Warriors Utilize Center Platoon as They Await Wiseman's Return

Defending Anthony Davis was never going to be easy.

But when the former No. 1 overall pick dropped 33 points on 15-of-26 from the field in the Warriors’ season-opening 121-114 victory over the Lakers, “The Brow” may have exposed an area not of early concern for Golden State, but of early interest. With James Wiseman still recovering from tearing his meniscus in April – the team has had the second-year center out of Memphis increase his training work ahead of a Nov. 1 revaluation of his status – the Warriors are without a true rim-protecting center and an offensive threat around the rim from the five spot.

This is not to say Wiseman would have neutralized Davis, but the team is currently without any real semblance of length under the basket, meaning it may have to accept occasionally letting prolific power forwards or centers have their way in the restricted area in exchange for more athletic substitutes that can switch out to the perimeter. Luckily for Golden State, if Tuesday was any indication, the team will make an adjustment at the center position just as it did when it revolutionized the small-ball lineup with Draymond Green. On offense, a seemingly overnight fan-favorite stole the show and displayed what he has to offer as a complement to Wiseman’s superior athleticism and wingspan. Nemanja Bjelica had the Warriors “Bjelieving” they could use the center position to distribute the ball on the fast break, making up for any defensive deficiencies with the ability to put the opponent on their back feet.

“That’s the beauty of our team this year, we are built to take advantage of 4-on-3," Steve Kerr said after Bjelica’s 20 point, 11 rebound and four assist debut performance. "Bjelica is really a hell of a basketball player. We’ve all watched him stretch the floor and be a pick-and-pop 3-point shooter, but he’s showing what he’s about in terms of his ability to pass, dribble and make plays.” Bjelica is a career 38.8% 3-point shooter, while Wiseman scuffled from distance in his debut season, hitting just 31.6% of his attempted triples. But, even though Golden State had a 3-point shooting-happy preseason and could use Bjelica’s strength as a stretch five in some cases, it doesn’t mean Kerr thinks the Warriors aren’t missing something in Wiseman’s absence.

"Well, we really don't have a lob threat right now in our pick-and-roll game, so James will give us a rim-runner in transition and a lob threat in the pick-and-roll," Kerr said ."And obviously the size and length defensively.”

No center conversation should really be had without mentioning the starter Kevon Looney. Looney won’t be flying out of the rafters for a dunk or lead a one-man fastbreak as Wiseman did at times in his rookie campaign, but the former UCLA Bruin’s strength switching out onto smaller players is invaluable. However, Looney was used sparingly Tuesday, playing just 15 minutes to Bjelica’s near 26-minute stint on the Staples Center floor. Looney is the only listed center on the team, so as Green ramps up his conditioning in the coming weeks, it seems like Kerr will lean on the one time Defensive Player of the Year to hold down the center position.

For all his defensive prowess and offensive playmaking, there is no dispute Green won’t check the boxes Wiseman would (and I’m not blaming him either, Wiseman just has that much length and potential as more of a true center). But with Green, Looney and Bjelica, Golden State is going to use a center-by-committee approach without Wiseman, helping turn more conventional basketball with a more conventional center into a track meet.

(Photo credit: NBAE / Getty Images)