Who Are Our Best Players?

by onlxn on Nov 25, 2008 7:41 PM PST Comment 23 comments

With a roster in flux like ours, it's a worthwhile question... after all, you'd ideally give your best players the most minutes. I'd rank our best players, from best to worst, like this:

1. Andris Biedrins

Biedrins is pretty clearly our stud -- he's providing elite performance at the most important position, and he's the main reason that Nellieball has been at all effective in the last two-plus years. This dude should be playing as much as his stamina and foul situations allow. Happily, Nellie seems to have finally realized that.

2. Monta Ellis

We haven't seen him yet, obviously, and he could be a different player when he comes back... maybe his injury has slowed him down, maybe he's learned a new trick or two, as he has in previous offseasons. Nevertheless, I think this will end up being the right slot for him: less important than Biedrins, more skilled than everyone else. Like Biedrins, he should play as much as his conditioning will allow.

3. Corey Maggette

He hasn't been great so far, but I believe in Corey Maggette. He's clearly a smart, effective player... when his shot starts falling consistently, he'll be a real asset. He should play starter's minutes, but probably *not* at power forward.

4. Brandan Wright

This is where this may start to get controversial, but I'm confident that Wright deserves to be this high... if anything, I could see an argument for slotting him above Maggette.

Brandan Wright has been effective just about every time Nellie has called his number over the last two years. He scores efficiently, he blocks shots, he hustles, and he doesn't make many mistakes... we do markedly better when he's on the floor. This is no longer a fluke. We have a very good young power forward, and somehow he's *eighth* on the team in minutes.

Brandan Wright should be starting for us. I don't know that he's tough enough to play 30-35 minutes a night for a full NBA season... in fact, I suspect that he's not. But we should put him out there and let his performance tell us when he's had enough. He's good enough to deserve that opportunity.

5. Stephen Jackson

I'm not putting Jack this low to hate on him. I like Jack a lot. He's important to this team, and he's taken on an unfairly heavy load so far this year. Having said that, he isn't the best player on our team or anything close to it. He's inefficient on offense, especially so this year, and a dreadful rebounder; he's a good passer, but not nearly the playmaker that he thinks he is. He's a defensive asset, particularly because he can defend so many types of players, but I think his defense has been a little off so far this season. Jack helps us on a lot of plays, but he kills us on a bunch too, far more than the four guys I've listed above him.

I think Jack should probably start for us, especially since Monta may need help running the offense. However, Jack should *never* be our first option offensively, and he should *not* lead the team in minutes, much less the league. 30 minutes a night of a Jack that focuses on shutdown defense and taking open threes is the best version. Iron-Man Gunning Jack should be in our rearview mirror as soon as possible.

6. Jamal Crawford

While I didn't love the trade that brought him here, Jamal Crawford looks to be a strong sixth man for us: scoring, playmaking and spunk is not a bad combo. He's like Stephen Jackson without the defense: an All-Star that ain't, but it makes for a dandy third guard. 25-30 minutes a night would suffice, as I really don't like the idea of him and Jack on the floor together for long stretches.

7. Kelenna Azubuike

Buike continues to be solid, and if he's your second guy off the bench, that speaks well for your depth. Ideally Nellie finds a way to get him around 25 minutes a game.

8. Ronny Turiaf

Perfect for his role. He could maybe play a few more minutes than he does, but he fouls too frequently to ever be anything resembling a starter.

9. Anthony Morrow

Hard to know what this guy is. He could still be good -- could potentially rise on this list. I don't think he merits more minutes than Crawford or Azubuike as things stand.

10. C.J. Watson

A fine reserve guard. I think CJ gets a bad rap, and in fact I think there's an argument that he should be ahead of Morrow on the depth chart. Having said that, he shouldn't be playing over most of our guards. I'd be down to see him 15 minutes a night, whenever our ball-handling gets dicey.

