Hurt Iguodala leaves sting at wing position
OAKLAND » Beyond their star power, the Warriors live by the creed “Strength in Numbers.” When it comes to their wing position, though, the Warriors neither have strength nor numbers.
Where they lack in strength: the Warriors (1- 0) listed veteran Andre Iguodala as questionable for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz (1- 0) in Salt Lake City after missing Thursday’s practice because of left calf tightness. He also skipped the second half of the Warriors’ season- opening win over Oklahoma City on Tuesday for precautionary reasons.
“If he doesn’t play, that really affects everything,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We’ll play a lot of people.”
Where they lack in numbers: the Warriors do not have many other wing options. It appears increasingly unlikely Patrick McCaw will re-sign with the Warriors after refusing both a $1.7 million qualifying offer and a two-year, $5.2 million deal through training camp. The Warriors became intrigued with training camp invitee Alfonzo McKinnie because of his hustle and versatility as a scorer and defender, but he only logged two minutes in the seasonopener. TheWarriors drafted rookie Jacob Evans atNo. 28 for the same reasons, but he received a healthy scratch against the Thunder.
“I’m going to throw everybody out there at some point,” Kerr said. “If Andre is not playing, you’ll see Alfonzo out there. Whatever the game calls for, but I’m not afraid to put anybody out there.” OPTIONS AT THE WING » The Warriors are not exactly afraid of their roster. They have four healthy All- Stars with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Though the Warriors do not have a definitive timetable on DeMarcus Cousins’ return from rehabbing his left Achilles tendon, they have become pleased with his progression through non- contact and conditioning drills.
As for their wing position? Figuring that out might be as daunting as the Warriors improving their conditioning in high altitude cities this weekend in Salt Lake City (today) and Denver (Sunday).
“The altitude will be interesting. One way to get over the hump I guess is to go to 6,000 feet,” Kerr said. “It’ll be a matter of games, not weeks where I feel good and our players feel good about the overall wind and conditioning.”
How long will the Warriors feel comfortable with their wing position?
The most immediate solution involves Iguodala’s health. Even if the 34-year- old Iguodala reported fully healthy entering the season, though, it only took one regular season game to change that answer.
Will his other ailments return? He missed a combined 15 regular- season games last season because of a sore left knee (eight), sprained left wrist (three), left calf contusion (two), the flu (one). He sat for six playoff games because of a left knee contusion that required a non- invasive procedure this offseason. Even when Iguodala has been relatively healthy, theWarriors have reduced his practice workload and even sat him two games last season for rest. UPGRADE FROM WITHIN » The long- term solution involves overseeing how McKinnie and Evans develop.
“Hopefully I can go out there and take full advantage of those opportunities,” McKinnie said. “That’s all I can really do.”
TheWarriors have credited McKinnie for taking full advantage of his opportunities in training camp. He initially prepared for signing a twoway contract after playing professionally three years ago in Luxembourg and Mexico as well as in the G-League with Chicago (2016-17) and Toronto (2017-18). Instead, theWarriors signed McKinnie to a two-year, non- guaranteed deal for two reasons. McCaw remained absent. The Warriors became impressed with McKinnie’s athleticism, hustle and positional versatility.
“He’s worked hard to get here,” Kerr said. “I like when a guy fights and scraps and crawls. His teammates like him and we like him.”
The Warriors drafted Evans for the same reason, but he might not receive the same opportunities. Despite the Warriors tweaking his mechanics following summer league, Evans averaged 3.2 points on only 24-percent shooting in 18.4 minutes through five preseason games.
“It’s challenging, but honestly, it’s kind of fun. It’s a new challenge. I like a challenge,” Evans said. “I like things that don’t come easy. If there’s some challenges that come at me physically, mentally or emotionally, I kind of like those things. I feel like it makesme a better person.”
Because of those challenges, Kerr likened Evans’ learning curve to thirdyear center Damian Jones, who spent his first two years mostly with their G-League team in Santa Cruz. Eventually, though, Kerr envisions Evans as a combo guard that can defend, hit outside shots and handle the ball.
“He has a chance to be an excellent defensive player,” Kerr said. “Every player in this league needs to find a niche and needs something to hang his hat on.”
Will Evans and McKinnie have enough during increased minutes this weekend? Will Iguodala return and show his value once again goes beyond any modest box score opponents? Or will the Warriors’ All- Stars make this early season development a non issue?
In either case, the Warriors have an early test in showing whether they strength in numbers.