Pietrus Heats up about his situation (Update: Holding out?)

by saintfloppy on Sep 24, 2007 3:12 PM PDT

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/48112/20070920/heat_abandons_pietrus_talks/

If you're too lazy to read the article, the message in the URL says it all.

Does this mean people will finally stop begging for J-Will? Thank you jeebus! What a serious waste of cap space he would have been; I'm glad Mullin declined those offers.

On another note, though, I genuinely feel bad for Pietrus. Somebody, let this guy play where he wants to! Hopefully, Mullin is just waiting to see if he can get any value out of the Frenchman and will just let him walk if there aren't any good offers that come around. He can be useful, but I don't see him getting much playing time for this team. So it would just result in wasted money and talent if we keep him.

=========================================

[Moderator's Note, by OptionZero:] According to an article on NewzFire, Pietrus may threaten to hold out:

Similarly, Pietrus is looking like he won't be around for the long haul with the Warriors -- but there will be no threats of a European escape for Pietrus. His agent, Bill McCandless, says that Pietrus did, in fact, get a one-year offer from a Euroleague team worth more than 2 million Euros, or nearly $3 million. "But the problem is, the restricted tag does not come off when he comes back to the NBA," McCandless says. "We seriously thought about it. He probably would have gone, but in a year, he would come back to the NBA and still be a restricted free agent for the Warriors. We would have been right back where we started."

Instead, McCandless says, Pietrus would choose to simply hold out. Both sides, it seems, have exhausted sign-and-trade possibilities, especially after the Warriors nixed a two-for-one deal (plus a draft pick) the Heat put on the table last week. "There are basically two categories," McCandless says. "Some teams have come to us and worked something out, then presented it to the Warriors. There were two cases like that, where we had an agreement on money, but the Warriors turned it down. Then there are teams that contact the Warriors directly and negotiate that way. But the Warriors don't tell us what is going on with those talks."

Pietrus' best remaining option is to find a multiyear offer sheet, knowing he can give teams some assurance that the Warriors won't match any contract that goes beyond this year. If you're the Warriors, the downside of bringing Pietrus back is the negativity the situation has created. "We had a meeting with the team a couple of weeks ago, and Mickael came out thinking they love him and they're going to make him an offer," McCandless says. "But now, he's not happy. He feels stuck and he feels coerced."

My take in the comments section below below

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Comments

What about.

a motivated Pietrus? He has some raw potential and he can be a key asset for a playoff push. But, wow. The Warriors really did save/steal a lot of money this offseason AND still be deep team.

by BTT on Sep 20, 2007 4:27 AM PDT reply actions

Too deep, really

I think Pietrus was an underrated cog in last year's team, but if he returns, who will he take minutes from? Belinelli? Monta? Barnes? Jax? Harrington? Azubuike? Wright? Lasme? Playing time is a zero-sum game, unfortunately. Either we make a deal to ease the logjam, or a couple of otherwise productive guys will be mostly riding pine.

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 20, 2007 5:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Warriors hapy to have him at $3.47 million

I think it's been the Warriors plan all along to get Pietrus back on the cheap, as it was with Barnes. If they got a S&T offer that they found was worthwile, they would go for it, otherwise Pietrus would have to re-sign with them.

Despite his limitations, Nelson likes Pietrus, and played him nearly as many minutes in the playoffs as he did Harrington abnd Ellis.

I don't see where it says that Azubuike and Belinelli have moved ahead of Pietrus in the rotation, ecspecially since they are primarily guards and Pietrus is a forward. He will continue to back up both forward spots with Barnes.

If Azubuike and Belinelli can play, they'll back up the guard spots and the Warriors will have a nine-man rotation, as I see it. Lasme, Wright, Croshere, Perovic will compete for the 10-12 playing time.

