Category: Warriors

Jacob Evans return gives Warriors healthiest lineup since opening week

The Warriors have dealt with a litany of injuries that’s derailed their season, but for the first time in weeks, Steve Kerr will finally have a healthy roster at his disposal.

Injuries have defined the Golden State Warriors season in 2019. The defending Western Conference champions have dealt with injuries to both Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry, but it doesn’t stop there.

11 of the Warriors 16-man roster have missed time with injury, headlined by Curry and Thompson. However, the team’s remaining All-Stars and vital role players like D’Angelo Russell, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and Jacob Evans have all missed multiple games.

The Warriors record has suffered drastically as the team struggles to stay healthy, but they do lead the NBA in one category— games missed due to injury. According to sportrac.com the Warriors roster has 137 games missed due to injury with the New Orleans Pelicans being the next closest team with 83.

As bad as the start of the season has been, things are looking up in Golden State with the return of several injured players. Evans is slated to be available for the first time in 21 games when the team suits up against Memphis.

The Warriors second-year pro has been struggling with a nagging adductor injury in a season that initially had high expectations. Evans was tabbed to have more of a ball-handling role in his sophomore season with Golden State, but injuries have limited his opportunities.

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Evans’ return will give the Warriors 12 healthy and available players for the first time since opening week.

Russell, Green, and Looney all returned healthy to the Warriors last week, and now, with Evans available, Damion Lee is the only member of Golden State dealing with a short-term injury.

For the first time since Curry suffered his broken hand in late October, Steve Kerr will have some flexibility with how he uses his lineup. In a season where development for the future is vital, the Warriors will finally get a chance to use multiple rotations and see how players fit in specific roles.

They now have the ability to send two-way player Ky Bowman back to the G League to save days on his 45-day contract. The Warriors could also afford to give struggling rookie, Jordan Poole some time in Santa Cruz with their G League affiliate as well.

Eric Paschall’s NBA 2K rating rising after hot start to rookie season

Eric Paschall is quickly turning into a rookie of the year candidate, with that comes the attention of those who make the video game NBA 2K.

When the Golden State Warriors selected Eric Paschall with the 41st overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, nobody could’ve expected the season he would have in year one. The four-year Villanova product is quickly putting together a Rookie of the Year campaign almost two months into the NBA season.

Paschall is leading the Warriors in total points with 393 and second to All-Star D’Angelo Russell with 17.1 points per game. Paschall has led the Warriors in scoring on multiple occasions in the 2019 season, including a pair of 30-point nights.

Injuries have opened up an opportunity for Paschall, and he’s making the most of it. He’s currently second behind Glenn Robinson III in Warriors minutes played this season, and when he’s on the floor, Paschall has developed into one of Steve Kerr’s primary scoring options. His ability to continuously get to the basket and finish is reminiscent of a seasoned NBA veteran.

Paschall’s skill and numbers are suitable for the Warriors, yes. However, they also rank near the top in comparison to other rookies across the league. The Warriors rookie ranks first in total points and total rebounds (123) in the rookie ladder. Paschall only trails the 2019 second overall pick, Ja Morant (18.6), in rookie points per game this season.

Paschall’s rise from second-round pick to Rookie of the Year contender has caught the attention of the rating specialist’s with the video game, NBA 2K. The 6-foo-6 forward jumped from a 71 at the start of the season to currently an 80— the fifth-highest rating on the Warriors roster.

Paschall’s 80 only trails a four-pack of established NBA All-Stars, Stephen Curry (95), Klay Thompson (89), D’Angelo Russell (87) and Draymond Green (83). Yes, you read that correctly, the Warriors rookie, Paschall, is only three points behind the former Defensive Player of the Year, Green.

The “Paschanimal’s” rating is continuing to rise, a month ago he was grouped with 2K’s “rising stars” and moved to a 77, after starting the year at 71.

Now, as a significant piece to the Warriors offense, Paschall will have more opportunities to build his Rookie of the Year campaign while continuing to level up his 2K rating.

