Anthony Slater of The Athletic wonders if second-year reserve point guard Jordan Poole should be given the keys to the Warriors‘ bench ahead of current main backup point guard Brad Wanamaker.
Poole has struggled to carve out consistent minutes in Golden State’s rotation this season, as he appears better-suited toward a play-maker role than an off-ball one, and yet he has frequently been slotted in the latter position to accommodate Wanamaker. Poole has flashed his bona fides in the NBAGL Orlando “bubble” thus far, averaging 22.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 3.8 APG in eight games for the Santa Cruz Warriors.
There’s more out of California:
- Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James is happy with his heavy minutes load, even in his 18th NBA season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. In February alone, James has played more than 40 minutes in four games. “This is a fast turnaround from last season, and we all wish we could have more rest,” James acknowledged. “But I’m here to work, I’m here to punch my clock in and be available to my teammates.” With starters Dennis Schroder and Anthony Davis both recently sidelined, James has been needed more than usual to help Los Angeles. He is currently averaging 35.0 MPG.
- Kings backup swingmen DaQuan Jeffries and Robert Woodard II represent the ideal athletic, big wing defenders Sacramento’s front office is targeting, writes Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.“Toughness on the defensive side of the ball is definitely something [Jeffries] brings,” center Richaun Holmes said. Kings head coach Luke Walton also expressed excitement for Woodard. “Woodard, obviously he’s a rookie and he needs a ton of experience himself, and he’s getting some good experience down in the [NBA G League] bubble right now.”
- Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams lauded the defensive development of swingman Andrew Wiggins, according to Drew Shiller of NBC Sports Bay Area. “His total defensive game is coming along,” Adams said. “He’s getting better on the help side.” Adams cited one area in which he would like to see Wiggins continue to grow. “Like any player he has a few things he can improve — we’d like to see him rebound [he’s averaging 4.7 per game] a little bit better.”
Lebron now that’s how you set an example and lead a team. No excuses. Just leave it all out there. Hey may be able to afford to take a quarter off, but he knows his teammates cannot, so he doesn’t. Class all the way. That’s why Lakers are a champion.
still, he could not sink a free throw.. LOL
Because usually when he misses now he is short.. that is mainly due to legs being tired … that’s why I’d everyone else was healthy he could sit out few more minutes here and there but he can’t. Called being a leader
Glad there are people that think this. That is why he is in the conversation with MJ and Kobe and other greats. They dedicate everything in their lives to being the greatest.
Lebron James love him or not spends 1 million a year taking care of himself to be at his best. Not many players do this. That’s why he is still so good at 36
lmao what? didnt lebron miss a week in 2014 when he was playing garbage for “rest” …MJ and Kobe played hard all 48 minutes..Lebron disappears in the 4th or chokes
It hasn’t really been working lately for his team losing 4 of their last 5 (and counting). All they’re accomplishing by doing this is exposing LeBron to getting injured again after he missed a career high 27 games in his first season there. And even if he manages to stay healthy it’s just a matter of time until he wears out during the playoffs. Go ahead and play 40+ MPG.
The next time he wears out in the playoffs will be the first time
Im sure you’ll let us know if/when it ever happens with great joy tho
Until then, why dont you just pop some popcorn and enjoy the show
Whatever you say. The Lakers are barely holding on to 3rd place right now and by the AS break they could easily be down to 4th or 5th place. If they want to run LBJ into the ground in the meantime, let’s see how well he holds up at age 36 even though he is made of titanium. Or at least his delusional fans think he is. We’ll see.
Delusional fans? Bro you need to take a good look at yourself.
@walladipowoody…H8TER!!!
Your arguing for mediocrity, perhaps its your personal ceiling and cant fathom what a legend does properly night in night out….perhaps your life is just filled with hate…..idk …. but I do know its probably causing you to miss out on quite a few special things going on in sports today if this is your mind state
I am not a Lebron fan by any means.. I’ve always been more of a melo guy, but that’s a bs statement bro lol. The only time Lebron has missed any time was when he took half the year off cuz his team sucked.
