Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green show good chemistry in their first pairing.
Positives include a first look at on-court chemistry between Green and Wiggins
SAN FRANCISCO >> On Monday, the Warriors welcomed Andre Iguodala and his new team, the Miami Heat, to Chase Center.
After the tribute videos, speeches and ovations, the new-look Warriors (12-42) got out to a slow start, though they looked better in the second half against the contending Heat (35-18). Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ 113-101 loss to the Heat.
FIRST LOOK AT DRAYMOND GREEN AND ANDREW WIGGINS TOGETHER >> Having missed the last game against the Lakers, Green played with Wiggins for the first time Monday night. It was an initial look at what could be an important partnership for the Warriors going forward.
With nine assists, Green reprised his role as point forward, guiding an offense now without D’Angelo Russell. In Golden State, Wiggins won’t be tasked with initiating offense in the same way he was in Minnesota. Rather, he’ll more often play off Stephen Curry and Green.
Next season, Steve Kerr could opt to stagger Curry and Green to make sure he has one of his best facilitators on the floor at all times. In that case, Wiggins could split time playing second banana to one of his All-Star teammates.
After a slow start, Wiggins scored 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter, helping the Warriors cut Miami’s 24-point lead to four with 2:31 remaining and outscoring the Heat 32-21 in the period.
With Green pushing the break, Wiggins is able to run the floor and spot up from 3-point range. In Minnesota, he shot 36% off the catch.
“He pushes the ball, great leader and if you’re open, he’s going to find you,” Wiggins said. “He’s always trying to make the right play.”
MARQUESE CHRISS THRIVING >> In the two games since Chriss had his twoway contract converted to a standard, 15-man roster contract, he’s played his best basketball in an already-impressive season.
After going for 26 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s loss to the Lakers, Chriss finished with 17 points on 5-for10 shooting and nine rebounds against the Heat. Again connecting on a number of lobs, he also came away with two steals and a block on defense.
However, the Warriors still sacrifice some rim protection with Chriss at center, as they gave up 50 points in the paint while also allowing the Heat to shoot 49.4% overall.
“They have their shooters running around the outside and you have to honor that,” Chriss said. “They just had our number.”
Still, the Warriors should be encouraged by what they’ve seen from Chriss since signing him to a standard contract. His ability to run the floor, provide vertical spacing and natural passing instincts make him a natural fit for Golden State’s core.
IGUODALA’S RETURN >>After shootaround Monday, Green joked that, when he saw Iguodala later that night, he would greet his former teammate with a flagrant foul.
“Soon as I get a chance,” Green deadpanned. “It’ll be worth it. I’ll get to talk about that for the rest of my life.”
“I had a few of those in practice,” responded Iguodala. “The second team used to win a lot.”
Seven months after getting traded by the Warriors to the Grizzlies, Iguodala played his first game at Chase Center as a member of the Heat. Instead of with a hard foul, Iguodala was greeted by a tribute video, a speech by Klay Thompson and a standing ovation.
“We brought a certain type of spirit that’s really special,” Iguodala said. “So I’ll always try to embrace it.”
Though he finished with only two points, five rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes, he spent much of the night mingling with former teammates and new Warriors. He shared a moment with Kerr on the sideline, joked with Green, Curry and Thompson, and reached out to new Warriors like rookie Alen Smailagic.