Despite the big names on the roster, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston will prove invaluable to the Golden State Warriors in 2016-17
The Golden State Warriors are obvious favorites to win the NBA title this upcoming season. With the addition of Kevin Durant, the Warriors roster experienced numerous changes in order to add the superstar.
I look for there to be an increased workload for the two leaders of the second unit, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. Their leadership and their ability to create a chemistry with the new bench will be vital for the Warriors success.
For the past two regular seasons, the Warriors have been number one or tied for number one in field goal percentage from players off the bench. In the 2014-15 season, the Warriors bench had a 47.2 percent field goal percentage.
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They were tied for first with the Spurs this past season at 47.5 percent. Bench contributors that were on these teams that are now gone include: Leandro Barbosa, Marreese Speights, Festus Ezeli, and Brandon Rush. In only 11.6 minutes of play, Speights averaged the fifth most points on the Warriors this past year. These four players accounted for about 24.7 points per game off the bench this past season.
This is a big hole that will need to be accounted for.
Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are the two pillars that remain steady for the Warriors bench. Both being in their young 30’s, they have plenty of experience and they both have a championship on their resume.
Iguodala was the 2015 NBA finals MVP, and Shaun Livingston has completely revamped his career in Oakland, having suffered from one of the most gruesome leg injuries in sports history earlier in his career. Although they do not score much (Andre averaging 7.4 points per game over the last two seasons and 6.1 for Shaun), they do a little bit of everything for the team.
In the 2014-15 season, Andre was number one in assists-turnovers on the Warriors squad, and Shaun was tied for second with Steph. This past season, it was simply reversed. Shaun was number one in assist-turnover ratio and Andre was second. They see the floor well and typically make good decisions. They also provide defense, size, and length which helps them guard multiple positions on the court.
Steve Kerr is going to rely on them more this season than he ever had to in the past. What I am most looking forward to is how they mentor the young players who will be asked to help fill the roles of the departing bench players. Pat McCaw, Kevon Looney, and Damian Jones are all 21 years old or younger.
The Golden State Warriors will need their production and their mentorship in order to make another title run
Pat McCaw has really impressed me this preseason. Averaging 8.4 points per game in the preseason, he has shown great promise as a consistent role player off the bench. His 18 point performance against Denver really got me excited, and this included 4-6 from behind the arc. Behind Steph and Draymond, he is averaging the most steals on the team this preseason.
At 6-foot-7, McCaw can really learn from Shaun. Livingston uses his body and size so well down in the post with his lethal turnaround jumper, and I think Pat can do the same when playing against smaller point guards. Pat already is a better long range shooter than Shaun, but I think Shaun will really help when it comes to making smart decisions and to keep the turnovers down.
Kevon Looney will be a big surprise to people this year. He only appeared in five games last year due to surgery that repaired a torn labrum in his right hip. He can play the three or the four due to his versatility. He is fourth on the team in rebounds this preseason. I think Andre will really help Kevon when it comes to physicality and knowing how to use his body to his advantage in the NBA.
Damian Jones is still rehabbing from a pectoral injury, but with his skill set and size, he should be a great addition to the bench when healthy. James Michael McAdoo is only 23 and Ian Clark is only 25, so I expect them to continue to look at Andre and Shaun for guidance as well.
The Warriors bench has been so efficient the past few seasons and has been a crucial factor to their success. Their chemistry has been off the charts. There are some new faces, and many of them are extremely young and raw.
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Look for Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston to continue thriving in their bench roles, but I also look for their leadership roles to increase on and off the court. The Golden State Warriors will need their production and their mentorship in order to make another title run.