But, of course, that is without further player transactions.

by San Francisco Slim on Sep 20, 2007 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Didn't mean to diss MP2

I agree that he was underrated part of last year's team. Both anecdotally and statistically, he was a much better player in the playoffs than Monta or Harrington. He grabbed nearly 8 boards per 40 minutes, many of them pretty key snags that got us out on the break.

It's strange ... we talk about him like he's an afterthought, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that he's the third most valuable player on the team. That could be a reflection of the team's strength or weakness, depending on your POV.

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 20, 2007 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Health

I think it's a reflection on health. No J-Rich, no Baron.

Then throw in the ineffectiveness of Murphy/Dunleavy...

Pietrus was valuable almost be default.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 20, 2007 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

No, I realize you weren't dissing Pietrus

I just don't think it's a question of him taking away minutes from unproven players trying to make the rotation. Belinelli, Azubuike, Lasme, Wright, etc.. would have to take minutes away from HIM.

by San Francisco Slim on Sep 20, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

did i really just read

MP and "team's 3rd best player" in the same sentence?

by BingBluNT on Sep 20, 2007 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

OK, OK

I exaggerated for effect. The point is that after Baron and Biedrins, we have a whole bunch of talented guys, but no real standout. Two years ago we looked at MP2 the same way we look at Monta now. At age 25, his prospects are a good deal dimmer, but with his athletic ability and defensive prowess there's still a chance his game could progress. As the roster stands, I honestly don't think there's that much drop-off from our presumptive "starters" at 2,3 and 4 (Monta, Jax, and Harrington, presumably) to MP2.

I dunno, I guess I just like the guy, partly because he seems like a sweet, cheerful space cadet (kinda like me), partly because I'm a total francophile. If we do hang on to him him, I'm going to start writing his name properly: Mickaël Piétrus.

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 20, 2007 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

He takes em from whomever doesn't deserve em

Or he doesn't play at all. I agree, it's crowded.

I also agree that Pietrus was underrated last season. If you recall, Nelson said more than once that Pietrus was one of his best players through the first few months of the season, and it was true--he was consistent and under control. He fell into a lot of minutes because of JRich's injury and Murphleavy's suckiness, and he listened to Nellie and made the most of it. His lousy play came more in the second half of the year, when Jackson came in and took his place. He started to try too hard to make plays that he wasn't capable of, rather than staying in the corner and shooting 3s or driving if his man bit on the pump fake.

Anyhow, I think if he plays with consistency again, is solid on defense, grabs boards from the small forward position, hits open shots, and doesn't turn the ball over much, he'll get his minutes--assuming one of those other guys fails to do all of the above.

by ivanbe on Sep 20, 2007 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Pietrus

Problems:

He is useful defensively because he could hold his own at PF in limited minutes, but only on the defensive end. On offense, his 3P% is highly inconsistent and he isn't sufficiently skilled to take advantage of a bigger defender. No handle, no moves, low ft% mean he 's basically spotup shooter/finisher, which reduces his usefulness on that end.
Minutes. Everything Sleepy said

Benefits:

He is playing for a new contract(...but I don't think that will suddenly make up for his lack of basketball IQ and lack of skill)
He is BYC, but at $3.5M (trade value $1.75M) he might be useful in a trade
Depth in case of injury

Wouldn't be upset if he came back, but prefer that he walks and we give the minutes to someone else. I really, really want to see more burn for Azubuike.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 20, 2007 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Pietrus

What is "highly inconsistent" about a 39% 3P FG? That was the best of the Warriors regulars, save Harrinton's half season of 42%.

I definitely prefer that Pietrus stays. If Aubuike can stay in the regular rotation - he couldn't last season - it expands the rotation hopefully beyond eight players. With their wild pace, Warriors need more players in their rotation.

by San Francisco Slim on Sep 20, 2007 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions

True, but...

I think the key word you used there is "inconsistent" (Mike Nolan's new favorite euphemism to explain Alex Smith's ineptitude). I'd like to see Pietrus' overall numbers pre-Indy trade and compare to his 2nd half numbers. I think the trade shook his confidence and really affected his consistency.

