Eric Paschall’s rookie campaign was one of the highlights of the Golden State Warriors’ lackluster season. Without Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the second-round pick quickly developed into one of Steve Kerr’s leading offensive weapons.
Paschall started 26 games for the Warriors as a rookie, averaging 14 points per contest on 49.7% shooting from the field. The Villanova product added 4.6 boards and 2.1 assists per game.
The Golden State rookie had a coming-out party early in the season, tallying a career-high 34 points with 13 rebounds in the Warriors 127-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Paschall’s heroics led the Warriors to their first win without Curry and their first regular-season win in San Francisco’s new Chase Center. Paschall ended the season scoring 20 or more points for Golden State in 13 contests for the Warriors.
Paschall’s smooth transition to success could translate from an early matchup with a pair of All-Stars. In an interview with Howard Beck of Bleacher Report on The Full-48 Podcast, the Warriors’ rook said his “welcome to the NBA moment” came in the preseason. Paschall was tasked with guarding LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Golden State’s first preseason game in October.
Via The Full 48:
My welcome to the NBA moment was my first preseason game and I didn’t expect to be the first one off of the bench, so Coach Kerr was like, ‘Eric!’ He laughs in my face and just goes, ‘You got A.D.’ I had to guard A.D. and I had to guard LeBron. I feel like that was something that really helped me out with my confidence that he really had trust in me to go guard him.
I played all right. LeBron bullied me the first time. I thought I was a strong guy until I met him. That was kind of crazy. The next time, I bumped him just so he didn’t bully me again, so I took a foul on that one. I feel like I ended up playing well against him.
In 24 minutes, Paschall recorded 11 points in Golden State’s preseason bout with James and the Lakers. The rookie added three rebounds, an assist and a steal in the Warriors 123-101 preseason loss.
With the return of Curry and Thompson and the additions of Andrew Wiggins and a top-five draft pick, there’s a chance Paschall’s role takes a slight dip next season. However, after a memorable first impression, Paschall proved the Warriors can count on him. Paschall should be a significant part of Golden State’s plan for the future — whether it’s in a limited or featured role.
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