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Golden State Warriors: Glenn Robinson III may’ve locked in a starting role

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: D'Angelo Russell #0, Stephen Curry #30, and Glenn Robinson III #22 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during a pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 10, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: D'Angelo Russell #0, Stephen Curry #30, and Glenn Robinson III #22 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during a pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 10, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Glenn Robinson III was terrific in the Golden State Warriors’ second preseason game, and he may have just earned himself a starting role.

All offseason we knew the starting small forward role would come down to either Glenn Robinson III or Alfonzo McKinnie. Well, if he keeps it up, Robinson will be the Golden State Warriors’ starting small forward.

After a season in Detroit and several up-and-down seasons in Indianapolis, Robinson signed with Golden State. The former Wolverine didn’t have much other interest in the market given his limited upside.

However, Robinson could be exactly what Golden State needs.

During the team’s second preseason game, Robinson scored the team’s fourth-most points with 13. His 6-foot-11 shooting, the second-most effective of the starting lineup, was also impactful for the Dubs.

Yes, it is just a preseason game, but Robinson’s efficiency should stretch into the regular season. After all, the once-hailed prospect did average over 40% from downtown just a few seasons ago. If he can do that for Golden State, he’ll easily be the team’s starter.

Talking with NBA.com, Robinson noted that he wants to bring the Klay Thompson-like defensive presence to the court for the Warriors.

"“When I was with the Pacers, I guarded the best player on the court whenever they came on, and I look forward to doing that this year with a defender like Klay [Thompson] (recovering from injury).”"

Robinson is a more efficient and an overall better player than Alfonzo McKinnie. This battle was McKinnie’s to win back in July when he failed to shine when filling in for Kevin Durant during the NBA Finals.

In the same game against the Wolves, McKinnie was just 1-for-4 with two points. He’s an NBA-caliber athlete, but he’s not going to be a player that’ll elevate the Warriors starting lineup in the same way that Robinson III can.

McKinnie was never meant to be the team’s starter. That’s why his two-year contract signed last preseason was partially guaranteed. The team wasn’t sure if he’d be around long-term and wanted a quick way out.

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Well, he produced enough to stay on the 15-man roster, but he shouldn’t be a threat to start over Robinson III.

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