Dub Hub: Steve Kerr calls Lindy Waters III one of the team’s ‘best players’

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Wednesday, October 30th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr calls Lindy Waters III one of the team’s “best players” after his big performance against the Pelicans.
• Jonathan Kuminga shares his thoughts on coming off the bench in the latest article by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
• Mavericks beat the Timberwolves, 120-114, in Western Conference Finals rematch.

The Golden State Warriors rallied to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106 on Tuesday night. Missing key players like Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and backup guard De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors got off to a rough start, finding themselves down 31-14 by the end of the first quarter.

However, the game took a turn in the second quarter thanks to Lindy Waters III, who delivered a spark for the team with big minutes off the bench. Waters’ nine first-half points earned him the start in the second half, and he continued to impress, finishing the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in 31 minutes on the floor.

Afterward, head coach Steve Kerr praised Waters, describing him as one of the Warriors’ best players thus far.

Waters made a compelling case for a spot in Golden State’s already packed rotation with his standout performance against the Pelicans. His understanding of the Warriors’ system on offense along with his high energy and activity on defense were crucial to the team’s victory. Waters’ all-around impact on both ends of the court makes him a valuable asset, especially with Curry sidelined due to an ankle injury, and could very well earn him increased minutes moving forward.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, October 30th:

Warriors News:

Warriors share their thoughts on Lindy Waters’ big game vs. Pelicans

Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III and the Warriors’ evolving, complicated rotation puzzle | The Athletic

So this jumbo unit was the compromise. Coach Steve Kerr intended to give it a long runway. Those around the team estimated at least 10 or more games of a sample before he’d decide on whether to stick with it. Green has been a continued advocate. It’s very possible Kerr will turn back to it soon.

But a problem presented itself entering the season’s fourth game. Curry sprained his ankle and is currently out. Without him, Kerr and his staff felt the spacing issues too stark with Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt together. They still wanted a center next to Green. So they moved Kuminga to the bench and started Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield (in place of the injured Wiggins).

“I told him before the game: ‘You’re going to play a lot. This is just about combinations and getting a little more spacing on the start,’” Kerr said of Kuminga. “All it is is just shuffling the lineup to get the right five-man grouping.”

Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga comes off bench vs. Pelicans | ESPN

Kerr said he explained this to Kuminga before the game. Kuminga said he received a text from his coach about the decision, but the two did not have an extended conversation.

“It wasn’t my decision. I got a text, this is how it’s going to go, this is who it’s going to be, and I went with it,” Kuminga said. “What am I supposed to do ... ask why am I not starting? This is the decision of the coach, and we will follow what he’s going to do.”

He continued: “At the end of the day, I’m still a professional. I’m going to do what I’ve got to do.”

Andrew Wiggins’ back injury is considered ‘minor’ according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater

Lindy Waters describes his shooting ability: “I got a strap on me, so I just wake up and I can shoot”

NBA News:

Mavericks-Timberwolves: 5 takeaways as Dallas wins West Finals rematch | NBA

Dončić labored for much of the game, verbally jousting with some courtside fans whose jeers had some ring of truth Tuesday. He missed his first seven 3-point shots, but with 1:04 left and the Wolves drawing close, he nailed his eighth from 33 feet to make it 117-109.

“Someone just said it, ‘We’ve seen this movie before,’” Kidd said. “Luka loves the opportunity to win the game.”

Said Dončić: “I don’t know how I make those shots and not normal shots. … Just got to get the rustiness out.”

Finch spoke for a lot of NBA coaches and the fretting they do against Dallas when, earlier in the evening, he said: “They have an incredible pick-and-roll game, of course they have a Kyrie iso game and now [with Klay Thompson] they have an off-ball game. They’ve become multi-faceted. They can switch gears to do different things.”

Kevin Durant, LeBron James and NBA’s ‘Uncle Brigade’ won’t stop fighting. Treasure it | The Athletic

Yeah, this era of old heads is different.

Don’t get it twisted. The changing of the guard in the NBA is happening. Nikola Jokić already sparked the transition. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Luka Dončić. Anthony Edwards. Victor Wembanyama. The league will be theirs. Their names on the marquee. Their presence drawing the masses. Their legacies the subject of online battles.

It should already have happened, to be honest. If not for the Uncle Brigade. LeBron James. Stephen Curry. Kevin Durant. James Harden. Damian Lillard. Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, when healthy. The NBA has never seen this many OGs still cooking. Working the grill in sandals with socks on.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball to be re-evaluated in 10 days after suffering right wrist sprain

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Pelicans

Kuminga got moved to the bench, with Kerr explaining after the game that it was only due to the lack of spacing, and wanting to break up the minutes of Kuminga, Green, and Jackson-Davis. Kerr said that he told Kuminga it was going to be a big game for him, just in a different role, and he wasn’t wrong. He may not have started, but he still played a season high in minutes, while clearly having his best game of the year.

He’s an absolute menace when he moves downhill. New Orleans had no answer for Kuminga when he attacked the basket, with or without the ball. And he played strong man defense on Ingram.

Kerr relied on Kuminga heavily ... he was the first sub in at the seven-minute mark, and stayed on the court for the next 15 minutes of action. His athleticism gave NOLA fits.

Grade: B+

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