What now Warriors? NBA teams are scrambling for a stronger roster to set their teams in a showdown against the best ball club of the 2021-2022 season. One of the Dubs’ responses is the recruitment of a youngster in Patrick Baldwin Jr: Potent reinforcement of the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs chose Baldwin with the 28th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
Patrick Baldwin Jr.: Potent Reinforcement of the Golden State Warriors
Small Forward Patrick Baldwin is an A-1 selection for the Dubs from the University of Milwaukee Panthers. Baldwin is 19 years old and is a workhorse in the gym. In addition to his work ethic, he is a top-caliber pick in the class of 2021. One of his notable contributions to American basketball is his feat with the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Latvia. He delivered 7.7 points and five rebounds per game, consequently, helping his team earn the gold medal.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole had legions of doubters when they joined Golden State. They had to work hard to earn their due despite the unwelcoming comments upon entering the league. With Baldwin, it is different. He finished high school with fewer doubters, in other words, he has a sensational track record with high demand for his skills.
Baldwin is a Low-risk, High-reward Venture Making him a Potent Reinforcement of the Golden State Warriors
Baldwin will bring immense talent to the Golden State Warriors. His skills will augment the team’s offense and defense. Firstly, one of the skills befitting of the rookie is his shooting ability. He can square up and set his feet appropriately before release, which is a mark of a sound sniper on the court. Secondly, he is six feet nine inches tall, which is a bane for the majority of defenders assigned to him. His shot will be very difficult to bother or block.
Thirdly, Baldwin is an excellent pull-up shooter. He tends to be stepping back to his left; at the same line, he can be equally effective dribbling to his right. His shooting is just as simple as it gets but enough to separate and give room for his pull-ups.
Baldwin’s Playmaking and Passing Potential
Besides the shooting skills that Baldwin possesses, he is also an excellent passer. Although he has great playmaking abilities, he will be the recipient of plays set up for him. His passing potential is useful to connect and follow through with delivered plays.
Baldwin showed promise as a dynamic offense mechanism. It is his role as a defender that needs improvement. He needs to develop his athleticism and footspeed. He could be caught flatfooted and slow to respond on defensive plays. But when locked on his defense, he can be tough to go around keeping his man afront.
The Right Team to Develop and Thrive
With an outstanding development staff complemented by experts and veterans, Baldwin will develop and thrive in this winner-environment setting. He will be another work in progress just like the young Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Eventually, Baldwin will earn the trust of his new teammates and be part of the Golden State Warriors Championship team this season.
