The insertion of JaVale McGee into the starting lineup in the very first game following the All-Star break proved to be the answer many Golden State Warriors had been imploring to see throughout this season.

But vastly different from the eye test, the defending champions opted to go with advanced analytics, letting Warriors manager of basketball analytics Sammy Gelfand do his magic while the team enjoyed some sun over the break, according to Connor LeTourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle.

“Gelfand, a master at finding basketball’s most telling stats, was given strict instructions: Learn what’s ailing Golden State and pass on his findings to Kerr’s staff,” wrote LeTourneau.

McGee didn't provide spectacular numbers by any measure, but his six points, four rebounds, and one steal over 14 minutes proved to be the medicine the team so badly needed, getting an 11-point advantage in the first quarter — one they were able to ride for the rest of the game.

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“I just want to stay focused and definitely impact the game in a positive way,” McGee said. “That’s just being a force.”

Pachulia still got his playing time, setting a slew of ball-screens in his seven minutes on the floor and sinking all of his four free throws, leaving with an effective six points and a rebound.

“We are just trying something a little different, that’s all,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “We got off to a good start, so we’ll do it again Saturday and we’ll see where it all goes. We are experimenting a little bit.”

While the numbers don't differ much, it's McGee's energy and athleticism that have made the difference in the opening quarter, instead of an aging center that can be slow to rotate or move in transition when the Warriors most need him to.