Steve Kerr Compares Golden State Warriors’ Rookie to Houston Rockets’ Defensive Veteran

After a miserable season for the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr shows signs of optimism for the ex-champion franchise. Warriors’ fans suffered a lot of heartache over the course of this unfortunate campaign.

The season came to an end long ago as far as the fans were concerned, and now Kerr has shown extensive confidence in their rookie player, Eric Paschall.

Injuries nearly doomed the Warriors as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were tied to the bench all season. When their star players couldn’t make it, their team ended with the worst record of 15-50.

One of the emerging players through the chaos was Eric Paschall. He averaged 14.0 points per game and recently earned a spot in the All-Rookie First team. Eric ranked overall fourth amongst the rookies this season alongside Ja Morant and others.

Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr believes Eric Paschall at par with P. J. Tucker in defense

Golden State Warriors’ Kerr holds high expectations from the 23-year-old sophomore. He foresees bright years ahead for the rookie, considering the way he shaped his first year.

“He had a great rookie season, did a lot of really good things,” Kerr said in an interview with NBC Sports. “And I think a player’s biggest improvement usually comes between year one and two, because now he has a feel for what he can and cannot do, and what needs to happen to take the next step.”

Paschall recorded his career-high 34 points against the Portland Trail Blazers when the Warriors tasted a 127–118 victory over them. In fact, he dropped 49.7% shots from the floor in his first year in the league.

Steve Kerr compared Paschall’s defensive skills to that of Rockets’ forward P. J. Tucker. “Eric showed us a lot of his offensive skill work,” Kerr added. “But what we need now is for him to become a defensive force. It’s a physical league.

“You’ve got to be able to guard multiple guys, and he’s got the ability to do that. There’s no reason why he can’t become P.J. Tucker defensively. He’s got a similar body, got the strength to fend off bigger guys and he’s got speed to stay in front of guards.

“But it takes a commitment to become that.”

Paschall is a 6 ft 6-inch power forward and holds the abilities to go way ahead on the defensive end. Keeping in mind a great rookie year for him, Kerr seems impressed by the young man.