Warriors News: Steve Kerr calls Lindy Waters III one of team’s ‘best players’

In today’s Dub Hub:

The Golden State Warriors rallied to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106 on Tuesday night. Missing key players like Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and backup guard De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors got off to a rough start as they were down 31-14 at the end of the first quarter.

However, the game took a turn in the second quarter thanks to Lindy Waters III, who provided a spark for the team with big minutes off the bench. Waters’ nine points in the first half got him started in the second half, and he continued to impress, finishing the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes on the floor.

Afterwards, head coach Steve Kerr praised Waters, describing him as one of the Warriors’ best players to date.

Waters made a compelling case for a spot in Golden State’s already loaded rotation with his outstanding performance against the Pelicans. His understanding of the Warriors’ system on offense, along with his high energy and activity on defense, was crucial to the team’s victory. Waters’ all-around impact on both ends of the court makes him a valuable asset, especially with Curry sidelined by an ankle injury, and it could very well earn him more minutes going forward.

For more on this and other NBA news, here’s our latest news roundup for Wednesday, October 30:

Warriors news:

Warriors share their thoughts on Lindy Waters’ big fight vs. Pelicans

Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III and the Warriors’ evolving, complicated rotation puzzle | Athletics

So this jumbo unit was the compromise. Coach Steve Kerr intended to give it a long run. Those around the team estimated at least 10 or more games of a tryout before deciding whether to stick with it. Green has been one continues to advocate. It’s very possible that Kerr will return to it soon.

But a problem presented itself in the fourth game of the season. Curry sprained his ankle and is currently out. Without him, Kerr and his staff felt the spacing issues were too acute with Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt together. They still wanted a center next to Green. So they moved Kuminga to the bench and started Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield (in place of the injured Wiggins).

“I told him before the game, ‘You’re going to play a lot. This is just about combinations and getting a little more spacing at the start,'” Kerr said of Kuminga. “All it is is just shuffling the line-up to get the right five-man group.”

Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga comes off the bench vs. Pelicans | ESPN

Kerr said he explained this to Kuminga before the game. Kuminga said he received a text from his coach about the decision, but the two did not have an extended conversation.

“It wasn’t my decision. I got a text, this is how it’s supposed to go, this is who it’s supposed to be, and I went with it,” Kuminga said. “What should I do … ask why I’m not starting? This is the coach’s decision and we follow what he wants to do.”

He continued: “At the end of the day, I’m still a professional. I’ll do what I have to do.”

Andrew Wiggins’ back injury is considered ‘minor’, according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater

Lindy Waters describes her shooting ability: “I have a strap on, so I just wake up and shoot”

NBA news:

Mavericks-Timberwolves: 5 takeaways as Dallas earns West Finals rematch | NBA

Dončić labored for most of the game, sparring verbally with some fans on the pitch, whose taunts held some truth on Tuesday. He missed his first seven 3-point shots, but with 1:04 left and the Wolves closing in, he hit his eighth from 33 feet to make it 117-109.

“Someone just said, ‘We’ve seen this movie before,'” Kidd said. “Luka loves the opportunity to win the game.”

Dončić said: “I don’t know how to make those shots and not normal shots. … just have to get the rust out.”

Finch spoke on behalf of many NBA coaches and the annoyances they have against Dallas when he said earlier tonight, “They have an incredible pick-and-roll game, obviously they have a Kyrie iso game, and now ( (with Klay) Thompson, they have an off-ball game. They’ve become versatile. They can shift gears to do different things.”

Kevin Durant, LeBron James and the NBA’s ‘Uncle Brigade’ will not stop fighting. Treasure it | Athletics

Yes, this era of old heads is different.

Don’t get it twisted. The changing of the guard in the NBA is happening. Nikola Jokic already triggered the transition. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards. Victor Wembanyama. The league will be theirs. Their names on the tent. Their presence attracts the masses. Their legacy is the subject of online battles.

It should have already happened, to be honest. If not for the Uncle Brigade. LeBron James. Stephen Curry. Kevin Durant. James Harden. Damian Lillard. Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butlerwhen it is healthy. The NBA has never seen so many OGs still cooking. Working the grill in sandals with socks on.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will be reevaluated in 10 days after spraining his right wrist

In case you missed it in the Golden State of Mind:

Player Characters: Warriors vs. Pelicans

Kuminga was moved to the bench, with Kerr explaining after the game that it was only due to a lack of spacing, and would break the minutes of Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis. Kerr said he told Kuminga it would be a big game for him, just in a different role, and he wasn’t wrong. He may not have started, but he still played a season high in minutes while clearly having his best game of the year.

He is an absolute menace when moving downhill. New Orleans had no answer for Kuminga as he attacked the basket, with or without the ball. And he played strong man defense on Ingram.

Kerr relied heavily on Kuminga … he was the first sub after seven minutes and stayed on the pitch for the next 15 minutes of action. His athleticism gave NOLA fits.

Degree: B+

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