Jones’ strong opener yields another starting assignment
OAKLAND >> At some point, such as when DeMarcus Cousins is ready to play, Steve Kerr will change his starting center. But after watching Damian Jones’ performance in the season opener — 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and three rebounds in 26 minutes — Kerr knew who would start Friday in Utah.
“We’re going to stay with DJ,” Kerr said soon ofter the 108-100 victory over Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. “I don’t know for how long. But we’ll stay with him.”
It appears it will be at least long enough for Jones to start against two of the NBA’s most elite and physical centers in Utah’s Rudy Gobert and Denver’s Nikola Jokic (Sunday). Steven Adams, the rough-andtumble center for Oklahoma City, was limited Tuesday night by a lower back, but the Warriors still were impressed that Jones held his own.
Told he’d remain the starter, Jones said: “That’s cool. I have it in my mind that you don’t have to worry about the role.”
On one play, Adams pushed Jones down when the officials weren’t looking. But on others, Jones excelled at Adams’ expense. He blocked one of his shots. He threw down
lobs. He ran the pick-and-roll with Stephen Curry. Kerr said, “He gave us exactly what we want.”
“He’s coming in and learning the schemes and the tricks of the game that you don’t really get unless you play,” Durant said. “It’s a great test for him to go against Steven Adams. He’s a bulldog in the paint. I think he held his own.”
• Opening-night numbers reflected the Warriors’ current sentiments about Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell.
The Warriors consider Looney dependable because of his consistent defense and hustle plays. The Warriors consider Bell unpredictable because of his struggle in blending his athleticism with strong decision making.
Hence, the numbers from Tuesday night: Looney (10 points on 5-of-11 shooting, 10 rebounds in 18 minutes) and Bell (zero points, two rebounds in seven minutes). Kerr occasionally played an out-of-shape Draymond Green at center instead of Bell.
So, here’s the latest Warriors’ depth chart. Jones will start because
Kerr observed he provides “a good burst” to start the game.” Then, Looney will play because Kerr found him the “best big throughout camp.” Bell will get the leftovers. As Kerr cautioned, though, “that can always change.”
“Jordan will get his chance,” Kerr said. “He knows it.”
• Andre Iguodala played only 11 minutes because of left calf tightness. The Warriors said Iguodala sat out the second half for precautionary reasons. But considering how the Warriors managed Iguodala through various ailments last season, this might be the beginning of the same chapter.
Iguodala, 34, missed 15 regularseason games last season for various minor ailments, including a sore left knee (eight), sprained left wrist (three), left calf contusion (two) and the flu (one). He sat two regularseason games for rest. And then he missed six playoff games because of a left knee contusion, which required a non-invasive procedure this offseason.
Iguodala said he reported to training camp fully healthy, but Father Time usually returns quickly. So even if the Warriors say this means very little right now, it might mean something
later. It also further exposes the Warriors have very little wing depth.
Patrick McCaw is in St. Louis for some reason. His replacement, Alfonzo McKinnie, played only two minutes. And rookie forward Jacob Evans had a healthy scratch.
• The Warriors spoke before Tuesday’s game about keeping their focus amid the emotions and distractions of an opening-night ring ceremony. And sure enough, the Warriors did not lack focus. They lacked energy.
They held a 10-point lead at half, but Kerr and Green said it could have been 20 except for their turnovers (13) and fouls (14). After all, the Thunder did not have star guard Russell Westbrook (right knee surgery).
The Warriors fell behind in the third quarter when OKC outscored them 22-9. During that time, Kerr observed that his players dribbled too much instead of passing and moving.
“Most of our guys looked spent out there,” Kerr said. “But this is the only way to get over the hump. They have the foundation of the conditioning. They got to get over the hump with their wind and their legs.”
The next two games, in the altitude of Utah and Colorado, will present a challenge in that regard.