Dub Hub: Otto Porter Jr. says Steph Curry was the ‘big reason’ he signed with the Warriors in 2021

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Wednesday, May 22nd.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• During an interview with 95.7 The Game, former Warriors champion Otto Porter Jr. explained why Steph Curry was the “big reason” he joined the team in 2021.
• The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami discusses the plausibility of several Warriors’ trade targets.
• Boston Celtics survive Game 1 vs. Indiana Pacers in thrilling 133-128 overtime victory.

The 2021-22 season was a magical year for the Golden State Warriors, culminating in the team’s fourth NBA championship in the past decade. Several factors contributed to that triumph, but one of the most crucial was the Warriors’ success in their offseason signings — specifically, the key acquisition of veteran forward Otto Porter Jr..

Although Golden State only signed him to a veterans minimum deal, Porter easily outplayed his contract during his time with the team. He appeared in 82 total games and averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds while shooting 37 percent from the three-point line. However, his biggest asset was his ability to connect various Warriors’ lineups with his skillset and basketball IQ on both ends of the floor. This made Golden State a more dynamic team and has been something the team has missed since his departure a few years ago.

Now recently retired from the NBA, Porter discussed what went into his decision to sign with the Warriors in 2021, during an interview with 95.7 The Game. He emphasized that the opportunity to play with Steph Curry and the style of the Warriors’ offense were significant factors in his decision.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, May 22nd:

Warriors News:

Former Warrior Otto Porter Jr. explains why he decided to join Golden State in 2021-22

Warriors’ potential wish list — how plausible are Brandon Ingram, Lauri Markkanen, Jalen Smith and more? | The Athletic

George is here mainly as a premium placeholder for all the big-name players who could or will get max offers if and when they hit the free-agent market — that’d include LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Siakam and OG Anunoby, who all seem likely to stay with their current teams. I’ve listed George because he’s the most likely of this group to change teams, but I just don’t think the Warriors will be in the mix.

Though they’ve had interest in George off and on through the years, the Warriors simply don’t have a way to land a max free agent outright. In the sign-and-trade universe, the Warriors’ ultimate package — CP3’s contract plus Kuminga plus those two first-round picks — probably wouldn’t be enough to beat other bidders for any top-of-market deal. And psst, PG-13 might be aging out of this level, anyway.

Ex-Warriors GM Bob Myers reveals Kerr’s greatest strength | NBC Sports Bay Area

“His poise,” Myers told Matt Steinmetz and Daryle Johnson. “I say that as the season goes on [and] the playoffs come along, the leadership around your coach — the poise in the huddle — I remember personally going through [the 2015 NBA playoffs] with him. Everybody thinks during these high-pressure moments they’re going to be fine, people say ‘I’m built for this.’ I don’t even know what means. There are very few people built for that kind of pressure. For me, to walk alongside Steve — obviously, I wasn’t coaching or doing anything — to see his poise in ‘15 …”

Bob Myers on Steve Kerr’s 10 Year Anniversary, Warriors Dynasty, NBA Playoffs | 95.7 The Game

Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink recalls childhood memories with Steph Curry

NBA News:

Jaylen Brown’s 3 rescues Celtics in Game 1 thriller vs. Pacers | ESPN

But then Indiana threw the ball away, giving the Celtics life. And after a spectacular inbounds pass from Jrue Holiday — one of many spectacular moments from him en route to a 28-point, 7-rebound, 8-assist, 3-steal performance — to Jaylen Brown in the corner allowed Brown to rise and fire from 3, he hit the game-tying jumper with 5.7 seconds remaining.

The shot ultimately sent Boston on its way to a heart-stopping 133-128 overtime victory to open this best-of-7 affair.

“It was a good momentum play that we were able to get a turnover,” said Brown, who finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in 44 minutes. “Jrue made a great pass. [Derrick] White set a great screen.

“And the rest was history.”

The Disconnect That Led to the Denver Nuggets’ Demise | The Ringer

Booth and Malone had different approaches to the season that often clashed. Booth was investing in the future, and Malone was thinking entirely about the present. And in the end, nobody won. The Nuggets failed to advance to the conference finals and the rookies didn’t get developmental time they needed. Booth’s plan could still work out in the long run if his draft picks improve. But with the Nuggets already planning their summer vacations, it looks like he whiffed on a valuable chance to win it all again.

Malone had nobody on the bench he believed he could trust, even as Jokic and the Nuggets looked exhausted in the second half of Game 7.

The rotation lacked a steady shot-creator in the backcourt besides Jamal Murray, with 34-year-old Reggie Jackson being the only veteran option. Michael Porter Jr. couldn’t find his shot all series, but only journeyman Justin Holiday got chances behind him. Second-year wing Christian Braun was the only youthful contributor. And there was no reliable big man to play behind or alongside Jokic, with DeAndre Jordan as the only veteran on the bench. Minnesota looked longer, quicker, and deeper all series.

Complete voting for the 2023-24 NBA All-Defensive Team

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

A brief history of All-Rookie Warriors

Klay Thompson — 2011-12 First Team

All-Rookie teammates: Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Ricky Rubio, Kenneth Faried, Iman Shumpert, Brandon Knight

Sophomore stats: 35.8 minutes, 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game

Sometimes I forget that Klay was only drafted one year before Barnes. And it’s always funny to me to remember that he was part of a seven-player First Team, due to a three-way tie (a tie that’s extra funny in hindsight, as Leonard was paired with Shumpert and Knight). Safe to say, becoming a four-time champion and a future Hall of Famer is a great outcome for an All-Rookie selection.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.