The Warriors went 10-5 in December, ending 2018 with wins in Portland and Phoenix. Here’s what happened on their latest road trip ...
The shots fell Saturday at the Rose Garden. The Warriors won by 10 points and got a bust-out game from Klay Thompson, who scored 32 points. He was 4 of 5 on threes, and at one point, he spoke to his shooting hand, saying “I missed you.”
I heard Klay asked for about 15 tickets for the game. He likes Portland, and I saw his mom and one of his brothers at the game. His parents met at a gym on the University of Portland campus. Oregon also is Pac 12 territory, and plenty of people in Washington State University gear shouted their support for Klay.
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There also was a cool moment for the Curry brothers, who swapped jerseys after the game. It’s a big deal for their families to see Steph and Seth on the court together in games when they're both healthy.
The team left Portland right after the game and arrived in Phoenix after 3 a.m. local time. Practice was optional Sunday, and the majority of players relaxed. Some happened to find a golf course.
Game day was Monday, the last day of 2018. So, why not soak in nature’s beauty with a sunrise hike? It’s not often that I see sunrise hours. I joined a small group of Warriors staff and family for a climb up the Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain.
Leading up to the New Year, I asked around for some New Year’s resolutions. Steve Kerr, Shaun Livingston and Damian Jones said they don’t make them. Livingston said, in general, he tries to work on his weaknesses year round. Andre Iguodala said, “Die peacefully.” Livingston added, “We need to get healthy as a nation.”
Jonas Jerebko came right out with his resolution, saying he needs to eat less Swedish candy.
Golden State Warriors
“I will give you an address when we get to L.A.," he said. "They have a candy store ... and then you’ll understand what I’m talking about."
The game featured a season-high 10 points for Jordan Bell on 5-of-5 shooting, plus six rebounds. Afterward, Jordan joined Tim Roye for a radio interview, and relaxed nearly horizontal on top of the scorer's table. I was about five seconds too late to get a good picture.
Everyone quickly cleared out of the locker room to get a move on for New Year’s Eve. In the postgame line for food, a coach pointed out that Steph led the team with nine rebounds. Steph asked me, “Did we talk about rebounds in our interview?” I said no. But I have a feeling we’ll be talking to Steph in 2019, and I can ask him then.