Stephen Curry wasn’t playing. The New York Knicks – that famous franchise featuring a starting line-up of Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler – was in town. Oh, and did I mention Stephen Curry wasn’t playing? How were my hometown Golden State Warriors going to win this one?

Apparently, they were going to do it with defense.

That’s right, for the second time in three days, the Golden State Warriors won a game because of tight, solid D, this one against the Knicks by a score of 92-78. I know. I’m in shock about it too.

When Mark Jackson was appointed coach not too long ago, the point guard legend – who wasn’t a particularly strong defender mind you – stressed that we were going to be seeing a different style of Warriors basketball than we were used to. Gone would be the days of the run-and-gun offense and 140-139 score-lines. It was time to slow the ball down, run a half-court set, and, much to everyone’s surprise, players would actually be required to get back and show some defensive intensity. Goodbye Phoenix Suns, hello San Antonio Spurs.

Look, I realize the season is only three games old, and there’s no guarantee that the W’s will keep this up, but Warriors fans are excited about what they’ve seen the last few days, and they should be.

I was at the Oracle Arena last night, and while it’s always a fantastic place to watch a game (a “great time out” as the old ads used to say), there was a different kind of energy in the building. It was sort of like the fans were realizing that the Warriors were going to grind out a win against a team with two elite scorers, and that it wasn’t because they scored a zillion points while luckily giving up one less. The W’s deserved this win, and it was a win to be proud of.

A few quick observations from last night’s contest:

• Brandon Rush, (and also Dominic McGuire, but more so Rush), is the perfect fit for this team. The Warriors got this guy for Lou Amundson? Really? The former Kansas star scored big buckets and played tight D, and he really looks like he’s going to make a home for himself in Golden State.

• Monta Ellis shook off a terrible first half and really shined in the second, even without Curry in the back-court. He facilitated beautifully down the stretch, and hit some big 3′s when it mattered. That’s what a team leader is supposed to do.

• Some people behind me were chanting “MVP” for Monta while he was at the free throw line late in the game. A little premature for that I think. Let’s try and get the guy on an All-Star team first.

• A great ovation for former W’s point guard Jeremy Lin when he subbed in right before the end of the game. The Bay Area native certainly remains a fan favorite.

Next, the Warriors take on the Philadelphia 76ers at home on New Year’s Eve. Can they make it three in a row?

REFERENCES:

“Ellis rallies Warriors Past Knicks, 92-78,” Associated Press

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Read More: Carmelo Anthony (F – NYK), Monta Ellis (G – GSW), David Lee (F – GSW), Amare Stoudemire (F – NYK), Brandon Rush (G – GSW), Stephen Curry (G – GSW), Ish Smith (G – GSW), New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors, Dec 28, 2011 7:30 PM PST

The Golden State Warriors had to make do without a point guard, as Stephen Curry continues to struggle with ankle issues. So why not use Monta Ellis and let him handle the ball a bit.

Ellis was four of 15 from the field in the first half, but then scored eight crucial points to break open a fairly tight contest between the Warriors and the New York Knicks. Golden State outscored New York 28-14 in the fourth quarter to break a 64-64 tie after three quarter and move onto victory. Brandon Rush had 19 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks, Ish Smith put in 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, and David Lee had 13 points and five boards.

What was probably most impressive for the Warriors was how good Golden State looked on defense. The Warriors decisively won the rebounding battle over New York 47-31. Golden State held Carmelo Anthony to 13 points on three of 13 shooting and Amare Stoudemire to 16 points on five of 14 shooting. It was a great all-around effort by the Warriors, who can cap off a solid week by beating the Philadelphia Sixers on New Year’s Eve.

To discuss the Warriors, head on over to Golden State of Mind. To discuss the Knicks, check out Posting and Toasting.

What a difference one night can make. Just 24 hours after getting blown out by the Los Angeles Clippers 105-86 to kick off their season in underwhelming fashion, the Golden State Warriors put on an absolute clinic at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Monday night, beating the Chicago Bulls 99-91. What a way for my hometown team to get their first win of the shortened 66-game campaign, and Mark Jackson his first ever coaching victory.

