The Warriors' start to the second half of the season did not begin according to plan.
It's one game, sure, but Golden State put on a dreadful performance in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Warriors certainly didn't look like a playoff-caliber team in the process.
The Warriors trailed the Clippers 59-43 at halftime, and nobody looked good, especially the second unit. The performance triggered plenty of responses from Dub Nation on Twitter, and from the analyst panel on TNT's halftime show. Shaquille O'Neal was no exception.
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"I would tank," O'Neal said. "I would say, 'Steph, we're not going to make the playoffs, and if we do, we're going to lose in the first round. Get some rest and let me audition these young guys.'"
O'Neal's reasoning went beyond just this year's playoff picture, as the Basketball Hall of Famer mentioned the return of five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson being an obvious huge factor next season.
"Klay's coming back," he added. "I'd want to wait for Klay to come back, and I want at least one more run."
Golden State Warriors
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The Warriors sure looked far from making a championship run Thursday, and that's putting it lightly.
There's still another half of the season to be played, but if Golden State continues to falter, the front office might want to consider what younger players on the roster would be most beneficial next season when Thompson returns.
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