How Moody’s arduous journey led to ‘established’ Warriors starter role

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How Moody’s arduous journey led to ‘established’ Warriors starter role originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The distance from the far end of the Warriors’ bench to the starting lineup is about 15 feet. For reasons mostly beyond his control, Moses Moody needed more than three years to navigate that distance.

Now that he is there, Moody is making a strong case to stay put.

Moody made six starts in 54 games before being elevated last week. In two starts in his new role as a 6-foot-5, 210-pound power forward, he’s averaging 16 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field, including 6-of-12 from distance.

He’s up to eight starts this season and the Warriors won all eight games. But that’s not why Moody is in the starting lineup with Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

Moody is starting because he performed well after receiving consistent playing time within the rotation operated by coach Steve Kerr. And because he and the Warriors are thriving – both getting a strong boost from Butler.

“Just the confidence that’s coming from consistent playing time and minutes,” Kerr said late Friday night. “And he’s a good fit playing next to BP, Steph and Jimmy. Those guys are all playmakers, with Draymond. And he can play the role that I think he’s most comfortable in, which is space the floor, let it fly when he’s open, play hard and compete.

“Moses is in a really good place and has really established himself as a starter with this group.”

The word “established” could not be attached to Moody during his first three seasons. Selected No. 14 overall as the second of Golden State’s two first-round selections in the 2021 NBA Draft, Moody’s minutes came and went like rainbows. You never knew when he’d be seen, and he never knew when he’d appear.

He made 23 starts in his first three seasons and generally performed well. He sometimes would languish on the bench for several games, a spectator with a courtside seat. The inconsistency of his playing time spawned a subculture within Dub Nation that has spent a couple years pleading for more Moody.

And…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/moodys-arduous-journey-led-established-155724189.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-02-22 15:57:00

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