Warriors’ draft picks aiming to quell any doubts

Warriors’ draft picks aiming to quell any doubts

Patrick McCaw leaned back in his chair and clutched his first NBA jersey as if it were as precious as a newborn puppy.

McCaw and Damian Jones know they arrived on the doorstep of the NBA lugging around some question marks, but the Warriors’ draft picks did their best during Friday’s introductory news conference to quell any doubts about their futures.

The 20-year-olds commanded the stage at the Warriors’ downtown Oakland practice facility during a question-and-answer period that started 80 minutes late because Jones was stuck in traffic.

“Who they are today isn’t good enough,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers told the assembled media, before turning to the draft picks.

Jones, a 7-foot, 244-pounder who the Warriors selected with the No. 30 overall pick, had surgery this month to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

The junior from Vanderbilt won’t play in the Las Vegas Summer League next month, and he might not even be ready for the Warriors’ training camp in September.

[...] I just have to keep a positive mindset, keep watching film, take on the mental part of the game and move on from there.

Kind of like his off-court contrasts - an engineering major who is avid Cartoon Network-watcher - Jones’ on-court abilities are a rare combination.

Told that he was reminiscent of Stacey Augmon, McCaw joked that the “Plastic Man” refused to play against him and that he’s the far superior shooter.

[...] McCaw, a 6-7, 181-pounder who the Warriors’ picked 38th, made his name on the defensive end.

“I think you just really have to have a passion for defense, and that’s something I’ve found within myself,” said McCaw, who has already agreed a two-year guaranteed deal for the league minimum.