Pros:
The team in general looks more dynamic with Ezeli playing with the starters. He’s quick out in transition on offense and defense and, with his speed, can trail a break for the jam, or catch a streaking point guard for a soul-crushing block on defense. When was the last time you remember Bogut catching a lob for a dunk on the break, or sprinting up the court on D to block a layup? Watch this clip of Ezeli doing both those things — in 28 seconds. My goodness. If I hadn’t been wearing a Warriors cap at the time my head might’ve exploded like an Ezeli missed bank shot.
Ezeli looks like an NBA center. His perfectly chiseled body and leap-out-of-the-gym athleticism lends itself well to the ideal vision of a 5-man. Andrew Bogut? When he wears jeans, he kind of looks like my friend’s dad. HERE
Starting Ezeli with Green allows Draymond to play the role of big-man facilitator, a role that makes better use of his myriad of skills. The Michigan native, with his sound passing, is flourishing given the increased playmaking responsibilities. He’s averaging 5.9 assists per game at the 4-spot, which puts him ahead of lead guards Kyle Lowry, James Harden, Reggie Jackson and Ty Lawson. He’s almost Lebron-level, but at a much lower usage rate. When Bogut and Green are in the game together, their playmaking skills overlap, which isn’t ideal on a team whose second unit could use a boost from another intelligent passer.
Festus’ athletic game brings a greater variance to the Warriors, lifting the ceiling on their potential (but bringing with it a lower floor as well). If Bogut is the steady, dependable family sedan you’ve been driving for the past 11 years, then Ezeli is that sports car that gives you engine problems more often than you’d like, but, man, every once in a while there’ll be a 20-minute drive where the machine will amaze you with its combination of speed, power, and agility (like when Ezeli went 6-8 for 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks against a Clippers team out for blood). Those exuberant 20 minutes can push the Warriors just enough for the win over a quality team, and are enough to make you overlook those plays where he’s slow to rotate over to Chris Paul coming into the lane.