Stephen Curry and his new core shared the floor for the first time and evaded with the victory over the Denver Nuggets
The Golden State Warriors played their first preseason game last night in San Francisco against the Denver Nuggets and came out victorious with 107–105 win.
Stephen Curry shared the floor with Kelly Oubre, Andrew Wiggins, Eric Paschall, Kevon Looney, as rookie James Wiseman and star Draymond Green were not at the Chase Center (after testing positive for COVID prior to training camp — a speculation after GM Bob Myers concealed who were the names of the two players who tested positive).
Steve Kerr on James Wiseman: “He’s been watching practice the past few days, and we’ve put a coach with him for every drill. … He’s watched film post-practice, too.”
Curry had 10 points in 21 minutes, but just to see him back on the court and see how excited he was, that was great. He missed the game a lot as he played five games last season and was kept sidelined for months after breaking his hand on October 31st 2019 in a game against the Phoenix Suns where he collided with Aron Baynes.
“It’s always just great to see him out on the floor,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “And I think he looks really good physically, that’s the main thing. He worked so hard in the offseason and he’s in great shape. And now it’s just a matter of getting his timing and his rhythm down, but he’s definitely a sight for sore eyes.”
Curry admitted that he will need time to a rhythm with Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr. and a few other new teammates.
“Honestly, I don’t know because I’ve had a solid, consistent core,” Curry said when asked how long that process usually takes. “I think from Monday to now we’re starting to talk about some of the patterns and some of the things that I’m used to, especially if I give up the ball. And knowing where open spots on the floor are. It will come. I don’t know what the specific answer to the question is, but it will come. … It’s just one of those things where you have to continue to communicate.”
Steve Kerr recognizes the work and effort that players have to put in order to play next to such a unique player such as Curry and didn’t deny that it will take time to comprehend his tendencies and approach towards the game.
“It takes time for sure,” Kerr said. “He’s so unique. There’s nobody like him in the NBA. Nobody who can play on and off the ball at that level and who creates that kind of havoc. And so I think with most players who come in, they’re not used to the second half of the possession. They’re sort of used to whatever the pattern is in the beginning. But as soon as maybe Steph gives up the ball, that’s when the action really starts the way we play. And that’s the tricky part for guys to figure out.”
Nuggets head coach was pleased with how his team played last night. Nikola Jokic had a double-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in just 23 minutes of playing time.
Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and the short turnaround after last season’s playoff run: “I will not have to run those guys into the ground early. I have to keep that in mind.”
Malone also referred to the new addition power forward JaMychal Green who was in the floor for 19 minutes and scored two points and grabbed three rebounds.
Michael Malone on JaMychal Green: “He’s just about winning. I think the fact that he decided to come and join us speaks volumes about our team..”
Malone wanted to allocate playing time to everyone so he can see what his team can do and how the new players play alongside each other.
“It would be great to get everybody in the game tonight,” Malone said. The only players who were absent were Will Barton and Greg Whittington.