Who starts?

[CDM_Stats]

I think melton needs to start. He's already figured out how to play with steph and dray. And that's not an easy thing to do.

Having a team "fit" will be our x factor this season. We saw it in 2022.

Gonna be a rough go of it then, at least on paper:

- Our #1 scorer is being asked to do more than he ever was during the title run and its clearly taxing (not to mention he cant get inside like he used to due to age / way worse spacing)
- our #2 scorer is undefined - could be Kuminga, Wiggins, Podz, maybe even Melton. Its hard to gameplan which it will be, and the team is too young/too unfamiliar with each other to know when to cede the title to someone in-game.. and it clearly wont come from leadership
- our defense has huge question marks and we still dont exactly know how Wiggins will be deployed, though Melton's initial success makes me think Melton will be on-ball a lot, especially since his help defense is noticably worse
- the guy we benched into near oblivion last year might be the best true 5 we have
- Buddy Hield looks to be a major factor

The team will live and die by their defense and the resulting transition offense from it. Gone are CP3/Saric and in are Hield/SloMo.. so that's almost a push in terms of tempo/speed. So I think there are 4 big IFs that need to happen... IF Podz steps up as a scorer and playmaker, IF Kuminga can score effectively and be at least average defensively, IF Wiggins is played off-ball/stays on court/doesnt crater on offense again, and IF Looney can reclaim his starting role and have a credible jumper.. maybe this team can go further than last year. And as a 5th if... IF Kerr can actually manage in-game capably. So my optimism is waning that this will be a good season in terms of winning. I will enjoy seeing if Moody gets an actual shot this year, and cynically I'd love to see what Melton fetches at the deadline. But I'm bracing for the pre-Lacob era to resurface at this point

[watch1958]

I have no clue on Looney’s jumper, but am optimistic about the rest of his game.

I believe that after the 23 Lakers series he concluded that he needed to be a beefier banger.

With disastrous results.

[giberish]

How many games does Hield start this year? I'm going with 25

That would be bad. I'd be shocked if Hield started alongside Curry so if Hield is starting 25 games that means that Curry is missing 25 games (or there's a bunch of other injuries forcing makeshift lineups).

[mos_def]

I think its
Curry
Wiggins
Kuminga
Draymond
Jackson-Davis
I think they try to stay long and will be some funky rotations to get shots from anyone not named Steph

bench
Podz
Melton
Moody
SloMo
Payton
Heild - situational specialist

[watch1958]

My goal would be to spend the first 25-30 games finding out the value and best use of individuals. Both on the court and establishing (and maximizing) trade value.

Seems to me that trying to squeeze in 12 guys and finding 13 minutes for them is a mistake. My preference would be to give a guy a couple of starts then sit him out for a game rather than split the minutes too finely.

[The-Power]

I think its
Curry
Wiggins
Kuminga
Draymond
Jackson-Davis

That's absolutely atrocious spacing and lacks a reliable ballhandler next to Steph. I really hope that's not the line-up.

Heild - situational specialist

Given 21 million in guaranteed money just a couple months ago and already a situational specialist only? Think of Hield what you want but I cannot imagine him out of the rotation unless it's becoming painfully obvious that he's hurting us. Not to mention that the team as currently constructed desperately needs offensive firepower and creation, and Hield will be given opportunities to hopefully show us that he can bring some of that.

[mos_def]

Heild - situational specialist

Given 21 million in guaranteed money just a couple months ago and already a situational specialist only? Think of Hield what you want but I cannot imagine him out of the rotation unless it's becoming painfully obvious that he's hurting us. Not to mention that the team as currently constructed desperately needs offensive firepower and creation, and Hield will be given opportunities to hopefully show us that he can bring some of that.

and yet Hield has come off the bench more than he has started cuz he is a horrible defensive player. He is also streaky which is why he comes off the bench. the last four years Hield percentage wise and Wiggins are comparable with Wiggins being better on average. Hield and Curry cant play together, IMO

[The-Power]

Heild - situational specialist

Given 21 million in guaranteed money just a couple months ago and already a situational specialist only? Think of Hield what you want but I cannot imagine him out of the rotation unless it's becoming painfully obvious that he's hurting us. Not to mention that the team as currently constructed desperately needs offensive firepower and creation, and Hield will be given opportunities to hopefully show us that he can bring some of that.

and yet Hield has come off the bench more than he has started cuz he is a horrible defensive player. He is also streaky which is why he comes off the bench. the last four years Hield percentage wise and Wiggins are comparable with Wiggins being better on average. Hield and Curry cant play together, IMO

There's a difference between a bench player but an important rotational piece and a ‘situational specialist’ who, by definition, only enters the game only in specific situations. Hield won't start but he'll be a core rotational player – at least for the time being.

Also, it's just not correct that Hield “has come off the bench more than he has started”. Hield has started 412 out of 632 games in his career (RS only), including most recently with the Pacers. He has also never played less than 23 MPG in his career (and that was in his Rookie season).

