Golden State's Camp Buzz Is Ahead of What It Can Prove
The local beat is handing out verdicts on Lendeborg, Williams and Niang before Golden State has played a game that counts, while the questions that actually matter, Butler's return and Curry's new contract, stay open.
Golden State opens its preseason at the Clippers tonight still 0-0, and the beat is already writing report cards on players who haven't logged a minute that counts. The gap between camp praise and what Golden State can show on the floor is the story right now.
Tonight Is Golden State's Only Data Point
Tonight's game at the Clippers is Golden State's only data point so far. NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Steve Kerr laid out his minutes plan for the opener and what he wants from Draymond Green this year, and Golden State of Mind reported Kerr has already said Green will start, with three other spots up for grabs. That's a coach setting a floor, not a verdict.
The New Guys Get Their Reviews In
Camp coverage has turned warmly toward two offseason additions. NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson reported growing praise for Brandon Williams and Georges Niang, including a camp quote calling Williams "the fastest guy we've ever had here." Williams already proved useful before he ever got to Golden State, 13.0 points and 3.9 assists a game in 22.2 minutes last season, so the praise tracks. Niang, 33 and in his ninth season, has no Warriors stats yet to check it against.
Lendeborg's Hype Still Needs a Test
Kerr told NBC Sports Bay Area that rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is "100 percent" the most pro-ready rookie he has coached, and The Athletic framed his real first-year test as living up to Golden State's defensive expectations. Lendeborg logged zero NBA minutes last season. Every word so far is camp praise; The Athletic's framing is the useful one, because it has to hold up once games start counting October 21 at the Lakers.
Butler's Return Date Hasn't Moved
The Athletic reported that a rehabbing Jimmy Butler is itching to return and that Golden State is keeping his practices light. That reporting sits next to a fact Golden State already logged: Butler is out with a right knee injury, expected back January 2, three months after tonight's opener. The Athletic also raised what Curry's next chapter looks like, a fair question given Curry and Golden State finalized a two-year extension September 25 with no terms reported since. Neither story is settled, and camp optimism closes neither one.
Why isn't Jimmy Butler playing in Golden State's preseason opener?
Butler is out with a right knee injury; Golden State has him returning January 2, three months after tonight's game at the Clippers.
What has Steve Kerr said about rookie Yaxel Lendeborg?
Kerr called him the most pro-ready rookie he has coached, though The Athletic notes his defensive performance against real competition is still the test that hasn't happened yet.
