Category: Warriors

Rookie Eric Paschall exits game vs. Pelicans with right knee injury

Eric Paschall has been ruled out against the Pelicans after suffering an apparent knee injury in the first quarter against the Pelicans.

Injuries have run rampant across the Golden State Warriors season, and it hasn’t stopped yet, with the latest hit coming to Eric Paschall.

Paschall left the Warriors game against the New Orleans Pelicans early in the second quarter. He quickly went to the locker room, followed by Warriors head trainer, Rick Celebrini.

Paschall was later ruled out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury. Paschall was seen coming up awkwardly in the first quarter when JJ Redick fouled him.

The ball was lobbed over the top to Paschall, and Redick slipped and rolled under him, the rookie then came up hobbling.

Paschall, who is putting together a sneaky campaign for Rookie of the Year, has recently been dealing with a case of injuries. The Villanova product missed two-recent contests with a sore hip injury that been nagging his play.

Its a surprise, and alarming that the Warriors are ruling Paschall’s injury a knee problem and not his hip that’s been bothering him. The Warriors announced he will undergo further evaluation.

Stay tuned for more details on Paschall’s knee injury.

PHOTOS: Golden State player salaries for 2019-20, future seasons

While the Warriors are busy racking up losses in the 2019-20 season, the team is still shelling out one of the highest-priced rosters in the NBA.

Regardless of the Golden State Warriors’ struggles to open the 2019-20 NBA season, they still have to pay the bills— and they are pricey. The Warriors are at the bottom of the NBA standings, but at the top of the NBA when it comes to salary.

The Warriors injured “Splash Brothers” backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson is on the books for over $72 million this season, while that doesn’t include their newest All-Star acquisition, D’Angelo Russell.

Russell was brought to the Warriors in a sign-and-trade contract from the Brooklyn Nets, where he inked a four-year max contract worth $117 million once landing in Golden State.

The Warriors offseason spending didn’t stop there as they locked up their former Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green, to a four-year $100 million max extension.

Locking up four All-Star caliber players for the significant future sounds excellent on the surface. Yet, now Bob Myers, Steve Kerr and Joe Lacob are challenged to find the right supporting cast to surround their core with, but for the right price.

Luckily for Golden State, they have a two-time NBA executive of the year calling the shots in Myers. The former UCLA Bruin turned Warriors general manager was integral in recruiting Kevin Durant to come to the Bay Area, and will now be tasked with extending the Warriors championship run with a limited payroll.

The benefit of Golden State’s down year in 2019-20 is that they’re in line for a premier draft pick for the first time in years. How Myers decides to use that pick will be crucial in the Warriors’ future success— whether they trade the pick or select a top-prospect, it will have a dramatic effect on the Warriors roster financially.

The 2020 NBA offseason, starting with the draft, will factor as one of the most important legs of the Warriors return to the top of the Western Conference. With Golden State currently hard-capped, with millions of dollars on the books for the future, the Warriors will have to get creative with how they spend their money going forward.

To get a feel for how the Warriors stand for the future financially, Warriors Wire dove into Golden State’s current player salaries.

(Salary information courtesy of HoopsHype.)

 

What does prospect James Wiseman leaving Memphis mean for Warriors?

Freshman star, James Wiseman— who’s been widely linked to the Golden State Warriors, announced he’s leaving Memphis to focus on the NBA draft. What does that mean for Golden State, who will likely have a top-pick in June’s NBA draft?

When you start to discuss the 2020 NBA draft, there’s a strong chance the name James Wiseman is quickly mentioned. The freshman phenom is noted as one of the best players available in the 2020 prospect pool, a 7-footer with a smooth jumper, paired with a 7-foot-6 wingspan at only 18-years old, its easy to tell why. However, his days playing college basketball in Memphis are officially over.

The one-time Tiger took to Instagram to announce he would withdraw from Memphis and sign with an agent to focus solely on the NBA draft. His decision comes during an up-and-down freshman season in Memphis, that only lasted three games.

Wiseman was ruled ineligible by the NCAA in early November after his family allegedly received improper benefits when Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway loaned Wiseman’s mother money when moving.

The NCAA later suspended Wiseman for 11-games, allowing him to return January 12, when Memphis plays Central Florida, but now the Tigers will be without their McDonald’s All-American going forward.

