Game 1: GSW vs Phoenix: Opening Night vs Kevin Durant. Moses Moody interview. Plus open thread.
Game 1: GSW vs Phoenix: Opening Night vs Kevin Durant. Moses Moody interview. Plus open thread.
KD's first return to the Bay. NO Draymond tonight
(COUNTER UPDATE 7:00pm) Slater says The Slow Death Lineup is actually starting
> Warriors starters tonight vs Suns
> Steph Curry
> Chris Paul
> Klay Thompson
> Andrew Wiggins
> Kevon Looney
https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1716990004684321168
(UPDATE 2:00pm) Report: Chris Paul will come off the bench, despite Draymond’s injury
Report from Shams via USA Today:
The Golden State Warriors will enter their season opener against the Phoenix Suns without Draymond Green. The All-Star forward has been ruled out as he recovers from the ankle sprain that sidelined him throughout the Warriors preseason. Without Green in the starting lineup, there’s an open spot up for grabs.
Yet, according to Shams Charania, Steve Kerr is unlikely to unleash a small-ball lineup that includes Chris Paul in the starting five. Charania believes Golden State will insert additional size into their rotation, allowing Paul to come off the bench and organize the second unit. Of course, Paul will likely have his minutes staggered, so he sometimes shares the court with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
(UPDATE 7:25am) Beal likely out
Update:
Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal is unlikely to play tonight in season opener vs. the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell TheAthletic Stadium. Suns are taking a cautious approach with Beal’s back ailment to begin the new season.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1716812417643249720?s=20
Draymond is not playing
Shams Charania says (2023-10-23, 1:21pm):
Warriors' Draymond Green has been ruled out of season opener vs. Suns with ankle sprain.
Return to play is a combination of the ankle “healing” as well as recovering the conditioning that may have been lost during the injury period. No reason to rush back if either of those components are not at 100 percent.
Moses Moody talks about his vet, what he worked on over the summer and how this year feels better than last year
[I doubt you will guess who his vet is]
This 2023-10-10 interview with Moses Moody had some unexpected answers.
Moses, how would you describe the energy and the vibe of this training camp so far?
It's been good. The energy has been electric. It's been a lot of fun. Guys communicating, being around each other even before training camp started, getting to be around each other in the summertime, that kind of propelled us in the right direction.
Are you seeing a sense of cohesiveness?
Yeah, I feel that. Even last year, you know, we went to Japan and all that, we had a lot going on. So, training camp kind of felt like a pit stop before the season, it was real quick. But this year, even though training camp, I don't know if it's longer or shorter or same time period, but it just seems longer. It seems like we've been here around each other for a long time and the season hasn't even started yet, so that's a good thing.
What did you work on over the summer for you?
A lot of shooting, just rhythm. Rhythm shooting, rhythm dribbling, just rhythm in general. Working on movement in basketball. And then some defensive stuff. I watched a lot of film about throughout the season and just seeing areas that I could maybe, if it's a rebound, if it's a cut. it's something I could do, so yeah, improving that way.
Who would you consider your vet on this team?
Yeah, I spent a lot of time around all the vets on the team, from Steph, Dre, Klay, to Wiggs, Loon. I've been around those guys a lot, so I've taken a little bit from everybody, but if I picked -- I say Draymond.
You're such different players in certain ways, what are the kinds of things that he can help you with or has helped you with?
He's very observant, so it can be offensive, defensive. He kind of just knows where everybody should be or has an opinion or how – or like can work through problems in his head. Rather, if he doesn't have an answer for you right there, he's going to think of it and figure out what you mean type of thing. He's just really observant of all aspects of the game. So he has a lot to say if you ask him questions and that's basketball stuff, that's off the court stuff. I'm a student of the game, not just basketball, when it comes to life and figuring things out, he's older than me and he's willing to talk. And like I said, he's very observant, not only on the basketball court, but just dealing with all types of stuff. It's like investments, financial literacy, stuff that I haven't really been exposed to until this point. He's been here for a while, so he's got a lot to dish out and I'm just willing to listen.
When we're [reporters are] let into practice, you guys are all at different hoops, doing different drills and stuff. And at least today, maybe in the past you've been paired off with Wiggs. Do you know what the reasoning is behind the groups that are working out together?
No, after practice is on your own. You know, you can go, you can leave, you can shoot if you want to. All the goals are really – it's kind of – there's not really a real thought behind it. I mean, I just wanted to work out with Wiggs today. But tomorrow I might work out with – I worked out with Klay yesterday. You know, just moving around.
I actually want to get in with Loon some too. And play some post one-on-ones or something. [Laughter]
You don't want to post Loon, do you?
I don't, but that's how you get better. [Laughter]
GAME DETAILS
WHEN: 2023-10-24 7:00 PM Pacific
WHO: Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix
WATCH: TNT
https://dubnationhq.com/p/suns-stun-warriors-in-chase-center WAIT WE LOST?!
Our three oldest players (Steph, Klay, CP3) played the most minutes (30+) and we still lost. So much for limiting the vets minutes. Hope Kerr plays the young ones more.