By: Matt Anderson

We are officially a week into the 2025-2026 Golden State Warriors' season. And we are already on our second back-to-back. This season has opened with a break-neck pace for the Dubs, but they are standing up to it well. As expected, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler have been the ones leading the way on this 3-1 start. But plenty of ink has been spilled about their exploits. I wanted to check in with some of the players that are a little bit more removed from center stage, players the Warriors are going to need if they want to make any noise in the West this year.

Jonathan Kuminga: I'll admit, I was ready to call JK a bum every chance I could after this off season. But, everyone who knew him kept telling us that the games with his contract were being led by his agent (whose only other notable client in the NBA is Terry Rozier, enough said) and that JK would not let this affect his play on the court. Boy, were they right. Kuminga is playing exactly how Kerr has wanted him to play since getting here: great point of attack defense, active on the boards, strategic with his scoring. He's also flashing some great playmaking ability. What is also helpful is that JK is getting over 30 minutes a night; plenty of time to work through any mistakes and not having to worry about getting benched because of one bad shot. Is that because he's doing what Kerr has asked? Is it because its harder to bench a $24 million dollar player? Or is it because they want him to look as great as possible on January 15 when he can be traded? Probably a little of all three.

Al Horford: Al has played well so far, though not as seamless as expected. There were definitely some awkward moments, particularly on offense where he had shades of Kelly Oubre, Jr. getting in Steph's way on a few plays. But, I can forgive that for two reasons. One, I have full confidence that Al will pick up the offense quickly. Two, his presence on defense has been incredible. Playing him with Dray and/or Jimmy makes a tough back line. And if the Steph/JK/Dray/Jimmy/Horford lineup continues to play like it did versus Denver, watch out. They have size, spacing, IQ, and defense. It could slot right in there behind the Hamptons 5 and the Death Line Up as game changing lineups.

Brandin Podziemski: Pods seems to be making a habit of tough starts. Normally, this wouldn't be much of a thing. But when so much of the preseason media surrounding him is trying to position him as a future All Star, coming out and looking like a mid-first round pick to open every season is not a good look. Granted, Podz has been doing a lot of the little things that may not show up in the box score. For example, he's done a great job of getting the team into their offense when he's the one with the ball at the start of the shot clock. Kerr said recently he thinks Podz is pressing, which he seems to have a tendency to do when there is a lot of talk about him. Hopefully, last night cleared his head and shows him that all he has to do is play his game to impact winning.

Odds & Ends:

• Will Richard looks like another Dunleavy draft win. Mike D sure knows how to draft players that fit immediately. I am also still doing double takes seeing Richard with his locks and the number 3 on his back. I have to tell myself that it's not a more ripped Jordan Poole.
• Here's hoping Moses Moody's second game back looks more like what we get from him night-to-night. Having his spacing ability, high IQ, and great defense always helps the Warriors.
• Quinten Post and Buddy Hield have not wowed anyone with their shooting this year. But against the Grizzlies last night they flashed some other skills that might keep them in the rotation long enough to break out of their slumps. Post grabbed some rebounds and made some good defensive plays, while Buddy's two baskets came on impressive rim attacks.