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SAN JOSE – For two teams that have overwhelming star power, the Warriors and Lakers suddenly had fewer.
In the Warriors’ 119-105 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in their pre-season finale on Friday, both teams used the game more to rest their star players.
The Lakers sat LeBron James and Rajon Rondo for rest purposes. They also sat some young players that had minor ailments, including third-year forward Brandon Ingram (quad), second-year guard Josh Hart (left hamstring tightness) and second-year guard Alex Caruso (right hip strain).
The Warriors joined the absentee party. They sat Kevin Durant after playing in the first four exhibition games. They rested veteran reserve Andre Iguodala. Warriors guard Klay Thompson sat in the second half after finishing with 21 points while staying efficient from the field (7-of-16), from 3-point range (3-of-6) and the free-throw line (4-of-4).
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After entertaining the crowd with plenty of points (16), shots (5-of-10) and 3-pointers (4-of-7) in the first quarter, Stephen Curry suddenly became ill and missed the rest of the game. He still sat on the bench, so at least the ailment is not contagious. But it was not worth it for the Warriors to trot Curry out anymore.
“He just didn’t feel great so we didn’t want to take a chance,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
After all, consider what Warriors coach Kerr said beforehand on if he cares about a pre-season win.
“No,” Kerr said, smiling. “I’m not going to elaborate. There’s nothing more to say.”
Except for one thing, the Warriors rightfully have more concerns with their regular-season opener against Oklahoma City on Tuesday than providing any memories in exhibition play.
Damian Jones remains the starting center
Kerr has said he will keep that spot open until DeMarcus Cousins’ uncertain return from an injured left Achilles tendon. For now, though, Jones has the starting center position until further notice.
“He’ll start opening night,” Kerr said. “I wont commit beyond that.”
The reasons are obvious.
Jones finished with 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting and six rebounds in 23 minutes. He started in every preseason game. He has impressed the Warriors with his length, athleticism and defense after spending his first two NBA seasons with their G-League team in Santa Cruz.
“I’m gaining confidence each and every game,” Jones said. “Each game, I feel like I’ve built a lot. I think I’m in good position.”
Don’t look now, but Jones could mirror JaVale McGee’s role the previous two seasons with the Lakers. On Friday, Jones’ alley-oop lob from Curry represented the highlight of the game. The Warriors’ All-Stars loved throwing lobs to them. It kept them engaged. And for a team that will have to find a way to feel interested in the regular season, Jones could keep theme entertained.
“I don’t mind dunking on them,” Jones said. “I’ll take it.”
Draymond Green is back
After missing the past three games with a sore left knee, Green seemed normal as always. His presence spoke louder than the box score (one point, five rebounds, five assists) with his intensity, defense and smarts.
Of course, he also exchanged barbs. He and Lakers coach Luke Walton playfully talked trash during a free throw. Then, Lakers forward Michael Beasley got tangled up with Green and the two inevitably jawed with each other.
After both were called for a technical, Beasley approached Green to smooth things over. Green feigned indifference. Then Beasley was given another technical and a subsequent ejection with 9:12 left in the third quarter after an official thought he was further instigating.
The trash talking continued.
Lakers forward Lance Stephenson was ejected with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter after tussling with Warriors guard Quinn Cook. He said he did not feel offended, recalling the two tussled as teammates two years ago in New Orleans
“He called me too small. I called him fat. I respected it,” Cook told Bay Area News Group. “He brings the best out of a lot of players. That’s how he’s played his whole life. It’s fun to play against him.”
With the Warriors having the right to choose a free-throw shooter in place of Stephenson, Green and Kerr jokingly told James he should take them. There was only one problem.
“If he had actually been in his uniform underneath his sweats, we would’ve forced the action,” Kerr said. “Apparently he didn’t have his uniform on. We let him off the hook.”
Kerr instead trolled Lakers center and former Warrior JaVale McGee, who answered by sinking both of them. Afterwards, Green explained the incident to Warrors co-majority owner Joe Lacob and the two laughed about it.
Alfonzo McKinnie cemented his future
The Warriors have not reached any resolution with Patrick McCaw. The Warriors have reached a resolution in bolstering their wing position, though.
The Warriors signed training camp invitee Alfonzo McKinnie to a two-year deal at the veteran’s minimum deal that guarantees him a roster spot to open the 2018-19 season. The Warriors also signed Marcus Derrickson to a two-way contract. As for McKinnie, Kerr observed he “clearly stood out amongst the group” in training camp because of his athleticism, outside shooting and hustle. McKinnie also started in place of Durant and had seven points albeit on 2-of-14 shooting and seven rebounds in 37 minutes.
Not bad for someone the Warriors signed to an Exhibit 10 contract after playing with Chicago’s G-League team (2016-2018), Toronto’s summer-league team (2018) and professionally in Luxembourg and Mexico (2015-16).
“I like when a guy fights and scraps and crawls,” Kerr said. “His teammates like him, we like him and we think he has some versatility. We are excited for him.”
What about McCaw? That might cement his end since the Warriors have 14 players committed to their regular-season roster. They have one roster spot vacant, but the Warriors want to keep that open to keep financial flexibility. Still, Warriors GM Bob Myers told Bay Area News Group he is still open toward re-signing the third-year guard. After all, McKinnie’s deal won’t become guaranteed until Jan. 10.
Either way, McKinnie told Bay Area News Group he signed believing he would compete for a two-way contract only to shift his goals when McCaw rejected the team’s $1.7 million qualifying offer and two-year, $5.2 million deal.
“I still went out about things the same way,” McKinnie said. “I went out, competed and did everything that I can just to get the organization to take a chance on me.”
Breaking bread
Before the game, Kerr and James spoke in the hallway like they were longtime buddies.
The subject?
“There’s this great sandwich spot down the corner that we went to,” Kerr quipped.
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