Steve Kerr knows he made the right choice picking Warriors over Knicks

At one point, Steve Kerr was a candidate to take over as the New York Knicks head coach, instead, he landed with Golden State and now New York on the hunt for another coach again.

It seems so long ago, but there was a moment in time when signs pointed to Steve Kerr being the next coach of the New York Knicks. In 2014, Kerr was still a broadcaster, tabbed to be a potential head coach. The Knicks fired Mike Woodson and set their sights on Kerr. The Warriors then moved on from Mark Jackson, a surprise to many at the time, which opened a coaching position with Golden State.

Kerr picked the Warriors over the Knicks and the rest is history. New York’s had three head coaches since Kerr made his decision while the Warriors have three championship banners.

The Knicks moved on from their lastest head coach, David Fizdale, earlier this week after a 4-18 start. James Dolan and the Knicks front office made their decision after the team suffered a 37-point home loss to the Denver Nuggets. Fizdale, who was once successful in Memphis, only lasted 104-games as the coach of New York.

Kerr backed the now-former coach of the Knicks while praising the support system he has in Golden State.

“I’m a big fan of David’s—I’ve gotten to know him pretty well over the years. He’s a hell of a coach,” Kerr told reporters in Chicago. “As we know in this business, it’s extremely fragile, and your job is dependent on a lot of things when you’re a coach in this league. Number one, probably the talent you’re able to coach—But just as importantly, is the strength of the organization and the group around you. It takes a really strong organization to help coaches and help players get through difficult times—I’m very blessed to have that around me, and not every coach does—It’s a tough league.”

Anthony Slater of The Athletic asked Kerr if he ever thinks about “what if” he took the Knicks job over the Warriors and, the coach didn’t hold back.

“If I had gone to New York, that would have been me like three years ago,” Kerr said. “I’m well aware of that, and that’s just the way it goes— I think I made the right choice,”

The Warriors currently only have one more win than the Knicks at the moment. However, the stability and talent in Golden State provides hope, that once healthy, they’ll be back in title contention.

The Knicks will travel to Golden State with their new interim head coach, Mike Miller, Wednesday.

Report: Steph Curry had second surgery to remove pins from broken hand

Stephen Curry is still on-track for February update after having surgery to remove pins from his broken left hand.

The Golden State Warriors season hasn’t been the same since Stephen Curry left with a hand injury against the Phoenix Suns in October. It’s been one month and six days since Curry’s injury, and the Warriors have only won three-of-19 games in that time, to say the team has missed their two-time MVP would be an understatement.

Curry’s 19 games missed due to injury will continue to grow as he’s not close to nearing a return, but there’s positive news on the All-Star’s rehab. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Curry had his second surgery on his broken left hand, this time to remove pins from his surgically repaired hand.

Curry’s original injury timetable was set with a re-evaluation planned for February, and Charania confirmed the shooter is still on track for that evaluation period after having his second surgery.

Expect the Warriors to be incredibly patient with their franchise star’s rehab. Although it’s a positive sign Curry is still scheduled for re-evaluation in February, it would be a surprise if Golden State rushed him back to the floor.

With the Warriors sitting 15-games under .500 in only December, there’s little need for Curry to accelerate his comeback. The season is quickly turning into a developmental year with an emphasis on the future. Curry is only 31-years old and still the centerpiece to any, and all of the Warriors’ long-term plans.

Andre Iguodala shares epic story on Steph Curry dropping 40 after golf

What isn’t Stephen Curry good at? Andre Iguodala shared a story of Curry going for 40-points after spending the day on the golf course.

Both Andre Iguodala and Stephen Curry will go down as two of the best teammates in Golden State Warriors history, the duo shared three-storied championship runs, and their adventures on the golf course are pretty legendary too.

Both Iguodala and Curry have a lengthy relationship with their second favorite sport, golf. Both are avid players outside the NBA, with each stepping into the professional side of golf as well. Iguodala joined TNT’s broadcast of the PGA Championship in 2017, and Curry has participated in the Web.com golf tour.

