Often during long flights, Draymond Green sits next to David West on the Warriors' team charter and asks what the big man has in store for him. West touches upon everything from current events to politics to renewable energy to African-American history during those conversations. In his 14th NBA season, the 36-year-old backup center is showcasing an elite passing ability seldom seen during previous stops in New Orleans, Indiana and San Antonio. With a rare blend of size, court awareness, touch and timing, the 6-foot-9, 250-pound West posts up on the right block and draws defenses toward him before kicking out to open shooters. The Warriors' backup point guard, Shaun Livingston, has 12 fewer assists in 458 more minutes. Hardly an athletic specimen, West used a throwback playing style to become one of the NBA's best power forwards. The personnel during his four seasons with the Pacers, defense-oriented teams with limited shooters, made it impossible for West to maximize his passing talents. When he rebuffed more lucrative offers to sign with the Warriors in July, West owned a career assist average of 2.2. An expert on African-American history, he is an avid reader of the Economist...