Drafting based on Nelson's system and who he will play (Part 2)

by Hac Man on Jun 13, 2008 12:47 PM PDT Comment 53 comments

In my first draft post, I discussed compatibility with the current Warriors core (Ellis and Biedrins), I want to mix in a few clues based on Don Nelson's system. Don, while a brilliant coach, has been around long enough and grown cantakerous enough, that he's got some pretty set patterns that can be identified. He is well-known for his antipathy towards rookie big men, but that didn't stop him from playing Webber or Nowitski (or lesser-known big men like Chris Gatling and Tyrone Hill). He more or less pioneered the point forward position in the NBA, For Nelson's offense, you need a big man who can:

- hit an outside shot (at least from 12-18 feet) - key if this player will play alongside Biedrins/Wright
- be able to bring the ball up after getting a defensive rebound, so some skill at dribbling and handling the rock
- play one on one defense - Nelson teams end up giving up a lot of points, but that's partly due to his insistence on players trying to single-guard their man (emphasis on "trying to")
- move without the ball and within the flow of the offense/good basketball IQ
- quick feet (see one-on-one defense and moving without the ball)
- prove yourself in practice and keep improving
- doesn't need to be coddled/mentally tough

Nelson isn't afraid to bury someone on the bench no matter how high the draft position. Case in point: Patrick O'Bryant. He never got out of Nelson's doghouse even though he might have been the answer to some of the Warriors defensive problems (or at least 6 more fouls a game) even though he showed flashes in certain games. From Nelson's various blunt comments about him as well as some pre-draft negative reports, the best guess is that he never really showed a passion for the game or worked to improve his existing skillset.

Nelson is also from the old school of coaching in that he's more tough love than good buddy, and if anything, has gotten more so in the years since Webber prima-donna'd him out of Golden State. It makes for great quotes in the media, but Nelson's mental games means that if a player needs a soft touch, he won't get it here. So Mullin needs to make sure that he drafts someone who is mentally tough enough to deal with with Nellie calling him out in the press, yo-yo minutes, etc. If the player was coddled in college (like by Lute Olson or Rick Barnes), they're in for a rude awakening coming to the W's.

Nelson's pickiness about his big men is also based on his offensive system. As players who have played under Nelson have attested, its a free-wheeling system that doesn't rely on a lot of set plays, It demands players to be aware of their position and spacing on the court at all times. A big man who stations himself at the low post just gums up the motion that Nelson loves to run. Biedrins can play in the system because he has learned to move around the court in the context of the Nelson offense and not stand 3 feet from the basket. Its not enough just to be mobile, you have to be intelligent enough to read the other players around you to get in the "right" position and spacing.

From a guard standpoint, I'm going to submit another theory: Nelson doesn't need true point guards to run his offense. He has had good point guards, but only Steve Nash can be considered a true 1. His other top PGs, Baron and Tim Hardaway, were both scoring points. Nelson *does* need guards who can create their own shot if the motion offense and passing doesn't uncover an open shooter and the shot clock is winding down. Hardaway and Davis both have plenty of that ability. Ellis is a work in progress in creating his own offense. His current strength is at taking the pass and then doing something with it. His slight build means that against people who defend him physically, he resorts to the jumpshot, and if the defender is good, they also know that as well. If we do draft a guard, that guard needs to have:

- the ability to create his own shot
- ball handling skills
- passing skills (third on the list intentionally)
- 3 point range
- can finish in traffic (moreso because Ellis' build limits him to a certain extent)

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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While Baron and Hardaway were point guards who scored a bunch, they were certainly top notch initiators. They’re true 1’s in that they have the ball handling abilities and passing/court vision to get the ball to the right guy. Their scoring was a plus, but both could and did flourish with their ability to set people up. It’s not like they were 2-guards playing the point, but were/are point guards who, in addition to handling the rock and getting assists, could also put points on the board. Nash wasn’t exactly without his scoring punch either. He put up mid to high teens scoring averages in Dallas under Nellie.

I think the interesting case for what Nellie tries to do was the year after Nash left when Nellie had to change gears with Jason Terry, who is something of a combo guard. It was different from what Nellie had to work with before. No one could confuse Terry with John Stockton and they did see a decline in scoring and an increase in turnovers when Nash left. They continued to play at a high level as this decline wasn’t huge and, importantly, their defense stepped up and more than compensated for this.

