October 2022, it was reported that during a Warriors practice, Draymond Green and Jordan Poole had gotten into a physical altercation. Green spent a week away from the team. But more importantly, according to Kerr, it caused the team to lose trust in one another. “Anytime some trust is lost, then it makes the process much more difficult, and there was some trust lost.” Kerr, speaking at his exit interview, continued. “That’s as blunt as I can be. We have to get back to what has made us really successful, which is a really trusting environment and a group that relies on one another and makes each other better.”

However, he went on to specifically call out the Green-Poole fight as the inciting incident. “There’s no hiding from it — the incident with Draymond and Jordan at the beginning of the year played a role in that,” Kerr said. “It’s hard for that not to impact a team.” However, Kerr stated that he is eager to rebuild that trust and move forward with both players on the team. “Look, if Draymond is not back, we’re not a championship contender,” Kerr said. “We know that. He’s that important to winning and to who we are. I absolutely want him back.” 2023/24 is a player option year for Green, meaning that his future with the Warriors lies solely with him.

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Kim K, Kendall Jenner, Bad Bunny Watch Lakers Win

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On May 11, the Lakers were finally able to prove a psychic Corgi and Stephen A. Smith wrong as they beat the Warriors 122-101. LeBron had a dominant 30-point game, nearly hitting a triple-double with nine assists and nine rebounds. Fan-favorite Austin Reaves put 23 points. After the game, the Warriors conceded that they were not a “championship team” this season. The Lakers will play the Denver Nuggets in the next round.

Now the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty has a long history of dating NBA players. While most of the athletes linked to the family are former flames of Khloé, Kim and Kendall have also had their basketball romances. Kim briefly dated Kris Humphries, who retired in 2017. Meanwhile, Kendall has had romances with Suns star Devon Booker and current Celtic Blake Griffin.

Kim Brings A Homemade Sign, Kendall And Bad Bunny Have A Lakers Date

Kim was courtside was the Lakers’ Game 6 win. Earlier in the series, she had been spotted showing off her curves in a tight-fitting “I Love Nerds” top. That appearance fueled speculation that Kim was dating a Laker, a claim she denied. For Game 6, she was in attendance with her daughter, North. Together they held up a homemade sign that read “Tristan Thompson” in alternating purple and gold letters. Thompson, Kim’s former brother-in-law, played four minutes off the bench, pulling down two rebounds. It remains to be seen if Kim will continue attending Lakers home games as they take on the Nuggets for a place in the NBA Finals.

Elsewhere in the crowd, fans spotted Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny. The pair have been publicly dating since February 2023. At one point, the broadcast appeared to catch Benito asking Jenner if she wanted to go home after the game, with Jenner appearing to reply “we can do whatever”. The Lakers and Warriors were the only elite athletes in the building. Benito recently came out on top in a WWE street fight match against fellow Puerto Rican wrestler, Damian Priest. Who was your favorite celebrity appearance during the NBA playoffs? Let us know in the comments below.

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Stephen A. Believes Warriors Will Force A Game 7

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The Golden State Warriors currently trail the Lakers 3-2 in their Western Conference Semifinal matchup. However, the Warriors kept themselves alive with a dominant performance in Game 5. The teams meet for a pivotal Game 6 in Los Angeles on Friday night. Either the Warriors will force the series back to the Chase Center or the Lakers will move on to face the Nuggets.

Now Stephen A. Smith may be a New York fan, but he has a soft spot for the Warriors. Furthermore, he believes that the Warriors have got what it takes to force the Lakers into a Game 7. And it all comes down to a very simple belief about how the Warriors have been playing.

Smith Believes The Warriors Haven’t Hit Their Full Potential Yet

Speaking on First Take, Smith laid out his case for a Warriors win in Game 6. “I think Steph Curry hasn’t been sensational. He’s struggled a little bit but is balling out. Klay Thompson came alive a little bit last night. Jordan Poole didn’t stink up the joint. It’s really really nice seeing him remember he wears a uniform and gets a paycheck. But Draymond Green, let me tell you all. When you watch him, when you watch his energy…the dude is made for these moments.” In short, Smith believes that the Warriors haven’t played their best yet. If they do that, and will be forced to do so in this all-or-nothing Game 6, the series will go to seven games.

