Stephen Curry remains optimistic that the Warriors can retain their status as an elite team, Janie McCauley of The Associated Press reports. Despite losing Kevin Durant in free agency and Klay Thompson to a major knee injury, along with trading Andre Iguodala, Curry believes younger players and key additions are ready for the challenge.
“It’s just a change in dynamic all the way around,” the Warriors’ star guard said. “We’re excited about the opportunities, the challenges for the whole roster, because we’ve got a lot of guys that have the opportunity to really prove themselves and make a difference in our team. Obviously our core, ’til Klay gets back, we know how to win and we know how to play. We’re just going to do it a little differently.”
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors have named Aaron Miles as a player development coach, according to a team press release. He served as the head coach of the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors for the past two seasons, posting a 57-43 record. Miles’ promotion was previously reported by 2 Ways & 10 Days. Kris Weems has officially been named the organization’s new G League coach.
- Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox has caught everyone’s attention at the USA Basketball training camp with his quickness and Celtics guard Kemba Walker sees Fox’s jumper improving as well. “What impressed me the most is probably his shooting,” Walker told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk and other reporters. “He has really been knocking it down. That is what is going to take him to that next level. Like for myself entering the league, the next step for me was my jump shot. That is what helped me get to the next level.” Whenever he consistently gets that, it will be over.” Fox shot 45.8% overall and 37.1% from long range in his second NBA season.
- Luke Walton has already made a good impression with Kings players prior to training camp, as Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register details. Big man Marvin Bagley is one of the players that Walton has supervised during personal workouts. “He’s been there helping me out,” Bagley said of his new coach. “Been there for my workouts, telling me what I’m doing right, what I’m doing wrong, what I need to get better at. I think it’s gonna be an exciting year. I’m looking forward to playing for him as a head coach and getting into it.”
If the Warriors had reliable depth to keep them afloat for the first 55 games they will be struggling through without Klay Thompson available, then perhaps they would still be an elite team as Curry and Draymond keep insisting they are. But the fact remains that Curry, Green, and Russell can’t do it all themselves even with the help of Caulie-Stein. Especially on the defensive end of the court where they will be exposed as one of the worst in the entire NBA.
The warriors have had a top defense for years now. Your seething hate is all too transparent. Your post comes off as the wishful thinking from a fan of an inferior team.
What do you expect from a Rocket fan. Just think for the last 5 years they have been chasing GSW with the same results out of the playoffs. Warriors have got a lot younger and more athletic this off season.
Wtf are you talking about? Know the stats before you post. The Warriors were in the mid teens all year last year defensively, and will only be worst now and without as much offense to boost them
The warriors had a mid teens defense last year. They will be worst this year.
Know stats before you post.
Agree the warriors won’t be as good overall especially defensively.
But do you really hang on what players say in interviews? They’re not going to come out and say they will be worse outright.
How dumb is that?
The Warriors pretty much have the worst group of SFs out of all contenders, and SGs, too if only counting natural positions (so, excluding Russel) until Thompson comes back. Unless their last first and two late seconds are steals, the best wing players are Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks, who both averaged around 15 mins recently on not so deep teams. Those two players being the best 3s are worrying for a contender.
Plus, the Warriors’ best lineups during the Finals runs, the Death Lineup and the later Hamptons Five, are no longer available. Iguodala is gone and Warriors don’t even have a 3 as good as Barnes now.
Well get’em while you can!
?
As opposed to in the playoffs, when the SF spot will likely be well filled, and D’lo integrated.
The last 2 years Iggy and Livinston were hurt for much of the regular season taking many days off. Warriors are younger this year with hungry players. They have also drafted defense first players.
They have less talent, no matter if they are younger. Merely being younger is not enough
I fully expect the Warriors to still be one of the best teams in the NBA. Somehow it seems like Curry is underrated. I’m not saying they will have the #1 record. But they will be great.