Kurtenbach

shift in the power dynamics between the front office and the coaching staff, with Kerr holding far more experience.

So, how is Kerr and Dunleavy's relationship? I asked both men Monday.

For Kerr, Myers' vote of confidence in Dunleavy is all he needed.

“I think I could not ask for a better new partner than Mike, given that Mike and Bob are best friends,” Kerr said. “[Bob] was able to groom Mike over the last

few years. Mike and I have gotten close. We've spent a lot of time together. We have a lot of shared values in terms of what we think wins, what kind of player, what kind of team.”

“I'll probably lean on him in a lot of ways,” Dunleavy said of Kerr. “He's had this position before as a general manager. So he definitely can provide some great insight, and he already has; and I'll continue to help and support him any way I can.”

So that's in order. Now, what about the team?

We'll get a better sense of things next Monday, when the team will hold a media day, but Kerr and Dunleavy

seem encouraged by the players' offseason work.

And both have been encouraged by the new guy's attitude.

It's fair to say that Chris Paul was no Warriors' friend when he was traded to Golden State in July.

But he wasn't Jordan Poole, and his career timeline is far better aligned with the Warriors' veterans, so he's now wearing blue and gold. (His shorter contract term also helped make him a Warrior.)

Paul also had no connection when he took a 6 a.m. Southwest flight from Southern California to participate in a Chase Center

workout with Steph Curry and the other Warriors.

Ignoring the inherent comedy of a longtime Warriors rival buying a “Wanna Get Away” fare so he can practice with his new teammates, it's those kinds of sacrifices that has the Warriors' brass bullish on the Dubs' ability to jell early.

“They got it. They know we were a little discombobulated, especially as the season went on last year, and everybody knows we need to correct it,” Dunleavy said. “We are in a good place in that area, but you've got to keep it going.”

Indeed, training camp

— a general afterthought for this organization during the salad days — will be critical this season. The Dubs need to keep the good vibes rolling. They need to set a strong foundation for this season. They need to make it through a few weeks of practice without fisticuffs.

The Warriors' poor start to last season — and all the obvious reasons behind it — created a hole for the team it remained in all campaign.

“I do think we need to have a good training camp. I think it's imperative that we get off to a better start this year, not just in terms

of our record but in terms of our preparation,” Kerr said. “I believe that when a team is not well-connected, then the road is where that lack of connection will show that, and I think that's what happened last year….That's why I'm going to really keep talking about this connection and the fact that we've got to bond and come together right away to get to have that good start.”

Yes, the Warriors want to do the opposite of everything they did last preseason.

In turn, the fate of their regular — and perhaps postseason — should change, too.