The Warriors dropped a little further in the Western Conference playoff race on Saturday, but coach Steve Kerr might have a lineup that’s capable of saving the season, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Slater notes that Draymond Green has been outstanding since returning from his suspension and is no longer on a minutes restriction. He logged 46 minutes in last night’s double-overtime game, and the team was plus-31 when he was on the court and minus-32 without him.
Green has taken over as the starting center, with Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins as the forwards. The Kuminga-Wiggins tandem was terrible earlier in the season, but Green’s defensive presence and ball-handling skills are making the combination work. Slater notes that the three of them are plus-41 in their minutes together since Green’s return.
“We’re trying to maximize the number of possessions that those guys play together,” Kerr said. “We’re in a position now with Wiggs playing at a high level and JK having come around, Klay (Thompson), (Stephen Curry), Draymond back after the suspension. We’re in a position where we can put those guys together and it’s probably our best five.”
Their success together likely minimizes any chance that Wiggins or Kuminga will be traded before the February 8 deadline.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Kerr found a quasi-diplomatic way to express his displeasure with the officiating after the Warriors fell to the Lakers Saturday night, Slater adds. “My Mom is here and I want to be on my best behavior,” Kerr said. “So I’m not going to comment on the 43 free throws to our 16. I’m not going to comment on Steph shooting three free throws in 43 minutes.” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was fined $25K for complaining about the free-throw discrepancy in a loss to L.A. earlier this month.
- Amid rumors that the Suns are confident about their chances of acquiring Miles Bridges from the Hornets, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports argues against the move, saying the organization shouldn’t be considering someone with Bridges’ history of domestic violence. Bourguet also speculates that Phoenix hasn’t moved on Bridges already because it fears a backlash from fans.
- With Kings forward Harrison Barnes frequently mentioned in trade speculation, James Ham of Kings Beat (subscription required) looks at how Barnes’ recent scoring outbursts might affect his future with the team.
very strange how the Refs have been so one sided with officiating warriors games. Not just last night but the entire season. Wondering what Kerr did to have all the Refs be against him? Could it be because CP3 is on the team? Are they still mad when Kerr called them out at the beginning of the season? Or is there so much betting on the game the NBA has become a money making bet for the Refs?
The notion that there is a conspiracy against arguably the most popular team in the NBA is laughable.
Can you explain why the Refs been calling terrible games against the warriors all season long? If you saw last nights game even the national broadcasters were scratching their head on many calls against the warriors. Warriors are no longer the most popular team.
Warriors have had their run and the league maximized their effectiveness in marketing and the rest of it.
Right now it’s the Lakers as the focal point to sashay into position of optimum exposure.
Totally makes sense as the Warriors age past their ability to perform in key games
Lakers revived the league from the dark days of the 80s. Top 5 most popular sports franchise in the world. Combined with the King of basketball they don’t need any help with exposure. Warriors weren’t relevant outside of the Bay Area until the past decade.
Jimmy, correct, the Lakers don’t need exposure but come the finals, conference finals, and playoff basketball the NBA would love the Lakers to be there because they have such a great following. Get it?
The NBA wants the Lakers there because of the exposure already provided by Los Angeles and their storied franchise.
The league looks after its own best interests. Warriors have been good but, it’s over. Every team plays second fiddle to the lakers far as marketability, revenue and ratings all put together goes anyways, including the warriors. It’s a league where star calls are common knowledge and accepted. GSW had all momentum and outplaying L.A yesterday, then the pea gets blown out of the whistle. What better way to stop momentum and eat at a lead than phantom or different standard at both end type fouls, while sending one team to the line far more often. It’s nickname is the charity strip for a reason. Why does every hour long TV show on espn talk forty minutes Lakers every day?
The Warriors are the most valuable franchise in the NBA.
Never said they weren’t. Attribute that to their recent success. It helps the owner is a billionaire outside of basketball. Lakers are more popular, still.
Lacob’s wealth has nothing to do with valuation of the Warriors. They are ranked 3rd in the world due to their success and popularity. It was the Lakers rivalry with Boston that pulled the NBA out of its 70s economic doldrums. The Lakers alone couldn’t have done it.
From Showtime to Strength in Numbers, both teams changed the direction of the league. To piggyback off your last statement, the Warriors wouldn’t be as popular if they weren’t beating LeBron every year. Idk what we’re arguing anymore. Go Lakers…
What about drays illegal screens , man those got me in the mood for NFL Sunday
Good new bogut interview where he laughs at how Gsw teaches the illegal screens in practice and how many he got away w during his tenure … check it out arc straight from the horses mouth
“My team sucks so it’s the refs fault!”
Bad take. Do better.
Refs miss calls make bad calls every game. They’re 1% or less of all the calls.
Warriors are top 5 most fouls in league. That’s not refs that’s warriors. But instead of expecting warriors players to not foul as much you’re worried about the 1% bad or miss. Dumb.
Any focus on making sure fouls are indeed called correctly instead of letting players play you can thank draymond green. His antics over the years means refs are going to call fouls on side of caution to ensure they maintain control of the game.
If you have not noticed the shift in refs making bad calls the last 2 years you are not watching the NBA. When even the national broadcasters are questioning a lot of calls saying they saw no foul something is wrong. Dumb is thinking gambling which is supported by the NBA now doesn’t change how games are being called by refs.
Refs are prohibited from betting on games. So unless you have proof they are betting on games the theory is dumb.
I want to trade Klay and an unprotected first round pick for Gordon Hayward and Bridges
All 3 players have expiring contracts.
or they can replace Kyle Lowry with Hayward
Warriors save $17 million tax this season.
Podziemski is better than Klay
Why would warriors trade a 1st round pick in any trade? rather keep the 1st round pick and just pay the $17 million in taxes. They will need those 1st round picks.
Klay makes Warriors worse
warriors will be lucky to make play in this year so why trade away a asset for nothing.
Why would the Warriors want the corpse of Gordon Hayward?
The warriors are a sub 500 team that doesn’t play defense.. Kerr has found a lineup to save the season???
Before you comment, you should try reading the article. Your comment just sounds bizarre.
Dubs can get Bridges. Wiggins for Bridges, Martin twin and Richards.
Pistons, dubs, mavs make sense for him. Suns don’t need more help and management worries about backlash from fans like a coward.
Dark horse team would be grizz. But they may be afraid of having both Ja and Bridges together as both players whom have been in trouble.
I know HB has been playing great for the last 3 games, but that is just 3 games. The first half of the season he reaked, at best. His stats are way down. I say trade him and DM for someone that can help this club. We need a Dominate PF, then move Murray over to SF. Then a back up PG that knows what he is doing and scores a little bit. We don’t need a rent a player, get someone who will be around at least for a couple of years.
Kings can trade for Kuzma but they let fear kick in. There’s always Christian Wood too.
Warriors need a defensive minded wing and center badly, unless they decide to waste this yet.
Their defense and turnovers are just horrible
They need to pull something off
Kinda like Draymond Green.
When you have no rim protection. You foul. When all you do is shoot jumpers. You don’t get fouled. It’s simple
link to x.com
Yup ….. see what a true big can do.
Dumb Knicks trade btw
Chris Paul and Saric for Vucevic and Carter with a pick
Farewell tour