Tag: Golden State

On Site: Suns and Warriors battle on Christmas Day

What you need to know before placing your bets

Two of the top teams in the Western Conference link up for the third time in the last month as the Suns look to grab a 2-1 series lead at home on Christmas. On Site checks in with Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic to set up the NBA’s marquee Christmas game.

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Alen Smailagic was working on his 3-point shot during Golden State’s offseason

During the Golden State Warriors’ extended offseason, 6-foot-10 forward Alen Smailagic spent time working on his 3-point jumper.

After being selected in the second round by the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA draft, Alen Smailagic split time between the Bay Area and the G League in his rookie debut.

Through 14 games in the NBA, Smailagic averaged 4.2 points on 50% shooting from the field with 1.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 9.9 minutes per game. With the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, the 6-foot-10 forward notched 15.2 points on 51.2% shooting with 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 19 games.

Heading into his sophomore year in the association, Smailagic could be adding an outside jumper to his game.

During his after practice media availability on Tuesday, Smailagic mentioned he’s been working on his 3-point shot “a lot” The 20-year-old said Golden State player development coach Seth Cooper has helped develop his long-distance game.

Over his time at the NBA club, Smailagic shot only 3-of-13 (23.1%) from beyond the arc as a rookie. His numbers improved at the G League level, shooting 34.1% on 4.3 attempts per contest.

Although he still has work to do, Steve Kerr envisions Smailagic could develop into a pick and pop shooter on offense at the NBA level.

Well, Smiley is still so young, we’re just trying to help him develop. He has to have a picture in his mind of how he can fit in the NBA. I think that’s as a pick and pop shooter offensively. He’s got to understand his responsibilities as a defensive player whether he’s at the four or the five. We’re trying to help him. He works really hard, he loves the game, but it’s a pretty steep learning curve at the NBA level and we’re just trying to help him through that process.

Listen to Smailagic and Kerr’s full post-practice pressers via Warriors SoundCloud.

With the status of the G League unclear, Smailagic will likely get the opportunity to compete for minutes in Golden State’s frontcourt behind the combination of Draymond Green, James Wiseman, Kevon Looney and Marquese Chriss.

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Watch: Steph Curry drills 3-pointer on assist from Eric Paschall at Warriors training camp

On a fast break, Eric Paschall found Steph Curry for a long-distance jumper in transition at Golden State’s preseason training camp practice.

After an extended offseason and a round of individual workouts, the Golden State Warriors have kicked off group practices at the 2020 edition of preseason training camp.

On the second day of practice at Chase Center in San Francisco, players were grouped for 5-on-5 work. On Twitter, the Warriors account shared four images of Golden State’s 5-on-5 session. Along with Stephen Curry, new Bay Area additions Kelly Oubre Jr., Brad Wanamaker and Kent Bazemore were featured in the practice photos.

Damion Lee, Marquese Chriss, Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nico Mannion and Alen Smailagic can also be spotted in the pictures from the second day of practice.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

As well as the photos, a video from Golden State’s Tuesday practice was also revealed. Anthony Slater of The Athletic shared a video from Golden State’s second practice on Twitter. Along with a spot of Oubre Jr. hitting a jumper, the video features a fast-break swish from the two-time Most Valuable Player.

Following a fight for a rebound with Kaleb Wesson, Paschall streaked down the court on a fast break before finding an open Curry for a long-distance jumper.

via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

After missing Golden State’s voluntary offseason minicamp, training camp is one of the first opportunities Curry’s had to work with Paschall on the court. Training camp will serve as a site for the 2020 All-Rookie First Team product and Curry to build chemistry.

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Steph Curry says there’s been ‘conversations’ about a new potential contract extension with the Warriors

During conversations about a potential contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry says “everything is on the table.”

After averaging 25.3 points on 46.8% shooting from the field with 6.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest over the 2016-17 season, Stephen Curry finalized a five-year, $201 million super-max contract with the Warriors at the start of the offseason.

Fast forward three years, Curry acknowledged there’s been “conversations” about another contract extension with the Golden State Warriors.

Following Golden State’s first practice at the 2020 preseason training camp, Curry said, “everything is on the table,” with a potential contract extension in Golden State.

We have conversations. Everything’s on the table right now. I know just in terms of everything I’ve talked about being a Warrior and what the future holds. Obviously, I’m fully committed on what that is. And understanding I’ve got to do what’s right for me and the team and then having those conversations. I feel blessed to be in a position where I can say that and truly believe it. It’s a matter of just letting things kind of play out the way that they should and that’s kind of where we’re at right now.

After getting drafted No. 7 overall by the Warriors in 2009, Curry has spent all 11 years of his NBA campaign wearing Golden State’s No. 30 kit. The five-time All-Star said it’s a “huge goal” to wear the same Golden State Warriors jersey for as long as he can in his career.

Wearing the same jersey for as long as I can, I think that’s a huge goal for sure. It’s an elite club of guys that you look at that have played with the same organization and been successful and achieved greatness in that respect. So that would be an awesome accomplishment — something that I’ve obviously spoken publicly about and am very committed to…

Listen to Curry’s full post-practice presser via Warriors SoundCloud.

