Warriors Analysis: Why Ian Clark Received the Last Roster Spot

The Golden State Warriors have made their final roster adjustments, a process I have been following.

The Warriors kept multiple quality players on their training camp roster up until Friday, players that each offered a unique skill set and could contribute in his own way. There was much speculation about who actually had a chance to make the near-perfect roster Bob Myers and his front office constructed. Time in the preseason games were split evenly early on, but as the season crawled closer, it became more and more apparent who the Dubs would sign for the whole year.

That man was Ian Clark.

Clark played 19 minutes in the Warriors preseason tilt against the Clippers, scoring 11 points, dishing out three assists, and grabbing one rebound. Clark was 3-of-10 from the field and 1-of-5 from deep, but he was able to drive well, and he went 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. Clark received more playing time than top reserve Leandro Barbosa, a sign that the coaching staff trusts the young shooting guard.

…the coaching staff trusts the young shooting guard

Clark was one of the earliest players that Golden State signed, and has clearly progressed since the signing. I was initially very skeptical of the signing, pointing to the fact that Clark seemed undersized for his position, a below-average shooter, and not the most versatile defender. I called for the singing of former Santa Cruz Warrior Aaron Craft instead. Clark has proven me wrong, however. Many members of the media have said that Clark really impressed during training camp, showing more versatility than his height and weight would suggest.

So, who did Clark beat out?

Clark’s main opposition to making the roster appeared to be Ben Gordon at first, but the veteran guard played sparingly during preseason, and he was not able to find the form that led him to a 19 point scoring average a few years ago. Gordon ended up being a part of the initial wave of cuts.