Wiggins sniffling on podium, Kerr on gun safety, confidence of Kuminga & Wiseman

[+notes/quotes/video since Warriors-Nets]

Andrew Wiggins is out tonight with a non-COVID illness (see details below) and we noticed he was sniffling on the podium yesterday, see for yourself below. Good education on gun safety — don’t use the words “gun control” — from Steve Kerr in the wake of the Half Moon Bay shootings. And finally, James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga sounded very confident heading into tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies and after the loss the other night vs the Brooklyn Nets, respectively.

Everything below is listed in reverse chronological order dating back to pregame against the Nets.

DISCLAIMER: These are all just notes for my main workflow of YouTube videos, tweeted by beatwriters, as listed, or transcribed by me. I used to transcribe every interview but it became too tedious and not worth the investment for the small amount of views we got on the soundbites on YouTube. The links to the tweets are not available because sometimes I don’t use the full tweet and just having a ton of tweets on this website imo isn’t aesthetically pleasing and gets away from the main goal: transferring information (not so much entertainment) to the brains of DubNation asap.

• Steve Kerr pregame on Andrew Wiggins not playing tonight against the Grizzlies (non-COVID illness): “I got word this morning that he was feeling sick. He checked in with a doctor this afternoon and was ruled out…I don’t feel like revealing (the starting lineup) tonight, just one of those nights.” (CJ Holmes, Alex Espinoza)

• On Kuminga and having Draymond in at the same time: “I’m sure he’ll guard multiple guys tonight…lob threat…same threat Andre Iguodala has given us over the years…with shooters…post-up threat…and he’s really versatile defensively…protection in different coverages.”

• On Jaren Jackson (JJJ) being a candidate for DPOY: “you have to account for him. The focus last year on the playoffs was not to challenge him at the rim going off one foot…not going to happen…attack the paint with the idea of keeping your feet on the ground…jump-stop…otherwise he’s just loading up.”

• On the struggles recently: “The ball stopped moving…spread pick and roll but we weren’t getting past people…pick and roll can lead to a rotation then we start moving the ball around…we got stagnant.”

• On the Warriors-Grizzlies rivalry: “The flagrant foul on Gary (PaytonII, last playoffs)…there was plenty of drama…I think this is a good example of the age-old story of a young team trying to knock off the older team.” (KNBR)

• On James Wiseman’s role as he returns: “A lot of guys I would like to play…JaMychal didn’t play last game…you just do the math and it’s hard to get four centers into the game especially in 2023…matchups…and seeing who’s available…before the recent ankle sprain…playing very well…Christmas Game.”

• Andrew Wiggins after practice on his process: “It’s been tough, finding my rhythm.”

• On finding a rhythm in-game: “trying to control what I can control…putting the work in practice, preparation.”

• On any specific prep with his adductor: “(long pause) Yeah, just taking game-like shots…everything game speed…practice is fast but the game is even faster (sniffles).”

• On how tough it has been: “hopefully win these games coming up. I’ll be back.”

• On still locking in defensively spilling over to offense: “Yeah sometimes that translates…to a degree you can control whether you make shots…100% can control playing hard.”

• On the rustiness affecting going to the rim: “I don’t see that as why I’m not attacking as much as I used to…I think it’s just a mindset thing.”

• On specific things he’s doing to get his rhythm back: “putting a lot of shots up getting back to that rhythm.”

• On James Wiseman: “Watching from afar he’s been looking good…scrimmages he looks like he’s dominating.”

• On if he has the 49ers winning this Sunday: “You said Niners or Eagles? 49ers.”

• On Draymond saying he hasn’t held guys accountable, any dip in fiery-ness: “Maybe a little bit. Yeah, maybe a little bit.”

• On helping Draymond get back to being able to hold guys accountable: “Shoot, idk. I couldn’t tell you. I feel like only he can answer that… I haven’t been in this position before. None of us have.”

• On the extra vibe vs the Grizzlies and it being good for searching wins: “For sure…maybe a little history the last couple years…these are the games that bring out all the energy…it’s gonna be fun.”

• On the dog days: “the same way you’re feeling the rest of the league is feeling. If you can get that extra push…do something special after the break.”