View this post on Instagram

Today I formally withdrew from the University of Memphis and I will be preparing for the next chapter of my life. Ever since I was a little kid, it’s been a dream of mine to play in the NBA. Throughout this process, I’ve asked God to ordain my steps and lead me in the right direction. God is my lord and salvation, and throughout this process he has comforted me. This was not how I expected my freshman season to be, but I’m thankful for everyone who has supported my family and me throughout this process. I want to thank the coaches and staff for all their support and my teammates for pushing me everyday at practice. I feel blessed for the opportunity to be a Tiger and for having the honor to play with these special group of guys. I can’t wait to see what all they accomplish this season. The friends and fans of Tiger Nation will always hold a place in my heart. #GoTigersGo 🐯🔵🐯

A post shared by James Wiseman (@bigticket_j13) on

The benefit to the Warriors lowly season is they’ll be awarded a high draft pick in 2020, giving them a chance to bring a player of Wiseman’s ilk to Golden State. Although Wiseman’s college basketball career is over, he’s still projected to be a top draft pick when the 2020 NBA draft rolls around. Wiseman’s size and ability make him a prime candidate to land in Golden State with their high pick.

The issue with Wiseman’s decision to walk away from Memphis cuts his college film down to only three games. Wiseman impressed in his three college games, averaging 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks, but is that enough to be picked in the top-five?

It’s obvious Wiseman has enough talent to earn the label of a high-lottery pick, but instead of live-action, most of the former Memphis Tiger’s evaluation will be based on projection and high school film.

Wiseman’s situation is comparable to Kyrie Irving’s time at Duke. Irving, a top recruit, only played 11 games in college due to injury but was still selected first overall in 2011.

If the Warriors championship core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green return healthy, Golden State could be back inline to contend as soon as 2021. With little film on Wiseman, it could take time to develop his pro-game while the Warriors could be looking for a player that will make an impact on day one.

With Wiseman off the college basketball radar, prospects like Georgia’s Anthony Edwards and Washington’s Jaden McDaniels come more into focus. Expect the Warriors to keep tabs on Wiseman still, but with others like Edwards and McDaniels in the limelight weekly, their names could rise up the draft board based on exposure alone.

Wiseman’s decision to step away from Memphis has officially tipped off the start of “draft season.”

Developing future pieces for Steve Kerr becoming focus for Warriors

For the 2019-20 season, Steve Kerr wants to start developing new players in Golden State he doesn’t know about yet.

The days of Draymond Green leading a fast break with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson floating out to the three-point line ready to fire are on hold in 2019-20. Injuries have derailed the Warriors season with Thompson and Curry on the shelf for the majority of the season.

More than a quarter way through the NBA season, the Warriors are at the bottom of the standings with a lowly five wins and 24 losses. A massive change for a team that will likely be ending a streak of five consecutive trips to the NBA Finals.

While a large portion of the Warriors championship core is injured, they’re still under contract for a significant chunk of the future. This roster could return to make a run at competing once healthy, but it’s going to take time.

Steve Kerr opted not to play Kevon Looney against the Trail Blazers, another Warrior who’s dealt with injury in 2019. Along with Looney, Draymond Green has already missed a couple of games due to load management while Curry and Thompson aren’t close to returning from injury.

While Golden State’s All-Stars are on the mend, the team is turning its focus on a batch of new faces. After the Warriors’ loss in Portland, Steve Kerr spoke to reporters about the decision to not play Looney until he’s fully healthy, while wanting to develop some of Golden State’s talent he’s still getting to know.

“This year is more about developing the players we don’t know about,” said Kerr. “It’s about getting the mainstays healthy— and I consider Loon a mainstay.”

With the roadmap set for the Warriors “mainstays,” Kerr and the Warriors need to assess who from their current roster can be a contributor on a contending team in the near future.

Players like Omari Spellman, Marquese Chriss, Willie Cauley-Stein, Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III have all shown glimpses of being solid role players alongside Green and D’Angelo Russell. Rookie Ky Bowman and Eric Paschall have steadily developed with increased opportunities.

Now it’s on Kerr, Bob Myers, and the rest of the Warriors front office to find out how they want to deploy their bevy of new faces around their championship core— whether that be further development or trading away pieces for future assets.

Kelenna Azubuike tells story of selling Knicks No.7 to Carmelo Anthony

When Kelenna Azubuike was still in the league, he sold his New York Knicks No.7 jersey to new teammate Carmelo Anthony, but for a lot less than what he expected.

Before taking the microphone as the Golden State Warriors broadcast analyst, Kelenna Azubuike played in the NBA from 2005-2012. Azubuike averaged 10.6 points per game over four seasons with the Warriors. However, his tenure in Golden State ended when he became apart of a package sent to New York in a sign-and-trade deal for David Lee.

Azubuike wore No. 7 in Golden State and continued to don the lucky number in New York until Carmelo Anthony arrived in the Big Apple.

In 2011 the Knicks acquired the All-Star forward from the Denver Nuggets. On arrival, Anthony requested Azubuike’s No. 7 jersey and got it.

When the Warriors traveled to Rip City, Anthony’s new home, Azubuike shared the story of what happened when he had to give up his No. 7 in the video below from NBC Sports Bay Area.