Iguodala and Curry spent many off-days playing golf courses around NBA cities, even a back-to-back didn’t stop the pair from breaking out the clubs.

Now with the Memphis Grizzlies, Iguodala joined the Erik Anders Lang show to discuss golf and meditation. The former Finals MVP dropped an epic story about Curry and him on the golf course.

“Like, we got a game tomorrow, and it’s important for him to play well—If I don’t play well, it’s whatever they ain’t going to blame me,” Iguodala told Lang. “But he played great that day. He shot in the 70s like he always does. I shot ok— I shot in the 80s, so I was happy around that time. So, I might have broke 90 that day, and I was happy.”

The story gets better when Iguodala goes on to explain that Curry tallied 40-points after playing 18-holes on the golf course the same day, during a back-to-back in the NBA.

“I didn’t play well that night because I was like—’whatever,’ but he had like 40 that night—he had 40 that night. He killed them.”

Iguodala joked that no one on the team knew what the two were up to earlier, except the Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr. Kerr joked with Curry after the game that he should play golf every game day, according to Iguodala.

“Steve was like, ‘You guys better play good today.’ Then he was like, ‘Steph; you should play golf every day.’ It was funny— it was hilarious,” Iguodala said.

Chris Montano of House of Highlights, linked the Warriors against the Phoenix Suns in 2017 as the game Iguodala mentioned. Curry tallied 42 points, with eight three-pointers and 11 assists.

The percentage of the human population that can score 42-points in an NBA game is ultra-low, then to shoot a 70-on the golf course on the same day, all while traveling on an NBA schedule is astounding.

Pair of backcourt reinforcements nearing return to Warriors rotation

Damion Lee and Jacob Evans III are nearing a return to the Warriors backcourt rotation soon.

Injuries have headlined the start of the Golden State Warriors 2019 season, beginning with Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, but almost other every guard on the roster has caught a bite from the injury bug.

D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans III and Damion Lee have all missed extended time with hampering injuries. However, for the first time in 2019, the Warriors are looking healthy.

Russell returned from a nine-game absence due to a thumb injury, now both Evans and Lee are nearing a return to the Warriors backcourt. Evans has missed 20 games with a lingering adductor injury, while Lee has missed 12 games with a right-hand fracture. Both players traveled with Golden State on their five-game road trip and have been seen practicing with the team.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported, Lee is getting closer to a return, while Steve Kerr told reporters in Chicago, Evans will probably play when the Warriors return to Chase Center against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Before the injury, Lee was having a career season with a more significant role in Kerr’s rotation. Lee scored a career-high, 23 points earlier this season against the New Orleans Pelicans. His ability to be a microwave scorer off the bench is exactly what the struggling Warriors could use.

Evans was scheduled to be on the path to a breakout season in 2019, but injuries have stalled his season. Evans was shifting to more of a ball-handling role in his second season while developing a three-point jumper. In the first game of the season, Evans knocked down four-of-six shots from beyond the arc.

Evans and Lee’s return would give the Warriors their healthiest roster since the start of the 2019 season—giving Steve Kerr an actual guard rotation with flexibility.

The guard duo’s return would also give the Warriors some cushion with how they use rookies, Ky Bowman and Jordan Poole. Bowman could be sent to the G League to limit the usage on his 45-day two-way contract, while Poole could use Santa Cruz to build confidence within his shot. Once Lee and Evans return, Golden State will have some actual depth in the backcourt.

Could G League stint be the answer for Warriors rookie Jordan Poole?

A trip down to Santa Cruz with the Warriors G League affiliate could benefit rookie, Jordan Poole in the long-run.

The Golden State Warriors 2019 first-round draft pick, Jordan Poole, has had an underwhelming start to his NBA career. Yet, late in November against the Miami Heat, the rookie looked like he to took a step forward.

