In today’s Dub Hub:
Departure of Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors was the biggest story of the team’s offseason. The Splash Brother left the Bay Area to join The Dallas Mavericks after spending his first 13 years with the Warriors. In an interview with Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay AreaMavericks head coach Jason Kidd revealed that star point guard Kyrie Irving was one of the “biggest players” in Thompson’s recruiting process.
“When you talk about recruiting, a lot of people were involved. But one of the biggest players in that was Kai,” Kidd said on the latest episode of NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Dubs Talk,” which premiered Tuesday. “Kai was able to, player by player, break down his Dallas experience for him over the course of two years and was able to tell Klay the honest truth about what he thinks can happen with Klay coming to Dallas.”
For more on this and other NBA news, here’s our latest news roundup for Wednesday, August 21:
Warriors News:
How Irving influenced Klay’s decision to leave the Warriors for the Mavericks | NBC Sports Bay Area
“I’d like to say I did it all,” said Kidd, a key member of Dallas’ scouting team. “But I didn’t. It was a team effort. But I think the conversations between players — in this league, they all talk about their situations and they all recruit each other — allowed Kai and Klay to be able to talk.
“And I also think Klay did his homework, understanding the situation. It would have been easy for him to stay (with the Warriors or somewhere else in California). So he had to make an effort to do his homework and see what Dallas was about.”
When Warriors Ironically Saw Waters’ Fit and Potential Before Trade | NBC Sports Bay Area
On the morning of the second day of the two-day inaugural draft, Dunleavy acquired fullback Lindy Waters III Waters was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 52nd overall pick, Golden State’s only selection in the draft, before later trading up the selection to take Boston College big man Quinten Post. Although Waters only played 104 games in the NBA, the Warriors had him at the top of their list of lesser-known names. which could have an impact in the right situation.
And his performance against the Warriors’ Santa Cruz G League affiliate may have been a major contributing factor.
“He can really shoot,” a G League source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
The same source noted that Waters felt like he made six three-pointers every time he played against Santa Cruz. In Waters’ only game last season for the OKC Blue against the Sea Dubs, that number was accurate. His performances in previous years also stand out.
Steph Curry Files Trademark for Viral Olympics Celebration ‘Nuit Nuit’
2024-25 NBA schedule: 35 games I’m looking forward to this season | The Athletic
Chris Paul returns to the Bay: San Antonio Spurs at the Golden State Warriors, April 9 at 10 p.m.
I’m serious! You can ignore this because Paul only played one season with the Warriors, they didn’t make the playoffs, and he missed 24 games. But you’re missing the underlying subtext of this comeback. When we dig beneath the surface, we discover Paul and the Warriors’ comfort zone. They love to hate each other! The Warriors never liked him when he was with the Clippers and RocketsHe hated the Warriors for stopping him from competing for a title time and time again. They can go back to being open enemies. It’s the sweet spot between hate and pettiness.
Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards tested for drugs after gold medal game
NBA News:
2024-25 NBA predictions: Biggest twists, turbulent teams and biggest questions | ESPN
The next superstar to request a trade will be…?
Since being drafted second overall in 2016 and joining the Pelicans in 2019, the 26-year-old Brandon Ingram Ingram hasn’t found the immediate success he hoped for. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists and 5.1 rebounds last season, down slightly from his 2022-23 numbers. Ingram has one year left on his four-year, $158 million contract. If he doesn’t get an extension, the former All-Star could start doing some research.
The Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine has been at the center of trade speculation for months growing tension between the All-Star and the organization. However, the trade market never fully developed for LaVine due to his contract, and the Bulls are preparing to bring the 10-year veteran back to training camp this fall after he underwent season-ending surgery on his right foot last February. DeMar DeRozan and the uncertainty of Lonzo’s Balls back, LaVine could be the next to ask to leave Chicago.
Anthony Edwards: Michael Jordan Was the Only Talented NBA Player Among Previous Generations | Bleacher Report
Talk to Florsheim Alley In a Wall Street Journal article, Edwards explained that Michael Jordan was the only player “who really had talent” among past generations.
“I didn’t watch it at the time, so I can’t speak to it,” he said. “They say it was harder then than it is now, but I don’t think anyone had that talent back then. [Michael Jordan] was the only one who really had talent, you know what I mean? That’s why when they saw Kobe [Bryant]“They were like, ‘Oh, my God.’ But now everyone has skills.”
Devin Booker Shares Highlights of Team USA’s Olympic Experience
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Ten takeaways from the Warriors’ 2024-25 schedule
9. The schedule of consecutive matches is favorable
Golden State is set to play 14 straight games this season, slightly below the NBA average of 14.9. Nine of those 14 games will be at home, which is both favorable and a result of West Coast geography. They play three games in four nights 11 times, an average number.
But their advantage is facing opponents who have played 18 straight games, including 14 when the Warriors had a night off before the game. With 12 straight games coming in San Francisco, that should help reverse last year’s struggles at home (21-20).
Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
