Should Marquese Chriss start for Warriors over Willie Cauley-Stein?

After turning in a pair of back-to-back double-double efforts, Marquese Chriss is earning more playing time at center for the Golden State Warriors.

In 2016, Marquese Chriss was selected eighth overall, and since then, his career hasn’t gone to plan. Chriss has bounced around across several different teams, but through 27-games with Golden State, he looks to have found a home.

Chriss was a late offseason add to the Warriors roster when nobody else wanted him, and he’s now putting together a steady season in Golden State averaging, 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

The former Washington Husky is slowly starting to earn a more significant role in Steve Kerr’s rotation. Against the New York Knicks, Kerr started Chriss over Willie Cauley-Stein in the second half, and he ended the game with a double-double. He parlayed that effort into another reliable performance against the Utah Jazz, racking up a career-high 13-rebounds. Adding to his rebounds, Chriss tallied 12 points, five assists and two blocks.

After the Warriors 114-106 loss in Utah, Kerr raved to reporters about the Sacramento native’s effort.

“I thought Marquese was fantastic,” said Kerr. “He played a tremendous game— he was all over the boards, a couple blocked shots, he ran the floor.”

As impressive as back-to-back double-doubles are, what’s been most impressive about Chriss is the energy and effort brings to the Warriors lineup. Chriss is consistently hustling up and down the floor to battle in-and-out of each possession.

Late in the third quarter against in Utah, Chriss banged knees with Emmanuel Mudiay and had to miss time back in the locker-room while his knee was getting checked, but was able to return. Shortly after reentering the close game, Chriss took a charge giving the Warriors the basketball.

It’s possesions like this that Chriss calls “winning plays,” and they continue to happen when he’s on the floor for Golden State. Chriss’ recent play begs the question— should he take over as starting center for the Golden State Warriors?

When it comes to stats, the current starter Cauley-Stein and Chriss mirror each other in many categories lately, but the grit Chriss brings to the floor sets him apart.

Chriss has brought a level of toughness and intensity to the Warriors rotation that only Draymond Green can match. Chriss is only 22-years old, and if he continues to produce, he could be a factor when the Warriors get back to full strength in 2020-21.

As the losses continue to pile up, the Warriors emphasis is shifting towards next season; it would be smart to give Chriss more opportunities to see how he fares with a heavier workload. At this point in Cauley-Stein’s career, his role is solidified in the NBA, while Chriss is still a wildcard that could blossom in Golden State. Warriors assistant, Ron Adams has helped with the development of many players, and Chriss could be the next.