Warriors’ offseason additions remind Steph, Draymond of 2021 moves

Warriors’ offseason additions remind Steph, Draymond of 2021 moves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Even though the Warriors failed to land either of their top offseason targets, first Paul George and then Lauri Markkanen, neither Stephen Curry nor Draymond Green seem dissatisfied with the team’s backup plan.

The moves made by Golden State’s front office – adding veterans Kyle Anderson, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton – are reminiscent of moves made in the summer of 2021.

“I think new additions were the real reason we won a championship in 2022,” Green said Monday at Media Day. “The signing of Otto Porter, the signing of Nemanja Bjelica, the signing of Gary Payton II, those new additions are what took us from a borderline Play-in team to a championship team.”

The year before Porter, Bjelica and Payton arrived, the Warriors endured an unsatisfying season, finishing ninth in the Western Conference with 39-33 record. With those three aboard and making significant contributions, Golden State nabbed a No. 3 with a 53-29 record before rolling through the postseason, defeating the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

The average age of Porter, Bjelica and Payton when they became Warriors: 29.7 years. The average age of Anderson, Hield and Melton: 29.4.

“It is similar for sure,” Curry said. “That’s a good comparison, guys that have been around the league in different situations. I think (they) fit style we try to play, even though we do need to evolve and have a different look on offense and defense.”

Bjelica was a stretch-5 that met the desires of coach Steve Kerr. Porter was a stretch-4 who could play some center and offered a strong rebounding alternative to Kevon Looney, then the team’s starting center. GP2 is a game-changer on defense, using his energy and disruptive tendencies to tilt the court in favor of the Warriors.

Their presence dramatically improved the quality of Golden State’s bench, with Porter and Payton playing essential roles in the postseason.

“I always tell people . . . championships are won 6 through 10,” Green said, referring to crucial…

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Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-01 02:26:22

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