Klay Thompson said it was the play that got the team going. Early in the third quarter, when it was still a game with the Trailblazers, rookie Jordan Bell turned the ball over. He then raced down the floor and with Portland star Damian Lillard just about to lay the ball over the rim, Bell tomahawked the effort, to get a fast break headed the other way.
On the other end, Kevin Durant feathered a mid-range fall away into the net to make it 68-55 Warriors. By the end of the quarter, Golden State had a 18-point lead, which they eventually rode to a 111-104 win at Oracle.
The Bell block was motivated by Steve Kerr’s admonishment in New Orleans one week earlier. In a similar situation, Bell failed to race down the court. He was “ball watching” instead.
Kerr saw the lack of effort in New Orleans and bellowed at his rookie.
“Coach was like, ‘Get down there!’ That is how you are successful on this team.”
Bell admitted to having a Kerr “flashback.” And that’s why he took off and eventually swatted Lillard.
“Today,” Bell admitted. “I didn’t want to get yelled at again.”
With injuries to Draymond Green and Zaza Pachulia, Bell got the start against Portland. He played nearly 26 minutes, scored 11 points and pulled down six boards. But it was block that everyone will remember.