SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors entered coaching camp with all the things seemingly coming collectively for a vigorous title protection this season.
Stephen Curry seemed to be choosing up the place he left off final season, and Draymond Inexperienced was praised for the way properly conditioned he was heading into camp. Klay Thompson and James Wiseman had been lastly wholesome, and Jordan Poole was on the point of securing an enormous payday. Younger guys similar to Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody devoted their offseason to taking main developmental leaps in Yr 2.
Then all hell broke unfastened.
The Warriors had a novel begin to camp, jet-setting midway internationally to play in a pair of preseason video games in Japan. The journey was praised as being nice for staff bonding.
However that chemistry shortly got here into query as soon as the Warriors returned stateside.
Inexperienced punched Poole within the face at follow earlier this month, sparking what coach Steve Kerr known as the “largest disaster” of his Golden State tenure. However because the Warriors began to handle the hurt brought on by Inexperienced’s outburst, a leaked video of the mid-practice combat revealed the punch was far more brutal than beforehand thought.
Inexperienced publicly apologized and stepped away from the staff for every week. The Warriors launched an investigation into how the video received out.
Whereas leaders like Curry, Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney labored to deliver the squad collectively, Golden State’s brass managed to get not one however two key extensions performed. The Warriors locked up Poole and Andrew Wiggins for 4 extra years after this season, securing them throughout Curry’s contract.
As for Poole and Inexperienced, properly, they each stated their skilled relationship is ok, although there are questions whether or not their once-tight private one is in tatters. The Warriors don’t imagine the combat can have an enduring influence on the season. “Our staff is aware of what it takes to win a championship,” Poole stated, “and we’re going to do this on the courtroom.”
However solely time will inform.
The Warriors try to make the scuffle between its trusted 32-year-old veteran and flashy fourth-year guard a factor of the previous. Inexperienced, although, acknowledged he triggered a “darkish cloud” that can hold over opening night time Tuesday when the Warriors are set to get their blingy championship rings and unveil a brand new banner at Chase Heart. However the staff they’re taking part in is as a lot part of the NBA’s made-for-reality-TV spectacle because the Warriors.
Golden State will welcome within the Los Angeles Lakers, one other staff that has handled a fair proportion of preseason drama.
Russell Westbrook, who’s caught warmth from the LA fan base since he was traded to the Lakers earlier than final season, was on the middle of great commerce talks heading into coaching camp. In what first-year coach Darvin Ham known as an “exploratory transfer,” Westbrook got here off the bench within the Lakers’ preseason finale for the primary time since his rookie season because the Lakers desperately search a match for the Future Corridor of Famer. However the experiment was briefly paused when the long run Corridor of Famer left the sport with a hamstring damage.
Whereas the Lakers attempt to discover a resolution for his or her woes, Curry and the Warriors appear to be they're much extra able to chase after one other ring.
Inexperienced as soon as stated the NBA is the most effective cleaning soap opera on the planet. Rely the preseason as simply the pilot episode for what’s to return this season.
Final season outcomes: 53-29 total and completed with No. 3 seed in Western Convention. They went on to beat the Celtics in six video games for his or her fourth championship in eight years.
Projected beginning 5: Level guard Stephen Curry, taking pictures guard Klay Thompson, small ahead Andrew Wiggins, energy ahead Draymond Inexperienced, middle Kevon Looney
Noteworthy departures: Ahead Otto Porter Jr., guard Gary Payton II, ahead Nemanja Bjelica, guard Damion Lee, ahead Juan Toscano-Anderson
Newcomers: Guard Donte DiVincenzo, ahead JaMychal Inexperienced
2022 draft picks: Ahead Patrick Baldwin Jr. (No. 28), guard Ryan Rollins (No. 44 by way of commerce), ahead Gui Santos (No. 55)
Projection: They’ll end high three within the Western Convention once more and make one other run on the title.