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A little over a month into the 2017-18 NBA season, and Warriors rookie forward Jordan Bell has already seen and experienced enough to declare one thing about the 2017 NBA draft.
It might already be time to reevaluate the draft’s order.
“I’m sure anybody else would be happy playing for this team and this organization, so I’m happy with where I’m at,” Bell said. ”To me, I feel like I’m the No. 1 pick.”
Bell did not say those words out of misguided arrogance. The Warriors’ rookie forward has averaged 3.2 points on 70.4 percent shooting in only 8.2 minutes per game through 12 appearances. Bell said those words out of gratitude for his circumstances in joining a championship team that employs a coach that encourages him (Steve Kerr) and four All-Star teammates that teach him (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green).
So when the Warriors (13-5) face the Chicago Bulls (3-13) on Friday at Oracle Arena, Bell insisted he will not feel slighted that the Bulls traded the 38th pick that the Warriors used to select Bell. Instead, Bell said he feels empowered that the Warriors considered him more valuable than keeping $3.5 million.
“I use it as motivation as far as me playing for this team, and how much effort and money they spent to try to get me,” Bell said. “They already have such a great team over here and are so deep. But they obviously want me. I use that as motivation. So, now I got to show people that I’m worth the $3.5 million they spent to get me.”
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With Bell being on the inactive roster in four of the past six games, Kerr said Bell has received “rookie treatment” and has become “ a victim of the numbers game” amid Kerr’s preference for third-year forward Kevon Looney. For someone who dislikes “the instant grading of players,” Warriors general manager Bob Myers also did not outline any long-term projections for Bell. But Myers determined that Bell “checks a lot of boxes,” ranging from his athleticism, defense, finishing and interior passing.
Even with a team that has won two NBA titles in the past three years, Myers remains aware of the Warriors’ hefty payroll and subsequent luxury taxes. Therefore, Myers considers it “imperative we are able to find players in the draft, free agency or in trades that are young and not high-salary guys.”
“You can get old quick. So we’re constantly looking for guys in the draft, or however you can find them that are still usable and also good players,” Myers said. “But everybody is looking for those guys. That is the most valuable type of player.”
So a year after spending $2.5 million for the No. 38 pick that secured swingman Patrick McCaw, the Warriors bought the No. 38 pick again either to land Bell or a another unspecified player that Myers said had caught the Warriors’ attention.
Bell did not work out for the Warriors considering they did not have a draft pick by that point. Bell also had a full pre-draft itinerary with workouts for the Lakers, Sacramento, Indiana, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, Utah, Portland, Boston, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The Warriors did not need a pre-draft workout to evaluate Bell, though.
Myers said the Warriors closely monitored Bell during his junior season at University of Oregon both on tape and in person through regular-season games and NCAA tournament appearances.
Then, Myers said the Warriors became impressed with Bell’s athleticism, adding, “even at the NBA level, it’s pretty elite.” The Warriors also liked Bell’s effort and versatility that earned him Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. When the Warriors met with Bell during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Myers found Bell to be “mature” and “thoughtful” during the interview.
“He provided a positive impact on the outcome and he found ways to do it outside of his scoring,” Myers said. “We fortunately have a good amount of scoring on our team. So we’re looking for guys to fill the other gaps.”
Bell filled those gaps when he received opportunities.
He has a plus-minus rating of plus-53 in 100 total minutes, a statistic that tracks a team’s scoring against opponents when a specific player is on the court. Though Bell has not established a mid-range game, he has shot 70.4 percent from the field because of his finishing and putbacks at the rim. Bell also showed off his athleticism by dunking a ball off the backboard during a blowout win in Dallas, a play that sparked more praise for his confidence and leaping ability within the Warriors than criticism for showboating. Lastly, the Warriors credit Bell for seeking feedback from veterans, such as Green, Andre Iguodala, David West and Zaza Pachulia.
“He’s very coachable and he has a great attitude,” said Warriors assistant coach Jarron Collins, who works closely with Bell. “He’s hungry for knowledge and he wants to get better on the basketball court. He has a great feel for the game. That’s what really jumps out to me.”
It also jumps out to the Warriors how Bell has handled his recent healthy scratches. He has accepted them without complaint. Yet, he has vowed to play so well in future appearances that Kerr has no other choice but to give him minutes. Bell also echoed the thoughts of Myers and Collins on how he can improve, including his decision making, his jump shot and becoming more familiar with NBA personnel.
“A lot of people say ‘I’m not going to play this year; I’m going to be in the G-League this year’ and stuff like that,” Bell said. “I’m trying to show I deserve to be on this team. I’m not just riding the coattail of this team. I’m actually contributing and I’m putting in effort and making enough efficient plays and actually helping the team.”
Kerr promised Bell will have more chances to do that as he continuously digs into his rotation and finds games to rest his veterans. Then, Bell believes he can show the Warriors they made the right draft choice.
“That’s great,” Myers said. “Everybody finds ways to motivate themselves. It’s not for me to say what he should and shouldn’t feel. But I’m glad he feels like we invested in him.”
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