He's never going to be the heady player we all wish he was. But I'm not sure if your cons in describing him wouldn't be considered pros if, instead of thinking of him as a primary player, you think of him as a role player.

Here are his roles: defend the forward positions at a high level at all times, and shoot three-pointers from the corner when he's wide open (or drive the baseline when the run at him). I could be describing Bruce Bowen here, and he's thought of as a key player for the World Champion Spurs. I'm not saying he'll ever be Bowen, but if he sticks with those roles and does them well, he's worth at least $3.5mil/year and 30 minutes/game.

by ivanbe on Sep 20, 2007 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree whole heartedly...

I really think that Pietrus is a highly underrated player on this squad. He has improved by leaps and bounds since his rookie season and has improved his shot selection, evident by his drastic increase in fg%. I know that he's had low basketball IQ in the past, but it should be noted that the coaches he's played for (Musselman & Montgomery) haven't exactly been the opitome of great coaching, which is needed to help anyone improve. I truly think that its something that could hopefully be built up even further from last year, especially under a smart, great coach like Nellie. Let's face it... he know's (kinda) Nellie's system and plays GREAT when he's focused. He runs the floor, and gets open quite easily. He rebounds well for his height & position and can guard most positions, bigger or smaller players no matter where they're at on the floor (post or around the key). He's always been built up to be a defensive stopper... and to some extent he still is. If he can just focus in on his role as a defensive player who they can kick out to on the corner to either hit the trey or drive, he can completely flourish on this team (like he did in the playoffs). I really hope that we keep him on this squad.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

by mightymadskillz on Sep 23, 2007 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Alex Smith is not inept

Oh wait, I am not on 49ersWebzone

by belli nellie on Sep 24, 2007 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Capology.

Pietrus will be BYC if he signs up with the offersheet at $3.47 million, but he will be worth $2.535million, not $1.75, coming back to us in a trade. BYC value is 50% of salary or previous year's salary, whichever is greater.

This is actually a very important difference. Sending him out, we can take back 125% +100k of his BYC value. At 2.535 mil BYC, we can take back up to $3.26 million in salary for him. A capped team acquiring him will have to give up at least $2.7million to fit his new contract in (125% of 2.7 +100k ~= $3.5million or his actual salary which is what counts to the team receiving him). This means there's a straight up trade window of players or combination of players making between ~2.7 and ~3.3 million that we can take back for him even under BYC when trading with another capped team. If his value were $1.75million, we'd only be able to take back 2.2875, which is less than the min that a team needs to send out and thus he'd be untradeable on his own.

by jae on Sep 25, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

A good thing

This is a good thing IMO, because it means we won't be ABLE to take back any bad contracts.

We could always package him with POB and make that around $5M total ($2.75 + $2.2 or whatever) if necessary.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 25, 2007 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions

i

actually hope we sign him back....

Best seat in the House

by kaszowski on Sep 20, 2007 5:42 AM PDT reply actions

It really sucks to be a restricted free agent..

I just wanted to address saintfloppy's comment about J will being a waste of cap space. His contract is up after this year. There are no financial obligations past this year. We would be giving up pietrus and since he isn't going to stay past this year anyways. On top of that we're covered at small forward and not PG. I fail to see how that's a "waste of cap space." If he doesn't work out, he's gone. plus his expiring contract would be an attractive trade commodity for midseason trades acquisitions.

If you don't like Jason Williams that's one thing, but even if the guy doesn't play a single minute as a warriors, he's still a commodity.

by ThermoElectro on Sep 20, 2007 8:54 AM PDT reply actions

Who

do you think would be a better fit in the Dubs system, MP2 or J Will?

