Iguodala, Wiseman, Draymond x Scottie Pippen, Damion Lee, new starters

From Warriors-Hawks shootaround/pregame

Below are transcripts from Golden State Warriors morning shootaround and pregame before facing the Atlanta Hawks. Apparently only Steve Kerr spoke at morning shootaround. Nate McMillan made a great reference to Scottie Pippen for Draymond Green, not only defensively but also obviously from the offensive side. The video above is clickable. We’ll have more videos later including one that covers Andre Iguodala’s injury, as well as Damion Lee talk and the new starting lineup, which was discussed below 👇

STEVE AT MORNING SHOOTAROUND

• Iguodala: “Andre will not play tonight.”

• Had been upgraded to questionable: “Yeah. Getting closer. So maybe one of the back to backs coming up.”

• Where is he at? “He’s taken part in every practice and helping with every game plan and mentoring our guys behind scenes. We wanna make sure we handle everything with caution and we don’t think he’s quite ready.”

• Healthy for playoffs: “…once we bring him back he’s back for good, that would be the plan.”

• What Andre would do to invigorate the team: “…handles the ball…point-forward…defends anybody, ties our defense together, makes the extra pass…especially with the youth of our team, the inexperience at several key positions…”

• Damion: “He’sa total pro…or of the rotation for a month, get spot minutes here or there…we’re lucky to have Dame…stays ready mentally, physically…that was karma 🚨 …part of the juggling act for the coaching staff this year is preparing rookies…keeping our vets engaged and active…truly the professionalism of your guys…Beli has gone through it a little bit this year…great faith in Juan, Gary same way but this team, roles are less clearly defined than any team I’ve had here because of this idea of developing JK and Moses…” 🚨

• Combinations like Otto and Looney, Draymond and Kuminga: “…Beli and Draymond have been a good pair…look at lineups that are gonna give us the floor spacing and the balance of youth and veterans…without him (Steph) er have To look at different lineups…”

• Wiseman still paused? “…back with Steph and Rick and going through their rehab…there’s nothing that has been decided at this point (for James).”

• Any signs of improvement? “I haven’t talked to Rick…gonna check in today…if I have any updates I’ll let you know, or maybe not.”

STEVE PREGAME

• Wiseman: “I actually haven’t spoken with Rick today but I have spoken with Bob. Ultimately, very simple, we’re just protecting James’ future. Makes the most sense to go this route. Again, I feel terrible for James. He’s been through so much already in just two seasons but his long term health looks good, the knee looks sound. This is just a decision that we feel makes the most sense for his own best interests and our best interests as well.”

• What went into the decision, is the swelling persisting? “There’s nine games left and basically it didn’t make sense to play him over the next couple of weeks, that’s where the knee is. It’s structurally sound but he has swelling and so in the name of being cautious, this is what we’re doing.”

• Basketball activities next two months? “

• Starters: “Have not made that decision yet. Actually I have made that decision, Just but willing to reveal it at this point.”

NOTE: The starters ended up being the following: Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond.

McMILLAN PREGAME

• Bogdanovic: “…game time decision..”

• Warriors: “…we haven’t seen Klay in a couple years…constantly moving…keep them in front of us…stay in contact with their shooters, Klay and Poole…Draymond being the quarterback…”

• Message over last nine games: “…find that rhythm…mojo…”

• Draymond: “He’s the glue…unselfish…understands his role and the players that he’s playing with…I would put him in the category of a Scottie Pippen…high high basketball IQ…energy…toughness…” (asked by Tim Roye)

• Absence of John Collins, rebounding: “…we don’t have that athleticism…big loss for us…Gallo playing that 4 position…help Clint…”

👍👍💛💙