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Santos’ latest teaser for the Warriors’ youth expansion season appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Gui Santos still is getting used to life in America after growing up in his homeland of Brazil, and while it hasn’t been a completely smooth adjustment, the 21-year-old now has become a part of the Warriors rotation, making things easier to handle.
Santos, who spent part of two seasons in the G League before being called up to the NBA through the Warriors, has progressed so much that he was on the court for the final moments of their 109-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday. at the Barclays Center.
That’s significant because Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been jumbling his lineups for most of the season, especially the group that is on the court to close things out. Against the Nets, Santos was part of that closing squad while others – most notably veteran and five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson – sat on the bench and watched.
His compatriot Brandin Podziemski was also on the court late in the game and said Santos helped steer the game in the direction of the Warriors with his power and passion.
“Thanks to him we won the match,” Podziemski told reporters. “Without him, we’re probably going to lose, honestly. When he came here in the second quarter, he gave us a little bit of life. Then, as he came into the third quarter, you might feel his power and presence, both offensively and defensively. I think that’s why the coach played with him and finished the game with him.
Santos struggled for a career-high six rebounds, finishing with a team-high plus-13 in 17:43 minutes.
That’s all the 2022 second-round pick played in their rookie season and continues a trend Santos has used more than ever. He played 3 consecutive matches for the first time in his career with a playing time of 43:33. He was used for a total of 34:50 in the other six games he played in the 2023-24 season.
Bucket And the foul for Gui Santos ? pic. twitter. com/FUDaXw9EJg
– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 6, 2024
After spending most of the season on the bench, not only is Santos betting more, but Kerr is now in a position to use him in critical moments, as he did against Brooklyn.
Kerr opted to stay with Santos until the end rather than bring in Thompson or anyone else because the last organization opposed to the Nets was playing so well.
Additionally, Santos provided another type of power that the Warriors needed. As Podziemski has done for most of the season, Santos was making plays and doing things that don’t show up on a stat sheet.
“That’s what was so impressive about Gui tonight, just the efforts,” Kerr said. “He was chasing every single rebound and every turnover, throwing himself on the floor. Gui Santos was incredible, he was just getting back on his feet, getting offensive rebounds, generating extra possessions.
Meanwhile, Santos is still trying to get used to living in the countryside.
“The culture is a little bit different, especially being away from the family and (not being) there in special moment,” Santos said. “It’s tough but you gotta know that’s how it’s going to be.
“It’s not easy to be in another country. With the Warriors organization they make me feel like I am in a family.”
Injuries and performances have led to many of the lineup adjustments Kerr has had to make this season. Sometimes they succeeded, and sometimes they didn’t.
Making the dirty pictures and the little things that don’t fit into a score is how Santos has made his way into the conversation.
“I’ve got to bring that for the team,” Santos said. “I don’t care like how many points or my rebounds. I just want to go there and help the team win. And every time I got a couple of minutes I’m going to be there helping the team to win, it doesn’t matter what.”
And that in itself is huge for a team that’s in transition. The team is still anchored through the three directors Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green. But this season, as inconsistent as it is, has also seen expansion and progression. of key players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Podziemski and now Santos.
“It’s unbelievable,” Podziemski said. That’s what we want from our young people. “
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