Warriors’ No. 2 options behind Steph emerge in season-opening win

Warriors’ No. 2 options behind Steph emerge in season-opening win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

PORTLAND – Of the many impressions made by the Warriors in their 139-104 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, two were particularly encouraging, certainly to coach Steve Kerr and perhaps even more to franchise headliner Stephen Curry.

The first was seeing Andrew Wiggins, Curry’s new backcourt partner, put up an efficient 20 points, adding four rebounds and two assists. Wiggins was active and engaged, his determination evident. He carried himself as if on a mission.

The second was seeing Buddy Hield come off the bench and in less than 15 minutes produce a team-high 22 points that included 5-of-7 shooting from distance. It’s early but not too soon to believe Hield might provide more buckets than anyone coming off Golden State’s bench in recent years.

Wiggins and Hield were so productive and efficient that Jonathan Kuminga’s forgettable evening – 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field, four turnovers, three fouls in less than 20 minutes – was rendered insignificant. He could afford to have an ugly game.

It appears the Warriors, for the first time since 2019, have at least three viable candidates for the job that came open when Klay Thompson left to join the Dallas Mavericks: The position of secondary scorer behind Curry.

The candidates: Wiggins, Kuminga and Hield. With the order subject to change in any given game.

Wiggins inherited the starting shooting guard position vacated by Thompson and wasted no time trying to make his presence felt. He missed four of his first five shots in seven first-quarter minutes before resetting to make seven of his next 10. He was 4-of-7 from deep.

“Wiggs was great,” Kerr said. “This is kind of what we’re expecting this year, honestly. (He has) peace of mind, is in great shape, in the prime of his career. I think Wiggs is poised to have a great season.”

Thompson is averaging 8.1 3-point attempts per game since entering the NBA in 2011. Wiggins is averaging about 4.1 per game. Kerr wants to two or three more. He got them against the Trail…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-no-2-options-behind-010834262.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-25 01:08:00

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