Stephen Curry answers a question from teammate Andrew Bogut at Warriors media day at the Warriors headquarters in Oakland. (Scot Tucker/SFBay)
OAKLAND — Golden State flung open their doors for local and national media Friday, showing off a sea of fresh faces and training camp invitees alongside a fit and healthy group of returning veterans.
While talk has swirled around the team’s new additions, the returning Warriors have quietly stepped up their game and look ready to take things to the next level.
Andrew Bogut and Stephen Curry and David Lee are injury-free, in the best shape of their lives, and have wowed everyone during offseason workouts.
Having dropped 15 pounds, and heading into the season with no restrictions or injury limitations, Bogut is ready to be the player the Warriors traded for two years ago. And his teammates are taking notice.
Kent Bazemore raved about what he’s seen from Bogut the last few weeks:
“I saw Bogut grab a rebound, dribble it all the way down the court and dunk. I’ve seen that, a few times actually. Bogut looks great. … Dude’s an animal. I tried to dunk on him one day. No deal.”
Starting his ninth NBA season, Bogut said there is still more to learn. He said he has been talking to veteran Jermaine O’Neal, trying to soak up as much wisdom as possible:
“The other day I asked him about things he was doing in the post scrimmaging. He’s a guy that’s been playing in the league 16 or 17 years and he’s been through all kinds of battles.”
O’Neal is looking forward to being able to play with Bogut — instead of against him — saying he looks at every practice with the 7-foot Aussie as a wrestling match:
“You’re never too old to learn different things and he wants to get back to being a low post guy. He’s done the work that he needs to do to be effective and just looking at his foot speed now, I’m very impressed with that.”
Knowing he had a sub-par season, Bogut said he’s ready to prove himself by playing every game this season, and playing well.
Bogut isn’t the only guy turning heads. Head coach Mark Jackson said he watched Curry during the offseason and said his game has elevated beyond what he imagined possible:
“He’s making moves and making plays that make me want to pull Kent Bazemore to the side and just have prayer with him. … Steph is that good right now.”
Bazemore feels the same way, telling SFBay that he and newly signed Toney Douglas haven’t been able to slow Curry down at all during workouts.
Bottom line, Bazemore said, he is blown away by how good Curry is and how much work he has put in over the summer:
“He had a great summer and came in here in crazy shape, it’s gonna be a big year from him.”
Friday’s media day was deemed “Tweedia Day” by the Warriors, who had social media stations set up for the players to interact with fans, kick off contests for autographed basketballs, and keep things light hearted.
Bazemore, the Warriors’ chosen master of ceremonies for the event, told SFBay he and his teammates enjoy showing they’re more than just guys in basketball jerseys:
“I think this day allows everyone to show their true colors. That’s why our team is so close is because we allow players to be themselves.”
The guys definitely let loose and let their personalities shine. The proof is in the tweets:
Warriors training camp starts Saturday, and their first home preseason game is on Oct. 7.
Follow @SFBay and @NBASarah on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of the Golden State Warriors.
Last modified September 30, 2013 5:48 pm
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