Graham Ike
Ike is a rookie two-way big who has started two straight games because Golden State is thin up front. His role depends on who else is available, and I found nothing saying it is permanent.
Role
He debuted Oct. 21 off the bench for 12 minutes. He then started Oct. 23 against Memphis (12 minutes) and Oct. 24 at Phoenix (26 minutes), per NBA.com's game log and ESPN. NBC Sports Bay Area, via RotoWire, listed the Oct. 23 starters as Curry, Podziemski, Lendeborg, Green and Ike. NBC Sports said Kerr had started Green at center against the Lakers and chose not to repeat that. Yahoo/Warriors Wire tied his expanded role to Kristaps Porzingis being unavailable. CBS said the Phoenix start came with several usual rotation pieces out. I found no reporting on who else competes for center minutes, no usage rate, and nothing on whether he starts once the roster is healthy. His season line through three games is 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.0 minutes (ESPN). The stat line supplied to me for last season does not match his three games this season, so I'm not using it.
The optimists point to thin center depth and a coach willing to start him. He scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting with two threes in his first start. He then recorded his first double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes, and NBC Sports said he looked more comfortable. CBS said he could force his way into more minutes given the lack of stellar competition.
The skeptics say the starts are a product of absences. CBS called the Phoenix start an outlier and said he doesn't need to be prioritized. He shot 5-of-13 in that game and committed four fouls. He went undrafted and is on a two-way deal. Yahoo's player page also links a HoopsHype item reporting Seth Curry criticizing the decision to start him.
Where analysts split
The open question is whether his minutes survive a healthy frontcourt. NBC Sports and Yahoo tie his role to Porzingis being unavailable and the thin frontcourt, while CBS says to monitor him rather than prioritize him. I found no source saying whether Kerr plans to keep him in the starting five.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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