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Golden State Warriors: Eric Paschall must overcome rookie slump

By Tony Pesta

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 6: Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 6, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 6: Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 6, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After a surprising start to the season, Eric Paschall has hit a speedbump with the Golden State Warriors.

Eric Paschall is one of the few pleasant surprises the Golden State Warriors have experienced this season. The second-round draft pick came into the league with few expectations but will likely be a member of the NBA’s Rising Stars team.

In a breakout performance versus the Portland Trail Blazers, Paschall scored a career-high 34 points and snatched 13 rebounds to secure the Dubs second win of the season.

Soon, Paschall went on a 13 game run in which he averaged 18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and 31.4. percent from beyond the arch. Overall, he drilled 11 3-pointers during this stretch, more than half of his season total.

So, what happened to Paschall? Well, he has fallen hard into a rookie slump. He is scoring just 7.3 points per game since his hot start and has shot just 4-of-20 from beyond the arch.

Opposing teams finally have enough tape on Paschall to properly gameplan for his approach. Paschall is a muscular forward that uses his brute strength and athleticism for most of his shots. Now that opposing defenses are prepared for this, they have cut off most gaps to the rim.

As a result, Paschall is shooting a lower percentage on half the number of shot attempts he was taking before. He is no longer able to beat defenders off the dribble and is relying on off-ball cuts to the hoop for more than 40 percent of his shots.

Furthermore, his jump shot has disappeared. He was never an elite shooter but he was at least respectable from deep to begin the season. Now, teams have no problem leaving him wide open.

It should be noted that Paschall has been in and out of the lineup recently with minor injuries. This could explain some of his woes.

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Regardless, the Warriors will need the 23-year old to step up towards the second half of the season. Things will become easier for him once the rest of the team is healthy and he can take on a more reasonable role as a rim running rebounder.

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