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00:00Can't wait to ask Steve some more questions, but we've got questions first for our good friend right now on the River Islands
00:07Guest line Bob Fitzgerald. Hey Fitz. How's the break treating you?
00:13Why would you guys waste your time with me when you have Steve Kerr coming up because we've got where am I gonna add anything?
00:19Come on. Yeah, because because he's not coming on for 41 minutes. So for what? Oh, yeah until then you can make the warrior fanbase
00:27Think whatever they want
00:31I'll lead him in one direction and then Steve will lead him to reality later. All right, so championship or bust, right?
00:39Okay
00:40I'm in let's do it. Well, let me ask you this Bob, you know Draymond green very well to what level do you think?
00:47He believes the things that he has said
00:50Well put it this way. I mean in
00:522022
00:53You can watch a postgame interview in the middle of the season when the Warriors were kind of floating along and he said we're gonna
00:59Win the championship and I kind of went we're gonna win the championship and we did
01:05So I think it was a game after Utah or something like that and just so no
01:09I would I would never tell Draymond he's wrong and
01:12If you don't believe that you're gonna be a good team, you know couldn't believe you're gonna have a good end of the season
01:17You know, I don't seem most real competitive people saying that out loud
01:22So Draymond's like hey, you got me you got Jimmy Butler. You got Steph that can make it coming back
01:28You know, and they've beaten Boston and they've beaten, you know quality teams
01:32So they you beat Oklahoma City twice. They beat Minnesota three out of four. They beat in Houston three out of four
01:37Like they're like, all right, we're gonna see one of these teams in the playoffs. So let's let's see how it works out
01:43You mentioned coming to coming back Bob and Mark and I've been playing the sound from Steve trying to explain
01:49Just how it might fit and how it might work when you think about JK coming back here in the next week or so
01:56How is the fit going to be with Jimmy Butler now on this team I
02:01Think it's gonna change that much because the thing you had dibs was she had coming here coming off the bench
02:06Playing starters minutes at 30 minutes a game
02:09And so I would anticipate that he probably has that same role and the role for him is he's the best
02:16Transition score on the team. He can get downhill and get fouled which Butler has already started to do
02:22But it would add a second guy to do that
02:25Maybe a couple more lobs to be honest because Butler such a good passer and they even had a lob sequence for Butler with his
02:32First warrior basket, which I'd like to see that play run for cominga, you know a bunch more
02:36So just that way when he gets Steve on say Bob from the peninsula would like a backdoor lob series for cominga
02:43At least once a game. Okay, just throw that out there. See what Steve says. Let's go to Bob in the peninsula
02:50Bob exactly
02:52It was a backdoor lob sequence, okay, I would check it out. Hey Bob, what about this?
02:57That's all X's and O's stuff and there's a lot there for sure
03:01But through your view and being around the team
03:04How has the acquisition of Jimmy changed just the way they all feel in the locker room?
