The Golden Era | A Golden State Warriors Dynasty (NBA 2K20)

[RolePlayer]

Quote: Originally Posted by marshdaddy

James Wiseman is a bonafide superstar. 26 points, 10 boards, he single-handedly carried the Hornets back into the playoffs. Tough first round draw but it's still a great season for Charlotte.

I am super high on Wiseman in real life so I am hoping a certain team from the Bay area doesn't take him so that the Hornets can snag him up.

Crazy to see Milwaukee do so well without Giannis, a finals matchup between the Nuggets and Bucks would be fun to watch. Michael Porter JR would also have a lot to win in this series. But I have a feeling the Warriors will crush that idea before it even happens.

[marshdaddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dfsJunkie

I think that Denver-OKC matchup is REALLY interesting.. I could see an upset easily in a 7-game series

That's my favorite first round matchup. I wish it was in a later round because both teams can win it, but definitely the best first round series. And I've adjusted the first round series to 5 games, something I think the NBA should do in real life, which only adds to the potential for an upset.

Quote: Originally Posted by trekfan

All caught up here, whew, what a finish to the 2025 season. Denver has a lot riding on these playoffs -- they have to get to the WCF and at least take that 6/7 games to have any chance of convincing Giannis this is the right place for him. Lots of great matchups across the board, I'm watching Denver, Utah, the Knicks, and the Hawks. Someone in those four will present a major challenge to Golden State -- assuming they don't suffer any more injuries.

Definitely the run to end the year helped their cause, and any success in the playoffs I think brings him back only because I don't know where he goes to get a better teammate than Jokic. A lot of teams have a ton of cap space this summer, like Atlanta for example, which will make for a compelling offseason considering all the trades last summer involving superstars in the last year of their deal.

Quote: Originally Posted by RolePlayer

I am super high on Wiseman in real life so I am hoping a certain team from the Bay area doesn't take him so that the Hornets can snag him up. Crazy to see Milwaukee do so well without Giannis, a finals matchup between the Nuggets and Bucks would be fun to watch. Michael Porter JR would also have a lot to win in this series. But I have a feeling the Warriors will crush that idea before it even happens.

I like Wiseman but IRL I'm concerned about his fit with the Warriors. I know people say they have a hole at the five, which is true, but they've never had a dominant center with Steph. If they do take him I'll be happy if proven wrong.

That's easily one of the best storylines this year, the success of Milwaukee. MPJ has really blossomed and that would be one of the best Finals in terms of storylines that I've ever seen.

[marshdaddy]

The Athletic.png

2025 NBA Playoff Predictions

Ryen Simons
April 19, 2025

With the team previews in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a rapid look through the eight first round matchups.

Oklahoma City vs Denver
Denver enters as maybe the hottest team in basketball, riding a 13-4 run to the final spot in the West, but Oklahoma City has proven for 82 games they are the NBA’s best team.
Prediction: Thunder in 5

Utah vs Dallas
The Mavericks are re-tooled and have the perfect blend of perimeter playmaking to attack the Jazz.
Prediction: Mavericks in 4

Golden State vs San Antonio
Without Ben Simmons, this will no doubt be a slog for the Warriors, but they still possess the depth and athletic advantage over a talented yet big Spurs team.
Prediction: Warriors in 5

New Orleans vs Memphis
The Pelicans play at light speed, and despite the Grizzlies talent, have just too many weapons for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to counter.
Prediction: Pelicans in 4

Milwaukee vs Detroit
It’s a great season for Detroit to finally make the playoffs, but the Bucks are a team full of revenge-seekers. If Kyrie Irving has taught us anything, it’s that revenge really can fuel you.
Prediction: Bucks in 3

Atlanta vs Charlotte
James Wiseman has given Charlotte reason to be excited, but he’s a lone soldier. The Hawks are loaded and deep, and have an elite big man of their own.
Prediction: Hawks in 4

Miami vs Chicago
This may be the last call for the Heat as currently constructed, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t hold their own in a decidedly weaker East.
Prediction: Heat in 4

Boston vs New York
A rematch of the 4-5 matchup a year ago, the Knicks are looking to get back at the Celtics for the five-game series loss. Boston, however, has the game’s best scorer and perhaps best defender in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Prediction: Celtics in 5

[marshdaddy]

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Warriors split with Spurs at home

Isaiah Charles

Game 1

Spurs overwhelm Simmons-less Warriors
San Antonio dominated the paint, outscoring the Warriors 46-18 and holding Golden State to 42% shooting from the floor. Curry led the way with 30 points, and Anthony Edwards nailed 8 triples, but Zach LaVine (26 points) and Cole Anthony (25 points) were too much.

