Tag: Golden State

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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Andrew Wiggins shares he’s put on ‘a couple of pounds of muscle’ during Warriors offseason

During the Golden State Warriors extended offseason, Andrew Wiggins admitted to adding “a couple of pounds of muscle” to his 6-foot-7 frame.

During the Golden State Warriors extended offseason period, multiple videos and photos were shared of Andrew Wiggins working in the gym. The former Rookie of the Year was practicing his drives to the bucket, long-distance shooting and more. 

When Wiggins wasn’t on the court refining his game, it looks like the 25-year-old was hitting the weights. On Wednesday, the Warriors shared a bevy of photos as players return to Chase Center for the start of preseason training camp. 

In one photo, it’s easy to spot the layer of new muscles on Wiggins’ arms. In a press conference with Bay Area media, the small forward was asked about his offseason workout plan. Wiggins admitted to gaining “a couple of” pounds of muscle. 

I put on a couple of pounds of muscle. Just a couple of pounds. Just a few. I definitely feel stronger. I feel faster, stronger. I feel good. Coming into the season, I feel the best I’ve ever felt ever. 

Via @warriors on Twitter: 

Listen to his full pre-training camp interview with media via Warriors SoundCloud. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wiggins’ first run of action with the Golden State Warriors was limited to only 12 games. During that span, Wiggins averaged 19.4 points on 45.7% shooting from the field with 4.6 boards, 3.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest. 

With Klay Thompson set to miss the entire season with a torn Achilles, the Warriors will likely lean on Wiggins over his first full season in the Bay Area. 

Wiggins will have the rest of training camp to build chemistry with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Kelly Oubre Jr., and James Wiseman before the season begins on Dec. 22 against the Brooklyn Nets. 

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Report: Warriors scheduled to play Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, the Golden State Warriors will travel to Milwaukee for a holiday tilt against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

After eight months away from the court, Golden State Warriors basketball will soon make its return to primetime. With preseason training camp underway, the 2020-21 schedule is being pieced together.

Although Golden State’s NBA Finals and postseason streaks are over, the team is reportedly extending their run of playing on Christmas Day. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors will be a featured team on the league’s Christmas Day slate.

While the schedule is still tentative, the Warriors will travel to Milwaukee for a holiday tilt against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks at 2:30 p.m. EST.

Joining the Bucks and Warriors, Christmas Day will feature five other games, including the New Orleans Pelicans at the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, the Brooklyn Nets versus the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks against the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. For the Christmas nightcap, the Denver Nuggets will host Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Via @wojespn on Twitter:

During a season filled with injuries and struggles, Golden State’s Christmas Day effort provided one of the highlights of the 2019-20 campaign. Damion Lee led the Warriors against the Houston Rockets with 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field with a career-high 15 rebounds. Draymond Green added a vintage performance with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in Golden State’s 114-106 win over James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Rockets.

Only three days into the season, Golden State’s Christmas Day contest will provide a chance to measure where they stand in the NBA’s hierarchy. With a healthy Stephen Curry back in the lineup with Green, Kelly Oubre Jr., James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins, the matchup on Chritsmas Day against Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton will be a chance to test where the Warriors stand against a team with deep postseason aspirations.

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Draymond Green, Steve Kerr and other former Warriors react to Andrew Bogut’s retirement

After Andrew Bogut announced his retirement from basketball, Steve Kerr and Draymond Green chimed in on Twitter to appreciate the Warriors’ former center.

On a Monday edition of his podcast “Rogue Bouges,” Andrew Bogut announced he’s retiring from basketball after 14 seasons in the association. After being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2005 NBA draft, Bogut played for five different teams during his 14 season career. In 2012, the seven-foot center was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a deal that included Monta Ellis moving to the Eastern Conference.

Over five seasons in the Bay Area, Bogut averaged 6.1 points on 57.9% shooting from the field with 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks in 23.2 minutes per contest. As a Warrior, the Australian big man notched an NBA championship ring in 2015 as Golden State’s starting center along with earning a spot on the league’s All-Defensive Second Team.

Outside of his time in Golden State and Milwaukee, Bogut played short stints with the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Along with his ever unique ability to find an open Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson from the post for an open shot on the perimeter, Bogut’s consistent defensive leadership helped build a stout frontcourt next to a young Draymond Green.

Following his retirement announcement, Bogut’s former coach and teammates chimed in on social media. Steve Kerr, Green and some of his former teammates, including members of Golden State’s 2015 championship roster congratulated Bogut for a strong NBA career with messages of support on Twitter.

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Former Warrior Andrew Bogut announces retirement after 14 seasons in NBA

After 14 seasons in the NBA, including five with the Warriors, Australian center Andrew Bogut has announced his retirement from basketball.

To open the 2005 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Australian center Andrew Bogut out of the University of Utah with the No. 1 overall selection. Fourteen seasons later, the big man is hanging up his jersey.

On Tuesday, Bogut announced his retirement on his podcast “Rogues Bogues.” After a reunion with the Golden State Warriors during the 2018-19 season, Bogut played the 2019-20 season with the Sydney Kings in Australia’s NBL.

Following seven seasons to start his career in Milwaukee, Bogut was traded to the Warriors in a blockbuster deal that featured Bay Area crowd favorite Monta Ellis.

Bogut initially spent four seasons in Golden State, tallying 6.3 points on 58.1% shooting from the field with 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.6 blocks in 23.7 minutes per contest.

The seven-footer was a key piece on Golden State’s run to an NBA championship in 2015. After stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, Bogut rejoined Golden State for 11 games and the playoffs in the 2018-19 season.

Next to NBA champion, Bogut earned several accolades and honors during his time on the hardwood. In 2010, Bogut was named to the All-NBA Third Team. He also earned spots on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2015 and the All-Rookie First Team in 2006. In 2011, Bogut led the NBA in blocks.

On Twitter, the Golden State Warriors thanked the 36-year-old center.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

Along with his fierce defensive prowess and strength as a leader, Bogut will be remembered for his crafty vision as a passer from the post. The big man had a knack for finding Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson leaking away for an open jumper from beyond the arc.

Bogut will finish his 14-year career averaging 9.6 points on 53.5% shooting from the field with 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 blocks.

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