Will Jordan Bell Take JaVale McGee’s Starting Spot for the Warriors?
By Andrew Ites
JaVale McGee has recently replaced Zaza Pachulia in the Warriors’ starting lineup, but the return of Jordan Bell could send McGee back to the bench.
Steve Kerr felt his starting lineup needed a jolt of energy, so he named JaVale McGee a starter.
The Warriors have gone 2-0 after making that lineup change following the All-Star break, and their first quarter performance has improved with McGee replacing Pachulia. However, Golden State’s starting lineup could be even better with Bell taking McGee’s starting spot.
Bell brings a similar level of energy and a lot of the same offensive skills that McGee adds to the team, but Bell has much more defensive versatility than McGee does and Bell is a better passer on the offensive end.
McGee averages more blocks than Bell on a per-minute basis, but Bell snags more steals, dishes more assists, and he is better in switching pick-and-rolls than JaVale.
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Bell is getting closer to a return from his ankle injury, but he will almost certainly come off of the bench as he works his way back into game shape. If Bell can get up back to speed within a week or two, I would strongly consider making yet another change to the starting lineup by inserting the standout rookie.
With Bell in the starting lineup, I would have David West become the first center off of the bench. That would guarantee the Warriors strong minutes from the center position for the first 15-20 minutes of the game, and then Kerr could give some of the remaining center minutes to McGee or Pachulia when Golden State isn’t using the “death lineup”
If Bell looks like himself again after his recovery from this ankle injury, I think the future is now for the Warriors at center.
Next: Golden State Warriors Roster Rankings: 12. JaVale McGee