I agree that any guard we get has to be able to shoot, but I’m not as convinced that this means someone we’d rely on with the 3 point shot. Hudson wasn’t a good match, even before his injury retirement because he was a low percentage shooter and, given the problem we have with rebounds, that’s real costly. Nellie did real well for a year here with Avery Johnson was running things. Johnson had a three point shot that rivaled Adonal Foyle at that range, but his overall FG% was pretty good because he knew his shot and stuck with it. This team is in love with the 3, but I’m not as convinced that it’s Nellie’s preference such that he’s looking for guys to do this as much as, given the cast he has, it’s how they’re best able to score much of the time. Nellie’s teams have never come close to this volume of threes before. Different guys for Nellie in the past has meant a different tweak on the system.

Your points about what he looks for in a big man are spot on. There’s no use in getting another benchwarmer and I suspect that someone Nellie won’t play some available at #14 isn’t going to be someone who will be much use under another coach either when Nellie retires.

by jae on Jun 13, 2008 2:24 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

clarification of guard theory

I was postulating that Nelson’s offense doesn’t need a true passing-type point guard, I would agree that it is definitely better with one. There is also a dependency on whether Nelson has someone who can play a point forward position, which would then allow the guards to not have to initiate the offense. SJax does a passable job as a point forward, although I wouldn’t want him to initiate the offense 90% of the time.

Nellie definitely does tweak his system based on the personnel available. Your citation of Avery was interesting. He was brought in as a stopgap since Hardaway tore his ACL prior to the season starting. While he didn’t have much of a shot, he was also in a lineup that included Latrell Sprewell, Chris Webber, and Chris Mullin, who took up the scoring load for the team. If you look at the average assists on that team, you will see that while Avery led the team with 5.3 asst/g, Mullin averaged 5.1 and Sprewell averaged 4.7, which to me indicates that Nellie’s system supports initiation of offense from as many positions as possible.

I think this Warrior team relies on 3 point shooting more than past Nelson offenses because of the rules changes as well as the personnel. Because teams can and do run more exotic defenses now, with zones and such, it actually creates more open looks for 3 point shooters than in the past when the NBA was exclusively man-to-man. Nelson has tweaked his motion offense to spread the floor more to take advantage of that, so Davis can penetrate, collapse the defense and then dish to an open 3 point shooter.

by Hac Man on Jun 13, 2008 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All our post are old and Boring what happened, someone Filtering peoples Blog Free Speech Gone!!!!!

....

You have been issued a warning.

Please move your recent FanPost to a FANSHOT > CHAT. In the future if you would like to post a FanPost please make it substantive and well-researched. Thanks! —-—-—-—-—-——"Ron Artest? Where are you? Yi you coming to the bay? Hey guys I was hoping to find out if anyone had any information on the warriors acquiring Ron Artest? Do you guys think our management would have a bid for Artest. It would help rejoin Harrington and Jackson and his intensity is great appreciated on the court. And for Yi we know his agents want him in the Bay, but is that enough for the warriors to get him and to help our team get a championship. Ron Artest and YI would be a great addition to the warriors. Artest alone is enough for me. All us fans have been rooting for him to come to the BAy. So what do you guys think? And this is not a poll post but comment post on what the fans think and any information related to the topic can be added. "

In order to continue participating on Golden State Of Mind you must acknowledge your warning by pressing the OK button below.

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
????

Whats going on with this website it changed big time. No more open Bloq, its become corporatized and I wonder who’s making all the money. I’ve notice alot of the post are old posts and very boring posts…what happen to the original Golden State of Mind?

Where are you guys????

To much marketing and advertising this site is going down hill….

sorry This might be eliminated for free speech

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:31 PM PDT reply reply

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
and!!!!

After they integrated this new host I had and I mean I HADDDD to agree to the new website when the old one was fine??

Bloggers beware our free speech is now down the drain and I wonder why, where are the originals of GSOM!!!!

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:33 PM PDT reply reply

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:34 PM PDT reply reply actions actions 0 recs
Ill be gone soon

Ill be gone soon bc of people using this site to market and eliminate what Golden State of Mind has become a fan site not a commercial enterprise!!!!!!!!!

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:35 PM PDT reply reply

by goldenstatewarriors on Jun 17, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Warning

Please move your recent FanPost to a FANSHOT > CHAT. In the future if you would like to post a FanPost please make it substantive and well-researched. Thanks!
That’s nothing new, always required something lengthy to say to make a fanpost.
The site is just about the same as it was, same old group of misfits. Give it another try.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jun 17, 2008 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waaaaaahhhh!!!

