Al Horford was excited about the opportunity to join the Warriors, but his first few weeks with the team haven’t worked out as planned. The veteran center has only been available for 13 of Golden State’s first 23 games and is averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per night. He admits to Nick Friedell of The Athletic that he’s disappointed with his performance so far.
“I’m not where I want to be,” Horford said. “I would say I haven’t been very good. I understand that there’s a lot of work ahead of me, there’s more that I need to do, and I need to be better, and I feel like I will. But right now, I’m not where I want to be.”
Injuries have played a part in Horford’s early-season frustrations, as he just returned Thursday after missing about two weeks with sciatica. Golden State isn’t using him in both ends of back-to-backs, just like Boston’s policy over the past two years, to avoid putting too much strain on his body during the long season. After playing 18 minutes on Thursday at Philadelphia, Horford said he believes he’s making progress physically.
“I felt pretty good tonight,” he said. “Obviously, not playing or anything, that’s always challenging, so trying to get my legs back under me, but it’s just nice to get back on the floor. Things didn’t go our way tonight, the game didn’t go our way, I’m still trying to find myself as well, but I was encouraged with some of the things tonight.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Horford will miss Saturday’s game at Cleveland as part of a lengthy injured list that also includes Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Seth Curry and De’Anthony Melton, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN (Twitter link). He adds that there’s optimism about Green, who injured his right foot during Thursday’s game and left the arena in a walking boot. Slater states that Green was able to do some shooting on his own after this morning’s shootaround (Twitter link).
- Coach Steve Kerr said Stephen Curry is making progress in his recovery from a thigh contusion and “it’s realistic” that he could return Friday against Minnesota (Twitter link).
- At 22, Will Richard was viewed as old for a prospect heading into this year’s draft, but he believes he benefited from playing four seasons in college, writes Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints. Richard has been a surprise contributor for Golden State after being selected with the 56th pick. “I feel like those four years at Florida helped me out with my experience,” he said. “I feel like it helped me adjust much quicker than if I were an 18-year-old freshman or something like that. So no knock to the guys that get drafted who are younger than me. … I know my journey is different from everyone else, so I’m happy how it went.”
- Rumors that the Warriors are among the teams pursuing Mavericks big man Anthony Davis are untrue, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who tweets that Golden State hasn’t contacted Dallas about a potential deal and doesn’t plan to during the season.
“Horford will miss tonight’s game at Cleveland as part of a lengthy injured list that also includes Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Seth Curry and De’Anthony Melton”
Who could have seen this coming?!?
Yawn…Get over it…All teams have injuries. 5 seasons ago they were on the verge of forfeiting a bunch of games due to injuries. They were younger then.
“5 seasons ago they were on the verge of forfeiting a bunch of games due to injuries.”
You mean during COVID? That problem was not specific to the Warriors, lol.
Come on Sparky. Do you really believe that the Warriors had 7 players come down with COVID. If that had happened, the whole team would have been shutdown. 2 weeks is lot games. Yet, they didn’t forfeit any games. Hell, the wouldn’t have been the only ones effected.
I don’t think most teams have all their starters out due to injury very often. Pretending their age isn’t the biggest factor as to why the injuries are happening is disingenuous.
It’s much easier to admit you were wrong and then move on than to dig an even deeper hole with the Covid false equivalency
If COVID was the cause, the whole team would have been shutdown, and any they came in contact with.
Look at the Pacers last season. They had a ton of injuries. They still pushed OKC to 7 games in the Finals.
Kuminga has been out the longest due to injury. He is only 22, not exactly geriatric.
If you spend to much time focusing on something, it looks bigger than it really is, if it ever existed.
Last thing they need is an older player that has injury issues.
Why would they want AD?
It’s natural speculation by the media because the Warriors need a big man and Davis is available and has been a premier player in the past.
But I agree with you. At this point with that salary and missing all those games he is finished.
I don’t think there’s any way Dallas can trade him aside from trying to dump him in a salary relief.
No one would actually take him on as an asset to try to improve their team. That’s over.
Just what they need another older injury player.
With NIL and the success of guys like Richard, maybe teams will steer away from one-and-done.
Literally the top 4-5 prospects in 26 draft will be 1 and done players.
Richard is averaging 15 minutes a night. How many players taken at #56 can say that in their 1st season.
Richard is an excellent pick. Goes to show there are 4 yr players. That can still make an impact in NBA. He’s got good size for a guard too.
Edey was another example, stayed in school an extra year because he made more money than as a 2nd round pick.
You can’t pass on talent. Other teams will take them. Trick is to handle their development right. You can’t rush the process. Everyone is different.
Well, I was gonna sit down and watch this game tonight.
