SAN JOSE -- Though the Warriors entered camp with three youngsters competing to start at center, Damian Jones got the first opportunity, seized it and never let go.
The 7-footer started all five preseason games and will start on opening night next Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Damian’s probably been one of the best stories in camp for us,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after a 119-105 loss to the Lakers in the preseason finale. “We committed to giving him some minutes but we weren’t sure what we would see. He’s been really good. He’s so athletic and runs the floor hard. He’s starting to get a feel for where he’s supposed to be. He’s made some nice passes, some nice plays, so we’re really happy with him.
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The Warriors selected Jones in the first round of the 2016 draft (No. 30 overall). He arrived with a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery, costing him three months of preparation for his NBA career.
It was a slow start, a painful start, and it’s why Jones played only 174 NBA minutes while spending the vast majority of his time with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors.
But with the Warriors going with youth movement at center -- Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee left as free agents, while David West retired -- Jones entered his third season with a chance to give the team a return on its investment.
The expectation is that Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney also will get starts, as Kerr committed only to starting Jones on opening night against brutish Thunder center Steven Adams.
Golden State Warriors
Jones, who provides a lob threat and overall vertical spacing similar to that of McGee, will take it.
“It means a lot, coming from the start,” he said. “Coming in injured in 2016, going to the G-League after that, and then working my way up, going to the G-League again and then having this opportunity is great.
“It just shows that hard work pays off.”
