The Warriors’ starters for the season opener against the Lakers are still unknown – NBC Sports Bay Area and California
SAN FRANCISCO – Moses Moody is officially out for the Warriors’ regular-season opener Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers while still rehabbing a strained calf, coach Steve Kerr announced Sunday.
Moody did not practice Sunday. He did individual work on the court and in the weight room, but hasn’t wrestled since missing the Warriors’ final three preseason games.
Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga, both returning from ankle problems, fought Sunday and everything went well for them physically. The two forwards will be listed as questionable for the season opener with the expectation that they will be eligible to play.
Losing Moody for at least the first game of the season already throws a wrench into Kerr’s plans for his starting lineup and how he will utilize different combinations. Moody started both preseason games he played in and averaged 14.5 points on 52.4% shooting and was 7-of-12 (58.3%) on 3-pointers. Last season’s Jimmy Butler trade solidified Moody as an on-ball defender who can hit open threes.
Moody’s versatility as someone who can play forward in smaller lineups or shooting guard in larger lineups proved key last season. And Kerr also tries to fill a missing piece.
“I honestly haven’t decided who’s going to start Tuesday yet,” Kerr said.
Which begged the question: Do you know who’s going to do it? start on Tuesday?
With a hint of sarcasm, Kerr rattled off the obvious choices of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Butler, assuming he’s healthy enough. He then clarified who will be at least the fourth person.
“With Moses out, that’s the problem,” Kerr said. “[Brandin Podziemski] it will be out there. BP will be out there.”
Kerr mentioned veteran center Al Horford as an option, as well as Kuminga, but it could go any number of ways. The Warriors don’t want to play Horford, 39, for more than 20-25 minutes per game, making it difficult to decide whether it’s best to start him or come off the bench. If it starts and the Warriors want to close out the game, that means long bench breaks in the middle.
“What we have to think about is what does this mean in the rotation and what does coming off the bench mean,” Kerr said. “Honestly we haven’t decided yet and we need to talk to the kids too.”
The player who will be most affected by fifth place is Green. Starting Horford would put Green in his more natural position as a power forward. But if Kerr decides to downsize and start Kuminga, Green would continue to grow as a small-time center.
None of this is news to Green, who joked that if he were to play the high-five, “I’ll ask for a trade.” The 6-foot-5 defensive genius has probably played more center than Kerr would have liked over the years, but he’s also a key part of the modern NBA’s revolution. The deciding factor for Green’s 14th season is the same as it always has been for someone so decorated.
What’s best for the team? What will help the Warriors win? And what will put them on the path to contending for another championship?
“I’ve faltered my whole career. Sometimes at the five, sometimes at the four,” Green said. “I think you all know me. Whatever helps this team, whatever puts us in the best position to win, that’s what I’m going to do. I train to prepare myself for whatever happens. Playing five-man isn’t always about size, it’s about the size of heart and I think my heart is as big, if not bigger, than anyone else in the league. I always have faith in that.
“I think my brain helps me get by a little bit. I can think better than some guys. I just use the tools I have. But I don’t put a lot of emphasis on whether I play the four or the five. In life we all have ideally what we would like. Ideally I have what I think it would be. But I also know that I play a team sport and in playing a team sport, what might be best for you personally or what do you think is best, if it’s not best for the team, then you’re selfish. And I pride myself on not being selfish.
“So whatever he looks like, whatever I can help… if it’s like, ‘Oh man, your sliding to the five is going to help this lineup, it’s going to help this rotation,’ then great. If he slides to the four, great. Ultimately, Steve has proven in year one that he knows how to do these things, so I’m not going to be the idiot to sit here and question him. I’m going to move forward in my life and prepare for whatever lies ahead.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick is expected to use Gabe Vincent, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton as his starting lineup against the Warriors. LeBron James remains out due to sciatica.
Who Kerr will insert alongside Curry, Podziemski, Butler and Green is to be determined and, always, Draymond is ready, no matter what the cards are shuffled.
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