The Warriors have made no secret about how much they like point guard C.J. Watson. General manager Larry Riley did what he could to keep Orlando from getting its hands on Watson, who was a restricted free agent. But, it might be a good idea for Watson to get back on the court and remind the Warriors why they value him so much. That's because third-year guard Acie Law is making a strong bid for Watson's minutes. "I'm not really worried about it," Watson said. "I'm just trying to get healthy."
Watson, who passed up the Warriors' three-year, $4.5 million
offer and settled for a one-year deal for $1 million, is expected to play tonight at Sacramento. He hasn't played much this preseason, thanks to a sprained right MCL, which he sustained on the first day of training camp. He played just less than six minutes in Monday's loss at the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring four points on 2-for-3 shooting with two assists.
Law, meanwhile, has been gaining favor with coach Don Nelson. He's scored 29 points and grabbed five rebounds in 38 minutes during two preseason games, both against the Los Angeles Lakers. Using his strength and physical style, Law showed Nelson he could fill a niche.
"Because we're just so overloaded at point guard," Nelson said, "I told him to concentrate more on playing small forward for me. Actually, he's a pretty good defender. He's strong and pretty physical, so I can use him there a little bit, especially if I have an injury."
At 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, Law would no doubt be the smallest forward in the NBA, and one of the tiniest ones in history.
Law's transformation started in Anaheim when guard Monta Ellis sprained his ankle and was forced out of the game. Nelson played Law with rookie guard Stephen Curry, with Law getting matched up with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.
Law was able to hold his ground with Bryant and wasn't afraid to give a hard foul. Since then, Nelson has had Law guard swingman Stephen Jackson in practice.
"I look at it as an opportunity to get a chance to play," Law said. "It's a challenge. I look forward to that. Jack is one of top players in the league. It's fun. It's bettering my game. I'm trying to make him better, being hard, fouling him, making it tough for him. It's a lot of fun."
Ellis and Curry figure to get most of the point guard minutes. That leaves little for a third point guard. Watson, because of his ability to score and his understanding of the offense, was all but a lock for that role.
But Nelson said Law is challenging that. So the onus is on Watson to show the Warriors why they wanted him back.
"My knee feels better," Watson said. "Come game time, whatever minutes I get, I just have to take advantage of them. I've just got to go out there and earn my spot."
Notes: Center Ronny Turiaf went hard at practice Friday. He is expected to make his preseason debut tonight in Sacramento. Turiaf has been out with a sore left knee. ... Swingman Kelenna Azubuike is out with a bone bruise in his left ankle.today: at Kings, 7 p.m.