I wanted to make a diary!!!!

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 18, 2008 7:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wright has a jump shot though. There’s a difference between not using one and not having one. I think the Warriors should look instead for a guard, like Rush or CDR. Whatever, I’ll just judge their pick afterwards, because a lot of things can happen in between.

by belilaugh on Jun 13, 2008 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that was my comment

according to janny hu, wright is expanding his range as well…

the stop calling him "beans" movement

by pervisNeverNervous on Jun 13, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

I fanshotted that one because I was extremely surprised he was working on trailing 3s.

by belilaugh on Jun 13, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

does it really matter who we get in the draft

our coach will still be nellie and he doesnt know what a bench is or what a rookie is. as long as nellie is head coach talking about draft picks are pretty useless

by gswLLBatman on Jun 14, 2008 9:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

keep in mind that:

B-Wright was anorexicly thin at the start of last year and was also hurt during the bulk of summer league and preseason.

Belinelli started the season ice cold and was adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA.

Nellie will play rookies if he deems them to be ready by his standards. C-Webb averaged over 30 minutes a game as a rookie under Nellie and they didn’t even get along.

Even if they don’t get to play initially, people can talk about the longer term potential of prospects. That’s the fun of the offseason besides free agency.

by misterjennings on Jun 14, 2008 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

to say Nellie WONT play rookies simply because of our experience the last two years is ignorant. POB wasnt worth a crap and didnt work in practice. Bellinelli didnt show much outside of his one amazing summer league game. Wright was very young and light, you could argue he couldve seen a little more court time, but when it comes down to it I’ll trust Nellie’s judegement over anyone on here’s.

by sam23 on Jun 15, 2008 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

rookies

Nelson has always been hard on rookies. But i agree that you can’t just say that Nelson won’t play them. Sprewell was a 24th pick back in the day yet started the majority of the season in his rookie year (i know that’s going pretty far back, but it still supports the arguement).

I pray i never have to use a gun again...

...unless i'm at a strip club parking lot...

...and somebody tries to run me over with their car...

...But how often does that happen??

by ssmokinjoe on Jun 18, 2008 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A good shooter or a good rebounder

Nellie ball relies on fast breaks and mis-matches. We get clobbered on the boards because Nellie doesn’t have any really good big men to play other than Beans. However, playing big men, per se, doesn’t always help because we take so many 3’s it is virtually impossible for a big man to even get under the basket to do traditional rebouding. So, in theory, Nellie should draft the best shooter possible (even at 14) because the more shots that go in, the less need for rebounding. It would be great to get a good shooter and a good rebounder, but as long as Nellie is the coach, go with the higher percentage shooter.

Now, if Mulin is thinking post-Nellie, which I had hoped would be this upcoming season, then he might force the issue and draft someone who doesn’t fit the Nellie mode; or, try to move up to draft Love or even Lopez. As of tonight, Draft Express has us drafting Donte Green, who at least last year took too many threes and made far too few (actually he’d fit in great). However, he has a lot of other things going for him in that he is an oversized 3 who could replace Jax in two years if he lived up to his potential. To me that is not a bad pick at 14 and better than Rush who Draft Express rates to go at 15. He wouldn’t play a lot but might be a solid NBA. At least with Green we wouldn’t have any illusions when he rode the bench but hopefully not nearly as much as POB, who never really had a chance under and with Nellie.

Since we don’t expect Nellie to change his style, in spite of what he’s publically said, it would be great if we got a decent defensive coach on the squad and Nellie made a serious effort to reign in the 3’s. Drafting Green might be a good start to begin emphasising defense and disclipline (less threes, less turnovers, better passing, etc). Do I think any of that will happen? Sadly, no. But at this point, we can stil have hope.

CWebb is undoubtedly the answer but I forgot the question.

by commish on Jun 14, 2008 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

defensive rebounding

was a vital weakness that needs to be addressed. It doesn’t matter if we make or miss 3’s. Fact is, teams out there routinely have 2-3 big guys crashing the offensive glass against our small lineup giving them 2nd chance scoring opportunities.

Beans and B-Wright are our best rebounders because of their length and mobility but they get overmatched physically by strong, physical bigs like Boozer. And this is not only the case for rebounds. Interior man to man defense is also a weakness because the Dubz do not have a physically imposing big man.

