Just what Warriors may need in lineup
Toscano-Anderson played an important role in win over Bulls
There may be no greater indication of which player a coach trusts than who he turns to in a moment of desperation. And desperate were the Warriors entering Sunday, in need of a win after two blowout losses to start the season.
So head coach Steve Kerr decided to start Juan Toscano-Anderson, a 27-year- old who spent most of his career on professional basketball’s fringe and, on Sunday, played in only his 16th NBA game.
But with Draymond Green still unavailable because of a foot injury and forward Eric Paschall failing to make an impact, Toscano-Anderson’s energy, tough defense and knack for making the smart play helped the Warriors earn a much-needed 129128 victory over Chicago.
“He’s just one of those guys who understands the game at a really, really deep level,” Kerr said. “So every time he goes in, he’s setting the screen at the right time, he’s making the back cut at the right time, he’s sliding over defensively to help at the exact right time. It is a little bit like Draymond in that his brain is on high alert all the time at both ends of the floor.”
The win was highlighted by Damion Lee’s game-winning shot, but the decision to start Toscano-Anderson ahead of Paschall had a wide-ranging impact on the team and was a nod to the organization’s confidence in him.
With Toscano-Anderson starting alongside Stephen Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Wiggins and James Wiseman, Paschall moved into a role off the bench and played like the aggressive rookie from last season who barreled his way to the basket and shot with confidence. He notched
15 points in 19 minutes as Golden State’s bench outscored Chicago’s reserves 54-24.
As the Warriors work to jell, Toscano-Anderson — who on Tuesday signed a two-way contract with the Warriors two days after he was the final cut of training camp — is helping the rotation come together. With the G League’s status in question, he could continue to do so most of the season.
During this 72-game season, two-way players can play up to 50 games and practice without restrictions with their NBA team. For Toscano- Anderson, who grew up in East Oakland and played professionally in Venezuela and Mexico before playing most of the last two seasons for the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz, this is a significant opportunity.
“I’ve been in this situation for the last few years,” Toscano-Anderson said. “I’m going to take it for what it is. I’m not going to cry about it. My thing is, nobody is coming to save me.”
On Sunday, Toscano-Anderson was handed the responsibility akin to what Green would be asked to do against the Bulls.
He spent time guarding forwards Lauri Markkanen and Patrick Williams and guards Coby White and Zach LaVine — sometimes toggling between them in the same play. In all, he allowed his man to make only 6- of-13 shots while he was defending.