SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors' biggest concern has been the center position. Charles Bassey showed on Monday, Nov. 2 that he could be a solution for the Warriors with his 'next man up' mentality.
After losing Kristaps Porzingis
, the Warriors have had to pivot with different lineups. Amid their five-game winning streak, they've thrown a few small ball lineups out with Draymond Green as the center.But when Green was ejected from the Warriors' 116-113 win against the Phoenix Suns on Monday, Bassey stepped up and impacted the game with his high-energy and efficiency around the rim, just days after his 26th birthday.
Bassey finished the game with a career-high 19 points and shot 7-of-10 on field goals. He had 8 rebounds and finished with a plus-minus
of +10.
"Next man mentality, to be honest. We knew we could get a win," Bassey said. "We started to the game slow. We got to get better at doing that, you know, last couple games we started slow. We just gotta get rid of doing that. There was a mentality, we felt we could win. Like I said, next man, up, just go in and do your job. That's why I think every player on this team has confidence doing that and as long as you're on this team, you know, like I said, coach Steve (Kerr) gives you all that confidence."
The Warriors got off to a 31-19 deficit after the first quarter. Golden State came out shooting 33% on field goals and went 2-of-15 on 3-point attempts in the first quarter. However, Bassey's hustle stood out to everyone, especially his teammates.
"Bass like... I'm sure he didn't think he was going to play 23 minutes and he was ready for it," Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who scored a game-high 34 points, said about Bassey. "So those are the patterns of what a good team does when night after night, no matter what the combination is you're finding production up and down the bench, and you love it."
"Everybody feeds off the energy when a guy comes in like that with what Bass did tonight, changed the game," Curry added. "Everybody notices. It lifts everybody's spirits and keeps momentum on our side, so it was great."
Brandin Podziemski scored 20 points in the win and had high praise for Bassey.
"I thought Charles was great," Podziemski said. "Super efficient, gave us a lob threat, gave us a defensive presence when Dray was out."
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr raved about Bassey after the Warriors' win. One of the things that stood out was the chemistry between Bassey and rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
"Bass was great. What a big night for him," Kerr said. "The rebounding, the scoring. He and Yaxel have a really good connection. The pick and roll game. He gives him a lob threat and Yaxel sees the floor so well and he's so big that he finds him when he's behind the defense."
Bassey feeds off of playmakers like that. His efficiency around the rim makes teammates trust that he'll complete the play. Lendeborg finished the game with 16 points and five assists, four of them went to Bassey for a layup or dunk.
"Since training camp, I'm telling you, man, every time," Bassey said on his continuity with Lendeborg. "We talk about our game, every time. After we played on Sunday, he tells me, you are wide open. When he sees the pass he makes the right play. I love playing with him and I think the coaches, they figured that out too. I mean, everybody knew that."
They have a connection they've established as they've learned each other's game. When Bassey gives Lendeborg a look, he knows whether to set a ghost screen or clear the lane so he can get downhill.
Bassey can be reliable energy guy for the Warriors. A workhorse who provides an offensive spark through his efficiency and an anchor on defense. If comparing to Warriors teams of old, think Festus Ezeli, Kevon Looney, Andrew Bogut or Zaza Pachulia. He's going to scrap, claw and fight for possessions.
Bassey plays physical and the Suns didn't appreciate it. Further pushing and shoving ensued with Bassey after Green's ejection. Suns guard Jalen Green drove to the basket and got tied up with Bassey before Suns players came to Green's aide, including forward Miles Bridges, who was assessed a technical.
"Being physical doesn't mean you have to scuffle with guys, that doesn't mean you're tough" Bassey told USA TODAY Sports.
"Being physical is playing hard every possession, going out there, fighting for rebounds, and doing what I'm doing," he added. "Just being physical, you know, challenging every shot, and going out there you know, two or three guys trying to box me out, me on the offensive end. And that's being physical, still getting the rebound. But I mean, what they're doing is so fake… That's a fake toughness."
Bassey, Nigerian-born, is no newcomer in the league. He was drafted with the 53rd overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers out of Western Kentucky. He then bounced around the league, spending time in the G-League, including the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Bassey signed a one-year contract with the Warriors in July. He's looking to make the most of it.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors' Charles Bassey plays big role in win over Phoenix
