shouldn’t be coming off the bench behind Randolph and Wright any time soon – yes I know Wright is a 4 and Maggette’s not, but if coach X really wants AR in the lineup, it’ll be at Wright’s expense not Maggs

seriously do not understand the lack of appreciation for Maggette’s game unless the majority of folks on this site haven’t watched him play – he’s one who actually will live up to his contract imo … blasphemy perhaps, but I’d say Maggette is even more important and valuable than Jax once Monta returns

because I haven’t really seen much of him. I’ve only known him as a slashing type of scorer who is able to get to the free throw line as much as Monta will be able to in a year or two. An average defender who tends to slack on the defensive end from time to time, but does rebound fairly well and can run the floor.

Unfortuantely, I haven’t seen how he can gets teammates involved to improve offense or how he improves our team on the defensive end. Maybe that will be seen this season, but as far as I know, that basically means he’s a taller Monta Ellis type of player with better free throw shooting and a (so far) better three point shot.

Jackson does have the ability to initiate the offense (although he does veer from sets from time to time with a pull-up three), and that in my book already puts him ahead of Maggette when Monta comes back because you will need someone to navigate the spacing and create for others.

As for Randolph, from what I’ve been hearing he does have the potential to be a good forward who can handle and pass; to the effect of a Kevin Garnett or a maybe a Pippen. I understand that Randolph is at least 2-3 years away from getting consistent rotational minutes or even being a starter, but that’s enough for me to envision him replacing Maggette in the starting line-up down the road.

As for Wright, he is a energy player with a baby Antawn Jamison type game. I think that if he can refine the way he scores while rebounding at a high clip and becoming a decent weakside defender, he will be more valuable as a PF than Maggette as a SF. That’s my opinion…

where’s tall and (newly) skinny AL at? i think a lot of us are forgetting about him, but i really think he’s poised to have a big year. He won’t have to bump around playing the forward and center position so he will hopefully have a consistent role the entire year. I heard he put a lot of work into this off-season and I would really love to see him improve and contribute big numbers.

A couple years down the road
PG Marcus Williams – lives up to his potential
SG Monta Ellis – becomes a perennial All-Star
SF Anthony Randolph – is a walking mismatch with amazing versatility
PF Brandon Wright – proves he’s worth losing J-Rich
C Andris Biedrins – developes into a very solid center even with some All-Star hype now and then

The tremendous length on the floor will make up for the skinniness plus there’s bulk on the bench

Best backups in the league
PG C.J. Watson – proves to be a consistent all around player
SG Morrow and or Belinelli – Lights out shooting and capable defense
SG/SF Azubuikie – good enough to be the sixth man on nearly every team in the NBA
SF Maggette and maybe Jackson – would be the best bench players in the NBA
PF Kurz and Hendrix – will own the boards
C Ronnie Turiaf – has everything you want in a backup center

Honestly there’s no way this team stays together like this because there is so much trade bait and sorry Al you won’t be back in a few years

The Warriors and A’s will win Championships in the next 5 years built on good young foundations, fingers crossed.