03:11Well, it gives you a third alpha and it gives you a guy who's different than Steph and different than Draymond
03:17And it also in a long season
03:19It's an injection or an infusion of
03:23Something different, you know now it didn't change the Dallas game, you know
03:27The Warriors won three out of four, but you know, they didn't close in Dallas and you know earlier on that trip
03:34They had blown an 11-point lead the final three minutes against Utah. I mean, that's Monty Poole wrote a great piece today
03:40Basically just saying if you have the Warriors win four or five games that they absolutely should have won
03:46We wouldn't be talking about this nail-biter eight nine ten type of setup
03:51I mean, that's the the frustrating thing is I looked at the Lakers last night
03:55They lost to Charlotte was like good the Lakers finally lost the game
03:59They should have won
04:00Now you can feel what the Warriors feel about six of the opportunities that they've squandered and that's why they're they're hanging there a game
04:06Over 500 so it's not that this team isn't capable of winning games
04:11It's just man if they kick some
04:13That are gonna really hurt at the end of the year when you start stacking up the total number of wins as crowded as the
04:19West is yeah, they kicked a few
04:20They also stole a couple in my opinion and that's where things do kind of level out
04:25But yeah, I'm gonna totally disagree with that blowing an 18-point lead to the Nets
04:30Shooting with 11 seconds left in a three-second difference and losing 91 90 to Houston
04:36Losing an 11-point lead to a depleted, Utah team in three minutes like these aren't
04:42These should not have been losses and the steals you'd have to line them up for me because
04:49Winning is to me. It's kind of a found money when you
04:54Yeah, that wasn't that wasn't close. I wasn't a stolen game of Warriors dominated the fourth quarter and owned it
04:59I just came here. They haven't had teams like just you know step on there
05:04You know, they're they're two feet and trip over and give the Warriors a win. They haven't had too many of those
05:09So, I mean that's it's one of those where their records 28 27
05:13They should have four or five more wins with no stretch whatsoever. It's sadly. It's nobody's fault with their own, by the way
05:19It's their own fault. Oh, yeah. Yeah, and unfortunately you are what your record says you are no matter
05:24You know whether or not you kick some away people are like, you know
05:27And Mark just asked it like how are they different with Butler and this Nets like well, let's see the final 27 games
05:34Because they're playing Charlotte twice
05:36They should win both of those games if they have a 15-point lead to Charlotte on Tuesday and lose it in the fourth quarter
05:43Then having Jimmy Butler won't be different
05:46So that's the kind of thing where you have 27 games the days of like hitting your driver out of bounds
05:52You know on these holes that you should be birdieing those days are over right now
05:57You know, they caught a break today because weapon yamas out for the season. So you'll have to beat one team
06:02There's 11 teams for 10 spots right now in the West
06:06But do you want to be in the 910 game?
06:09Do you want to be in the 7-8 game?
06:10Which is politely where they're pegged or do you want to really?
06:14Go, you know 19 and whatever or 20 and 7 and finish the year and be in the top six
06:20It's totally up to them as to what they're gonna do
06:23You know given their schedule and because the five or six that you kicked away that you should have
06:29They're gonna come back and haunt you unless you do something different in the last couple months Bob Fitts with us here
06:34Willard and dibs 95-7 the game so fits that along those lines of what you're talking about
06:39Go back to Houston a week ago tonight
06:41And when you see them starting to sort of spit another game, but they hold it off
06:47Does that give you optimism or does it give you PTSD?
06:52Now that Houston game was was very weird in that and Steve had alluded to it gently
06:58But you know he behind the scenes probably more stern
07:02There's no way you should be playing a game at 845 at night and then teeing up another one 13 hours later
07:09I mean the schedule on that was completely stupid
07:13It that there was an insult to professional athletes to make them do that
07:18And so the fact that they just ran out of gas they had nothing left
07:23They do the end of a six game trip. It's the last day before the all-star break
07:27You're playing 13 hours later
07:29Then you just finished a game. I mean that just it makes no sense and so
07:35What email you doca did it was pretty amazing is he played four guys out of his finishing five that did not play the night?
07:42before and
07:43They're the ones that led the big comeback
07:45And then he he sat shin doing and other guys and just said hey these fresh guys are leading the whole comeback
07:51I'm gonna let him ride it out and the Warriors had just enough a dream on three a step three
07:56You know a butler
07:57Kind of get fouled at a couple of free throws it just enough to get over the finish line so that game was not
08:03You know I was really impressed that all the Hall of Famers played on the back-to-back
08:08The game they had to have because they kicked the Dallas game, but to me
08:12That that game is probably gonna be like any any unlike any other game
08:16They see the rest of the season except for at Lakers come home against
08:21Denver later in the year after that after a 14-day road trip
08:26they're playing at the Lakers on national TV, and then home against Denver on the next night, which is
08:32Okay, what are we doing?
