Editor's note: Look for Monte Poole's 'Dunks, Dimes and Treys' every Friday right here on CSNBayArea.com
This is the first of a weekly session in which we briefly address issues related to the Warriors and the NBA in general. We play offense. We will commit turnovers. And we're not shy about shouting from the bench.
Stephen Curry was robbed in the voting for the All-NBA Team: I understand why Chris Paul made the first team. He's a great leader excels at both ends. But James Harden? Please. I like Harden. A lot. Curry, however, is Harden's equal on offense and at least tries to play defense.
[RELATED: James Harden 2013-14 stats | Stephen Curry 2013-2014 stats]
Reality Check: For those who continue to insist the Warriors underachieved this season -– or should have beaten the Clippers in the playoffs -– please note that all other Western Conference playoff teams had two or three players receive All-NBA votes. No Warrior besides Curry was any of the 125 ballots.
Unreality check: David Lee somehow received the same number of votes as Draymond Green for the NBA's All-Defensive team. Each received one. I can see D-Lee laughing about it, while Draymond shrugs.
The Warriors are casting a broad net in their search to fill the staff of Steve Kerr: The new coach reportedly (Yahoo! Sports) is attempting to lure international coaching legend David Blatt all the way from his commitment Maccabi Tel Aviv to become chief assistant. Blatt, who has built a reputation for creative offensive strategies, won't come cheap. Then again, money won't get in the way of Warriors CEO Joe Lacob.
He's going to get paid, and most likely as a Warrior: Klay Thompson's name surfaces in the Kevin Love discussion, it's worth mentioning Klay has made it on Lacob's must-have list -– though not yet in ink. Though the shooting guard has another year on his rookie deal, I'd offer an extension a couple million south of Curry's deal, which is $44 mill over four years.
And, yes, the Warriors are certain to move a big contract in the next 12 months.
[RELATED: Curry makes plea to keep Klay Thompson with Warriors]
After being snubbed by Western Conference coaches in the voting for the All-Star Game, he's taking no chances: Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who had a strong season, is scheduled to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live after Game 2 of the NBA Finals Sunday. Seems "Boogie" is aware of his sullen image and ready to reveal his human side.
A dead narrative that refuses to die: That former Warriors coach Mark Jackson was an uninvolved bystander as the team improved its defense. The change was first credited to Michael Malone. When he left for the Kings,
suddenly Darren Erman was the "architect." I'm told that in reality, Jackson was crafting defensive strategies well before he was hired to coach.
Still hearing: That the Lakers really, really like Kent Bazemore. But they may not like him as much now that he's out of Mike D'Antoni's system, which has a way of inflating offensive statistics.
Get to know him: Jonas Valanciunas (shown, right). The Raptors center is longer, and much more offensively talented than Andris Biedrins ever was. And I like AB. Valanciunas, who turned 22 years old last month, will be an All-Star -– as long as he stays focused.
Forget about him: Though he once was a beast in the paint and absolutely tortured the Warriors in the 2007 playoffs, Carlos Boozer is a few good meals away from surrendering to his retirement couch.
Why I hope Jim Barnett never leaves Warriors telecasts: JB has his beliefs and he stays true to them. The latest example is that he was the only one of 125 media members to vote Spurs legend Tim Duncan to the All-NBA First Team. I don't agree, but I admire his conviction.
QUOTABLE: "We probably have 16 teams that have called us. We haven't called anybody." – Timberwolves boss Flip Saunders, referring to Kevin Love, to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune this week.
In line image of Jonas Valanciunas provided by The Associated Press
