Warriors prepared for next chapter without Klay as new season begins

Warriors prepared for next chapter without Klay as new season begins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The excitement of a new NBA season permeated throughout Chase Center on Monday as the Warriors welcomed the commotion of Media Day – and with it, the team’s first campaign without Klay Thompson.

But that doesn’t mean the Splash Bro’s presence wasn’t felt despite his offseason departure to the Dallas Mavericks, from reporters asking countless questions about him to some surprising forms of communication between Thompson and his former Golden State teammates being revealed.

“Klay, that’s my dog. We’re still playing a chess game. We were playing this morning,” Moses Moody said with a smile. “[He’s] getting off on me right now. He had a couple game win streak, but I’m going to fight back. That’s my dog, good dude.

“That goes to show, just because he’s not from our team no more doesn’t mean the relationship changes. It’s not a loss in that sense. He’s still my friend, still get to hang out with him and talk to him.”

Moody is just one of many Warriors adjusting to a new reality without Thompson in the Bay, and it’s something the team will face on and off the court this season as a void in both leadership and scoring accompanies his absence.

That new normal, though difficult, is one Golden State feels more than prepared for.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Kevon Looney said. “A guy like that, he’s been here for long — he was here for a long time. He helped build a special team and dynasty and his spirit is always going to be missed. But you know, he’s been a great mentor [to] a lot of young guys. And he kind of showed us the Warrior way and how to play and how to carry yourself. …

“Something you can’t replace, but I think we have the people and the character in the locker room to keep it moving forward.”

There’s no denying Steph Curry and Draymond Green have the leadership corner covered, even without the third member of their dynastic trio. But that hasn’t stopped youngsters like Podziemski, a 2023-24 first team All-Rookie selection, from stepping up in that…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-prepared-next-chapter-without-201254216.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-09-30 20:12:54

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