08:35That makes no sense whatsoever in any world
08:38That's the tax of being popular and having the chef because you have so many of these games
08:42And I'm also looking fits where you're at Phoenix on a Tuesday, and then you're home to San Antonio the next day
08:49So that's another one of those really should pick up an hour, and that's a shorter flight. You're not don't you're not gone for
08:5514 days and then playing the Lakers and
08:59Playing Denver at home. I mean the thing I would say about the schedule and after 32 years of you know witnessing it
09:05You tell me why there's 30 teams in the NBA and for two seasons now one team has not played a road baseball series
09:13One team huh I wonder which team that is
09:18You know why why the Clippers playing five baseball series in two years or Sacramento playing five or Minnesota playing five
09:25Going to Houston one time or Memphis one time. Okay see one time
09:29Why are the Warriors the only team out of 30 teams that doesn't have a single baseball series?
09:36And I thought we had AI and everything I thought we had computers and all this stuff
09:40So like I just I just think the schedule that they have stuck the Warriors with the last couple years is ridiculous
09:47What do you mean by baseball series Bob?
09:50I'm not understanding the reference you go to Houston, and you play him Thursday, and you play him Friday. I got you
09:55I just eliminated back and forth to Houston, Texas or back and forth to Memphis or back and forth
10:02Back and forth to Oklahoma City. That's not if you know
10:0650,000 air miles 15 back-to-backs no baseball series why why one team out of 30 in
10:13Two years now the same team
10:17That's a competitive disadvantage. It makes no sense on any level
10:22Well, why why why is that? Why do you think why do you think that is hey this is about my pay grade?
10:28I just observe yeah, you got take a little Bob. I mean you did this for 25 years
10:33I think you know I'd be hopping mad about it
10:36You know, but that's what see what happens is. This is the media ecosystem. You know all its excuses. No, it's not
10:43But when teams fly way more
10:45Thousands of air miles and have way more back-to-backs and are playing games at 845 at night and trying to play again the next day
10:51It's seven at the end of a six game road trip. That's not an excuse. That's reality
10:57That's reality
10:59Like I'd have someone who's an accountant fly with us on that trip and tell me how much energy you got the next day
11:05to do your job
11:07Math is hard. That's the issue. Yeah, that's that these these are things that matter
11:13You know
11:13I mean look at how many guys did not play on the Thursday before the all-star break and teams all around the league
11:20That didn't play and that's where you appreciate
11:23Steph and Draymond and Jimmy Butler and those guys playing
11:27Because they're playing for their lives right now
11:29They're playing to get into the postseason to hopefully get that one Ernie Shavers punchers chance to do something good again
11:38You know
11:40Steve's talked about it other people talked about it start the season a week earlier
11:45Get rid of so many of these back-to-backs in this absolutely stupid travel
11:52We're going to Orlando what's the city closest to Orlando on this next road trip?
11:57It's Miami right now with the team Miami on that trip. No, huh? Why is that?
12:03Well, you get to go to Miami after Atlanta, that's kind of close
12:08No, that's after we come back to the west coast. We're gonna go back to Atlanta and Miami. Oh, yeah
12:12Yeah, I got a cool idea. How about playing Atlanta, Orlando, Miami at Charlotte all in the same trip
12:19Maybe that would make some more sense New York and Brooklyn right next to each other next week
12:24Oh
12:27And Charlotte to you well, you know Orlando Philly back to Charlotte and then up to New York for a cop
12:33No to your point Bob, you know what?
12:34Like I would think that if I'm a fan listening to to this conversation right now
12:39What's going through my head is this is the Golden State Warriors?
12:43like you have so many people in that building who have so much clout in the NBA and
12:49And this is not brand new. So why haven't
12:54Presumably phone calls been made to discuss this or why haven't all the people here for the all-star break?
13:01Yeah
13:02Did anyone ask the league why the Warriors are the only team in the league that hasn't had a baseball series?
13:06Each of the last two seasons. Well, I guess my question is as Joe Lacob like like called and screamed
13:14Again I observe. Yeah. Yeah, that's my job. No, I get it. Everybody has their lane
13:21Fair enough Bob Fitzgerald with us here on on Willard and dibs Bob
13:26What about this the the the answer from Steve Kerr about blending coming to with Butler was really interesting yesterday
13:33And you've been very clear through the years of don't worry about who starts the game
13:40right, but my my question is
13:43Can you maybe finish the game like is is there an avenue to green coming up Butler and Steph?
