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.
JJ drawing up the Hammer action for Kennard gave momentum completely back to the Lakers
February 8, 2026 at 3:46 AM
JJ drawing up the Hammer action for Kennard gave momentum completely back to the Lakers
Gui with all the confidence in the world right now
February 8, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Gui with all the confidence in the world right now
Warriors at the half @ LAL
ORTG: 87.5
DRTG: 87.2
Despitte 11 more shot attempts and the Lakers turning the ball over 13 times (27.7% TOV%, 0th percentile!), the Dubs haven't taken advantage. They're 5-27 on threes and only have 13 points off of the Lakers' TOs.
ORTG: 87.5
DRTG: 87.2
Despitte 11 more shot attempts and the Lakers turning the ball over 13 times (27.7% TOV%, 0th percentile!), the Dubs haven't taken advantage. They're 5-27 on threes and only have 13 points off of the Lakers' TOs.
February 8, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Warriors at the half @ LAL
ORTG: 87.5
DRTG: 87.2
Despitte 11 more shot attempts and the Lakers turning the ball over 13 times (27.7% TOV%, 0th percentile!), the Dubs haven't taken advantage. They're 5-27 on threes and only have 13 points off of the Lakers' TOs.
ORTG: 87.5
DRTG: 87.2
Despitte 11 more shot attempts and the Lakers turning the ball over 13 times (27.7% TOV%, 0th percentile!), the Dubs haven't taken advantage. They're 5-27 on threes and only have 13 points off of the Lakers' TOs.
Pat Spencer buzzer beater over LeBron James, words I never expected to write in my life.
February 8, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Pat Spencer buzzer beater over LeBron James, words I never expected to write in my life.
JJ Redick said pregame that the Dubs' offense really doesn't change all that much with Steph Curry out.
Example: Dubs still emphasize pin-in/exit screens in the corner, which Moody does for Spencer below.
Example: Dubs still emphasize pin-in/exit screens in the corner, which Moody does for Spencer below.
February 8, 2026 at 2:31 AM
JJ Redick said pregame that the Dubs' offense really doesn't change all that much with Steph Curry out.
Example: Dubs still emphasize pin-in/exit screens in the corner, which Moody does for Spencer below.
Example: Dubs still emphasize pin-in/exit screens in the corner, which Moody does for Spencer below.
Lakers go to their patented Horns Chin action. GP2 switches onto LeBron on the chin cut, side PnR for Reaves, Draymond switch and stays up and straight to stop Reaves who doesn't get the call.
February 8, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Lakers go to their patented Horns Chin action. GP2 switches onto LeBron on the chin cut, side PnR for Reaves, Draymond switch and stays up and straight to stop Reaves who doesn't get the call.
Moses Moody's ability to be pesky with his long arms and get steals like this really reminds me of [REDACTED]
February 8, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Moses Moody's ability to be pesky with his long arms and get steals like this really reminds me of [REDACTED]
39-year-old Al Horford switching and closing out on the flare action for Kennard and blocking the shot
February 8, 2026 at 2:22 AM
39-year-old Al Horford switching and closing out on the flare action for Kennard and blocking the shot
Draymond "guarding" Vando in that he's sitting wayyyy deep in the paint. Allows him to contest the LaRavia cut and force the travel.
February 8, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Draymond "guarding" Vando in that he's sitting wayyyy deep in the paint. Allows him to contest the LaRavia cut and force the travel.
Draymond flash to the top of the key, exchange between Podz and Spencer forces a switch but LaRavia ends up in top-side position, punished with a backcut by Podz, Draymond finds him for the layup.
February 8, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Draymond flash to the top of the key, exchange between Podz and Spencer forces a switch but LaRavia ends up in top-side position, punished with a backcut by Podz, Draymond finds him for the layup.
Pat Spencer two-way-contract into two-way play
February 8, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Pat Spencer two-way-contract into two-way play
Quinten Post, KYP. Closing out and biting on a fake against Vando <<<<<<<
February 8, 2026 at 2:12 AM
Quinten Post, KYP. Closing out and biting on a fake against Vando <<<<<<<
87.5 ORTG for the Dubs, 87 for the Lakers in that 1Q.
That was one of the first quarters of all time.
That was one of the first quarters of all time.
February 8, 2026 at 2:08 AM
87.5 ORTG for the Dubs, 87 for the Lakers in that 1Q.
That was one of the first quarters of all time.
That was one of the first quarters of all time.
Early on, the Dubs' connectivity on defense from the Suns game has carried over. Horns Chest from the Lakers, switch on the screen. GP2 chases LeBron on the "Chicago" action, Draymond stays in good contain position. LeBron jump pass to the cutting Rui, three players collapse for the block.
February 8, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Early on, the Dubs' connectivity on defense from the Suns game has carried over. Horns Chest from the Lakers, switch on the screen. GP2 chases LeBron on the "Chicago" action, Draymond stays in good contain position. LeBron jump pass to the cutting Rui, three players collapse for the block.
Despite showing early help, Draymond recovers in timely fashion to contest Hayes and force the miss up close.
Leads to a 4-point Moses Moody play on the other end.
Leads to a 4-point Moses Moody play on the other end.
February 8, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Despite showing early help, Draymond recovers in timely fashion to contest Hayes and force the miss up close.
Leads to a 4-point Moses Moody play on the other end.
Leads to a 4-point Moses Moody play on the other end.
🚨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.