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THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS
Yaxel Lendeborg makes first-team All-Rookie: Lendeborg is older than Podziemski and Will Richard, and the Warriors will ask the rookie to play like he’s been around the block. His size, shooting ability and maturity give him a chance to make an immediate impact.
Jimmy Butler plays more games than Kristaps Porzingis: What’s the bigger mystery: The “illness” Porzingis is dealing with, whether he will be on the roster post-trade deadline or how the Warriors expect to get through the regular season with two key players rehabbing knee surgeries and another whose availability fluctuates nightly?
‘Batman’ and ‘Robin’ team up on a sneaker: The other deal Curry signed this summer was his extension with the Warriors. He got his real bag in June with a $400 million endorsement deal with Chinese shoe company Li Ning, which is already in business with Butler. There’s never been a collab signature shoe, but when has that ever stopped Curry before?
FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Oct. 23 vs. Memphis: Lendeborg’s home debut pits him against No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer, a matchup “I’m always gonna circle,” the Warriors rookie said this summer.
Dec. 25 vs. Denver: The last Christmas without the Warriors? Curry’s third season. The next? Probably the year after he retires. Overall, Curry is 8-7 in the annual holiday tradition.
Feb. 13 at Knicks: Not only a date with the defending champs at MSG, the Warriors’ first contest after the trade deadline, potentially with a roster that looks vastly different from opening night.
March 24 vs. Philadelphia: The first game on this list that should feature Butler and Moody — and the Warriors’ first time seeing LeBron James in a 76ers uniform.
April 8-9 at Oklahoma City: Golden State finishes with seven of nine on the road, including a baseball-style back-to-back against possibly the best team in the West.
The Post’s Forecast
41-41: Frankly, a lot has to go right just for the Warriors to get here. Curry’s knee doesn’t deteriorate further. Butler and Moody come back refreshed, not rusty. Golden State won 37 games last season, and the biggest difference is that its roster is only a year older.