I guess I’ll rethink that plan because I don’t know if Pat Spencer can play hero ball 3 games in a row?
Kerr should play Post in starting lineup. That is his mistake. Kerr criticized podz and Kuminga what they are doing wrong on prevgame show so let’s see if they listened.
No way Spencer starting ahead of Podz. Pisses me off. Kerr should not be messing with podz, kuminga, and moody. They are all going to give up on him. Maybe the super vets are at fualt too.
Buddy over Moody is pure insanity. Buddy is absolutely wretched in every aspect. Retirement is soon.
Michol, if you watched the last few games, Spencer lead the second unit to come backs both times.
Brandin is not shooting them ball well. Plus, he’s accustomed to running with the starters and I can’t imagine him playing the same way with guys that are a notch below talent wise.
Thirdly, why wouldn’t you give the scrubs a chance to start the game since they finished so well the last few?
Reward guys for the accomplishments.., give the guys a shot. Podski is still going to play his big minutes but just off the bench.
Why? Because you coach them so they will peak at season end and continue to develop. Podz is in the doghouse and his camp is not happy. Too bad. Another one who thinks Warriors are trying to sabotage his extension. Podz role was not clear fr gm 1. It got worse and worse. Another mentally defeated player. So now you have Kuminga, Moody, and Podz, all damaged value. Players are responsible for sure. But who was the LAST draftee that coaches and FO developed??????
The Warriors don’t draft well. That’s the issue. They draft for body type and physical attributes.
They don’t know how to judge if a player will make it in the league or not. They’re like the Hornets and the kings of the last 20 years.
So Kerr is at failt too then because he has had input on drafts for the last 12 yrs. It’s totally unfair to blame Myers only.
The guy who is responsible for the roster and signing free agents and drafting guys I thought was the general manager of the team?
He’s the guy that signs off on it correct?
He was great at contracts and great at talking vets into coming over to win rings, but he cannot judge college talent in relation to NBA success.
Jacob Evans. Great body, long arms, 6-5. Was not an NBA player. Couldn’t dribble with his left hand !!!
Alan Smilagic. Big man 6-10 moved well, could run the floor, willing outside shooter, 18 years old. Was not an NBA player. His body was there, so Myers was foaming at the mouth. Steal him in the second round. Pay extra to secure the pick !! Out of the league in three years.
A great example is Edwards who Warriors had every opportunity to draft. Kerr didnt like him and didnt want to coach him. He thought he was too cocky and didnt have good work ethics. :(
Kerr is a good guy but he has lost some touch working with high draft picks. He’s been great with our super trios and journeymen. Maybe our trios are equally at fault too. Who knows? They all want another extensions and they also wanted to acquire PG last offseason.
They have scouts and lead scouts. That go and watch games and research their backgrounds. GM is the boss. But has plenty of people around him. Its not only his call. If the coaches and management don’t agree on a pick. The top guys will sit there and evaluate till they agree what’s best for team. Lot of minds involved in bringing in new talent. Funny how they mess up …. Huh
I think everybody on the coaching staff had input one through 15. But the guy who called the shots is the guy who runs the team and is paid accordingly. Bob Myers.
Warriors draft amazingly well, its just Kerr and Kerr alone refusing to do a key aspect of his job, a job he never earned and only won due to Curry.
You develop guys in practice, or after practice, or before practice, or if you can imagine.., in a player’s spare time lol
I don’t know who came up with the thought on this board that you develop player’s skills in games !!!
Omg. Gimme a break man. If you dont play, you dont get better. Rollins is a good example. Shai has had many horrible games as a Clippet and Thunder. He would be in Kerr’s doghouse just like Tatum was, lol.
OK, fair enough Michol. Just giving you my two cents. I appreciate your opinions. Good discussion from my perspective. Hope you’re good also.
Go Warriors
Dude development happens all the time. In reality it never stops. Cause you bring in new guys. The process of developing is dependent on the individual. But you learn the most from REAL time ……
You ever hear Real talent in any sport. Talk about when the game slows down. Thats a real thing lol. It happens at different times for different people. Takes years when you are finally at warp speed mentally and physically. And in tune with others. You can’t rush talent. You can push them the wrong way.
Who is the last guy they drafted and have developed?
Quentin Post has become an NBA player in just a short time through hard work and development by the coaching staff.
I thought you said it was Podz who was super good couple yrs ago? Post is coming along well and he was 2nd round pick. He got better with playing time.
Yes, I like Brandin. He showed me a lot with toughness and willing to do whatever it took to get on the floor.
Charges, the dirty work, rebounding. Sort of like Gary Payton and tipping balls from the guard position away from apposing forwards to teammates. That kind of thing.