Like most professional sports jersey number exchanges, Azubuike expected Anthony to pay him handsomely for No. 7; instead, the former Kentucky Wildcat ended up with $3,000.

Upon first glance, $3,000 may seem like a nice come up for only exchanging a jersey number— yet, that season, Anthony cashed in a salary of $17,149,243 during his first year in New York while Azubuike notched $3,300,000 according to HoopsHype.

Six days after acquiring Anthony from Denver, the Knicks waived the then injured Azubuike from the team. During the Portland-Golden State broadcast, Azubuike joked that he’s still “salty” about having to sell Anthony his number for a low price.

With Azubuike on the call, Anthony got the last laugh as his Trail Blazers cruised by Golden State 122-112 in Portland.

Hot night beyond the arc not enough in Rip City, Warriors fall 122-112

Glenn Robinson III and D’Angelo Russell registered 16 long-distance makes, but it wasn’t enough to top Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in Portland.

If you’re a casual basketball fan and haven’t watched much of the Golden State Warriors in 2019, their late-December tilt in Portland was a perfect synopsis of their season to this point. 

Golden State fell behind early, but a valiant second-quarter effort by D’Angelo Russell and Eric Paschall opened the door for the Warriors to claw back into the game with the Blazers. Again Golden State was in the game against a favored opponent late. However, the talent in Portland’s backcourt was too much for the struggling Warriors to handle.

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 61 points, serving the Warriors a 122-112 loss in Portland. The Warriors have lost five straight, but will now head home to Chase Center for a five-game homestand over the holiday week.

Shades of the Splash Brothers

Without Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson on the floor, the Golden State Warriors have mightily struggled from beyond the arc, but in Portland, things changed. 

The Warriors knocked down 16 three-point shots—a season-high, stamping 42.1 percent from beyond the arc. Russell, Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson all nailed four or more threes; even Draymond Green hit a triple during the Dubs hot shooting night. Robinson knocked down a career-high, five baskets from beyond the arc. 

The Warriors have only registered double-digit three-point makes in two of their last eight matchups. The 16 threes were the most triples the Warriors have made since November 6 against the Houston Rockets. 

Return of the Rook

Rookie phenom Eric Paschall returned to the Warriors lineup after missing the previous two games with a sore hip. Paschall played 15 minutes, scoring 11 points and grabbing four rebounds off the bench. 

Paschall has been a regular in the Warriors starting lineup but came off the bench returning from injury. With the Warriors reasonably healthy for the first time in 2019, it was an excellent opportunity to see the second-round pick as the primary scoring option off the bench— a role he could see in the future when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson return. 

Uphill Climb 

The game got off to a bad start for Golden State when the Blazers dropped 40-points in the opening quarter against the Dubs. While Golden State registered a measly 37 percent shooting in the first, Portland shot 65 percent behind a 16-point quarter from the Oakland native, Lillard. The first quarter ended with Golden State trailing by 11— an uphill battle from the start for the struggling Warriors in the Moda Center. 

The Warriors fought their way back into a close game, but falling down 11 in the opening period didn’t help their comeback cause. 

Serbian rookie Alen Smailagic logs career night in G League Santa Cruz

The Warriors second round pick out of Serbia, Alen Smailagic scored 29-points in a career night for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.

A week ago, there was excitement in the air when the Golden State Warriors recalled, Serbian, Alen Smailagic from the G League. The second-round pick didn’t end up making his NBA debut and is now back in the G League— showing out.

Smailagic registered a career-night against the Agua Caliente Clippers, scoring 29 points on 66.7 percent shooting, adding five three-pointers. The 19-year old rookie added six rebounds, two blocks and three steals against the Clippers. Smailagic’s big night puts him a step closer to making his NBA debut with Golden State.

Smailagic has tallied 25-points or more in his past two games in the G League, dropping five three-pointers in each contest. Smailagic, at 6-foot-10, was primarily listed as an athletic banger and is now flexing a bit of shooting to his game, an impressive development by the Serbian who is still technically a teenager.

The rookies’ firsts season officially with Golden State was put on hold when he injured his ankle at the start of NBA training camp, once finally, healthy Smailagic reported to the Warriors G League affiliate in Santa Cruz.

Smailagic has only been down in the G League for nine games, but in each contest, the big-man is displaying a new skill. Smailagic is averaging 15.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game as the Sea Dubs starting center.

The Warriors frontline is a bit clogged with the arrival of Marquese Chriss along with Willie Cauley-Stein, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. While playing time in the NBA could be limited for Smailagic, expect him to continue to rack up minutes in the G League.

If Smailagic’s game keeps trending upwards, it could put the Warriors in a position where there only move is to bring up their 19-year old center.

