Rookie Play and Potential....

by Jagz8 on Mar 3, 2008 11:58 AM PST

Watching the past couple games I have noticed how well Brandan Wright has played for a rookie with his size, athleticism, and speed. I wonder if Nellie knew what he had all along and was saving him to work longer on the little things before getting a look during games. He looks like a potentially really good PF in our system and gives us that long lanky size underneath that we need. This leads me to wonder if he will be the starting PF for the W's next season? I wonder if they will look to move Al in the offseason....

They will seemingly lose Pietrus, O'Bryant, and probably Croshere in the offseason, so would trading Al for draft picks or something be beneficial, while letting Wright play more???

Which brings me to Bellinelli, I think he is a project like POB was, he is not yet ready to contribute, but may be that sharpshooter we need off the bench to spark offense. I would like to see him get more looks for like 3-4 minutes in the 2nd quarter, just to see where he is at. Potentially I think he will end up being a 2008 Sarunas Marcioliunas...

Let me know what you guys 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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read that

http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_8435635

by saintdee on Mar 3, 2008 12:36 PM PST reply actions

Wright & Harrington

This kid is really good. Good defender but need to be stronger. He looked tired after 10 minutes and started fouling. Harrington is a slow defender.

GS will not realize the savings from Foyle till 2010, so I think Harrington will be traded next year to sign Ellis and Biedrins. I will be happy to get a draft pick and an expiring contract for Harrington. They should have traded him before the deadline to open the cap space next year.

by roadster on Mar 3, 2008 12:41 PM PST reply actions

no

we shouldn't have. Al is part of the team chemistry. It would have demoralized the team immensely if Al was traded away for nothing. Though I do think Al is making too much for what he is producing.

by saintdee on Mar 3, 2008 12:44 PM PST up reply actions

asdf

He looked tired at 10 minutes and started fouling? Uh, please explain what game you were watching. The only foul I can think of he made after 10 minutes was the one where there was a scramble on the floor and nobody was back and he tried to block a dunk, hardly a fatigue foul. Further more, I don't remember ever seeing a fatigue foul in ANY game from Wright, so I have no idea where you get that from.

It's not that Al is a slow defender, he's just not a great defender, much like most of the Warriors. Also Ellis and AB will be resigned, resigning both of them isn't going to hinge on whether Al is traded or not, 99.9% chance both are back with the team next year, barring a team throws a max extension at one of them, which is about as likely as MP2 and POB being back next year. Also it's completely ridiculous to think about shipping him out in the middle of a playoff race for nothing, unless you're going to replace his skill set, it would be utterly retarded.

Why would you be happy to get a draft pick and an expiring? I don't know about you but the Dubs can't be continually rebuilding by shipping out vets and replacing them with draft picks and expirings. If the Warriors are going to trade Al they need to bring in somebody who can legitimately shoot the 3 ball. Incase you haven't noticed, we jack up more 3's than anybody in the league and the only real good long ball shooter we have is Al, one of the best in the league infact.

Atleast think a little before you type next time.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Mar 3, 2008 1:14 PM PST up reply actions

Amen

Wright's strength, and even his conditioning, will prevent him from helping the warriors in some games. I didn't see much evidence last night that he was exhausted but in the game against Atlanta I don't think he recorded a point or rebound in his last 8 minutes after getting 8 pts. and 8 boards in his first 19 minutes.... there's no denying his lack of experience and strength make him a poor defensive player at this point, though he can block shots and rebound (unlike anyone thats healthy right now).

Considering his role on this team, i think its safe to say that Al is overpaid. But as JRich4MVP said, if you trade Al you need to bring in a different PF/C that can hit the 3. I would say a player that passed well and could also hit a midrange J would work too, but good luck aquiring either one of those types for Harrington. Bigmen that are skilled offensively are the most sought-after players in this league.

