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Golden State Warriors make history: 16-0 - Golden State Warriors Blog- ESPN
OAKLAND, Calif. -- On Tuesday night against the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors finally closed the gap between speculation and history by crushing the visiting Lakers 111-77. Now, with 16 straight wins to open the season, the Warriors own the NBA’s best ever start. For some big-picture perspective, they’re the third team in major American pro sports to win this many games from the jump. As if a 67-win season and championship wasn’t enough, the Warriors keep reaching new heights.
“It feels great, especially the way we did it,” interim coach Luke Walton said after the win. Tuesday night was the Warriors as they aspire to be -- sharing the ball, racking up 25 assists before fourth quarter garbage time. On one illustrative play, Andre Iguodala caused a Kobe Bryant turnover, leading to an open fast break layup for Stephen Curry, with nobody around him. Rather than collect his free two points, the NBA’s leading scorer slowed down to to find Iguodala for a dunk. That’s Golden State, when they’re clicking: A team that lives up to sports clichés that are supposed to be myths.
The fact they’ve won 16 straight might be less impressive than how they’ve done it. During this span, the Warriors outscored opponents by 15.6 points. They’ve spent more time leading by more 15 (167 minutes) than they’ve spent trailing by any margin (149 minutes). They refrain from playing their best lineup all that often -- the “death lineup” comprised of Curry, Klay Thompson, Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green -- because they don’t really need to. We’ve only seen 62 minutes of that look this season, and during that rationed time it’s outscored foes by a whopping 87 points.
“It feels great, especially the way we did it,” interim coach Luke Walton said after the win. Tuesday night was the Warriors as they aspire to be -- sharing the ball, racking up 25 assists before fourth quarter garbage time. On one illustrative play, Andre Iguodala caused a Kobe Bryant turnover, leading to an open fast break layup for Stephen Curry, with nobody around him. Rather than collect his free two points, the NBA’s leading scorer slowed down to to find Iguodala for a dunk. That’s Golden State, when they’re clicking: A team that lives up to sports clichés that are supposed to be myths.
The fact they’ve won 16 straight might be less impressive than how they’ve done it. During this span, the Warriors outscored opponents by 15.6 points. They’ve spent more time leading by more 15 (167 minutes) than they’ve spent trailing by any margin (149 minutes). They refrain from playing their best lineup all that often -- the “death lineup” comprised of Curry, Klay Thompson, Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green -- because they don’t really need to. We’ve only seen 62 minutes of that look this season, and during that rationed time it’s outscored foes by a whopping 87 points.