Steph Curry praised the commitment of the Golden State Warriors after their squad depth was put to the test in their win against the Portland Trail Blazers. (More Sports News)
The Warriors made a winning start to the NBA season, with a 139-104 victory on Wednesday, where coach Steve Kerr used 12 different players on the floor.
Despite Portland leading by nine points in the opening quarter, the Warriors rallied, taking the lead at the break before holding out for the win.
Overall, seven of the Warriors' players scored double figures, with Curry getting 17 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter.
Curry, who is playing his 16th year in the NBA, is looking forward to using the squad's depth this season.
"It's the identity of this team right now," Curry said. "We're going to rely on our depth.
"You have to have a commitment - no agendas, no egos, or healthy egos, where you know you're supposed to be out there, but if it's not your night, don't bring the team down with your energy.
"Haven't seen any red flags of that."
Buddy Hield led the team with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including five 3-pointers, off the bench. It is the most points scored by a Warriors player in 15 or fewer minutes since 1984.
Curry believes the 31-year-old could be key to filling the gap left behind by Klay Thompson's departure after he joined the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason, especially if the Warriors want to make the playoffs this time around.
"Without Klay, you need shooting, but we needed shooting anyway," Curry added.
"Me and [Hield] have been one and two [in 3-point shooting], and Klay's right there shooting threes for the last eight years, so we know what [Hield's] skill set is, we know what he's capable of doing.
"He's been a very seamless transition so far."
The Warriors face the Utah Jazz in their next game on Friday.