13:50With extended minutes at any given time in games at least to start in your mind
13:56Well, do we have a lead at the end of the game? So they're fouling and I have to have good free throwers on the floor
14:02Maybe I mean you hope are they trapping in the backcourt and have to have a secondary ball hammer beside Steph
14:08So are you saying it would be kind of night tonight?
14:11I'm just saying depending on the situation
14:14You know if we're if we're finishing a game look my dogs even barking
14:18Whenever this happens, we need the dogs name age and then the weirdest thing that they do in the breed
14:24Oh, that's rock me. He's a beagle
14:26Who's 12 years old and some of the walk in a German Shepherd in front of our house?
14:29So that's it losing his mind, okay
14:35During Notre Dame games when they score touchdowns. Yeah, Rocky
14:39Yeah, Rocky and then his buddy Louie are both there
14:42They're roaming the perimeter checking out the front of the seal, but it sounds like Draymond when Gobert walks by
14:50Now it's your point mark like finishing games, it's all gonna be
14:54Who are you playing and what are you trying to do?
14:57Like it's like if you're gonna play a San Antonio and and now they have Darren Fox and they have Chris Paul
15:03I can't just have Steph out there and not have the jet ski out there
15:08You know, I'm saying it and so and if they're gonna foul, I mean, I love coming but he's not a great free-throw shooter
15:14So if I have Draymond on the floor, that's the one guy they're gonna foul
15:17I'm not gonna put a second guy. They can foul on the floor at the same time and
15:22Then if they're gonna they're gonna trap in the backcourt
15:25I'm gonna need a second ball handler, maybe even a third ball handler and coming is not gonna bring it up against pressure
15:30That's not what he does
15:32But now if it's a one-point game and I need a bucket or a tie game and we're in the bonus
15:37And and I can clear a side or I can run a two-man game with cominga and maybe get him downhill on a weaker
15:42Defender then he's gonna be in the game
15:45So it's the same thing like you might even sub GP to back and forth to if you need just a defensive stop
15:50And you've got like a Luka dodge. It's like, you know, you've got a guard for for one sequence
15:56So I think the finishing lineup, you know
15:58Steph will always be out there Draymond will always be out there and Butler will be always be out there
16:03But the rest of the stuff's kind of fungible depending on who you're playing and then time score and situation
16:08Fit since since plane flights came up in this conversation. I'm curious to know what you observed
16:15Over the last couple of weeks with Jimmy on the plane, especially because he spoke publicly about how much he enjoys
16:23Draymond green and and playing dominoes with him and whatnot
16:27Like what what are you observing in terms of the team chemistry on the plane since Jimmy arrived?
16:31I
16:32Think he's fit right in with the mix
16:34I mean he said the area where Steph and Draymond and the big guys hang out and you know
16:40Whether it's cards or dominoes or whatever. That's he's he's right where he should be as far as you know
16:46one of the most accomplished guys on the team and
16:49Chemistry wise I think all the elite players kind of know each other or been around each other a little bit
16:54And so they know they're they're the tip of the spear. They're the main guys
16:59So I think from that end, you know aspect and also I think Jimmy was very happy to you know
17:05Get an extension and be here. And so now it's a very clear
17:08I think Mike Dunleavy's talked about it and Joe's talked about it kind of picking a path picking a timeline
17:14Right now you have Steph for two years and Draymond for two years and Jimmy for two years and you have a very clear kind
17:20Of these are your best players and this is the direction you're going on, you know the team
17:25So I think that's that's been good for a lot of guys and and Butler because he hadn't played
17:30You know for all the reasons of Miami or whatever reasons I've not privy to any of them
17:35But he was ready to go man
17:37I think you know
17:38He said all I was tired of like if that's tired to me Butler give me that guy all day cuz he was terrific
17:42And has been terrific in a warrior uniform
17:45One guy we're hoping will be terrific is Jonathan Kamenga and you obviously didn't and couldn't mention him in the future plans
17:52But what do you think about the future plans are for Jonathan coming in?
17:56Do you think that he'll come out and and start to press a little bit knowing that it's a contract waiting for him? I?