[CDM_Stats]

How many games does Hield start this year? I'm going with 25

That would be bad. I'd be shocked if Hield started alongside Curry so if Hield is starting 25 games that means that Curry is missing 25 games (or there's a bunch of other injuries forcing makeshift lineups).

Frankly Hield getting double digit minutes in 25 games is going to be a little bad.. but Kerr's history tells me that if the offense and defense are both struggling, he'll double down on the offense. So if Wiggins/Melton starts slow offensively, and Podz isnt able to be more aggressive effectively.. who's getting the call? The guy most similar to Klay

That's the other aspect.. if anyone reminds Kerr of Klay, its Hield. And we know how Kerr treated Klay... have to hope it was favoritism based on being there for the dynasty instead of actual belief that Klay made the team better. And if thats the case, that's damning about Kerr's attempts to win the past 2 seasons

[EvanZ]

There's only 2* players on the roster who are shooters with length: Wiggins and Moody. It's weird to me given how few of these we have, how loathe Kerr is to play one of them.

*3 if you count Melton b/c of his 6'10" wingspan.

[Crazy-Canuck]

There's only 2* players on the roster who are shooters with length: Wiggins and Moody. It's weird to me given how few of these we have, how loathe Kerr is to play one of them.

*3 if you count Melton b/c of his 6'10" wingspan.

They are prioritizing jk over moody eventhough they play nothing alike. Even with wiggins out, moody is still a 11th man under kerr.

If jk flops this year or is traded, then maybe moody gets a real shot (if he's not on another team).

Moody/wiggins is much better 2 way play than wiggins/jk.

[WESCO]

It’s gonna be melon.

I hope moody makes a case for it but Kerr is obviously a moody hater.

[CDM_Stats]

There's only 2* players on the roster who are shooters with length: Wiggins and Moody. It's weird to me given how few of these we have, how loathe Kerr is to play one of them.

*3 if you count Melton b/c of his 6'10" wingspan.

They are prioritizing jk over moody eventhough they play nothing alike. Even with wiggins out, moody is still a 11th man under kerr.

If jk flops this year or is traded, then maybe moody gets a real shot (if he's not on another team).

Moody/wiggins is much better 2 way play than wiggins/jk.

Actually disagree here. Moody is def underrated, but I dont know if you can play him and Wiggins together, at least until Moody is 1) more involved with the offense, especially C&S, and 2) more importantly, efficient at it. They don't play well together, while Wiggins/JK have the potential to play well together if JK's off-ball defense improves

Also just have to note.. Moody's middle name is Josiah. Moses Josiah Moody. MoJo Moody.. how is that not his nickname??

[SpreeS]

This forum just hate Kuminga. Kuminga/Green dominates all units.

The best 2-Man combinations

Kuminga/Green 687min +11.5nrtg (16th by min)
Kuminga/Podz 1053min +9.5nrtg (6th by min)
Kuminga/Curry 1141min +5.9nrtg (4th by min)
Green/Wiggs 916min +5.7nrtg (8th by min)
Curry/Podz 908min +5.3nrtg (9th by min)

The best 3-Man combinations

Kuminga/Green/Podz 392min +14.5nrtg (15th by min)
Kuminga/Green/Wiggs 427min +13.2nrtg (13th by min)
Kuminga/Curry/Green 590min +12.8nrtg (4th by min)
Kuminga/Green/Klay 344min +10.5nrtg (18th by min)
Curry/Podz/Wiggs 486min +8.8nrtg (12th by min)

The best 4-Man combinations (minimum 200min)

Kuminga/Green/Curry/Wiggs 403min +15.9nrtg (2nd by min)
Kuminga/Green/Podz/Wiggs 235min +14.1nrtg (8th by min)
Kuminga/Green/Curry/Podz 338min +13.3nrtg (4th by min)
Kuminga/Wiggs/Curry/Podz 267min +12.4nrtg (6th by min)
Kuminga/Green/Curry/Klay 266min +11.8nrtg (7th by min)

The best 5-Man combinations (minimum 100min)

Kuminga/Green/Wiggs/Curry/Podz 157min +18.5nrtg (2nd by min)
Kuminga/Green/Wiggs/Curry/Klay 231min +14.6nrtg (1st by min)
Looney/Green/Wiggs/Klay/Curry 140min -7.4nrtg (3rd by min)

Kuminga and Green was the best possible combo with all units and unit with Curry/Green/Kumniga shined the most by combination of played min and nrtg. Also these numbers are elite team numbers.

for example other

Jokic/Gordon/Murray +14.1nrtg
Edwards/Gobert/Town +7.4nrtg
Shai/Holmgren/J-Dub +12.3nrtg
Kawhi/George/Harden +10.0nrtg
Doncic/Irving/Washington +11.1nrtg
Tatum/Brown/Podz +9.8nrtg
Giannis/Lillard/Middleton +17.0nrtg
Embiid/Harris/Maxey +13.5nrtg

Kerr just needs to build around these 3 players with best possible fit.

[EvanZ]

There's only 2* players on the roster who are shooters with length: Wiggins and Moody. It's weird to me given how few of these we have, how loathe Kerr is to play one of them.

*3 if you count Melton b/c of his 6'10" wingspan.

