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 five-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 five 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 one,” he said. “Be with the guys from day one 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.”
Dubs looking goooooood already, getting excited for this year!!
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?
@Giants74 Moody shot 7-9 from SG/PF (lol), but your first sentence is trying to bring him down for some reason? I think you meant to say “Moody’s injury late last year really affected his shooting last season, but he proved he is back and at +21 was one of the main reasons why the game got blown out. Post also dominated the Lakers last night. Great signs from both, both will see plenty of starter minutes this year. Why take pause with “Don’t know if he will start.” – he shot 7-9 and went +21? Crazy train of thought here. You should be ecstatic about Moody’s excellent performance last night not, “Don’t know if he will start.”.
@Daveyj.
Moody looked great. Expecting great year from him.
He can’t start though cuz Kerr is going with Podz.
Dray, Butler, and Horford will miss a ton of games. You said yesterday JK should get huge minutes coming off bench. I think it’ll be same for Moody.
I’ve also predicted Podz starting, but if Moody can shoot like that in the rest of the preseason he certainly might change Kerr’s mind.
Podski is not starting.
Gary, we will see on 10/21 in LA game 1.
I didn’t change my prediction based on last night.
The Warriors best utilization of their roster dictates that Podski does not start.
If the first 30 days require Brandin in the starting lineup, so be it. You win this argument, discussion, debate, you’re smarter than me, you know hoops, whatever you want to say.
But the Warriors most effective 48 minutes means someone else is starting at shooting guard.
@Gary,
I’m not sure why you think so. He had a 2nd year slump, but his efficiency is likely to bounce back on offense, his rebounding as a guard is excellent, and his defense is a net positive. He was 5th in minutes and ppg last season, and Kerr obviously loves his game. (He played 10 less games than Moody but started only 1 less game, and his apg and rpg are substantially better).
Who do you predict will end up with the most starts at SG this season?
My reason for thinking that Podski will not start, has nothing to do with his inefficiency or inability to play with the starting five.
But I think for the team, it’s best that he comes off the bench to start the game.
I like Brandin a lot !! I think he’s a fantastic player and for that reason he needs to come off the bench or else that second unit is in major trouble.
They have no floor leadership, not a lot of shooting, no penetration to the basket, and Brandin provides all that.
He’ll make that second unit a lot better.
If he starts, how much better does he make that first unit? Maybe a little bit. His second unit impact will be massive.
If you look at the Warriors and how they like to play Steph Curry style basketball, you need a Klay Thompson out there with him, not a Brandin Podziemski. Does that make sense?
If Buddy Hield was a little more consistent with his shot, he’d be a no-brainer. But I’m hoping Moody continues to shoot well and can be that spot up guy who hits the three consistently.
But because of Moody’s limitations everywhere else, he won’t play 30 minutes but rather 18 to 23.
Well, Klay also avgd just under 4 rpg and 2.1 to 2.9 apg in his dynasty era, more than Moody’s 2.6/1.3, and he’d never be limited to 18-23 min/gm.
Last night, Pat Spencer did a creditable job running the 2nd unit. Melton could also be good in that role.
Usually the starters play the most minutes and close the games, but with Kerr, that’s not necessarily the case. I think Podz starting will have more impact than he would leading the 2nd unit – we’ll have to wait and see what Kerr thinks.
Do you want Pat Spencer running your second unit as a back up point guard? I’m not seeing that right now. Maybe down the road? Like next year or the year after.
Of course Klay was never limited to 18 to 23 minutes. He was an All-Star and all league defender. That’s not Moses Moody.
Moses Moody would be limited to 18 to 23. Again it’s to provide the shooting Klay did but on a smaller scale. Get it?
I would not count on Melton for anything at all. Whatever he gives would be a bonus and penciling him into a role I think is a major mistake and will possibly lead to disappointment.
Let’s consider Melton a trade deadline acquisition and see where it goes. But he probably appears sometime in December or January so a little earlier.
But to repeat this very important point, anyone penciling him in for a specific role on the team is making a massive mistake.
