Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Wednesday, July 24th.
In a new article from The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr provides his perspective of the Anthony Edwards’ pre-draft workout in 2020 that has since become the stuff of legends in Warriors folklore. Kerr famously challenged Edwards’ commitment, questioning whether the young prospect possessed the work ethic required to thrive in the NBA.
The workout did little to sway Kerr’s opinion. Kerr stopped the session after an hour and tore into the guard. “He was like, ‘Imagine everybody walking through the door has $50 million,’” Holland recalls Kerr saying. “‘Because the way you’re working out, you’re not the type of guy to give $50 million to.’”
The Warriors ultimately had no shot at drafting Edwards who would still go on to be selected first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020 NBA Draft. Golden State wounded up using the second overall pick on big man James Wiseman, who the team eventually traded three years later.
As for Edwards, that moment proved pivotal. He has repeatedly cited Kerr’s brutally honest feedback as the spark that ignited his transformation into one of the league’s most promising young superstars.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, July 24th:
Edwards agreed to a workout, summoning Golden State brass to the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Center, just outside Atlanta. At the time, Kerr had his doubts about the guard from Georgia, who put up big scoring numbers that didn’t always translate to team success. “The first impression was it was hard to tell whether he was going to be good or not because he was just so raw,” Kerr tells me. “He was so young, and he was full of energy, which we loved, but we just worried about: Was he going to be a worker? Because he didn’t know anything.”
Kyle Anderson (11th season)
Versatility is his greatest asset. He has the playmaking skills of a point guard, but stands 6-foot-9 and defies positional category. He embraces his nickname “Slo Mo,” perhaps because, like fellow sloth Luka Donćić, he tends to get where he wants to go. Anderson can defend multiple positions but is best in the paint.
Role: Second unit. Projects to get 16-22 minutes per game, mostly behind Draymond Green
You never know who you’ll run into in London pic.twitter.com/3T19kVNmRc
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 23, 2024
Curry and James have been in sync throughout the exhibition games, as the two oldest and most accomplished (MVPs and championships) players on the roster have set a tone for the team’s success. Curry hit USAB’s first field goal in their opening exhibition game against Canada, leading all starters with 12 points and three made triples in the victory. In that game, he connected with James on a highlight-reel give-and-go alley-oop.
KD and Stephen Curry courtside supporting the #USABWNT
— NBA (@NBA) July 23, 2024
USA vs. Germany is live on FS1 pic.twitter.com/VD1wU0PYr2
“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” James said in a statement. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”
“I thought everything just aligned perfectly,” George said. “Where they’re at and where they’re trying to go and where I’m trying to get to, as well. I think we got a real legitimate shot. I’ve always been a fan of Tyrese and Joel from afar, and Joel has secretly been one of my closest All-Star Game friends. And so, it kind of felt inevitable that at some point we would link up and be teammates.
“So, I’m all-in. My family’s here all-in, and I’m excited, and looking forward to this next opportunity.”
Nike’s prototype for Victor Wembanyama pic.twitter.com/bgi0MF2iSk
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 23, 2024
Kerr coaching the Olympics — where he is around other superstars, and joined on the coaching bench by the highly-talented Erik Spoelstra, Ty Lue, and Mark Few — could help him grow as a coach.
It’s safe to say that Curry and Green will have a serious chip on their shoulder after last year, and those are two players who do very well with chips on their shoulders.
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