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2019 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers preview

By Daniel Lubofsky

Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images /
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(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key Question No. 3: What will Golden State’s bench bring to the table?

What was once a source of strength for the Warriors has now become one of their biggest weaknesses. Golden State’s bench ranked second-to-last in scoring during the regular season and currently sits third-worst among all 16 playoff participants as well.

They are a top-heavy team with four All-Star level players, which is quite the luxury at the end of games. Over the first 40-something minutes, however, Steve Kerr has looked high and low for someone capable of getting his best guys some much-needed rest.

Andre Iguodala’s insertion into the starting lineup in the conference-semis was an interesting play in that regard. Normally the presence of their do-everything sixth man completes the vaunted Hamptons Five lineup, but it weakened an already crippling second unit.

Center Kevon Looney has led the Dubs in both minutes and points per game off the bench so far in this postseason. A traditional big man without much of an offensive repertoire, he doesn’t exactly take the load off any of Golden State’s scoring threats. Veteran Shaun Livingston has struggled, shooting 39.0 percent from the field, and while rookie Alfonzo McKinnie has shot uninspiring 21.4 from distance.

Outside of those three, Kerr hasn’t really put much faith in anyone else. The injury to DeMarcus Cousins hasn’t helped matters. Say what you will about his defense and fit, but his ability to score the basketball would have been of great value to the Warriors.

In the Game 6 clincher, Golden State actually experimented with a deeper rotation, going 11-deep with five of those bench guys playing double-digit minutes. The production was solid, but it was more about getting the starters some much-needed rest throughout the game.

With KD out, it’s a move Kerr may turn to again, but if they can’t produce, the starters may find themselves forced to exert more energy than ever to put themselves in a position to win. Those extra minutes may not matter early in the series, but it could wind up having massive implications the longer it drags out.