Most coaches stick with a nine- or 10-man rotation. Warriors coach Steve Kerr feels he has so many bench options, he can use a dozen players during the course of a game.
That was on display on opening night, as Golden State blew out Portland. Early in the second quarter, 12 players had already seen the floor.
“This is as deep of a team as I’ve ever coached, and we’ve got to lean into that,” Kerr said, per ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. “I’ve never played 12 before, but we’re going to do it. I was thinking, well, maybe I’ll just play 10 and we’ll have to tell two of these guys that they’re going to sit. But I just couldn’t justify that.”
We have more from the Western Conference:
- JJ Redick‘s plans to feature Anthony Davis in his Lakers offense was on display opening night against Minnesota, The Athletic’s Sam Amick writes. Signed through the 2027/28 season, Davis racked up 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal. He also attempted 23 shots on which he’s wasn’t fouled. “I think it’s a good first step of seeing how (Redick) wants me to play and how he wants me to be that hub and to orchestrate the offense, in a sense,” he said.
- Ja Morant was limited to nine games last season due to a suspension and a shoulder injury. He came back strong in the Grizzlies’ opener, contributing 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in 28 minutes against Utah. “My job as a point guard is to control the game,” said Morant, per the Associated Press. “I hate if I let the other team’s point guard control the game. Whatever I can do to make sure it’s in our favor, I try to do.”
- It was an ominous start for the Pelicans, as Zion Williamson sat out with an illness against Chicago and Dejounte Murray broke his hand. Trey Murphy was already out with a hamstring strain. “Guys are ready for more opportunities whenever they may come. … It’s unfortunate that injuries are part of the game, but they happen sometimes. That’s why you need depth on your roster to compete in an 82-game season,” CJ McCollum to William Guillory of The Athletic.
NBA experts are sleeping on how good the warriors could be. Hield is going to do better than Thompson. They played the entire bench last night even sitting Curry when he was 1 rebound away from a triple double in the third quarter. They team looks like they are having fun out there unlike last year when a few grumpy players complaining about starting.
Whoa whoa whoa, hold your horses. The Blazers are going to stuggle to have a winning record this year. You watched the first quarter didn’t you? They didn’t look like champions for those 12 minutes did they?
But with that said and out of the way, let me Proclaim with the loudest voice ever,
KLAY WHO !!!?
Let’s go, I can’t wait for the other games to come. Let’s see how they do against the upper echelon. Let’s see that defense really lock down some of these great players in the west.
But yes it looks like they were having fun. As we all know, winning cures many ills. Let’s see how that looks in January after a six game losing streak.
But I’m not too worried, they don’t sign veterans that hang their heads. These are all good attitude guys and it starts at the top of course with Steph Curry.
last year the warriors win this game by less than 10 points. They play defense this year and there is a lot of chemistry between player unlike last year.
I love how this roster has so many options, they can go D-heavy, O-heavy, all-big, all-small (like Kerr did in 1Q, of course), multiple playmakers, multiple scorers…this year is already fun!
It’s a much more elevated unit than 2021-22, who had a 2W player in Chiozza playing backup PG most of the regular season – this unit has Melton and Podz who are 1000x better than Chiozza in that role. Stuff like that makes me think this team has “it”.
Warriors played horribly last night esp 1st quarter. Hield was awesome and he is an upgrade over Klay. That being said, there is a reason he is a journeyman. Dray still feels like timebomb.
“Warriors played horribly last night esp 1st quarter.” They won by 35 points, one would argue they didn’t play bad at any point. They merely started the game shooting 2 for 14, they still played well, then water found its level and the shots went in at a more normal rate.
How can you be so negative all the time? Steph brings joy, this team brings more joy than anything and you are stuck in argument mode. Just enjoy the season, its gunna be a fun one!!!
Curry being 1 rebound away from a triple double in 25 mins really proved he’s still Him. The GOAT. Better than Bron and always was!
Strange quote from Steve Kerr. How do you play 12 guys regularly? I think a standard rotation is Max of 10.
It may work if he has a plan to stagger minutes.., for instance one game the 10th man will get 18 minutes, the next game he won’t and the 12th man will get 18 minutes instead. Unless you do that there will be grumbling. You can’t play guys 8 through 12 seven minutes each. Will not and cannot work.
You can’t play 12 consistently. That’s trying to make too many guys happy. You can’t make everyone happy, you have to do what’s right.
That said, how do you keep Waters on the bench? This guy is going to find a way to play and I’d almost want him out there before.., gasp!!…, Moses Moody!!
It is just a warning to the team that not every player is going to play but they deserve to play. Last night he only had his vets play 25 minutes or less. You know how injuries happen so even if a few players go down you have other waiting for minutes. keeps the old guys fresh not playing deep minutes.
The rotation at least for the 1st game was based on seniority or vets feelngs. It’s like pecking order. Kuminga was 1st to be benched and Moody was the 12th to play. Hield first off the bench and so on… Podz and Hield looked great.
I am worried about Kuminga if the contract situation gets into his head. He looked like he was pressing in the first quarter trying to score.
arc89 , that’s a good observation about Kuminga. He definitely looked like he was pressing and, even for him, showing frustration.
It puts Kerr in a tough spot.