San Antonio Spurs (1-0) at Golden State Warriors (0-1)
Apr 19, 2025 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 35 33 26 32 126 Golden State 30 28 23 25 106 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs Zach LaVine - 26 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST Cole Anthony - 25 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry - 30 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL Anthony Edwards - 26 PTS, 8-15 3PT	Team Stats Comparison SAS GSW FG Made-Att 47-94 38-91 3PT Made-Att 14-41 21-49 FT Made-Att 18-21 9-12 Rebounds 63 41 Assists 36 27 Turnovers 12 13 Steals 5 5 Blocks 4 5

Elsewhere
Western Conference
Denver 102, Oklahoma City 96 (Denver leads 1-0)
Giannis (25-14-5-4 blocks) out duels SGA (34-8-2) to give Nuggets road win in Game 1

Utah 101, Dallas 95 (Utah leads 1-0)
Embiid's 17-point, 18-rebound double-double enough for Jazz

Memphis 143, New Orleans 119 (Memphis leads 1-0)
Morant has 30, JJJ with 32 as Grizzlies steal Game 1

Eastern Conference
Milwaukee 124, Detroit 108 (Milwaukee leads 1-0)
Beal’s leads Bucks to Game 1 rout

Atlanta 122, Charlotte 116 (Atlanta leads 1-0)
Springer drops 30 in Game 1 win

Chicago 109, Miami 89 (Chicago leads 1-0)
Seven Bulls in double-figures in Game 1 upset

New York 150, Boston 120 (New York leads 1-0)
Young (40 points, 13 assists) outduels Tatum (41-8-5) in Game 1 trashing



Game 2

Curry and Edwards combine for 71 points in comeback win
Curry and Edwards erupt in the second half as the Warriors drop 50 points in the fourth quarter to rally from an early deficit and tie the series heading to San Antonio. Golden State was much more aggressive in Game 2, and more disciplined, dominating the free throw line 41-2.

San Antonio Spurs (1-1) at Golden State Warriors (1-1)
Apr 20, 2025 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 37 33 26 22 118 Golden State 34 24 36 50 144 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs Cole Anthony - 24 PTS, 2 REB, 6 AST Scottie Barnes - 18 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL Golden State Warriors Anthony Edwards - 36 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 18-20 FT Stephen Curry - 35 PTS, 6-9 3 PT, 9-9 FT	Team Stats Comparison SAS GSW FG Made-Att 58-106 50-85 3PT Made-Att 8-30 14-31 FT Made-Att 0-2 35-41 Rebounds 43 51 Assists 31 32 Turnovers 8 7 Steals 4 4 Blocks 3 0

Elsewhere
Western Conference
Oklahoma City 123, Denver 111 (Series tied 1-1)
Thunder even series thanks to 31-5-7 from SGA, 31-14 from Ayton

Utah 144, Dallas 95 (Utah leads 2-0)
Mitchell drops 38 points in Game 2 route

New Orleans 118, Memphis 109 (Series tied 1-1)
Zion has 28 points and 26 rebounds as Pelicans knot series


Eastern Conference
Milwaukee 112, Detroit 111 (Milwaukee leads 2-0)
Bucks survive Pistons despite 30-9-11 from Ball

Atlanta 119, Charlotte 115 (Atlanta leads 2-0)
Hawks survive Reynolds’ 42 points in Game 2

Miami 113, Chicago 111 (Series tied 1-1)
Durant has 33 as Heat even series

Boston 139, New York 100 (Series tied 1-1)
Tatum drops 34-14-7 in Game 2, Walker with 28 as C’s even series

[dfsJunkie]

KD on the Heat is really interesting.

