Golden State Warriors Mailbag: Game-Winners, Western Conference, Kuzmic

Oct 30, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Ognjen Kuzmic (1) shoots a free throw against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 125-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ognjen Kuzmic is an interesting case. It’s always nice to have a seven-footer on an NBA roster, but how much actual potential does Kuzmic have? It’s hard to tell given his lack of experience so far in the NBA, but he certainly stands a chance to learn from the best, as he could use fellow seven-footer, Bogut, as a mentor.

Kuzmic has shown some improvement this season, as he was extremely raw, both offensively and defensively, last season. However, he still needs a lot of tuning to become a regular contributor for the Warriors. He could use more confidence on both ends of the floor too, which would partially come with more playing time.

Kuzmic does raise a “chicken and the egg” type of question. Should Kuzmic be given more playing time in the hopes that more consistency and experience will help him become more comfortable and steadily improve? Or should Kuzmic not be given playing time until he proves that he won’t be a liability on the court for the Warriors?

The Warriors will continue to send Kuzmic down to the Santa Cruz Warriors, when possible and convenient, and this will definitely help him, as he will get more consistent minutes and more experience against near-NBA talent. As of now though, he won’t be playing consistent minutes for the Warriors, unless it’s a blowout or if, knock on wood, the majority or entirety of the frontcourt players on the Warriors’ roster becomes injured.

I believe that given some time and consistent playing time in Santa Cruz, Kuzmic could eventually become a 10-15 minute type of contributor for the Warriors, especially in certain matchups. However, that time is not now.

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