Donte Green is a younger Harrington but probably even more inconsistent because of his age. We need to draft a strong dude to hold it down inside on the glass and on D because it’s apparent Harrington isn’t that guy.

by misterjennings on Jun 14, 2008 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Donte is not Harrington

I agree with you that we need a strong PF but who would we get at 14 unless we move up to draft Love, Randolph, or even Brooks at C ? Any big man at 14 will ride Nellie’s bench or be down in the D-League as we know from watching POB and Kosta last year. Anyway, Green’s best upside, according to Draft Express, is Rashard Lewis and worst case is Dermarr Johnson. I really don’t get that comparasion but what do I know. Green is very raw but my point was if we are in a development mode, Green might be a very good SF in two to three years, at least for someone who is available in a weak draft at 14. Same could be said for Randolph if he slipped to 14.

CWebb is undoubtedly the answer but I forgot the question.

by commish on Jun 15, 2008 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Donte is the same type of forward

He’s a SF/PF who has some athleticism to him who takes bigger defenders outside by shooting a 3 point shot, and can go inside from time to time, but doesn’t seem to like to, especially late last season. That type of description applies to both Harrington, and to Lewis. If his ceiling is considered Rashard Lewis, then I’d definitely have second thoughts about getting him, because Lewis put up some good numbers in Seattle, but needed a big guy next to him (Howard) to really bring his game to the next level. We don’t have anyone who can provide that sort of support for someone like Greene.

by Hac Man on Jun 15, 2008 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wait...

lewis played worse this past year along side howard than he did in seattle. it might have just been having another talented wing that limited him, but turkoglu’s game seemed like it could have meshed well with his. playing with howard should have helped him by drawing double teams and giving him open perimeter shots, but that isn’t what happened. as far as greene goes, if being another rashard lewis is his ceiling, at the 14th pick, that sounds like a potential steal. unfortunately, he seems like a project who would be buried on nellie’s bench for at least a year. i’d personally deal the pick down a few spots or out entirely in order to get a veteran who would get minutes. the warriors need bench help and dropping from 14 to 17-20 is a much smaller drop, talentwise, than dropping from say a 4 to 7-10. mullin shouldn’t be afraid to trade down.

by cap'n hack on Jun 16, 2008 1:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any chance?

the lakers continue to completely flop tonight and decide they need a little toughness next year, and Odom isnt a good fit at the 3 full time? Jack for Odom swap? Theres not a guy in the league who would be a better fit here than Odom.

by sam23 on Jun 15, 2008 9:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Odom can't shoot the 3

which is why the Lakers have been substituting him out when they need more shooters on the floor. He has monster games against the Warriors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he would be a great fit for our team.

by Hac Man on Jun 15, 2008 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's a very good rebounder

and can bring the ball up the floor. He’s not as good of a shooter as Al, but I dont know that thats really necessary. He’s way more dynamic.

by sam23 on Jun 15, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His shooting range is certainly big enough

He’s a bigger body than Al and passes better. The positives far outweigh the negatives. Though we will have to bring in another 3pt specialist unless Belinelli matures. Something like a Robert Horry/James Posey type would be ideal.

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 16, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not a guy in the league who would be a better fit here than Odom.

You mean cause he’s a loser?

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jun 15, 2008 10:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

are you serious?

What forward fits Nellie Ball better than Odom?

by sam23 on Jun 15, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Er

That LeBron dude? Last I checked he could haul his 245 lbs down the court half-decent, and even handle and shoot the rock a little.

We’d have ask Nellie himself to be sure, but I suspect he’d rather have —

LeBron
Nowitzki
Garnett
Duncan (if you can call him a forward)
Boozer
AK-47
Bosh
JSmooth
Sheed
Matrix
Aldridge (possibly)

— than Lamar Odom. The only guys on that list who play a traditional, slug-ish post position are Duncan and Boozer. I think he’d still take them over Odom, as would 99% of Warriors fans.

I like Odom’s game a lot, and agree that he’d be a nice fit here, but his propensity to take games off and get injured would worry me. As long as we’re fantasizing, why not fantasize about LeBron? Imagine a 2011 front line of Wright-James-Biedrins…? Sigh.