However, if you’re not convinced by Smith. How about a psychic corgi? The TikTok account @aircorg has gone viral during the Lakers-Warriors series for a video in which Steph Furry the Corgi perfectly predicts the outcome of the series through the first five games. The video has been the bane of Lakers fans, who have watched their team slowly squander a 3-1 lead. But regardless of whether you beleive the ESPN veteran or future-predicting dog, the Lakers and Warriors face off later today. Do you agree with Stephen A. Smiith? Or are the Lakers going to win in six? Let us know in the comments.

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A Corgi On TikTok Has Perfectly Predicted Lakers-Warriors

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There are few joys in life more satisfying than watching an animal predict sporting events. There are many famous examples of this phenomenon, such as Paul the Psychic Octopus. However, the trend has become more and more common in recent years. During the 2022 NFL playoffs, Cincinnati Zoo utilized their beloved, and internet-famous, hippo Fiona to predict matches.

A major rise in this sort of content has come via the advent of sites such as TikTok. With Tiktok built for mass consumption over brand-building, anyone can go viral for having their pet predict sports matches. With this introduction, meet @aircorg, aka Steph Furry. Steph is a Corgi with 1.3 million followers on TikTok. The account has been using Steph Furry to predict sporting events from around the world for several. But the dog’s uncanny prediction for the Lakers-Warriors series is starting to get some attention

Steph Furry Is 5-0 In Wild Lakers-Warriors Series

@aircorg

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers, who’s winning? 🤷🏻‍♂️ #nba #2023nbaplayoffs #dubnation #warriors #LA #lakers

♬ Cupid – Twin Ver. (FIFTY FIFTY) – Sped Up Version – sped up 8282

The Lakers currently lead their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Warriors 3-2.

  • Lakers win Game 1
  • Warriors win Game 2
  • Lakers win Game 3
  • Lakers win Game 4
  • Warriors win Game 5

While not the most difficult series to predict statistically, the order in which it happened is certainly unexpected. Few people would have confidently said the Warriors would be 3-1 down after four games. But those few people include Steph Furry. In a video posted on May 1, the corgi “predicted” the Lakers-Warriors series. The chosen method of Furry’s predictions is having a ball thrown at him while he stands at the top of the stairs and knocking it down toward two labeled buckets.

So the only remaining question is – how does the series end, according to Steph Furry? Well Lakers fans, we know you already hate this dog so look away now. Furry has the Warriors going all the way with their comeback. If the good boy’s prediction is true, the Warriors are set to take both Games 6 and 7 to win the series 4-3. If they can achieve the feat, they will be just the 14th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit. They will also be the first since the Denver Nuggets did it twice in the 2020 postseason. However, what do you think? Is Steph Furry’s prediction correct? Or this corgi barking up the wrong tree?

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Lakers Can’t Close Out Warriors Series

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The Lakers entered Wednesday night’s matchup against the Warriors comfortable in the driving seat. Holding a 3-1 series lead, all the Lakers had to do was play the same basketball all series and they would be moving on to the Western Conference Finals.

What’s more, they were coming off some absolutely dominant performances. In Game 3, they beat the Warriors by 30. In Game 4, they forced an uncharacteristic blunder by Steph Curry to win 107-104. It finally felt like the Lakers had found a consistent solution for the Warriors’ three-heavy game plan. Now all they had to do was execute it one more time.

Warriors Dominate, Lakers Lose AD

Things started off great for the Lakers. While they weren’t winning the game, they were keeping it close over the first quarter and a half. However, slowly but surely, the Warriors began to pull away. A four-point lead at the end of the first became an 11-point lead at the half. Every time the Lakers scored, the Warriors responded in kind. There was never any momentum for the visitors, only finding points here and then instead of going on major scoring runs. Then they lost Anthony Davis about midway through the fourth quarter. Davis went down after an elbow to the head and didn’t return to the game. His status for Game 6 is currently up in the air.

