Takeaways from the Golden State Warriors Dubble
By Jenny Lu
While the rest of us was watching the NBA Finals inside the bubble, the Golden State Warriors had their own training camp called the Dubble.
Starting in late September, the Golden State Warriors held a two-week minicamp at Chase Center. The Dubble was a compilation of workouts, practices, and scrimmages that was documented each day by the Daily Dubble blog. Although stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green did not attend the training camp, Klay Thompson did show up and we also had the chance to check on some key rotation players.
The Dubble was important for the Warriors that hasn’t played since March after failing to qualify for the bubble. The team has lots of questions to answer and getting some practice time together was helpful.
Klay Thompson was out for the entirety of the 2019-20 NBA season due to his ACL tear and fans are eager to know how his recovery is coming along. In the clips that the Warriors team has shared of Thompson, he looks very much like his old self. There are clips of him working on his jump shot as well as practicing his layups and dunks. Overall, Klay looks healthy and ready for the upcoming season.
Other familiar players such as Damion Lee, Andrew Wiggins, and Eric Paschall were also at the training camp. Damion Lee was one of the few highlights from the past season, averaging 12.7 points per game in 49 games, and he looks like he thrived in the Dubble as well.
Andrew Wiggins is one of the crucial loose ends on the team and there’s no doubt that all eyes were on him in the Dubble. In a post-practice interview, Steve Kerr had nothing but good things to say about Wiggins. It remains to be seen, however, how Wiggins will fit in on the court with the complete Big Three.
Eric Paschall probably had the most impressive and surprising season out of anyone on the Warriors roster this past year, averaging 13.9 points a night in 60 games. Paschall was seen working on his footwork and agility in the Dubble. Let’s see if he can keep up his production on the court as a key substitute player.
A stand-out performance shout-out goes to Alen Smailagic, whose role on the team is still uncertain. He looked like a leader on the court in the Dubble scrimmages at both ends. Jordan Poole was mic’d up during a scrimmage and was seen making some nice jump shots and passes.
Marquesse Chriss, Ky Bowman, Mychal Mulder, and Juan Toscano-Anderson were also in attendance, with the latter three players’ permanent spots on the Warriors up in the air.
Kevon Looney is another player who could be an X-factor in the next season. His 2019-20 season was a bit of a bust as he only played 20 games. Steve Kerr said that Looney looking healthy was “the best news coming out of the camp,” and we can see why. His athleticism in the paint and production on defense will be something that the Warriors will keep in mind.
In addition to the Warriors roster, G League players Jeremy Pargo, Roger Moute a Bidias, Ryan Taylor, Zach Norvell Jr. and Jonathon Simmons were invited to the Dubble in hopes of impressing Steve Kerr. Simmons formerly played for the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and most notably San Antonio Spurs.
Kerr stated that consistent 3-point shooting was what he wanted to see from Simmons. Despite some hope that he may have a chance with Golden State, it looks like Simmons will be going overseas for the upcoming season.
Although the Dubble training camp was fun and telling, it will still be most important for the Warriors to schedule practice time that includes Steph and Draymond.