The daily digest (I might even say it’s a “DubNation Diary”) continues, in sort of but not really chronological order…
MORE LEFTOVER FROM MEDIA DAY
• Draymond Green on 95.7 on Jonathan Kuminga: “I think now he’ll be able to showcase you not only his gifts but his understanding… I think you’ll see more certainty in who he is.”
• It seems like 95.7 The Game, Whitley Sandretto specifically, got to interview Green and Stephen Curry and are waiting on releasing most of the contents of those. Per the Warriors’ SoundCloud, they had on-air Rudy Gay, Cory Joseph, Mike Dunleavy, Bruce Fraser and Ron Adams.
• Sandretto’s behind-the-scenes recap:
• A couple more Klay Thompson tidbits from Media Day: was dribbling the ball for a photographer, lost it on a behind-the-back crossover, to which he said, “Oh, no!” and called, “The bank is open,” before drilling a three-ball downstairs on the practice court, in full uniform.
MOODY x CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
This was actually from last week. Shayna Rubin of the SJ Mercury got to go with Moses Moody on his visit to the Oakland Children’s Hospital:
“You’re on TV and that TV does something to you and you become famous,” Moody said. “Your status grows and that all comes with what it does, but at the same time you can look at that and realize the effect you have on kids and people in general.
“The higher your status gets, the (more) you can do to make a bigger impact.”
…
Seeing Asa reminds him of the day he learned that a friend had died by gunshot just a few days before high school graduation. Moody found out about his friend’s death through a flurry of Instagram posts.
…
“Gun violence has touched me in so many different ways,” Moody said. “When that situation happens, two lives are lost. A lot of these situations happen where someone is in the wrong place, wrong time. There are also situations where people are always close to the fire and those are the people I worry about, too. You never know, on both sides of the spectrum, how that can impact you.”
TRAINING CAMP DAY 2
Obviously, we have Day 1 in yesterday’s article, so here’s what happened inside of Chase Center on Day 2…
• Both Chris Paul and Stephen Curry dunked, with the latter coming off an alley-oop assist from CP3. Answering a fan cringing at the thought of CP pulling a hammy on one of those, Jason Dumas of KRON4 also tweeted that they tried to dunk on Day 1 but messed up.
• Dario Saric (clips actually from Day One) and Brandin Podziemski looked good in terms of splashing in front of cameras.
• Similar to Day One, CP3 was involved in lengthy discussions with Fraser, although it was just the two of them this time (no Curry, at least in front of cameras).
Highlights from the podium, full “transcripts” at the bottom — those are the Otter.ai first attempts at the proper transcripts; usually I go in after-the-fact to clean it up but I didn’t have time this go-round, sorry! Also, the transcript is not in the exact same order as the video above…
• Steve Kerr on his early impressions of Usman Garuba: “As a young player he has a good sense of who he is and that’s a big part of succeeding in this league is having an identity and an awareness of what your job is. He plays really hard and has a great motor.” (Shayna Rubin)
• On Rudy Gay: “He’s just a pro.” (NBCSBA)
• Andrew Wiggins when asked if he can be an All-Star again in the NBA: “I’m going to go for it, for sure.”
• Wiggins: “(Connectivity) is something that we know we needed more of last year that wasn’t really there. It’s easier to win games at home where you’re comfortable, but to win on the road you have to be connected… to play for one another.” (Shayna Rubin)
• Wiggs on him missing a lot of games also impacting Poole last season: “I don’t think it was Jordan’s fault.” (NBCSBA)
• More Wiggs: “My body feels good. My game feels good. Feel like we have a special team… I feel like we have a chance to do something special.” (John Dickinson)
• My thoughts: Good to see Wiggs hoping to be an All-Star again (caveat: of course he’ll say that, there’s not a would-be All-Star competitor in the NBA who wouldn’t), acknowledging that he needs to improve his free throws — I actually asked him about that on a Zoom call during the pandemic season — and real cool to see that Wiggs smile again 😁
• Reporters didn’t really tweet about Moody’s podium, but I am personally hoping we can all turn the page on last year, as I’ve said on the livestreams a few times — Moody ended on a high note with strong minutes in the playoffs and that’s all that matters.
• Speaking of livestreams, if you made it this far you might be interested to know I’ll be going live tonight (Thursday) on the YouTube channel with Sean Grice of Lakers Fast Break to preview the LAL-GSW game this Saturday (which we’ll of course do a ManningCast for, too).
NIGHT OF TRAINING CAMP DAY 2
• CP3 had dinner at Ayesha Curry’s restaurant, International Smoke.
• Meanwhile in Oakland at the old facility atop the Marriott, Klay worked out with Zaza Pachulia setting screens. Zaza’s sons Saba (a deadly up-and-coming shooter in his own right, see the full video below) and Davit also participated, with Klay yelling, “Shaun Livingston!” as Saba drained a fadeaway baseline two-pointer.
INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS (UNEDITED)
Monte Poole 0:00
Short, short practice today.
