TJD’s newfound fury offers Warriors much needed optimism

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TJD’s newfound fury offers Warriors much needed optimism originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Even as the Warriors have spent the past six weeks crawling through darkness with only occasional flickers of light, there is one object that seems to shine a little brighter each game.

Trayce Jackson-Davis is the emerging shiny object. Passive at times earlier this season, the second-year center is raising his game in real time, trending from occasional highlight creator to frequent force.

The 6-foot-9 product of Indiana University suddenly is a more consistent menace in the paint on offense and on defense. He is more assertive with his physicality. It’s as if TJD has studied Kevon Looney’s hard-hat approach but is using superior athleticism to fortify it.

Jackson-Davis, 24, level of fury lately makes him considerably more effective. Moreover, that growing dawg is something the Warriors – a relatively subdued bunch with the notable exception of Draymond Green – desperately need to have any chance of competing with the NBA elite.

“I’ll fight with him every day if I have to, to make sure that he gets that,” player development coach Anthony Vereen joked Saturday during an appearance on ‘Coaches Show’ with Golden State radio broadcaster Tim Roye.

“But he’s learning how to be a pro. And real pros don’t need to be angry. That’s just the standard that they have to play with. I think that’s what he’s learning in a year two, that this is how he has to play every game.”

Since reentering Golden State’s starting lineup on Dec. 21, Jackson-Davis is averaging 14.0 points, on 66-percent shooting from the field, along with nine rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 blocks. He’s threatening to become the first Warriors center to average a double-double since Andris Biedrinš in 2009-10.

For months – no, years – observers inside and outside the Dub Nation bubble have made a reasonable plea for the Warriors, the shortest team in the league, to add a “big man.” Jackson-Davis is making a case to lower the volume.

Coach Steve Kerr, who has resisted voicing a need for more size, is gratified with…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tjds-newfound-fury-offers-warriors-162118671.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-12-30 16:21:00

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