The Golden State Warriors are back in the continental United States, and set to face the Sacramento Kings in what is proving to be an interesting preseason. For the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins will remain out another game - though he has returned to practice.
It doesn’t mean a whole lot for a Golden State team that knows it will play him as heavily as they can, once available. But this is the preseason anyways, where the regular rules and norms don’t apply. Coach Steve Kerr played just about the entire roster in the first preseason game, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s putting his head together with his staff and talking about who to give extended looks to.
It’s just a short trip up the freeway to visit the Kings and check out their big new acquisition, DeMar DeRozan - who will certainly give their already high-powered offense an extra boost.
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warrriors (1-0) at Sacramento Kings (0-0)
WHEN: Wednesday, October 9th, 2024; 7:30pm PDT
WATCH: ESPN
Blog Buddy: Kings Herald
Is Kerr ready to move beyond the egalitarian era?
Answer: only if he has to!
I tried to make a headline work with “2nd fiddle” because I don’t think “tertiary” is great headline material, but the point here is that without Klay Thompson, this team is going to need someone to emerge as the backup go-to on offense. Two years ago, it was Thompson and Jordan Poole that were second and third in scoring. Last season, it was Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga.
The presumption is that this season that duo is going to change to Brandin Podziemski and Kuminga, but the job is anyone’s for the taking. Draymond Green is, of course, the real second fiddle, but his scoring ability is beyond suspect. Putting the offensive onus on Green only works if there are others out there cutting around or posting up in ways that are actually a threat.
Which is part of what has me so excited about playing the Sacramento Kings. There are going to be some opportunities!
De'Anthony Melton looked like he won over Steve Kerr’s good graces over and Moses Moody in the first preseason game. As someone who played with Michael Jordan, Kerr may well be re-thinking his approach for this offense. Not his whole philosophy or anything - there will for sure still be a lot of ball movement. But if one of these tertiary scoring options doesn’t emerge as more reliable, I think Kerr will be more than willing to just give more runway to Curry and Green to do their thing.
During media day, Kerr gave a pretty clear call-out for Wiggins to step into the power vacuum, but couched within his statement is something a bit more nuanced:
“I’m expecting a big year from [Wiggins] and I think there’s also a void that is left by Klay’s absence that we need to fill,” Kerr said of Wiggins on September 26 during the Warriors’ Media Day. “That’s a lot of points to score, but it also means we have to rethink how we’re doing things, and [Wiggins] will be featured for sure. He’s a guy who’s proven he’s a 20-point-a-night guy, and we’re going to be relying on him heavily.”
Rethink how we’re doing things?
To me, it sounds like Kerr is trying to pump up his remaining stock in Wiggins Island, but he’s also ready to pivot. Fundamentally pivot.
Historically, Kerr has looked to veterans to stabilize the offense. The like of Mo Speights and Shaun Livingston have come in off the bench and provided a physical and moral backbone to prop the team up. Under normal conditions, those responsibilities would fall squarely unto the shoulders of someone like Wiggins. But he had a rough season last year. A career low scoring average and demotion to the bench last year and then some lingering malaise and injuries this season are certainly adding to the eyebrow wrinkling in the coaches meetings.
Kerr’s obviously looking for other options to emerge, and if Wiggins isn’t careful, that could well be Kuminga. If no one emerges, then I’d take Kerr at his word when it comes down to re-evaluating everything. But for now, Plan A: see if Kuminga can do it.
So it’s the second timeline. Or fourth? I’m not sure which iteration we are on at this point. Golden State has a bevy of defensive wings, and guys that can score, but not many that do both of those things.
Prediction
I really like the Kangz, and I can’t wait to watch the Warriors. Other than that? It’s preseason, just don’t get hurt!
Game thread coming 6:30...
Wiggins can get a bucket, Kuminga can get a bucket. There’ll be some games it looks great and some it doesn’t.
I think the biggest pressure is for Podz to take a step forward as a secondary floor leader. I don’t know if that makes him the quote unquote 2nd fiddle but he’s got to organize the offense in 4th quarters when Steph is sitting and be a threat himself. Like a probably less explosive but better decision making version of Poole in 22