As I wrote yesterday, it appears that the Warriors are going to go as Stephen Curry goes, and he most certainly went last night. After a dismal opening day performance, Curry showed flashes of the brilliant point guard we are all hoping he’ll be, putting up an amazing stat line of 21 points, ten assists, seven rebounds, and six steals, not to mention a couple of breathtaking alley-oops, including a three-quarters court toss to Dorell Wright. And that’s all with missing a large chunk of the fourth quarter after re-injuring his ankle yet again, this time after landing on Kyle Korver’s foot. (Apparently Curry is going to have to miss the Warriors’ next game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, making an already tough contest even tougher).

Jackson has been stressing that this Golden State Warriors team is going to be focused around defense, so perhaps it’s only fitting that in his first ever win, the team played great D on reigning league MVP Derrick Rose, holding him to 13 points on 4 of 17 shooting, and that they also managed to rack up 16 steals in the process. I know it’s been a while since there’s been basketball, but this was the best defensive effort that I’ve seen from a W’s team in a very, very long time.

And I’m not going to say that I’m right (it’s only been two games after all), but Kwame Brown’s performance Monday night was inspired. In 23 solid minutes off of the bench, the big man made in impact defending against the always tough Joakim Noah. And a +/- of +21? Nicely done, Kwame.

So what does it all mean? That the Warriors are going to play tough D, beat up on good Eastern Conference teams, effectively use 11 players (there is no telling the depths of Coach Jackson’s bench), and win games without scoring 100 points? Probably not. But even if this is just a one-time thing, it was great to see the W’s put together a performance that shows the potential of what this team could one day be.

Can they do it again on Wednesday without Curry against the Knicks? I’m not going to be the one who says that they can’t.

REFERENCES:

“Curry Leads Warriors to 99-91 Win Over Bulls,” Associated Press.

J. Michael Falgoust, “Warriors’ Curry (ankle) Could Miss a Game,” USA Today.

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Read More: mark jackson, oracle arena, 2011-12 nba schedule, 2011-12 nba season, Andris Biedrins (C – GSW), Monta Ellis (G – GSW), David Lee (F – GSW), Brandon Rush (G – GSW), Stephen Curry (G – GSW), Klay Thompson (G – GSW), Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors, Dec 26, 2011 7:30 PM PST

The Golden State Warriors hung tough withe the Los Angeles Clippers for the majority of Christmas night, but fell silent down the stretch, eventually losing Mark Jackson’s first game as an NBA coach. Now the W’s have to refocus themselves for a meeting with the ever so dangerous Chicago Bulls, who are fresh off their nail-biting win over the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday themselves.

Andris Biedrins and David Lee were taking care of business the majority of the night down low, but it was the backcourt that struggled against the Clip Show as a hobbled Stephen Curry finished with more turnovers (5) than points (4) while Monta Ellis went 6-19 from the field, something Golden State will have to improve this evening. Hopefully they can have similar output from bench guys like Brandon Rush and rookie Klay Thompson, each scoring 12 and seven respectfully.

Golden State began Christmas night rigid on defense but folded in the second half, allowing 105 points including 65 in the second half alone. Like the Clippers, the Bulls are a high powered offense, and will prove to be another early test for Jackson and his defense-first mentality.

These two teams split their meetings last season, with each winning a game on their home court. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm PT from Oracle Arena with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

For more on the Warriors, head over to Golden State of Mind.

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry received some good news from Wednesday’s MRI exam on his sprained right ankle.

Tests revealed Curry didn’t sustain any ligament damage in Tuesday’s exhibition loss to Sacramento. The repairs made in his offseason surgery are still intact.

Curry will officially be listed as day to day, but it’s going to take some quick healing for him to be able to play Sunday, when the Warriors host the Los Angeles Clippers in their season opener.

“Hoping for the Christmas Miracle,” Curry said.

Curry rolled his right ankle while backpedaling to the defensive end with 46.4 seconds left in the first half. He fell to the hardwood and writhed in pain after trying to walk it off.

Curry sprained his right ankle three times last season and missed a total of eight games. He had surgery on the ankle in May to repair two ligament tears.

He spent most of the offseason rehabbing the injury before being cleared for full contact on Sept. 14.