11. Anthony Randolph

This guy is fun to watch, and like everyone here, I'm intrigued by his potential. Let's also keep in mind -- he currently sucks. Rebounds well, blocks some shots, has a smooth handle, but he plays like a chicken with its head cut off, and there's no particular reason why we should want that. Brandan Wright is currently a better player in every way that matters; Randolph can probably lead a fast break more smoothly than Wright, but does anybody really want to watch Randolph leading fast breaks right now?

Randolph is a fine play in garbage time, or, maybe occasionally, as a brief change of pace. He should not be a part of our regular rotation. There's a good argument, in fact, for sending him down to the D-League. I think being around Nellie might be more important than the in-game experience he'd get down there, but the point is, Randolph playing significant NBA minutes isn't great for him or us. We don't want him learning bad habits, and we don't want to suck. It's time Nellie sat on this guy a little bit.

12. Marco Belinelli

Might currently be a bit better than Randolph, but has less potential and is buried deeper, considering the composition of the team. He's shown no real indication that he deserves more than garbage time.

------

Monta, Jack, Maggette, Wright and Biedrins is a credible starting lineup, and Crawford/Azuibuike/Turiaf is a fine trio off the bench. This team is not hurting for talent. Nellie just needs to adjust to the realities on the ground. Biedrins and Wright should be playing alongside one another, no matter how much that crimps Nellie's usual style, no matter how many wacky guards they displace. Stephen Jackson is a complementary player, and he should get minutes and responsibilities that reflect that.

I still like this team. But Nellie needs to steer it better. Here's hoping tonight's game made him more aware of that.

That's my take on our roster, from best to worst. What do other folks think?

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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+1, great post!

My version:

1. Monta Ellis-If he is healthy, I don’t think you can argue that anyone on the Warriors is better than Monta.
2. Andris-Straight up beast. Tries hard every night, and doesn’t complain.
3. Maggs- Agree with everything you said about Maggettee.
4. Kelenna Azubuike-Consistently solid, nothing more to say. I like him coming off the bench.
5. Jamal Crawford- A very seasoned veteran that should help our team.
6. Brandan Wright-Agree with everything you said, he should be starting.
7. Stephen Jackson-A good role player, but not one of my favorites on the team. I think that Jack does more things that hurt us than help us.

Ideal Starting Lineup:
Pg-Crawford-35 mins per
Sg-Jack-35 mins per
Sf-Maggs-35 mins per
Pf-Wright-25-30 mins per
C-Biedrins-30-35 mins per

Bench:
Azubuike-20 mins per
Turiaf-20 mins per
Randolph-10-15 mins per
Cj-10-15 mins per
Morrow-10-15 mins per

by DuikeBuike on Nov 25, 2008 8:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Biedrins

Leads the league in rebounds per game. End of story. We have been and still are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, without Biedrins, we’re far and away the worst. He’s the only thing keeping that side of basketball afloat and now he’s worked on his offensive game. Unless Monta comes back and starts dishing out 8 assists over 2 turnovers while dropping 40% from 3, Biedrins wins the “best Warrior” hands down.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Nov 26, 2008 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Putting Players in a Position to Succeed

You can rate our players but it really does not help the team and it really is not fair to compair centers to guards etc. The better way to see things is looking what each player can do best when considering your opponent. So far I am unhappy with how the players are being utilized.
1. Beans – you cannot just give it to him in the post. He is much better off the ball or off a quick move.
2. Monte – we’ll see but I think he should be treated as a two guard.
3. Maggs – This guy cannot settle for the jumper from beyond 15 feet. He is turning himself into a below average player when he does this. If someone else is causing havoc, he can make quick moves to the basket to score or get fouled. I do not see him being great on this team.
4. Wright – THIS GUY NEEDS TO PLAY – all he does is make the smart plays and score efficiently. He overuses his length and fouls but this can improve. If he can just get a little stronger, he will be a stud and could be as good as D. West (although a different player).
5. Jackson – could be a good small forward if you play more bigs and let him operate closer to the basket. He tries to do way to much with his handle and is a much better defender than he has shown so far. He moves up the list when you put him in a position to score with less moves and gets closer to the basket.
6. Crawford – let him handle. I love his swagger. Hopefully he can get the ball to move more around the court to get better opportunities.
7. Kaz – he can drive and shoot if it is below 20 feet. He is decent on D.
8. Turiaf – depending on the match-up – get this guy more minutes. He defends and rebounds and knows his limited role on offense.
9. Morrow – another guy that can only succeed off the ball when others are creating havoc.
10. CJ – I like his play in limited minutes. He gets steals and can finish around the basket.
11 – Randolph – plays too many minutes and needs to stay closer the basket. This guy cannot handle the break. But good off the ball defender and active player. Good “energy” for a few minutes off the bench.
12. Marco – another guy that needs more minutes. Stop seeing him as a shooter and start seeing him as a playmaker. Not a point guard but just gets it.

