In 2016, Baxter Holmes chronicled a dynamic within the NBA that many coaches, fans and players either knew or were subconsciously aware of, but could never exactly pinpoint with confidence: schedule losses.
Holmes’ piece for ESPN The Magazine’s thesis was there are games on every NBA team’s schedule that are practically unwinnable due to external factors.
The Warriors’ game Saturday more than met the “schedule loss” criteria. On the second night of a back to back, for the fifth game of a five-game road trip, across the northern border and without key players due to injury or illness, Golden State stood no chance.
For the first — and likely only — time, Golden State (24-6) started Chris Chiozza, Damion Lee, Jonathan Kuminga, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Kevon Looney. The Warriors’ C team never led and fell to the Raptors, 119-100.
Here are three takeaways from Golden State’s loss.
The biggest win of the defeat: rest
The list of rotation players who didn’t play for the Warriors is as follows:
Stephen Curry (rest)
Jordan Poole (health and safety protocol)
Andre Iguodala (right knee/injury management)
Andrew Wiggins (left knee soreness)
Otto Porter Jr. (left foot/injury management)
Draymond Green (right hip tightness)
Curry and Iguodala specifically needed the rest. Curry has been on a strict minutes routine, but is still averaging 34.4 minutes per game — most since the 2013-14 season. And not all minutes are equal; Curry’s 34 minutes are much more strenuous than those of many other players. Curry runs 2.54 miles per game on average, one of the highest mark on a per-minute basis.
Iguodala is a 37-year-old forward who said “I’ve been doing this too long,” after playing 19 minutes in GSW’s win over Boston. He’s already missed 11 straight games with a knee injury, and should get as much rest as possible throughout the season to stay fresh for the playoffs.
Given the beating he takes nightly and the respect he’s earned within the Warriors locker room, it was moderately surprising Kevon Looney didn’t also get the night off. Though he was one of nine active players, he only played 24 minutes.
Steve Kerr called this game a “free swing” for the Warriors. They whiffed, but sometimes a strikeout isn’t the worst thing.
Clean City Edition threads
The most aesthetically pleasing aspect of Saturday night’s game — aside from possibly Jonathan Kuminga’s four dunks — was the Raptors’ jerseys.
Toronto brought back the dinosaur, styling their black-and-gold threads with the old school cartoon creature. The font on the “Toronto” across the chest had a Jurassic feel. Even the color scheme itself fulfilled a purpose as an homage to Raptors superfan Drake’s OVO brand.
Every aspect of the uniform had detail. Toronto’s shorts featured their clawed basketball logo on one leg and a sharp, jagged lightning bolt design on the other.
In general, Nike’s City Edition jerseys look either campy or disconnected to their franchise. The best ones nod at their team’s history and add a new, modern element. Toronto’s classic purple unis still take the cake, but the threads they donned Saturday night are the sleekest Nike has to offer.
Kuminga popping off
Throughout the year, Jonathan Kuminga’s teammates have repeated that they believe he can be great one day. This week on the Ryen Russillo Podcast, general manager Bob Myers cited drafting Kuminga as an example of Golden State’s philosophy of taking big swings at the top of the Draft.
On Saturday, in as big a role as he’ll have all year, the rookie showed why the Warriors are so high on him.
In just the first half, Kuminga scored 12 points. He hit both of his 3-pointers and seemingly every time he got downhill, he tried to dunk. He looked comfortable in the half court, in transition, in the post and on the perimeter.
Though his jumper looks rigid, he shoots with confidence. In the third quarter, he drilled his third 3 after jab-stepping his defender — an advanced move for any wing, let alone a 19-year old.
He’s already a plus defender, but Kuminga projects to potentially be able to guard 1-through-5. But showing he can score 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting including 4-for-6 from deep is an unexpected surprise.
Kuminga’s athleticism was jaw-dropping at times. His first step is special. So is his ability to elevate rapidly. Whenever it’s time for him to contribute in a major way, Saturday proved that he’ll be ready.