Warriors finding right balance with seamless veteran-youth blend

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Warriors finding right balance with seamless veteran-youth blend originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – It was but a matter of time before the Splash Brothers would interrupt the Chuck E. Cheese glee surrounding the Warriors’ recent youth-driven surge with a pointed reminder.

It takes everyone, to be sure, but the potential of this team will be dictated by its decorated veterans, beginning with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Though everybody on the roster got in on the fun Saturday night, it was Thompson and Curry combining for 55 points through three quarters that kick-started a 126-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at sold-out Chase Center.

The performance was a splendid exhibition of the burgeoning veteran/youngster balance that Golden State has sought for several years, with everybody on the roster getting in on the fun.

“The balance feels right,” coach Steve Kerr said. “We’ve got a lot of options every night at our disposal as a staff, a lot of good players, so we’re able to survive injuries. The group just feels right. We’ve got a really deep roster with guys who complement each other well.”

The Warriors (15-14) have won five in a row and are above .500 for the first time since they were 6-5 on Nov. 12. And most of the spotlight during this span has shined on the youngsters: rookie center Trayce Jackson-Davis, third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, third-year wing Moses Moody and rookie guard Brandin Podziemski.

With Curry scoring all 27 of his points and Thompson 23 through three quarters – the Splash Brothers combined 24 of Golden State’s 32 points in the third – all that was left for the youngsters was to finish the job.

Which they did, with guidance from 38-year-old Chris Paul, in occasionally spectacular fashion. Golden State’s 37-29 advantage in the fourth sent the Blazers back to Oregon for Christmas.

“I love to see the young guys get their shot because they work as hard as anybody,” Thompson said. “They stay patient. Their playing time might be inconsistent, but to see them come in and make an impact, not just scoring but rebounding, taking…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-finding-balance-seamless-veteran-065158745.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2023-12-24 06:51:58

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