Golden State Warriors: Jordan Bell not found on FS’s 25-under-25
The 23-year-old Golden State Warriors second unit center, Jordan Bell, did not crack FanSided’s top 25-under-25. Was his absence warranted?
It’s sad to say, but FanSided was right in leaving the Golden State Warriors 2017 second-round pick Jordan Bell off their 25-under-25 list.
Bell actually wasn’t even a top-50 under-25 player. While that one is far more debatable, Bell was ranked right between Mikal Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr. If you ask me, that’s some good company for a player that was bought on draft night.
Drafted with the 38th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Bell was immediately inserted into a team with arguably four of the top 20 players in the NBA. Since then, he’s been working with and training with elite talent.
His gritty, versatile playstyle make him a solid piece of the puzzle moving forward.
To most’s surprise, Bell saw time in 57 games last season and even started 13 for the Dubs. This season, until the midseason return of Boogie Cousins, there’s quite a bit to look forward to for Bell. He should be the Dubs starting center for at least 40 games to start the season.
Last season, Bell averaged 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. However, when looking at those numbers per 36 minutes, it’s clear Bell’s on-court impact was far more superior than his per game average.
Per 36 minutes, Bell scored 11.7 points, snagged 9.2 rebounds, dished out 4.5 assists, secured 1.6 steals and rejected 2.5 shots. That is impact, that is efficiency. With more play time, Bell will continue to excel like he did last season.
It’s all about how much you contribute in the minutes your given, and for the 6-foot-9 center with a seven-foot wingspan, he showcased the ability to maximize the little minutes he was given.
And, because of that, he’ll be awarded this season. I’d expect Andre Iguodala to come off the bench instead of the Dubs starting their death lineup, but with Steve Kerr steering the ship, anything is up for grabs.
While Bell wasn’t a top player under 25, he has the work ethic and potential to certainly increase a few spots with at least one more professional season under 25.
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Expect big things from Bell.