Steve Kerr has been thoroughly please with his decision to start Damian Jones at center during the Golden State Warriors season-opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and will do so again on Friday when the team takes on the Utah Jazz on the road.

“We're going to stick with DJ,” said Kerr when asked who he would start at center through the foreseeable future.

All three Warriors bigs looked strong in what could have been a rather challenging game against an elite offensive rebounder like Steven Adams, able to gobble up rebounds without Russell Westbrook in the lineup.

Jones had a healthy bulk of the playing time, but made the most of it, scoring a career-high 12 points in his first start in the league, shooting an efficient 6-of-7 from the floor while picking up three rebounds, two assists, and three blocked shots.

Kevon Looney's 18 minutes proved what he can do when given ample run, putting up a quick 10-point, 10-rebound double-double while sprinkling in two assists, a steal and two blocked shots in his short stint off the bench.

Jordan Bell snared in two rebounds and a show-stopping block on rookie Hamidou Diallo early in the second quarter to get the crowd fired up.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Dejounte Murray with question marks around him

Shervon Fakhimi ·

Warriors Stephen Curry with Steve Kerr and Klay Thompson after loss to Kings

Jay Postrado ·

Steph Curry and Chris Paul could play overseas.

Nick Meyer ·

Yet Jones seems like Kerr's favorite option due to a hulking 7-foot frame and a pair of soft hands that have made him the target of many alley-oops and dump-downs right by the rim, which he's finished effectively.

The Vandebilt product will have another tough test against one of the league's best shot blockers in Rudy Gobert on Friday, likely to test his mettle as a starter for a championship-caliber team. The Warriors are hoping he wins his individual battle.