Steve Kerr 0:04
Time is five o’clock. Feels like
Monte Poole 0:10
what was today like in general,
Steve Kerr 0:12
you know another long, difficult practice training camp style, you know? But these guys there they know that’s like we got a lot of work and we’re only practicing once a day so every day is gonna get to be a home but we got to get a lot of stuff in and we got a lot of habits to build How do
Monte Poole 0:35
you decide which days? I mean, how you going to manage the bets versus the young guys in terms of practice time and just how much time they spent on the floor and given those guys.
Steve Kerr 0:46
Right right now everybody’s getting an equal amount of work. So you know, training camp is about building our habits and you know, building a foundation and you know, looking at combinations and and so nobody’s sitting out any drills everybody’s working and it’s been a good start.
Jason Dumas 1:09
Obviously still early, but how has branded and trace look based on your expectations coming in with them being rookies and obviously always a learning curve for them just how they looked in the short time that you’ve seen them with the group.
Steve Kerr 1:21
Yeah, both guys have been very impressive. I really liked the feel that each one has for the game. They’ve they’ve actually played together in scrimmages have a good connection together. Brandon is a really good passer and pick and roll player. And Trace has a good feel as well dribble handoffs diving to the rim. They’re both high IQ players and they’re picking things up really quickly.
Kendra Andrews 1:52
What are your early thoughts also on Rudy Gay and the potential impact he could make to this team if you know he’s kept beyond training?
Steve Kerr 2:01
That Rudy has been great, you know? He looks good. His body is feeling good. I talked to him today and he’s, he’s just a pro. You know, he’s been around the league for a long time. So he recognizes everything that’s happening on the floor and obviously very, very talented, very skilled player and it’s great to have him here in camp and you know, see how it plays out over the next few weeks. Steve, how
Dalton Johnson 2:27
would you describe Andrews demeanor through these first couple training camp practices and do you get the sense that everything he had to deal with last year from the injuries to the absences were are actually behind him at this point?
Steve Kerr 2:40
Well, Andrew is in great spirits and he’s, he’s playing well. He’s in good shape. So he’s having a really good camp. And you know, that’s, that’s all we can ask of our guys is to give give the effort and bring a great approach and and that’s what we exist to.
Madeline Kenney 3:01
was Marco Rubio has been compared to Draymond Green sort of similar playing style, what it’s what’s been some of your takeaways from what he’s been able to do in practice, and do you see any comparisons?
Steve Kerr 3:10
Yeah, I don’t know if I would compare it was monta Draymond, but I I think the similarity is high motor you know, they’re they both play so hard and you know of as a young player whose mind has a good sense of who he is and that’s a big part of, of succeeding in this league is is having a an identity in a game, like an awareness of what, what your job is what your role is, so he plays really hard, get a great motor. He’s got a good feel, and I’m really excited that he’s here. You know, he’s 21 years old. first round pick for a reason. He’s, he’s a talented guy, and he’s no nonsense. He just he works really hard. So I’m enjoying coaching him
Jason Dumas 4:07
Okay, here we go. weeks what have you seen out of the young guys over the past couple of days, trace and Brandon and how do you think they’ve come in given it’s always a learning curve for for rookies in this league? How do you think they’ve kind of stepped to the plate and been fitting in
Andrew Wiggins 4:29
they look good, you know, they’ve been doing their thing, you know, in the drills, you know, paying attention, catching on catching on quick. And when we’ve been scrimmaging, you know, they’ve been you know, doing their thing. They’ve been helping the team win. You know, they want some games, but they look good out there. For sure.
Monte Poole 4:48
First couple of days of camp, what’s it been like for you in terms of just you know, what did you want to accomplish and how do you feel you’re doing that so far?
Andrew Wiggins 4:55
I’m just wanting to, you know, it’s a new team. You know, it’s trying to build up that chemistry everybody you know, big theme series, you know, just being connected. So, just, you know, making sure everyone’s good and, you know, doing my part, you know, as a as a vet, and one of the guys on this team that, you know, has been here a long time. So,
Monte Poole 5:21
you never had a year in your NBA career that was like last year, so many things going on, you know, injury and personal stuff. Is there a certain I don’t know comfort maybe that you have going into this season a certain piece you have that? You can just do what you do now. Um, for
Andrew Wiggins 5:37
sure. You know, for sure, you know, like you said before, never really had a season like last year, but I’m looking forward to this season. You know, I had a great summer. My body feels good. You know, my, my game feels good. I feel like we have a special team from great coaches. So we have a chance to do something special. So I’m excited. That all starts out again. Go for it, for sure. Go for it.
Madeline Kenney 6:04
What’s it been like working or playing and practicing with Chris Paul, and you mentioned the chemistry and sort of getting to know each other? What’s What’s it been like seeing him sort of infused his way into the way you guys see things?
Andrew Wiggins 6:14
Oh, it’s been great. You know, it’s been great and you know, he’s one of the greatest point guards to, you know, pick up a basketball. So, you know, that chemistry I feel like it’s, it’s there, you know, I feel like he’s played with so many different types of players and, you know, for him to come into this system. I feel like picks up quick so it’s been great.
Kendra Andrews 6:36
Connectivity has been like the buzz word. Be Raymond even made a joke to me that just flew over my head. But go along. Well, they do and I said they’re connected. Like, how’s that been? Like, explicitly talked about? Of like, Hey, you guys, this is all about conducting or is it just something that because of how last year went, you guys understand that maybe that was lacking and it needs to be done or is it like a clear point of emphasis?
Andrew Wiggins 7:08
It was something that we know we needed more of last year. That wasn’t really there. You know, because it’s easy. It’s easier to win games at home. You know where you’re comfortable when you’re home crowd but you know, to win on the road is where you you have to be connected. You know you have to you know, play for one another share the ball and just everyone be on the same page. And you know, that’s the goal for this year.
Kendra Andrews 7:38
Even though it’s just two days and it’s camp does it feel like it’s been a natural connection especially with some of the the new faces around? For sure.
Andrew Wiggins 7:47
You know, for sure, you know, it’s been it’s been great vibes. For like, those summer workouts that we had together helped a lot, you know, just bringing everyone in network being familiar with each other. It’s been good.
Madeline Kenney 8:00
Going back to Kendra’s initial question about just last year connection was kind of an issue. Jordan Paul kind of gets a lot of flack for that. And he’s, but I was just curious, how much do you think your absence might have impacted just the cohesion of the team?
Andrew Wiggins 8:18
I don’t think it was Jordans fault for the you know, lack of us, the team being you know, connected. I felt like it was a bunch of things. And, you know, part of it I wasn’t there for a long time. And I feel I would like to think that I’m, you know, one of the key parts to the team, you know, defensively offensively just, you know, helping the team out and everywhere I can so hopefully this year I’ve went you know, stay healthy, you know, I want to be on the same page and we can have a hell of a year
Zena Keita 8:58
okay, so obviously new season and you spoke about a little bit about what happened last season but now that you are coming into this season, new season, fresh eyes, kind of a fresh team. When you thought about your season, upcoming season this summer, what were some of the things that you kind of marked down is like, this season, I want to make sure I do this, this this I want to make sure that I’ve worked on this this summer I want to see trends you know transpire on the floor what were some of those things
Andrew Wiggins 9:24
um, main thing was free throws. Don’t get better. You know my Fritos. I feel like the last couple of years. They weren’t great. So that was a, you know a big thing and you know, threes get into the basket more be more aggressive offensively
Jason Dumas 9:46
Well, yeah, I’ve asked wigs and Steve this till you guys you as a vet now, the young guys brand in and trace how have they been fitting in? You know, there’s a learning curve for rookies. How do you think they’ve handled that and fit in with the group over the past couple days and even in the summer when you guys were working out together?
Moses Moody 10:04
Yeah, I feel like they’ve been picking up on stuff pretty fast and getting some wins and in practice, you know, it’s a lot it’s a lot coming at you at one time trying to figure out everything but now I feel like they get overwhelmed. And they pick it up on it pretty fast.
Madeline Kenney 10:22
Andrew Wiggins just here saying that a point of contention or a point you guys are hitting is sort of being more connected. Connectivity has been a big word around here. How do you feel that that is sort of coming together now in these first two practices and reflecting back how do you feel that lack of it impacted your season last year, sort of lack of connectivity, lack of chemistry?
Moses Moody 10:47
Yeah, I feel like I’ve had a lot of been happening thus far. Naturally, not necessarily as much thinking about it or trying to connect to trying to be close, but I feel like guys just genuinely like each other on his team. So that’s a good thing.
CJ Holmes 11:00
Hey, Moses, how have you seen Travon? Maybe be even more vocal and maybe find his voice even more especially with someone like on like an like a leader like Andre gone? Do you think that Cavani leadership role has increases even more this season?
Moses Moody 11:15
I feel like loan is a is he’s definitely a leader like that is that’s how he that’s how he approaches the game like he knows a lot so you can talk to him and ask him that but then to he’s not in the whole stealth Jerry clay situation. So Dre is like the vocal the obvious leader that you see you know, Steph is well, Katie, like those are guys is going to talk in practice and things like that, but loom is the guy that when you’re not making an announcement or whatever, and it’s not a big deal that you go talk to person or one on one conversations that so he’s just had a different approach, but definitely has a lot of leadership qualities and helps helps the whole team that rather if it’s the young guys, the older guys that you can just go talk to him at any time of the day. And he’s he’s always willing to dish it out. If you ask wishing he not gonna force more information on nobody.
Madeline Kenney 12:07
You’re sort of in and out of the rotation last year what’s heading into camp this year? What’s been the focus for you maybe a message you’ve gotten from coaches to sort of make sure that you are more have a more consistent year
Moses Moody 12:22
I mean, our own necessarily know for sure exactly what what going into it. I mean, I know what God I’m asked to do. I feel like I can knock down shots rebound by physical defense. There’s other things that I did in the playoffs. That was part of the reason that I play so just keep doing what I’ve been doing.
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