San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
High-energy Bell is making strong case to start at center
Late in the first quarter Saturday night, Jordan Bell caught a pass from Quinn Cook at the top of the key, turned and drained a 20-foot jumper over the outstretched arm of Minnesota’s Gorgui Dieng.
It was a relatively nondescript play in the Warriors’ 114-110 loss to the Timberwolves at Oracle Arena. But for a team in need of a capable substitute for the injured DeMarcus Cousins, that jumper from Bell was the type of development that makes the preseason valuable.
As a rookie last season, Bell kept things simple, taking 81.7 percent of his shots within 10 feet of the rim. By even pulling up from mid-range Saturday, he showcased newfound self-
assuredness. The question is whether it will be enough to vault him to the front of Golden State’s center competition.
“Last year, I finally fixed my shot, so this whole summer I got reps doing the exact same thing,” Bell said. “I just gained more confidence shooting it.”
In 16 minutes Saturday, Bell posted 10 points, seven rebounds and one block. Perhaps more importantly, he showed parts of his arsenal that he wasn’t comfortable trying last season. Bell — an elite passer for his size at Oregon — attempted a handful of flashy passes. That a few of them resulted in turnovers was no big concern in a nostakes preseason opener.
It only helps the Warriors that Kevon Looney and Damian Jones, the two young big men vying with Bell to start at center as Cousins recovers from a torn left Achilles tendon, also showed signs of progress Saturday.
Little more than a minute before Bell hit that 20-footer, Looney drained a 16-foot jumper. Arguably the most reliable of the three healthy centers, he chipped in seven points, a block and three rebounds in addition to occasionally defending guards along the perimeter.
Jones, who got the start so head coach Steve Kerr could see how he played with Golden State’s four All-Stars, is still raw after totaling only 174 minutes over his first two NBA seasons. He bobbled several passes.
But when not trying to do too much, Jones looks like an NBA-caliber player, one capable of sliding into the role JaVale McGee occupied each of the past two seasons. Jones ran the floor, hammered home two dunks and stayed out of foul trouble.
“I see how I fit,” Jones said. “Screen and rolls, catching lobs — I think all that stuff will be available this year, so just doing the simple things will pay off.”
Added Kerr: “I thought Damian did a good job with the starters, playing with energy and pace. He gave us that dive threat to the rim. I thought Loon and JB were good. JB had a couple mistakes in the second half, but all in all I was pleased with the effort.”
With Bell, Looney and Jones helping anchor the post, Stephen Curry (21 points, four assists), Klay Thompson (17 points, four rebounds), Kevin Durant (16 points) and Draymond Green (eight assists) were in midseason form. Before those four reached their 20-minute limits, the Warriors spread the floor, tallying assists on 24 of 28 field goals in the first half with only six turnovers.
After Curry, Thompson, Durant and Green exited in the third quarter, little-known reserves made their case for playing time.
Marcus Derrickson, fresh off a productive showing at Las Vegas Summer League, needed only 12 minutes to score 10 points. Rookie Jacob Evans hit a 14-foot jumper with 3:08 left to tie the game at 110-110 before the team went silent down the stretch.
While Derrickson is a long shot to make the roster and Evans would be happy just to crack the rotation, Bell eyes a starting job. After an up-and-down rookie season, he is starting to realize the potential that compelled Golden State to pay Chicago $3.5 million for his draft rights 15 months ago.
“I just know what to expect this year,” Bell said. “Obviously it’s a long season, so I’m just preparing better, getting here early.”
Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Con_Chron