Golden State Warriors Training Camp Preview

Shooting Guard

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Klay Thompson

Bench: Brandon Rush, Leandro Barbosa, Justin Holiday

Much unlike last season, the Warriors will have legitimate backup shooting guards that can be expected to play extensively during the season.

Thompson is without a doubt the starter, and he’ll be looking to show that he’s improved a great deal after his experience in Spain. After proving himself on equal footing with the some of the best in the world, Thompson will be looking to prove himself worthy of being considered among the NBA’s elite. Is he worth a max contract, though? We’ll find out soon enough, but Thompson’s agent is sure stirring up enough hype to warrant a max deal for his client.

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Also coming back from playing in the FIBA World Cup in Spain is Barbosa, who was arguably the best perimeter player for the Brazilian national team.

Barbosa, who played for the Phoenix Suns between 2003 and 2010, has ties to new Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who was general manager for the Suns between 2007 and 2010. Hopefully Kerr’s familiarity with the former Sixth Man of the Year helps the team take advantage of Barbosa’s scoring abilities off the bench.

As for Rush, the Warriors’ sixth man is back after being traded to the Utah Jazz to make room for a certain small forward. Prior to that trade, Rush had suffered a torn-ACL in his left leg, which he was unable to bounce back from while playing with the Jazz.

Rush recently told San Francisco Chronicle writer Rusty Simmons that his knee is back at 100 percent, but now it’s a matter of overcoming the “mental hurdle” when driving towards the basket.

Holiday, brother of New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday, played great for the Warriors Summer League team and earned himself an invite to training camp; however, it’s unlikely the athletic and defense-minded off-guard will make the team over the three veterans.