• James Wiseman says that even though the team didn’t scrimmage today, he’s been scrimmaging the past few days: “I was playing 3-on-3 on game day…going for a hook shot and then Wiggs’ foot was in the way and my shit just twisted...I remember getting a bucket, though…I've been scrimmaging for the past two days...(probably be okay) tomorrow.”

• On how he feels: “I feel good...putting in work...same old same old.”

• On what he needs to work on: “Playing my role... rebounding... vertical at the rim...I really don't need to score. I can, but I don't really need to.”

• On not needing to score: “I've been watching Loon and Draymond on how to orchestrate the defense...I'm not saying I'm not going to score.”

• On going up against JJJ and Adams: “Be phycial, play hard and do what I gotta do.”

• On the mental: “just keep going...I'm not going to give up.”

• On Brock Purdy and the 49ers: “I don't even watch football like that.”

• On getting NBA reps even when he's on the bench: “All the stuff that I've been through hasn’t been under my control...my attitude.”

• On what he's learned from getting to the next level: “Noticing what I have to do...being more vocal on defense...rim protector...offense will take care of itself...dunker spot.”

• On Santa Cruz and being more defensive: “It just takes reps...the last three years...the G League helped out a lot for me.”

• On emulating Kevin Garnett: “It's all gonna come with time...patient with myself...tenacity on defense...on offense, he's just a monster...his mental.”

• On the White House visit: “taking a picture with Biden and me and Kamala was great.”

• On his future upside: “a true professional...the results are gonna come...I'm in the present moment right now.”

• On what makes Penny Hardaway a good recruiter: “He been through the NBA experience...Michael Williams.”

• On if Mikey (who has already committed to Memphis) reach out to him: “I always keep in touch with my guys who are still there.”

• Steve Kerr after practice gives his condolences to the victims of the Half Moon Bay shooting: “I thought that post happened already with Sandy Hook…an issue that’s gonna take an avalanche of support…when Sandy Hook happened and we just didn’t get enough momentum…eye-opening and devastating…daily basis because mass shootings pretty much happen every day but don’t get publicity…gonna take the entire population of this country to sort of get the pendulum to swing…senators and congressmen on the Republican side who can run on a campaign of gun safety and violence prevention and still think they can win…most of those people are gonna put their jobs ahead of the lives of citizens.”

• On how difficult it is to go on with basketball: “there will likely be a moment of silence tomorrow…that’ll be back-to-back moments of silence…for sure double-figures (the amount of moments of silence)…that’s why it’s important for everybody to join the fight…never use the words ‘gun control’…protect people’s rights to own firearms at the same time…background checks, things like registration…let’s not allow weapons of war…there’s a reason why tanks aren’t on the street…why did we allow semi-automatic weapons?…Our Founding Fathers…they were very wise…if at the time there had been mass shootings at school houses and villages, do you really think they would’ve allowed this?…to just sit here and think we should honor this exact law…many experts disagree on the wording of the Second Amendment…protect our children, our fellow citizens…step forward and say this is enough and I’m going to support candidates who support gun safety measures…the vast majority of people do support…but it has to translate to our politics.”

• On Steph mentioning “hero ball” down the stretch and chemistry: “Chemistry is fine.,,we have really good people…I think there is some hero ball…I don’t think it’s 100% driven by glory, I think it’s driven by lack of execution…we had a good practice today…seven or eight games this year that we felt we should’ve won and only a couple where we should’ve lost…get better on those margins.”

• Kerr says James Wiseman practiced in full today. No scrimmage at Warriors practice. The Warriors are calling him questionable for tomorrow's game against the Grizzlies: “He looked good, he's moving well.” (Dalton Johnson)

• On if Draymond did lose some ability to lead: “This team is already filled with young, fresh faces…doesn’t all fall on Draymond’s shoulders but Draymond has obviously been our leader, I’ve called him our heartbeat…affected the way he communicates with the group, but there’s nothing you can do about it…I really do believe we’re right there…bench is playing great…now it’s kinda flip flopped, our starters are struggling.”

• On if it will change to have Draymond back as the leader: “Draymond is still our leader…his comments were basically more that he’s more self-conscious than he would have been.”

