Jordan Bell’s phenomenal rookie season has many teams scratching their heads as to why this 22-year-old center was still available when the Chicago Bulls selected him in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. Bell was eventually traded to the Warriors for $3.5 million, a decision the rookie later mentioned after Golden State’s 143-94 victory over the Bulls, where he’s flourished under the tutelage of Warriors’ premier roster, specially Draymond Green.
“It’s fun. Draymond is a very good guy, super funny,” Bell told Murph & Mac on Monday morning. “As you can see through the way he plays, he’s super intense. When I mess up in a game, he tries to get in my ear about stuff and I know he’s trying to make me a better player. I don’t take anything he says personal.”
In 18 appearances this season, including one start against the Bulls, Bell has put up 17 assists, 53 total rebounds, 75 points, and 18 blocks, which is tied for third most among rookies this season. His best came against the Orlando Magic on Friday; when he scored 16 points with three blocks, four rebounds, and one block.
“Whenever I have a question, he’s always the first person I go to,” Bell said. “Sometimes we just talk about film, film of the team and he sees stuff that I guess nobody else saw and I’m always astonished like, ‘how do you see that?’ I’ll try to find everything about a play and he still sees something I didn’t see. I feel like he’s a student of the game, he studies it everyday. Studies every player’s moves, and other things like that.”
Green’s influence on Bell is not only felt on the court, but also with his personality off the court.
“It’s always been fun,” Bell said. “Off the court, he’s more chill off the court. Really funny guy. Always talking mess with everybody, but at the end of the day he’s a good person at heart.”
To listen to the full interview check out the podcast below, and skip to 2:58 for Bell on Green.