The guys closing the game will be whoever is playing the best. Usually, it’s the same five guys but if one guy is playing well you keep him in there. Is that Podski, buddy, Moses? We shall see.
Thing is, Kerr does not care and will start literally anyone. Starting lineups do not matter, we should be using the phrase “top 5 or 6 MPG guys” because that’s what’s most important. Kevon Looney had 9 minute games where he started and wasn’t injured, Kerr just stopped using him after 1Q because he wanted to. See? Doesn’t matter who starts. Starters mean nothing and its more to do with who matches up best with the opposition unit on the floor.
Literally anyone except Seth Curry, Will Richard, Gui Santos and all the other rookies/2way guys will start this year, bet on it. Post and TJD will start games this year. Kerr does not keep stable lineups.
@EMS
As if Kerr will keep the same starters all year. Not happening. Moody will start some, Podz will start others, GP2 will unfortunately start some games because Kerr cant say no to him playing PF.
I don’t really care about starters though, its more about who plays the top 6 MPG and Kuminga will definitely be in that group.
@giants74 “Babbling”? It’s called statistics. History. Reality. Any lineups or on/off over last 2 seasons. Let’s keep it simple so you can remember.
We have a 2-years sample of Curry+Green lineups being significantly better with Kuminga on the court
Curry+Green lineups (Kuminga ON):
901 minutes
+11.1 Net Rating
Curry+Green lineups (Kuminga OFF):
1806 minutes
+3.5 Net Rating
link to x.com
When Green gave up his starting position to Kuminga, the results were abysmal. Their +/- was -21. It is Green who made Kuminga’s floor minutes work.
Before Butler, and Kuminga on the bench, Curry was getting double teamed. Curry called playing with Butler, “Easy”. He was free to shoot.
Citing one statistic doesn’t tell the whole story.
@giants74
Cool story. Too bad the numbers say you’re wrong.
So, you are saying Curry lied? Why would he do that? That doesn’t make any sense.
And Green did give up his starting position to Kuminga. Why do you think he was forced to play the 5 in 24.
@giants74 you’re confused.
I am giving you the whole story. It’s ALL the data.
You’re taking a few games. The data I’m giving you is for ALL the games.
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.
Do you really want to play the injury history comparison game with LeBron James of all people?
Ayton has been known to stop giving effort in regular season games, why are these preseason minutes so meaningful in your evaluation?
There was a comparison made of streakiness between Vincent and Hield, not a 1-for-1 trade.
And finally, you were a play-in team last year and the lakers were not. Lakers have a young emerging superstar and you do not. If we are banking on improvement, I’d say it’s most likely to come from the 26 year old than the 35 and over gang.
What emerging super star does the Lakers have? lakers only won 2 more games than the warriors last year if they won 1 more game they are out of the play in. lakers didn’t make it out of the first round. Still want to know who this new emerging superstar the Lakers have?
Oh ok, I’m done.
Take a lap and a water break, ya preseason snorting jabroni.
@arc89
I guess he’s talking about Luka, although he’s long since “emerged as a superstar.
“you were a play-in team last year and the lakers were not.”
The Lakers won 50 games, going 22-13 after their trade for Luka.
Warriors won 48, going 23-8 after trading for Butler.
So all that says is that the West was so close, 2 games were the difference between a 3 seed and the play-in, and the Warriors were better post-trade.
Both teams should be improved from last season, although how much the win totals change remains to be seen.
What transaction has improved its team the most:
Warriors trading Wiggins for Butler
or
Houston signing Durant?
Wiggins for Butler, because there’s no data yet on if signing Durant has improved the Rockets.
But we do have data that the Warriors are the oldest starting lineup in NBA history, and a team that old is not a threat for an NBA championship.
They’re arguably more of a threat to win the ‘chip than the Rockets are.
What argument would that be? HGH and stem cell injections?
@Duuur
They beat the Rockets in the playoffs last year with a significantly worse roster and multiple injured players.
KD hasn’t got out of the 2nd rd since leaving GS, and got swept in the 1st rd twice. Couldn’t even lead the Suns to the play-in last season.
