Warriors camp takeaways: Looney makes splash in scrimmage

Warriors camp takeaways: Looney makes splash in scrimmage initially appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LAIE, Hawaii – On their second day of coaching camp at BYU-Hawaii, the Warriors progressed from ideas to sport play, scrimmaging full courtroom. Effort, power and stream is what stood out most to educate Steve Kerr on a day the place three groups had been created positionally as he’s removed from naming a beginning 5.

“We simply divided them positionally and unfold guys in every single place,” Kerr stated. “No hints on the beginning lineup.”

Wednesday did finish on a very constructive notice, particularly for one veteran.

Listed below are 5 takeaways from the second day of Warriors coaching camp, which featured feedback from Kerr, Draymond Inexperienced, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski.

Looney For Three … Bang!

Podziemski discovered middle Kevon Looney, and the massive man showcased what he has been engaged on tirelessly over the offseason: His 3-point shot. Looney drilled a game-winning three, and the celebration was on after that.

“That’s the easiest way we will finish apply, a Looney three,” Podziemski stated.

A leaned-out Looney has dropped 15 pounds to be extra versatile, particularly on the offensive facet as extra of a taking pictures menace. After taking a grand whole of three 3-pointers the final three seasons, and never making a single one, Looney took 400 to 500 threes this summer season to be an choice from lengthy distance. That doesn’t imply he’s going to evolve into the subsequent Splash Brother in a single day.

The message despatched to Looney is one in every of confidence. To be aggressive and to not hesitate. However he isn’t going to be a pick-and-pop choice because the Warriors look to rain threes on their opponents. Extra so, it’s him benefiting from damaged performs and open alternatives.

“That’s completely different from being Kevin Love,” Kerr defined. “However he feels it. Loon nonetheless needs to be who he’s, which is a man who’s getting numerous stuff achieved on the offensive boards and setting screens. If he’s open and it’s a stand-still three, I would like him taking pictures it.”

Draymond Chimes In On Kuminga

Although his coach believes he’s an influence ahead, Jonathan Kuminga says he’s a small forward. What about Inexperienced?

He appears to facet along with his teammate.

“I believe he’s a 3,” Inexperienced stated. “It’s at all times been my opinion and that’s not going to alter. To play the 4, it requires a sure ability set. So usually occasions, folks method the 4 as if it’s not a place. … It requires a sure ability set, a sure information, a sure understanding of that place to do this.

“He’s by no means achieved it. Can he regulate and be taught that? I don’t know.”

The numbers inform a unique story from Inexperienced’s perspective. Per Basketball-Reference’s place estimate, Kuminga spent solely 2 p.c of his time final season at small ahead, versus a career-high 65 p.c as an influence ahead and 34 p.c at middle.

To ensure that Kuminga to thrive as a small ahead, his exterior taking pictures should vastly enhance, an space he labored on relentlessly the previous few months.

Draymond’s Message To Podz

Competitors to begin alongside Steph Curry at taking pictures guard is well underway. And, it seems to be between three gamers: Podziemski, Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton. Irrespective of who’s handed the job, Podziemski expects to play loads with the opposite two.

The very last thing Inexperienced and the remainder of the Warriors need Podziemski to be is a reproduction of franchise icon Klay Thompson. Being himself is what gained Podziemski a lot belief from Kerr as a rookie. Altering now could be silly.

“I would like him to be Brandin,” Inexperienced stated. “You’ll be able to fall into the entice of so many individuals saying, ‘Oh, Klay’s leaving – you bought to do that, you bought to do this.’ No, be you. You’re going to have a a lot better alternative to succeed being your self than making an attempt to fill any individual else’s position.”

Inexperienced can use himself for instance. When Inexperienced took over years in the past within the beginning lineup for David Lee, the very last thing he tried to be is Lee.

The 2 have a lot completely different ability units, so making an attempt to be any individual else wouldn’t let him flourish and in the end influence the sport at a Corridor of Fame degree for the Warriors.

“I warned [Podziemski]: If you happen to do nice issues on the courtroom and there’s one thing nice that you simply do, try this,” Inexperienced stated. “If you happen to do it nice, the crew, the offense, the group will regulate to you.”

Talking Of Draymond …

Making an attempt to copy Inexperienced’s fashion of play is idiot’s gold for each different play, and each different crew. Organizations have been looking for the subsequent model of their do-it-all point-forward who even can play middle when wanted.

Good luck with that. Nonetheless, the Warriors may need discovered their very own new model in Kyle Anderson.

“He’s identical to Draymond,” Podziemski stated of Anderson. “He understands how gamers transfer, the place the blokes like their touches and he could make performs out of the brief roll, hit a pick-and-pop jumper – all issues that Draymond can do.

“There hasn’t been somebody like Draymond in our group shortly. To have a type of that’s defensive minded, it’s going to assist us in the long term.”

The New GP2?

Podziemski additionally in contrast one other addition to a leftover Warrior. The younger guard sees numerous Gary Payton II in De’Anthony Melton.

“I really feel like he could be twin brothers with Gary,” Podziemski stated. “They each sort of look the identical, each love protection. For me, having the ability to go towards that and vice versa having the ability to play protection towards them has been nice.

“I believe the higher they’re defensively now, the higher it makes guys like me and Steph through the common season.”

The Warriors’ lack of on-ball protection final season couldn’t have been extra clear. A part of that was due to Payton coping with a number of well being snafus. Melton was held to 38 video games in 2023-24 due to a again damage, however is totally wholesome now and was averaging a career-high 11.1 factors per sport for the Philadelphia 76ers earlier than his season ended.

Having a point-of-attack defender for the Warriors who could be an offensive enhance could be a welcome sight for all. Melton, if all goes proper, can test each packing containers.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast