Dub Hub: Steve Kerr commits to 12-player rotation after season opening win vs. Blazers

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, October 24th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr commits to a 12-player rotation after the Warriors’ season-opening victory over the Trail Blazers.
• Steph Curry highlights the lack of egos on this year’s Warriors.
• Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray breaks hand during the team’s season opener vs. the Bulls, according to ESPN.

Head coach Steve Kerr took a different approach to his rotation in the Golden State Warriors’ season-opening 139-104 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. After debating throughout training camp about who to include in his lineup, Kerr opted to expand his usual 10-man rotation to 12 players—a strategy he intends to continue using this season.

The depth of the Warriors’ roster is one of their biggest strengths this season, and Kerr is making the most of it. The decision paid off on the court as Golden State’s high-energy play overwhelmed Portland. The Warriors consistently kept five players on the court who played hard and pushed the tempo, ultimately wearing down the Blazers by the second half.

More importantly, the deeper rotation should help manage the workload for veteran superstars Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Both players sat out the fourth quarter with the Warriors holding a commanding lead.

Despite the limited playing time, Curry still flirted with a triple-double, posting 17 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Green made the most of his 20 minutes of playing time, especially on the defensive side of the floor where he recorded two blocks and one steal.

Though a deeper rotation may face challenges against stronger opponents, the Warriors’ “strength in numbers” philosophy is off to a promising start and will be something the team leans into as the regular season officially gets underway.

“We’re going to do it,” Kerr said. “I’ve never played 12 before, but we’re going to do it. It’s not easy on anybody, but we just have to trust that from one night to the next, we’re going to find guys and combinations that really work. The guys have to understand that some night it’s their night, and some nights it’s not and that’s okay as long as we continue to play together and play hard.”

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, October 24th:

Warriors News:

Steve Kerr discusses Wednesday’s 12-man rotation vs. the Blazers

Steph Curry notes the unselfishness of this year’s roster: “You have to have a commitment, no agendas, no egos”

What we learned as Steph, Buddy lift Warriors to season-opening win | NBC Sports Bay Area

Kerr’s starting five played a little over five minutes in the first quarter and were a minus-7. The Blazers outscored them 12-5 as the starters failed to make a shot in their first run together. They didn’t play together again in the second quarter but were the first five on the floor to start the second half. Fittingly, Curry hit his first 3-pointer of the game in the Warriors’ opening possession of the third quarter.

Behind a revved-up defense and shots finally falling, the Warriors’ starting five was a plus-5 together in the third quarter. Overall, they played just over 11 minutes together and were a minus-2, being outscored 25-23. Every starter except for Kuminga had a positive plus/minus.

Can Steve Kerr and the Warriors really keep deploying a 12-man rotation? | The Athletic

Hield was the night’s brightest spot. He scored 22 points in only 15 minutes off the bench, making five of his seven 3s and hustling around for five rebounds. Curry, who spent much of the fourth quarter cracking up with Hield on the bench, praised him postgame.

“He loves to play basketball. Loves to hoop. Loves to be in the gym. Got a great personality,” Curry said, before looking across the locker room at Hield. “Oh, my God. I’m complimenting you right now.”

Draymond Green receives his first technical foul of the season after arguing with the official during Wednesday’s game

NBA News:

Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray broke hand in opener, sources say | ESPN

Tests confirmed the injury to the former All-Star, who will now be sidelined for an extended period of time.

Murray put up 14 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in his debut for New Orleans, which acquired him in an offseason trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

He appeared to either sustain or aggravate the injury with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter. With New Orleans up 12, Murray attempted a 3-pointer from the top of the key and was fouled by Zach LaVine on his way down. Murray tumbled over and came up holding his left hand, then refused assistance when a teammate tried to lift him back up with that hand.

Joel Embiid’s 76ers Injury Management Officially Under Investigation by NBA | Bleacher Report

While the league’s new rest rules curb the extent to which teams can proactively rest their stars, there are various exceptions. Past injury history falls under that category and could potentially apply to Embiid.

Other teams around the NBA are likely following the situation with some interest. Should the league give Philly the green light for its resting plan with Embiid, it could create a blueprint for players with similar injury histories.

Suns’ Kevin Durant misses two free throws staring into ‘The Wall’ at the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Blazers

Andrew Wiggins

23 minutes, 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 8-for-15 shooting, 4-for-7 threes, 66.7% TS, +9

It’s going to take more than one game before we can proclaim that the Wiggins of 2023-24 is no more. But my goodness was this a massive step in that direction.

There was so much in this game that was missing from Wiggins’ arsenal last year. He looked fresh, athletic, and focused. His jumper was gorgeous, and he drained his threes. He got out in transition and played good defense. As he puts last season further behind him and grows more comfortable, I expect him to get a little more aggressive, which should result in more free throws and rebounds, but nothing bad to say about Wiggins in this contest. He jump-started the offense in the second quarter, and from there they took off.

Grade: A

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