Missing 27 games due to a groin injury isn’t “taking time off”.
No, they shut him down at the end. RoboHoustonHomer leads in delusion and sinister thoughts. Every year you miss horribly on LJ.
You’re confusing him with Harden. Even if he was worn out he would lose it on the playing field. Not sit on bench for gm 7. You think Lakers are making him do this ????
Have always liked Wiggins. Too bad Minny was happy with him just scoring. And never pushed him to be better all around. Thibs tried with Jimmy and,… well we all know what happened. I’ve watched every chance I’ve gotten to see his play. And I agree his D has gotten better. He’s even trying to fit in the system in GS. He’s not a pure shooter like Klay. So it hasn’t been easy, he’s more a scorer. But I see him consciously trying to fit in. To me his all around gm is better. Even though his scoring is down. Warrior system imo doesn’t really bring out the best of him. Especially when you have a similar player like Obrue next to him. Warriors would be better off trading one of them. I’d love to see Wiggins in NY at SF. This city would bring out the best in him. He’s a high flyer and we love that.
It can’t happen because the knicks have nobody that makes that much money. The money could never equal out. I do see Knicks going after Oubre since they have the money to spend in the off season.
We are 18 mill under cap. We can pull it off. Just think Warriors would want too much.
And Obrue is not staying to come off bench. He’s a FA and at 25 another team will offer him money and a starting role. Warriors would be wise to trade him now.
What do you mean? Wiggins is shooting the ball better than he ever has. His defense is growing. Why would he want to move to NY? If Oubre stays, he will be the leader of the second unit. It’s all about depth.
I can’t stand Wannamker. He is a average bench player that doesn’t do anything above average. Warriors need a much better PG to back up curry. Somebody that passes the ball. Wannamaker picks up his dribble and then make bad passes.
He’s way below average. He sucks.
Al doesn’t speak for any Knick fan I’ve ever known, and I know a city full. Real Knick fans (to use his phrase) like cerebral, high IQ, tough-minded players. The opposite of Wiggins. He wouldn’t last a year at a full MSG before he’d be hiding under his bed, like DSJ.
Wiggins isn’t a bad player. But he’s a 26 year old player making max. An AC on his team comes out saying he’s (finally) coming along on the defensive end, albeit without being much of a rebounder. Since he’s also a subpar shooter, exactly what does he do really well? Other than dunk.
45%-49% scoring from the field, 38-40% from three and always defend the best players every day. His defense skill is all nba Niveau. Okey his contract is 5-10 mio to hight but the player Wiggins is respectable.
The last 3 years he’s been a 33% three pt shooter (also career-wise). Below 70% on FTs. For a starting wing, these are bad shooting numbers. Until this year (30 games) he’s graded out as a subpar defender, and he’s certainly not all-NBA this year. Like I said, he’s not a bad player. But he’s a low end starter on a good team, who’s at an age where that shouldn’t be expected to change.
Given the Knicks history, aren’t they all hiding under there bed? They’ve been pretty bad for a long time. Of course he wouldn’t last at MSG, you kind of give up when you know there is no chance of winning.
Seriously, I like a knicks fan acting like they’ve got a high bar for quality basketball when they’ve been the worst franchise in sports for about 20 years
What I know about ball has nothing to do. With what strangers running my team do with it. I know the history from day one. And I can explain it to you. The difference with real Knick fans and fanatics like you. Is we actually care enough to explain our plight. Not just scream how bad some one is. I doubt you even understand what a real fan is. Reality is a conversation or debate of things we really can’t control. And still be able to look forward to better days. Reality is not just wins and loses. That’s for the inept fan who needs an outlet.
