Santa Cruz down 105-79 to South Bay at the end of the 3rd quarter.
An ugly game has got even uglier as SCW has been unable to find anything offensively or shore up their defense.
Energy in the arena is as flat as I’ve heard it all season.
Charles Bassey already with 21pts, 10rbs on 9/11 FG at the half for the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Problem is they’re down 16 points to the South Bay Lakers after a half punctuated by 12 turnovers and an inability to defend without fouling.
Asked SBL HC Zach Guthrie about coaching Pat Spencer in the 2022 Summer League:
“I love to coach dudes who love to play. Love to compete. And are all about the little things.…but it’s that fire, that drive, the ferocity of competitiveness that really separates Pat.”
Asked SCW HC Lainn Wilson how he has seen his staff develop as coaches over the course of the season:
“I think the hardest thing when you’re an assistant in those roles is trying to find your voice…..when you’re starting out it’s easier to do all the behind the scenes stuff.”
Lainn Wilson on how the Warriors have become a premier developmental spot in the G League:
“It takes organizational alignment…Our front office in Golden State has done a really good job of identifying talent…and you have a coach like Kerr who’s willing to play those guys.”
Asked Santa Cruz HC Lainn Wilson on how he felt seeing an All-SCW alum lineup on the floor for Golden State last night.
“Sometimes players can mess around, or may not be as engaged, but all those guys when their number’s been called, they’ve been ready to go from the jump.”
While LJ Cryer has yet to see significant NBA minutes, he’s been dominant in the G League.
21.7ppg, 6.1apg, 3.8rpg on .467/.449/.892 (2.5 AST/TO and 10.3 3PA)
His shooting has translated flawlessly and he’s made significant strides as an on-ball creator over the season.
With all two-ways active, here’s a look at the Warriors’ TW games used heading into tonight.
LJ Cryer - 4/38
Malevy Leons - 12/36
Nate Williams - 3/16
With less than 15 standard contracts, GSW are prohibited from playing TWs more than a combined 90 games (at 74 after today).
LJ Cryer was honored at last night's Houston Cougars game (with Brandin Podziemski in attendance).
Cryer, who has missed the last fourteen Golden State and twelve Santa Cruz games through hamstring and knee injuries, is off the injury report for tonight.
(🎥 via @Joseph_Duarte on Twitter)
SCW HC Lainn Wilson on how Chance McMillian overcame a slow 1st half start.
Taevion Kinsey on his experience representing Team USA for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“Those practices were brutal.”
Charles Bassey on how much thought he gave to overseas offers prior to returning to the Santa Cruz Warriors.
“No consideration.”
Is sticking in the NBA the ultimate goal then?
“For sure. No overseas…I know it’s (NBA) gonna happen. I don’t know when. I just got to keep going.”
Chance McMillian getting in some post-game work.
Assistant Coach Tyler Larson’s daughter with the assist!
Charles Bassey in a Santa Cruz Warriors victory tonight:
24pts
14rbs
1ast
1blk
11/17 FG
2/3 3PT
Here’s a look at Charles Bassey’s pregame 3-point shooting warmup.
He’s taking 2.14 attempts per game (the most in his career) good for 33% this season for Santa Cruz, as the staff has encouraged him to let it fly, especially above the break, when opposing centers sag off him.
Santa Cruz Warriors (12-12) starters vs Birmingham Squadron (10-17):
G: Chance McMillian
G: Taevion Kinsey
F: Jack Clark
F: Marques Bolden
C: Charles Bassey
Out: LJ Cryer (Knee), Nate Williams (NBA), Malevy Leons (NBA)
The Warriors sit in 9th, 0.5 games back of a playoff spot.
Moses Moody jammed his right wrist and hurt his shoulder, per Steve Kerr @nbcswarriors.bsky.social
The Warriors will know more about his status tomorrow
Charles Bassey in a loss for the Santa Cruz Warriors tonight against the Stockton Kings:
23pts
14rbs
2ast
1blk
11/14 FG
12th double-double of the season
7th game of 20pts+ & 10rbs+
Nate Williams finishes with 18pts on 5/8 FG.
His hectic last 4 days yo-yoing back-and-forth from G League to NBA:
Friday (SCW) - 36 minutes
Saturday (GSW) - 15 minutes
Sunday (SCW) - 11 minutes
Tonight (GSW) - 22 minutes
Doing it all while having a newborn at home!
When I asked about auditioning for the NBA, Williams shared a very day-to-day approach, but he has made a great impression tonight.
The Warriors have an open 15th spot they will fill before the last day of the season.
He has to be in the conversation if he keeps this up.
Nate Williams found out on Valentine’s Day while celebrating with his fiancée that he was getting a call-up to the Warriors.
The soon-to-be-married couple just welcomed their first child four days ago!
This is Nate Williams’s fourth game in four nights and he still has found a way to make an impact off the bench with 10 pts so far.
SCW HC Lainn Wilson on how Chance McMillian handled early blitzes from Clippers with the Warriors relying heavily on Chance to shoulder a heavy on-ball role starting a jumbo (four 6’9+ players) lineup.
Asked Coach Wilson about just how impactful Deivon Smith has been to their ball distribution:
“His speed in the open floor is such a game changer…It felt like he was finding the right player the whole time all night.”
Another impressive performance from Deivon Smith who finished 1rb short of his second triple double as a Sea Dub with 16pts, 14asts (1tov), 9rbs, 7/9 FG.
Santa Cruz who have struggled with turnovers have jumped from 20th in the league to 2nd in TOV since Smith has joined.
Strong, cohesive bounce back game from the Santa Cruz Warriors today in front of an engaged Chase Center crowd. They split the series vs the Clippers taking this one 121-100.
The ball was zipping around with 32 assists on the night and multiple double digit scorers.
Moses Moody, De’Anthony Melton, and Gui Santos along with a contingent of GSW FO personnel including Mike Dunleavy Jr. in the building supporting Santa Cruz today.
SDC HC Paul Hewitt mentioned he was mentored by Warriors assistant, Ron Adams, when he was a young coach coming up.
They still maintain their friendship and Adams gets on Hewitt for still owing him a dinner from a bet he lost 30 years ago.
SDC HC Paul Hewitt with some insightful thoughts on areas the NBA could improve the G League.
Believes rosters should be expanded from 10 to 12 so teams aren’t short handed and each conference should hire veteran coaches to travel around mentoring G League staffs.
