Will 2022 Be Nemanja Bjelica’s Year?

Many Golden State fans were delighted when the franchise secured the signature of veteran center Nemanja Bjelica last off-season. With ample experience at national and international level, he was seen as the perfect player to offer flooring space, height and squad depth in a roster likely to be stretched by a grueling season and hampered by injuries.

However, things didn’t quite go to plan for Bjelica after a promising start and his inconsistent 3-point game, coupled with a virtually non-existent defensive one, had fans calling him out on social media and pleading with the management to move him for most of 2021. But with momentum now behind the team after finishing the regular season on red-hot form, can Bjelica push on and make this the year he sets the NBA alight?

Disappointment after a strong start

Bjelica made his Golden State debut on the 19^th October, coming off the bench to net 15 points and claim 11 rebounds against the LA Lakers. That was the first time that any player had scored a double-double from the bench in almost 40 years (Sam Williams did the same in 1981 with 16 points and 12 rebounds), which had Warriors’ fans salivating at the prospect of what lay ahead and prompted some to take advantage of bonuses like the betfair welcome offer and back the Serb to take the division by storm.

Unfortunately, Bjelica’s form tailed off from there. While Kevon Looney was always going to be the starting point guard in the Golden State lineup, the team was crying out for a strong backup option and Bjelica’s frustrating performances did not provide the solidity needed. His 3-pointers have traditionally been his biggest asset, alongside his rebounding skills, but both were hit-and-miss on far too many occasions. Add to that the big Serb’s woeful defense and he seemed to be a passenger for many of his appearances.

Turning the tide

However, Bjelica has proven the naysayers wrong in the last couple of months. After the warriors limped to seven losses in eight games in March, they turned over a deficit to beat Utah Jazz on April 2^nd and clinch a spot in the playoffs. They then compounded that momentum with a 109-90 win against Bjelica’s old team the Sacramento Kings, during which Bjelica was able to record a season-high of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Not a bad time to rediscover his scoring touch.

The Warriors would go on to win their next three games and come roaring into the playoffs with a full head of steam, having recorded five victories on the bounce. While the signs are all pointing in the right direction, one area in which the team is lacking is the height department. Bjelica’s 6’10’’ stature could be the perfect solution to that quandary, while the fact that his 3-point game is finding its groove at precisely the right time could mean that 2022 is the year he helps Golden State win their seventh championship and cements his status as a top NBA performer.

With Bjelica firing on all cylinders for the Warriors, there’s no reason to believe that this can’t be his most successful season in the NBA to date.