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Golden State Warriors: Alec Burks must step up as a playmaker

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 30: Alec Burks #8 of the Golden State Warriors and D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during a game against the Phoenix Suns on October 30, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 30: Alec Burks #8 of the Golden State Warriors and D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors high-five during a game against the Phoenix Suns on October 30, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors need a playmaker to step up and help D’Angelo Russell with the offense load. That player could be shooting guard Alec Burks.

If there was one thing the Golden State Warriors weren’t this offseason, it was frugal. This team was spending money left and right, re-signing Klay Thompson and extending Draymond Green. They even added a fourth max-value contract with D’Angelo Russell’s four-year deal.

Aside from those three and Curry’s supermax, all four of which have missed this season and two of who will miss three-plus months, the Warriors are paper thin. Even at full strength, depth was going to be a notable issue for this team.

Now, as injured as they are, they’ll need a player to step up and help D’Angelo Russell, who recently dropped a career-high 52 points against the Timberwolves. Russell has been solid as the primary scorer, but he hasn’t had much help.

Second-round rookie Eric Paschall has been the most consistent player aside from Russell. He’s done everything they’ve needed him to do, and he’s thrived in that combo forward role. Aside from Paschall and Russell, the Dubs haven’t had others produce across the board.

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That’s where Alec Burks, one of the multiple veterans they signed this offseason, must step into a new role.

In the three games from Portland to Minnesota, Burks averaged 19.7 points per game. This season, it’s not quite as pretty as he’s at just a 13.3 average. Burks has seen time in six games this season.

According to Yahoo’s Drew Shiller, Burks doesn’t regret his decision. On top of that, the former Jazz swingman knows he’s still finding his rhythm with a new system and on a new team. Burks is just two games removed from a 28-point performance against Houston.

“I’m still working. I feel like this is my preseason. I missed the whole training camp. Still trying to catch a rhythm. It’ll come along,” Burks said.

He wants to be in the Bay. He knows that he’s building and helping prolong a championship culture while earning the trust of coach Kerr. After reading the conversation between Burks and Shiller, it’s obvious that Burks doesn’t regret his decision and that’s he’s ready to take that next step as a Warrior.

On a one-year contract, Burks is theoretically auditioning for a place on the championship-caliber team that will be back on the court next season. Being a star on this team means he may have the trust to be a role player on that team.

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Burks can and must step up the rest of the season, regardless of whether the Dubs are in playoff contention or not.

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