Kerr replaces Wiseman with Looney
Slow starts by starting five prompts switch
SAN FRANCISCO » In an effort to improve the Warriors’ defense and avoid falling into early deficits, Warriors coach Steve Kerr has decided to start Kevon Looney at center, supplanting rookie James Wiseman, ahead of Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“We have a lot of moving parts,” Kerr said prior to the game. “We’re trying to develop young players and be a playoff team, be a contender. And we’re trying to do all that at once. And so part of that process is going to include occasional changes to lineups combinations. I’m very confident that this ultimately will be a good part of James’s development. He’s still going to play, but it gives him a slightly different role and a different way to look at the game.”
Wiseman, 19, has had his share of “SportsCenter”worthy highlights, but has also struggled to protect the rim, guard in space and defend without fouling. Citing the need to improve defensively, Kerr will start Looney alongside Stephen Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr.,
Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. In his fiveplus seasons, Looney has emerged as a reliable defender who can switch onto multiple positions and execute a game plan.
This is not an indictment on Wiseman, the No. 2 pick in November’s draft who faced a steep learning curve after having played just three college games at Memphis, according
to Kerr. In 16 games with the Warriors, Wiseman averaged 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 21.4 minutes per game. Wiseman will slide into Looney’s previous role off the bench, likely seeing time at the end of the first and third quarters.
G LEAGUE BUBBLE » Along with two-way contract player Nico Mannion, second-year guard Jordan Poole and second-year forward Alen Smailagic are expected to accompany the Santa Cruz Warriors to the G League bubble near Orlando next month. On Feb. 8, 18 G League teams will begin a season that will include 12 to 15 games, followed by a postseason that will begin at the beginning of March. Mannion, a rookie, will see extended playing time running a professional offense. Meanwhile, Poole (5.3 points, 1,2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 10.3 minutes per game) should see more minutes than he is currently getting as part of Golden State’s rotation.