As Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets are finding out with Lance Stephenson, signing a player or building a rewarding core takes much more than talent. Bob Myers has swung and missed just like any other general manager, but with the additions of Shaun Livingston and Mo Speights, along with the return of Festus Ezeli from injury and Harrison Barnes from bewilderment, the Warriors have created a dazzling nucleus of both talent and approach.
The Warriors’ bench scoring only ranks 16th in the league in scoring (32.7), but given the scoring output of both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, along with the absence of David Lee that number should increase as the season progresses. Despite the two cogs in the backcourt, this is a well-balanced team. That same bench is shooting 48% on the season, good for 4th in the NBA.
Festus Ezeli has taken on the monumental task of trying to replace Andrew Bogut in the interim, and has answered the call with consistent play on both ends. On Monday, he was incredibly efficient, scoring 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting with six rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes. The team won’t need Ezeli for that point output on a nightly basis, but it’s an encouraging sign that he’s now finding his offensive rhythm.
Mo Speights has been a renaissance all season, hitting the midrange jumper with ease and proving to be the most consistent scoring threat off their vastly improved bench. After being eased in this season because of injury, Shaun Livingston has displayed the skills that Bob Myers’ brought him on for: length at the wing positions, post-up game and the ability to run and distribute throughout an offense without deteriorating flow (a flaw with all backup point guard options last season).
Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green were both on the bench last season, and for different reasons have been inserted into Steve Kerr’s starting lineup. Barnes has found his niche: hitting open shots, rebounding and most impressively, defending his position at a high level. Green has improved every season and is building an impressive case for Most Improved Player this season. He’s their Swiss Army Knife, highlighting a different skill nearly every night and doing so on a consistent basis.
The return of David Lee against the Kings further adds to this team’s potential, as the team will need another body inside with Bogut out. Lee, Ezeli and Speights will all shift defensive duties in his absence, but Lee’s inside scoring and rebounding will be dearly needed on a bench that is lacking in those departments. Lee was optimistic after the Kings win on his new role, and it will be very interesting to see how he adapts to the new role given his new role.
Rotations shorten in the playoffs, which was one reason why the Warriors’ bench troubles last season were somewhat eased with hope as the season progressed. But as the team learned with Lee’s injury two seasons ago and Bogut’s last season, depth is most needed when you least expect it. They’re deep, and as the season progresses the depth of this team will be tested in numerous, unexpected ways. The Warriors finally have a second-unit to boast about, even if they might tell you otherwise.