MORE MINUTES: WRIGHT, MARCO, TURIAF
LESS MINUTES: JACKSON, RANDOLPH, MAGGS

by terryteagle on Nov 25, 2008 8:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

+1 terryteagle

by DuikeBuike on Nov 25, 2008 8:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Finally another person

who sees Marco as a playmaker. He can be an extremely effective sixth man if he calms down his shooting stroke a bit. The only thing that is keeping him back is his agility, which can earn him playing time as a perimeter defender and playmaker.

by GoldenBlue on Nov 25, 2008 8:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who Are Our Best Players?

Well, let’s see…Arenas, Jamison, Richardson,Davis…trouble is they can’t be found at game time so we play the replacements.

Till I get free
I live my life in the Walmart
Cholesterol chasin me

by Skeptic con Urquell on Nov 25, 2008 8:23 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

yeah...

arenas really can’t be found at gametime. would you honestly want him on this team. he’ll make 100 million or something in 6 years, hell be lucky to play 100 games. in other words he’s making 1million dollars for each game

by montamazing on Nov 25, 2008 8:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OBAMA AMABO

by Sleepy Freud on Nov 25, 2008 8:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

good post

the team may improve if jackson finally realizes that he’s not the best player on the floor. too bad that won’t happen

by AJC3317 on Nov 25, 2008 9:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

pretty much agree, except

both Wright and Bellinelli are projected too high

and yes, I know where they’re listed

by hardcore on Nov 25, 2008 10:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like Wright

and you are right, he hustles and very consistent. Also he has a signature hook shot that probably no one can reach as Jim Barnett said.

I think Wright is better coming off the bench but we need to play him more.

I will always be your fan JRich. Good Luck

by chili01 on Nov 25, 2008 10:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

i agree with Wright coming off the bench

he should be our initial go to guy with the 2nd team against the oppositions’ 2nd team like Gatling was.

if he’s effective there and if he gains enough bulk over the coming years, move him to a starting position.

by the evil monkey on Nov 26, 2008 10:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

my top few would be:

1) ellis
2) beans
3) crawford
4) mags
5/6) wright/AzB
7) jackson

in that order….jackson is that low just because he is SOOOO inconsistent

by DeepS on Nov 25, 2008 11:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

+1

by Ali luvs monta on Nov 26, 2008 3:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd put CJ in the top 7

as he “surprises” me a lot with a few solid plays here and there. Here are mine:

1. AB
2. Monta
3. CMaggs
4. Crawford
5. KAz
6. Watson
7. Wright
8. Randolph
9. SJax
10. AMorrow
11. Turiaf

the rest are junk (Belly, MWilliams, Kurz)

JR...An All-Time Warriors Favorite!

by MANUTEs BOLs on Nov 26, 2008 10:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

man - uuuuuute?!

cj can barely hold his own bringing the ball up – which is his the primary job, and watched as a Dleaguer started at PG to open the season for us, yet you put him above Jackson, who’s our best defender on the perimeter and one of our leading scorers, and ahead of Turiaf, who is our best defensive post player?

by hardcore on Nov 26, 2008 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

no offense to Andris, who i was one of the few supporters of before Nellie,

but if he’s your best player, you’re in trouble.