Are we really over-analyzing opening night 1Q? Of a game they won by 35? Cmon
Hmmm almost like I was right and everyone who called me stupid and other disrespectful adjectives were wrong – wow, this keeps happening, its almost like I know ball and am right earlier than anyone about all my takes, or something….
Who was the one who literally was like “no, your really takes are so bad, no one EVER uses more 10 men in a rotation” – I was right and that troll was wrong!
Oh yeah, hey Gary I knew you were possessed by the ghosts of hoop past when you said “Buddy will play more than Moody” after my “controversial” mins breakdown that uhhh…was close to right? I said Moody(15)/Buddy(15)/Melton(19) would all get 16 MPG and Podz would get all the non-Steph mins along with some time alongside Steph, like a week ago. Obviously I wasnt talking about concrete playing time like “they are only ever gunna play 16 MPG” thats silly. But I was close about something that got people heated!
Davey J, That’s not a reasonable interpretation of the numbers.
Moody was the last guy off the bench; got 5+ minutes of garbage time and scored the majority of his 15 points then; and went 3-for-8 from 3. He was the last guy of the bench.
Hield was the first guy off the bench, played no garbage time, scored 22 points in only 15 minutes, and shot 5-7 from 3.
All this suggests that Hield will play A LOT more than Moody.
Moody with 15 points in 15 mins…PLAY THIS MAN 35 MPG!!!
Couple of interesting thoughts here.
1) They should be giving AD majority of the touches when he’s on the court. He’s probably their best ALL around player and can impact the game on both ends. Smart move by JJ.
2) Would Memphis try and steal BI14 from NOLA? Smart can replace Murray (for now), and Clarke gives them some length and physical toughness. Might need to add a pick in between but looks doable. Memphis does need a wing scorer and BI14 would be more realistic than say Lavine.
3) I know they aren’t in this post, but getting Tyus Jones for $3M was an absolute steal. Phoenis missed a natural PG who can distribute the ball. Nice first game from Jones with 11 points 8 assists 2 steals. He will be a huge reason why Phoenix might be a contender this year. Refreshing to see them have a real roster and not a 2K roster filled with just scorers.
If memphis wanted BI14 NO would get Marcus Smart and some compensation. So giving up defense for a offensive star.
I think Memphis window is starting to close. JJJ needs a max soon and he will cost and command alot of their cap because of his awards. Getting BI14 would help Ja and Bane take some plays/games off too. They need something from their wings. I think if Memphis sends NOLA maybe a 1st round top 10 protected or something similar, it would get the job done. It also decreases their cap for 2025-2026 by $35M since Bi14 is a FA at the end of the year, which coincides with JJJ contract being up as well. Both teams win.
NOLA gets more help for Zion, and they need more leadership and playoff experience on that team which Smart would bring. Clarke is athletic and a valuable big off the bench who can contribute and add toughness/physicality and rim protection.
Something to think about if I am both teams.
arc89, I just looked it up and this is what I found for JJJ’s next deal according to espn.
Starting the day after the 2025 NBA Finals conclude, Memphis is allowed to offer Jackson a four-year $147 million extension. If he is named Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA or wins MVP this season, he would than become eligible to sign a five-year $345 million super max extension.
If JJ thinks he will get a 5 year $345 contract he is dreaming. Most clubs have no money to offer players big contracts. This hardline cap that some of the owners demanded is going to limit future big contracts for free agents.
Why wouldn’t he get 5/345M? He’s 25, he would be a multiple winning DPOY, named to all defensive 1st team twice already, and he is a modern day big who can shoot from outside.
It’s a no brainer for him if he gets another ASG/DPOY/1st Team Defensive team.
you guys all make valid points !
12-13 player rotation is not going to work. Yes, it’s great if Curry and Dray are well-rested and not over worked. It’s almost like the team was built to make a big trade. I can see that they will be showcasing some players.
It worked last night though? You might need to bend and admit I was right about everything I have ever said about GSW on here!!!
Oct 24 take: This Warriors team is the best in the West as long as Steph and Dray stay healthy.
That Houston-Washington-Boston-Cleveland-OKC road trip coming up soon will really show how good this team is. No b2b’s on it too, so they should be playing everyone.
ONE No mention of Melton by you guys. He was all over the court. Energy squared. TWO He and Hield are Klay1 and Klay2. And yes, I was ready to ditch Klay mid-season last year. Wow, what a difference. THREE 2022 Wiggins is back. Corny but it kinda gave me goosebumps. FOUR Michol, “rotation based on seniority or vets feelings”? TJD started. Vet? Senior? Nothing indicated a favoring of vets feelings. Curry 1 rebound shy of triple double and sat for last 16 minutes. Tree meet forest. FIVE The thing about a 12 man rotation that is not being mentioned is that if 1 or 2 or 3 or even 4 of the 12 are struggling, get hurt, have foul trouble, can’t play cuz of illness or a minor injury, then you still have a solid remaining rotation. And 15 minutes one night could be 25 the next. 12 guys get regular minutes, every night and are fresh and ready. FIVEb 8 or 9 from last year become 5 with in-game or pregame set backs. SIX everyone please research the 1975 Warriors. You’ll see an eerie comp
Looney has no ego ! :)
I want Podz, TJD, Moody, and Kuminga to play and have confidence. I want them prioritized.