How Steph ‘completely changed’ DiVincenzo’s NBA mindset originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Over the past decade, the Warriors have earned a reputation for their unsurpassed culture and style of play.
That, in turn, has made them an attractive landing spot for free agents looking to revitalize themselves.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donté DiVincenzowho played with Golden State during the 2022-23 NBA season, was one of those players who turned a successful year in the Bay Area into a long-term contract with another franchise.
“I took that year to rebalance and relive what I thought I could be, and I don’t think I could have gone to a better place to do it,” DiVincenzo said. Daniel Robinson and Tommy Alter from “The young man and the three” podcast. “Playing with those guys completely changed the way I think about basketball.”
After averaging 9.4 points in about 26 minutes per game while shooting a career-best 39.7 percent from 3-point range, DiVincenzo got a four-year contract valued at almost $47 million from the New York Knicks in 2023.
“I don’t think they’re making a secret sauce, but the style of play they have makes a lot of guys successful,” DiVincenzo explained about what caught his attention about the Warriors.
“I think there are certain organizations that you can go to and play with a certain style, that make guys look really good. And I think Golden State is that. “If you can thrive in that kind of chaos of what they do, I got so many open looks that I never thought I would get.”
In particular, DiVincenzo highlighted the simplicity of fitting with the Warriors.
“On offense, you literally run like crazy and shoot the ball, and you look great doing it,” he proclaimed.
The outspoken DiVincenzo also detailed the impact of Warriors guard Steph Curry in his own game, especially in his work ethic and behavior.
“He came ready to work every day, and the number of photographs he took and the details. There was never a day off for that guy,” DiVincenzo said. “That year really changed everything in my approach to practice.”
Additionally, DiVincenzo, who has already played for five different NBA teams, highlighted the importance of the Warriors’ veterans.
“It’s also the responsibility of a lot of the guys within these organizations that played there or have been with that coach in previous years,” DiVincenzo continued. “You’re going to Golden State – Shaun Livingston It was out there. He was in the front office at the time, but he was a great voice for many of us. and you had Andre Iguodala. André was still playing, but at that time he was a coach. It’s a legend. “He was the voice.”
Along those lines with training, DiVincenzo alluded to a recent incident when Warriors coach Steve Kerr. was furious with Curry after a bad rotation.
“They hold even the best players accountable,” DiVincenzo concluded, “so when you see that…Steph is being cursed at and cursed at and coached a certain way, who am I to think I have to have an attitude if they tell me something?” me?”
Ultimately, it’s another example of the respect many NBA players share for Curry and the rest of the Warriors organization, as well as an interesting look at why they’ve been so successful.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast
This embedded content is not available in your region.