They are prioritizing jk over moody eventhough they play nothing alike. Even with wiggins out, moody is still a 11th man under kerr.

If jk flops this year or is traded, then maybe moody gets a real shot (if he's not on another team).

Moody/wiggins is much better 2 way play than wiggins/jk.

Actually disagree here. Moody is def underrated, but I dont know if you can play him and Wiggins together, at least until Moody is 1) more involved with the offense, especially C&S, and 2) more importantly, efficient at it. They don't play well together, while Wiggins/JK have the potential to play well together if JK's off-ball defense improves

Also just have to note.. Moody's middle name is Josiah. Moses Josiah Moody. MoJo Moody.. how is that not his nickname??

Have to disagree with your disagreement. Unless JK ever learns how to shoot he's a bad fit with everyone on this team. Moody is a seamless fit with Wiggins. They are both wings. Fact check: In 2024 you are allowed to play 2 or more wings at the same time. I know, it's a crazy concept for Warriors fans to learn (which is odd given how we literally won 4 titles doing it). As much as I love 4-guard lineups, no Moody and Wiggins playing together can work. I'm not sure how many minutes it's been given to even test, but far too few that's for sure.

Wiggins and JK is the tandem that doesn't work. Those two cannot be in the starting lineup together unless Draymond plays the 5.

Steph/Melton/Moody/Wiggins/Draymond... that should be the death lineup this season. Wiggins might be toast however.

[SpreeS]

They are prioritizing jk over moody eventhough they play nothing alike. Even with wiggins out, moody is still a 11th man under kerr.

If jk flops this year or is traded, then maybe moody gets a real shot (if he's not on another team).

Moody/wiggins is much better 2 way play than wiggins/jk.

Actually disagree here. Moody is def underrated, but I dont know if you can play him and Wiggins together, at least until Moody is 1) more involved with the offense, especially C&S, and 2) more importantly, efficient at it. They don't play well together, while Wiggins/JK have the potential to play well together if JK's off-ball defense improves

Also just have to note.. Moody's middle name is Josiah. Moses Josiah Moody. MoJo Moody.. how is that not his nickname??

Have to disagree with your disagreement. Unless JK ever learns how to shoot he's a bad fit with everyone on this team. Moody is a seamless fit with Wiggins. They are both wings. Fact check: In 2024 you are allowed to play 2 or more wings at the same time. I know, it's a crazy concept for Warriors fans to learn (which is odd given how we literally won 4 titles doing it). As much as I love 4-guard lineups, no Moody and Wiggins playing together can work. I'm not sure how many minutes it's been given to even test, but far too few that's for sure.

Wiggins and JK is the tandem that doesn't work. Those two cannot be in the starting lineup together unless Draymond plays the 5.

Steph/Melton/Moody/Wiggins/Draymond... that should be the death lineup this season. Wiggins might be toast however.

Numbers shows that our best unit is with Kuminga…

[floppymoose]

[
Also just have to note.. Moody's middle name is Josiah. Moses Josiah Moody. MoJo Moody.. how is that not his nickname??

Mr Mojo Risin?

[TB]

Our best lineups are going to be the stretches with Dray at the 5, but as for starting I'm currently going with:

Steph / Podz
Melton / Buddy / GP2
Kuminga / Wiggins
Dray / Moody
Loon / Kyle / Trayce

12 man rotation with the centers splitting pretty evenly and GP2 as sort of a "fill in anywhere if needed" 12th man.

[EvanZ]

Actually disagree here. Moody is def underrated, but I dont know if you can play him and Wiggins together, at least until Moody is 1) more involved with the offense, especially C&S, and 2) more importantly, efficient at it. They don't play well together, while Wiggins/JK have the potential to play well together if JK's off-ball defense improves

Also just have to note.. Moody's middle name is Josiah. Moses Josiah Moody. MoJo Moody.. how is that not his nickname??

Have to disagree with your disagreement. Unless JK ever learns how to shoot he's a bad fit with everyone on this team. Moody is a seamless fit with Wiggins. They are both wings. Fact check: In 2024 you are allowed to play 2 or more wings at the same time. I know, it's a crazy concept for Warriors fans to learn (which is odd given how we literally won 4 titles doing it). As much as I love 4-guard lineups, no Moody and Wiggins playing together can work. I'm not sure how many minutes it's been given to even test, but far too few that's for sure.

Wiggins and JK is the tandem that doesn't work. Those two cannot be in the starting lineup together unless Draymond plays the 5.

Steph/Melton/Moody/Wiggins/Draymond... that should be the death lineup this season. Wiggins might be toast however.

Numbers shows that our best unit is with Kuminga…

What numbers and specifically what lineup?

[EvanZ]

Our best lineups are going to be the stretches with Dray at the 5, but as for starting I'm currently going with:

Steph / Podz
Melton / Buddy / GP2
Kuminga / Wiggins
Dray / Moody
Loon / Kyle / Trayce

12 man rotation with the centers splitting pretty evenly and GP2 as sort of a "fill in anywhere if needed" 12th man.

Now Moody is a 4? My god man.