Lindy Waters III: A Rising Star in the Golden State Warriors’ Lineup

Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, has confirmed that Lindy Waters III, an undrafted guard, is a fitting addition to the Warriors’ starting lineup. Kerr stated his intention to retain Waters as part of the starting unit, at least for the foreseeable future. «I’m committed to that right now,» Kerr emphasized. «He’s a good fit next to that group.»

In recent comments to NBC Sports Bay Area, Waters expressed a different perspective. «We’ve got a lot of guys that can fill that role,» he remarked, acknowledging the team’s depth and flexibility in the guard positions, particularly in light of De’Anthony Melton‘s current unavailability.

Waters played a crucial role in the Warriors’ recent victory over the Atlanta Hawks at the Chase Center. He contributed 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including two three-pointers, and finished with a plus-16 rating during his 23 minutes on the court. His performance showcased his ability to harmonize with the team’s dynamics, particularly with stars like Steph Curry and Draymond Green leading the offense.

A key aspect of Waters’ game against the Hawks was his defensive effort. Tasked with guarding Trae Young, a three-time NBA All-Star, Waters managed to limit Young to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. «Just got to corral him, pressure him a little bit, make him make tough decisions,» Waters explained after the game.

Waters has not only caught the attention of his coach but also earned the admiration of his teammates. Draymond Green praised Waters by stating, «Lindy’s playing well. Just always knows where to be, knows defensive rotations and assignments, knows how to get to space.»

Steve Kerr’s strategy of starting Lindy Waters allows the Warriors to maintain a strong bench presence, with Buddy Hield providing significant impact off the bench. Kerr believes this setup adds both shooting and defensive capabilities to the starting lineup, effectively contributing to the team’s overall performance.

The Warriors’ decision to keep Waters in the starting lineup, despite his humble beginnings, demonstrates their confidence in his abilities and their strategy moving forward as they navigate player injuries and team dynamics.