Personally I don't think J Will would be a commodity but more of a hinderance. Sure he's a back up PG, one with what would seem to be balky knees. Don't forget we already have a superstar PG with a creaky body, why would we want to add another iffy PG health wise? It would be wise for the Dubs to find a PG with a good bill of health.

If that's not enough for you, J Will is a HUGE liability on defense. A staple of the Dubs running game is creating TO's to fuel our fast break. If we have a liability at PG it makes it all that much easier for the other team and that much more difficult for us to run. He's a career 39% shooter, which to me is something we don't need. We have enough fire power on this team, we don't need a back up PG chucking up garbage.

Also, you say if he doesn't work out, his 9 mil dollar expiring contract would be useful. In reality I don't think it is, we have the TPE from the J Rich trade and two movable pieces in MP2 and Cabbages, which would give us more options because we can add a role player with the MP2 and Cabbages contract. If we were going to use the J Will contract we'd have to bring back a contract(s) of something like 7.75 million which Mullin most likely wouldn't want to do because we don't want another big contract, we just cleared a ton of cap space to extend Monta and AB.

With MP2 we have a versatile wing player who can shoot the 3 ball and can get after it on defense. I'm not a huge MP2 fan by any means, but he would have a more useful roll on this team than J Will would. He is a decent rebounder, which is a weakness of this team, I don't think we want to get rid of one of our better rebounders. He may make stupid basketball mistakes but he's more valuable to the Dubs than most of him give us credit for.

Most of the people here are assuming Buike and Belinelli are going to automatically take over his minutes, which I think is a little ridiculous considering we've never seen Belinelli play in a real NBA game and we've only seen sporadic bits of Buike. Other than the first game in the summer league where he scored 30 something points, he was average. He doesn't rebound at all, I think it was JAE who brought up the point he had a rebound rate that was second worst in the summer league. So before we start writing off an important piece of our team for unproven players, let's see if these unproven players can play in this league because we know MP2 can.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Sep 20, 2007 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

so.... do we boo MP2?

i mean, i know some people on here might say no, but people here also said no when the oracle was booing dunleavy every night lol.... i predict: YES, he will be boo'd as soon as he makes his first mistake, and on and on from then on.

ahh i can imagine it now, the turnover, the missed FT, the missed dunks, ahhhhhhh

poor mp2.

If War brings peace Dubz wit' it den!

by gsdubz on Sep 20, 2007 9:02 AM PDT reply actions

nah

people boo'd dunleavy b/c of his lack of hustle and push-over attitude which led to his overall suckiness.

MP does enough good things that will mask some of his lesser skills. but moreover, he tries hard - maybe sometimes to his detriment - which is why he'll still be warmly received. plus he has a likable personality. i'll still show him love.

by JudBooshlur on Sep 20, 2007 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions

thats why

Restricted FA = 5th year team option

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 20, 2007 9:03 AM PDT reply actions

Exactly

by San Francisco Slim on Sep 20, 2007 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not agreeing about the roster being too full

I'm no expert, but I think the more capable players the team has the larger the rotation will be. Given the pace at which the team plays this is a good thing. I don't think the players will complain about lack of playing time if they're sucking air when they're on the bench. I'd really like to see non-stop hustle and hockey like rotations. I know, it will never happen...

by sfhand on Sep 20, 2007 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

i agree

think about injuries....

Best seat in the House

by kaszowski on Sep 20, 2007 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Hope he learns

to shoot free throws. But I think that MP2 has been in the states long enough now that for him to say that he doesn't understand what is said on the sidelines is completely his own fault.

If he is so upset about his position, you would think that he would learn some friggin' english. He knows how to say "French Sexy" and "coach" that's all I've heard.

But on the upside if he improves in his deficiencies, he will be a great player off the bench.

Beli or Bust

by danielholl on Sep 20, 2007 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

We

Gotta hope that he doesn't keep sliding his pivot foot out of bounds all the time or causing a traveling.

by ballin on Sep 20, 2007 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Turnovers per 40 minutes, career

Pietrus -- 2.4
Richardson -- 2.5
Harrington -- 2.8
Jackson -- 3.0
Ellis -- 3.2

Just sayin.

