Jordan Bell has showed a willingness to learn and be coached. Yet Steve Kerr has showed a certain distant reserve with his young rookie, as if he doesn’t want Bell to get a big head and for the veterans to get jealous.

In the recent Portland game, Bell had a massive chasedown block of Damian Lillard that electrified the Warriors and the whole stadium.

Afterwards, from NBC Sports. Kerr reluctantly shared his most positive remarks yet about Bell:

“That’s the tradeoff,” Kerr said. “We’re trying to bring Jordan along slowly, but he makes it hard to keep him off the floor. We’re pointing out his mistakes and trying to teach him about the NBA game and his opponents, who he’s guarding and what to expect. It comes at you fast as a rookie. From one night to the next you’ve got all these star players and tendencies you have to learn, and coverages and terminology. “He’s coming along really well. He’s been outstanding for us.”

Also:

“That chase-down block after the turnover was spectacular,” said Kevin Durant, who drained a jumper seven seconds after the block. “That play kind of got us going.”

Bell himself discussed it in his post-game remarks, which you might have seen, and referred to getting chewed out by Kerr for his non-hustle in New Orleans on a play that you probably haven’t seen.

Well, look no further. Watch rookie Jordan Bell get yelled at in New Orleans, learn, and come up with the huge chasedown block against Damian Lillard. Co-starring Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry from the Warriors-Trailblazers game on Dec 11, 2017.

Bell gets yelled at, learns pro hustle Watch rookie Jordan Bell get yelled at in New Orleans, learn, and come up with the huge chasedown block against Portland. Co-starring Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Posted by Golden State of Mind on Thursday, December 14, 2017

(alternate YouTube link)

Final Thoughts

Have I mentioned I have an irrationally good feeling about Jordan Bell? I don’t think it’s irrational any more. My old tweets were over the top at the time, but seem pretty reasonable today.