18:03Have no idea on that. I mean, it's this is such a lengthy injury
18:08It's gonna be basically two months
18:10And so, you know how a young guy response to coming back from an injury is probably different than a veteran
18:16So I'm been so impressed with how well pajevsky is played after his abdominal. I mean almost just blown away
18:22About how good Brandon has played and I'm hoping the same for JK
18:25So I think the summer stuff will be dealt with in the summer, you know
18:29This is these guys right now. They don't really play with that kind of stuff on their mind
18:35You know, it's it's it's for the media and agents and other stuff to talk about but you know
18:41I would think it's in JK's interest to play well
18:44And I was in the Warriors interest to play well and team success always seems to you know
18:48Have people be rewarded for that. That's been kind of the warrior way
18:51So I think if there's good team success, then that's usually when the checkbook comes out for everybody
18:56Offense real quick on on tomorrow night
18:59Have you had a chance to look at anything Kings related since the Aaron Fox left to kind of get a gauge on who they?
19:05Are now I tell you what?
19:06I like that team and I really that the guy that doesn't get enough love
19:11I think warrior fans know cuz he's a killer Malik Monk is just something else. Yeah
19:16Yeah, and I thought I also I said it publicly too I thought the bonus should have been an all-star
19:20I don't know how I mean the modest a bonus is just a double double metronome, you know
19:25I know the Kings record wasn't good enough for whatever they want to use for that
19:28But it's a bonus to me. It's so good and so consistent
19:32They pick a balance Eunice's a backup, which is a perfect backup big for them. And then they're playing killers
19:37I mean Malik Monk with the Rosen with Sacklavine. I mean, they're they're talented and
19:42Playing in there. That's one of the great home courts. Now. We have in the NBA. So that's a that's a monster
19:49Monster situation and that is another game where the Warriors had a big lead now
19:53This was that lead was earlier from the first half a double-digit lead and the Kings just outplayed them
19:59But Malik Monk is he killed the Warriors?
20:02Yeah
20:03and so I kind of look at him as the barometer guy when if he's going and Keegan Murray is
20:08Making shots and what Doug Christie has done is what Spalter has done and what Rick Carlyle's done and putting holes her
20:15The guys that know the league they just put seven guys on staff and there's somebody else did to beat you
20:21And that's what he had Keegan Murray
20:23I mean Steph went to start his car after the game of the Keegan Murray was in the past
20:27I think I just never left them the entire time that whole game in Sacramento. So
20:33Having Jimmy Butler will be different is that okay, you want to slant and sell out everything against Steph?
20:39Let's see if Jimmy Butler and friends, you know can make you pay for that
20:42But man, did I mean Keegan Murray did a tremendous job on curry, you know, and then they you know
20:49He's not there anymore
20:49But they used to put Davey on Mitchell and other guys where they don't even don't care what else you're doing in the game
20:54Wherever Steph goes face guard him hold him grab him guard him
20:58Just never leave him and see if the Warriors have enough from somebody else
21:02And so that's what I've been impressed with the Kings
21:04But bleak bunk it's his first couple shots
21:07You just run and hide because you're like how this guy's going for 25 again
21:10No, you get that building going and he's super energetic. And so Kings Road games are tough, man
21:16That's this is a huge game because coming out of the break
21:20You got all these tiebreakers and other things you're looking at but you know
21:24Are you gonna build you got Dallas Sunday and then Charlotte Tuesday? You're back on the road again
21:29So these first couple games, you know at SAC and then home for Andre's retirement ceremony, you know on noon game
21:36And then the retirement ceremonies after it is and this is really gonna be an incredible next couple days for the dubs
21:42Yeah, no, they're jumping right into the fire. Absolutely. All right, Fitz. We'll be watching. Thanks so much man. Great to have you
21:49Always always just have Steve Bob from the peninsula wants to know what coming it comes back
21:54Maybe a backdoor lob play once in a while. Okay
21:58You don't want Bob and one Foster City Bob from the peninsula, that's the name
22:03Okay. All right. We got it. We got it assignment
22:07Yep, there he is. That's Bob Fitzgerald