Kendra Andrews, ESPN
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors need to keep their identification with a fast-paced offense and 3-point taking pictures.
Still trying to find the perfect mixtures with a brand new set of gamers, coach Steve Kerr believes high-volume scoring and taking part in in transition must be an emphasis. Wednesday night time's 122-112 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings was the proof Kerr sought.
The Warriors made 28 of their 52 3-point makes an attempt, probably the most the group has ever made in a sport.
Jonathan Kuminga, when informed of the stat, wore a shocked look on his face and mentioned, “Really?” Golden State's regular-season 3-point document is 27, which it has reached twice.
“I think almost all of them were good shots,” Kerr mentioned of the Warriors' efficiency Wednesday.
Kerr does not have a projected variety of 3s he needs his group to shoot, however he has mentioned he'd wish to see Kuminga try a number of good 3s per sport, and for Andrew Wiggins to take six to seven. He additionally named Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and De'Anthony Melton as gamers he needs to shoot them extra.
Shooting depth is how the Warriors plan to make up for the void Klay Thompson left. Thompson tried 9 3-pointers per sport final season. There's an understanding that nobody participant will be capable of make up for that, so they need an all-hands-on-deck method.
“What I like about this team is, even though we've lost Klay, we've got more shooting depth,” Kerr mentioned. “We have more guys who can step in from one night to the next and make 3s. It's going to be a big part of our team for sure.”
Against the Kings, Buddy Hield shot 6-of-7 from 3, and postgame mentioned that he feels his shot may get even higher as he shakes off the low season rust and will get extra acclimated to his new group.
Kuminga went 4-of-7. Melton additionally hit 4, Stephen Curry and Lindy Waters III each hit three, and Podziemski, Green and Moody hit two.
“Steve actually encourages it,” Podziemski mentioned. “It's what we've been focusing on in camp. It's been transition both ways and shooting 3s. … We have the personnel to do it. It's a little different that we have more guys who can shoot the 3 besides Steph and Klay.”
Podziemski led the group with eight assists in a beginning spot. His connectivity has been highlighted by way of the preseason, because the Warriors alter from shedding Chris Paul within the backup level guard position.
As the Warriors proceed to attempt pushing the tempo, they'll lean on him to bridge the starters and second unit, whether or not or not he comes off of the bench.
“That's all I'm thinking about — just making the right play,” Podziemski mentioned. “I don't need to score the ball to impact the ball.”
He continued: “A lot of [our 3s] came off the edge or one more pass. When you feel that and when the ball is moving around it feels like everybody is in rhythm because everybody is touching it. Even if they're not shooting it, they got to touch the ball. I think that's super important.”