Upcoming Warriors primetime game removed from ESPN national broadcast

Injuries and a down record has caused ESPN to pull the plug on the Warriors-Pelicans upcoming primetime matchup.

Just a year ago, the Golden State Warriors were the closest thing to must-watch basketball as the NBA could produce. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson launching three-pointers, Draymond Green barking at Kevin Durant, Demarcus Cousins on the road to recovery, all on the same basketball court equaled the perfect slice of NBA content.

Five straight NBA Finals, three NBA championships and a legendary cast of characters made Golden State the NBA’s destination for eyeballs. Fast forward to one quarter through the NBA 2019-20 season, things are entirely different.

The “Splash Brothers” are injured, Durant is in Brooklyn, Cousins is with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Warriors have a league-low, five wins. With the drop in star-power and lackluster record, the NBA is flexing the Warriors from another nationally televised primetime game.

USA Today’s Mark Medina reported ESPN would no longer broadcast the Warriors versus Pelicans game on December 20 at Chase Center.

Initially, the Friday nights tilt was to be headlined by Curry, Thompson and D’Angelo Russell against the 2019 NBA first overall draft pick Zion Williamson, but three of those four are now on the shelf. On top of the injuries, the Warriors and Pelicans have combined for 11 wins and 45 losses— the two bottom teams in the Western Conference.

Earlier in December, the NBA flexed two other Warriors featured games from the primetime schedule. If Golden State’s season continues to head down the path they’re on; this won’t be their last matchup removed from national television. Although, Golden State will still get a Christmas day broadcast against the Houston Rockets.

Rookie Eric Paschall to return vs. Blazers after two game absence

After missing the past two games for the Warriors with a sore hip, rookie Eric Paschall is returning to the Warriors lineup against the Portland Trailblazers with no minute restriction.

The injury bug has made its way up and down the Golden State Warriors roster with the latest bite coming to rookie Eric Paschall. The Dubs standout rookie missed the past two games with a nagging hip injury that’s stalled his Rookie of the Year campaign.

Luckily for Golden State, Steve Kerr said the Villanova product would return when the team travels to the Pacific Northwest to face the Portland Trailblazers.

The Warriors have lost eight of their last nine and could desperately use Paschall’s skillset. Paschall, a second-round pick, is putting together a memorable rookie year through the first quarter of the NBA season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds in 30.9 minutes per game.

Paschall’s struggled in his past two games, only scoring five points in each contest, but his sore hip has hampered his performance. The Warriors were cautious with their rookies hip giving him extra time to recover fully. When Paschall’s hip injury first came up against the New York Knicks, Kerr opted to not play him in the fourth quarter and overtime in a close game.

Kerr said Paschall would have no minute restriction when he returns to the lineup against Portland.

The Warriors are coming off one of their worst losses of the season against the Sacramento Kings. However, the last time Paschall suited up against Golden State’s next opponent, Portland, the rookie had a career day. If Paschall can replicate his 34 points and 13 rebound night like last time out against the Blazers, the Warriors could be in line for a victory in Portland.

Sports Business Journal names Warriors ‘Franchise of the Decade’

After 10-years of success, the Golden State Warriors were named “Franchise of the Decade” by the Sports Business Journal.

While the Golden State Warriors are struggling to cap off 2019, the organization owned the 2010 decade. Five consecutive NBA Final appearances, three championships, and one new arena all within 10-years earned Golden State the title of “Franchise of the Year” by the Sports Business Journal.

Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber’s group purchased the Warriors in 2010 and turned Golden State from lovable losers to perineal contenders. While the Warriors set a championship pace on the court, the Sports Business Journal praised what the Warriors were able to do off the court.

The brand new, privately funded, $1.4 billion arena known as Chase Center was the crown jewel to end the Warriors’ dominant decade. No other modern sports arena was privately financed and built on private property.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the Golden State Warriors were touted for their technological innovation. Inclusion of social media, mobile pay and a new gigantic LED scoreboard were all steps towards a modern basketball watching experience at Chase Center.

The Warriors have led the NBA in revenue over the past three seasons and their new location in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, the money is expected to keep flowing into Golden State.

Having a bevy of All-Stars across your rosters like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green help attract honors like “Franchise of the Decade.” Still, the Warriors ownership group and President Rick Welts deserve credit with this award.

The Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer, Welts called the award “Humbling,” in a Tweet celebrating the honor.

Golden State was named “Team of the Year” by the Sports Business Journal in 2014 and 2016; they were also finalists for the award five times during the decade.

Although the team only has five wins through the first quarter of the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors are still as big of a name brand as there is in the NBA. Their next challenge will be to parlay the success of the recent past into the start of the 2020-21 season.