[ad_1]
Programming note: Watch the NBA Finals pre-game edition of Warriors Outsiders on Thursday, May 30 at 4:00 pm, live streaming on the MyTeams app.
The 2018-2019 regular season did not go as planned for Warriors forward Jordan Bell.
Excluding the last two games, he played 66 games and averaged 3.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks in 11.3 minutes per night.
In the first round of the NBA playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers and the first five games of the Golden State Round 2 series against the Houston Rockets, Bell was virtually out of the rotation.
But when Kevin Durant fell with good calf pressure, everything changed. In the last five games of the Warriors, Bell averaged 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.6 flies in 13.0 minutes.
"I think he's playing at a really high level now, giving us exactly what we need – speed, energy, athleticism, smart offensive play, training and kicking, moving the ball – he's been fantastic ", head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Saturday's practice. "And I'm really happy for him because it was a difficult regular season for him.
"He is finishing the season well and I think it bodes well for his future."
Speaking of his future, Bell will be a restricted free agent in July. The Warriors will be able to tailor any offers it may receive, but it is unclear for the moment what the Bell market will take into account its inconsistent regular season.
The Oregon product has shown flashes of the kind of player it could become and it still has great potential. But will he have this opportunity with Golden State?
As Marcus Thompson of The Athletic wrote last week, Bell would like to call Chase Center home next season.
He wants to stay with the warriors. He wants to re-sign this off season and continue to grow with this franchise, keep learning from these Hall of Famers. Bell stated that he did not want to be part of a smaller team in order to have more minutes. He knows what he has here.
For now, the final of the NBA is all that matters. In fact, Bell's performance against the Toronto Raptors could have a big impact on what's going on for him in free mode.
Does this mean that it will be in the rotation for sure?
[[[[RELATED: How the central depth of the warriors can be the force against raptors]
"He will play," said Kerr. "We'll see how things go, it depends on meetings, health and everything else, but even if everyone is healthy, Jordan will be on the field.
"He won that, he played his part in that, he helped us win the game, and I'm confident of putting him out."
When you look at what Bell did recently, Kerr should be confident:
Jordan Bell with an impressive sequence pic.twitter.com/TeppwlcUUT
– Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 11, 2019
Jordan Bell did a great job putting himself at Jerebko's disposal. He then immediately attacked and found the Quinn Cook open for a corner 3 (it was early in the 4th when the game was still close and the Warriors needed the bench to produce) pic.twitter.com/dMw0YOBcZ0
– Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 15, 2019
Zach Collins sank in front of Jordan Bell and tried to convince him to take open fire. But Bell remained patient because he knew that Klay was coming off staggered screens and managed the pass perfectly = 3 points. pic.twitter.com/hLTiymo4Hs
– Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 15, 2019
Steve Kerr did not take Jordan Bell if he missed the open dunk, and Kerr looked smart after that … pic.twitter.com/DdG1btWlNJ
– Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 19, 2019
What an AWESOME block from Jordan Bell. Amazing timing pic.twitter.com/BEFCCuozr9
– Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 19, 2019
Follow @DrewShiller on Twitter and Instagram
[ad_2]
Source link