The play-in tournament wasn't the most enjoyable experience for the Golden State Warriors' fan base. It was fun for around three quarters in the first game of the mini tourney, with Stephen Curry and company leading the Lakers, at times by large margins. LeBron James and his clutch three-pointer made sure that happiness wouldn't last too long, but hey, at least the format of the play-in allowed for the Warriors to get another shot... right?
Well, yes, but that next game didn't go the Warriors' way either. Curry's 39-point performance — one that followed up his 37-point showing against L.A. — somehow wasn't enough against Ja Morant and the rest of his scrappy Memphis bunch, and that ultimately spelled the end of the Warriors' season.
In a traditional year, the Dubs would have been firmly entrenched as the No. 8 seed against the No. 1 Utah Jazz, who seem to be on the rocks just a little bit. There may have been the slightest glimmer of upset potential, especially with how Donovan Mitchell drama is playing out. But because of the play-in, in which Golden State had two chances to win a game and capture a postseason spot, the Warriors are now on the outside looking in. So, again, the new format didn't exactly go their way and probably isn't thought of too fondly by fans of the Warriors.
But don't count head coach Steve Kerr among that group. In fact, despite being on the losing end of the deal, Kerr immediately called for the play-in tournament to stick around past its debut year, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell.
Though he, again, was the loser in this scneario, it shouldn't be too, too surprising to hear Kerr say this. After the first game of the play-in, he expressed feelings of excitement despite the loss to the Lakers.
"Last night's game, honestly, it felt like a Finals game," Kerr said. "It was so much fun. And, obviously, losing made it so difficult. And we're all just so angry that we didn't get it done, but, what the hell? That's what this is all about. Competition, at the highest level."
You know who probably agrees with Kerr? The aforementioned Morant, all of his teammates, Taylor Jenkins, and the rest of Grizzlies nation after their Game 1 upset over the Jazz. We'll see if our first taste of the play-in tournament can provide a Cinderella story for the ages for the lone No.9/10 seed that made it through.
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