Warriors open Chase with a 123-101 loss to Lakers

Draymond Green told the media days ago that the Golden State Warriors were going to look bad in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. You can’t say that the scrum and everyone else wasn’t warned.

In the aftermath of the Warriors’ 123-101 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, Green once again proves that he unquestionable has his pulse on the the team and his accuracy in evaluating the vibe of the team is unmatched.

The Warriors opened the first quarter by building an extra wing at Chase Center with all the bricks they chucked-missing their first eleven shots which included an uncharaistic air ball from Stephen Curry.

On defense, the Warriors couldn’t stop a nose bleed. Anthony Davis had his way in the paint exposing the Dub’s lack of frontcourt depth. The Lakers used their height to their advantage, as they jumped out to a 21-7 lead late in the first. Here are more observations from the Warriors’ preseason opener.

The Center of all the Warriors’ issues.

Willie Cauley-Stein hobbled into media day with a boot and a pair of crutches. We would later learn that the Warriors’ new center injured himself during a pickup game where he landed awkwardly while catching a lob. Kevon Looney strains his hamstring during the first couple of days of training camp, which left Omari Spellman as the defacto starting center. For the most part, Spellman looked lost and slow. He couldn’t read his assignments and for the most part, seemed disinterested.

The makeshift centers played the best they could considering the circumstances but it wasn’t enough. The interior defense was a flaw that became more blatant every time Davis slammed.

Since the Warriors are strapped for cash, they will have to unfortunately make due with that they have. I Wonder if they could activate Zaza Pachullia or make another call to Andrew Bogut until Looney and Cauley-Stein can return.

Poole Party

Jordan Poole impressed in his 23 minutes of play. He showed his confidence and fearlessness in being and staying aggressive in his game. He wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger on three. Wasn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor and penetrate the lane. He was one of the big reasons how the Warriors were able to cut the lead to six at the half. Even when the game was out of reach, Poole kept shooting and hustling. Poole will be a solid man in the rotation this season because of his aggressiveness on offense.

No guarantees

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Connor Letorrneau tweeted that it’s starting to feel like Alfonzo McKinnie is playing for his job. There is no “seems” about it. McKinnie is playing for his job. His contract isn’t guaranteed until January 10. The Warriors are working with a paper thin frontcourt. They badly need a center and cap room. So far, McKinnie is being outplayed by the likes of Marquese Chriss. McKinnie is the only player other than two way players that can be cut. For his efforts, Mckinnie’s line of seven points, six rebounds and two assists, to me didn’t reflect that desperation.