Golden State Warriors Mailbag: Stephen Curry, Festus Ezeli, Steve Kerr

December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

I believe that, at least for the rest of this season, Steve Kerr will continue to distribute minutes off the bench based on matchups, flow of the game, injuries, etc. Kerr’s rotation has varied game-to-game based on these factors, which is the way it should be.

Festus Ezeli provides depth at the center position. He’s a quality backup and complement to Andrew Bogut, because like Bogut, he’s defensively skilled, he can block and alter shots, and he can make opposing offenses think twice about driving to the basket.

The Warriors play small ball a lot, which limits minutes for Bogut and Ezeli. However, even if the Warriors aren’t going “small,” Kerr will sometimes go with two power forward sets instead of playing a power forward along with a center. Kerr plays Green with David Lee sometimes, Marreese Speights with Lee, or even Harrison Barnes as a stretch four along with Lee or Speights.

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Based on all these factors, including matchups in a given game, Ezeli hasn’t solidified regular minutes or a regular role with the second unit.

Obviously, if Bogut got injured (knock on wood), then Ezeli would most likely see more minutes, even if Kerr decides to go small at times.

Based on the Warriors’ quick pace, their transition game, and their tendency to play small ball sometimes, that leaves Ezeli out of the equation in a way. A center like Ezeli, and Bogut occasionally, can slow the game down because of their style of play, so that’s why Kerr sometimes chooses to go with two power forwards, or just one power forward who serves as the “center,” instead of inserting a backup center when Bogut comes out of the game.

As of now, Ezeli won’t be a second team regular, not because of anything he did or didn’t do, but because the Warriors focus more on a quick pace and small ball now than they did last season. Like I said though, he could see some minutes in the playoffs or in the regular season, depending on who the Warriors are facing on a certain night, but it won’t be consistent minutes every night.

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