No structural damage for Green.
NEWORLEANS » As he hoisted 3-pointers from around the court, Warriors forward Draymond Green offered more and more visible signs that his left knee might not be an issue.
The Warriors (0-1) upgraded his playing status for Friday’s game against the Pelicans (0-1) at Smoothie King Center from doubtful to probable after completing all of Thursday’s evening practice without any limitations.
Granted, the Warriors did not have any scrimmages. But Green’s progression marks a huge step after missing the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game and Wednesday’s practice with a strained left knee. The results of an MRI taken on Wednesday, though, came out negative and showed no new structural damage.
“It’s what we expected. It wasn’t like we were holding our breath,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after holding practice at the Hertz Center in Tulane University. “It’s kind of what we thought would happen. It would’ve been a surprise if it was a major injury.”
The Warriors also received good news on reserve forward Andre Iguodala, who was upgraded from questionable to probable after nursing a back strain that kept him out of last week’s pre-season opener against Sacramento and this week’s season opener against Houston. TheWarriors, though, ruled out reserve guard Omri Casspi after nursing sprains in both of his ankles.
Kerr would not commit toward any contingency plans for Green’s absence, joking “we’re going to play games with [New Orleans coach] Alan [Gentry] and keep him keep him guessing and really destroy his game plan.” But Kerr said it’s “very possible” reserve forwards Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney could receivemore playing time after having an extended role against Houston.
“They could both play like they did opening night or neither one of them will play,” Kerr said. “Or only one of them will play. When you’re in that role in the NBA, it’s your job to stay ready and produce when we call upon you.”
If that happens, theywill have the unenviable task of matching up against the Pelicans’ frontline in DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. The NBA universe is small, but the Pelicans’ world is big.
“There are very few bigs in the league anymore anyway from 20 years ago. So I think this is probably an anomaly. But it’s a challenge,” Kerr said. “It’s a different style of defense that you have to play fromwhat you’re growing accustomed to in the NBA these days.”
Looney and Bell heard the message, both about prepareing for the unexpected and matching up with two bigs.
“It’s more of a paint game. Rebounding is going to be very important,” Looney said. “You have to know that guys are going to make shots and make plays. They can’t get frustrated. Youhave to be there and make it difficult for them.”
It might become difficult for Bell and Looney, though. Besides the talent Davis and Cousins have, they had spent this week playing a Houston team that relies instead on small ball.
“With the games being so close, you have to focus on the opponent ahead,” Bell said. “I couldn’t worry about them before we played Houston.”
• Two developments brought back sudden reminders of the Warriors’ trip to China. A group of Warriors fans stood outside the Hertz Center after word spread the War- riors were practicing here. The Warriors also tried to address jetlag by holding an evening practice after landing in New Orleans.
“We do it on purpose. We want them to break a sweat. Two-hour time change affects your sleeping patterns,” Kerr said. “So I would much prefer this. I was like this as a player. I would much prefer, land, and practice and break a sweat. It seems to help you with the jetlag a little bit. We always seem to do this way.”
The Warriors still plan to have a morning shootaround on Friday, given the game tips off at 8:30 local time, something that befuddled Kerr.
“It’s all right. This is what the league created when they let Seattle and Vancouver leave those Pacific Time slots,” Kerr said. “As a result for TV purposes, you got all these mountain and central time zone games that start at 8:45 [ pm]. Maybe the league should’ve thought of that.”
• The Warriors plan to unveil a new identity, and it does not just involve improving their conditioning and on-court play.
The Warriors will debut their Nike Classic Edition uniforms for Friday’s game against New Orleans. They willwear the uniform in 12 other games throughout the 2017-18 season. The Warriors noted the “Classic Edition” jersey features elements similar to what they wore between the 19831988 seasons, including a white color base that has a similar font and logo
Though Bell called the uniforms “solid,” he appeared stoic after seeing a photo of the jersey.
“I went to Oregon, so that’s a normal thing,” Bell said. “We wore the same jersey like three times, maybe.”