New NBA rules undermine Stephen Curry’s Warriors

Since the arrival of Chris Paul to the Warriors, observers and fans have been wondering which major 5 Steve Kerr will concoct during the season. Will Point God be part of his new coach’s plans or not? This is the big question. A question that is all the more important since the recent new rules put into effect by the NBA.

It was difficult to imagine the Golden State Warriors move away from their standard starting quintet consisting of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green et Kevon Looney – a starting five that not only won a championship together in 2022, but fits together perfectly, although last season raised some doubts. However, we will have to make room for Chris Paul now, exchanged with Jordan Poole during the offseason. Problem, what role to give to CP3 ? He who started 1,363 games during his career, without ever coming off the bench and who announced the color during the Summer League when he was asked about the possibility of being a substitute.

Tony Parker sets his expectations for Wembanyama’s NBA debut https://t.co/Ry503kikT8 pic.twitter.com/Qv5aCHeuvF

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A real headache for Kerr

The reality is this. The dilemma could have been circumvented by taking a baseball-like approach, that is, having a six-man starting lineup in which one player almost always rests. That way, everyone would have a chance to start, tension would potentially be eased, players would stay healthy, and by the time the playoffs roll around, Steve Kerr would have a good idea of ​​what their optimal formations would look like. Except thatAdam Silver decided otherwise.

Kevon Looney sacrificed?

New rules aimed at limiting load management have been adopted for the coming season. The league is going to make it much more difficult for players designated as “stars” to rest, which include Curry, Paul, Green et Wigginsbut not Thompson. And therefore, the Warriors, unless they are really injured, will have to play a bit against all their players. And that means they’ll need a well-established starting lineup. So who should play the role of sixth man? Paul ? Wiggins ? Thompson ? Ultimately the best solution to avoid any conflict would perhaps be Looney. To see now if Draymond Green can assume the role of pivot more regularly.