Which Warrior Players Will Need to Step it Up In the Playoffs?

Mar 17, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (10) is congratulated by Andrew Bogut (12) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Warriors are a very young and inexperienced team that has a lot of fire power. They’re going to need all of that if they’re going to get passed a team such as the Nuggets or the Clippers. Having Brandon Rush get injured at the beginning of the season was demoralizing, but the Warriors have managed. Unfortunately, their bench hasn’t been the  same lately.

There are a few underutilized players on the Warriors roster, as well as players that just have a tough time sometimes. All of the Warriors are capable of doing great things, but which will need to do more in the playoffs?

1. Carl Landry:

Landry has been playing pretty well these past two games, but other than that, he’s been inconsistent. Earlier this season, he was the Warriors leading scorer for at least the first 10 games. He’s still a contributor and a good acquisition, but the Warriors need more from him in the playoffs. Landry has a superior post game and a great shot fake and jump shot.

If he can utilize this, he can get going just like he did against Portland. He is capable of scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds per game. If the Warriors go to him more, he can get them out of some trouble.

2. Klay Thompson:

I think everyone knows the story here. Klay Thompson has 10 games in a row where he’s just on fire, and out of nowhere, he’ll start slumping. It could be because of the inexperience, but the Warriors are looking for that scorer to fill in Ellis’ shoes. Curry has done his part, and now it’s time for Thompson to do his.

The inconsistency is killer, but if he get’s it going, he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. Doesn’t matter if he’s streaky or not. In the playoffs, the Warriors just need Thompson to be a scorer, nothing else.

3. Richard Jefferson:

How can a guy that gets no playing time step it up? Well, Richard Jefferson used to be the franchise player from the Nets, and was having a wonderful career, till he was traded to the Bucks. That’s where it all went downhill. Fortunately for him, he knows that he can still be that great scorer who puts up 15 points per game. The Warriors know he can too. Come playoff time, the veteran should be able to lead these young guys to victory.

4. David Lee:

Rebounding? Good. Scoring? Okay. Defense? Bad. These are pretty much David Lee’s strengths and weaknesses summed up. He has superior rebounding skill for a guy that’s 6’9, and he’s a good scorer most of the time. He uses his quickness in both of these aspects. He does, however, struggle on the defensive end of the floor, and that’s not going to cut it.

In the playoffs the Warriors need someone who’s going to play defense. Kenneth Faried isn’t exactly the easiest to defend. Lee’s defense needs to improve faster than a glacial rate.

The all-star’s scoring is good, but he occasionally gets off track, and struggles with his shot. The Warriors can’t afford for Lee to be missing his shots, so this is another area he needs to improve during the playoffs.

5. Andrew Bogut:

Yes, I know, half the Warriors’ roster is on this list. Bogut has been spectacular on the defensive end, but is still lacking offensively. So far this season, Bogut has had just 7 double digit scoring games. Right now, he is slowly getting back into his offensive groove, but he’s going to have to do it fast if he wants to be more effective come playoff time.