3 players that must step up for the Golden State Warriors

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Nemanja Bjelica #8 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by Draymond Green #23 after scoring against Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Golden State Warriors player that must step up: Nemanja Bjelica

Nemanja Bjelica put fans on notice with his impressive contributions against the Lakers. He had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Without him in that role, the Warriors wouldn’t have won. That’s safe to say, but since that outing, Bjelica hasn’t been as impactful, to say the least.

Against the Kings, in ten minutes, he went 0-for-5 from the field and 0-2 from three. In the team’s other two games, he combined for eight points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes. While the minutes aren’t quite there, the impact isn’t either.

The Warriors are very thin at center right now with Bjelica just behind current starter Kevon Looney. If he hopes to keep his role on the roster, he’s going to need to be better than the sub-three points he’s averaged over the last three games.

With the Kings in the 2019-2020 season, Bjelica averaged 11.5 points per game and shot 42 percent from deep. That’s the player Golden State needs to see on a more consistent basis, especially in the future.

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