I'd love to see how many times MP2 really has accidentally stepped out of bounds in his career. 10? 20? Easily 1/1000th the number of times people have mentioned it on this board.

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 20, 2007 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

true

But a couple factors:

the type of turnovers, unforced ones. Stepping out of bounds is a favor to the defense without any effort from them. Stripping a guy (Jackson) on the way to the basket at least requires some hands or length.
Jackson/Ellis handle the ball, bringing it up court and initiating the offense. Pietrus is a finisher, and a complementary one at that. As a random example of a guy in a similar perimeter SF role, Morris Peterson's career TO/40 is 1.6; Desmond Mason is probably a similar guy who relies on athleticism rather than skill, and he's at 2.1/40 on the career.

So for what he is, Pietrus is more turnover prone than he "should" be, given his role.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 20, 2007 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Fair enough

If I had time I'd look at a bunch of "complementary" 2s and 3s and list their numbers. Just seems like 2.4 TO/40 is well within acceptable range for the position, especially for someone considered such a complete clownshoes.

My suspicion is that a couple of high-profile mistakes in key situations have been blown somewhat out of proportion among the faithful Warrior. Now, sadly, his cluelessness has become a narrative "frame" for him, along the lines of "Derek Jeter is clutch." Basically, unless he really improves, we'll continue to downplay his good plays and make a huge deal out of his mistakes (case in point: the two missed FTs against Utah).

Hélas. Vive Monsieur Piétrus!!!

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 20, 2007 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

OZ is right

Player turnovers by themselves, don't mean too much, but they do when in the context of the player's style. This is where the assist/turnover stat derived from. Yet a better stat to contrast vs. turnovers is John Hollinger's usage stat. This counts shots and assists, i.e. gives a good indication as to how much a player is handling the ball.

Usage/turnovers on last season's Warriors:

J-Rich 2.7
Davis 2.5
Harrington 2.2
S-Jax 1.8
Ellis 1.6
Barnes 1.5
Aubuike 1.4
Pietrus 1.2
Biedrins .9

I think Pietrus has probably deserved his turnoever rep. Also, Ellis doesn't look like a great candidate for PG.

by San Francisco Slim on Sep 21, 2007 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Related thought

I wonder what both Verajao and Pavlovic are thinking now that Miami turns off the heat on MP?

by muritqua on Sep 20, 2007 6:30 PM PDT reply actions

people need to lay off the hate train

Why the hate??? This guy will be earning less than $4M when he's hoping to cash in. Penny for Penny, he's worth more than Dunleavy, Foyle, O'Bryant, Jasikevicius, Zarko, and a bunch of other guys in this league. He is what he is, a good defender and a decent spot up shooter. He does want a bigger role on the team but that would never happen until he really work on his handles and being comfortable with the ball. But he's a valuable guy if you know how to use him and Don Nelson does. He's publicly admitted that he's a good player but the more responsibility you put on him the bigger risk he'll fail.

He has alot of flaws and that's why he's only making less than $4M. I understand the desire to move him for a more rounded player or something but I just don't get why hate the guy to the point of suggesting the we BOO him.

by lightz0ut on Sep 20, 2007 10:18 PM PDT reply actions

re-read the post

it was a prediction not a suggestion. pardon me.

but yah, lay off the hate train guys.

by lightz0ut on Sep 20, 2007 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions

why

should we lay off the hate train when the guy sucks? hes such a bonehead, and the worst part is, he thinks hes actually good. A 40M dollar contract? What you think every GM is Isiah Thomas?

hes relatively cheap at 3.5, i guess. or thats actually all hes worth

by jrizzle on Sep 21, 2007 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions

hmm

the guys sucks.. wow, that's the greatest argument i've heard. the guy might be limited but he's definitely proved somewhat valuable to the team.

