Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors Breakout Player in 2018-19

By Andrew Ites

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: Jordan Bell #2 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: Jordan Bell #2 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors need one of their young players to take a leap forward next season, and Jordan Bell could be primed for a breakout year.

The Golden State Warriors’ roster has undergone some major changes this offseason.

They’ve added another All-Star to the squad in DeMarcus Cousins and drafted a promising young wing in Jacob Evans. However, the Warriors have also lost some key pieces from their championship team.

Golden State has moved on from Nick Young, Zaza Pachulia, and JaVale McGee this offseason, and David West’s future with the Warriors is up in the air as he considers retirement.

With the loss of all those big men, and Boogie Cousins continuing his rehab from a ruptured Achilles, one of Golden State’s young big men needs to step up. And I think that breakout player will be Jordan Bell.

Bell showed plenty of flashes as a rookie on both ends of the floor, but Steve Kerr never fully trusted him for some reason.

More from Blue Man Hoop

Whether it was undisciplined defense, his injury issues, or his tendency to showboat in blowout games, Kerr felt much more comfortable throwing Kevon Looney into the fire during last year’s championship run.

I like Looney and thought he played extremely well in the playoffs, but Jordan Bell has a higher upside and I believe he’ll get to show that next season.

If you extrapolate Bell’s statistics for 36 minutes per game last season, he would’ve scored 11.7 points per game with 9.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.6 steals.

In a starting role, I think Bell could put up that same type of production in his second NBA season.

Bell is an outstanding distributor for a big men, he’s incredibly active on defense, and he rebounds his position well for a 6-foot 9-inch power forward/center.

Warriors 15 Best Draft Picks of All-Time. dark. Next

The only thing Bell can’t do at this point in his career is score the basketball at will, but that shouldn’t be an issue when he shares the court with four other All-Stars.

I think Bell is a perfect fit with the Warriors’ starting lineup heading into the season, and I hope Steve Kerr gives him the opportunity to have a breakout year.

Home/Warriors News