Lindy Waters III: Key Highlights for Warriors’ Preseason Opener Against Clippers
What To Watch For As Warriors Open Preseason
Another season of Golden State Warriors basketball is about to get underway. But before we get to the regular season, we first have to overreact to some preseason games. The Dubs have six preseason games this year, and the first takes place on Saturday in Honolulu, when the Warriors face off against the LA Clippers at 4:00 p.m. PT in a game televised locally on NBC Sports Bay Area and nationally on NBA TV.
There’s only so much that we can learn from one lone preseason contest. But there’s still a lot to keep an eye on. Here’s what to watch for on Saturday.
Evaluating the Starting Lineup
For the second year in a row, Golden State’s starting five is a big topic heading into training camp. But while last year it centered on whether or not Hall of Fame-bound point guard Chris Paul would knock someone out of a proven-elite starting five, this year it’s a much more vague question.
- We know that Steph Curry and Draymond Green will start.
- But after that it’s a gigantic mystery.
- Who starts at shooting guard?
- Who starts at small forward?
- Is Green the starting power forward or the starting center?
We won’t get the answers on Saturday. Not only is it too early for a lineup to be set in stone, but Andrew Wiggins won’t play due to an illness. Still, we can get an early look at what Steve Kerr is thinking based on who starts.
Offensive Strategy Shifts
The Warriors have made it clear that they want to fire away from deep this year. They wasted no time bringing in Buddy Hield after losing Klay Thompson. Players are keen on dramatically increasing their volume of shots from beyond the arc.
- Kevon Looney is hard at work adding a three to his repertoire.
- Kyle Anderson has remade his jump shot.
From the outside looking in, the hope is that the Warriors will be shooting a bunch of threes this year. But will they actually do that?
Defensive Cohesion
If the Warriors want to return to the NBA’s elite, they’ll need to re-establish themselves as a great defensive team. They’ve added players like Anderson and De’Anthony Melton, while anticipating growth from young talents.
- Watch for chemistry during the preseason.
- A poor defensive game shouldn’t be alarming.
It’s time to start looking for signs of improvement and cohesion.
Center Rotation Dynamics
It’s clear that the Warriors have some exciting options at center. Green, Looney, and Jackson-Davis can all play the position in thriving lineups.
Seeing how the center rotation plays out in the preseason will be fascinating.
What are you looking for in the preseason opener?
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.