a bonehead? and what made you come to that conclusion. oh yah, he keeps stepping on the line just like every other player would carry, travel and get called for a charge.

and the worst part is, he think he's actually good. really? he told you? wow. No? then how can you bring that against him. Even if it's true to a point, I don't see it as hurting the team unless he starts dribbling the ball as much as Baron or SJax.

by lightz0ut on Sep 21, 2007 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions

ur hella pissed

its ok tho. ill calm things down.

first off, thanks for calling my argument the greatest you've ever heard. you sir, have an eye for talent.

hes a bonehead, and yes, you provided my argument for me. He steps out of bounds a lot, which happens, but with him happens a lot, hence bonehead. It also seems to me, and obviously other posters around here, that he has a low basketball IQ. low IQ=bonehead. He takes ill advised shots, tries to dribble when he has no skills, and is inconsistent.

also, i dont know michael pietrus. im not that cool. However, he does think hes good, and i must be some kind of magician, because i can figure out that he thinks he is without actually talking to him. Him and his agent said before/during/as of right now that pietrus feels hes worth a 5yr, 40M dollar contract. That is pretty damn insane based on his production.

The dude is gonna make approx 3.5. i think thats good enough for him, actually generous on the warriors part, because no other team besides miami is trying to get him. what does that tell you.

im kinda pissed a bit myself because how can i follow up the greatest argument ever. 50 wins this year?

by jrizzle on Sep 21, 2007 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

by the way

he seems like a nice guy, and i have his jersey.

but he kinda blows

by jrizzle on Sep 21, 2007 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

lol.. did i sound pissed?

I wasn't when i typed it. Believe me, I'm as critical with the guy as most of the people here. It's just that I've met the guy through one of my friends and I've hang out with him a couple of times. So there's my bias.

But yah, I've joked with my friend a couple times before to tell him to work on his handles and FT shot. I also don't think he's that reliable of a 3pt. shooter as he would miss open shots. Barnes is not a great 3pt shooter either but when he's open, it's most likely going in.

Anyway, point is. He's not the greatest bball player and all but it's just one of those defend your friend thing, you know. You just don't want to hear people attack people you know like that.

by lightz0ut on Sep 22, 2007 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions

To me...

I'm just looking forward to Mullin cooking up a deal before the deadline. I think theyll serve Pietrus some minutes early, hopefully he delivers and attracts some GM's. Then we can take a step back at the all-star break and make our adjustments, shop him around, and check the offers. If theres nothing there, fine, let him go away next off-season.

By the way, I got some inside info that Pietrus isnt favored by his teammates. I got a strong feeling they would love to see him go.

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Sep 22, 2007 6:36 AM PDT reply actions

Also...

My biggest problem with Pietrus is not so much him stepping out of bounds every time he wants to go baseline, but his offensive strengths and weaknesses cancel out.

What I mean is, Pietrus is a guy who thrives in on the fast break. Yet, he hardly understands how the fast break works, and give him the ball at half court on a 3 on 2? forget about it. He will turn that ball over half the time. He crashes into set defenders, he dribbles into double teams, and he leaves his feet and makes the wrong pass.

Yet he is a good finisher, aggressive, obviously athletic, and has a really good left on him with a nose for the basket. I get impatient with the whole thing... that the seemingly strongpoint in his game is also his weakpoint....

Does anyone else feel like that?

This is my team There are many like it But this one is mine. My team, without me is useless. Without my team, I am useless

by BlueNgoldBlood on Sep 22, 2007 6:46 AM PDT reply actions

yes

also, when he first started getting some minutes (3 years ago?) they said he was a shutdown defender--and he was. I remember when he shut down mike bibby i was impressed. But I saw him get abused many times last year. so that facet of his game isnt even a highlight anymore

by jrizzle on Sep 22, 2007 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Fouls

if he ever wants to be a real shutdown defender he will need to foul far less. Guys like Artest and Bowen are superior defenders in part because they are smart enough to beat a scorer through anticipation; Pietrus relies too much on athleticism.