The Rockets lost their vet PG for the season, and can’t make a trade even for the vet min because signing KD and (also injured) DFS hard capped them.
Those facts clear your weak agism take.
Do not underestimate the Rockets. A young team that is still growing as a team. Individual talents still getting better. They do have to find another PG. They will ……
The Warriors aren’t the oldest team in NBA history. Teams much older than the Warriors have won the title…You don’t know what the starting lineup will be.
They are the oldest starting lineup in nba history, no starting lineup that old has won an NBA championship.
I would estimate that between Green, Curry Horford and Butler, more than 82 regular season games will be missed outright.
If you could make the same trade and substitute Durant for Butler, would you rather have Durant?
I wouldn’t take Durant over Butler. He’s a serial malcontent that’s all about his isoball.
That’s the ooiest gooiest creamiest butter rich thing I have read in a very long time
Butler makes his teammates better, KD doesn’t.
That’s likely to be a problem for the Rockets, just like it was for the Suns and nets.
Also Rockets sent some youngsters for Durant. Green may still turn into an NBA asset. Wiggins is Wiggins. He’s not going to get any better. The trade can’t be measured until we see how Durant plays with Rockets, Jimmy plays with Warriors, Jalen Green (and Dillon Brooks) work out with Suns, etc.
Looks like the Rockets might have a PG after all (and it’s not Reed Sheppard). JD Davison had 17 pts on 6-9/5-7 shooting with 3 reb 4 ast and 1 TO last night in their game vs the Hawks.
A. You don’t know what the Warriors starting lineup will be.
B. Funny thing about records, they get broken.
C. Most predictions fail miserably
I’m not predicting their ages. They actually are that old. It’s not some outlandish thing to say these old guys will reliably miss games and are more susceptible to injury and regression.
You are making guesses about the outcome.
Father Time is undefeated.
Again, you are guessing what is going to happen.
This has nothing to do with the discussion you all are having here, but I will push back on the claim that “father time is undefeated.”
That’s wrong.
That’s like saying the Warriors are going to win 80 games. Guaranteed. But it might take two years !!
Father time is pushed back all the time. Some guys are old at 30 and so father time is victorious in that case.
But there’s other guys are going strong at 40. Father time has been defeated again and again and again.
So father time is not undefeated.
Father time eventually catches up, yes, but father time loses all the time.
Gary, only one guy is going strong at 40. In the history of the NBA. One guy. He doesn’t set the bar higher for everyone else, he’s just a statistical outlier/freak of nature, not the new normal.
I thought about it as I wrote it and 40 is a bad number for the NBA. Maybe I was thinking about life in general.
I guess if we’re talking strictly the NBA some guys are old at 32 but some guys are still strong at 36. They pushed father time aside for four years. Beating him down and in a huge way.
Did that help my cause? Maybe not lol.
Well, there’s been a couple guys still getting it done at 40. Stockton, Malone, Kareem, Kevin Willis, there’s been a few guys. In the late 70s there were teams lining up to sign Wilt Chamberlain at 50.
But your point is a fair one. It’s not the normal.
But father time is not “undefeated.”
“Father time wins eventually.” What do you think about that?
That’s a tough call. Butler was brought in to get the Warriors to the playoffs. Durant is there to go further in the playoffs.
Butler probably had an easier road. The Warriors were looking like a late lottery pick team. But, his addition was dramatic. If they didn’t have a few injuries, they might have beaten the T-wolves.
I would think that the Rockets should get to the WCF for the trade to be a success.
@Giants74
After losing in the 1st rd to the Warriors, just making the 2nd rd would be called successful by their long-suffering fans.
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.
If Vincent was solid the Lakers wouldn’t be offering him in trades all off season. Vincent always been streaky shooter. Davis will be in teh G league when its Bronny who should be there instead.
They offering him because he has a tradeable contract and they have Luka and Reeves. Unless you think they should be traded instead?
Vincent is what he is a 3 point shooter off the bench. lakers needed to address their bad defense in the off season and came up short on improving their defense.
Vincent is a really good defender
Are you sure you are talking about Vincent? I always thought he was a poor defender.
