SACRAMENTO — Don’t call it a rivalry. Those aren’t born overnight, or in this case, over a sensational seven-game playoff series. And besides, with all due respect to the Kings, they haven’t captured nearly enough significant moments against the Warriors to even speak the R-word.
But.
The elements are there for a healthy season series, at the very least, in the competition for Nor Cal superiority. These Kings are no longer the Kangs. They’re coming off 48 wins, putting two in the All-Star Game, the Beam, thrills, the playoffs (finally!) and the Return of the Cowbell.
And of course, the Warriors need no historical recap. They’re older, more vulnerable than in recent years, currently weaving Chris Paul into the mix and are still temporarily without Draymond Green, on the mend from a sprained left ankle.
Enough with the nitpicks, though. We haven’t mentioned Stephen Curry.
Here are Five Takeaways from the Warriors’ 122-114 victory Friday:
1. Curry is the Golden One at Golden 1 Center
Five months after he hit them with a 50-piece in their house on Game 7, and now the day after he dropped 41 on them in their home opener, the Kings are still trying to stop Curry at Sacramento city limits.
Maybe they should light a flashing red beam, as in warning, whenever he shows up at Golden 1 Center.
Not only did he score, he did so efficiently, 7-for-10 from deep and 14-for-19 overall, scoring in a variety of ways. When the Kings erased an 18-point deficit — this game wasn’t really close — and made it semi-suspenseful with a few minutes left, Curry hit them with the night-night sign.
“It was just about getting into a rhythm and flow and keeping it,” he said.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr took playful exception to the perception that Curry is at home in Sacramento.
“Steph owns a lot of arenas,” Kerr said. “He’s Steph. What else is there to say?”
2. Kings aren’t sneaky anymore
The challenge for the Kings is building on what they generated last season, because they won’t sneak up on anyone anymore.
In the recent past, teams would circle the Kings on the calendar for altogether different reasons — it was a soft spot on the schedule. But the respect the franchise earned last season means the Kings are now considered a load, pretty much for everyone.
When you’re bringing De’Aaron Fox — who was solid down the stretch Friday in a 39-point performance — and Domantas Sabonis and a decent collection of supporting help, opponents aren’t resting their stars against Sac anymore.
Here’s the bright side for the Kings: Golden State needed Curry to score 91 points the last two games to win. They demanded and got his best. That’s progress for Sac, right?
3. Which Warrior will win the Kia Sixth Man Award?
At some point, and very soon, Kerr must make a lineup decision. Draymond’s injury bought Kerr some time, but clock’s ticking. Who’s about to go from current starter to coming off the bench?
Exempting Draymond and Curry, it comes down to Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins or Kevon Looney. Kerr has waved off the issue, and did so again Friday when Draymond returned to practice.
But is the subject overrated? It’s not about who starts, it’s about who’s finishing, who’s on the floor in the moment of truth and who gets the most minutes.
Kurt Rambis started on championship Laker teams. But was he more important than Michael Cooper? Or even in the game late against Larry Bird?
The solution is simple. Kerr will ask players to check their egos, then shuffle the starting lineup depending on that night’s matchup and which opponent brings size. Also, which Warrior adapts better off the bench?
Finally, it would be a surprise if, in a close game, the five on the floor is anyone but Paul, Curry, Klay, Draymond and Wiggins.
4. Whose ball is it?
In a related topic, Kerr also must decide which player will the offense run through — Draymond or Paul. One has owned that responsibility on championship Warrior teams. The other is one of the greatest playmakers and set-up guys of all time.
The case for Draymond: If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
The case for Paul: He’s the craftiest passer on the team if not the best, and is averaging nine assists after two games.
The Warriors can play both together, obviously, but the longer the stretch, the greater the chance that one of them is out of his element and therefore not placed in the best position to produce.
Everyone’s saying all the right things. But until the Warriors are whole, all Kerr can do now is shrug: “We’ll sort all that it out.”
5. Last word on the bench
The Warriors are expecting progress from Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, and so far, so good this early in the season. They’re so much riding on their development — in terms of winning, in terms of deciding whether they deserve contract extensions next summer.
They combined for 22 points Friday, and best of all were active and aggressive. That’s what the Warriors need, a pair of young legs who can turn up the tempo and forge a connection with Paul on screens and lobs.
“Third year. It feels like both are playing with a lot of confidence,” said Kerr.
They also represent the last remaining players from recent Warriors drafts, the results of which have been mixed. It’s safe to say the Warriors miscalculated on James Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, now trying to salvage his career in Detroit. Jordan Poole was a find at No. 28 the year earlier — he helped win a championship — but for chemistry reasons he was sacrificed for Paul, who’s 14 years older.
It’s possible Paul will play more with the second unit; his maturity and direction will be more in-demand with the young players than with Curry, Draymond and Thompson.
