In today’s Dub Hub:
- Second-round rookie Will Richard impresses Steve Kerr and Jimmy Butler in behind-the-scenes look at Warriors’ practice.
- Jimmy Butler says he appreciates that the Warriors have “no hidden agendas” in a recent article from the San Francisco Chronicle.
- 2025-26 NBA regular season tips off with Tuesday’s double header on NBC.
The Golden State Warriors gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at one of their practices — and it came with a glimpse into just how much respect second-round rookie Will Richard is already earning from the team.
In a short mic’d-up clip shared by the team’s official account, head coach Steve Kerr and Jimmy Butler were seen on the sideline raving about Richard’s play.
“That kid is pretty good,” Kerr said. “He always cuts. He totally knows how to play. It’s exciting.”
Butler quickly echoed the sentiment.
“Will (Richard) is going to be good,” Butler replied.
The rookie out of Florida has already made an early impression throughout training camp and the preseason. Kerr has consistently praised Richard’s poise and basketball IQ, noting that his feel for the game fits seamlessly within the Warriors’ system. Richard even earned a surprise start earlier this preseason, holding his own alongside the team’s stars and showing a knack for making the right play.
Ahead of Tuesday’s season opener, hearing both Kerr and Butler recognize Richard’s talent this early says plenty about how he may impact this season. The Warriors’ second-round pick might be carving out a real role faster than expected.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, October 21st:
Warriors News:
Go Inside the Huddle at a Golden State Warriors Practice
Emerging from ‘all that chaos,’ Jimmy Butler finds clarity in Warriors’ title quest | San Francisco Chronicle
“Everywhere starts off great, but then you know someone has to be the bad guy, and it gets to be me,” Butler said, with a wry smile. “I’m always the one doing something unbearable all of a sudden. … But that’s OK. I get to play in this wonderful league, with amazing teammates.
“But being here, they’ve only got one goal,” he said, glancing up at the wall adorned with championship banners. “To keep hanging those things up on the wall. Ain’t no hidden agendas.”
The Warriors’ agenda is extremely transparent. The goal is to win, right now, while Stephen Curry still has his superpowers.
Brandin Podziemski’s balancing act in pursuit of greatness with Warriors | NBC Sports Bay Area
“To be honest, not everybody wants to be as great as Steph Curry. Some people say it, but not everybody wants to,” Podziemski says. “So it’s how can you find that balance of what you want to do, and be as great as you can be.”
His five minutes of answering questions from the media looks to be over with those words. A follow-up was needed. I had to ask: Do you want to be as great as Steph Curry?
“I want to be better than him,” Podziemski said. “I think that’s a tall task, but I want to maximize my talent in the league and get as much out of it as I can.”
NBA News:
Now This Is a Story All About Russ … | The Ringer
LeBron was first. He had a question, he said. Smith answered. Then LeBron had another question. And another after that and another after that and another after that. On and on he went, stretching what was supposed to be a 30-minute session into nearly an hour.
“The same guy who was trying to leave is now quoting back movie lines and going through the guy’s whole life story,” one attendee recalled thinking. Seated in the third row, picking at a bowl of fruit, Westbrook watched in disbelief, shaking his head and rolling his eyes every time LeBron spoke.
Schedule for the NBA regular season opening tip on NBC
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
NBA Season Preview: Standings, playoff, and award predictions
Golden State Warriors (51-31) If the Warriors were any younger, I’d have them even with Nuggets. Since age will likely limit their best players to 60-70 games in the best scenarios, they fall a tier in the regular season. Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga were two favorites for Most Improved Player heading into last season. While that didn’t pan out, Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Kuminga all still have the promise of impact players and have reached an age where making a postseason impact is more reasonable an expectation. Most importantly, Steph Curry looks refreshed this preseason and Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Al Horford were still impactful last season.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
