Warriors’ Playoff Push
As the NBA regular season draws to a close, the Warriors, still vying for a deeper postseason run from the play-in tournament, made a significant move by adding former first-round pick Usman Garuba to this year’s roster as the final player.
Signing of Usman Garuba
According to reports by The Athletic’s journalist Shams Charania, the Warriors signed Garuba to an official NBA contract on Saturday, granting him eligibility to play in the playoffs. Despite only appearing in five NBA games this season, Garuba brings valuable experience from his 99 games with the Houston Rockets and impressive performances in the G League this season, averaging 12.5 points and 10.1 rebounds in 21 games for the Warriors’ affiliate team.
Limited Playing Time
While Garuba may not see much playing time in the Warriors’ frontcourt rotation, given the team’s current health, his height of 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm) could prove valuable in filling in gaps caused by injuries or foul trouble, especially against taller opponents in the playoffs.
Coach Kerr’s Thoughts
Speaking about Garuba, coach Steve Kerr remarked, “I really like Usman. He’s a talented young player who’s strong and has a great wingspan, allowing him to hold his own against taller opponents despite not being very tall himself. I see him primarily as a center for us unless he’s paired with another big man and shooter, in which case he could play power forward. Either way, he needs to continue developing his skills and finding his niche in the league.”
Playoff Experience Opportunity
For Garuba, the opportunity to participate in the playoffs with the Warriors is undoubtedly a valuable experience. Making the most of his limited opportunities during this time could potentially earn him a more secure long-term contract in the future. (ME88)
