The Jordan Bell hype train is rolling down the tracks, and its next stop is conveniently located in New Orleans.
The Big Easy isn’t a smooth stop for trains controlled by big men, but the Warriors’ rookie center is catching a break on Monday night as Pelicans’ star Anthony Davis is out with a groin injury.
In the Warriors’ last meeting with the Pelicans, Bell played all of five minutes, converting both of his field goal attempts and snagging two rebounds, but hardly making a noticeable impact on the game. Since then, the Oregon product has been inactive in six different games, and played fewer than eight minutes on five other occasions.
But after an outstanding effort against the Chicago Bulls on November 24, it’s unlikely Bell will be inactive anytime in the foreseeable future. Whether he’s mentally prepared or not, Bell has the athletic talent to be a consistent factor in Golden State’s rotation, and he’s beginning to supplant JaVale McGee as the first Warriors’ post player to come off the bench. In the Warriors’ last three games, Bell has played at least 12 minutes per night, including on Friday in Orlando when he converted on 8-of-10 field goal attempts and added four rebounds and three blocks.
The trend line is pointing up for Bell, and that should continue on Monday against the Pelicans due to Davis’ absence. With Zaza Pachulia questionable due to left shoulder soreness, and head coach Steve Kerr unlikely to push his starting center against DeMarcus Cousins, Bell could be in for another double-digit minute evening. If Pachulia winds up sitting out, he could find himself in the starting lineup, should Kerr want to test the rookie against a center in Cousins who dropped 35 on the Warriors in their last matchup.
If Cousins and Bell battle head-to-head, New Orleans could wind up exposing a rookie who has displayed tremendous rim-protection skills, but has yet to duel with a bruiser like Cousins. However, with Davis out, it’s easy to envision a scenario in which Kerr is switching Draymond Green, Kevin Durant and reserve center David West onto Cousins, and allowing Bell to take turns with other members of the Warriors’ rotation. This is a feasible strategy for Golden State, especially because New Orleans is missing so much firepower with Davis out of the lineup.
On the other end of the floor, Cousins doesn’t have an excellent motor, which could make Bell and other Warriors a tough cover. Bell’s passing skills are underrated, and he’s becoming one of the best Warriors’ big men when it comes to moving off the ball. That could become a challenge for New Orleans, which relies heavily on Davis’ own athleticism and rim-protection skills to keep opponents out of the paint.
Over the past two weeks, Bell has emerged as one of the most intriguing Warriors’ rotation players. Kerr is finally giving him a chance to run with the team’s best lineups, and in turn, Bell has proven that while he’s still raw, he definitely belongs on the floor. Monday night will offer the Warriors’ rookie another test, but without Davis to compete with, it’s a test that Bell has the potential to ace.