Then you must not have always watched him play. He was great in Miami. He took a step back after his injury, but he’s rounding back into form
I have watched him play and never impressed with his defense. Always reminded me of D’lo without the handles.
Yikes, did Gabe bang your girl or something?
No just never seen him as a defensive player. I hope you are not going by Laker broadcasters because hometown guys always try to positive spin on everything. Warriors has some horrible homers on their broadcast.
I’m sorry but calling Gabe Vincent d lo without the handles is an objectively bad evaluation. Zero skill overlap between the two
They both are streaky shooters that can hit the 3.
Dlo a streaky shooter
Vincent is a consistent shooter
Now that is funny. A guy who averaged 2.8 points a game in the palyoffs playing 20 minutes a game.
Yea, and?
how is that consistent?
How is it not?, do you even know what consistent means?
consistently bad
So is he consistent or not? Make up your mind. Or are you just rambling just to ramble?
Lakers said they’re being cautious with Luka since he’s often had nagging injuries throughout previous seasons and played 7 games in Eurobasket. They didn’t say why Reaves didn’t play, other than simply “rest” after the loss to the Suns Friday.
Not really sure why you said the Lakers were easily beat “to start the game”, since the score was 32 31 at the end of the 1st Q, neither team’s defense was very good. It was great to see Moody making threes and dunking, he looked good!
Lakers didn’t have their bad defensive players in last night in Luka, LeBron, and Reeves. lakers has the same problems as last year lacking defense. Vanderbilt is their best defender by far. Surprised they didn’t go for more defense besides an old Smart.
Sell out means sold tickets. Not butts in seats
Stats dont mean nothing…. Kuminga looks the same, tentative as ever, and feeling lost in Kerr’s system. :(
@ Michol
Not true – 6 reb 4 ast and a blocked shot in only 15 minutes disagrees. All were above his season avg last season in over 24 minutes (4.6/2.2/0.4) .
Kuminga played the same minutes as Curry.
Steph, Moody, Jimmy, Green, Horford…..I’ve already said this, geez, lols. Doesn’t mean Moody and Al need to play 35 minutes.
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!
Kuminga looked the same, tentative and playing with no confidence. Always looking over his shoulder, afraid to make mistakes, trying to look cool on free throws and missing them, and playing defense like a rookie trying to show he’s hustling…. He looks awkard at times and just dont feel confortable on the floor. Even Spencer is shooting more and Kuminga is passing up opportunities…. :(
I disagree. Kuminga was playing defense. He looked like that was his main goal last night. I didn’t like him shooting 3s but he was looking to pass more.
He’s always played unselfishly, too unselfish at times. He’s too hesitant … if I am Kerr, I want Kuminga to be aggressive and assertive on offense. Get fouled 5x a game.
It sounds like you are talking about a different Kuminga.
So what if Kuminga had problems shooting in the 1st preseason game. It happens to lots of players. It is the other things he did that are most important that keep the offense moving. I’m sure Kerr is quite happy. So what if looked awkward. It takes time to get comfortable playing differently. Last night was a great start.
@Michol
Why wouldn’t he be nervous and uncomfortable in his 1st appearance after the offseason battle with Dunleavy and knowing how Kerr treats him? You should look at the bright side, he was +7 in +/- and shot 2-3/1-2 despite the ft line misses.
If he plays like that the rest of the preseason, Kerr will start trusting him more.
Well, they need to start somewhere. Hopefully they will feel more and more comfortable going forward. But i dont know why fans here act like kuminga hasnt done anything well in the last 4 yrs. My gosh, they are so condescending. Kuminga must have done something right to be offered $100-125m contract last offseason. My take is he simply isnt progrssing or looks like 5th year player yet. Moody looks more assured of himself for example. And Spencer too, lol.
Kuminga needs to work on his FTs still, that’s it. He played just as well as you’d want him to in the first pregame game of the year. Defense and offense he did a bit of everything. Hopefully Al can show him a thing or three.
I would like to see him at 80% FT this season
How about we keep this attainable and say 70%?
