Golden State Warriors have exceeded pre-season expectations so far early in the season as they are off to a 3-1 start with their latest win vs New Orleans Pelicans.
Fresh off the heels of losing a dynastic piece in Klay Thompson and replacing him with multiple players to replicate his skill set in a Moneyball approach, there were a lot of unknowns.
A strong pre-season laid to rest some of those doubts but there was still more hope than expectation when competitive action began.
Three strong wins in four games later, the Golden State Warriors look like proper contenders and not because they’re being carried by the usual suspect in Steph Curry, but because of their remarkable depth.
That depth was added to by another surprise breakout of an undrafted guard that has Warriors fans thinking they’ve got the next version of “Splash Brothers”.
Warriors signed Buddy Hield to replicate Klay Thompson’s nuclear shooting streak and so far, he has lived up to even the wildest of expectations.
He is shooting a remarkable 55.6% from the three-point line, averaging 21.2 points/game as he had added much-needed spacing to this roster.
In addition, Steph Curry has been doing his thing which has become the norm for him but against the Pelicans, the Warriors faced a unique challenge.
Curry sat this one out with an injury and Andrew Wiggins, who had an encouraging start to the season was also out after a late decision.
It was the chance for someone to step up alongside Hield and after a 124-106 win, Warriors fans officially have a new hero in the most unlikely place.
Lindy Waters III, the undrafted guard out of Oklahoma in 2020 who didn’t make his NBA debut until 2022 came out of nowhere to drop 21 points on the Pelicans in his breakout performance.
At +26, he had the highest +/- on the team as he finished with a 3PT percentage of 42.8% on seven attempts.
He unexpectedly earned 31 minutes of playing time and added eight rebounds and four assists with one steal to round off a complete performance which adds to the Warriors’ already scary depth this season.
It was Steph Curry and Klay Thompson first, then Buddy Hield took Thompson’s place to start the season on fire and now, with Curry absent, Lindy Waters III has officially become a part of the next iteration of ‘Splash Brothers’ alongside Buddy Hield!
Warriors fans, understandably delighted after the win vs Pelicans, toasted to Lindy Waters III and christened this new iteration on X, formerly known as Twitter.
One fan said: “Waters is such a good last name for a shooter. When he’s hot just say he’s wet asf and splashing them thangs!”
Another fan gave credit to Hield as well: “Buddy Hield went crazy 4th quarter! For sure the new splash bro replacement!”
A third called Waters III a ‘gem’, saying, “Uh oh, the Warriors found another gem”, as a fourth agreed, saying, “I have high hopes for Lindy Waters since we added him to the team he just needs minutes and he will shine.”
Another fan just summed up the sentiment right now perfectly in the Bay Area: “Warriors win. Our team is deep. Lindy Waters is a demon. We didn’t need Curry and Wiggins. Championship we’re coming for ya!”
The new ‘Splash Brothers’ will have the opportunity to add to their exploits when the Warriors face the same opposition again next!
Related Posts
