Battle for spot on roster heats up
Galloway is the first cut of training camp
SAN FRANCISCO >> The battle for the Golden State Warriors’ 15th roster spot entered its next stage Saturday while the team treated fans to a proper scrimmage during its annual open practice.
A day after overcoming a sloppy start to take down the Lakers 121-114 to stay unbeaten in preseason action, the Warriors cut guard Langston Galloway on Saturday after the scrimmage. It was the first cut during training camp.
Fellow backcourt contestant Gary Payton II made his preseason debut in 5-on-5 action.
After undergoing surgery on his hernia last month, Payton missed Golden State’s first two preseason games, but the defensive stalwart will play Tuesday against the Lakers, coach Steve Kerr confirmed.
“He’s worked really hard. We love Gary,” Kerr said Saturday. “It was really tough timing for him with the injury. I’m very happy for him that he’ll be able to play.”
Payton shared the court with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Juan ToscanoAnderson, Otto Porter Jr., Moses Moody, Jordan Bell and Mychal Mulder as part of the blue team in the team’s scrimmage Saturday.
“It just feels great to go up and down,” Payton said. “To get out there with the guys, feel good emotions, get some steals, some easy buckets.”
Veteran Avery Bradley, another ballhawk, appeared to have the fast track on the final roster spot, if the Warriors choose to fill it. Already in the luxury tax with the highest payroll in the league, Golden State (30) has indicated it will have to be the right fit.
Curry petitioned management to pony up to fill out the roster to its full breadth.
The Warriors star guard described Bradley as a “bulldog” and said “that’s why he’s here.” The 31-year-old was in Golden State’s first set of substitutions in its first two preseason games.
Payton brings a similar reputation but 3 years younger and with fewer
credentials.
He’ll get two preseason games and a week of practice to prove he’s worth the spot.
Payton said he got the procedure as soon as possible knowing a job was possibly on the line in training camp, but now that’s he’s back on the court but two weeks behind his competition, he said he’s not feeling “too much” pressure.
“I know what’s at stake,” Payton said. “I’ve been with the organization for a few months now; they know what I can do . ... While this happened, I’m still gonna be GP . ... Cause disruption, havoc, get my hands on a lot of ball deflection. And do what I do on offense with my cutting and playmaking ability . ... Just go out there and do what I can do.”
‘A REAL TREAT’ FOR FANS >> While the Warriors’ open practice is an annual tradition, it’s not often as entertaining as it was Saturday. Instead of going through drills, the team treated the approximately 9,000 fans who paid the $5 entry fee to a 24-minute scrimmage.
One tradition stayed the same: the rookies took over the public-address system after practice to perform a song of their choice. The soft-spoken Moses Moody went first with Bow Wow’s “Basketball” and got some help from the crowd during the chorus. Jonathan Kuminga called veteran Andre Iguodala to center court to help him perform a track by Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
“I think it’s a rite of passage for the young guys,” Kerr said. “It’s always a source of fun and bonding. The vets love it. And for the young guys to get past this day, it’s kind of a big deal. It’s nerve-wracking to go sing in front of 9,000 people. It’s something the team always looks forward to.”
The only players not to take part were injured, including Andrew Wiggins, who is nursing a sore knee. Kerr said Wiggins will be fine and that they wanted to get him three consecutive days off to heal. Klay Thompson was feeling ill and was absent.
“I think the fans got a real treat,” Kerr said. “To watch all our guys play, and then to hear all that beautiful singing afterward.”