Warriors’ Futility Leaves ESPN’s Brian Windhorst Totally (and Hilariously) Exasperated
1. The Warriors held a 99–96 lead against the Lakers on Monday night with under three minutes remaining in the game. Golden State couldn't close out, though, and lost Game 4 of the series, 104–101.
The late collapse by the Warriors was just too much for ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to take. On Tuesday’s Get Up, the NBA insider couldn’t help but express how frustrated he was by Golden State’s ineptness in the closing minutes.
“This was brain death,” a despondent Windhorst said of the Warriors’ execution issues.
He was just getting started, though.
“I can’t believe a team with the Warriors’ pedigree and experience level made as many mental mistakes as they did down the stretch. Klay Thompson took two HORRIBLE shots. HORRIBLE SHOTS down the stretch of this game.”
After raising his voice, Windhorst went back to hush tones as highlights from the game appeared on screen. That didn’t help Windhorst calm down, as he couldn’t even finish a thought while watching Thompson miss another three-pointer.
“One of the great regrets of Game 7 was not attack. ... Oh, look at that shot from Klay. My GOD, what is he doing?”
Thompson wasn’t Windhorst’s only target. Draymond Green and Steve Kerr also felt the Wrath of Windy.
2. Speaking of Warriors-Lakers, L.A.’s 127–97 win against Golden State on Saturday night drew 8,373,000 million viewers for ABC. It was the most-watched semifinals Game 3 in 24 years.
3. The cotton-candy-eating technique from this Angels fan deserves a round of applause.
4. This is an important note regarding the upcoming NFL schedule release. While the tradition of AFC = CBS and NFC = Fox isn’t nearly what it was, thanks to cross-flexing in recent years, it’s not entirely gone.
5. Royals pitcher Amir Garrett had a rough night on the mound Monday. He didn’t give up any runs. It was worse than that. He vomited.
Garrett, though, was fine a little while later.
6. The latest SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast features an interview with the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Topics discussed include:
• Why he loves covering the NFL draft
• What NFL event causes him to get the least amount of sleep
• Thoughts about the 2023 NFL schedule release
• Competing with ESPN’s Adam Schefter
• Aaron Rodgers telling Pat McAfee that Rapoport “doesn't know s--- about him”
• Enjoying the Shams vs. Woj rivalry
• His favorite experience breaking a story
• His biggest mistake breaking a story and much more.
Following Rapoport, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. Topics covered include ESPN using old footage of the Twin Towers during an NBA playoff game, Aaron Rodgers embracing New York, Twitter life without a blue check and much more.
You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on YouTube.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Happy 74th birthday to Billy Joel. Being at this concert, for this moment, will always be a life highlight for me.
Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
