Will the Warriors restart Usman Garuba? Even just throwing, because the Spaniard skated in Houston for two seasons, partly because he suffered a wrist injury in his first year in the NBA, and because the Rockets were very young, inexperienced and very weak .
The fact remains that he was cut by the Thunder this summer, after his transfer, and that he joined Golden State only with a “two-way contract” in his pocket. The 21-year-old inside must therefore prove himself.
Being in such a competitive team and with such experienced and decorated players is ideal for progress. Especially since Usman Garuba studied two of his new teammates for a long time when he was in Texas: Draymond Green and Kevon Looney.
“It’s almost too good to be true,” does he deliver by observing these two players in training. “The few times I faced him, I knew he was capable of grabbing rebounds, especially offensively,” continues the Warriors pivot. “We talk a lot about rebounding during our training camp and he can show himself in this area. He is also an additional interior player who can defend in several positions. »
A 2.0 version of Draymond Green?
The comparison with Draymond Green is not without interest. The two players have similar physical profiles, being small interiors (104 kilos each when Usman Garuba measures 2m03, and Draymond Green 1m98), and some Golden State players did not hesitate to describe the Spaniard as “Baby Draymond” .
“Garuba always had a little something of Draymond in his game, or of Looney,” assures Steve Kerr. “He’s not necessarily the most athletic, but he’s smart. He’s a good passer, a good player to play hand-to-hand after a dribble. Excellent defender too. He’s a very interesting player. »
Becoming a bigger version of Draymond Green, even less accomplished, would be an excellent thing for Usman Garuba, who could then surely keep his place in the NBA.
This experience at Golden State may be his last chance to convince. “If you work hard and do what you have to do, things will work out in the end.”he concludes.
| Usman Garuba | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | HOU | 24 | 10 | 43.2 | 25.0 | 71.4 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.0 |
| 2022-23 | HOU | 75 | 13 | 48.6 | 40.7 | 61.7 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 3.0 |
| Total | 99 | 12 | 47.5 | 36.7 | 63.0 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 2.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
