Warriors Aim to Avoid Playoff Upset By Pelicans
By Greg Chin
Apr 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) and Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) scramble for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Warriors 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Benches
GOLDEN STATE: Andre Iguodala, Marreese Speights, Shaun Livingston, Justin Holiday, Festus Ezeli, Leandro Barbosa, David Lee, James McAdoo
NEW ORLEANS: Norris Cole, Jimmer Fredette, Ryan Anderson, Alexis Ajinca, Jeff Withey, Quincy Pondexter, Dante Cunningham, Luke Babbit
Both teams’ benches have played significant amount of minutes this season, but for very different reasons. The Golden State Warriors have emptied their bench on a regular basis this season, especially since the team has a habit of securing big leads against their opposition. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have had to rely on their bench due to injuries to their starters.
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The Warriors’ bench is talent-laden, and features two former All-Stars (just two seasons removed) – one of which, has barely seen any playing time this season (looking at you, David Lee). The bench is a good blend of defensive stalwarts (Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston), offensive threats (Leandro Barbosa, Marreese Speights, David Lee), a rim protector (Festus Ezeli), and energy guys (Justin Holiday, James McAdoo).
There is a belief that the Warriors’ bench could hold their own against many team’s starters in this league, and looking at the list of players, it doesn’t seem like a farfetched claim. Coach Steve Kerr has helped rejuvenate the careers of some of his bench players, who are in turn, having the best seasons in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ bench features a list of players who are relatively unknown, and doesn’t boast nearly the same level of talent as the Warriors’ bench does.
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