With a bevy of injuries to his club, Steve Kerr hasn’t had many reasons to smile this season. Through the team’s first 14 games, though, rookie Eric Paschall has given him at least one.
On Sunday night, Paschall became the first member of this year’s rookie class to record two 30-point efforts when the young forward admirably led the club in its matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. Although the Warriors were on the wrong end of a 108-100 decision, Paschall was a bright spot. He shot 10-for-17 from the field en route to his 30 points, and looked quite comfortable being the lead dog for Kerr’s club.
“It’s my teammates and my coaches just giving me the confidence to go, so I feel like that’s all that it is,” Paschall said of his assertiveness (via the San Francisco Chronicle).
“I feel like I belong in this league, and I just try to continue to prove that.”
While the Warriors may be currently sporting the league’s worst record at 2-12, injuries to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell make the tough times somewhat understandable. Paschall, though, has emerged as the silver lining—he’s performed quite well.
With this season not necessarily expected to result in a playoff berth, Paschall has essentially been enjoying a year free from the burdens of championship expectations as he attempts to prove that he deserves a rotation spot when the team’s big guns return to the lineup.
Eric Paschall looks to be the Warriors’ go-to guy right now. Here is postgame: pic.twitter.com/K5DYwoBAGz
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) November 18, 2019
“A lot of that goes to my teammates and coaches and giving me the ability to just go out and play and have fun,” Paschall said of his newfound confidence, which has been quite apparent.
After the loss to the Pelicans, Kerr raved about Paschall’s playing style, including the fact that the way that today’s NBA is officiated, he has an advantage over most defenders.
The rookie agreed with his coach’s assessment, but proved he maintains a level head about the respect he’s given by the officials and his newfound popularity.
“Sometimes, it goes against me,” he said of the officiating, “But, I mean, it’s all good. Everything’s not gonna go my way all the time, but you just gotta keep a good attitude at all times and keep playing the right way and playing hard.”
To this point, despite a rotation that has resembled a game of musical chairs, he certainly has.
That, as well as his obvious talent, should serve him well in the NBA and give him an opportunity to become an important piece for Golden State. Both now, and in the future.