Warriors News: Steve Kerr jokingly expects ‘heartfelt’ embrace from Celtics fans

In today’s Dub Hub:

The Golden State Warriors are ready for their first real test of the season when they take on the defending champion Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. But for the Warriors, a trip to Boston is more than just a tough game – it’s a return to one of the NBA’s most hostile road environments.

The tension between Warriors and Celtics fans has been simmering since 2022 NBA finalswhen Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and company won their fourth title in eight years on Boston’s home court. TD Garden is notorious for its violent incident, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr knows they’ll want him in the spotlight this time around as he benched Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum during the 2024 Summer Olympics. When asked about playing in Boston, Kerr didn’t hold back on the sarcasm, joking that he expects a “hearty embrace” from the Celtics crowd.

Draymond Green, which has its own history with Boston fansdon’t expect any love either. After his experiences with the Boston crowd in the finals, Green is preparing for another intense reception.

With the excitement building and fresh Olympic drama, Wednesday’s game is expected to have a playoff-like atmosphere, making this matchup the perfect opportunity for Golden State to show they are legitimate contenders against the reigning champions. Expect Boston’s fans to bring the heat and the Warriors to bring everything they have in response.

For more on this and other NBA news, here’s our latest news roundup for Wednesday, November 6:

Warriors news:

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explains Steve Kerr’s benching of Jayson Tatum during the 2024 Olympics

Why these Celtics look like the 73-win Warriors | ESPN

Iguodala, a dynamic two-way wing, was brought to Golden State as the potential missing piece in the Warriors’ championship puzzle. For Boston, Jrue Holiday has delivered a similar effect after he was acquired last autumn.

Golden State’s “Death Lineup” featured five elite defenders, each of whom were credible 3-point threats. Boston’s run to the 2024 title was fueled by six core players — Tatum, Brown, Holiday, Porzingis, Al Horford and guard Derrick White — dominates in the same way.

Warriors Buddy Hield is perfect Klay Thompson replacement: What has changed for him in Golden State | Sports news

They have planned around Hield’s propensity to get caught seeing the ball better than his previous teams, which Green told Sirius XM NBA radio during the preseason.

“On some teams, I’m sure they’d say, ‘Don’t chase the ball!’ out of how we make it positive…We’re not asking you to be something you’re not.”

Hield gambles a lot, and his 1.6 steals per 36 minutes is a career high. When he misses those attempts, the team is good enough to cover for him. And when he gets one, he’s been automatically in transition.

How Draymond’s shooting could change the Warriors’ offensive geometry | NBC Sports Bay Area

“We always need aggressive Draymond, taking advantage of mismatches in the post, shooting open 3s,” Curry said on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Warriors Postgame Live.” “With the way (teams) protect us, the way the ball moves, I don’t care if he goes 0-for-10. It’s a matter of being aggressive and taking what the defense gives you, and he has made a lot of it so far.”

Yet opponents still view Green as a “non-shooter,” resulting in defenders continuing to observe from a distance, practically daring him to start. Green can and will and should continue to accept that dare.

Steve Kerr says he will continue to go with Jonathan Kuminga off the bench

NBA news:

NBA suspends 76ers center Joel Embiid for shoving a member of the media | NBA

“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and the media in the NBA,” Dumars said. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never become physical.”

It’s not just ant. Almost all of the NBA’s young stars bomb away from 3. | The caller

“As players have become more and more comfortable pulling up from beyond the arc, it has become more common for players to ditch isolation midrangers for isolation 3s,” analyst Owen Phillips wrote last week.

Several peripheral data points support this theory. For example, the percentage of unassisted 3s is up slightly this season, and the percentage of 3s that are pull-up attempts (rather than catch-and-shoot attempts ), has also increased.

Perhaps most striking is the division between pull-up 2s and pull-up 3s. Over the past half-decade, 42.5 percent of pull-up attempts were 3s, with little year-to-year variation, according to an analysis of NBA Advanced Stats data. But so far this season, 49.6 percent of pull-ups are coming from beyond the arc.

Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon to miss ‘several weeks’ with right calf strain, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania

In case you missed it in the Golden State of Mind:

Steph Curry bounces back strong, says ankle ‘feels fine’ in win vs. Wizards

Their first challenge is Wednesday night against the defending champion Celtics. Head coach Steve Kerr indicated that if Curry’s ankle responds well after Monday’s game, the minutes restriction will likely be lifted, positioning the Warriors to line up at nearly full strength when they take on their first significant test of the season.

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