Poole tied a career-high 20-points, knocking down five-three pointers on six shots from the distance— his best shooting night as a professional. Leading into Miami, Poole hit double-digit scoring numbers in four-of-five games. However, more important than the stats, the Michigan product looked comfortable on the floor. Poole seemed to find some rhythm for the first time in his NBA career.

Since Miami, it’s been a different story for Poole. The rookie has registered only one point in three games since his career shooting night in South Beach, and it hasn’t looked pretty. Poole is 0-16 from the field and 0-9 from beyond the arc, with his only basket coming from a trip to the free-throw line where he went one-for-two.

Poole’s start to his career hasn’t been typical for the 28th overall pick. The former Wolverine ranks in the top-10 in rookie minutes played, as he’s been thrust into Golden State’s lineup due to injuries. Not only has he been asked to play heavy minutes, but he’s also tasked with being a scorer for the struggling Warriors. Poole ranks in rookie field goal attempts, three points attempts and free-throw attempts.

Poole’s development is looking stunted in 2019, but luckily for the Warriors, the team is getting healthy for the first time this season. D’Angelo Russell returned against the Charlotte Hornets, while guards, Jacob Evans and Damion Lee, are nearing a return to the floor. With an influx in backcourt talent, Poole’s best bet could be in the G League.

A trip down to Santa Cruz with the Warriors G League affiliate could help build Poole’s game. Poole needs to see the ball go in the basketball hoop— he needs to build up his confidence with his shot. A mixture of some time on the bench and growth in the G League could be beneficial to Poole’s long term career.

NBA already worrying what Warriors will do with 2020 high lottery pick

According to NBC Sports NBA Insider, Tom Haberstroh, the NBA is worried about the potential of the 2020 Golden State Warriors after owning a high lottery pick.

Just a season ago, the Golden State Warriors were at the top of the NBA’s food chain. The franchise went on a dynasty run that shook the core of the NBA— three Larry O’Brien trophies, five-straight trips to the Finals, multiple MVPs, and the best regular-season the league has ever seen.

Now, in 2019, saying things are drastically different is an understatement. Kevin Durant is with the Brooklyn Nets, the “Splash Brothers” are dealing with extended injuries and the Warriors have the worst record in the NBA at 4-19. However, there is still hope the team can turn things around as quickly as next season.

In 2020, Golden State should have some salary-cap flexibility to bring in new talent, with things like a traded player exception, and the mid-level exception; while Curry, Thompson, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell are all still under contract for the future. All positive steps towards getting back on track, but where the team could strike gold is the 2020 NBA draft.

The Warriors’ measly 2019 record is setting up the team to own a top pick in the 2020 draft lottery. The Warriors’ potential after getting healthy and adding firepower in 2020 is worrying some around the NBA, according to NBC Sports NBA insider Tom Haberstroh.

“The people I talk to around the league are really worried that they are going to trade that first-round pick, the 2020 pick—because if they load up with an All-Star-type player with that pick, they are terrified—or if they land a Luka Doncic in the draft, they’re terrified. ” Haberstroh said when joining the Warriors-Hornets television broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area. “So, that 2020 pick, adding to the group they have established here with Paschall stepping in right away, man—I think every team is going to try to do a gap year.”

A healthy and rested Splash Brother tandem, paired with Russell, Green, Paschall and either another All-Star talent or high lottery pick could poise the Warriors for a return back to dominance, a scary thought for the rest of the NBA.

Recapping Draymond Green’s emotional Michigan State jersey retirement

When Draymond Green’s No. 23 jersey was raised into the rafters, the Warriors All-Star got emotional in his old stomping grounds.

Although No. 11 Michigan State couldn’t fend off the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils 87-75, it was still a memorable night in East Lansing due to one former Spartan turned Golden State Warrior.

Draymond Green’s No. 23 Spartan jersey was raised into the rafters in Michigan State’s Breslin Center for retirement in front of a packed crowd.