> But i dont know why fans here act like kuminga hasnt done
> anything well in the last 4 yrs…they are so condescending.
It’s bizarre, agreed. It’s something about the HoopsRumors’ Dubs fans. (Never trust anybody over 50.) Sure, some criticism is valid, but, like you say, it’s as if JK has never played well.
I noticed at last night’s game that JK got a big hand when he came in for the first time. Not a single boo that I could hear. That’s good.
@NbaIsOK, don’t forget the hard work on the glass. 6 boards, a block, and several tips against a much taller LA lineup. Kerr has said that he wants JK to focus on rebounding.
@michol, perceptive! I also noticed his extreme nervousness, which I suspect will be heightened for a while, as he feels enormous pressure to fit in. He clearly passed up scoring attempts.
But I thought it was exactly the game Kerr wanted from him. This past summer, Kerr said he wants Kuminga to “fill up the stat sheet”, a la Shawn Marion. Earlier this week, Kerr said he wanted more rebounds and activity on the glass this season.
In 15 mins, JK had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block. He made 2-3, 1-3 from deep. That’s what Kerr wants from him. He’s wise to stick to it for a weeks, until all the media attention goes away.
I disagree (as arc89 does) that JK wasn’t exerting a lot of effort on defense, especially on the boards.
Prediction: Kuminga will be very quiet offensively in prr-season games.
Only thing I seen Kuminga do wrong is 1 time when he shot an early 3 point shot. Other than that I thought he played a good game. Rebounding is what he needs to do. Only players disappointed in was Santos and TJD.
Michol….this is why green light 6th man. And stick with it. Be firing come playoffs.
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.
Ayton had 7 reb a team high 2 blocks, and looked much better than in his 1 pt game in the Lakers’ loss to the Suns. It’s not his fault that the Lakers didn’t pass him the ball that game (only 10 ast for the whole team).
Ayton is an enigma. So much potential – but he really doesn’t have that “killer” instinct. Does not seem interested in dominating down low. Shooting an 8-10 footer when he could take one step and throw down is the Ayton MO.
I agree JBS but his prime skill is probably that 8~14 ft jumper
I don’t see that changing
Im more interested in IF he can gear up a notch on D. History would tell us NO, but he does have millions of reasons to kick it up a gear at least for this year. Im 30% optimistic
There is truth to what you say. Still he is only 27. And hasn’t competed for anything since Phoenix. Maybe he has learned something, Lakers hope anyway. His best yrs with Suns he put up 18 n 10. And they didn’t even look for him. He can learn plenty from Bron. Lot is riding on him playing well. Plus he’s due a new contract. So again it will be real interesting to see what he does this year. He’s the key to Lakers imo.
Preseason is also where players work on things and incorporate them into their game. There is no pressure to win. So, you can make mistakes. Build up that muscle memory. JK had a nice game. I’m sure Kerr is pleased.
Even the NBA is forcing Kerr to play a C
I just want to see what 5 minutes of Curry-Green-JacksonDavis-Post-Horford can do defensively vs Wemby or 4Q Joker. On offense the other 4 can lock arms and let Curry shoot uncontested shots from wherever he wants lmao
I wouldn’t mind seeing that gameplan
Much more excited about this Dubs team going into ‘26 than going into ‘25. I know they’re not gonna lengthen and widen the court and make it 10-on-10. But if they DID…..HOL-eee CRAP, you guys!! In Dunleavy I trust! YES!!
Dud,
IMO, it’s at worst a very solid team assuming Steph and Jimmy play 55+ games. How can they be more than that?
I’ve been saying that there is one way only that this team takes another step up, tocompete for a Championship: the young core takes a big step forward.
Podz, JK, and Moody are now 22-23 years old. We forget how young they are because they’ve been around so long. We’ve seen flashes from Podz. JK had made a huge step before his injury last December. Moody showed out last night. Fingers crossed.
Agree. The three young guns must produce within the framework of this Warriors veteran team for this group to have success. Championship seems unlikely, but preseason is for the fans to dream.
