Steve Kerr refers to Pelicans star Anthony Davis ”one of the very best players on earth.”

That means the Golden State Warriors‘ defense will face a far different test than what San Antonio presented in the first round of the NBA playoffs when New Orleans arrives for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday night on the defending champions’ home floor.

The pace. The playmakers. And [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/jimmy-garoppolo-jersey]Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey Limited[/url] , of course, the load that is Davis.

Davis’ daunting playoff averages: 33 points, 12 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.

New Orleans got here even after losing All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins three months ago to a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. That’s when Davis said the Pelicans became ”great.”

”It was tough. We were still learning when he was here,” Davis said.

”We were still in that early stage of trying to figure out how to close games, how to play for each other, defensive assignments. And we started to figure it out before he got hurt. … Then when he went down, we had to change everything again.”

Golden State gets it. There was a stretch last month the four All-Stars were out and the Warriors lost seven of 10.

Now, they might get back a big reinforcement: Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP was listed as questionable for Saturday’s series opener as he works back from a sprained left knee he hurt March 23.

”Totally different series from what we just faced,” Kerr said of a five-game first round with San Antonio. ”Very much about pace. They like to get out and run, where the Spurs are more of a half-court team, so it’s an adjustment, a big adjustment. And obviously, Davis is one of the very best players on earth.”

Here are some things to watch for as the best-of-seven series begins at Oracle Arena [url=http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/josh-gordon-jersey]Josh Gordon Browns Jersey[/url] , where the Warriors have won a franchise-record 12 straight postseason games:

HEALTHY CURRY

The Warriors dominated the Spurs without Steph. Now, he’s likely coming back and adds another dimension to a team already clicking as it chases a repeat championship.

Curry resumed full practice with contact Thursday and his status was still unclear, though it certainly appears he will play soon.

Full strength immediately or not, New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry realizes the tall task.

”I just think it’s a great opportunity for us to play the world champs and see where you are as a franchise and see what it takes to win a championship,” he said.

GENTRY’S ASSIST

Kerr knew he wanted Gentry on Golden State’s staff when hired to coach the Warriors before the 2014-15 season – and it’s among the first calls he made. Gentry served only one season as the team’s top assistant but was instrumental in developing the offense used today.

”I would say Alvin was critical for my growth as a head coach,” Kerr said.

He meant plenty to the players, too. Ask All-Star Klay Thompson.

”He was a great guy to be around. He was a huge part of why our offense opened up and was a huge part of our pace of play and our ball movement,” Thompson said. ”And I think he’s done the same thing in New Orleans. They play with great pace now. They play similar to us as far as spreading the court and you’ve got playmakers everywhere. So Alvin was instrumental in what we built here.”

PELICANS REST

New Orleans swept Portland in the first round, so the Pelicans got to watch the Warriors finish off the Spurs on Tuesday night.

”I do think we’ve had an advantage in that way just having time off and everybody locking in and watching them play,” Jrue Holiday said.

The Warriors know how much the addition of Nikola Mirotic meant to New Orleans since he was acquired to help fill the void left by Cousins’ absence.

”We pretty much threw out all three game tapes prior to Mirotic’s arrival,” Kerr said. ”Those don’t mean anything to us. Once he arrived, the whole team looked different.”

THOMPSON’S TOUCH

Thompson is feeling it.

After some ups and downs during the regular season, he shot 52.9 percent – 46 for 87 – in the first round including 16 of 31 on 3s for 51.6 percent.

”It always feels right [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/joe-montana-jersey]Joe Montana Jersey Limited[/url] , at least in my mind it does,” Thompson said of his shooting touch. ”It has to. Hopefully, I can continue that (consistent) trend. But it’s something that I will never doubt myself when it comes to shooting. I put too much effort into it.”

ON A ROLL

Golden State has won 24 of the last 26 games including playoffs against the Pelicans, 12 of 13 at home dating to the 2012-13 season.

”Our guys know that to beat the defending champs is going to be extremely hard,” New Orleans guard Rajon Rondo said.

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AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.

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Mitch Kupchak is confident Michael Jordan’s Hornets will become an NBA playoff team again soon, possibly even next season.

But just how he intends to help Charlotte get there remains unclear – for now.

The Hornets new general manager and president of basketball operations said during his introductory news conference Tuesday this is a job he coveted. But the 63-year-old Kupchak was vague when it came to pressing questions surrounding the futures of the franchise’s top player Kemba Walker, eight-time All-Star center Dwight Howard and coach Steve Clifford – as well as whether the team needs to undergo a complete rebuilding process.

”I’m limited in my knowledge other than what I have seen on TV and learned in the last 48 hours,” said Kupchak, who accepted the job on Sunday. No details have been released about the terms of his contract.

He helped the Los Angeles Lakers win seven NBA titles and has spent 30 years as a front office executive, including 17 as the Lakers’ general manager.

He hopes to build a winner in Charlotte too – with Jordan’s help.

”I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek out his opinion,” said Kupchak, adding that Jordan is arguably the greatest player ever to play the game.

Kupchak said Jordan is still very passionate about not only the NBA game, but the college game as well – and keeps up on the talent.

”I hope that most of the time we are on the same page and there may be a couple of times we are not [url=http://www.cowboyscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-connor-williams-jersey]Connor Williams Jersey[/url] ,” Kupchak said. ”He may look at me and say, `You know Mitch, we don’t see eye-to-eye on this but you do what is best.’ Or he maybe he will look at me and say, `Mitch we don’t see eye-to-eye on this one but this is my decision.’ And that is his right as an owner.”

In Los Angeles, Kupchak inherited a roster from Jerry West where he acknowledged ”the cupboards were full.”

Behind Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers became a dynasty.

Things are little different in Charlotte, which lacks the glitz of a big market like Los Angeles, the talent of a Golden State and the history of franchise like Boston.

Kupchak inherits a team with 10 players under contract next season leaving the Hornets close the luxury tax threshold – making turning over the roster a little difficult.

Charlotte’s most tradable commodity is Walker, who has played in the last two All-Star games and is making just $12 million a year with one season left on his contract before becoming a free agent.

Walker is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, but he’s also stated that he would prefer to win playoff games rather than go through a rebuilding process.

”I like a player that doesn’t want to be somewhere where they’re going to lose,” Kupchak said. ” … I know he’s had an All-Star year. It’s tough to answer the question with any certainty.”

He said the same goes for the 32-year-old Howard, who rebounded from two lackluster seasons in Houston and Atlanta with a solid campaign this season for the Hornets averaging 16.7 points, 12.4 rebound and 1.6 blocks in 80 games played.

Howard played for Kupchak in Los Angeles when he was GM there [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/jason-witten-jersey]Jason Witten Jersey Elite[/url] , and Kupchak said he didn’t want the big man to leave for Houston as a free agent.

He said he’s watched Howard play recently and likes what he’s seen.

”He is as lively and energetic as I have seen him play in years and years and years,” Kupchak said. ”I know next year is the last year of his deal so there is some uncertainty with some of the players going forward.”

There is also uncertainty surrounding Clifford’s future.

Charlotte has made the playoffs twice in five seasons under Clifford, but has never advanced out of the first round. Clifford missed a large portion of this past season dealing with headaches related to sleep deprivation.

Clifford spent one season with the Lakers and Kupchak felt at that time he had head coaching potential.

But when asked directly about Clifford’s future with the Hornets, Kupchak struck a popular refrain, saying he just got the job two days ago, ”so in all fairness I have not had the time” to assess.

As for whether the Hornets need to rebuild, Kupchak said, ”I don’t know if that is the right word or not. I think our actions in the next three months might answer that question.”

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