The Warriors simply played better on the night. They outshot and rebounded the Lakers. They were better in the paint and when distributing the ball. There was no one defining factor of their win, the Warriors just played better basketball. Three Warriors starters hit at least 20 points, with all starters reaching double digits. Steph Curry led all scorers with 27 points. This was despite Curry shooting just 3-for-11 for three. Draymond Green put up the only double-double of the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds. LeBron and AD combined for 48 but the Lakers got no production from Jarred Vanderbilt (0 points in 11 minutes). The Lakers will need to play better, especially defensively to prevent a Game 7. The two teams will meet in LA on Friday night. Even with Davis’ status questionable, the Lakers are slightly favored by oddsmakers.

Twitter Reacts

Do you think the Lakers will get it done in Game 6? Or do you think we are headed for a Game 7? Let us know n the comments.

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Draymond Green Reveals Why Lakers Won Game 3

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Draymond Green is someone who does not mince words. Overall, he is known for his incredible trash talk. Moreover, he is someone who doesn’t mind speaking the truth, even if it might be uncomfortable. However, his talking has put him in some negative positions. There have been a few instances in which we have seen him get suspended or kicked out of a game for his actions. Regardless, the Warriors continue to stand by him, no matter what. He is an important player to their success, and that is not going to change anytime soon.

In Game 3 of the Warriors’ series against the Lakers, Green found himself with a technical foul. Moreover, his team got destroyed by a total of 30 points. Now, the Lakers have a 2-1 series lead, and they continue to have the home-court advantage as Game 4 goes down at Crypto.com Arena. No one knows how this is all going to go down, but if one thing is for certain, the officiating will be heavily scrutinized. After Game 3, Green noted that the Lakers were getting to the free throw line a lot, and that it was a massive issue.

Read More: Draymond Green’s Most Controversial Career Moments

Draymond Green Is Not Happy

“The game stopped,” Green said regarding the free throws and fouls. “[They were] on the free throw line every time.” Overall, Green isn’t wrong here. The Lakers went to the free-throw line a total of 37 times. Although the Warriors have the most free-throw attempts of any team left in the playoffs, this is still wild. Either way, the Warriors need to find a way to combat this. The Lakers are a great team that has gotten hot at the right time. Meanwhile, the Warriors have been wildly inconsistent.

Overall, this is easily the most compelling series in the entire NBA Playoffs right now. The Lakers and Warriors feature some of the best players to ever step on the court. LeBron Vs. Curry is a matchup we may never see again. If that is the case, then fans better soak it all in while they still can. Let us know who you think is going to win, in the comments section below.

Read More: Draymond Green On Relationship With Harrison Barnes

Tom Holland And Zendaya Spotted At Warriors-Lakers

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On May 4, the Warriors showed out to even their second-round NBA playoff series against the Lakers. The Warriors routed the Lakers 127-100 in front of their home crowd at Chase Center. There were plenty of famous faces in the crowd including Joe Montana, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Sam Darnold. The official attendance was 18,064, a sell-out crowd at Chase Center. The Warriors have been a dominant force at home this season. They have lost just 10 games at the Chase Center.

Also present, representing the world of acting, was the young power couple of Tom Holland and Zendaya. The pair, who co-star in the Marvel Spider-Man films, have been dating since 2017. They are one of the best-known, and most-loved, young couples in Hollywood. The couple was seen eagerly cheering on the home team as the Warriors balled out.

Tom Holland And Zendaya Cheer For The Warriors

The couple’s Warriors fandom makes sense as Zendaya is originally from the Oakland area. Zendaya was especially vocal, cheering for every big moment from the Warriors. She also sported a Black Golden State cap for much of the game. Dutiful as always, Holland joined his girlfriend in celebrating the big moments of the game. The Warriors hit 21 threes during the game, with the Splash Brothers fully on display. The series moves to LA for Game 3 on May 6.

However, there’s only so much entertainment that can be found in a 27-point blowout win. As the game wore on and any chance of a Lakers comeback was extinguished, Holland in particular noticed the crowd having a bit of fun with him. At one point in the game, with the Warriors up 30, the trio of active 49ers began miming shooting spiderwebs at Holland. As Fox 40 producer Sean Cunningham noted on Twitter, “30 point Warriors blowout, so I was entertained by Zendaya and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland catching 49ers players George Kittle, Sam Darnold and Christian McCaffrey practice shooting spiderwebs while seated courtside.” Of course, this is a reference to Holland’s stint as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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