Warriors News: Steve Kerr calls Lindy Waters III one of the team's “best players.”

In today's Dub Hub:

The Golden State Warriors battled the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106 on Tuesday night. With key players like Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins and backup De'Anthony Melton missing, the Warriors got off to a rough start and trailed 31-14 at the end of the first quarter.

But the game took a turn in the second quarter thanks to Lindy Waters III, who provided a spark for the team with great minutes off the bench. Waters' nine points in the first half secured him the start of the second half, and he continued to impress, finishing the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in 31 minutes on the court.

Head coach Steve Kerr then praised Waters, describing him as one of the Warriors' best players to date.

With his outstanding performance against the Pelicans, Waters made a compelling case for a spot on Golden State's already loaded roster. His understanding of the Warriors' offensive system as well as his high energy and activity on defense were crucial to the team's victory. Waters' all-around impact on both ends of the court makes him a valuable asset, especially with Curry sidelined with an ankle injury, and could well earn him more minutes in the future.

For more on this and other NBA news, check out our latest news roundup for Wednesday, October 30, here:

Warriors news:

Warriors share their thoughts on Lindy Waters' big game against Pelicans

Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III and the Warriors' evolving, complicated rotation puzzle | The athlete

So this jumbo unit was the compromise. Coach Steve Kerr planned to go for the long haul. People on the team estimated at least 10 or more games of a sample before he decided whether to stick around. Green was a persistent supporter. It's very likely that Kerr will return to this soon.

But at the start of the fourth game of the season a problem arose. Curry sprained his ankle and is currently out. Without him, Kerr and his staff found the space constraints too severe, with Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis sitting together in the frontcourt. They still wanted a center next to Green. So they moved Kuminga to the bench and started Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield (in place of the injured Wiggins).

“I told him before the game: ‘You’re going to play a lot. “This is all about combinations and a little more spacing at the beginning,” Kerr said of Kuminga. “It’s just a matter of rearranging the lineup to get the right five-man grouping.”

Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga comes off the bench against the Pelicans | ESPN

Kerr said he explained this to Kuminga before the game. Kuminga said he received a text message from his coach about the decision, but the two did not have a detailed conversation.

“It wasn't my decision. I got a text saying this is how it's going to go, this is how it's going to be and I went for it,” Kuminga said. “What should I do…ask why I don't start? That’s the coach’s decision and we’ll follow what he does.”

He continued: “At the end of the day, I’m still a professional. I’ll do what I have to do.”

Andrew Wiggins' back injury is considered “minor,” according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Lindy Waters describes his shooting skills: “I have a belt around me, so I just wake up and I can shoot.”

NBA news:

Mavericks-Timberwolves: 5 takeaways as Dallas wins West final rematch | N.B.A

Dončić worked most of the game and engaged in verbal arguments with some fans on the sidelines, whose taunts had some truth on Tuesday. He missed his first seven 3-pointers, but with 1:04 left and the Wolves close, he made his eighth shot from 33 feet to make the score 117-109.

“Someone just said, 'We've seen this movie before,'” Kidd said. “Luka loves the opportunity to win the game.”

Dončić said: “I don't know how to make these shots and not normal shots. … I just need to get the rust out.”

Finch spoke on behalf of many NBA coaches and their upset against Dallas when he said earlier in the evening: “They have an unbelievable pick-and-roll game, of course they have a Kyrie Iso game and now (with Klay Thompson) they have an off-ball game. They have become complex. You can switch gears to do different things.”

Kevin Durant, LeBron James and the NBA’s “Uncle Brigade” won’t stop fighting. Appreciate it | The athlete

Yes, this era of old heads is different.

Don't twist it. The changing of the guard in the NBA is happening. Nikola Jokić has already initiated the transition. Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards. Victor Wembanyama. The league will be theirs. Your names on the marquee. Their presence drew the crowds. Their legacies are the subject of online battles.

To be honest, it should have happened already. If it weren't for the uncle brigade. LeBron James. Stephen Curry. Kevin Durant. James Harden. Damian Lillard. Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler when healthy. The NBA has never seen so many OGs still cooking. Working on the grill in sandals and socks.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will be re-evaluated in 10 days after suffering a sprained right wrist

In case you missed it on Golden State of Mind:

Player Levels: Warriors vs. Pelicans

Kuminga was moved to the bench, with Kerr explaining after the game that this was just due to a lack of spacing and he wanted to split the minutes of Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis. Kerr said he told Kuminga it would be a big game for him, just in a different role, and he wasn't wrong. He may not have been a starter yet, but he still played a season-high in minutes and clearly had his best game of the year.

He is an absolute threat when things go downhill. New Orleans had no answer to Kuminga's attack at the basket, with or without the ball. And he played strong man defense against Ingram.

Kerr relied heavily on Kuminga…he was the first substitute after seven minutes and remained on the pitch for the next 15 minutes. His athleticism gave NOLA fits.

Degree: B+

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