If you didn't get the chance to see Marco Belinelli's performance in the Warrior's Summer League game yesterday, do yourself favor and head over to NBA.com and watch some of the archive of it. Belinelli was completely nasty yesterday but his stats, although impressive (37 pts, 5 rb, 2 ast), don't do his performance justice. What is lost in those numbers are two things. First, Belinelli was extremely active on the defensive end, and although he only ended up with one steal in the game he was a menace in the passing lanes, deflecting numerous balls and exhibiting great quickness on the defensive end. The second thing that is misleading about those stats is Belinelli's assist total. The only reason that Marco only had two assists was that his teammates missed a number of open shots and also appeared suprised by a number of brilliant long passes made by Belinelli. On four seperate occassions during the game Belinelli made half court passes to wide open shooters that left me stunned. Belinelli did not come in touted as a passer, but his court vision and general basketball IQ appeared to be exponentially higher than anyone else on the court. Belinelli also showed that he is entirely unafraid to shoot from anywhere on the court, as his 37 points came on a wide variety of threes, jumpers, and drives.
What this performance may well signal for the Warriors is that the loss of Jason Richardson might be felt much less than anticipated. Belinelli looked like a natural fit in the Warrior's up tempo transition offense, and his perimeter shooting appeared deadly on Saturday. Belinelli likely won't be asked to start for the Warriors this season, as Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson will hold down the starting swing positions. What Belinelli will be able to do for the Warriors however, as indicated by his performance Saturday, is provide instant offense and playmaking abilty off the bench as a 6th or 7th man. Belinelli would also soften the blow if the Warriors fail to re-sign Mikael Pietrus or Matt Barnes. Combining the drafting of Belinelli with the Warriors absolute theft of Brandan Wright from the Bobcats, Golden State appears set to maintain their momentum from the playoffs into next season.