The thing that’s a downer in Brandin’s game right now is his shooting. Probably a mental thing. If his shot comes around, I think people will view him as a more successful NBA player.
That has to happen and fingers are crossed it’s sooner rather than later.
I don’t think the Warriors developed Podski. I think he’s the same guy today as he was on day one in a warrior uniform. What has he gotten better at?
Exactly!!!!!!!
Michol.., “exactly” what?
Podski is getting the most possible out of his body that any player possibly can.
The only thing that needs development is his shooting. He’s probably working on it diligently as we speak.
But how would you develop Brandin’s game? Is there a problem when he drives to the hole? Does he make bad decisions out there?
He’s getting plenty of playing time. I think with him what you see is what you’re gonna get aside from maybe some refining and fine-tuning.
With Podski this is what you get. He’s a four-year college guy maybe even five I think And he was a ready-made guy. Plug and play as they say.
Oops, I blew that one.
Brandin only played two years college basketball. Oops huge error.
I should look things up before I click send not after lol.
Podski, Moses not very Goody, and JK have “all damaged value?”
I think we could see when we tried to trade Kuminga in the last year and a half that he does not have the Warriors perceived value attached.
It’s the warriors who valued him too high and that’s why he slipped in the draft down to number seven.
Same with not very Goody. 20 point guy in college at Arkansas slipped all the way to 14.
It was the Warriors who valued these guys way too high. Other teams passed on these two players.
Did you watch the Warriors last season? Podz was the same way at the start of last season. Look how he finished last season. Podz is not a gifted athlete. Guys like that can sometimes think to much. He did that last season. He just puts to much pressure on himself. He is learning how not to do that.
Podz struggled at the beginning of last season.
Starting Spencer and Buddy instead of Spencer and Moody…smh Kerr just doesn’t know his own players. He thinks Buddy is good, he isn’t. Moody is a lot better than everyone thinks. Podz is unplayably bad.
My philosophy is to live and die with my young players especially early in the season so that they dont lose confidence and faith in the program. That means Kuminga, Moody, Podz, Post. They need to be prioritized over journeymen. Even Richards should get as much playing time.
15 days ago, Kerr said Moody had earned a starting role for the “foreseeable” future.
Moody started every game of the 24-8 run last year.
Post has come a long way. I also like TJD, only I see him as a 4. Horford will good for both these guys.
Gutsy win, congrats!!😃
IN PAT WE TRUST !!
Which I could say I saw his emergence coming. But, it kinda makes he would be good. He was the top D1 Lacrosse player in the country. He didn’t start playing hoops until graduate school. So, he had some catching up to do. His brother plays for the Grizzlies.
I been saying the warriors need a PG that drives to the basket. Podz has failed being that guy
Al Horford should know moving teams is no joke. He went to Philly from Boston the first time and was shuffled around there, never found a spot, then went to OKC and didn’t even get to play. Back to Boston where we still loved him, played him, and we all got a title, but couldn’t pay him top dollar. So he left but there’s no guarantee he’s going to fit in with the Warriors where the key players are old as well. The guarantee was financial; he’s getting one more big check. But though we miss him here as a Celtic, I can’t feel sorry if he doesn’t perform as a Warrior.
Dunleavey and Kerr are in denial about old age.
Celtics knew the 39 year old Horford was done. But GSW committed the MLE for 2 more years.
Tonight in CLE, 5 GSW players > 35 yrs old are injured:. Steph, Seth, Butler, Draymod, Horford
Who is surprised?
Horford wasn’t Dunleavy’s first choice. But, they needed someone at the 5 to help last seasons dreadful offense. And, he fits their timeline. Their is a reason Dunleavy hasn’t drafted any raw players.
Don’t forget the Hawks. Al is a IQ big. He’ll fit there. Plus they need size. Only this new back issue should worry us. I hope he’s ok.
All Kerr had to tonight was play Spencer Moody Santos Kuminga Post and he couldn’t. Personally I wanna see Spencer Moody Kuminga Jackson-Davis Post too.
What is stopping him from playing TJD more at the 4 and Post at the 5? It wasn’t that bad the one time he tried it.
TJD was a top rebounder in college. He’s a smart big. Just not as mobile. He needs mins. I would of had him in G-league first yr. Kerr doesn’t play him cause his shot and mobility.
I still like Holfold, but please dont have him shoot too many 3’s. I just want him to rebound, play defense, and get 2-3 assists per. Play in the paint, please!
Michol, what was Al Horford’s three-point percentage last year for the season? 36.3.
He’s fine shooting the three ball. It Stretches the defense, keeps him in the game mentally, and it’s an effective weapon for your center.
