ORACLE ARENA, OAKLAND, CA — With a crowd of 13,500 (more than the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers had in some regular season games in 2015-16) in attendance the Golden State Warriors held their annual Open Practice.
Calling it a “practice” might be a stretch, but DubNation enjoyed it.
After coach and player introductions, several team members were presented awards for some of last year’s accomplishments by kids in attendance with Jr. NBA and other organizations.
Kids presenting Warriors with awards from last season, including KD pic.twitter.com/BPl6nuxikW
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) October 13, 2016
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Head coach Steve Kerr started practice by putting the team through a number of light shooting drills. Stephen Curry was in mid-season from by nailing the first half-court shot he launched.
Players spent a lot of time joking around and interacting with fans on the sideline.
One great moment came when Kevin Durant was caught snacking on a young fan’s nachos. Before dipping into the cheese, he made sure to ask “Did you double dip?”
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For the competition part of practice Kerr split the team into two groups. There were several rounds of shooting completion from different spots on each end of the floor.
At one point Kerr chided Durant for not leading his group to victory in the first two rounds. “KD” and his team quickly responded by winning the next competition.
Just one video from our snapchat, Steph, Andy, and DWest's team celebrates drills series win 4-3 pic.twitter.com/PT0YDKCvPr
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) October 13, 2016
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After that Kerr said, “This is not really a practice it’s a talent show.” He then turned the microphone over to Curry for the rookie initiation.
First up was Damian Jones who “sang” a faulty version of Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack.”
Damian Jones @dameology kills "Return of the Mack" pic.twitter.com/O6XrD4BvXa
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) October 13, 2016
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After one of the new members of the training staff mumbled a few bars of Kanye West’s Touch the Sky, it was Patrick McCaw’s turn.
“P Nice”, as McCaw called himself, went on to sing Soul 4 Real’s “Candy Rain.”
"Candy Cooooated Raaaiinn" @PMcCaw0 really went inMike Brown loving it #LetsGoWarriorsLive pic.twitter.com/HmQE56PnR0
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) October 13, 2016
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But the act that got the most reaction was that of new video coordinator James Laughlin. He danced to “Juju on the Beat” with some help from McCaw, JaVale McGee and Draymond Green.
James, rookie video coordinator Feat McCaw WoWWw #LetsGoWarriorsLive pic.twitter.com/ThyHNjOzl7
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) October 13, 2016
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The Warriors ended practice with a signed mini-ball toss before heading down the tunnel.
Signed JaVale ball that landed in my hand off a ricochet. We made sure it got to the kid/family it was aimed at #LetsGoWarriorsLive pic.twitter.com/j6Cu7aIQ2v
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) October 13, 2016
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The whole thing only took about an hour, but given the free parking and $5 tickets, it was a great chance for those unable to get game tickets to games to check out the team.
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