If Curry and the Warriors can agree to an extension before the season opener against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 22, the two-time Most Valuable Player can tack on three years to his deal worth up to $156 million, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.

An extension before the Dec. 21 deadline could lock Curry up in Golden State until he’s 37-years-old. If the Warriors don’t ink Curry to an extension in 2020, the Warriors will have the opportunity to work a deal with the sharpshooting point guard during the 2021 offseason.

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Report: Draymond Green, James Wiseman miss Warriors first training camp practice after positive COVID 19 tests

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, Draymond Green and James Wiseman missed the Warriors’ first camp practice after positive COVID-19 tests.

After a period of individual workouts at Chase Center in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors were able to open group practice sessions at training camp on Monday. Yet, the Warriors were missing a pair of significant factors on the first day of practice.

Three-time All-Star Draymond Green and 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman were absent for Golden State’s first group practice at training camp.

After Steve Kerr mentioned Green and Wiseman missed practice in a post-practice press conference with media, the Warriors coach declined to specify the reason why both players were out. Kerr told reporters, “you can make your own deductions.”

According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, Green and Wiseman missed the opening practice due to testing positive for the coronavirus.

Via The San Francisco Chronicle:

Forward Draymond Green and rookie center James Wiseman — the No. 2 pick in last month’s draft — missed the Warriors’ first group practice of training camp Monday after testing positive for the coronavirus, a league source confirmed with The Chronicle.

On Tuesday of last week, general manager Bob Myers announced the Warriors would delay their first day of practice due to two players testing positive for coronavirus.

Per league protocols, both players would need to quarantine away from the team for 10 to 12 days and record two negative COVID-19 tests before rejoining the Warriors on the practice floor.

The Warriors aren’t the only team in the NBA navigating through positive coronavirus tests. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, 48 players around the league have tested positive for COVID-19 during the initial testing phase from late November. After a trio of positive tests, the Portland Trail Blazers made the decision to shut down their facility.

Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:

Although he wasn’t available for Golden State’s first practice, Kerr said he’s “not worried” about the former Defensive Player of the Year.

When he’s ready to go, he’ll be out there. I’m not worried about Draymond [Green]. He’s got a better feel for what we do than anybody. He’ll be fine once he gets rolling with practice.

With Wiseman not on the floor for practice yet, Kerr said the Warriors coaching staff is showing film along with giving him some homework to work on.

It’s unfortunate, but it’s just the way it goes. Our coaching staff has been showing him tape the last few days. He’s still getting some homework in between now and the time he will be able to play again. It’s not ideal, but nothing’s ideal for anybody in 2020.

Listen to Kerr’s full post-practice presser via Warriors SoundCloud.

While it’s still unclear when Green and Wiseman will officially be able to return to practice, both players will likely miss Golden State’s first preseason game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Chase Center.

Kelly Oubre Jr. can’t wait to wreak ‘havoc’ with Andrew Wiggins in Golden State

As teammates with the Golden State Warriors, Kelly Oubre Jr. can’t wait to wreak “havoc” with fellow Kansas Jayhawk product Andrew Wiggins.

Although 2020-21 will be Kelly Oubre Jr., and Andrew Wiggins first season as teammates for the Golden State Warriors, the duo shares something in common. Before jumping to the NBA level, Oubre Jr. and Wiggins each played for Bil Self at the University of Kansas.

Before getting drafted with the first overall pick in 2014, Wiggins tallied 17.1 points on 44.8% shooting from the field with 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals during his only season for the Jayhawks.

One year later, Oubre Jr. earned Big 12 All-Freshman honors while averaging 9.3 points on 44.4% shooting from the field with five rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

Despite not playing together in Lawerence, Oubre Jr. said he shares a connection with Wiggins. During a training camp press conference with media, Oubre Jr. spoke about meeting Wiggins at his Kansas college visit.

He’s a great dude. He’s very low key like myself. We get to connect in being introverts. It’s really a great feeling to finally be able to play with him. When I went on my visit to Kansas, he was there, obviously. And I got to talk to him and just ask him some questions to pick his brain. Now that we’re on the same side — we’ve always had that bond and that connection that we can just continue to follow through with.

When asked about “creating havoc” with Wiggins on the wing in Golden State, Oubre Jr. said he “can’t wait.”

Havoc. I can’t wait to wreak it with my boy.

Listen to Oubre Jr.’s full press conference via Warriors SoundCloud. 

Without Klay Thompson, Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors will likely lean on Oubre Jr. and Wiggins to fill the five-time All-Star’s scoring and defensive role.

During Golden State’s preseason training camp, Oubre Jr. and Wiggins will have the opportunity to build on the chemistry the duo initially created with their Kansas connection.

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Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins signs new shoe deal with Peak

Before the start of the 2020-21 NBA season, Andrew Wiggins announced he’s joining the Chinese basketball apparel brand Peak on a shoe deal.