But then again, counting on mental improvement from Pietrus seems like a lost cause

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 22, 2007 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Holdout?

Guys, I have updated the main diary with a story on Pietrus. Apparently, he's considering a holdout, which makes...no sense.

Sitting a year can do nothing to enhance his value; when he returns next year will anyone offer him more than $3.5M (which doesn't make up for a year of lost pay) anyways?

Players and agents need to get over this restricted free agency. These are the rules, this is how it is. If you haven't gotten an offer, maybe your agent was BS-ing you and you really aren't worth as much as you think (or were told).

Message to Pietrus and all other RFA's:

If you didn't even get an offer sheet, maybe you aren't that good
If you really want to leave, play for the QO and bounce, don't count on your team not matching
Restricted Free Agency means you have no leverage, so why bother? it's a 5th year team option in effect, so deal with it.
Play well and you'll be free to leave, get paid, and play whereever you want.
If your agent tells you otherwise, fire him. Learn from Barnes

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 22, 2007 12:09 PM PDT reply actions

agreed

As i alluded to before...hes immature.

He's mad at the warriors because they wont sign him to a multi year, or trade him to another team. But heres the question. He doesnt NEED the Warriors for anything! Hes a free agent! other teams can sign him!(yes, we have the right to match, but still no other team has given him an offer sheet). So what is this dude mad about? Go out their this year and prove yourself andrei.

by jrizzle on Sep 22, 2007 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

andrei

dont ya mean mickael?

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 22, 2007 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

no

was attempting to draw parallels between the two, not really fleshed out, was off the cuff.

btw, BEAR DOWN, ARIZONA! good luck today CAL! U OF A gonna stomp.

by jrizzle on Sep 22, 2007 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

"U of A gonna stomp"

Or .... not.

But it is nice to see that your college football takes are about as sensible and well-reasoned as your thoughts on Pietrus.

Go Bears!!! ;-D

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 22, 2007 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions

being a fan

doesn't always have to make sense dad.

by jrizzle on Sep 22, 2007 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Nah

But it does mean standing up and taking your punishment when you talk trash about a team you know full well is going whoop your team's asses six ways to Sunday.

You won't find me talking any trash about Wildcat hoops, for example. ;-)

Actually, I admire your courage ... son.

by Sleepy Freud on Sep 22, 2007 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

fair enough

we got ran. our football team sucks(name calling, i know, but i feel its appropriate). good thing i sat in the Arizona section--Although, almost got into 30 fights. Went with cal friends, sat in the zona section....do the math. Those tucson locals can be real feisty.

go dubs

by jrizzle on Sep 22, 2007 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions

also

hes got like 3 agents. Bill McCandles, Happy Gilmore, and some other dude Martin Van Bueren or something. dude is kind of a bonehead.

"I LOVE COACH NELLIE"

by jrizzle on Sep 22, 2007 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Wait.

I thought if he "holds out" and doesn't sign the offer sheet than he is "forced" to sign and is automatically put into the roster? So no matter what, he'll have to play for the Warriors even if he doesn't want to because the qualifying offer is there? I read that somewhere but I may be wrong.

by BTT on Sep 22, 2007 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

no

He doesn't have to sign the QO.

If he doesn't sign the QO, and he doesn't sign an offer sheet anywhere else, then...well...he's unemployed, at least in the NBA.

If he goes the Europe we hold on to his restricted rights, so he gains nothing if he wants to play in the NBA in the future.

Questions? Complaints?

