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Anderson Varejao is Another Solid Piece to the Championship Puzzle

By Michael Shultz

Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao (17) before action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao (17) before action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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What can Anderson Varejao provide for the Golden State Warriors?

The Golden State Warriors have simply been unstoppable this season. They are off to a record-breaking 50-5 start with the best starting five in the league. Their bench is not bad either and on Monday, they added to their arsenal.

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The Warriors signed 12 year veteran, Anderson Varejao to the veteran’s minimum and waived Jason Thompson on Monday. Varejao played his entire career with the Cleveland Cavaliers before being dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, who released him immediately.

The acquisition of Varejao provides the Warriors another big body, something they desperately need. The Warriors are extremely thin at the center position with only Andrew Bogut and Marreese Speights giving them significant minutes. But as all Warriors fans know, Bogut’s back or ankles can flare up at any time so the acquisition of Varejao was completely necessary.  Festus Ezeli just had knee surgery with no timetable to speak of and James Michael McAdoo is nursing a mysterious foot injury that has put him out for almost three months.

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) is fouled by Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Varejao provides the Warriors with another skilled and defensive center, much like Bogut, and will fit the Warriors offensive scheme much better than Thompson ever did. Thompson’s game never fit the Warriors’ scheme because he was more of a post-up player that struggled to make plays for his teammates. Varejao is much more of a playmaker, being a willing passer and solid screen setter.

His playmaking abilities will be enhanced even more because of his familiarity with many of his new Warriors teammates. Varejao has played with three of his new teammates: Leandro Barbosa, Shaun Livingston and Speights. Barbosa is Varejao’s fellow countryman in Brazil whereas Livingston and Speights were teammates in Cleveland. Varejao’s other connection to the Warriors is assistant coach Luke Walton, who also played with him in Cleveland. Walton’s knowledge of Varejao’s game will only help the Warriors put him in great situations, allowing him flourish in the Warriors offense.

When healthy, Varejao was one of the better post defenders in the game before his devastating achilles injury in 2014. Draymond Green has been playing lots of center when the Warriors go to their small lineup and anointed himself the best center in the NBA. While Green has done a fantastic job against opposing centers, you have to think that all that banging in the paint can take a toll on his body.

This is where the acquisition of Varejao really helps the Warriors because he can provide Green with some much needed rest, guarding centers in the post, which will only make Green fresher for the postseason. Varejao will not play much but when he is the game, he will provide the team with hustle and energy, which will motivate and inspire everyone else on the roster.

Varejao is not going to play more than 5 to 7 minutes per game for this team because of how stacked this lineup already is. He will be the third center behind Bogut and Speights but if he can eat up minutes and help keep them fresh, the Warriors will be primed for another long postseason run.

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Varejao will not provide the team with outside shooting but the Warriors do not need that from him. All they need from him is to set solid screens for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, provide the Warriors’ wing players with an outlet by rolling to the rim and give energy on both ends of the floor.

If Varejao can provide this and learn this motion offense quickly, he should be a key proponent to another championship run.

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