When he begins his first full campaign with the Golden State Warriors, Andrew Wiggins will be wearing some new kicks at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

Before the start of the 2020-21 NBA season, Andrew Wiggins announced on Twitter he will be joining the Chinese brand Peak on a shoe deal. In a message on social media, Wiggins tweeted he’s “excited” to join the Peak family.

Via @22wiggins on Twitter:

According to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, Wiggins will represent the brand on a multi-year deal. Former and current NBA players like Dwight Howard, Lou Williams and Tony Parker have signed shoe deals with Peak in the past, per DePaula.

Via @NickDePaula on Twitter:

The former No. 1 overall pick will join a handful of other members of the Golden State Warriors on shoe deals. Draymond Green and Kelly Oubre Jr. are with Converse, while Klay Thompson is on a deal with Anta. On Monday, Steph Curry and Under Armour launched the signature standalone “Curry Brand” for shoes and apparel.

During his 12 game stint in the Bay Area, Wiggins tallied 19.4 points on 45.7% shooting from the field with 4.6 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals.

Wiggins will have the opportunity to display his new Peak shoes in Golden State’s first preseason game against the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 12 at Chase Center.

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Warriors to host Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers in 2020-21 home opener on New Year’s Day at Chase Center

On New Year’s Day, the Warriors will welcome Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and the Trail Blazers for the 2021 home opener at Chase Center.

After registering a flurry of scorching performances in the NBA’s Orlando Bubble, Damian Lillard will lead the Portland Trail Blazers into Chase Center for the Golden State Warriors home opener of the 2020-21 NBA season.

The Warriors will start their 2020-21 campaign with four consecutive road tilts on the east coast, including opening night against Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets and Christmas Day against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

In eight regular-season games at Disney World, Lillard averaged a notable 37.6 points on 49.7% shooting from the field with 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In four postseason games against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Lillard tallied 34 points twice.

Prior to entering the Orlando Bubble, Lillard notched a career-high 61 points on 17-of-37 shooting from the field against the Warriors in January. The five-time All-Star drilled 11 triples on 20 attempts from beyond the arc in Portland’s 129-124 overtime victory.

Over his eight-year career, the Bay Area native has recorded a handful of steady battles against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. After eight months away from Chase Center, Curry will begin his home campaign with Lillard on the opposite end of the floor.

Along with the featured matchup between Lillard, CJ McCollum and Curry, Golden State’s home game against Portland will be the Bay Area debuts of No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman and new addition Kelly Oubre Jr.

View Golden State’s complete schedule for the first 27 games via @warriorsPR on Twitter:

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Golden State Warriors reveal first half of games on 2020-21 NBA season schedule

After starting the season with trips to Brooklyn and Milwaukee, the Warriors revealed the first half of games on their 2020-21 schedule.

Over the last eight months, the Golden State Warriors basketball calendar has remained empty. On Friday, that changed.

After announcing the opening week of the 2020-21 season that featured a pair of Warriors road games, the NBA announced the first 37 games on the schedule.

Following Golden State’s nationally televised games on opening night against the Brooklyn Nets and Christmas Day’s contest against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors will cap off a four-game east coast road trip before returning to the Bay Area for their home opener at Chase Center.

On New Year’s Day, the Warriors will welcome Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers to San Francisco for the first game at Chase Center since March. Golden State’s New Year’s Day tilt against the Trail Blazers will start a seven-game homestand. In January, the Warriors will play 12 of their 17 games at Chase Center.

With seven of their first 10 games coming against fellow postseason contenders like the Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors, the Warriors will quickly find out what type of team they have with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, James Wiseman, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Andrew Wiggins.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Warriors will take a trip to Southern California for their first game against the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors will match up with the Lakers again in Los Angeles at the end of February.

View Golden State’s full 37 game schedule via @WarriorsPR on Twitter:

Warriors reveal ‘Oakland Forever’ inspired court to match new uniforms

Along with the Golden State Warriors’ new “Oakland Forever” uniform, Chase Center will be getting a new court design to match the jersey.

When Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors make their long-awaited return to San Francisco’s Chase Center, they will have a new set of uniforms in the rotation.

In early November, the Warriors revealed their “Oakland Forever” city edition unform combination. With navy blue, orange and gold the primary colors, the new uniform mirrors Golden State’s classic look from the “We Believe” era. However, instead of “Warriors,” the jersey’s center chest piece reads “Oakland.”

Via @warriors on Twitter:

Along with Golden State’s new item in the closet, Chase Center will be getting a new floor court design to match the uniform. On Thursday, the Warriors unveiled a new hardwood court layout to match the new Oakland Forever jersey.

Here is another look at the Warriors new floor via @957TheGame on Twitter:

With the season slated to begin on Dec. 22, it’s still unclear when the Warriors will debut their new look at Chase Center. The Warriors will start the season with back-to-back road games in Brooklyn and Milwaukee. The Warriors could don their new uniforms once they return to San Francisco for their first homestand of the 2020-21 season.

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