The Golden State Warriors decided to basically run it back in the offseason, and that meant bringing back both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. The hope at the time was that by having two veteran centers, they would be able to keep them both fairly healthy since neither would be forced to play a crazy amount. That plan is now very much up in the air given the uncertain status of Porzingis.
Porzingis met with the team's medical staff on Tuesday which is at least a minor step in the right direction, but it's still unclear when he will be able to be back on the floor.
On the latest episode of the Dubs Talk podcast, the hosts discussed how the general plan with Horford was to have him come off the bench in every game, not play in back-to-backs, and limit him to about 20 minutes per game to ensure either he or Draymond Green could be holding down the fort on defense at all times.
Porzingis was a really big part of Warriors' plans this season
That's a smart plan on paper, but the only way that would really be feasible is if the team stays fairly healthy. The absence of Porzingis already throws a wrench into that plan since it could lead to Horford being asked to do more.
That may not be the wisest strategy either though. Asking Horford to do more at his age is a good way to get him injured too, so the Warriors might just have to rely on younger players like Charles Bassey to pick up the slack for Porzingis.
The other option would be to roll with a smaller lineup which is something the Warriors have been forced to do in recent years. They've used Green as a center and asked him to serve as the big man on the floor, but with head coach Steve Kerr asking Green to do new things on offense this season, they probably don't just want to fall back on old habits.
No matter what, the Porzingis injury just complicates everything for the rest of the team. The new "five-out" offense was based in large part upon having a big like Porzingis who can shoot the three. Without that for the time being, it throws things into disarray a little.
Horford should not be used the way he was five years ago, but the Warriors may not have any choice but to push him a bit and try to squeeze more out of the 20-year veteran if injuries force their hand.
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