Take it easy, Warriors fans, blowout was just one game
One game down, and Warriors fans are acting like the sky is falling. Yes, the opening-night loss to the Nets was a beating, but it’s important to remember that it’s only one game and it’s hard to make sweeping conclusions on that small a sample size. So, with that in mind, try to enjoy your holiday and the Warriors’ marquee matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day. In the spirit of giving, here’s a Christmas Eve mailbag.
As always, thanks to everyone who submitted questions. You can contribute to future mailbags by sending your question to wgoldberg@bayareanewsgroup.com or @wcgoldberg on Twitter.
For Oubre and Wiggins to cut effectively, they need space, and to create space, the Warriors need to make 3- pointers. Steve Kerr has committed to shooting more from beyond the arc this season, but when the Warriors miss their first seven 3-pointers of the game — as they did Tuesday in Brooklyn — any semblance of space they may have evaporates. The Warriors need to get a few 3- pointers to fall early each game. That’s partly on Steph Curry, but Wiggins and Oubre need to earn the respect of the defense, too. As for Mulder …
Q: Kerr said, based on his cameo, Mulder has earned more minutes. But surely there’s nothing he showed that he didn’t show in the preseason games. Why didn’t he play more when we were struggling with our shooting?
— @mcgboye.
That’s a fair critique. Mulder backed into the end of this roster after a solid training camp and preseason, and he’s technically behind guards Brad Wanamaker, Kent Bazemore, Damion Lee and Jordan Poole on the depth chart. I wonder how much longer Kerr will maintain that hierarchy before mixing things up, especially in games when they are clanging 3-pointers the way they did Tuesday. When Kerr is in need of 3-point shooting and looks at the bench, Mulder is simply the best option (other than Curry, of course). Kerr said this week that the rotation is far from set and players will be rewarded for playing well. I’d bet on Mulder seeing playing time earlier today.
Q: So now that we’re headed back to the lottery, what kind of roster changes can we expect around trade deadline? — Dynasty Over.
Yikes. It’s been one game, chill. Still, as I predicted before the season, I think this team makes a trade at some point before the March 25 deadline. If Wiggins doesn’t play better more consistently, the Warriors could try to move him (the contracts of Blake Griffin, Al Horford and LaMarcus Aldridge closely match). Oubre becomes a free agent after the season and, if the Warriors don’t think they can re- sign him, could trade him for a more long-term answer as well. It all depends on what this team looks like at the conclusion of the first part of the season on March 4.
Q: Who do you think can help Steph get open shots?
— MJ Castro.
Q: I thought Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins were supposed to be primarily slashers and cutters to the rim. All I see them do is chuck and miss 3-pointers. Meanwhile the guy that actually can hit 3s (Mychal Mulder) doesn’t get any minutes. — Chriss Norton.
This team really misses Draymond Green, especially on offense, where he can help organize things as a play- maker. Most of Curry’s shots Tuesday came off simple pick- and-roll plays, where he was the primary ball- handler. That’s not when Curry is at his best. The Warriors need him to be scampering along the 3-point line, forcing defenses to react and opening up cutting lanes for Wiggins and Oubre. Green is the only other trusted ball-handler on this team, and getting him back from this foot injury will help free Curry to do what he does best.
Q: Lonzo Ball just bought all his teammates new XBoxes, and the Clippers all just got PS5s. What do you think each Warrior would give all his teammates if he were in that position? — @MidLvlException.
This is easy. Curry gives his teammates Curry Brand beanies and hoodies to weather the cold. Green hooks the team up with a Peloton membership. Klay Thompson is a gag-gift giver, so beer belts for everyone. Wiggins games on a Play Station, while most of the young guys play XBox, so Wiggins buys everyone a PS5 so he can play “Call of Duty” with his teammates.