• On Brock Purdy: “I definitely have 49er fever…maybe Fernando Valenzuela, as a Dodger fan…Fernando-mania…became un-hittable…it’s a great reminder that the scouting in every sport is an in exact science…puzzle…if you put five All-Stars on the court, that’s not necessarily a good thing…great to see success come to those guys (who are drafted late).”

• On if he’s noticed a lack of accountability per Draymond: “To me, our guys are accountable. Everybody readily admits mistakes…I didn’t think I coached the game right, I told the team that…I understand what Draymond’s saying, we aren’t closing games…getting better.”

• On Wiggins: “I do think the long absence hurt him. It’s the longest he’s taken in his career…playing so well before the injury so I think there’s been some frustration…conditioning…break through that…I told him, everyone goes through this…82-game season, so you have to fight your way through this…working, competing and staying aggressive.”

• On if the excitement of playing the Grizzlies can help them: “Yeah…bickering…(healthy competition).”

• On what about the Grizzlies will bring good results: “they’re a big physical team, they’re young, so we have to match the energy.”

• On if Kuminga can close games: “He was out there for key stretches (the other night, if he didn’t close it).”

• On if hero ball is when the ball stops moving: “Brooklyn has a very good defense, they switch everything…execution…the ball stopped moving…could’ve got into different sets.”

• On what makes a good practice: “First one we had in literally ten days so any practice is a good practice…execution on some of our sets…tightening up the detail allows you to execute better.”

• On if the Warriors vs Grizzlies is a rivalry: “The playoff series made that happen and then the league put us on Christmas Day together and so the league is pushing for it as well…young team trying to knock the aging team off the mountain.”

[THE FOLLOWING IS FROM SACRAMENTO]

Brian Windhorst exclusive with Mike Brown, who credited Steve Kerr: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35512961/the-hoop-collective-why-mike-brown-growth-coach-kings-beaming [Sorry, hyperlinks still don’t work on mobile browser for Substack!]

"Steve has an ability to be confident and secure; to be comfortable in his own skin," Brown told ESPN. "It's extremely important to get your team to believe in itself, and it was something I needed to try to install here."

…

"At Golden State, Steve made sure every day there was a message and sometimes having the feel of the room was more important than having a practice," Brown said. "We needed buy-in, but we also needed to believe in ourselves, and we've focused on that more than anything else."

[THE FOLLOWING WAS RELEASED BY NBA]

Wiggs and JP in a new commercial:

NBA All-World @nbaallworld

RT @NBA: Get out and #goallout to be on top of your game with @NBAallworld Download it now! nba-all-world.onelink.me/kMI7/11593f2d

[THE FOLLOWING WAS FROM BKN POST]

• Jonathan Kuminga exclusive postgame locker room from Dalton Johnson: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/why-jonathan-kuminga-focused-being-warriors-positionless-force

“I'm like one of those guys on this team that plays every position," Kuminga said Sunday night in the locker room after the Warriors' 120-116 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. "You've got to know what's going on, be aware of everything going on -- from watching Steph [Curry] to [Kevon Looney].

"It's a little bit tougher, but I didn't choose to be that way or trying to play that way. It's just natural. It's just something that requires knowing where to be and knowing what I need to do to help the team win.

…

"It's tough," Kuminga said when I asked if he was worried about being a step behind upon his return from injury. "It happens to a lot of people where whenever they come back, they're not on time or not on point with the team. I feel like the last two games I've been trying to push it and trying to be at the same level as everybody. It's a little tougher.

"I'm not going to say I'm there yet, but whatever I'm out there doing is actually helping."

…

"I used to have a problem where I'd have small guards and not want to do anything and keep up with the motion of the game," Kuminga explained. "I gained my confidence from Andre [Iguodala], and actually Steve himself. Coach Steve was like, 'You have a small guy, that's your advantage.'

"And just getting my trust from Steph and Klay and the rest of the guys that were like, 'Whenever you get a small guy out there, that's your mismatch. Use that to your advantage.' Andre was the person that's been more focused on me where anytime I get a small person on me, it's like, you got to go to work. You gotta find a way."