I concur with that sentiment Ari
Still think you need your 2025 Iggy but you have the capital to get that In February if you can float the boat until then
@Cap&Crunch, Always great when you visit.
What the heck is LeBron announcing tomorrow?
Sex change !
Lots of talk about:
Steph Jim Dray JK Al Seth GP2 Buddy
Not enough talk about:
Moody Post Jackson-Davis Melton Podz Santos Richard
That second batch of players has a WAY higher ceiling than many think.
If healthy, the floor on wins this year is 50. Sky’s the limit if no one gets hurt (improbable).
PG. Curry, Podz, Melton, TW Cryer
SG. Heild, Moody, Curry, Richard
SF. Butler, Kuminga, Payton, TW Toohey
PF. Green, Jackson-Davis, Santos
C . Horford, Post, ? (Sign 22-23yrs old)
Quick waive Spencer and Rowe. Sign a C (22-23 years old) keep Cryer and this roster will be almost perfect
Or wait til next January then trade Kuminga, Moody and Buddy and picks for Bam. Get a few teams involved to move Buddy somewhere else. Other players moving to other teams, including the Warriors.
TW Spencer >> TW Cryer
Not many 22-23 yrs old Cs out there, and besides, the Warriors are hard capped.
I don’t know why you didn’t reply to my comment. Yes Spencer is better right now, but see their PG’s…no young PG learning from Curry.
Waiving Rowe would open up a two way contract for a C. You are just too lazy
You only think of he’s better oh he’s better. Please give basketball a break
Takes 10-15 games for players to get in game shape. You will get a much better picture then. Remember all teams go thru this. A vet team like Warriors can pull out wins early cause of their savvy. You can’t make judgments now. Let them play 20 gms. Warriors with their core all older vets. They would be wise to pick up a rim protector at some point. We’ll see how Kerr handles Kuminga. Season hasn’t even started yet. Nobody got answers yet …..
Exactly. A shot blocking C age range from 22-23. Waive Rowe
Why did Pat Spencer get so many minutes again?
@DaveyJ said
> Why did Pat Spencer get so many minutes again?
We’re short at PG with Melton out for the foreseeable future. Steph and Podz are our only legit PG’s. Kerr wants to start Podz at SG, and have Podz play PG with Butler on the 2nd unit. That’ll work so long as Steph is also available…
…but we’ve got a bunch of back-to-backs in the next few weeks where Steph is expected to rest, so expect to see Spencer play a lot in October and November.
This was the downside to giving the last roster spot to Seth Curry. Kerr will stand by this year’s favorite 2-way player (Spencer), but it’s a real vulnerability.
The current roster is deep, but flawed. We have too many SG’s. We’re missing a legit NBA backup PG and a rebounding big man. Sound familiar?
Kerr does not want Podski to start at shooting guard. Kerr wants Podski to come off the bench.
Steve Kerr prefers Moses Moody or Buddy Hield to step up and be the starting shooting guard.
Kerr wants Podski to play with Butler on the second unit? Who’s playing with the first unit? I thought Jonathan Kuminga was on the second unit so he and Butler will both be on the floor as small forwards with no three-point shots?
Or are you expecting 6-7 Jonathan Kuminga to be a power forward like so many others are?
> Kerr does not want Podski to start at shooting
> guard. Kerr wants Podski to come off the bench.
@Gary – That’s not what Kerr indicated this week.
As with last season, we’ll see Podz start as SG, and he will play PG when Steph’s off the floor… at least until Melton comes back.
It looks like starters are:
Steph, Podz, Butler, Horford, Draymond
Then Kerr wants to use these 2 combos:
1. Steph, (Melton), Draymond, Horford, JK
2. Podz, Buddy, Moody, QP, Jimmy
Specific points made by Kerr:
– He likes having 2 separate combos that fit well together, like in 2015 and 2016
– Jimmy leads 1 combo, Steph other combo
– Podz, Moody, and Jimmy play well together
– Horford complements JK (JK needs a stretch big)
– JK complements Steph
– Melton complements Steph
– he wants to use Draymond at C as little as possible because it wears him down
As for PF, it looks like 6’4″ Moody is the PF in the
Good stuff ari !!
