Since being drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 14th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Moses Moody has leaned on his defensive intensity to earn minutes. At 6’6”, Moody has the size and length to be a disruptive presence on the perimeter and in the driving lanes.
Last season, Moody participated in 63 regular-season games and made the majority of his impact by locking down the perimeter. On Monday, July 24, the Warriors’ Twitter account shared a quote from Moody, where he revealed how one former coach used to incentivize his team to play defense by offering $1 for every charge drawn.
“When I was a kid on my team, I was in sixth grade, my coach would give you $1 every time you’d get a charge, I was a businessman, so I’m out there trying to make my money. Honestly, that’s really how it started but ever since then, that has just been part of my game.”
“When I was a kid on my team, I was in sixth grade, my coach would give you $1 every time you’d get a charge, I was a businessman, so I’m out there trying to make my money. Honestly, that’s really how it started but ever since then, that has just been part of my game.”
Moses… pic.twitter.com/N2A3J27X0G
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 24, 2023
Moody has found himself in a similar situation to Jonathan Kuminga since being drafted by the Warriors – both are having to show patience in their bid to earn a legitimate role within the rotation.
Following Golden State’s rebuilding of their guard rotation, it will be interesting to see if Moody’s role takes another hit or if the lack of genuine two-guard backup behind Klay Thompson elevates him in Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Unfortunately for Moody, the Warriors are still a contending team. As such, Moody will need to display significant improvement if he wants to become everpresent in the team’s rotation moving forward.
