First-half schedule released, starting with four on the road
The Warriors announced the first half of their 202021 schedule Friday, which includes games against Chicago and Detroit to complete a four-game seasonopening trip that starts Dec. 22 against Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets and continues Christmas Day in Milwaukee.
The home opener, New Year’s Day against the Portland Trail Blazers, will be the first of seven consecutive games at Chase Center.
To reduce travel amid the coronavirus pandemic, NBA teams are playing a number of two-game series against the same opponent. In their opening homestand, the Warriors will play back-to-back games against Portland and later will face the Los Angeles Clippers in consecutive games.
The Warriors will play in their 20th Martin Luther King Jr. Day game, taking on the defending champion Lakers on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles.
Of the 37 games on the first half of the Warriors’ schedule, 14 will be on national TV.
OUBRE FEELING THE VIBES >> The Warriors are teeming with new faces, Kelly Oubre Jr. among them.
In a Zoom call Friday
with reporters, the new Warrior said he is adjusting to life in San Francisco amid the pandemic, getting outside to “see some of the vibes that are out there.”
“I’m falling more and more in love with it every day,” he said. “Exploring and seeing the beauty that surrounds me.”
Oubre Jr. said he has come to appreciate the team’s work ethic during his individual workouts. Head coach Steve Kerr said he anticipates the 24-yearold to be in the Warriors’ starting rotation — in essence filling Klay Thompson’s role.
No one can replace
Thompson’s offensive style, so his absence for a second consecutive season will force the Warriors to change their offensive approach.
Kerr anticipates opposing teams packing the paint and forcing shots from outside. A welcome challenge if Thompson were healthy, but a puzzle with wings Oubre and Andrew Wiggins.
Oubre didn’t sound worried, acknowledging that the Warriors’ motion offense utilizes his skills perfectly in transition and ability to cut.
“It fits me,” Oubre said of the Warriors’ scheme. “Fast-paced basketball. Lucid basketball. We can all play positionless ball. It really works well in versatile players’ favor.”
Oubre and Wiggins are both Kansas alums, though their paths only crossed when Oubre was visiting campus and prodded Wiggins for some advice. They’re both introverts, Oubre said, and have been reconnecting at the Warriors facility. Now that their paths finally crossed on the court, Oubre can see how they’ll meld together. How does he envision the tandem?
“Havoc. I can’t wait to wreak it with my boy,” he said.
PASCHALL UPDATE >> Eric Paschall returns after being named to the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie first team, shining amid the Warriors’ fall from NBA finalist to the basement. Developing a more consistent 3-point shot could nudge Paschall to a more prominent role. Friday, he said he has made some tweaks to his shot over the team’s long offseason.
“Trying to jump less, get a little more arc on it,” Paschall said.
ON THE HORIZON >> Training camp begins next week for the Warriors, and their first exhibition games — on Dec. 12 against the Denver Nuggets and Dec. 15 and 17 against the Sacramento Kings — will soon follow.