Warriors put together for subsequent chapter with out Klay as new season begins initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
SAN FRANCISCO — The thrill of a brand new NBA season unfold all through Chase Heart Monday because the Warriors welcomed the thrill of Media Day — and with it, the workforce’s first marketing campaign with out Klay Thompson.
However that does not imply the Splash Bro’s presence hasn’t been felt regardless of his offseason. departure for the Dallas Mavericksfrom reporters asking numerous questions on him to revealing stunning types of communication between Thompson and his former Golden State teammates.
“Klay, that’s my canine. We at all times play a recreation of chess. We had been taking part in this morning,” Moses Moody stated with a smile. “[He’s] having enjoyable proper now. He is had just a few straight wins, however I’ll combat. It is my canine, my courageous.
“It reveals that simply because he is now not a part of our workforce doesn’t suggest the connection adjustments. It is not a loss in that sense. He is nonetheless my buddy, I can nonetheless spend time with him and discuss to him.
Moody is only one of many Warriors adjusting to a brand new actuality with out Thompson within the Bay, and that is one thing the workforce will face on and off the courtroom this season, as a void at each when it comes to management and scoring accompanies his absence.
This new regular, whereas troublesome, is one thing Golden State feels greater than ready for.
“It’s not going to be straightforward,” Kevon Looney stated. “A man like that, he’s been right here a very long time – he’s been right here a very long time. He helped construct a particular workforce and a dynasty and his spirit will at all times be missed. However you realize, he was a fantastic mentor [to] loads of younger folks. And he type of confirmed us the Warrior method, the best way to play and the best way to behave. …
“One thing you’ll be able to’t substitute, however I feel we’ve the folks and the character within the locker room to maintain transferring ahead.”
There is not any denying that Steph Curry and Draymond Inexperienced have the management lined, even with out the third member of their dynastic trio. However that did not cease younger folks like Podziemski, a 2023-24 First Staff All-Rookie choice, to maneuver up on this division in his second season.
“[My teammates] count on me to be a frontrunner,” Podziemski stated. “I feel I naturally have these management qualities. So being extra of a vocal chief, but in addition exhibiting guys in a constructive gentle about management issues, particularly our new guys.
“I feel simply being a connector on the sector, like [coach] Steve [Kerr] likes to name it quits and do no matter it takes to assist our workforce win.
It’s now as much as the Warriors to fill the void left by Thompson. Regardless of having a considerably down yr within the 2023-24 marketing campaign, Thompson was Golden State’s second-leading scorer behind Curry, averaging 17.9 factors and three.5 3-pointers per recreation.
The hope is that low season addition Buddy Hield will help make up a few of that backlog — a process the ninth-year professional is taking step-by-step with coaching camp set to start Tuesday in Hawaii.
“You simply need to take the time, attempt to perceive the passes, the cuts, the choice. Studying from Steph, studying from Draymond, Steve, the teaching employees, the gamers,” Hield stated when requested if he received a few of the scoring again following Thompson’s departure. “…Simply learn how efficient I will be in serving to everybody rating and feeding off all of them.”
“I feel it’s a enjoyable adjustment. In basketball, you come to a brand new job, they’re all nice folks and all nice guys. I do not suppose it is going to be troublesome to attempt to perceive their tendencies. Generally it might take some time, however it’s enjoyable.
Curry is assured he and Hield will uncover their chemistry on the courtroom, which in fact will not evaluate to what he had with Thompson from the beginning.
“Dude is a shooter. He has confidence in his recreation and we’d like that,” Curry stated of Hield. “…It would not fear me an excessive amount of, however it’s on the listing of all of the issues we have to work out as a workforce to place the whole lot collectively.”
Hield and Curry actually will not be alone on this regard. Podziemski set an low season purpose to enhance his 3-point capturing after conversations with Kerr and normal supervisor Mike Dunleavy, and Andrew Wiggins goals to turn into extra concerned within the offense after falling in need of expectations final yr. final season.
Additionally do not rely out Gary Payton II or Looney, who each stated they’ve developed their recreation to incorporate extra deep pictures – though the latter is aware of he is not Thompson.
“I’m nonetheless not going to chase all three.” Like I would not be on the market like Klay or anyone else,” Looney stated. “However when it comes time to stretch the ground to have the ability to make an open shot, observe getting out of rhythm. three factors. You realize, I do not simply do catch and shoot on a regular basis.
“Studying to do it with pick-and-pop, to do it with a reverse ball, to do it when a man doesn’t maintain you…I’m simply studying to get into the move.”
It is the beginning of a brand new chapter for the Warriors — and, for some, a brand new strategy to their very own abilities — however the workforce’s first feedback since Thompson’s departure have made it clear there’s nonetheless loads of love for the sniper of their constructing.
In different phrases, till the Mavericks go to Chase Heart on November 12.
“Above all, we’ll miss [Thompson] on the bottom,” Payton stated. “We all know what he brings. He is a shooter and a tricky shooter. You’ll be able to’t actually replicate that, what it does.
“We’re going to overlook him, however we’re excited to kick his ass someday quickly.”
With Thompson getting a recent begin in Dallas, Golden State is able to do the identical.
