Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Game 3 continued to solidify Marquese Chriss’ role

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Stephen Curry #30 and Marquese Chriss #32 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during a pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 10, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Stephen Curry #30 and Marquese Chriss #32 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during a pre-season game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 10, 2019 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Golden State Warriors’ forward Marquese Chriss has continued to thrive during the team’s preseason.

The Golden State Warriors didn’t initially sign Marquese Chriss in order to develop his potential after numerous teams have failed at doing just that. They signed him for an extra training camp body and have gotten so much more from the former lottery pick.

Also, let’s reaffirm that it is just preseason.

This isn’t the regular season. This certainly isn’t the postseason. These games have little to no impact on the team’s regular-season performance. However, they’ve made all the difference for Chriss.

In the Warriors’ most recent postseason game, Chriss put up 14 points, a team-high 11 rebounds, and a team-high 4 assists. The 22-year-old forward was an afterthought by many teams after a few failed seasons, but now he looks like the player the Suns thought he could be.

This wasn’t Chriss’ first great preseason outing.

He went for eight points, six rebounds and four assists in just 14 minutes against the Lakers in his team’s first preseason game and then followed that up with eight points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.

With Willie Cauley-Stein out and Kevon Looney not playing the bulk of the preseason, Chriss and Omari Spellman have handled the bulk of the minutes at the five. For Chriss, he’s been highly impressive although not playing his typical power forward position.

That said, Chriss hasn’t had an easy career in the NBA. Let’s remember that he’s only 22. Drafted into the league at 19, Chriss, the No. 8 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, never truly found his footing in Phoenix and ensuingly bounced around the league.

From being a free agent to signing a training camp deal with Golden State, Chriss was given a new opportunity, and he’s taken advantage of it. He’s been so impactful that Warriors’ veterans are lobbying that the team finds a way to sign him.

That’s impressive and a true sign of Chriss’ character.

Next. Top 25 Golden State Warriors in franchise history. dark

As for now, Chriss will likely be a Warrior for the long haul, and he’s solidifying his role as the team’s backup center, allowing Looney to play more of his traditional four.

Home/Warriors News