SAN FRANCISCO — A few 12 months in the past, the Golden State Warriors have been getting into coaching camp whereas navigating what coach Steve Kerr then known as the largest disaster throughout his tenure in San Francisco. That incident was by no means absolutely resolved, fracturing the camaraderie inside the locker room and in the end plaguing their success on the courtroom.
When the Warriors traded Jordan Poole for Chris Paul in July, there have been some questions on whether or not the transfer would enhance staff chemistry — eliminating one participant who was on the middle of final season’s drama and changing him with somebody who has a historical past of rivalry with the franchise and a number of the key gamers.
However now, one week from media day, each Kerr and newly appointed common supervisor Mike Dunleavy Jr. really feel assured that the chemistry and connectivity inside their staff is at a excessive.
Gamers up and down the roster have made a concerted effort to construct chemistry earlier than coaching camp. Golden State’s cornerstones — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — have organized a number of exercises throughout the summer time in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas for each their veteran and youthful teammates.
Paul even took a 6 a.m. flight from his Los Angeles residence to make one of many runs in San Francisco.
“So these guys are all in on making it work and us having an important season,” Dunleavy mentioned at a information convention Monday. “I actually really feel good with the place we’re at in September. [We’ve] obtained a ton of labor to do, however I believe the muse is in a great place proper now.”
A few of the work the Warriors should do is work out their beginning lineup and fill their closing two roster spots — each of that are anticipated to realize readability throughout camp.
“We principally have six starters the way in which I take a look at it, and solely 5 can go every night time,” Kerr mentioned Monday. “I have not determined but what we will do … We’re going to attempt totally different mixtures and have a look. Clearly, all six guys are going to play a variety of minutes for us. However you recognize, if that is going to work then everyone has to embrace it no matter who’s beginning and who is just not. It solely works if the entire staff buys in.”
As for the open 14th and fifteenth roster spots, Golden State has hosted round 40 to 50 gamers over the previous few months for exercises. A supply instructed ESPN that one essential piece of standards for anybody seeking to make the roster is somebody who will assist them construct off their already established connectivity — somebody who will not be a distraction and somebody glad to be the ultimate member of the staff.
Past that, although, there isn’t a particular place or participant the Warriors are focusing on.
If there have been any particular areas the Warriors wanted enchancment, Dunleavy mentioned he believes they addressed them by including Dario Saric and signing Usman Garuba to a two-way deal.
“I do not suppose we have now our sights set on anyone factor proper now when it comes to a guard, an enormous, a wing, a younger participant, an outdated participant,” Dunleavy mentioned. “We’re type of open, and I believe that is an important place to be in the place we have now flexibility and may type of consider to see what’s one of the best for our staff.”
How final season performed out for Golden State has been a supply of motivation because the staff approaches the beginning of the 12 months. It is one of many causes gamers pushed to have exercises collectively. It is why they’re attempting to be unselfish on the subject of enjoying time.
“If you lose within the second spherical and you’re feeling such as you’ve had a disappointing 12 months, it is rather a lot simpler to return in and be centered,” Kerr mentioned. “It is rather a lot simpler for me to return in as a coach and be extra demanding, and I believe the gamers will anticipate that, too.”
In fact, it is simpler mentioned than performed. And that’s the subsequent step in placing the Warriors’ newly discovered connectivity to the check.