SAN FRANCISCO — Tyronn Lue is thought to be one of many NBA’s most interesting minds, having helped lead the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Championship and becoming a member of Steve Kerr’s workers this summer season as Crew USA introduced house gold. A plurality of common managers voted Lue because the coach who makes the very best in-game changes on this yr’s annual survey.
He’s additionally a booster of Natalie Nakase, the Golden State Valkyries’ first head coach in franchise historical past.
“Natalie’s the best,” Lue mentioned from the visiting workforce’s podium earlier than the Warriors’ house opener.
Nakase labored for the Clippers for a decade, overlapping with Lue for the final 4 years of her tenure. She was an assistant coach and participant growth in a twin function with the Clippers and their G League affiliate. A part of her job obligations included aiding Lue in his in-game planning on each ends of the courtroom.
“She’s just a hard worker,” Lue mentioned. “Just dedicated to work. A lot of questions. And if you ask her a question that she doesn’t know the answer to, she’s going to go get it. Just over the years, she’s kind of like my little protégé.”
The Valkyries employed Nakase after a months-long hiring course of. Valkyries common supervisor Ohemaa Nyanin and the possession group are assured in Nakase’s means to guide a corporation and construct it up from scratch.
After she labored with Lue and the Clippers, Nakase spent three season as an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, successful back-to-back WNBA titles.
Nakase, a third-generation Asian-American, will turn out to be the primary Asian-American head coach in WNBA historical past when the Valkyries start their inaugural season subsequent spring.
“I’m just happy she finally got an opportunity, because she deserves it,” Lue mentioned. “All the work she puts in from Day 1, just seeing how she grinded to get to where she’s at today, I’m very excited and happy for her.”
Notable— The Warriors stayed with their beginning lineup for a 3rd straight recreation, going with a 5 of Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Inexperienced and Trayce Jackson-Davis. In every of Golden State’s first two video games, the starters struggled early, however opened the second half robust. The unit is constructed round protection and athleticism, however lacks exterior capturing.
— Golden State had everybody on the energetic roster accessible; Clippers star Kawhi Leonard stays out indefinitely with a knee damage.
— That is the Warriors’ first home-opener since 2010 with out Klay Thompson within the group. He missed consecutive seasons with accidents, however now he’s with the Dallas Mavericks. By way of two video games, Thompson is averaging 20.5 factors per recreation on 11-for-22 capturing from deep (50%).
“When you lose a caliber of player Klay was to Golden State, like (Paul George) was to us, and still be able to play at a high level, still be able to score the basketball, that says a lot about Steve (Kerr)’s coaching,” Lue mentioned. “But with Klay gone, they still have guys who can shoot the ball. Buddy Hield’s a great shooter. (De’Anthony) Melton’s a good shooter. But when you think about Golden State, you do think about Klay and Steph. So it’s going to be a little different tonight.”
— The Warriors tried to accumulate Paul George in a sign-and-trade this summer season, however the All-Star wing ended up signing with Philadelphia. Lue mentioned he wouldn’t have wished to face the Warriors with George, noting how effectively he would have match subsequent to Curry and Inexperienced.
