Waters shares humble outlook on newfound Warriors starting role

Waters shares humble outlook on newfound Warriors starting role originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Steve Kerr said Lindy Waters III is a nice fit in the Warriors’ offense and plans to keep the undrafted veteran guard a part of the starting unit, at least for the near future.

Waters, however, sees it differently.

From Waters’ viewpoint, Kerr could insert just about anyone into the starting two-guard spot left vacant by De’Anthony Melton’s season-ending knee injury.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that can fill that role,” Waters told NBC Sports Bay Area after Wednesday’s 120-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center. “If you got Steph [Curry], [Draymond Green], Trayce [Jackson-Davis] and [Andrew Wiggins], you can throw any other fifth guy in there and he’ll be good.”

For now, Kerr isn’t interested in using anyone else. The job belongs to Waters, and the Warriors coach doesn’t see that changing any time soon.

“I’m committed to that right now,” Kerr said. “He’s a good fit next to that group. I like bringing Buddy [Hield] off the bench. Starting Lindy allows us to keep the bench intact and gives us another shooter and defender in the starting lineup.”

Waters, who had started the Warriors’ previous two games while the team awaited word on Melton’s condition, wasn’t spectacular in his official debut as a member of Golden State’s starting group, but he did enough to warrant keeping him in that role.

Waters had 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting (with a pair of threes), three rebounds with one assist and a steal while finishing plus-16 in 23 minutes against the Hawks.

In his three starts this season, the 27-year-old is shooting 9 of 19 from the floor and is 6 of 12 behind the arc.

That’s a nice complement to a starting unit featuring the greatest distance shooter of all time, one of the most dominant defensive players in NBA history and two other role players who have been playing at a very high level.

In addition to efficient offense, Waters also stood out with his defensive effort against the Hawks. Matched up against Trae Young most of the night, Waters limited the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/waters-shares-humble-outlook-newfound-073056339.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-11-21 07:30:00

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