Eric Paschall is a solid young prospect, but he is not the savior of the Golden State Warriors.
Following an unbelievable amount of significant injuries to star players, the Golden State Warriors were desperate to find a glimmer of hope.
Injuries to Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell felt like a punch in the face after losing Kevin Durant in free agency. The team had just been to five consecutive NBA Finals and was now looking at the possibility of being the worst squad in the entire league.
Then, an unexpected explosion out of the second-round draft pick, Eric Paschall, occurred. The young forward snapped for 34 points and 13 rebounds on 11-of-19 shooting from the field in a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
This burst of production from Paschall gave the Dubs a sense of security. For a brief moment, the fans felt as if this season might not be a complete waste after all.
Paschall followed his breakout game with 19 points and 6 rebounds against the Houston Rockets. In the next game, he scored 12 points and in the game after that, he totaled just 8 points in 29 minutes of playing time.
It quickly became clear that Paschall would not be the Warriors savior. The momentum behind his game was snuffed out within a week. This should come as no surprise. However, this doesn’t mean that Paschall can’t have a successful career with the Dubs.
The skillset that Paschall has displayed is one that will take him a long way in the NBA. He is an exceptional athlete and a solid shooter from deep. His role with the Warriors will be increased if he can show signs of consistency.
As the Dubs look to avoid a total rebuild, Paschall will be a valuable asset. There is a chance that Paschall plays his way into a sixth-man role with the team for next season when everyone is healthy. Or, Paschall could find himself being traded in return for a more proven prospect.
Whatever it may be, the expectations for Paschall should be measured. He is a promising talent but should not be looked at as the Dubs saving grace. This 23-year old has a lot of work to do but is in a perfect position to have a big impact on the franchise.