Explain One Play: Jordan Bell defends the Kings

When Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry miss games, it’s not great for the Warriors’ winning chances. However, it’s good for science. Just like a solar eclipse allows more stars and galaxies to be seen, we can see more detail on how different Warriors players are performing (like Klay Thompson in the clutch).

We also got a rare Jordan Bell sighting. After I fired off seven early E1P’s about Mr. Bell, you know I was suffering from withdrawal. In my recent survey of the State of the Bell Nation, Why isn’t Steve Kerr playing Jordan Bell, I noted “his unexpectedly excellent offensive performance and his so-so rookie-like defense”.

Well, Bell had a very showy and brief appearance in the Kings game, so I pulled video of all his defensive and offensive plays to see how much he’s progressed.

This article, we’ll look at his defense. It still has a ways to go, as he consistently compromises his rebounding position to hunt highlight blocks, allowing offensive putbacks. He does have the spectacular block, but even that is hit way too hard for the Dubs to benefit.

So this video is a bit of a downer. But the good news is that overall, Bell’s appearance was not negative: the score began GSW 39-38 and ended GSW 55-51 with Zach Randolph about to take 2 free throws. Bell brings unmistakable energy and poise to the offensive end, and we’ll look at that in the next installment.

For now, here’s the defense video.

(alternate YouTube link)

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