Can Warriors’ rookie Eric Paschall bring the Rising Stars Challenge MVP hardware back to the Bay Area?
With Golden State’s record sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, there hasn’t been much to be proud of during the 2019-20 season for Warriors fans.
Stephen Curry’s return from injury, and how newly-acquired Andrew Wiggins fits in with the Warriors are exciting things to watch in the second half of the season, but leading up to the All-Star break, it’s been bleak.
However, one of the pleasant surprises in a down season filled with injury has been the opportunities opened up for players on the backend of the rotation.
Eric Paschall, the Warriors second-round pick in 2019, has evolved into one of Steve Kerr’s leading scorers. The Villanova product is averaging 13.2 points per game on 48.2 % from the field.
The rookie has thrived with opportunity, earning a spot in the 2020 NBA Rising Stars Challenge in Chicago.
Paschall’s numbers may have dipped from his Rookie of the Year caliber start, but he’s been surprising people all season long — so why count him out as a contender for the game’s Most Valuable Player award?
Here’s a look at how Paschall can bring an MVP trophy from Chicago back to the Bay Area.
Veteran mindset
The Rising Stars Challenge is a display of the NBA’s youth, and while Paschall is still very young, he’ll be one of the oldest players on the floor Friday night in Chicago.
Paschall, 23, is only behind Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn and Charlotte Hornets’ guard Devonte’ Graham, who are both 24 from the original roster. Nicolo Melli, 29 from the New Orleans Pelicans, was added as a replacement for Phoenix center Deandre Ayton.
The Rising Stars Challenge is one game where Paschall will have an edge when it comes to experience. What Paschall learned during his junior and senior years at Villanova could benefit him while playing against 19 and 20-year-olds.
Bully ball
One thing Golden State’s fanbase has learned about Paschall is his strength. The New York native is already big in size that carries into a sense of physicality every time he touches the ball.
Paschall has registered high scoring totals throughout his rookie season, including two 30-point games. Yet, he hasn’t shot the ball well from deep. In Paschall’s top five scoring contests, he’s only made 10 shots from beyond the arc total.
In an All-Star game where other players may be camping around the three-point line to show off their long-distance shooting, Paschall could be in line to clean up points in the lane.
Posterization
Pairing with off his physicality is Paschall’s eye for the aggressive dunk. Paschall athleticism is an underrated part of his game. Throughout his rookie year, Paschall has had multiple rim rocking dunks.
If Paschall can stuff the stat sheet using a veteran mindset and add one highlight-reel dunk, the Warriors rookie could be in line for some hardware.
