Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Who Has the Edge?
By Mike Dill
Center
Warriors: Andrew Bogut, Jermaine O’Neal, Festus Ezeli
Thunder: Kendrick Perkins, Steven Adams, Hasheem Thabeet
May 10, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) reacts after a play against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter of game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Bogut is clearly the best center of this bunch. Health always seems to be a concern with him, but he is one of the top centers in the league when he is healthy.
He proved this during last season’s playoff run. His play against the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs singlehandedly kept the Warriors in the playoffs from a defensive standpoint.
Bogut missed most of last year’s regular season due to injury, so it remains to be seen what kind of impact he can make on the Warriors for a whole 82 games.
Oklahoma City is hoping Steven Adams will develop enough to eat into Kendrick Perkins’ minutes. Perkins doesn’t fit well with the athletic and speedy offense the Thunder like to run. He can pull down rebounds and get a few points, but he can’t run the floor and often gets in the way.
Adams is still very young and quite raw. He probably should have stayed at least one more year in college. Still, he has an impressive build and great athleticism for a big man. He is the type of player the Thunder need at the center spot.
As for the Warriors’ backups, Jermaine O’Neal is nearing the end of his career and Festus Ezeli’s development has been halted by an offseason knee surgery. The Warriors are going to need plenty of minutes from Bogut and O’Neal if they want to contend next season, so injuries cannot happen.
Edge: Warriors