On December 18, the entire Warriors team came to Sacramento to prepare for a preseason match against the Kings.
This summer, the Kings selected Biyombo with the sixth pick in the first round, forming a supernova combination of Evans + Favors + Biyombo.
The team management has high expectations for such a potential combination, and hopes that the Kings' record will improve in the new season.
Although this game is a preseason game, it can still test the quality of the Kings' new lineup.
The Warriors don't pay much attention to preseason games. They mainly focus on practicing tactics and training new players.
Newly joined veterans such as Billups and Battier were sitting on the bench in casual clothes, chatting and laughing.
The main players such as Sun Yi and Curry are also very relaxed, knowing that the head coach will not let them play for too long in this game.
But even if the Warriors have a full bench, it's still enough for the Kings to drink.
After the game started, the Kings' performance did not make people feel bright. On the other hand, the Warriors played very easily and comfortably.
After a summer of joint training, the cooperation between Sun Yi and Curry became more tacit, and they instantly hit a wave of offensive climax and widened the point difference.
Only Evans struggled to support the Kings, relying on his personal ability to chase points.
Favors' performance was quite satisfactory, but the strength he showed was completely unmatched by his status as the No. 1 pick in 10 years.
The biggest disappointment for Kings fans is undoubtedly Biyombo, this year's No. 6 pick.
This guy has physical talent, but he doesn't have a flexible brain. His skills are very rough and he lacks game experience.
He accumulated three fouls in less than 5 minutes of playing and had to be substituted.
In this way, only half of the first quarter was played, and the Warriors led by double digits.
Seeing this situation, Nelson immediately replaced Sun Yi, Curry and others and replaced them with Bledsoe, Clay and others, taking this opportunity to train the new players.
After substitution adjustments, the Warriors' bench lineup can still compete with the Kings' main lineup.
"Tyreke is really miserable. The Kings still don't see any hope in the new season."
"There is a problem with their lineup configuration. Tyreke is not suitable for the all-encompassing style of play. If he continues to play like this, this guy will definitely be useless. As good friends, we have an obligation to remind Tyreke."
"Sun, what you are doing is staking your claim on the enemy. Maybe we will have another rival in the west, but you are right. Tyrik is our friend and I support you."
"Stephen, the situation in the league is already very chaotic anyway. It's not a big deal to have one more opponent. I don't think there are enough opponents. If we want to fight, we have to fight against the elite."
On the Warriors bench, Curry was instantly fired up after listening to Sun Yi's heroic words, wanting to go on the court and fight Evans for 300 rounds.
But Nelson didn't give primary school students a chance to play at all. He was worried that these guys would get too excited and completely defeat the opponent, so how could he train his troops?
Curry, who didn't get a chance to play, returned to his seat depressed and could only wait for the opening game to show off his skills.
Not long after, the inter-section break ended and the second quarter began.
The Kings did not send Evans up. After all, this was just a preseason game, and the Kings coach would not be so crazy about the main team.
The Warriors sent a substitute lineup of Bledsoe, Thompson, Brewer, Alian, and Whiteside to play.
After the start of the second quarter, the originally balanced situation suddenly changed.
Without Evans' series attack, the Kings became incapable of playing, and they all fought on their own and fought randomly.
On the other hand, the Warriors resolutely implemented the tactical requirements, played tacit passing and cutting cooperation, and once again widened the point difference.
Seeing the points difference getting bigger and bigger, Kings head coach Westphal had to send Evans on to stabilize the situation.
As soon as Evans came on the court, the Kings' offense immediately became smooth and gradually suppressed the Warriors' offense.
It can be said that the Kings rely heavily on Evans' performance.
In the subsequent games, the Kings' main force and the Warriors' substitutes played inextricably, taking the opportunity to gain back a few points.
But when Evans came off the court to rest, the Warriors immediately widened the point difference.
It is impossible for Evans to play every time to put out the fire. After all, this is a preseason game and the main players cannot play for too long.
In this way, the Warriors' bench suppressed the Kings' bench and always maintained a double-digit lead.
It can be said that the overall strength of the Kings is not at the same level as the Warriors, and neither the main players nor the substitutes have an advantage.
Therefore, it is natural that the Kings lose.
In the end, the Warriors defeated the Kings 114-96 and won their first preseason victory.
Although the Warriors won the first preseason game, coach Nelson found many problems from this game that need to be solved before the regular season.
Nelson was very satisfied with Klay Thompson's performance.
This guy is so confident that he takes decisive action whenever he gets a chance. His shooting percentage is pretty good, and his performance on the defensive end is even more impeccable. He has perfect immediate combat ability.
Butler's performance was unsatisfactory and exposed many shortcomings.
This guy has a single offensive method and extremely poor shooting stability, but his defense is pretty good and he can be included in the rotation.
As for the performance of Whiteside and Speights, they can help the Warriors.
Generally speaking, Nelson is quite satisfied with the newcomers who have just joined.
…
On December 21, the Warriors returned to Oracle Arena to play their last preseason game against the Kings.
The Warriors gave the Kings no chance in this game.
The Warriors sent out their strongest lineup and showed a little bit of their strength to the outside world.
Facing the Warriors' full-scale attack, the Kings surrendered after resisting for two quarters and gave up the game.
In the end, the Warriors defeated the Kings 108-79, ending all preseason games.
After this game, Warriors fans were full of confidence.
They feel that the Warriors have become stronger and no weaker than any other team, and they are very much looking forward to the Warriors performing well in the new season.
…
After finishing the preseason, the Warriors got three days of rest to concentrate on preparing for the upcoming Christmas Day game.
This year's Christmas game is also the opening game of the regular season, and the league has arranged a total of 5 games.
Heat vs. Mavericks, Lakers vs. Celtics, Thunder vs. Numbers, Spurs vs. Knicks, Warriors vs. Bulls.
Before the opening game, major media and professional institutions ranked each team through big data analysis.
Number one on the strength list is the Dallas Mavericks.
The defending champion Mavericks not only retained the championship lineup, but also replaced the aging Kidd with the young and strong Conley, which improved their overall strength.
Second place is undoubtedly the Miami Heat.
The Heat's Big Three proved their strength last season, and with the addition of Ray Allen in the new season, their strength has reached a higher level.
In third place are the Los Angeles Lakers.
The core lineup of Kobe + Gasol + Odom + Bynum is still competitive. Coupled with the addition of last season's assist leader Nash, the Lakers are undoubtedly the favorites to win the championship.
Fourth place is the San Antonio Spurs.
As long as Duncan does not retire, the Spurs will always be a championship contending team. The signing of Caron Butler in the new season theoretically supplements the shortcomings of the forward line and improves the overall strength.
The Warriors are very optimistic about the new season and are ranked fifth.
Last season, Sun Yi alone led the team to the Western Conference Finals. With Curry back in the new season and the addition of fmvp Billups, the Warriors will surely soar.
The teams ranked sixth to ten are: Thunder, Numbers, Knicks, Celtics, and Hawks.
Based on the rankings, it can be inferred that there are as many as five or six teams that are capable of competing for the championship.
The battle for hegemony among the heroes has officially begun!
