One week before the resumption of training, the atmosphere is calm among the Warriors. Much calmer than last season when Draymond Green attacked Jordan Poole in training. After a very complicated season, concluded with a defeat in the second round of the playoffs, the 2022 NBA champions have decided to change tack: exit Poole and welcome… Chris Paul! Without forgetting the change of mind since Bob Myers, the architect of the Warriors dynasty, decided to take a step back.
The arrival of CP3 was a surprise, but the whole group bought into the idea, and ESPN reports that a large part of the squad, including the executives, trained together all summer, in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
“It doesn’t matter who is the starter and who isn’t. It only works if the whole team buys into it”
“The guys are all determined to make sure everything goes well and we have a good season”notes Mike Dunleavy Jr., new GM of the franchise. “I am very happy with the situation we find ourselves in in September. There is still a lot of work to do, but I think the foundations are well laid. »
The foundations remain the same with Steve Kerr at the helm, supported by an unchanged starting five (Curry-Thompson-Wiggins-Green-Looney). Unless Chris Paul, who has never been a substitute in his career, shakes up the starting five…
“In fact, we have six starters, and we can only play five each night,” quips Kerr. “I haven’t yet decided what we are going to do (…). We’ll try different combinations and take a look. Obviously all six players will get a lot of playing time. But you know, if it’s going to work, everyone has to buy into it, regardless of who’s a starter and who’s not. It only works if the whole team buys into it.”
Two recruits to be determined
Another important point before starting the training camp: the two places available in the squad. We know that Dwight Howard was not selected and that Rodney McGruder will have his chance. We learn that the managers saw more than 40 players during the summer!
“I don’t think we have a specific target at the moment, whether it’s a fullback, an inside, a winger, a youngster or a veteran,” assures Dunleavy. “We’re open, and I think it’s a good position because we have flexibility and we can evaluate what’s best for our team. »
