Rookies shine in Warriors Chase Center debut
SAN FRANCISCO — Chase Center’s debut basketball game presented a slightly dilapidated Warriors team.
Sure, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell (with Klay Thompson to come later) comprise the near-$500 million core tasked with ushering in the billion-dollar arena. But the sacrifices taken to retain this core’s essential pieces left the supporting cast in unfamiliar flux.
In place of that familiar dynastic consistency, the Warriors are trying to rediscover its groove and identify players that can fill gaps. Who can replace Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston’s playmaking off the bench? Can they identify that elusive scorer off the bench, a scorer that can at least chip away at the points Thompson leaves behind as he recovers from his ACL tear? With Kevon Looney (hamstring), Willie Cauley-Stein (foot sprain) and Alen Smailagic (ankle sprain) out with injury, what backup centers might emerge from the pool?
The Warriors have struggled a bit developing talent of late, but it’s possible that two rookies could start to fill some of these gaps.
Here’s a closer look at how rookies Jordan Poole and Eric Paschall fared in the Warriors’ first preseason game, a 123-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday afternoon.
Jordan Poole (28th pick out of Michigan)
Warriors newbies have generally been hesitant to let it fly; with arguably the most prolific shooting duo in NBA history in house, perhaps a young player’s hesitation to find his shot, or even take advantage of open looks, is partially justified.
But Poole let it fly in his 22 minutes. Most notably, he looked comfortable from 3. He went 5 for 11 with four 3-pointers on nine attempts. The four made 3s are a positive sign, and frankly so are the nine attempts. He’s not afraid, he’s aggressive.
“He can shoot it, he should continue to shoot it and take that shot and score within our offense. But any spark plugs, all up and down the roster and guys who play to their strengths,” Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said. “He can shoot the ball, he can work at it, and he’s not shy. So we want to lean into that and make him to feel comfortable on the floor. You can always reel people back in you cant tell a guy who doesn’t have confidence to just get confidence for for him to continue to take shots and be aggressive we feel like he can definitely help us win out there.”
He took a deep three on his first shot attempt of the night and missed. Then Curry found him on a cross-court pass in transition behind the arc, but Poole show n’ go’d into an easy jumper.
Later in the quarter, Draymond Green found Poole behind the arc in transition. And Poole didn’t hesitate, draining his first 3-pointer.
POOLE SZN pic.twitter.com/AxHfVvyatp
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) October 6, 2019
He pulled off the James Harden-esque step-back 3 later in the game.
Jordan Poole's gonna be so fun to watch this year pic.twitter.com/rn5rk9DGSx
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) October 6, 2019
He also looked comfortable getting to the rim. Late in the second quarter, he recovered from an off pass and drew contact.
Ball gets thrown away, clock winding down but Jordan Poole doesn't panic. He gets to the line.
ROY pic.twitter.com/u0jgi5tAIt
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) October 6, 2019
Poole also made a great defensive play, picking Rajon Rondo’s pocket and drawing a foul on the other end.
Eric Paschall (2nd round pick out of Villanova)
The Warriors looked noticeably small when the Lakers sent Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis and LeBron James and JaVale McGee onto the floor in the first half.
Certainly the Warriors hope that, in games that matter, Looney and Cauley-Stein will match up that length. A Jacob Evans on Davis matchup isn’t ideal.
Paschall played minutes at the 4 and 5, which meant he’d be guarding some of the game’s greatest big men in his first NBA action.
“It’s kind of crazy, I would say,” Paschall said. “You get told you’re going in the game and the first person you guard is Anthony Davis.”
Paschall held his own against James in the pair’s bump and grinds. James baited Paschall into some calls — he hooked the rookie’s arm to incur some contact and a foul in a second quarter head to head. Later in the quarter he got into good position against the star but got caught extending his arm.
Most notably, Paschall drained a 3-pointer from atop the arc — a positive sign for a team looking for scorers off the bench.
Eric Paschall three ball pic.twitter.com/F7OVZSbBFx
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) October 6, 2019
Paschall finished the game with 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting with three rebounds.