Just two games into preseason and only two weeks out from their regular season opener, the Golden State Warriors are already facing concerns surrounding their two primary centres in Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
It leaves the return of Charles Bassey as an even more important signing for the Warriors, with the 26-year-old appearing destined for a rotational role come opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Charles Bassey signing is looking even more important for Warriors
Porzingis is once again dealing with an illness that has wiped out his training camp and kept him out of the first two preseason games, along with Wednesday’s second night of a back-to-back against the Portland Trail Blazers. Steve Kerr confirmed prior to Tuesday’s game that there’s no update on Porzingis, leaving the 31-year-old remaining out indefinitely just two weeks out from the season.
The latest issue is a knee contusion for Horford who was left out of Tuesday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers. While this is seen as a very minor concern that shouldn’t impact Horford’s status for opening night, it provides another reminder of the fragility of the two former Boston Celtics big men.
With Porzingis and Horford on the sidelines, the Warriors started small with a frontcourt of Gui Santos, Yaxel Lendeborg and Draymond Green on Tuesday night. The former Defensive Player of the Year will see a lot of small-ball center minutes as a result, while Lendeborg too played some five early in the second-half as he led the Warriors again with another nine rebounds after tallying that mark against the L.A Clippers on Sunday.
The Warriors will need some legitimate interior presence though as the season progresses, and Bassey is again proving a productive piece after earning another deal with a notable end to last season while on a 10-day contract.
Charles Bassey is staking his claim for rotation role
Bassey finished with four points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks in only 14 minutes against the Lakers, finishing as a +15 off the bench during the 124-98 victory. It comes after the 26-year-old had 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals on 6-of-10 shooting in just 16 minutes against the Clippers.
There’s an argument to be made that Bassey is Golden State’s best rebounder and shot-blocker. That in itself brings value Steve Kerr should be able to utilize at times throughout the season, and that’s before considering his importance when Porzingis and/or Horford are inevitably unavailable.
Bassey will be trying to ensure the Warriors don’t count the cost of letting Quinten Post walk to the Memphis Grizzlies, and so far the signs are positive albeit with a long way to go.
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