Joe Viray
@joeviraynba.bsky.social
NBA Writer. Warriors words for Golden State of Mind. General NBA words for SB Nation NBA.
email: jviray90@gmail.com
email: jviray90@gmail.com
Pinned
Unfortunately, Sportscasting has made the decision to close down their NBA department, which means my time working with them has come to an end.
That said, I will be looking for an outlet willing to hire an NBA writer full-time/part-time. You won't regret having me on, I promise you that.
That said, I will be looking for an outlet willing to hire an NBA writer full-time/part-time. You won't regret having me on, I promise you that.
🚨BREAKDOWN🚨
Went over the wild defensive sequence that ended the Warriors-Suns game last night, including the importance of positioning that contributed to the stop, the scramble for the rebound, and the slap heard 'round Phoenix, Arizona.
Went over the wild defensive sequence that ended the Warriors-Suns game last night, including the importance of positioning that contributed to the stop, the scramble for the rebound, and the slap heard 'round Phoenix, Arizona.
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
🚨BREAKDOWN🚨
Went over the wild defensive sequence that ended the Warriors-Suns game last night, including the importance of positioning that contributed to the stop, the scramble for the rebound, and the slap heard 'round Phoenix, Arizona.
Went over the wild defensive sequence that ended the Warriors-Suns game last night, including the importance of positioning that contributed to the stop, the scramble for the rebound, and the slap heard 'round Phoenix, Arizona.
Suns have Brooks screen to get Moody off of him and Melton onto him, but Melton doesn't even give Gillespie a chance to pass the ball to Brooks with his denial. Gillespie resorts to an iso drive against Moody, peep at Horford trapping the box, Moody blocks from behind, Gui bucket in transition.
February 6, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Suns have Brooks screen to get Moody off of him and Melton onto him, but Melton doesn't even give Gillespie a chance to pass the ball to Brooks with his denial. Gillespie resorts to an iso drive against Moody, peep at Horford trapping the box, Moody blocks from behind, Gui bucket in transition.
Things to note on this defensive possession:
1. The clean switch on the guard-guard action
2. Moody fighting over the cross-screen to stay on Brooks
3. Horford switching onto Allen around the flare screen to force the reset, is able to stick around for the contest
1. The clean switch on the guard-guard action
2. Moody fighting over the cross-screen to stay on Brooks
3. Horford switching onto Allen around the flare screen to force the reset, is able to stick around for the contest
February 6, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Things to note on this defensive possession:
1. The clean switch on the guard-guard action
2. Moody fighting over the cross-screen to stay on Brooks
3. Horford switching onto Allen around the flare screen to force the reset, is able to stick around for the contest
1. The clean switch on the guard-guard action
2. Moody fighting over the cross-screen to stay on Brooks
3. Horford switching onto Allen around the flare screen to force the reset, is able to stick around for the contest
A quintessential example of why pushing the ball close to the side and against the baseline is key defensively.
February 6, 2026 at 7:37 AM
A quintessential example of why pushing the ball close to the side and against the baseline is key defensively.
Another notable defensive possession. Melton squeezes under the "get" action, Horford contains the handoff and drive, Suns kickout and try to swing but everyone gets back in time in a controlled manner. Able to keep the possession flat, Suns settle for a long two that bricks.
February 6, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Another notable defensive possession. Melton squeezes under the "get" action, Horford contains the handoff and drive, Suns kickout and try to swing but everyone gets back in time in a controlled manner. Able to keep the possession flat, Suns settle for a long two that bricks.
This Gui drive, man. Lots of confidence. Nifty decel to boot.
February 6, 2026 at 7:12 AM
This Gui drive, man. Lots of confidence. Nifty decel to boot.
This Moody vertical contest on a 1v2 in transition whew
February 6, 2026 at 7:08 AM
This Moody vertical contest on a 1v2 in transition whew
Horford is still a pretty capable cross-match/switch defender even if he's past his peak defensive form
February 6, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Horford is still a pretty capable cross-match/switch defender even if he's past his peak defensive form
Another notable defensive possession. Two go to Brooks on the pick-the-picker BLOB, Draymond realizes no one picks up Allen on the curl and closes out. Defends the drive, Moody is there to pick Allen up underneath while Draymond switches back onto Williams. Timely double on Brooks forces the miss.
February 6, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Another notable defensive possession. Two go to Brooks on the pick-the-picker BLOB, Draymond realizes no one picks up Allen on the curl and closes out. Defends the drive, Moody is there to pick Allen up underneath while Draymond switches back onto Williams. Timely double on Brooks forces the miss.
One of the more notable defensive possessions of the game. Controlled closeouts, no blow-bys save for one that was taken away with a Draymond hep rotation and another during the waning stages of the shot clock in which which Melton's peel switch discouraged a kick-out. Connected and in control.
February 6, 2026 at 6:51 AM
One of the more notable defensive possessions of the game. Controlled closeouts, no blow-bys save for one that was taken away with a Draymond hep rotation and another during the waning stages of the shot clock in which which Melton's peel switch discouraged a kick-out. Connected and in control.
Warriors at the half @ PHX
ORTG: 134.1
DRTG: 125.0
All-offense game. Gui Santos with a solid two-way game, has 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists at the half.
ORTG: 134.1
DRTG: 125.0
All-offense game. Gui Santos with a solid two-way game, has 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists at the half.
February 6, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Warriors at the half @ PHX
ORTG: 134.1
DRTG: 125.0
All-offense game. Gui Santos with a solid two-way game, has 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists at the half.
ORTG: 134.1
DRTG: 125.0
All-offense game. Gui Santos with a solid two-way game, has 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 7 assists at the half.