(AIM: JetForze; email: Jon.d.ma@gmail.com)

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 22, 2007 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

could it be that jax's suspension

may delude him or his agent that he has a sliver of leverage early on?

by hardcore on Sep 23, 2007 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Pietrus

would probably average the same numbers with more minutes with a Euroleague team, so it really doesn't matter, it's not like the Warriors are dying to retain him. I mean, he's not that good, he's not even a starter on the French team. I agree with OZ that a holdout does nothing for him.

by semarubaka on Sep 22, 2007 5:44 PM PDT reply actions

french team?

I don't know much about France's National Team but I know Mickael's brother plays for them. Is the other Pietrus better?

by StephenO4 on Sep 23, 2007 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

personality

Personality has carried LLCP for a while.

He's never been a real go to guy, just an exciting player that was pretty inept when trying to create. He's fun to plug in and see what happens so if he comes back to earth and accepts the deal we'll get a few highlights, some boards and blocks, a couple sick dunks.

I'm sure you all remember smacking your head after an unforced turnover from the guy. If he walks we lose a bit of goofy flavor but Wright's ears alone can fill in for some dorky Pietrus moments. I'll take Kabuki over him at guard and Barnes over him at forward, all day.

by redape on Sep 24, 2007 4:01 PM PDT reply actions

completely and whole heartedly agree....

"I'll take Kabuki over him at guard and Barnes over him at forward, all day."

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Sep 24, 2007 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

It's

funny how everyone on GSoM will eat out of Nellie's hands with everything he says/does. But no one seems to be giving any thought to why MP2 got more burn last year than Buike. Everyone is pretty much calling him the best thing since sliced bread. We know what we get with MP2, a good corner 3 point shooter, a decent rebounder and defender who is going to make some poor decisions on the floor. Does anybody actually know what Buike brings to the table? It's not like we've had a good sample size to judge him with. I think Buike can be good but that's based on nothing really, just a gut feeling I guess. My point is before we start throwing MP2 away lets see if we have people capable of replacing him.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Sep 25, 2007 2:36 PM PDT reply actions

Kelenna is more than capable

to replace a stooge like Pietrus, he's better in almost every facet of the game when averaging the same minutes per game as Pietrus all of his stats are almost all the same or better, he gives up a little on the defensive end but he more than makes up with it with his silky smooth game on the offesive end. He shot 45% from the field 43% from 3 land and 78% fromm the line compared to Pietrus 49% from the field 39% from 3 and 65% from the line, given that since Pietrus played more minutes and there fore the % have a better chance of going down but still, Azubuike was a rookie and he will only get better, which is honestly more than i can say about Mickael. The kid in his first year out from the D-League looked better than I have ever seen Pietrus play. Pietrus has been pro for like 4 years, and he still can't handle the ball except if he's going straight. If he shows me that he could dribble with both hands and make a three from somewhere besides the corner, then I'll start giving him props, until then I will continue to sh*t on him. I'm sick of watching SG/SF coming into this league that can't dribble with both hands and go left and right, learn some skills before you come to the NBA PLEASE.

It's all about the killer cross-over baby!

by warriorsfiend on Sep 25, 2007 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

True Dat!

The funny thing about mp2 is that he's played about 10 times more games than buki w/o scoring more than 20pts in a game, yet buki scored like 28 against the clippers in his first week in the league.

The main difference betw MP2 and buki is that buki never seems to do anything to hurt the team, especially when the team NEEDS him, when MP2 makes his most boneheaded plays at the worst times.

The best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Sep 25, 2007 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions

One

could say that Buike hasn't hurt the Dubs because he's never played any meaningful minutes.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Sep 25, 2007 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Well the game he scored

28 was pretty meaningful, if you ask me. The dubs were shorthanded playing the clips(their main competor for that last playoff spot) at a in point in the season where they could a just packed it in until the troops arrived, which would have meant no dubs domination of a Dallas in the playoffs. They got in by 1 game. Any strong performance THIS year was MEANINGFUL. MP2 hadn't played any trully meaningful NBA games until THIS year.

The best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Sep 26, 2007 2:43 AM PDT up reply actions