What's your prediction for opening night lineup? & Open thread
Talking about the regular season opener in LA
So who starts on opening night?
I’m talking about the regular season opener against the Lakers on Oct 19 2021. We can safely pencil in
Here is my quick unofficial Warriors depth chart.
PG
Stephen Curry G 6-3 185
Jordan Poole G 6-4 194
Chris Chiozza (TW) G 5-11 175
Of course Steph will start.
SG
Klay Thompson G-F 6-6 215 (after mid-January)
Jordan Poole G 6-4 194
Damion Lee G 6-5 210
Moses Moody G 6-6 205
Klay will definitely not start (all signs point to a return mid-January during the homestand).
Jordan Poole is the front-runner, but Coach Steve Kerr has in other situations opted to keep bench leaders in their regular role and rotation on the bench squad. So that approach probably would mean Damion Lee starts. My best guess is Kerr will try out the Poole - Curry synergy during preseason and mix and match and unless the results are definitive, Kerr will try lots of combos all season.
SF
Andrew Wiggins F-G 6-7 197 (pending vaccination)
Andre Iguodala G-F 6-6 215
Juan Toscano-Anderson F 6-6 209
If Wiggins doesn’t get vaccinated, as we have thrashed out throughly in the comments, he will not start or even play in the home opener on Oct 21. But because LA does not appear to have a relevant policy on vaccinations, Wiggins would be clear to start.
PF
Draymond Green F 6-6 230
Otto Porter F 6-8 198
Jonathan Kuminga F 6-8 210
Of course, Draymond will start.
C
Kevon Looney F-C 6-9 222
Draymond Green F 6-6 230
James Wiseman C 7-0 240 (after November)
Nemanja Bjelica F 6-10 234
I assume that Looney is starting, but given his erratic health, I suppose it is possible that Bjelica might sneak in as an option, especially to help space the floor as a stretch 5.
On the bubble
Langston Galloway G 6-1 200
Mychal Mulder G-F 6-3 184
Avery Bradley G 6-3 180
Jordan Bell F 6-8 216
Gary Payton II G 6-3 190
Just wanted to mention these guys on the preseason roster are not forgotten. But at most one of this list will get an NBA roster spot, and at most one may get the second Warriors two-way contract slot.
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
·
1h
Sources: The 76ers are not paying Ben Simmons his $8.25 million payment due today as the three-time All-Star awaits a trade. Simmons still is not showing up to Philadelphia and has understood the ramifications of his holdout
Hoop Central
@TheHoopCentral
·
11h
NBA Scout on Klay Thompson:
"Klay looks great. He's going to be back to the same Klay Thompson pre-injury. I haven't seen him look this locked in and motivated, even before his injuries."
(via
@massey_evan
)