Though seemingly rusty, the Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr managed a win over the Portland Trail Blazers 139-104 at Moda Center to start their season opener on a good note. There were several moments where the game seemed to be slipping from the Warriors, especially when both teams were tied 21-21 going into the second quarter. However, from the second quarter until the end, the Dubs outscored Portland with a 35-point win margin.
Steve Kerr’s starting five included superstars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Anthony Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis. However, Kerr’s starting five only played a little over five minutes in the first quarter and had a plus-minus rating of -7.
One thing to note about the Warriors this season is that they indeed have great depth as a team. Steve Kerr used 11 of his players in the first quarter, and by the start of the second quarter, he made it to 12. In a presser following the game, as per Anthony Slater, Kerr also stated that he wished to continue with this 12-man rotation.
How did Steve Kerr implement such a rotation?
Steve Kerr’s rotation order is also unique and might appear unorthodox to some. In the game against Portland, Kerr chose Buddy Hield as a sixth man off the bench, replacing Kuminga. Gary Payton II came in for Jackson-Davis, followed by Brandin Podziemski, Kevon Looney, De’Anthony Melton, and Kyle Anderson.
Moses Moody made it to the floor in the second quarter in this 12-man rotation, leaving only Lindy Waters III and Gui Santos to warm the bench. However, Waters and Santos got to play the game’s final five minutes, with the Warriors bench outscoring the Blazers 70-37.
Perhaps we could also see more of such rotations in the remaining 81 games of the season.
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