On-Air Now
On-Air Now
Listen Live from the Casino Matrix Studio

Kerr says Jordan Bell will play, but not ready to put rookie in Warriors’ regular rotation

By

/


OAKLAND–The Warriors spent $3.5 million to buy their way into this year’s NBA Draft.

So far, the early returns are promising.

Though the regular season hasn’t even started yet, there’s already hype building around the team’s lone drafted rookie, 6-foot-9 forward Jordan Bell. The Oregon product earned a reputation as one of college basketball’s best rim protectors, and in his most recent preseason showing, Bell dropped in 11 points in seven minutes which reflects some of the progress he’s made on the offensive end of the floor.

Though the Warriors have greater depth in the post than they do on the perimeter, head coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday that he definitely plans to use Bell in games early on this season.

“Yeah, I’ll put him (Bell) out there in certain matchups,” Kerr said. “I wouldn’t say that he’s going to be in the rotation, because he’s got a lot of guys ahead of him that are obviously very good players. Certain matchups, yeah, I’ll throw Jordan out there.”

While Bell may have a hard time surpassing the likes of Zaza Pachulia, David West and JaVale McGee on the depth chart, he may find more opportunities than some of his more seasoned counterparts like Damian Jones and Kevon Looney.

“He’s got a great feel for the game and he sees it,” Kerr said. “He’s a good passer, and he’s a modern day multi-faceted defender, which is hard to find.”

After the Warriors’ 142-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, Bell drew praise from Kerr, who feels the rookie has all the physical tools to play and succeed in the NBA. During that game, Kerr felt forward Draymond Green provided the Warriors with an important boost of energy in the third quarter that keyed a Warriors’ run, and Kerr said he talked to Bell about using Green as an example to learn from.

It may take some time for Bell to grow into a min-Draymond type of a role, and that may be asking far too much of the 38th overall pick, but there are obvious similarities in each player’s game and there are certainly ways Bell can improve from watching Green play.

“What I told Jordan after the game was that he was great,” Kerr said. “That he was fantastic and that he made the most of his minutes. I said the game changed in the third quarter when Draymond decided to bring that intensity and energy that he brings for us. You might remember, we made four or five stops in a row, Draymond was pressuring the ball. He had that look in his eye and I said to Jordan, ‘You’re learning about the league. It’s the intensity and the energy that Draymond brings that you need to bring. Because you’ve got all the skill set.’ He can switch and guard multiple spots, but it’s the intensity and the focus and that’s what I’m challenging right now.”