Gary, one thing that made me happy this week was Kerr indicating that he had already made his mind up about combinations.
IMO, the last 2 seasons, we threw away too many games in the first 3 months with experimental lineups. In both seasons, because we had so many wins to make up in the second half, Steph and Draymond got over-extended. I know you disagree, but I believe Steph blew out his hammy in Minnesota from overwork.
We probably can’t win 50 regular season games if we rest our vets enough, but we can go deep in the playoffs if they’re healthy.
You can blow out your hammy at any time and not necessarily from over work. Over work can be a part of it, but guys blow out their hammy in October or January or March.
Gary, this is more interesting:
To date, the only example of a load-managed veteran Championship team is the 2013-14 Spurs, the oldest ever to win a title. No Spur played as many as 30 mins per game, nor did any play as many as 70 games.
Yet, each of the 9 Spurs in the playoff rotation (all playing at least 15 minutes per playoff game), played in all 23 of the Spurs playoff games! Yes, the oldest team ever to win a Title also set the record for the least injured in playoff history.
Greg Popovich says that Championship was his greatest achievement, but that he did less actual coaching in any season. He said the key to establish early in the season what every player’s role would be, and stick to it. The team got better as the season and playoffs progressed, ending with a 4-0 annihilation of LeBron and the Heat.
Gary, Regarding Steoh’s injury, it was medically diagnosed as due to “over-use”. We can’t know anything for certain, but that’s a huge red flag.
Yes, it’s probably a good thing and he’s ahead of last year but any combinations are not in stone, Especially when you add a bunch of new guys.
That’s any team, any coach. If one combination is not working you’re definitely not going to stick with it. You’re going to change your combinations.
You’re probably confusing teams that bring most of the players back within an addition or two. Those rotations are consistent because they know they work.
Gary, you are correct that Spurs had great continuity..: but so do Warriors this season. Changes are minimal:
1) Looney out, Horford in.
2) 2 new at end of bench: Seth Curry & Will Richard
If we’re still tinkering with lineups in January, that’s a coaching issue.
Probably go deep in the playoffs? That’s a lot to ask.
Warriors won in seven games in the first round last year and lost in five games in the second round.
I don’t think going deep is anything to expect but rather to hope. Besides that weren’t the Warriors a play in team last year?
> Probably go deep in the playoffs? That’s a lot to
> ask.
I agree with that. If we stay reasonably healthy, we make first round. If our vets are in really good health by playoffs, we win first round. I’m not here to say we win more than 1-2 games against OKC.
Again, this team does not use “typical” PGs, they can and should be playing 2 SGs anytime Dray and/or Jim are out there, and let them two run the point. A Horford-Green-Butler-Moody-Podz lineup will definitely be used at some point, with both Moody and Podz playing the 2.
Moody playing the “4” when Jimmy is playing the 3 or 2 is only offense. On defense, Moody covers the smaller guys, not the PFs.
@daveyj said:
>>
Moody playing the “4” when Jimmy is playing the 3 or 2 is only offense. On defense, Moody covers the smaller guys, not the PFs.
>>
I really hope Kerr identifies the right role for Moody now, and sticks with it. Offensively and defensively, Moody is
– best as a SG;
– can be an SF if needed;
– should never play PF.
It took Kerr mid-way through the Houston series to stop making Moody defend much bigger players. It’s not fair to Moody, and he shouldn’t be blamed for the result.
Defensively, Moody should be at the PoA (unless the ball-handler is really quick). In the half-court, he guards the ball better than anybody on the team (other than Melton). If not on the ball, you’d like Moody defending the 3 point line. He’s a very good rebounding SG.
Offensively, I like Moody as a floor-spacer that opportunistically attacks off close-outs. He has no mid-range shot. And the closer he gets to the basket while stationary, the less effective he is. Moody was getting his feet under himself much faster on those 3’s against LA, suggesting he’s done a lot of work this off-season. Let him be a 3 point shooter, Steve!
Jimmy should always be the 4 if he’s on the floor with Moody.