Moody is ready to answer call when team needs him
“I thought his defense was good. I’ve said this before, he’s kind of wise beyond his years. He doesn’t seem like a rookie.” Steve Kerr, on Moses Moody’s play against Dallas on Friday
DALLAS — In a surprising decision by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, rookie Moses Moody was inserted into Game 2 of the Western Conference finals at the beginning of the fourth quarter and his team trailing by two. Not counting the 17 minutes Moody played in the Warriors’ blowout loss to Memphis in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, it was his first meaningful taste of postseason action.
Moody said he gazed at the scorer’s table three times during his 10 minutes on the court, expecting Kerr to pull him. But that didn’t come until much later. Kerr didn’t take Moody off the floor until there was 2:25 left in the game. At that point, that two-point deficit had grown into an eightpoint lead.
Moody said his family was tuned into the game back home in Little Rock, Ark. and was “turnt up” for the entirety of the final frame, as they watched him thrive on the league’s biggest stage.
“I was pleased with it,” Moody said. “Getting some defensive stops, being in the right spots, getting out there in crunch time and producing.”
Kerr told reporters that he went to Moody because of his size, strength and poise. He described the 19-year-old as being mature beyond his years. Moody’s stat line was subtle — two points and an assist — but he was consistently in the right spots at both ends, and Golden State was plus-eight with him on the court.
“He did a good job of spacing and moving the ball along,” Kerr said. “He made the one play getting to the rim and laying it in. I thought his defense was good. I’ve said this before, he’s kind of wise beyond his years. He doesn’t seem like a rookie. He doesn’t seem 19. He just has a very calm presence about him and I thought that showed the other night.”
Entering the playoffs, Moody’s teammates constantly reminded him to stay ready for his opportunity. He adopted that mind-set, but said it’s been a mental and physical challenge. He hasn’t been just going through the motions during practices and scrimmages. And a big reason why he’s been able to stay the course is because his teammates continue to motivate him each day.
In Game 2, Moody’s patience and preparation paid off. And because of his solid performance, he could be rewarded with a regular spot in the rotation. If that proves to be the case, don’t expect the pressure of the postseason spotlight to bother him much. While he may still be a rookie, in his mind, at the end of the day it’s just basketball.
“They threw me in the battle, so it’s time to muscle up and get to it,” Moody said.
In the Warriors’ March 3 visit to Dallas, the Mavericks’ defense smothered Stephen Curry and Moody stepped in to help fill the void. He scored 13 points in 16 minutes of court time — hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 104-104 before Dallas pulled away for a 122-113 win.
“He’s always going to be ready,” forward Andrew Wiggins said. “He’s a professional. He’s young, but he gets it. He stays ready. He works his tail off . ... He prepares for moments like this, so when he gets in the game, he’s ready to go.”
Wiggins in good shape: Wiggins (left ankle soreness) went through shootaround Sunday in Dallas and was available to play in Game 3. He had been listed as questionable Saturday after tweaking his ankle in Game 2. Wiggins told reporters Sunday he was feeling much better, and didn’t expect the injury to impact his lateral mobility.