It took a group effort for the Golden State Warriors to beat the Los Angeles Lakers. But one man stood out in the 113-106 victory: rookie Jordan Bell.
With Zaza Pachulia still sidelined, Bell got the start at center, and feasted on the man who used to have his spot, Andrew Bogut. Bell did it all: 20 points on 9-13 shooting, 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end, three assists, one block, and one steal.
It was the first double-double of his career, and he was a team high +22. In the 23 minutes when he was on the bench, the Lakers outscored the Dubs by 15 points.
And there were highlights. Oh, were there ever highlights:
Get up @1jordanbell! (@NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/cz7Hh4PNZg
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 23, 2017
Jordan Bell steals it from Ball and he euros to the rim for the score
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) December 23, 2017
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/Y4Ej39XCkw
Anthony Slater had a pretty stunning observation following Bell’s breakout game. It was the first time a Golden State starting center had a 20-point, 10-rebound game since . . . wait for it . . . Jermaine O’Neal. In February 2014.
As such, Bell’s huge game wasn’t just an exciting performance, it was a reminder that the recent Warriors’ dominance has come without ever having an All-Star level center, or anything close to it. If Bell can develop into this type of talent on a nightly basis - and that’s starting to seem more likely than not - then it’s a little scary to imagine just how good this team can be.
Plus, he’s already got the media part down pat:
Jordan Bell knows the keys to success pic.twitter.com/HHhU5sMlE1
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 23, 2017
KD’s brilliance
It’s easy to take Kevin Durant’s excellence for granted. We get used to seeing it on a nightly basis, and it doesn’t always stand out.
But it should. Durant torched Brandon Ingram, the second-year forward who has drawn comparisons to KD. 33 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and four blocks? Just another day at the office for Durant.
Kevin Durant was on the ground, got back up to protect the rim. He was suuuuuuper pumped about his effort pic.twitter.com/M2z4tGyVBI
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) December 23, 2017
While we’re on the topic of Durant’s big stat line, it’s worth noting that Draymond Green, in his return to the lineup, had a near triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.
Dray’s trash talking
Green might have been sidelined for a while, but it didn’t impact his ability to talk smack. In his return to the lineup, Green had some fun at the expense of his former assistant coach, and current Lakers’ head coach Luke Walton.
"I got you your job, you better tell your guys over there.”
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 23, 2017
Draymond Green on trash-talking Luke Walton: pic.twitter.com/8uE3r9Y3ke
Ahhh, I’ve missed that.
Poll
Who was your Warrior Wonder against the Nuggets?
This poll is closed
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53%
Jordan Bell
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9%
Kevin Durant
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10%
Draymond Green
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5%
Omri Casspi
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2%
Klay Thompson
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18%
Javale McGee’s jumpers in garbage time