You probably don’t know Quentin Post’s current three-point percentage either. 33% yet it’s good basketball for him to fire away.
I dont mind couple shots a game but not 5+ shots. He’s also throwing it up too fast. Same as Draymond. It’s getting rediculous.
Yes, agreed. Too many shots while he’s still cold and getting a feel for his teammates and the cohesiveness as a unit is lacking.
That was frustrating about Klay Thompson also. He would be ice cold yet would keep chucking it up. Too many 3–15 nights in his last year or two with the Warriors. Love him to death, but it was time and for this reason.
Lowest scoring quarter in the NBA, 18-12 Cavs/Dubs, fire Kerr into the sun for gross incompetence in refusing to develop any players or any offense outside of Steph. No excuse to care this little about an NBA game. Kerr is miserable in every sense. Get this loser out of here. Get a coach who wants to win games, please Lacob.
Offer Heild, Seth Curry and a two 2nds to Dallas for Klay Thompson. Sign Wiseman
Warriors exposing Cavs bench lols.
But will they close this one.
Classic trap game after a big win the night before and facing a team that has had more rest.
I guess Warriors learned from Sixer game.
Played 10 players, good to seen
The reason why we lose is because Steve plays too many rotations, and many are bad, and then he breaks up ones that are cooking too early. Classic Kerr coaching.
Kuminga for Zion straight up. Zion’s trade value is at an all time low.
Though he has his missed games thing (amid injurues, etcs), already having him on the roster makes the Warriors an instant contender. Kuminga doesn’t even play now, nor he wants to, so for the Warriors rotation they don’t lose anything.
Shuffle the roster for addressing needs (I would say a pure PG with experience, to allow Steph to play the two, or off ball, and relieve him from bringing the ball up the court from time to time), and there you have it, they can put OKC in jeopardy.
OKC does not have a player that can guard Zion one on one.
Curry Butler Zion Draymond Post
PG (Conley/Tyus Jones) Podziemski (trade chip) Moody Melton TJD Hield
Bench could use a playmaker/scorer, but they can match with them, and their bigs can be beat by Zion/Butler/Draymond/Post/Jackson Davis.
Nah they’re going to get Giannis instead
Pat Spencer is on a 2way deal. He is proving to be very good, a classic offensive-minded PG. That means GSW needs to trade at least 2 players and only get 1 back so Spencer can be added to the main roster.
Moody +9, Kuminga +5 but in the 4th quarter genius plays Buddy -1 and Podz -8.
If Kerr was not coach, GSW would win so many more games. He fails the basics in order to serve his smallball god. No one knows why. Santos, Jackson-Davis and Post are all pretty good and Steve has put zero effort into developing them, same goes for JK and Moody. Why does he still get so many defenders? Who honestly cares if he won a ring 3 years ago? That’s too long ago, who cares, win one more recently and I will shut up
Kerr’s failed rotations and failure to integrate players is why he doesn’t have a contract extention, and perhaps why team USA didn’t invite him back.
What are Steve Kerr’s failed rotations?
.500 record and top 3 payroll with generational talent—besides Graymonds mebounds and Curry threes, what system do they run? Teams don’t fear the Warriors because they don’t play like warriors.
You must be Davey’s other alias.
He’s a plant lol. A flameThrower. Not a fan of ball.
You are obviously a troll. Steve said was only going to coach Team USA once. The Warriors already have an extension on the table for him, if he decides to sign. If the Warriors didn’t want him, they would have fired him long ago. The Warriors owners are not the type to sit around with someone who isn’t doing their job.
Cavs seem to be spinning their wheels. Ball has been a total bust. He looks washed. Would they move Allen. They have to look within lols. 14-11 is not going to get it. There could be a shake up ….
Moses Moody +9… once again, proving he is very good in this league. Gary is massively wrong and does not know ball every time he talks down or criticizes Moody. He has a weird personal thing about Moody that stems from my liking of Moody’s game and ceiling and how well he played as the starting SG last year, and how I also (rightfully) dislike Podz wannabe Russ Westbrook style but with zero elite skills that Russ and Kuminga and Moody have all flashed. Podz has shown us nothing, just 0.5 charges a game, whoop de doo…
If Kuminga shot better than 1-10 this game would never have been close.
Funny how idiot Podz gets unlimited chances to fail but Kuminga goes +5 with bad shooting and isn’t allowed to shoot his way out of the rough start?
Warriors were out rebounded by Cavs — 61 to 46
Warriors were out shot by Cavs — (37/107) to (33/86) by 21 shots. Cavs shot 10/12 FTs, Warriors shot 20/23 FTs. That was the difference lols …… In a 5 pt game 99–94. Its a good win for the bench.