and as much as i like watching Monta play, if he’s your 2nd best player, you’re in trouble.

especially on defense.

by the evil monkey on Nov 26, 2008 10:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

This is why we're at 5-9 instead of 9-5

Keep in mind that we’ve played and beaten some pretty bad teams. The Washington loss pretty much cancels out the Blazers win in my book. We’re solidly in the “bad teams” category. We’re hoping that Monta coming back can bring us back to playoff contention, which as you know is middle of the pack with 16 teams going to the playoffs out of 30 total teams. The silver lining is that we’re one of the youngest teams in the league, if not the youngest. Monta & Biedrins are getting better, as evidenced by Biedrins’ improved performance this year. So having them as your best players is not necessarily bad for the long term, but nobody’s going to claim that we’re in contention this year by a long shot.

"No no Nene!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB5DxNl4EB0

by Dubs fan in Boston on Nov 26, 2008 11:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Morrow higher than Watson? All Morrow can do is shot the open shot, and from the past few games, he’s showed us that if his shot isnt falling, he doesnt bring much more to the table, average ballhandler, bad defense, and can’t create for others, however, he CAN rebound quite well for his size which is a plus.

Watson on the other hand has been a pretty good PG in the beginning of the season and has developed some confidence. If we lost within 5 points in all those close games with a CJ running the point, that shows alot about him considering that’s a down grade from last year when we had Baron.

WARRIORS BASKETBALL!!! Patiently waiting for a title...I may be waiting for a long time...

by JustSomeName on Nov 26, 2008 10:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry but looking at ESPN analysis of Crawford I would have to put him more at the bottom

Crawford apparently had the 3rd WORST REBOUND Rate in the league last year behind Damon Jones and the very small Earl Boykins. He also is know to play sub par defense and had one of the worst % of finishing at the rim in the league making only 42.6% of them last year. I don’t know about all of you but I’m scared to add another poor defending, worst rebounders in the league to our squad that seesm to not really compete in those Arenas before he got here. That’s my rant and here’s my rankings.

1. Monta Ellis – Best Finisher in the league, great rebound rate for 6’3" guard, probably the most effecient players in the league and he’s got that icy smooth jumper. Let’s just hope he can still jump because that’s what most of his ability is based upon.

2. Andris Biedrins – Also one of the most efficient players in the league. He might be padding those rebound stats a bit with all the tips to himself on missed put backs but I like his hustle. Plays defense, did I mention I like players that play solid defense? The only thing he could do better in my mind is finish strong, he needs to improve that vertical desperately.

3. Kelenna Azubuike – In my mind he beats out Magette just based on the rebounds he gets us not to mention the ability to consistently close out on shooters the ability to go up strong with tthe best finishers in the league and block their dunk attempt with style. He has the knowledge to know to stick to his game, go to the basket STRONG finish and once this kid starts getting a little RESPECT in this league like the aformentioned Maggette you’re going to see a lot of AND1s.

4. Corey Maggette – He gets to the line so much I gotta love it, but I would like to see a better rebound rate and how about trying to actually make some of those crazy ass attempts he throws up trying to draw a foul, needs to take a lesson from Kelenna.

5. Brandan Wright – Rebounds really well, all the length bothers offensive players not to mention the blocks and the ability to get a shot over anyone in the low post with that sweet hook shot, HEY NELSON wake up this guy does 2 things you need on a nightly basis plays defense and rebounds get a clue.

6. C.J. Watson – He hustles plays pretty solid defense rebounds well because he actually boxes out, he’s starting to make better decisions and h

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

by warriorsfiend on Nov 26, 2008 12:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

jackson is too low

he has to be top 3. Wright is too high, if he was the 5th best player he would be starting.

by Agent Zero on Nov 26, 2008 1:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wright should be starting, do you watch the games?

I t would help to have a defensive rebounding time, with high efficeiency scoring helping Biedrins out, but judging by your handle you obviously like high volume, low efficiency scorers.

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

by warriorsfiend on Nov 26, 2008 1:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs