No Change, No Playoffs This Year?

by formerlythecity on Jan 18, 2008 1:32 AM PST

I know this is sacrilege around here, but having seen the Ws play all the teams in the West now, I think it's safe to say that the teams on top of them in the standings at this point, are legitimately BETTER teams than the Warriors.

Unless Portland comes back to reality, it's going to be Golden State duking it out with Utah (and potentially Houston) for the last spot??? They're in the 8th slot now, with the Jazz playing crappy and still only a game behind. Are the Warriors really going to win more games than Utah the rest of the season?

I'm thinkin' without attaining a beastly Power Forward (or Center, but what's the chance of that?) this team is on the bubble at best, and watching the playoffs at home on cable TV at worst.

There are rumors of a trade, which is of some comfort, because it shows, as Nellie pointed out in the KNBR interview, the front office KNOWS they "need help."

With Nellie though, who knows what "help" means. Maybe not the "big guy" that seems so obvious to many of us. (He might want another 5' 10" Hardaway type!) Anybody else notice POB got a sudden couple minutes the other night? If that wasn't a "showcase," what was it? But what can the Warriors get by trading one of their unproven bigs? A proven big? I doubt it.

It's hard to see what they can do without giving up a piece of the current franchise, or a fan favorite. Pietrus didn't even attract much interest as a free agent. Harrington? He's the only thing resembling inside "bulk" they have right now. Jackson can't go because nobody will touch him. The rest are untouchable, or worth little in trade.

It's too bad the JRich trade wasn't helpful THIS season. But they are stuck with the hand they have.

It may be "wait til next year," either for a trade, or for one the team's young guys to get out of Nelson's dog house and develop into filling the current hole. (They're not going to shoot their way into and through the play-offs with 3 pointers.)

Or maybe Nellie will just be happy to continue with his legacy of fun and exciting teams who tantalize, but never have enough size... We shall see.

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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Big men hard to find!

A major move will be tough because we don't have much to give up. I'd have to disagree with Pietrus not having much value. The Heat and Cavs were interested in him this offseason and I'm sure a few more teams would have taken a flyer on him if they weren't worried about trying to work out a sign and trade.
The best scenario I can see is getting a decent back up 4. I agree we don't have much to offer to get an impact player. Our only hope is that a bottom feeder team will take what we can offer to shed salary (Memphis?)
I think the best thing to improve is give some play time to the three young guys who are just collecting splinters currently. I think Bellinelli can become a good shooter off the bench if given play time and shown patience. Wright has made few errors when on the floor and shows good energy on the defensive end. Last but not least, O'Bryant either had a mirage of a game against the Clips or he can be a servicable back up center who can shoot from outside the paint. If we can get a couple of these guys to step up and get some good minutes in, it will improve our depth and get us closer to being a dominant team.

by tangel29 on Jan 18, 2008 1:52 AM PST reply actions

IMO

POB has more upside than Wright for the Warriors right now. When Nellie speaks of young guys not being NBA ready, he speaks of no defense and no jumper. POB can hit a midrange, hook, free throws and block shots. B- Wright can't do any of these and thats why he doesn't play. I'm really not sure why Nellie doesn't give POB more run, but it probably has to do with his timid personality - did anyone see the post game interview after his 1 good game? I hear a lot people calling for Wright to get playing time, but I just don't see how his game would help us. Although he hasn't had much playing time.

by triplesix on Jan 18, 2008 8:53 AM PST up reply actions

No patience

Nellie yanks him if he makes one mistake or is lost on defense for one possesion.
To be honest, I don't think Biedrins is our starter if we did not have Foyle in front of him last year. Since Foyle did not fit, it allowed Biedrins a little room for error and he was able to prove himself. Too bad he doesn't do that with the three we have wasting away on the bench.

by tangel29 on Jan 18, 2008 10:42 PM PST up reply actions

two thoughts

one, let's see how the Fakers do with their AB for two months. Right now we are 4.5 out of first; not that I'm saying we will be first, but just how tight the West really is; and two, As Tim K pointed out in his GSoM Q&A, you can just never tell what Mulson will pull off or when. Well, the when is defined in this case by the trade deadline.

What happened to "We Beliew"?

You call me ancient, I say "oldguysrule"

by commish on Jan 18, 2008 7:37 AM PST reply actions

if you saw

the laker vs suns game yesterday you would realize that kwame brown is sucking it up. Booed by home crowd. Missing open dunks and missing open shots. Commiting stupid turn overs. Fouling like a maniac. Its hard to believe this guy was a number 1 pick.

by saintdee on Jan 18, 2008 8:24 AM PST up reply actions

i mean WE BELIEVE--duh

You call me ancient, I say "oldguysrule"

by commish on Jan 18, 2008 7:40 AM PST reply actions

TPE

Our ability to absorb a bad contract in a deal is our biggest asset - players aside, that is the only way we attract a trading partner to the table.

analysis, similar that of the Heat's cap problems in the midst of a lost season in another thread, that incorporates the financial status of the other team involved seems to be more on target than dream trades at this point

by hardcore on Jan 18, 2008 10:59 AM PST reply actions

I don't think

it's safe to say everyone on top of the standings are legitimately better than us. We have a great record if you throw out the first 7 games without Jackson. BD's playing so well I think we could honestly compete with anyone over a 7 game series if we make it that far.

It's almost like the Warriors have 6 guys out there... they always have a guy open! - Jon Barry commentating game 3 last year

by gsw4life on Jan 21, 2008 9:43 AM PST reply actions