Category:Golden State Warriors
Warriors bench off to good start this season
There’s something special happening at the end of the Warriors roster, or at least Steve Kerr believes so. Just look at the box score from Tuesday night.
Via the San Jose Mercury News
Two key numbers: 12 and 55. As in 12 Warriors saw the court, and the ones who didn’t start contributed 55 points. That kind of bench play allowed the Warriors to skirt by the Lakers on a cold shooting night from Steph Curry. It also conjured in Kerr’s mind memories of, we all can agree, pretty good times.
“It just feels like five or six years ago,” Kerr said following the opening night win, “when we just had guys up and down the roster who could play. … We’ve got vets coming off the bench who just know how to play (and) know how to win.”
It starts with Andre Iguodala, the sixth man extraordinaire back anchoring the second unit after two years in Memphis and Miami.
But he’s surrounded by a new supporting cast, one that the Warriors believe is a significant upgrade from a year ago in their fit within the team’s style and philosophy.
Jordan Poole shines for Warriors in first preseason game of year
It’s one preseason game. An exhibition. It’s important not to overreact.
Via Bay Area News Group/San Jose Mercury News
But after watching the Warriors play Monday night in Portland, it’s hard to not be excited about the team’s possibilities this season.
This team looks significantly better than last year’s operation. Lightyears ahead, perhaps…
Now, Jordan Poole looking like the third Splash Brother — he had 30 points in the preseason opener Monday — was obviously a critical aspect of the Warriors’ success in Portland. Poole thrived in the latter part of last season and was rightly slotted in as the Dubs’ two-guard next to Steph Curry again Monday. That’s his job until Klay Thompson returns (and perhaps for a while after that, even). Poole had a few defensive mistakes Monday, but he has also improved enough on that side of the ball since his mid-season G-League stint that he should also be part of the Dubs’ closing lineup — even with Thompson in the fold.
The latest on Warriors SG Klay Thompson is good
Golden State Warriors swingman Klay Thompson is starting to look more like his old basketball self amid his rehabilitation from a torn right Achilles injury.
via the ESPN.com
Participating in his first official team practice since suffering the injury in an offseason workout Nov. 18, 2020, Thompson knocked down shots from all over the court, much to the delight of his teammates and coaches.
“Klay looked great,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after his team’s first practice Tuesday. “Shooting the lights out. His team won the daily shooting competition. And he was smiling, laughing, joking around, it was really fun to see the old Klay back.”
On paper, the Warriors don’t look like a championship contender these days, but they certainly belong back in the playoffs if Stephen Curry and Draymond Green get a healthy and effective Klay back alongside them once again.
HOOOOOPSNATION 