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When he was in the NBA, David West was known to be one of the toughest players in the league. The 39-year-old won two NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors in the final two seasons of his career.
West averaged 5.8 points, and 3.6 rebounds with the Dubs, and saw first-hand just how great Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were as the Warriors dominated the NBA. West was asked by The Athletic’s Sam Amick about how he thinks Golden State will fare next season, and he’s confident the Dubs will be back among the NBA’s elite (h/t Josh Shrock of NBC Bay Area):
“I think they’re going to be ready to roll, honestly. …You know, I think that they’re going to be in a mode where they’re crazy enough to feel like they’ve got something to prove. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they literally come back and … just bum-rush the league (with) the kind of thrust that they hit the league with (that’s) similar to what they did when they first sort of started. Because they’re wired that way. They are really wired to be competitive. I mean, (they’re) great guys, but literally some of the most competitive people you’ll ever be around, and willing to work to win, you know what I mean?”
Curry and Thompson will be fully recovered after missing basically all of the 2019-20 season dealing with injuries. Green seemed unmotivated throughout the year without his running mates, but should be focused with the Splash Brothers back on the court.
General manager Bob Myers will have plenty of tools available to improve the roster around the core. We will find out on Aug. 20 where Golden State will be picking in the 2020 NBA Draft, and the Warriors also have the $17.2 million trade exception from the Andrew Iguodala deal.
What is one move you think Myers has to make this offseason?
On to some links:
Eric Paschall had a good rookie season. ESPN’s Zach Lowe explained why he included Paschall on the All-Rookie First Team. (NBC Bay Area)
The Chase Center will have a new feel around it whenever things get back to normal. The SF Chronicle’s Carolyn Said details the plans for expansion around the arena that will include a hotel, and housing options.
How is Thompson staying busy during the pandemic? Well, he’s playing chess with his dog. (Warriors Wire)
Despite winning back-to-back NBA MVPs and three championships, Curry still has critics. J.J. Redick weighed in on his thoughts about the disrespect Steph gets. (h/t NBC Bay Area’s Drew Shiller).
Big man Kevon Looney has had some tough luck when it comes to injuries. His agent told Wes Goldberg of The Mercury News that his client is back to 100%, and is working out at Chase Center.