SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors dazzled fans – at least for the first half – with stellar passing and shot-making in their preseason opener against the Lakers.
Game No. 2 on Wednesday against Portland, however, will see the team focus on a more individualistic side of the game that is favored by Jimmy Butler.
Coach Steve Kerr expressed a desire to work on his team’s alignment in half-court and isolation sets, which will feature more 5-out looks this season with the addition of sharpshooting center Al Horford, who has developed instant chemistry with his teammates.
Great spacing is more than just having all five players dotted a couple feet outside the 3-point line, though.
“Sometimes it means there’s a big in the dunker spot, and sometimes it means you have a guy in the corner and the other three guys are all around the 3-point line and nobody is in the paint,” Kerr said after Tuesday’s practice. “There’s all these things that are possibilities, and we have to adjust and react to what the circumstances are.”
Spacing remains a factor in Jonathan Kuminga’s playing time with the veterans. Though Kuminga made a 3-pointer against the Lakers’ backups, he, Draymond Green and Butler are not big threats from outside the arc.
“There wasn’t much spacing, which is the big concern, but we have to continue to give them some looks,” Kerr said. “But I think Al changes the equation here, and I’m really intrigued to put Al and JK together.”
The shooting center makes an impact on the other side of the ball, too.
With Horford’s addition, the Warriors now have another experienced and versatile defender to play next to Green.
The 39-year-old newcomer had three blocks in just 14 minutes on Sunday, and that was not by accident.
“I felt like he had my back out there, and he allowed me to go out and make some plays,” Horford said of Green. “To be aggressive and go and block some shots and do things with him back there.”
One of Golden State’s youngest players is also benefiting from Horford’s presence.
“I feel like I can learn from him, where he picks his spots to be aggressive, whether that be in short rolls or quick seals,” second-year center Quinten Post said. “He’s very aggressive with his shots, and he even attacks the rim out of those closeouts.”
Horford on Curry connection
Horford had three assists against the Lakers, none more spectacular than his give-and-go bounce pass to a cutting Steph Curry in transition.
“He’s such a smart player and it’s easy to play off of him,” Horford said of Curry. “When he passed me the ball, I knew he was going to cut. So I guess that’s the unspoken chemistry right there. He expected me to pass the ball, and I did.”
Horford later added, “He just does a good job of terrifying everybody in the league every time he moves. That’s something I’m going to take advantage of.”
Matter of minutes
The veterans – Curry, Horford, Green and Butler – all played fewer than 15 minutes against Los Angeles. None of the four played in the second half, something that will likely change against Portland.
“We usually ramp them up a little bit each game,” Kerr said. “I imagine it will be a little bit more than the other night, but I’ll wait and see what (team doctor) Rick (Celebrini) says.”