Golden State Warriors: Jordan Bell’s preseason earned him regular season minutes
The Golden State Warriors’ rookie Jordan Bell had a very solid preseason with performances that should earn him regular season minutes.
The Golden State Warriors didn’t waste any time after winning their second championship in three years. The best team in the league got to work right away. With the smell of champagne still fresh on them. they turned their attention to the NBA Draft.
The Warriors didn’t have a pick, but for the second year in a row, they managed to find a way to get into the Draft. They made a deal with the Chicago Bulls and traded for the 38th overall pick, Jordan Bell. They got the guy they wanted.
Coming out of the University of Oregon, Bell looked like the type of project the Warriors could develop into something. He has a high motor and defensive tenacity that rivals Draymond Green’s. Offensively, he didn’t do much in college.
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While he’s far from becoming the best defender in the game (which Green is), he does show signs of being a similar player. In Golden State’s culture and system, Bell could thrive. He needs a role in the regular season.
Bell was one of the better Warriors in the preseason. He was active on both ends of the floor. He showed that he has a very good feel for the game.
Bell actually got minutes with the starters and the main rotation guys. He wasn’t just making plays against opponents that are going to get cut at the end of the preseason. Perhaps no play was better than his block on Nikola Jokic.
Bell has earned some time on the court once the regular season starts. While he shouldn’t have a main role, he can definitely add athleticism and energy to different units. He has shown that he can fill the lane properly and make the right pass, which comes in handy when you’re playing 4-on-3 after Stephen Curry gets double-teamed at halfcourt.
.@1jordanbell with a double-double in his first start. Not bad for a rookie 💪 pic.twitter.com/G4TEXOZVvD
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 14, 2017
The Warriors are probably going to want to preserve David West for the long run. That’s where Bell can fill in. He can take some minutes there and help units with Nick Young, Andre Iguodala, and Patrick McCaw switch everything defensively and play faster.
Bell opened eyes. There’s no need to rush him along and force him into a bigger role than he’s ready for. He has skills he still needs to develop, particularly when it comes to scoring the basketball.
Unlike bigs like Damian Jones and Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell is ready for a role right away.