That free throw discrepancy is outrageous

[marshdaddy]

Quote: Originally Posted by dfsJunkie

KD on the Heat is really interesting. That free throw discrepancy is outrageous

They were hitting EVERYTHING inside. Honestly, the free throw discrepancy was more a matter of them making everything than it was missed calls. They still got the 2 points they deserved.

[marshdaddy]

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Anthony erupts to give Spurs 2-1 series lead

Isaiah Charles

Cole Anthony was unstoppable for the Spurs, scoring 59 points at home in Game 3 to give the Spurs a 2-1 series lead. Anthony’s 59 are the fifth-most in an NBA playoff game, trailing only Michael Jordan’s 63, Stephen Curry’s 62 (May 8, 2023), Elgin Baylor’s 61, Jayson Tatum’s (May 17, 2024) and Curry’s 60 (June 12, 2022).

Golden State Warriors (1-2) at San Antonio Spurs (2-2)
Apr 22, 2025 1 2 3 4 Final Golden State 18 22 26 15 81 San Antonio 28 36 30 38 132 Top Performers Golden State Warriors Anthony Edwards - 19 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST Jonathan Kuminga - 19 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST San Antonio Spurs Cole Anthony - 59 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL Scottie Barnes - 12 PTS, 7 REB, 8 AST	Team Stats Comparison GSW SAS FG Made-Att 30-86 49-95 3PT Made-Att 13-44 22-44 FT Made-Att 8-14 12-15 Rebounds 44 61 Assists 23 40 Turnovers 18 14 Steals 8 8 Blocks 4 8

Elsewhere
Western Conference
Denver 117, Oklahoma City 113 (Denver leads 2-1)
Jokic has triple-double as Nuggets go on verge of upset

Dallas 135, Utah 111 (Utah leads 2-1)
Doncic drops 39 points with 10 assists to keep Dallas alive

Memphis 133, New Orleans 132 (Memphis leads 2-1)
Morant has 20-7-16 as Grizzlies edge Pelicans

Eastern Conference
Detroit 117, Milwaukee 115 (Milwaukee leads 2-1)
Cooper’s 24 leads Pistons over Bucks in Game 3

Charlotte 112, Atlanta 89 (Atlanta 2-1)
Wiseman leads Hornets with 24 points and 14 boards in Game 3

Chicago 129, Miami 112 (Chicago leads 2-1)
Ziaire Williams’ 31 gives Bulls 2-1 edge

Boston 129, New York 128 (Boston leads 2-1)
Tatum (45 points) and Brown (41 points) outshine Barrett (39 points) in nailbiter

Late rally falls short as champions fall

Isaiah Charles

In the ledger of NBA history, the Warriors dynasty will stand amongst the elites. From the Russell-led Celtics, to the Michael Jordan Bulls, next to Magic’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics, there will stand the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry.

For the past decade, the Warriors have personified greatness and dominated the league. Outside of an injury-plagued 2019-20 season, the Warriors went to nine NBA Finals in 10 years, winning seven, a mark only matched by the Los Angeles Lakers who went to nine NBA Finals in 12 years in the 1980’s and early 90’s, and the Boston Celtics 12 NBA Finals appearances in 13 years.

Curry was the driving force from the beginning, with his seventh title and fourth NBA Finals MVP a year ago cementing him as arguably the greatest player of all time. He changed the game, and with it the Warriors changed the way teams are built. There was no greater Super Team than the 2017-19 Warriors, leaving teams chasing superstar lineups that have resonated to today.

But on April 24, 2025, the championship-favorite section of the dynasty has likely ended in San Antonio, once again with injury concerns and uncertainty in the future. Ben Simmons missed the entire series with a strained groin and is set to become a free agent this summer, akin to Kevin Durant’s achilles injury in the 2019 NBA Playoffs before his departure to Brooklyn.

Like 2019, the Warriors will hope to retain their dominant forward, but unlike 2019, if Simmons does indeed decide to leave, the Warriors won’t be able to pick up the pieces with a trio of future Hall of Famers. If Simmons is not back in the Bay, the Warriors will be turning to young and unproven wings to keep the dynasty alive.

