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Golden State Warriors: Who gets the minutes, Kevon Looney or Jordan Bell?

By Nathan Beighle

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 4: Kevon Looney #5, Jordan Bell #2, and Quinn Cook #4 of the Golden State Warriors before Game Three of the Western Conference against the New Orleans Pelicans Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 4: Kevon Looney #5, Jordan Bell #2, and Quinn Cook #4 of the Golden State Warriors before Game Three of the Western Conference against the New Orleans Pelicans Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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For the second time this season, the Golden State Warriors need to decide on who to start at center. Did they choose the right one?

The Golden State Warriors, even when Damian Jones was healthy, were inconsistent with their minutes at center. Now, without Jones, who should Kerr allot the bulk of the minutes to? The two options are Jordan Bell or Kevon Looney.

So far, Steve Kerr has gone with Kevon Looney at the starting center position, a move that seemed off after saying Bell has earned more time. However, it is noticeable that Bell’s talents might as be better served on an under-performing second unit.

On the year, Looney is averaging a career-high 6.2 points per game and shooting a career-high 62.3% from the field. His mere four starts following Jones injury have already tied his career high for starts in a season.

Not your traditional center, Looney can’t bully down low, but he does exactly what the Warriors want him to do. He scores on lobs, is able to finish off rebounds and is athletic enough to protect the rim. Although he can’t play a huge part offensively, the Warriors, laced with superstars, have still maintained one of the league’s top offenses.

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On the other hand, Jordan Bell can provide a certain type of versatility that Looney can’t quite match. A better passer and overall offensive threat, Bell with a performance against the Blazers, recording five points, seven rebounds and five assists, showcased how involved in the offense he can be.

After 13 starts last season, Kerr and the coaching staff have seemingly lost their faith in Bell. His scoring has almost been cut in half while his minutes per game is down just two from 14.5 last season. That said, Bell’s been less effective this season and, in turn, less deserving of that starting spot.

Bell needs to do something in order to gain that competitive advantage if he wants to get more minutes on this world-class organization. Being able to shoot from deep or really in the midrange would likely be enough. He needs to be more of a threat offensively.

For both these players, these per game averages are likely to be cut in half or more with the return of DeMarcus Cousins on the horizon. There are rumors of Cousins coming off the bench, so Looney might have the starting spot for a long time to come.

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