Sign ^^^^ !!!

by Sleepy Freud on Jun 15, 2008 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

why stop there?

how about an amare, josh smith, lebron front line? but yeah, odom, if it could be done on the cheap, would be great. not going to happen, but it’s the offseason, we may as well discuss “if only trades.” kg is boston, pau is a laker, troy murphy answered all those pacer fans prayers (obvious joke, no need for the obligitory post following to ask if i am serious), “if only” trades can happen, so let’s just assume one will.

just don’t carry it to the regular season.

by cap'n hack on Jun 16, 2008 1:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!

You asked for it…

I’m with you. Lets try to look at marginally attainable players Sleepy. Of those you listed, I see these as legit options:

AK-47
Sheed
Matrix

The others are untouchable and/or going to NY/LA for their Nike contract bonuses. Of those three, I’d go with Sheed.

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 16, 2008 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously unrealistic.

I was looking at the question as “what forwards are the best fits for Nellieball” in the abstract sense. In my free moments, I do like to fantasize about LeBron playing for Nellie. Can’t a guy dream?

If the question includes the “semi-realistically attainable” clause, yeah, I’d probably go something like:

Sheed
Marion
AK-47
Odom
Artest

Unfortunately, given their salaries, even these guys are stretching the definition of “semi-realistic.”

Sign ^^^^ !!!

by Sleepy Freud on Jun 16, 2008 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i shouldve included semi attainable

my bad, but thats what I meant Marion would be a better fit, but I’d take Odom over the rest. AK47’s defense would be nice, but Odom is a better rebounder, passer, ball handler and all around offensive player. I like Sheed but he is pretty old….cant see that as more than a one year experiment.

by sam23 on Jun 16, 2008 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about two years?

that’s how long sheed’s contract lasts and i don’t see the wheels totally falling off after next year for him. he and matrix would be at the top of my “if everything plays out perfectly, we might be able to bring them to the bay and it would be great” list.

that is a long title for a short list.

by cap'n hack on Jun 16, 2008 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

also,

can i just say how happy i am to see a discussion about how it would be nice to bring a GOOD player to the dubs? we have had three separate discussion topics recently about javaris crittenton, kwame brown and yi jianlian. dreadful, just dreadful.

by cap'n hack on Jun 16, 2008 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know he's 250, but...

I don’t know if I count Artest as a PF… though he would definitely be an improvement over TMNT and Nellie would use him as a PF.

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 17, 2008 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhh

So there I was in the sun yesterday playing hoops at the local park pick up game and someone mentioned GSoM. They said it sucks because it’s made up of 16-21 year olds who don’t know crap about basketball. I had to disagree and tell them to read the posts and comments. This post displays the kind of thought that goes into this site. Keep’em coming because it’s a long way until the beginning of the season. Also, to the true die hards out there on GSoM, going outside breathing the fresh air, feeling the sun on your back, sweating because you just drained another jump shot on someone feels great. Get out and enjoy the Bay! It will clear your mind I’m sure.

by gabezgsw on Jun 15, 2008 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I don’t nearly fall into the category of 16-21 y/o but it’s a nice comment you’ve made. I’m a diehard weekend warrior that can often show up these faster more athletic youngsters using a good mid-range jumper and quick 1st step. but as soon as Jae can come to any realization of what I’m saying to him in another diary, I can go back to practicing the 3-man game with my boys (and spend a little less time on GSoM).

by oldskool on Jun 15, 2008 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, to the true die hards out there on GSoM, going outside breathing the fresh air, feeling the sun on your back, sweating because you just drained another jump shot on someone feels great.

Ha, I’m feeling the sun on my back installing a new roof on my house, I’d rather be in a bar with a cold one.!

by Skeptic con Urquell on Jun 15, 2008 11:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yep, i'm stuck inside writing posts like this

because i have to keep an eye on the kids. I’d much rather be out shooting hoops like you.

by Hac Man on Jun 15, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just throwing a name out there

Nicolas Batum is slowly but surely falling on draft boards. Last year, he was projected as a top 8ish pick .. he’s really really really talented and I think he would be a player worth looking at.

by pree on Jun 15, 2008 9:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Batum is a talent

but we have to make sure that if we do get him, he doesn’t get taken under the wing of Air France.

by Hac Man on Jun 16, 2008 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"The wing of Air France."

Very elegant use of metaphor. Props.

I had totally forgotten about Batum — thanks for the reminder, Pree. For better or for worse, he does seem like a prototypical Warrior, doesn’t he? Crazy athletic, loaded with “potential,” a little too skinny, a little ditzy and undisciplined…

Meh, whatever. I’m a total sucker for upside. Let the Air France Part Deux Mouvement begin!