…

"If I've got Steph and Klay and JP out there and Draymond in the post, or JP or Steph attacking, people are going to help because they're weapons," Kuminga said. "Anytime I see somebody turning their head, that's the time to cut."

• Draymond Green postgame recap: “Keep letting the paint get broken.”

• On not being able to build momentum: “Uh, idk. It starts on the defensive end…you wanna win, you gotta play good for 48 minutes.”

• On why the defense hasn’t been there: “Idk. We have to do a better job of containing dribble penetration.”

• On Jonathan Kuminga: “playing under control, taking advantage of those mismatches and also defensively. Hounding guys like he’s been hounding the ball…picking up right where he left off before the injury.”

• On JK being able to watch during injury: “He’s had the right mindset.”

• Kevon Looney postgame on the third quarter: “We were getting a lot of bad shots. I don’t wanna say bad but stagnant…they did a good job defensively of switching, mucking up our offense.”

• On having strides then lapses, per Kerr: “I can’t put it just on one thing…good 40 minutes and then we kinda lose our way, lose focus a little bit for stretches at a time…league like this it’s definitely hard to win that way…get out of the habit of having those five, six minutes.”

• On if the lack of focus is an accountability issue: “More of an execution issue…guys in and out of the lineup, a set closing lineup…still feel things out…need that experience…gotta get over the hump.”

• Stephen Curry postgame recap on blowing double-digit leads: “Just not sustaining a high level of execution…letting the momentum slip away…make or miss situation down the stretch…it’s the NBA. We’ve been on the wrong side of it. We’ve beaten ourselves.”

• On why this has been recurring: “just not meeting the moment in the sense of execution…not missing a switch…not boxing out…fouling…stagnant…hero ball…just seems to happen at all the wrong times.”

• On inconsistency in the lineups (injuries) and lack of execution: “We’ve shown that we can do it so we have to be able to adjust on the fly…we have a lot of options…idk what the issue is but it’s definitely shown to put us in position where…lack of execution or chemistry down the stretch. So that’s our challenge.”

• On what the team is doing about the lack of focus: “we’re talking about it. We’re saying all the right things. Our prep…seems like we’re locked in…keep hitting these speed bumps…how our guys played in Cleveland…struggling to find any type of winning execution…putting together 48 minutes…just gotta go do it.”

• On how frustrating it is to squander leads: “Losing sucks. Losing is a terrible feeling. We hate it…we need to bottle it up and do something about it, but nobody’s letting go of the rope.

• On why it’s been hard to gain momentum: “Every year you have to prove you’re a good team…or else you have an empty season and nobody’s happy.”

• On if there’s enough accountability: “I think so. I think so, yeah…revolving door of guys getting opportunities. That’s just how we’re built. Everybody has to raise their level just a little bit…that should take care of those little mistakes…the laundry list.”

• Steve Kerr postgame recap: “We didn’t close well…game changed at the beginning of the third quarter…they took it to us at the top of the third quarter…turned it over…took some bad shots…Kyrie is really hard to guards…we let them off the hook.”

• On the bench: “Loon, Donte, JK did a good job on Kyrie…didn’t play well enough…didn’t coach well enough…we got what we deserved.”

• On if it was offense or defense: “We looked tired, we weren’t making sharp cuts, couldn’t take advantage of…switches.”

• On the third game squandering a second half double-digit lead: “We’re 23-24 for a reason. We’re good enough…feels like we’re getting close and we have a lapse…the games are nothing but a bunch of possessions stacked together. You have to execute.”

• On how to get past another squandered game: “You keep going. It’s like life…you believe in what you’re doing, you believe in the process and you keep going.”

• On Jonathan Kuminga: “strong and athletic and has a good defensive mindset.”

• On Klay and Wiggins going cold: “Stuff happens…I didn’t think we executed well…we need a good practice.”

