How Steph ‘completely changed’ DiVincenzo’s NBA mentality originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Over the past decade, the Warriors have built a reputation for their unparalleled culture and style of play.
That, in turn, has made them an attractive landing spot for free agents looking to reinvigorate themselves.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, who played for Golden State during the 2022-2023 NBA season, was one of those players who parlayed a successful year in the Bay into a long-term contract with another franchise.
“I used that year to rebalance and reinvigorate what I thought I could be, and I don’t think I could have gone to a better place to do that,” DiVincenzo told Duncan Robinson and Tommy Alter from “The Young Man and The Three”. podcast. “Playing with those guys completely changed my perspective on basketball.”
After averaging 9.4 points in about 26 minutes per game — while shooting a career-best 39.7 percent from 3-point range at the time — DiVincenzo earned a four-year contract worth nearly $47 million from the New York Knicks in 2023.
“I don’t think they use a secret recipe, but just the style of play that they have makes a lot of guys successful,” DiVincenzo explained what stood out to him about the Warriors.
“I think there are certain organizations where you can just go and play a certain style and it makes guys look really good. And I think Golden State is that. If you can thrive in that kind of chaos of what they do, I’ve gotten so many open looks that I never thought I would get.
DiVincenzo specifically emphasized the simplicity of joining the Warriors.
“When you go on offense, literally run around like crazy and shoot the ball, and you look really good doing it,” he proclaimed.
The sharp-shooting DiVincenzo also described Warriors guard Steph Curry’s impact on his own game — especially his work ethic and attitude.
“He was ready to work every day, and the number of photos he took, and the details. There was never a day off for that guy,” DiVincenzo said. “That year really changed everything about the way I approach practice.”
Additionally, DiVincenzo – who has now played on five different NBA teams – pointed out the importance of the Warriors’ veterans.
“It’s also the responsibility of a lot of the guys within these organizations who played there or were with that coach over the years,” DiVincenzo continued. “You go to Golden State – Shaun Livingston was there. He was in the front office at the time, but for many of us he was a big voice. And you had Andre Iguodala. André was still playing, but was a coach at the time. He’s a legend. He was the voice.”
On that coaching note, DiVincenzo alluded to a recent incident when Warriors coach Steve Kerr was furious with Curry after a bad turnover.
“They hold even the best players accountable,” DiVincenzo concluded, “so when you see… Steph being yelled at and cursed at and coached a certain way – who am I to think I should have an attitude when they do something against tell him? me?”
Ultimately, it’s another example of the respect that many NBA players share for Curry and the rest of the Warriors organization, as well as an interesting insight into why they’ve been so successful.
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