Five big takeaways from the Warriors 118-116 win over the Nuggets

The Golden State Warriors beat the Denver Nuggets 118-116 on Wednesday in their second preseason game of the year. It was a far cry from the dominant performance they had in Portland earlier this week, but they recovered well from a sloppy first quarter to keep the outcome in limbo before finally taking the lead behind a Mychal Mulder three at the end of the fourth quarter.

Yet, as is the case with most preseason games, the outcome is less important than the trends that emerge from the game. Here are the five biggest takeaways from the Warriors’ victory:

Takeaway # 1: Jordan Poole can be effective when his three don’t fall

Jordan Poole backed up his outstanding performance in the preseason opener with another excellent performance. However, after shooting the lights against Portland, the former first-round pick couldn’t find much success behind the arc, finishing 1 for 6 of three. Still, Poole finished with 17 points on 14 shots thanks to several trips to the free throw line and 5 for 8 shots out of two.

Despite his depth flashes, Poole is far from a sniper. As Golden State relies more on the young guard combo for a consistent offense, finding ways to be effective even when his shot isn’t falling is essential. On Wednesday he consistently drove to the hoop, beating defenders in dribbling, finishing in contact and making fouls. Not only is this a skill set the Warriors have lacked in recent years, but it’s also the recipe for more consistent success.

The Warriors are looking for an offensive spark when Curry has been sitting since Kevin Durant left. Now they could have that and more. As Poole seemed comfortable leading the offense and Otto Porter Jr. continued to rain three (he finished 4-for-6 of three with 15 points), it was easy to envision some exciting rotations from Warriors, especially when Klay Thompson returns.

Takeaway # 2: The Warriors’ defense will likely be inconsistent

Each team is defensively challenged by Nikola Jokic, but the reigning MVP was far from the only Nuggets player to find easy shots early against the Warriors. The Nuggets were 13 for 16 to two in the first quarter, with 10 of those marks entering the paint. Things stabilized as the game progressed, but it was a flash of the Warriors’ defensive limits.

Reading too much into the preseason defense is a dangerous game, but the Golden State roster lacks defensive talent. Besides Draymond Green, it’s hard to find a player on the Warriors without asking questions about their defensive capabilities.

Klay Thompson and Andre Igoudala were once part of elite defenses, but a combination of aging and injury makes it difficult to be sure either can have a significant impact on defense this season.

Andrew Wiggins was strong last season, but has a long history of inconsistency. Although he clearly made huge strides last year, Wiggins has been praised more for his improvement than for his impact as a defensive player.

As Golden State relies more on below average defensive players (eg Poole), it will be difficult to limit opposing infractions. With less than a top-tier Green season, the Warriors are likely understaffed to be a top-10 defense. Instead, they’re hoping to get a game good enough to place in the league’s middle third.

Takeaway # 3: Warriors’ shooting depth can keep them in games

For most of the first quarter, the Warriors played an error-laden game, recording five turnovers alongside their weak defense. Still, after the Nuggets built a 17-point lead, Golden State’s shot helped them close the gap. Eventually, as Denver’s offense found a little more resistance on the inside, it was enough to take the lead at halftime.

This has been true throughout Curry’s career, but the Warriors have relied on Steph’s nuclear blasts over the past two seasons to make it happen. Obviously, Curry is expected to provide the bulk of Golden State’s offensive punch this season, but for the first time since Kevin Durant was still on the Warriors, his supporting cast has the potential to

Curry went 4 for 6 of three, highlighted by an 11-point second quarter, but the rest of the Warriors shot 17 for 40 (42.5%) of three. Yes, this team will probably allow a lot of points, but they should have the firepower to stay competitive.

Takeaway # 4: Avery Bradley gets a long look

Of those who have been available for the Warriors’ first two preseason games, it appears head coach Steve Kerr prefers goaltender Avery Bradley over other options competing for last place on the roster. Bradley was one of the first players to step off the bench in every game and is the only player vying for 15th on the roster who played in the first half when most starters and key reserves receive the major. part of their minutes.

It’s unclear how Bradley compares to Gary Payton Jr., since Payton is out while he recovers from a hernia, but it looks like Bradley is one level above the other remaining options (Mychal Mulder, Langston Galloway and Jordan Bell).

Bradley’s stat sheet was once again underwhelming, recording two runs, no rebounds, no assists and no steals in nearly 16 minutes of action, but Bradley’s assessment has always been a bit tricky. He’s never been a big data junkie, and defensive measures have always been weaker on his impact than the industry consensus. Maybe that’s why the Warriors make sure to get as many Bradley movies as possible to help them make their final decision.

Takeaway # 5: Health remains paramount

For nearly every NBA fan, every season begins with visions of how young players will become stars, new acquisitions will fit into the squad’s plans, and veterans will continue to have an impact. Then, for most fans, there’s a moment that brings them back to earth, reminding them how difficult it is to win a championship in the NBA.

The Warriors have had these sobering moments before their season even began for the past two years, with Klay Thompson’s injuries in the 2019 NBA Finals and the day of the 2020 NBA Draft putting the sails off their seasons before. that they are not in progress. This year is different, however. While Thompson and center James Wiseman are still recovering from serious injuries, both should be on the pitch in time for the stretch race.

So far, the Warriors’ loyalists have seen a lot to believe in without too much bad news. In Wednesday’s win, however, they got a first glimpse of the disappointment a season can bring when much-vaunted rookie Jonathan Kuminga left the game after twisting his knee.

Kuminga left the court without a significant event, and all signs point to a minor problem. Hopefully he can return to court soon without a problem.

Still, few franchises are more aware of how quickly injuries can add up than the Warriors. A new season almost always brings excitement. It also brings reality. Some players will have good years. Some players will be underachieving. Some will get hurt. The Warriors hope the odds will be in their favor this year.