Game 7 against Houston W 103-89
Round Two Against Minnesota
Game 1 W 99-88 (Steph Curry injured during game)
Game 2 L 93-117
Game 3 L 97-102
Game 4 L 110-117
Timberwolves lead 3-1.
Hi it’s me again. I know, I know, this isn't how I normally do it. I’ve never written anything to you. Usually I’m in bed about to drift off to sleep. And I get it, I’m not confused - I know you don’t weigh in on basketball games. You’ve got bigger things to focus on. Genocides in multiple countries. Famines.There’s the whole new Pope thing - did you have a hand in that?
God, I’m just throwing a prayer up there, my Hail Mary shot of sorts, because why not? I’ve already done all the superstitious things. My lucky shirt isn’t lucky. Neither is my dad’s. And maybe you are a Warriors fan. Maybe you and Rick Celebrini can work some sort of miracle. I'm not trying to be sacrilegious. Or even religious. But maybe you know something about the sudden repair of hamstrings.
Or it could be more simple than that. One win. We need one win. Then there’s three days off and there’s the possibility that Steph might be able to play a few minutes. If we lose that game, we lose. But let us lose with Steph. New prayer:
May Jimmy Butler recover from whatever it is that is making him sick. May he take 20 shots. May he get the twinkle in his eyes back. May he be able to play 48 minutes. May he be Robin.
May Buddy have an on night. Catch and shoot Buddy. Defending Buddy. Buddy with bravado.
May Steve Kerr not call for zone defense for longer than he should
May Podz find his shot again. And never ever hang his head when he misses.
May Moses Moody regain his defense and his offense. You know how to do this Mo, you’ve been so reliable in the playoffs in other years
May Looney finish at the rim
May GPII spend most of his time on the bench
May Draymond stay on the floor and be the best version of himself
May Kuminga keep doing what he’s doing. May this be the redemption arc of Jonathan Kuminga. May he keep his confidence and his jaw dropping drives to the basket, even though the better he is, the more likely it is that he will be on another team next year. Show them you belong here, JK
May someone, anyone, surprise us all, play the game of their life, make the highlight reel, cause us to say “where did that come from?”
I don’t need all of these things, just a few from the list would probably do the trick. I’m not praying for the Timberwolves to fall off. They can drain all the 3s they like. Ant can drive to the basket and make improbable shots just like he’s been doing.
I feel like a fool, God, making all these specific basketball requests. I know you are shaking your head and laughing at me. I am too. Look at me, trying to control the outcome. Even worse, trying to get you to control the outcome.
It seems so unfair. Why would we get so close only to have an injury take it away? Why would there be that long winning streak after the All Star Break? It would have been better to not make it to the playoffs than to get here and face a team that we know we can beat if Steph is healthy. We are not afraid of any of the teams who are left. Not the Nuggets or OKC. The Celtics are sadly done with (while we are at it, a prayer for Jayson Tatum - he’s got a long recovery ahead of him and he’s never had a serious injury). The Knicks? Have you seen Steph play in Madison Square Garden? Of course you’ve seen it - I assume you tune in for all the beauty the world has in it to make up for all the horror. And a Steph Curry heater is a thing of beauty.
But Steph in the locker room crying, Steph on the sidelines is not how this season should end. We might lose, but we lose on the court.
You’re right, God, this isn’t for you, it’s for the players. Get your nap in. Get your shots up. Get your head right. Listen to your warmup songs. Do your Joga. (Draymond - maybe talk to Tom Izzo again). All of you, every single one of you are better than you have been in these past few games. You know what you need to do.
Next shot, best shot
The Timeout Books (the books I read during commercials and halftimes)
A Game At A Time Spotify Playlist (the songs that run through my head while writing this)
Sorry about your team. Can’t get that Carole King song out of my head now. A great version.