The Saginaw, Michigan product led the Spartans to two Final Four appearances and three Big Ten regular-season championships. Green was a consensus first-team All-American, NABC Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year, all in 2012. Now his white and green No. 23 jersey will be immortalized in the Michigan State arena forever.

Here are some of the highlights from Green’s memorable night in East Lansing:

DubNation in the building

Several members of the Golden State Warriors organization made the trip to East Lansing to support Green on his special night. Warriors owner. Joe Lacob, general manager, Bob Myers, and Steve Kerr were all in attendance. Other members like Zaza Pachulia, D’Angelo Russell, and Klay Thompson were in the building.

Green said the type of support his teammates and coaches showed was a reason why he wants to stay with Golden State forever.

“Not one person would have said they were wrong if they didn’t come here — it’s my college jersey getting retired,” Green said in his jersey retirement press conference, via Noah Trister of the Associated Press. “They took the time out of their schedule to be here for me. Those are the things that make you say, ‘OK, I want to be there for the rest of my career.’ And I would do anything for that organization to help make that happen.”

Draymond showing emotion

The former Defensive Player of the Year is a passionate and fiery competitor on the basketball court; we rarely get to see the softer side of Green, the person. When handed the microphone to address the Michigan State crowd, Green became a bit emotional when talking about getting to live out his childhood dreams.

“As a kid from Saginaw, Michigan, my goal and dream was to play at Michigan State, it was never to get my jersey retired, and I lived that dream.” Green said during his halftime ceremony.

Respect from around the NBA

Green is a polarizing player across the NBA, but on the night of his jersey retirement, former stars from Michigan State reached out to congratulate the Warriors forward on the honor.

Jaren Jackson, Denzel Valentine and Miles Bridges all reached out to Green via a video compiled by “Uninterrupted.” Former Golden State “We Believe” star, Jason Richardson, also made an appearance to congratulate Green.

Steve Kerr is searching for rhythm and continuity in Warriors rotation

After dropping four straight games, Steve Kerr wants to find a rotation with some rhythm and continuity.

For a stretch in November, the Golden State Warriors were trotting out only eight healthy players, although it didn’t show in the standings, the thin lineup seemed to work. Head coach Steve Kerr was able to find a competitive rotation with only three players off his bench.

The Dubs weren’t racking up wins, but they battled against favored teams down to the wire night-in-and-night-out. Now, four games into the Warriors five-game road trip, Golden State is one of the healthiest it’s been all season. Draymond Green, D’Angelo Russell and Kevon Looney all have returned from injury stints and are back at Kerr’s disposal— good news, right? Not so fast.

In back-to-back games, both Looney and Russell have returned, but each contest the Warriors have been blown out by fellow struggling teams. Golden State looked like a different team, the effort and grit from the weeks prior now absent. The moral victories have turned into lackluster losses.

Kerr hasn’t been happy with his squad’s recent performance, and his struggles could be due to the arrival of familiar, yet new faces to his team’s rotation.

“Tonight we had a lot of guys which was good, but we didn’t have much continuity, we didn’t have much rhythm,” Kerr said to reporters after the 106-91 loss in Charlotte. “The upside of eight guys is everyone’s going to play—you know then you get everyone healthy, now guys are not going to getting as much playing time—maybe you have to juggle positions around a little bit.”

The Warriors guard depth is still fairly slim, even with Russell. However, their frontcourt is logjammed with Green and Looney available. Instead of making the most out of eight players, Kerr’s now tasked deploying a healthy, yet unaccustomed lineup that can compete.

“We need to find whatever rotation allows us to compete at a high level and win a game, that’s the main thing—the last two games I was not happy at all with the energy and the execution on both ends,” said Kerr. “Our job as a staff is to find the combinations that give us that chance.”

Golden State only has one game left on its five-game road trip to salvage a victory before heading back to Chase Center. The 8-14 Chicago Bulls provide a good opportunity for Kerr to get a good look at what rotation could get his team back on track.