5 Takeaways From Game Two
By Greg Chin
May 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) defends against Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) during the second half in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apologies to Festus
I must admit: my personal evaluation of Festus Ezeli has always been poor. He’s been injured so frequently that many of the mock trades that I made up in my head involved the Warriors using him as trade piece to make salaries match.
However, after watching him in the playoffs this season, I’m about to change my tune.
Ezeli has simply been huge for the Warriors off the bench. The team finally has a reliable backup rim protector to Bogut, and Ezeli provides a different option at center for coach Steve Kerr other than Marreese Speights. In fact, Speights hasn’t played since Game Three of the Warriors’ second round series and they haven’t missed him.
ESPN’s Jeff van Gundy was quick to praise Ezeli’s defensive effort, claiming that he could start for a majority of the teams in the NBA. While I do think that’s a bit of a stretch, Ezeli has been an important piece for the Warriors. The search for a reliable backup center might finally be over.
I’m sorry, Festus Ezeli. Please accept my sincerest apologies.
Next: Defending Harden