/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57784777/usa_today_10392700.0.jpg)
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.
Jordan Bell defense vs the KingsJordan Bell is a super-promising second-round pick steal. But he needs to work on his rebounding and defense to get regular playing time from Coach Kerr. Here's a video of Bell versus the Kings on defense. (We'll follow up next time with video of Bell on offense, where he has been excellent.)
Posted by Golden State of Mind on Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Poll
If you’re reading the weak-tea AMP version, you won’t see the poll and comments. Reload directly goldenstateofmind.com and click on the article again for the full package.
Poll
In the Wednesday Lakers game...
This poll is closed
-
53%
GSW will win by double-digits. LAL is bad.
-
21%
GSW will win by single-digits. Any road win is a good one.
-
2%
GSW will lose by single-digits. Sloppiness leads to a loss.
-
9%
GSW will lose by double-digits. LA hangover is undefeated and GSW always gets blown out in LA.
-
13%
Why haven’t you written about Jorda— oh yeah, you did. Never mind.