Off the top of my head, the only "available" guys who could come in and improve our D and rebounding while also providing something on offense, in this system, are Brand, Marion, AK-47, Jamison, and Josh Smith. Each of those players is either a FA or has been rumored to be traded recently. BUT all of those players have some flaws (Marion at center? smith chucking up 3's? jamison's D?) and are also basically unobtainable, unless the warriors part with more than just TMNT. In short, the 3-pt. shooting and average defense that Harrington gives Nelson are probably underapreciated, because quite frankly only a few players in this league have the outside shooting and size required to fill that roll. Add in the chemistry component, and I don't see Harrington going anywhere anytime soon.

Regarding the Italian, an article was posted in a GSoM discussion recently in which an assistant coach said Belinelli's lack of playing time is because he is a liability defensively. Apparently he never spent much time in the weight room over in Italy, largely because he could rely on natural ability, and his legs and core require more strength and stamina to effectively chase opposing SGs around. There's no telling wether or not he'll ever improve enough to become a rotation player, but if he does than his passing and shooting will be a very welcome addition to this backcourt.

by BingBluNT on Mar 3, 2008 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

You are quite wrong sir.

Foyle's buyout calls for Foyle to be payed $6.4M. This saves the club $3.4M with Foyle receiving the rest in 09-10 which should be around $700K.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

by kenntoe on Mar 3, 2008 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

Marco

Potentially I think he will end up being a 2008 Sarunas Marcioliunas...

Probably more like the 2008 Sarunas Jasikevicius...

by olympicmike on Mar 3, 2008 1:43 PM PST reply actions

asdf

Man, that's hitting below the belt. You mean, dawg.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Mar 3, 2008 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

calm down...

You could tell a real GSW fan cuz they always get heated up over any little comment... Mully and Nelly both new the potential of this guy (Wright) coming out of college. He was our #8 draft pick that everyone at the time thought was a bad move. Now he's playing and everyone is loving him and asking "where the heck did this guy come from?" and "Why haven't we been playing more of him?" Well, Nelly doesn't often give big minutes to his rooks and Wright is only in there cuz Bedreins is out. Like Barnett said last night "it's a blessing in disguise."

by oldskool on Mar 3, 2008 2:11 PM PST reply actions

Bellinelli is soft

You have to wonder if he thought he was going to come here and just be a star by shooting.

If he doesnt get in the weight room and get tough he is done next year.

If I was him I would get a retired NBA mentor and move into his house this summer. Get some NBA knowledge 24 x 7 and learn what NBA toughness is all about.

Dammit Dampier!

by attatt on Mar 3, 2008 5:16 PM PST reply actions

Belli ... a little b-ball IQ please ...

He shouldn't be telling people I'm afraid when guards press me

Rookies learn ...

by soem on Mar 3, 2008 6:27 PM PST reply actions

Ease up!

It's only his first year. Yeah, he has to work on his D, but there is no question he can flat out shoot. I'm sure eventually he will play well enough on D to get some decent minutes. Is he going to be an all-pro? Probably not. But he should fill a role as a sharpshooter off the bench.

by tangel29 on Mar 3, 2008 11:12 PM PST reply actions

Woohoo!!!

With the 18th pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft, the Warriors select:

A guy who's ceiling is Kyle Korver!!! Yay!!!

I'll give him until his contract is up to pass any judgement.

by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 4, 2008 2:17 PM PST up reply actions

first of all

you don't often get a very good player from the 18th spot, and bellinelli has a higher cieling then that. they said he was a very good ball-handler and can create some offense. he just needs to get a little quicker and work on some things. why is everyone so down on this guy.

by travisl212 on Mar 9, 2008 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm actually

hoping that patrick and nellie patch things up cuz i think this guy will end up being a nice player. as for bellinelli, i don't know why people are writing him off like this. Maybe because he was hyped up so much before the season, but he was the 18th pick, give him time.

by travisl212 on Mar 9, 2008 9:53 PM PDT reply actions