Everybody up! The NBA is back in season, and the Golden State Warriors are ready to prove they’re a real contender in a tough Western Conference.
Opening the 2014-15 NBA season on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the timing couldn’t honestly be any worse for the Warriors. As of right now, Golden State is unfortunately looking to be without their starting power forward, their backup point guard and backup shooting guard for the season opener.
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David Leewasconsidered doubtfulfor the opener after suffering a left hamstring strain in last Friday’s preseason finale at Oracle Arena against the Denver Nuggets.
The power forward hasn’t practiced since, so “unless a miracle happens,” expect backup power forwardDraymond Greento start in his place for Wednesday’s game.
Shaun Livingstonis still recovering from thearthroscopic surgeryhe underwent in the offseason on his right toe, which he required after the Warriors medical staff found that the sprained toe he had sustained in his playoffs run with the Brooklyn Nets had not healed properly.
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While Livingston has recently been seen participating in practice, he wasconsidered unlikelyfor the opener.
Warriors head coachSteve Kerrrevealed after Wednesday morning’s practice that Livingston wouldprobably not playin the opener.
What this could possibly mean is Kerr will likely use the backcourt tandem ofAndre IguodalaandLeandro Barbosato lead the second unit withNemanja Nedovicseeing limited floor time (hopefully).
Brandon Rushwas havinglower back spasmsa few weeks back when an MRI revealed that he had asacral stress reaction, but his recent return to practice pointed to him possibly making a short appearance against the Kings.
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Considered probableprior to Wednesday, Kerr said Wednesday morning that Rush will also be joining Livingstonon the inactive listagainst the Kings.
This could translate intoJustin Holidayplaying his first regular season game with the Warriors this year, which would be great for the 25-year-old wingman considering he was the lone training camp contract the teamdecided to keepafter the preseason finale.
With the bench slightly depleted and the starting lineup missing one of their most consistent inside scorers, the key to the game is finding ways to limitDeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins is quite possibly on his way to being the top center in the NBA if he isn’t already: he can score inside, he can drain midrange jumpers, he can facilitate from the low block, he can crash the boards with reckless abandon and he can be a pest defensively.
Bogut will have his work cut out for him, as willFestus Ezeliin the 12-15 minutes he will be limited to.Ognjen Kuzmicwill also have quite the challenge for him should Bogut get into foul trouble or go down with an injury (knock on wood).
This will notably be the first regular season name for the Kings’ 2014 first-round draft pickNik Stauskas, a sharpshooter that will joinBen McLemoreandRudy Gayon the wings.
As some may recall, former Warriors minority owner and current Kings majority owner Vivek Ranadive had some choice words on his shiny new shooter:
Sorry Vivek, but if that’s your reasoning for picking Stauskas, then it seems you’re stilltrapped in Golden State.
The world only recognizes two Splash Brothers, and tonight will be an interesting game should a shooting contest break out betweenStephen Curry,Klay Thompsonand the Michigan State product.
Here’s to hoping one does.
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