Steve Kerr plans to run an experimental lineup in the Golden State Warriors preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 7. Draymond Green’s injury will allow the Warriors’ head coach to try different lineups and combinations. Meaning an ultra-small-ball lineup will be stress-tested in the Western Conference semifinals rematch.
On Oct. 2, Kerr revealed he would use a starting five of Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney — a move that sees both Thompson and Wiggins slide up a position. However, Kerr quickly stressed that he will be toying with “a lot of different lineups” throughout the Warriors’ five preseason games.
Buy Warriors Tickets“Those five guys will start the first game,” Kerr said. “So, you can Tweet that out. It will be a great talking point around the water coolers. But, as I said in camp, we’re gonna try a lot of different lineups throughout the exhibition season. So, they’ll start the first game, and we’ll see after that. But, we’ve gotta try a lot of different groups, and we’ll see after that.”
A potential small starting five has been floated in recent months. The ideal rotation would see Green assume a role as the starting center. In a conference where the best teams boast significant size, the Warriors are doubling down on their blueprint for success by focusing on a highly skilled rotation regardless of height and length.
[Slater] “The Warriors will start Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney in the preseason opener. Here is Steve Kerr on the first practice today. That group scrimmaged together.” (Clip – 2:06)
byu/NokCha_ inwarriors
Oct. 7 will give us our first glimpse into what could potentially be a new starting lineup for Golden State when the regular season gets underway later this month. The fact the game will come against the Lakers simply adds a little extra spice.
