National Basketball Association

Backups to get long look in 1st exhibition

Published Oct. 8, 2010 10:42 a.m. ET

foxsports

After his mandatory postpractice interviews Thursday, Warriors coach Keith Smart tried to convince a reporter that the entire training camp had been a masquerade.

The guys in the black jerseys weren't really the starters. The guys in the white uniforms weren't really the reserves.

Seconds into his pitch, Smart couldn't keep a straight face.

Of course, Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Dorell Wright, David Lee and Andris Biedrins will start tonight when the Warriors play the Clippers at Oracle Arena in their preseason debut. What happens after the opening minutes might make it seem like the first and second teams have switched roles.

The first 10 days of camp have been devoted to building chemistry among the starters, a success that shined in unselfish play and precision passing during Wednesday's scrimmage.

Now, the Warriors have to figure out the backup at each position and the pecking order for the rotation off the bench. Smart said the focus tonight will be on the guys who don't open the game on the court.

"We won't play our guys too much, because I have a good idea about what our starters will do," Smart said. "I'm trying to see what other guy can fit with four of the starters and what two other guys can fit with three of the starters."

Curry said he is especially interested in watching two reserves: Brandan Wright and Reggie Williams. Brandan Wright has had mixed results in his return from shoulder surgery, and Williams is trying to add to his game.

"Brandan is eager to get back into that competitive atmosphere, and I'm looking forward to seeing him out there," Curry said. "I feel the same way about Reggie, especially seeing how he builds on his great second half of last year."