Pair set to fill Ezeli’s minutes
When reporters requested to talk to Marreese Speights and Jason Thompson after Tuesday morning’s shootaround, the reserve big men had similarly surprised reactions.
They should get used to hearing their names called, for at least the next six weeks.
The Warriors need to replace the 18 minutes per game of backup center Festus Ezeli, who had surgery on his left knee Monday and will be evaluated in 1 ½ months.
Head coach Steve Kerr said that starting center Andrew Bogut could receive extending playing time and that rookie Kevon Looney might get some run, but that the majority of Ezeli’s minutes will go to Speights and Thompson, though Thompson didn’t play Tuesday.
“If I get more minutes, I’m going to be happy about it,” Speights said. “If I don’t, I’m OK with it. I don’t need that many minutes to affect the game. Every chance I get, I’m going to be ready to play.”
Speights’ opportunities have been spotty in 2015- 16. Entering Tuesday, he was averaging only six points per game and putting up career- low averages in minutes ( 11), rebounds ( 3.3) and field- goal shooting ( 38.7 percent).
The 6- foot- 10, 255- pounder, however, seemingly has found a rhythm of late. He matched his season high with 15 points Saturday against Oklahoma City and also had a season- best plus- 20 in 17 minutes. He scored 15 again Tuesday.
Since Ezeli was injured Jan. 25, Speights had played 12.3 minutes per game, averaging 8.8 points on 47.5 percent shooting entering Tuesday.
“My confidence is always high,” Speights said. “Whenever my name is called, I’m going to go out there and do what I’ve got to do. Especially now that the big fella is out, I’ve definitely got to step up and take more responsibility.”
Thompson hasn’t had much on- court responsibility since being acquired in an offseason trade. After starting 405 of 541 games during his first seven NBA seasons ( all in Sacramento), the 6- 11, 250- pounder is averaging 6.7 minutes and has played in only 25 of the Warriors’ 51 games.
“I think the hardest thing for Jason is that he came to a team with a set rotation and that had been together for a while,” Kerr said. “It’s a tough thing to do: to step into a situation, especially when we’ve had the success that we’ve had. It’s tough to crack the rotation.”
Thompson has handled it like a pro, staying after most practices to keep in shape with three- on- three scrimmages. He said he’s getting more comfortable with the Warriors’ offense, which mandates ball and player movement.
“You see guys who have open looks, but they’ll pass it up for an even better look. Then, a guy with a better look will pass it up to a guy for a dunk,” Thompson said. “… That’s not something I’ve been used to. I’ve seen one pass and go up, isos ( isolations) and guys just standing around.
“That doesn’t translate into winning basketball.”
“My confidence is always high. Whenever my name is called, I’m going to go out there and do what I’ve got to do.”
Marreese Speights, Warriors center