Photo Credit: AP Photo / NBA
Second-Round Pick Jordan Bell is a Replica of Draymond Green and Everything the Warriors Need to Repeat
On the night of the 2017 NBA Draft, former Oregon forward Jordan Bell was out partying with friends and family to celebrate the accomplishment of being drafted No. 38 overall by the Chicago Bulls and traded to the Golden State Warriors.
To welcome the 22-year-old rookie to the championship-winning franchise, Warriors all-star Draymond Green–a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft–texted and called Bell, but received no answer. Bell claims in his situation of partying, answering to a foreign number was not going to change the mood of the evening. Green, annoyed, but understanding, finally got a hold of his new teammate by FaceTiming Bell and gave him quick advice. “Enjoy this night, celebrate, it only happens once, but after this time we have to get back to work, we’re trying to get rings over here,” said Green.
Regardless of what happened on draft night, Jordan Bell emulates Draymond Green’s game and the Warriors style of play to perfection. A small-ball team, who’s system of transition, run-and-gun basketball won them two championships over the last three years, will be an excellent fit for Bell.
Just like Green, Bell–listed 6-foot-9–is a versatile defender who uses his strength and athleticism on both ends of the floor. As well as having similarities with Green on the basketball court, Bell and Green share a past of football. If it wasn’t for basketball, Bell, a high school standout, would have taken up on college football offers. Green played football throughout high school and briefly for Michigan State, but turned to basketball.
Bell is Oregon’s all-time leading shot-blocker and averaged 2.2 blocks per game during three seasons as a Duck. The leader of Oregon’s 2-2-1 press proves Bell has the speed and capability to keep up with smaller guards. He was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.
A fan of Draymond Green, Bell claims the reigning Defensive Player of the Year has helped him in many ways, simply by watching Warriors games on television. The reason Bell has been working on a left and right-handed floater is because of Green.
“I’ve been working on that left-hand, right-hand floater [because of Draymond Green],” Bell claimed. “Understanding that in the pick-and-roll against a bigger guy, that floater can set up a lob for the big. Then the defense may come over even more if they know that shot, then you can kick it out to the corner for a three.”
Bell’s locker in the Warriors team practice facility is planted right next to Green’s; likely no coincidence.
“That’s good for me,” Bell said
The rich get richer, huh? At the forefront of NBA competition, each and every team is building to take down Golden State’s reign. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green; the list goes on-and-on. The Golden State Warriors are an offensive powerhouse, who have a few holes on the defensive end. Bell, whose offensive game will be groomed regardless, was acquired simply for his defensive contributions.
The Golden State Warriors are known for utilizing their pieces to a tee and finding steals around draft time. Looking at Bell’s resume and ability to defend, Golden State may have found another second-round gem in the Oregon forward.
