After losing in stunning fashion to the Mavericks on Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors are certainly in need of assistance — of any kind whatsoever.
The 133-103 loss to Dallas, which came in a must-win game of sorts, might still sting a bit until the Warriors take the floor again at Minnesota on Tuesday. But injured forward/center Eric Paschall’s injured hip is on the mend, and he might return sometime on the upcoming four-game road trip.
Paschall revealed Wednesday that his road back to health has been a bit arduous — more than I imagined, that’s for certain. He said he had trouble walking and getting out of bed, among other activities, per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Connor Letourneau.
Is that bad? I think that’s bad.
But now, Paschall has fought his way back. Here’s some footage of him in practice on Wednesday.
Now that’s more like it. The former All-Rookie performer from last season is looking like himself again.
But will coach Kerr put him in the game when he’s healthy? Paschall is a gifted one-on-one scorer, but he’s had trouble finding a role this season in Kerr’s motion offense. Kerr removed Paschall from the rotation just as his hip started to act up, though the move wasn’t injury related.
While Paschall scores nearly at will as a small-ball center, Kerr says he needs him at power forward. I don’t see that happening with just 10 regular season games remaining. I say put Paschall in the game when a scoring punch is needed, and play him at center if you must.
Paschall’s skills were desperately missed against the Mavericks, for example. Paschall doesn’t have to have a regular rotation spot, but when Kerr needs scoring power, which has been strangely often this season, he should call on Paschall with no hesitation.
He could be the next Marreese Speights, a key frontcourt reserve during the Warriors’ dynasty of the 2010s. Speights rarely played, but he was instant offense and earned the nickname “Mo Buckets.” If that doesn’t work, Kerr has to figure something out. Paschall is way too talented not to.
(Photo credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
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