Jonathan Kuminga and Anthony Edwards provided a glimpse of what they could be, with Kuminga scoring 34 points with 10 rebounds and Edwards scoring 25 points in the Game 4 loss. Ibraham Mobley has the makings of a great stretch four, but they are far from the court-shifting talents of Curry and Thompson.

Curry, of course, still looks great, averaging 24.8 points in the series after yet another All-NBA season at age 37, but how much can you rely on an aging guard when it matters most? Thompson is still a lockdown shooter, but his defense will slowly decline as he turns 36 next season.

These moments aren’t the ones you will remember when you look back on perhaps the greatest dynasty in NBA history, but it’s the moment the Warriors find themselves in today. Watching the confetti fall like they have so many times for the past 10 years, only the opponent is celebrating and they are wading into another summer of unknown.

Golden State Warriors (1-3) at San Antonio Spurs (3-1)
Apr 24, 2025 1 2 3 4 Final Golden State 31 28 30 28 117 San Antonio 34 39 27 30 130 Top Performers Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga - 34 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST Stephen Curry - 27 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST San Antonio Spurs Cole Anthony - 26 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL Scottie Barnes - 24 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 11-16 FG	Team Stats Comparison GSW SAS FG Made-Att 41-82 57-100 3PT Made-Att 15-38 15-30 FT Made-Att 24-26 7-9 Rebounds 41 51 Assists 28 34 Turnovers 12 11 Steals 6 13 Blocks 4 2

Elsewhere
Western Conference

Denver 114, Oklahoma City 107 (Denver wins series 3-1)
Jamal Murray drops 30 points, Giannis records double-double and Nuggets upset top-seeded Thunder

Utah 132, Dallas 110 (Utah wins series 3-1)
Mitchell’s 36 propels Jazz into Conference Semifinals as Doncic shoots 2-for-11 from deep

New Orleans 138, Memphis 131 (Series tied 2-2)
Zion (39-12-2) and Fox (30-4-8) keep Pelicans’ season alive and force Game 5

Eastern Conference
Milwaukee 129, Detroit 109 (Milwaukee wins series 3-1)
MPJ has 29, Otto Porter adds 23 off the bench and Bucks close out Pistons

Atlanta 113, Charlotte 103 (Atlanta wins series 3-1)
Julius Walker (29-11) downs James Wiseman (25-13) as Hawks eliminate Hornets

Miami 109, Chicago 102 (Series tied 2-2)
Bam scores 22, Durant with 20 as Heat stay alive

Boston 133, New York 117 (Boston wins series 3-1)
Tatum drops 40 to eliminate Knicks; Young scores 44 in loss


Elsewhere in Game 5
Pelicans survive Grizzlies with 151-point explosion; Bulls stun Heat at buzzer in upset
New Orleans dominates the Grizzlies at home, dismantling the Memphis defense in a 151-120 Game 5 win. Four Pelicans finish with 20 or more points, led by De’Aaron Fox’ 26 and Zion Williamson’s 20 points and 17 rebounds. New Orleans owned a 36-5 advantage at the free throw line and survived Memphis’ 47% (23-49) shooting from deep.

The Bulls pulled one of the biggest upsets, taking down the Heat on the road on a buzzer-beating basket from Ziaire Williams. Kyle Kuzma led the Bulls with 20 points, Williams finished with 14, and Chicago survived an 11-point comeback by the Heat in the second half.

[trekfan]

Tough, tough loss -- didn't expect the Spurs to put up that much a fight. Cole Anthony went OFF all series, that kid has a future.


As for the Warriors, free agency really is going to be big for them this year -- will Simmons stay or go? Durant bolted after his short stay in the Bay, will Ben do the same?


Regardless of what happened this series, that dynasty the Warriors built is legendary for all-time.



As for the rest of the series, Denver and Milwaukee both are thriving -- what a Finals matchup that could be!


Boston beats New York (has Trae Young ever made it out of Round 1? Feels like he's his generation's McGrady)


This is Utah's chance, finally, to win a title -- this is the Jazz's best shot since Jordan retired (the first time or second time).