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Kelly Oubre Jr. is no stranger to the trades. During his six seasons in the NBA, he played for four different teams. This is the hardest part of the job.
So when the rumors about Oubre began to spin on Tuesday afternoon, nothing was known about him. But that doesn’t make it any less difficult to manage.
“I tell this to players all the time, and I said this to Kelly, this is where you really make your money,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the 123-111 win Wednesday on the Minnesota Timberwolves. “The basketball part is the easy part. But packing up his family and leaving, getting hurt, getting booed or having your name read in business rumors, it’s not easy. I was really proud of Kelly. Handled that very well … He came in and had one of his best games. He was really the key to us finally gaining some strength in the game in the second quarter. “
Kerr texted Oubre on Wednesday afternoon, reminding him not to let the rumors get to his head. After the match, Kerr approached Oubre again, letting him know how proud he was.
Rumors surrounding Oubre include his trade to the New Orleans Pelicans for Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick. According to Kerr, a coach called the Warriors on Tuesday morning to simply ask about Oubre, but no offers have been made formally or informally.
These conversations and rumors are almost impossible to ignore. Oubre knew them well. But he didn’t think it affected his game. If they did, they only had a positive impact.
Oubre scored 16 points in the second quarter of the Warriors’ victory – the most he has ever scored in a single period. In the 18 games that Oubre has played in a Golden State uniform, and the six games he’s played the most with the second unit, Oubre’s growing level of comfort with the team is evident. He has more confidence in what he is doing, which leads him to play with better execution and efficiency.
“Just to be able to lead the charge, play with the guys, and continually bring energy to the second unit, it’s an amazing slot for me,” Oubre said. “To run, take my time, find my rhythm.”
Oubre finished the night with 20 points on 7 of 9 shots, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block, and also brought something that won’t show up in the box’s score, but was crucial for their victory: energy and staging. He took charge, stole for a Naz Reid poster, and removed another celebration from his repertoire.
“I love to play,” Oubre said. “My job is to go out and play and put on a show. Obviously there aren’t any fans this year, so that makes that element of the game a little bit more, but it’s part of my job. out there and making people. feeling like you’re on the pitch or feeling the energy of the pitch. It’s an invisible part of this game that I love. “
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He had a different tenacity Wednesday night. Maybe it was just that someone needed to get the Warriors out of the lull they had started the game with. Maybe it was him who had regained his rhythm after two first fouls sent him off. on the bench. Or, he was trying to prove something.
Whether it’s to the Warriors directly, or to those outside the organization saying he shouldn’t be here, he’s sent a message. It was clear on the pitch, but in case it wasn’t, he made it clear after the game.
“I am a warrior,” Oubre said. “Let’s go get that f-king ring.”
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