A certain free agent signing is garnering most of the attention during Warriors training camp. And rightfully so.
But another player making his Warriors debut has received glowing praise for his work — rookie Patrick McCaw.
Head coach Steve Kerr spoke of McCaw along with with Phil Pressey and Javale McGee as players who have surprised him during this year’s training camp.
All-Star guard Klay Thompson has also taken notice of the young wing. Color him impressed:
“He’s been great in camp. He’s really surprised me with his feel for the game, he can make the simple play and make it look easy… He’s going to be a really good player I can see it right now.”
The 2016 second-round pick certainly had a strong introduction, as he averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game during the Las Vegas Summer League. With first rounder Damian Jones still not cleared for live drills from offseason pectoral surgery, the Warriors and their fans have to be ecstatic that they got a potential first round talent in the second round.
The 6-foot-7 McCaw has a chance to step right in to the Warriors rotation in the backcourt, especially after the departures of Leandro Barbosa and Brandon Rush.
The backup shooting guard position is up in the air for the Dubs, so but don’t be shocked to see the rookie get a long look there, as Ian Clark is the only other two on the roster.
Thompson cautions, though, that patience will be key for McCaw:
“It’s a big learning curve. I mean I was a 21-year-old rookie and it took me a couple months to get used to it. [But] he’ll get there.
McCaw landed on the perfect team for patience, as any one of Curry, Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Kevin Durant can shift over to shooting guard in a given lineup.
But it also looks like with McCaw’s skills and potential, he’s the perfect player for the Warriors.