Coach Kerr doesn’t see many healthy players in practice
SAN FRANCISCO >> Steve Kerr compared the feeling at Warriors headquarters on Monday to an AAU practice. But that’s no indictment of Dragan Bender’s first practice in blue and gold.
Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry were all in Los Angeles at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service, while injuries kept two other starters sidelined.
Most notably, Kerr said Andrew Wiggins had suffered a leg contusion Sunday against New Orleans that kept him out of practice Monday.
The Warriors were down to six healthy players, leaving Kerr to liken Monday’s get together to an AAU practice.
There was one new face inside Chase Center: Bender, who practiced for the first time since Golden State signed him to a 10-day contract on Sunday. BENDER TAKES NOTE OF WARRIORS’ WINNING CULTURE >> Bender was one of the final players on the practice court, albeit there wasn’t much competition for that crown Monday afternoon.
While video coordinator James Laughlin and player development coach Luke Loucks acted as rebounders and passers, Bender practiced pick and pops and put up shots from the perimeter. Above them hung the array of championship banners won over the years, including the three from this current dynasty, on hiatus this season.
Each banner inside the Warriors practice facility has a border made up by the names of the players who contributed to it. They don’t hang banners for winning the NBA draft lottery, so this season won’t produce a fourth in six years. But Bender has immediately
noticed a difference here.
“They’re all about winning. It’s all about that,” Bender said. “This year is a little bit different, but the same things still apply . ... Guys have been through the playoffs, been through the conference finals, going all the way.”
Phoenix and Milwaukee, Bender’s first two stops in the league, have one NBA championship between them — from 1971. Bender spent his first three years with the Suns, who didn’t win more than 24 games in any of the three seasons. Bender smiled at the mention of Marquese Chriss, who also endured the losing that came with being a lottery pick of the Suns in 2016.
Kerr, for one, was impressed with Bender’s debut. He scored six points on 2-of-8 shooting with five rebounds and three assists.
“Anybody you bring in has to acclimate quickly, so it seems Dragan picks up things really easily,” Kerr said. “... He’s a really talented player. He could be a really good fit for us. He just has to get comfortable.”
Bender said he’s not feeling the pressure of the 10-day contract, but the Warriors will still soon have to decide if he has a future with the team. Kerr spoke optmistically, but what does he hope to see from Bender the next week?
“He’s just got to compete and play the role we want him to play, which is pick and pop big guy,” Kerr said. “Defend his position and understand our schemes.”
EXPLANATION FOR WIGGINS’ WORST GAME? >> Kerr didn’t specify on what play Wiggins bruised his leg, but it’s worth wondering how much it played into Wiggins’ worst game as a Warrior.
In five games since being acquired by Golden State, Wiggins has averaged 19.8 points and dramatically increased his scoring efficiency. He’s shooting five points better from the field than with Minnesota earlier this season, and has raised his 3-point percentage from 33.1 — closer to his career average — to 47.8 (on 23 attempts).
But the 115-101 loss to New Orleans was the first time Wiggins has been held to single-digit scoring all season. He made just 3 of his 16 attempts from the field for eight points. JORDAN POOLE STEPS INTO STARTING ROLE >> Jordan Poole’s 19-point performance Sunday against the Pelicans was his sixth straight game scoring in double figures, the longest stretch of his rookie season.
Kerr has liked what he’s seen recently enough to reinsert Poole back into the Warriors starting five the past three games.
“Earlier in the season, I don’t think he was ready for this,” Kerr said. “He’s gotten a lot better. I feel like he’s now more prepared to play this kind of role.”
When Curry injured his wrist four games into the season and D’Angelo Russell couldn’t play because of a sprained thumb, the Warriors were forced to start the rookie before they believed he was ready.
“He’s much better than he was back in October, November, when we were starting him out of necessity because of our injury situation,” Kerr said. “I think he’s recognizing situations better. He’s figuring out when to shoot, when to cut, when to move the ball on.”