Warriors Reveal Surprise Starting Lineup Featuring Rookie Against Trail Blazers
The Golden State Warriors are set to compete against the Portland Trail Blazers in their fourth preseason game on Tuesday night. This matchup is crucial as Warriors head coach Steve Kerr experiments with various lineups ahead of the upcoming regular season.
Warriors’ Starting Lineup Features Rookie
For this game, the Warriors will welcome back star players Steph Curry and Al Horford, both of whom missed the previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green will not be in the lineup. Joining Curry and Horford will be Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and a surprising fifth starter: rookie Will Richard.
Coaching Strategy Behind the Surprise Starter
When questioned about the decision to start Richard, Coach Kerr emphasized the need to evaluate the rookie in a competitive setting. He stated, “Given the absence of Jimmy and Gui, I feel like tonight is a good night to have Will out there.” This statement underscores the team’s strategy to assess Richard’s readiness against NBA starters.
Richard, who was a key player for the National Champion Florida Gators, stands at 6-foot-4. His versatility allows him to play both off the ball and handle it when necessary. Kerr believes that pairing Richard with experienced players like Curry, Podziemski, and Horford will provide a significant opportunity for the rookie.
Potential Impact on the Game
According to Coach Kerr, this game against a formidable Trail Blazers team presents a good challenge for Richard, especially in terms of ball-handling and decision-making. “It will give us a good look at him, and it will give him a chance to play with our star players,” he noted.
- Starters for the Warriors against the Trail Blazers:
- Steph Curry
- Brandin Podziemski
- Will Richard
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Al Horford
With Richard averaging 13.3 points per game during his college career, the Warriors aim to utilize him primarily as a playmaker early in his NBA tenure. This strategic decision reflects the team’s interest in developing Richard’s skills to support their pursuit of success in the upcoming season.
