Ex-Hornets assistant thriving in Oakland
Tuesday's game had special meaning to Warriors assistant coach Rob Werdann, just like any game between New Orleans and Golden State would.
Werdann spent the past six seasons with the Hornets, serving as an advance scout and assistant coach. He helped turn New Orleans forward David West into an All-Star and taught Emeka Okafor many of the things that have the center averaging a double-double this season.
"For 48 minutes - best of friends or brothers, it doesn't matter - you're going to be enemies,"
Werdann said. "The rest of the time, you're going to root for those guys."
West and Okafor glow about Werdann these days, and the coach has been busy working with the Warriors' front court. He's credited with Ekpe Udoh's development and aiding in David Lee's adjustment from a center to a power forward.
"He has coached on a great defensive team and has worked with a great pick-and-pop player in David West, so he has a lot to share with me that I had never heard before,"
Lee said. "He played in the league and has coached enough to know his stuff. He definitely has my ear, and anything he tells me, I take to heart."
Udoh is a sponge for information, and Werdann is providing plenty of X's and O's. The relationship is thriving because of their off-court talks.
"You can tell by looking at a man's eyes. He's really genuine,"
the rookie said. "He's always in your ear and motivating you, making you work while giving insight. I'm working a lot on my game, and he's instilling confidence all along the way."
Werdann joked that he's not sure the players describing him as genuine is a good thing. He was quite a bit more serious when it came to Udoh's future.
"He's a smooth athlete, and he has a rhythm that you either have or you don't,"
Werdann said. "It's a great thing to see in a young player. He's got what it takes, so it's just a matter of me bringing it out."
If you think Stephen Curry looks a little taller these days, it's not simply because of his on-court maturation.
The Warriors' point guard is still growing. He was measured after Monday's practice at 6-foot-3 1/4, which is 1 1/4-inches taller than he was a year and a half ago at the NBA combine.
"Anytime you have a longer player, it helps defensively,"
said coach Keith Smart, who was 5-6 late in high school before a 7-to-8-inch growth spurt. "He's learning how to get his hands out wider to buy a little time defensively. ..."
"I guess players get orthotics and grow."
