Al Horford provided a glimpse of what he can offer the Warriors as he made his preseason debut in Sunday’s win over the Lakers, writes Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. The 39-year-old big man posted three points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 14 minutes, and Golden State was +13 in his time on the court. Horford looks like a seamless addition, and his teammates are excited to have him in the lineup.
“Obviously has a high IQ,” Stephen Curry said. “An experienced, championship-caliber player that can fit with any lineup out there. He gives us space. He gives us presence on the defensive end. You saw the pass he made to me out of the corner on the give-and-go. There’s just an unspoken chemistry that will continue to get better. He’s multidimensional as a 5-man. Excited to see what that looks like for me, for Jimmy (Butler), for (Jonathan Kuminga) and Draymond (Green). Any lineup, you can throw him out there at the 5 and he lifts the group.”
Horford wasn’t used as a starter on Sunday, but he entered the game quickly after Moses Moody picked up three early fouls. Poole states that he still projects as the team’s starting center and will almost certainly be in the closing lineup. The Celtics took a cautious approach with Horford last season, limiting him to 60 games and not using him both nights of back-to-backs, and Warriors coach Steve Kerr plans to handle him the same way.
“We have to preserve all our older guys as best we can to have them ready for the playoffs. That’s the idea,” Kerr said. “But no question, he’s still got it. He’s incredible player. Great fit for us.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Kerr gave limited playing time to his veterans in the preseason opener, notes Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Curry, Green, Butler and Horford all played 15 minutes or less and were out of the game by halftime. Curry looked to be in midseason form already, scoring 14 points while shooting 5-of-7 from the field and sinking three three-pointers.
- Kerr began the game with a small lineup using Green at center, but he told reporters that may not be the plan for the regular season (Twitter video link from Anthony Slater of ESPN). “It doesn’t mean Draymond is going to be logging heavy minutes at the five,” Kerr said.
- Butler was thrown into the fire of a playoff race when the Warriors traded for him in February, states Ann Killion of The San Francisco Chronicle. He expects to benefit from having the offseason and a full training camp with the team. “I get to do this thing from Day 1,” he said. “Be with the guys from Day 1 and do what we started out to do. … I’m super hyped and I’m super excited. We’re going to have to go out there and produce and get it done. We know that. But we are just so joyful. We’re so happy to be able to compete with one another, and do what we set out to do. Do what I want to do for the first time — win a championship. I smile knowing that it’s a really great chance for us.”
Goobernatorial
Oh look. It is the Gossip Girl…Are you feeling sassy today?
Que?
Even though it was the 1st preseason game against a shorthanded Laker team, it had some promising signs. Moody’s shooting that his injury really affected him. Don’t know if he will start. But, he’ll get major minutes off the bench. Kuminga had 6 REB,4 AST, with 1 TO. If he keeps that up, he’ll get the minutes he’s been seeking. That’s what they want him to do.
It was weird. They said it was a sell out. But, Mission Bay was strangely empty.
…Moody’s shooting ‘showed’ that…
That is the thing. I have no doubt the Warriors would love for Kuminga to show he can fit and excel on the team. It is way easier than using him as a trade chip to acquire someone who does.
In reality he should be able to. He just hasn’t yet.
@Willds
Numbers say you are wrong. Steph and Draymond do much better with JK on the floor than off. For the last 2 years.
What are you babbling about? Steph and Dray play better with JK in the lineup for the last 2 years? Where do you get that idea from?
Lakers bench doesn’t look that good. I would like to know why Luka sat out when he claimed to be in so great shape. JJ is going to need to tell LeBron that Bronny is playing in the G league. Bronny is nowhere ready to be even on a NBA bench.
Moody was the star of the game. That was the best defense Lakers had to start the game and they were easily beat. Green did not have his best game just warming up last night. Kuminga was spotlighting his defense which was very good.
Lakers bench looks great. Vincent and Davis are balling
Vincent faded in the second half. He is streaky and showed it. Davis was playing against the warriors G league team in the 4th quarter. Davis is better than Bronny but they will put him in the G league. Bronny and Hayes looked real bad last night. I am just not impressed with JJ coaching. He will end up like last year riding Luka and LeBron with too many minutes. Instead of creating a good bench to give them rest instead of 38 minutes a game.
Your bench will be starters for much of the year because your team is so old. If everything goes to plan, all your starters will play 60 games. If someone gets injured, it’s not like they will start grinding 35 mins each game of a back to back to to make up for lost time. You’ll just get more Gary Payton.
Yes Vincent is streaky but Buddy Hield is the unwavering representation of consistency… please just decelerate a little with the blazing hot takes
Anyone would take Heild over Vincent any day. Lakers is 1 injury away from being a bottom team. the defnse is not good on Lakers. LeBron, Luke, and Reeves are not good defensive players. It will be score as many points as possible to win. i would take warriors bench over lakers bench any day even you would. So harping on warriors about injuries when you got bad knee LeBron and Luka doesn’t make sense. Bronny will sit on teh bench while it should go to Smith or Davis. I didn’t see a better Ayton last night.
Vincent is as solid as it gets. All established players fade off in the second half of preseason games. That’s nothing. Davis is shooting 60% right now.
Sell out means sold tickets. Not butts in seats
The team looked decent offensively, with Moody burying so many threes that he even took a 30+ foot heat check with 13 on the shot clock (that missed).
Kuminga showed that he’s trying to play within the team concept, passing the ball, rebounding, even blocking a shot.
Horford was as good as we hoped, he’s going to really help this team.
LFG!
There is nothing to see in a first game. Except maybe the kind of shape they are in. Preseason is for the players trying to make the team. Chemistry takes time. It will be built in practices. Good to see them playing. First 20 gms will be the most telling. Looking forward to opening night.
Really curious about Ayton. He did ok. Imo for Lakers to have success. Ayton has to have a big year. He’s do for a contract. So I expect major effort lols.
looked like the same old Ayton a few lob buckets but not more. JJ is not the best coach for him. He needs a team that will use his wing span to protect the bucket not defend outside the key.