Warriors-Grizzlies pregame: Stephen Curry out, Jordan Poole starts, Oubre to “give it a go”
Controlling transition; Wiseman/Paschall back in Bay
Here are notes & quotes from pregame Warriors-Grizzlies with Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins and Steve Kerr. Please check our YouTube channel for the latest pregame videos. The one above at the top of this article is clickable and has all the pregame info you need.
JENKINS:
- GSW depleted: “gotta prepare for a lot of different scenarios…guys that might have bigger roles…delicate balance…weight the balance of how much to invest in that preparation.”
- starters, small lineup: “no changes to the starting lineup…BC (Brandon Clarke) was unbelievable last game…protecting the rim…perimeter players and playmakers…kinda wanted to see.”
- capitalize on breaks: “just focused on one game at a time…playing to our standard…set our tone, play with our edge, our focus.”
- increase in FT/game since mid-Feb: “watching film for our guys…we’re a pretty heavy drive team…be a better finishing team at the rim…we shoot a lot of floaters…aggressive downhill attack.”
- culture: “it’s about people and relationships…identifying common goals…not necessarily the end result…how we’re gonna work and how we’re gonna live together…being consistent and disciplined…it all starts with the relationships.”
- more important because GSW ahead in standings? “Just one game at a time.”
KERR:
Slater - Oubre and Steph: “Kelly is gonna give it a go…Steph is still pretty sore…frustrated…won’t play tonight…day to day.”
Wes - up to Steph? “No it’s up to Steph and the training staff…still call him doubtful for tomorrow.”
- starter? “Jordan is gonna start for Steph. Everybody else stays the same.”
- Poole: “He’s truly a combo guard so he can handle…run off screens…because Draymond handles the ball so much for us with that unit anyways…combo role…Memphis…they pack the paint, we need shooting…plus he’s been playing really well…reward him.”
- Ja: “so explosive…gets into seams…you think you’ve got a whole filled and he blows right through it…can’t let him get free, can’t let him get to the rim, that’s all easier said than done.”
- league wide empty corner: “there’s so much shooting in the league…Dallas puts five (shooters) with Porzingis…navigating that action is tricky…you have to be aggressive.”
- JV vs Loon: “big job on his hands…you could see Draymond on him a little bit.”
- pace: “not just a case of us having to drive the pace, it’s us having to control them in transition…we generally like to play fast…2nd or 3rd in the league…only works if you’re poised and under control…dictated by our intelligence.”
- Chriss: “working at our facility every day…I don’t have a timetable but it’s been great to see him active…light at the end of the tunnel…not close to playing in the game…just getting back on the court.”
- Wiseman/Paschall: “they flew back this morning (with staff too).”
- NCAA men’s women’s: “really ridiculous and I hope that the NCAA is clearing that up right away…with the Warriors we really support women’s sports, we all have a very personal connection, for me through my daughter playing college volleyball…career opportunities…women deserve every opportunity that men get.”
/end