The Golden State Warriors’ second unit, for several years, has been one of the worst in the league, but this season, they can change that pattern.
There’s no denying last season was tough for the Golden State Warriors. There weren’t many ups in a season where the team was just 15 games. However, it’s always nice to remember a few — one being when the team somehow downed the Rockets on Christmas Day.
Another huge silver lining to last season was that players that typically wouldn’t see big-time minutes were awarded them. It will prepare them for this season, and the team should be better because of it.
Their second unit, as it currently looks, will have Brad Wanamaker, an underrated offseason addition, Jordan Poole or Damion Lee, Kent Bazemore, Eric Paschall and either James Wiseman or Kevon Looney.
While they may not be able to hold their own against opposing team’s starting units, this lineup has everything it will take to thrive. They have scoring and playmaking in Poole and Wanamaker and they have the size and shooting in Bazemore, Poole, and Wiseman.
The Warriors bench actually ranked ninth in points per game last season, largely due to Eric Paschall’s solid play.
However, the two seasons before that they ranked 22nd and 28th respectively, and with Stephen Curry and the addition of Kelly Oubre Jr., it seems more likely the past two seasons is a more realistic tone for this season.
That’s just in terms of who will make up the second unit and how often they’ll play.
Wanamaker, with Steph on the court, won’t get the same amount of time that Ky Bowman received last season. The same goes for Poole, who may have a shorter leash this coming season. Even Paschall and Bazemore may not see the minutes they’d hope.
The Warriors, in all likelihood, won’t be a top-15 scoring bench, but they can still be efficient. With a unit that has played together and understands the culture, they should be able to thrive. Given their history and lack of experience, there seems to be a negative connotation about their bench.
They have skilled players that were given the limelight a season ago. Now out from the spotlight, expect that same energy to take the court in the coming weeks.