San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Strong debut, now what? Win, Warrior says
Eric Paschall doesn’t know exactly what his statistics will look like in his sophomore season, but the Warriors forward is certain about how he wants to follow up on his AllRookie Team selection.
The 24yearold wants to win. The Warriors’ 1550, cellardwelling record last season was completely unfamiliar to Paschall, and quite frankly, it was completely unacceptable to the doitall competitor.
“I was blessed to be part of the AllRookie Team, but I want to win,” Paschall said this week as the Warriors reported to training camp. “You’ve got to look at it both ways. Individually, obviously I’m happy and blessed that people voted for me. But, it’s a new season. I can’t dwell on the past, and I’m ready to take those next steps.”
Paschall was drafted No. 41 overall after a fouryear collegiate career in which he averaged 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds and showed a proclivity for gamewinning plays. That was especially true in his three seasons at Villanova after a transfer from Fordham.
At Villanova, he went 9418 (.839) and won the 2018 NCAA championship.
Paschall’s skills translated immediately to the NBA, and he became a revelation among the league’s best rookies. The 6foot6 255pounder came in built like an experienced pro and put up comparable numbers.
With point guard Stephen Curry playing only five games, and shooting guard Klay Thompson sidelined for the season, Paschall was often the Warriors’ goto scoring option in averaging 14.0 points on 49.7% shooting, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
Paschall joined Memphis’ Brandon Clarke and Ja Morant, Miami’s Kendrick Nunn and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson on the first team, marking the first time the Warriors’ had a firstteam selection since Harrison Barnes in 2013.
He was among the top 10 rookies in scoring, field goal percentage, rebounds and assists. The Warriors’ lone representative at AllStar Weekend, Paschall scored 23 points in the Rising Stars Challenge and narrowly missed MVP honors, which went to Charlotte’s Miles Bridges.
The next step for Paschall: Prove he can expand his game againand go from key contributor to franchise building block.
To do that, Paschall worked on conditioning, playmaking and his 3point shot in the offseason. He hit just 28.7% from 3point range last season, but he believes that limiting his jump on his shot and adding arc will improve his consistency.
After rising to the top of opponents’ scouting reports and drawing more attention, Paschall adjusted his game late in the season. He became a better playmaker, averaging 6.4 assists in the final five games, and opened up shots for himself later in possessions. He averaged 18.0 points on 54.1% shooting in the span.
“I feel like I could have done that a lot earlier in the year, and it would have made things a little easier,” Paschall said.
Roles are not set on the Warriors’ roster, but Paschall’s next adjustments are likely to be finding ways to contribute in fewer minutes than the 27.6 he averaged last year, and figuring out how to play alongside similarly built Draymond Green.
“It’s not like I’ve never been in this role,” Paschall said. “I feel Villanova prepared me for any role possible. I’ve been the star, and I’ve just been a major piece of the team where I don’t get the ball as much. Whatever it is, mentally, I’m ready to take on whatever role is given to me.”
Paschall was notified of his AllRookie honor as he played in a Madden video game tournament on Zoom. That didn’t stop childhood friend and Utah star Donovan Mitchell from calling and screaming.
Paschall also talked to his father and texted with Green later that day.
“That’s my guy,” Paschall said of Green. “Whatever he wants me to do, I’ll do it. He knows he can get on me, and I won’t take it personally. I know how competitive he is, so I think that playing with him would be great.”