Forget strength in numbers. It’s all about length in numbers this season for the Warriors.
Draymond Green and James Wiseman returned to practice for the Dubs on Monday, ostensibly after going through the NBA’s coronavirus protocol, and could suit up for Thursday’s preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings.
After watching the full squad run up and down the floor through Monday’s practice, Green said he’s most excited about the team’s length.
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“I think we can be really good defensively,” Green said. “Obviously, I pride myself on defense. But I think the length that we have at every position can bother a lot of teams. So I’m excited about that.”
Start with the 7-foot-1 Wiseman, who totes a massive 7-foot-6 wingspan and made a big impression flying around the floor on Monday.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have also added a lot of length on the wing in the past year, as Kelly Oubre Jr., Kent Bazemore and Andrew Wiggins all boast wingspans of at least seven feet.
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A staple of the title-winning Warriors was their ability to switch defenders from 1-5, especially when Shaun Livingston was in the lineup. They might not have the same flexibility with 6-foot-3 backup point guard Brad Wanamaker, but he can hold his ground against bigger opponents with his 6-foot-8 wingspan and quick hands.
The Warriors are a work in progress. The team might not jell until February. But the front office has laid the groundwork for the Dubs to feature a disruptive defense in 2020-21.