Loss in Minnesota shows why Warriors must fix one big void
The Warriors have found creative ways to make up for their lack of rebounding, but sometimes it has been too much to overcome.
The Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday exploited a weakness that has been apparent all season: Lack of size is an issue for these Warriors, and it’s something the front office must address.
The Warriors were outrebounded 57-34 in Thursday night’s 12-point loss in Minnesota. The Timberwolves scored 18 second-chance points off 16 offensive rebounds, including seven in the fourth quarter to retake the lead.
Coach Steve Kerr was asked post-game about the rebounding disparity. He stopped short of blaming Golden State’s lack of size and pointed instead at the failure to box out.
“Obviously we have a size disadvantage, but that doesn’t account for the 16 offensive boards they had,” Kerr said. “I thought at least seven or eight times we didn’t box out, we didn’t hit them and they got an extra possession out of it.”
Rebounding has been a persistent issue during the Warriors’ season. Of 30 teams, they rank 28th in rebounding percentage and last in offensive rebounding percentage. Only the Indiana Pacers (11.1) give up more offensive rebounds per game to opponents than Golden State (10.7).
The Warriors (31-32) have managed to make up for the lack of rebounding by playing at the second-fastest pace in the league and making a ton of 3-pointers. But sometimes the disparity is too much to overcome. In the 25 games they’ve given up 50 or more rebounds, the Warriors are 6-19, including Thursday’s loss in Minnesota.
While Golden State has gotten away with playing 6-foot-9 Kevon Looney as its only traditional center (a label that may be a stretch) and 6-foot-6 forwards Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson at the five in small-ball lineups, there’s an obvious need for another big body. The 6-foot-10 Alen Smailagic is too raw to contribute, and the next tallest rotation players after Looney are 6-foot-7 wings Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andrew Wiggins.
Of course, rookie James Wiseman’s season-ending meniscus injury took a big body out of the equation. But even Wiseman, at 7-foot, 240 pounds, was only pulling down 5.8 rebounds per game.
Looney has made up for his lack of height with savvy play and renewed strength in recent matchups against 7-footers such as Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Denver’s Nikola Jokic, but there will be nights when the opponent’s total size will be overwhelming.
On those nights, the Warriors need an option off the bench. But instead of signing a free agent 7-footer into one of their two open roster spots, the Warriors front office opted to use one on a guard, Gary Payton II, for 20 days and leave the 15th and final spot open. After Payton’s second 10-day contract expired this week, Warriors are expected to wait the permitted two weeks before signing a 14th player to meet the league minimum.
As much of a need as a big man may be, Golden State has signaled that it is prioritizing cutting roster payroll over addressing that need.
However, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors being comfortable with just two centers long-term. When Wiseman and Looney are available — and Green and Toscano-Anderson can fill minutes in certain lineups — it’s less of an issue.
But between injuries to Wiseman and Looney at various points, the Warriors have played 33 of 63 games with just one or none of their centers available. Given that Wiseman will be coming off a serious injury and Looney’s history of ailments, adding a reserve big man for next season would be prudent.
While the Warriors may not be able to offer a regular rotation role to higher-caliber 2021 free-agent centers such as Sacramento’s Richaun Holmes and Washington’s Robin Lopez, possible options include Charlotte’s Bismack Biyombo, Dallas’ Boban Marjanovic and Chicago’s Cristiano Felicio.
Golden State also owns its 2021 draft pick as long as it lands within the top 20 of this upcoming draft. Among the potential center prospects: North Carolina’s Day’Ron Sharpe, Utah State’s Neemias Queta and Virginia’s Jay Huff, though it seems unlikely the front office would use a second straight first-round pick on a big man.
However it’s addressed, that’s a small solution to a marginal problem. Yes, the Warriors must minimize the rebounding disadvantage but, to return to title contention in today’s game, they must maximize their advantage in the other areas.
“This is the modern NBA. Guys don’t box out. It’s just the way it is,” Kerr said. “Every night on League Pass I see the same thing, players just let guys come from the weak side. It’s a disease that’s rampant in the NBA. The problem is if you’re a really small team like us, it’ll hurt us more than it’ll hurt other teams.”