19:00 on JaMychal Green: does the Tiki-Taka well, sets really good screens, let's have more patience with our guys including James Wiseman and Andre Iguodala

26:00 Looney tiki-taka to end the quarter, Steph Curry's gravity again

1:09:30 the Warriors tried to move the tipoff back due to the Niners but didn't get approval from the Nets (which is understandable)

1:14:00 remembering when Kyrie said to a fan, "Steph has to guard me"

1:16:00 on Dwight Howard: same as Boogie Cousins, why would he want to be second tall center, wouldn't they want more of an impact? on Jerome, maybe create an extra roster slot by buying out Iguodala or just waiving Rollins

1:31:00 on Kevin Durant: in the pregame, Chris Mullin said the Warriors would've won the championship vs Toronto, "that's a fact"

1:32:00 5min44 3-pg lineup Steph Donte Jerome Klay Looney

1:36:30 3min32 Klay is living in 2019 rules with the take foul (accidental)

1:39:30 2min55 Looney acrobatics!

1:55:00 non-take foul vs Kyrie long rebound, DVDV: "The Take God giveth, the Take God Taketh away"

2:00:00 6min41 Kyrie hits a three but had to shed JK, good sign that he needs a screen to create a switch away from Kuminga

2:25:00 0min27 maybe Draymond shouldn't have helped on Klay vs Kyrie

2:47:30 the NBA has gotten better, the load management, the pace... Steph and Dray (and Klay) are having trouble locking in because it's no longer 2017

2:49:00 helping DubNation deal with the angst: Steph, Klay

3:24:00 Josh Urbiztondo 6th man New York tournament anecdote

• Steve Kerr starts off his press conference by sending his thoughts to the family of Gwen Knapp, who covered sports in the Bay Area as part of a stellar career in the industry. (Alex Schiffer)

• On Kevon Looney: “the ultimate pro…he stays ready regardless of his role. Every day he’s working on his body/game/mind…nothing seems to affect him, he just comes to work.” (me)

• On the starting lineup: going small again with an almost fully healthy squad. Warriors starters: Steph, Poole, Klay, Wiggins, Draymond. Kerr is also watching the 49ers game while taking questions. Multitasking. (Dalton Johnson, Alex Schiffer)

• On Poole starting; “He seems to play better in the starting lineup … He has more space when he’s playing with Steph, usually has a lesser defender on him. He makes people better because if space and shots he can create. It’s a good fit.” (Kendra Andrews)

• Jacque Vaughn said T.J. Warren will go through his pregame warmup before determining if he can play against the Warriors tonight. Warren is listed as probable with a knee contusion. (Alex Schiffer)

• On Kyrie’s leadership: “building relationships with his teammates…shootaround…huddles…morning meeting…giving himself to the group…leadership takes its ride in different ways…fourth quarter.”

[THE FOLLOWING WAS FROM 1/14 AT CHI]

• Shams Charania exclusive on off-day before Chicago Bulls, on Jonathan Kuminga winning a championship: “It was a great experience…being in that moment. I didn’t get to play as much as I wanted…keep grinding and staying patient.”

• On the lessons learned: “knowing how to prepare before every game…they’ve seen a lot before you…groom me to get better every day.”

• On what it was like to not play much: “It was really frustrating because I felt like I could impact more. I’m used to playing a lot and being The Man. Coming into the league, thinking that okay I got drafted here, I’m gonna get a lot of minutes…when you think you should be playing but you do t play, it’s human nature where I used to get frustrated…put work in every day…whenever I’m reward you I’ll show the world what I’m capable (of).”

• On playing well recently against the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Giannis: “I’m really capable of doing pretty much anything on the floor, being one of those two-way players that the world has t seen before…you’re just gonna feel me, you’re gonna feel my presence…team-wise I’m getting more respect…trusting me more.”

• On Draymond’s confidence in you: “I really appreciate that…he’s not gonna really support you as much as he supports you when you haven’t really shown what you’re about…you gotta prove to him…when I got drafted…he used to be like, you have to show me what you’re about for me to give you certain respect…improving day after day.”

• On what it was like to hear that from Draymond: “I really never shown what I was capable of doing…still young and growing every day…it’s motivation.”

• On the chatter on the work ethic during last Summer League: “the real people that’s around me knows that I was working…as long as you know what you’re doing…I kinda block that out…I feel I got way better.”

• On where he sees himself in the next five years: “Being the best player in the league, being the best defender in the league.”

Hhh

👍👍💛💙