Gui has been having such a solid game
February 6, 2026 at 4:03 AM
Gui has been having such a solid game
You can see the coaching staff react negatively (especially Stackhouse) when the call on the floor is for Moody to "weak" Brooks (i.e., force him sideline toward his weak hand), but Moody allows Brooks to go to his right, down the middle, and drive to the rim for an and-1.
February 6, 2026 at 3:53 AM
You can see the coaching staff react negatively (especially Stackhouse) when the call on the floor is for Moody to "weak" Brooks (i.e., force him sideline toward his weak hand), but Moody allows Brooks to go to his right, down the middle, and drive to the rim for an and-1.
One of the things that keeps Podz from being an effective PnR ballhandler is the delay with which he makes his decisions.
Gets a soft hedge around the screen, misses the pocket window to GP2 (also misses the skip to the corner when Brooks tags).
Fortunately, a Gui three saves the possession.
Gets a soft hedge around the screen, misses the pocket window to GP2 (also misses the skip to the corner when Brooks tags).
Fortunately, a Gui three saves the possession.
February 6, 2026 at 3:38 AM
One of the things that keeps Podz from being an effective PnR ballhandler is the delay with which he makes his decisions.
Gets a soft hedge around the screen, misses the pocket window to GP2 (also misses the skip to the corner when Brooks tags).
Fortunately, a Gui three saves the possession.
Gets a soft hedge around the screen, misses the pocket window to GP2 (also misses the skip to the corner when Brooks tags).
Fortunately, a Gui three saves the possession.
Doubles against Dillon Brooks are on the menu tonight. Either force him to take tough shots are become a passer.
February 6, 2026 at 3:19 AM
Doubles against Dillon Brooks are on the menu tonight. Either force him to take tough shots are become a passer.
Unfortunately, Sportscasting has made the decision to close down their NBA department, which means my time working with them has come to an end.
That said, I will be looking for an outlet willing to hire an NBA writer full-time/part-time. You won't regret having me on, I promise you that.
That said, I will be looking for an outlet willing to hire an NBA writer full-time/part-time. You won't regret having me on, I promise you that.
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Unfortunately, Sportscasting has made the decision to close down their NBA department, which means my time working with them has come to an end.
That said, I will be looking for an outlet willing to hire an NBA writer full-time/part-time. You won't regret having me on, I promise you that.
That said, I will be looking for an outlet willing to hire an NBA writer full-time/part-time. You won't regret having me on, I promise you that.
If this is truly the last Draymond game in a Dubs uniform, let it be known it was a game in which Steph Curry did NOT play.
February 4, 2026 at 5:55 AM
If this is truly the last Draymond game in a Dubs uniform, let it be known it was a game in which Steph Curry did NOT play.
Wouldn't have gotten mad if Drummond pulled out a night night after that corner three
February 4, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Wouldn't have gotten mad if Drummond pulled out a night night after that corner three
One of these teams are on the second game of a back-to-back, and the other is playing after a 3-day break.
Based on how they're moving, one would think the former is referring to the Dubs and the latter is referring to the Sixers.
Based on how they're moving, one would think the former is referring to the Dubs and the latter is referring to the Sixers.
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 AM
One of these teams are on the second game of a back-to-back, and the other is playing after a 3-day break.
Based on how they're moving, one would think the former is referring to the Dubs and the latter is referring to the Sixers.
Based on how they're moving, one would think the former is referring to the Dubs and the latter is referring to the Sixers.
"Chicago" action for Melton out of a Delay setup gets Melton downhill, draws help away from the corner, spray to Gui in the corner for the three.
First bucket of the half for the Dubs.
First bucket of the half for the Dubs.
February 4, 2026 at 4:33 AM
"Chicago" action for Melton out of a Delay setup gets Melton downhill, draws help away from the corner, spray to Gui in the corner for the three.
First bucket of the half for the Dubs.
First bucket of the half for the Dubs.
Warriors at the half vs. PHI
ORTG: 114.9
DRTG: 118.8
Sixers have taken 12 more shot attempts than the Dubs due to the Dubs' turnover problem (have turned it over on 23% of their possessions, 2nd percentile). Possession battle in favor of the Sixers, Dubs fortunate to be down only 3
ORTG: 114.9
DRTG: 118.8
Sixers have taken 12 more shot attempts than the Dubs due to the Dubs' turnover problem (have turned it over on 23% of their possessions, 2nd percentile). Possession battle in favor of the Sixers, Dubs fortunate to be down only 3
February 4, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Warriors at the half vs. PHI
ORTG: 114.9
DRTG: 118.8
Sixers have taken 12 more shot attempts than the Dubs due to the Dubs' turnover problem (have turned it over on 23% of their possessions, 2nd percentile). Possession battle in favor of the Sixers, Dubs fortunate to be down only 3
ORTG: 114.9
DRTG: 118.8
Sixers have taken 12 more shot attempts than the Dubs due to the Dubs' turnover problem (have turned it over on 23% of their possessions, 2nd percentile). Possession battle in favor of the Sixers, Dubs fortunate to be down only 3
Moody using his length to bother Oubre, force him toward Draymond's contest, trail in transition for the three.
February 4, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Moody using his length to bother Oubre, force him toward Draymond's contest, trail in transition for the three.
Sixers have 12 more shot attempts than the Dubs.
They are really, really missing Jimmy's ability to win them the possession battle.
They are really, really missing Jimmy's ability to win them the possession battle.
February 4, 2026 at 3:51 AM
Sixers have 12 more shot attempts than the Dubs.
They are really, really missing Jimmy's ability to win them the possession battle.
They are really, really missing Jimmy's ability to win them the possession battle.
A 123.1 ORTG in the first quarter without Steph Curry, built on constant ball and player movement. Not bad.
February 4, 2026 at 3:37 AM
A 123.1 ORTG in the first quarter without Steph Curry, built on constant ball and player movement. Not bad.