The Golden State Warriors are the defending league champions. They also just won 24 straight games to start the season. That does not stop them from keeping an underdog mentality.
When the Warriors lost their first game to the Milwaukee Bucks, all eyes were on the team that had just stopped one of the longest win streaks in league history. The Warriors players, however, were apparently focused on how the Bucks behaved after their big win. Several Golden State players took notice and felt somewhat disrespected at the Bucks’ celebration and spoke to beat writer Diamond Leung about it.
Reigning MVP and current MVP front-runner Steph Curry talked about the celebration that ensued after the victory:
Stephen Curry on the Bucks: "It was a nice celebration. We do remember that stuff."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Steph Curry: "We were just kind of laughing at some of the stuff going on. It was a big game for them & Friday will be a big game for us."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Starting shooting guard Klay Thompson had plenty to say, as well, especially in regards to Bucks’ backup point guard Michael Carter-Williams:
Klay Thompson: "We thought at the time they could have won with a little more class some of those guys, but I'd have been fired up too."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Klay Thompson on MCW: "The staredown & trying to talk mess @ the end of the game like that, it's like alright, u realize u see us next Fri."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Klay Thompson on the Bucks: "We’ve got to send a message to them when they come to our building."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Klay Thompson on the Bucks: "We just felt disrespected a little bit..Just there’s a couple things that looked real cocky, which is fine."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Forward Draymond Green, no stranger to trash-talk, made his point by diminishing the meaning of the Bucks’ win while also looking forward to the next match-up:
Draymond Green on the Bucks: "It’s another game – against a 10-18 team, or 10-17. Something like that."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Draymond on watching Bucks celebrate: "We were just taking it all in enjoying the moment w/ them. Cool moment. Big-time regular season win."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Draymond Green on the Bucks facing the Warriors twice in a week: "I don’t think they knew that, but they know now, so it’ll be a fun game."
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) December 17, 2015
Well, the next match-up should be loads of fun.
The Warriors and Bucks play again this Friday, this time at Oracle Arena. Golden State has a history of trying to find bulletin-board material anywhere they can. Usually when they find it, they do not forget and take it very seriously. With the Bucks having lost two straight after that victory, this game has the makings of a blow-out before even starting.
