The Golden State Warriors’ biggest weakness has long been the center position.
The benefits of having a lob threat or rim protector can not be overstated, especially as teams have now shifted their focus to guarding the three.
Center Charles Bassey has shown that through just six games, he may help alleviate Golden State’s deficiencies in that area.
Charles Bassey Is Making His Mark
So far this season, Bassey is averaging 6.8 points on 64% from the field along with five rebounds. But the stats don’t tell the full story of his impact.
The 25-year-old possesses the coveted qualities of hammering the glass, protecting the rim, and finishing in the paint.
He has thrived in pick-and-roll situations, oftentimes involving Yaxel Lendeborg or Stephen Curry. With Lendeborg and Curry drawing significant attention, particularly beyond the three-point line, defenders face a pick-your-poison conundrum with the 6-foot-9 center planted in the paint.
Against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 2, Bassey racked up 19 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes and finished with a +10 in the Dubs’ three-point win.
After Draymond Green was ejected in the third quarter, Bassey stepped up to the plate. On nights when Green or Al Horford don’t play, the Warriors will need Bassey to maintain a steady presence by doing the simple stuff: finishing at the rim and giving them extra opportunities on the glass.
At 36 and 40 years old, respectively, Green and Horford will inevitably miss games due to rest or injury during the season.
The mysterious Kristaps Porzingis saga only adds to Bassey’s importance as one of the team’s most reliable bigs. Though they play two different styles of basketball, both offer size and rim protection that the Warriors have desperately needed.
Providing Opportunities for the Warriors
When Luka Doncic‘s Lakers came into town on Oct. 30, Bassey was a +14 in the team’s 25-point comeback. He had one key play at the 7:23 mark of the second quarter against Walker Kessler, who dominated the Warriors on opening night.
Lakers guard Collin Sexton threw a pass to Kessler under the rim that was blocked by Bassey. The rejection allowed for Golden State to get out in transition, leading to a Lendeborg alley-oop on the other end.
Curry’s brilliant shot-making ultimately helped pull off the comeback, but those small plays can quietly swing a possession.
Bassey has found a special synergy with Lendeborg, who praised his pick-and-roll partner after their win versus the Suns.
“He has good touch around the rim. His floater’s elite,” lauded Lendeborg. “So, it’s like, it makes it easier for me. Because once his stuff is going on, the next thing you know, [defenses] are gonna worry about the lob more than my layup. So now, I have a layup or a shot.”
The Warriors Need Him
Bassey’s teammates have taken notice of his impact in just the first week of the season. His presence alone forces defenses to adjust by having a shot-blocker and rim runner on the court.
Bassey isn’t a permanent fix for their void at the five, but as a consistent backup, he offers the Warriors a jolt that has become too hard to ignore.
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