Jerebko earns his wings
Free agent’s tip-in vs. Jazz did more than win a game
“They didn’t want ya Jonas,” Klay Thompson said via Twitter.
Although Jerebko spoke diplomatically afterwards, his reaction to the tip-in told a different story. Jerebko pumped his right fist, then stood briefly in front of the Jazz bench, unleashing a primal scream. That last act greatly impressed one of the Warriors’ stars, no surprise which one.
“Forget the win. Forget the game. My favorite part was he started yelling in the bench’s face,” Draymond Green said. “That was the best part of it.”
Jerebko had been struggling to find his place since training camp. He had a forgettable opener, playing only six minutes in Tuesday night;s victory over Oklahoma City. He got 24 minutes Friday, largely because of Andre Iguodala’s absence, and he contributed 10 points (on 4-of-5 shooting) and six rebounds.
“We’ve got some great guys on the team. They’ve been supporting me,” Jerebko said. “They knew this was a big game for me coming back here. I wanted the win.”
• Kevin Durant, who led the Warriors with 38 points— Steph Curry had 31 —— suggested that Jerebko’s contributions went far beyond the box score.
“He knew every single play they were running. He knew everybody on their team and their tendencies,” Durant said. “He was calling out plays and yelling to the bench and letting guys know what was going on.”
• Iguodala didn’t play — tightness in his left calf — but he did produce a memorable moment. He tore off his shirt to celebrate Jerebko’s game-winner.
Andre Iguodala, who sat because of tightness in his left calf, took off his shirt to celebrate.
“Andre can do that. I don’t think I can do that,” Kerr said, smiling. “I couldn’t pull that off.”
As to the more serious issue, Kerr predicted Iguodala would play today in Denver.
• Draymond Green had 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes. He provided defensive intensity. He became vocal with his teammates, opponents and officials.
In other words, Draymond had a Draymond game, albeit under unique circumstances.
He had missed three exhibitions because of a sore left knee. He also admitted feeling fatigued in the season opener where he had two points on 1-of-5 shooting, 13 rebounds and five assists in 33 minutes.
Where did Green find the energy?
“I started defending,” he said. “I really focused in on the defensive end. Once I focused in on the defensive end and started making plays on that end, that’s what got me going. It’s getting back to the basics and getting back to what I’m great at.
“Then letting everything else just happen.”
One thing that happened: Green picked up a personal foul and double technical with Utah forward Derrick Favors with 8:08 left in the third quarter.
“He’s trying to get himself going,” Curry said of Green. “He’s a smart guy. He understands in the moment how to balance the fire, chippiness and that edge he needs and not distract from what we do.
“He’s able to control it to the point where it’ll turn for him as we get deeper in the season.”
• Who was the guy Curry called out during the ring ceremony?
His name is Eric Housen. He helps with the Warriors’ equipment needs and travel arrangements. And he’s in his 32nd year with the team.
“He’s the guy that makes the whole operation work,” Kerr said. “It was great Steph and the players brought him into the scrum at ring night. He got a moment in the sun. That was well designed.”