The Golden State Warriors have been one of the best teams of the young NBA season. Theyāre tied with the Utah Jazz for the best record in the Western Conference and got off to a solid 4-0 start of the year.
Steve Kerrās side has regained its top-notch defensive identity. Moreover, theyāre almost at full strength and several players have stepped up offensively, so they finally look like a real contender again.
And, according to coach Kerr, a big part of the Warriorsā solid start of the season has been thanks to one of its players. Surprisingly, heās not talking about Stephen Curry or Draymond Green but about Gary Payton II.
Steve Kerr Says Gary Payton II Is The Warriorsā Secret Weapon
āHeās just a great weapon to have, defensively especially, but heās also hitting his threes this year,ā Kerr told NBC Sports.āSo he has worked hard on his shot, dynamic defensively. Ready every single night. Always cheering everybody on. Heās a guy you can play 20 minutes or zero and heās still got the same energy, the same life. Heās just a great guy to have on the team, great teammate.ā
Curry agreed with his coach and also showered Payton in praise, talking about how much heās improved his shot to be a more efficient contributor to what he was during his first stint at the Bay:
āDefensively he gives us an edge,ā Steph said. āAnd then he knocked down two 3s, which was huge. If heās going to get open shots, he has to take them. We just want him to stay locked in, stay competitive and stay focused on when his moment comes and show he can do it.ā
Payton II may not be as good as a player as his father was but he definitely inherited that defensive prowess. Hopefully, his role willgrow as the season goes by and the Warriors continue to make a playoff push.