No. Real players never hide under their bed, or quit for any reason. You apparently (of course) do both, regularly, when faced with adversity (and perhaps otherwise), but that’s a character flaw that I’d prefer Knick players not have.
By all your replies on here. You hardly ever tweak my interest based on intelligent responses. WTFAareU. The NYK tough guys police. One thing you got right. Is no one, You’ve ever known. I wouldn’t waste my time with ineptitude lol. Fact that I like a player. Is no ones business but my own. You can disagree about NY. So let me explain it to you directly. You look at Wiggins as weak. While using Smith is a weak argument. I mean super weak. And I do agree he is not a NY guy. And I’ve been saying it here for two yrs. Knicks deserve60% of blame for that. So it tells me you are just about blaming failures. I could explain it but it would take too much space. Wiggins at 26 has been thru a lot. He’s been shown the bad side of expectations. The ones you spout and the haters. It’s real easy to be critical. It takes a wise person to understand the reasons and a fit n fix (Thibs). I doubt you are even a Knick fan or a NYer. One man, one man Thibs. Is the difference between this team last yr and this yr. it’s the same freakin roster. That’s what cerebral IQ ballers can do. Wiggins is younger than Randle. So you think he’s drinking his own concoction. That no one cone else can do it. Wiggins has shown his IQand willingness to grow this yr. it’s what I posted, it’s why I, not you or anyone else. Its why I think he can still develop into a better player. It’s written in English on previous post. He’s a more complete player now. His scoring is down that’s due to him trying to fit in. He’s actually fitting into Warriors system n playing D. So you take that willingness add Thibs. And most of all a NY crowd dying to become a winner. I see Wiggins doing what he does best. A high flyier who puts up 22-24 a night. Cause I know how my crowd can get behind a talent and help push him to reach new heights. Like Linsanity. The difference between us is I believe in him and you don’t. It’s actually pretty simple. I can explain it and you just hate on it. You want to debunk a reply, then do it. Don’t use NY like you know something. I grew up playing in every borough and practically every park in NY. There’s nothing I don’t know about the Real NYC. Stick to ball you got a better shot.
Not trying to jump in your guys NY debate…but I personally think DXC is one of the best posters on here who backs up every one of his opinions with solid data at every turn (Not that I agree with every single thing he says)
AL your passion for the Knicks is certainly admirable tho, I think your a great fan in a very very tough atmosphere to remain this loyal and forthright ; kudos
Debate/disagreement can be a great teaching lesson, as long as everyones open to that and all punches are above the belt a little arguing/passion isnt a bad thing
Thanks for the mention, and for the last paragraph (very true, still).
LOL. Al, you have issues. Your post (diatribe) is a grammatical and logistical mess. There was no hate in my post. I merely stated the FACT that you do not speak for Knick fans generally (which you like to purport to do), and gave my (different) opinion on Wiggins, generally, and as to his potential fit with the Knicks. That’s what message boards are about, people setting forth differing opinions. Some are backed up, some aren’t, but people take from it what they will. Some may find your posts convincing; others won’t. Try to deal with that better, and know that touting your background, purporting to speak for others, and creating straw men, are all fallacious methods of reasoning.
True that. Surprised at the Wiggins advocacy for the Nix. K.Al likes stats but only basic stats.
Maybe when AW’s cheaper, not until 2023 at least.
What I am wondering is who really cares what Anthony Carter of the Athletic is wondering. He gets paid for wondering. His wondering is boring. Why should I care about what Anthony Carter. Who is Anthony Carter.
Anthony Slater? Big rep possibly due to the success of the team he covers. Unique but may be overrated… He pushed a long time for GSW getting Oubre.
Half sportswriters in the world could go away and nobody would notice. I get tired of their speculation. Poole is starting put together a nice series of games for Santa Cruz. To bad they are playing such a short season. There is no need to rush him. Give him time and he’ll force his way into the rotation.
Wanamaker is trash. Why does this guy keep getting contracts?