Sign ^^^^ !!!

by Sleepy Freud on Jun 16, 2008 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was going more for cheesy drum roll

but i’ll take it.

by Hac Man on Jun 16, 2008 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ba-dum-CHING!

by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 17, 2008 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

1st or 2nd round?

I dont think a guy who reminds many of Pietrus is worth the 14. I do like the very little I’ve seen of him though.

by sam23 on Jun 16, 2008 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's much better than MP (upside wise)

MP came out of France with a reputation for flash – this kid has a rep of just being a great player. He isn’t nearly as glitzy as MP was when he came out.

I swear, last year, he would have been a top 10 pick easily. Stock really fell this year because of all the fab freshman from this past college season.

by pree on Jun 16, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think the freshman class was the only factor.

Gallinari’s stock has risen in the past year or so.

Batum didn’t have a great year by all reports. He sort of had the same motivational problems he always had which lead to inconsistency.

He was a lotto pick because of one game last year: the Nike Hoop Summit where he balled against guys like Beasley, Mayo, Bayliss, and Rose. His stock couldn’t have been higher as he excelled against America’s top amateur talent.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

by kenntoe on Jun 17, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Drafting based on Nelson's system and who he will play

A couple of weeks ago, Nellie was being interviewed on KNBR by Tolbert and the other guy. When asked about who he likes, he specifically noted that he has/had someone targeted in the 08’ NBA draft.

Now, I’m going to try and give a couple names and reasons for who i think it was he was alluding to.

I’m going to make this easier and disqualify a couple of guys.

~~Derrick Rose~~
~~Michael Beasley~~

These two guys are legitimate Tier 1 players whom teams don’t normally trade.

~~Jerryd Bayless~~

Very reminiscent to what Monta Ellis does.

Now to the guys who I highly doubt he was referring to.

OJ Mayo

I think he’d be a perfect fit next to Monta in the backcourt. Unfortunately I see him going to Minnesota at 3, or Memphis at 5th overall. Miami seems to be very high on him and if they offer Beasley for OJ Mayo + Assets, I really don’t see how the Warriors could top that deal.

Brook Lopez

The Warriors need a big body, but I think they’re more inclined to take a bigman who rebounds well, play the post, and shoot from the outside. There is a specific player in mind…

Eric Gordon

Supreme scorer, but i just don’t see Nelson trading up to nab him. I think he’ll be more NBA ready than Bayless, Westbrook and Augustin, but he duplicates a lot of what the Warriors already have.

Now that we got that out of the way….Here are the top possible players I believe Nellie was referring to.

Kevin Love

The guy should be a great role playing starter/Glue guy that all good teams have. He rebounds great, has a post game, intelligent, High IQ, passes, spreads the floor…He’s a great change of pace to what the Warriors have in AB, and BW.

Danilo Gallinari

If you think about it, Gallinari really is a Nellie type of player. He’s supposed to be an offensive wizard with a high IQ. Has skills all over the board. Plays the point-forward role for Milano. He’s Billy Owens 2.0, but hopefully minus the sucktitude.

Anthony Randolph

Ok, so i doubt he would be referring to Randolph, but the more I read about him, the more he intrigues me. He’s been compared to Chris Bosh, mainly because of his length and frame. But i see him more as a Tayshaun Prince or Lamar Odom type player. A Perfect Nellie Player! He can board, bring the ball down the court, pass to an open player or take it to the rack. It doesn’t hurt that he’s 6’10’‘-6’11’’ with a 7’+ foot wingspan. He needs to work on his perimeter shot, but just imagine the blanket style defense we could throw out there with him and BW out there patrolling the wing and paint respectively. He’s my dark horse.

Russell Westbrook

Just because Pree dropped some hints that the Warriors are intrigued by Westbrook. He looks like he could be a good wing defender. I hope he develops a consistent jumpshot however. I don’t think the Warriors would trade up for Westbrook anyway. Just a gut feeling.

Kosta Koufos

He’s Chad Ford’s selection for the Warriors at 14. I can understand the selection. He has great size and wingspan to play the center position. He can hit the midrange shot and would be a nice change of pace big to BW and AB. He also has some post (albeit predictable) moves down low. Not a great man defender, but a decent weakside defender. I wouldn’t hate this selection.

Brandon Rush

He’d be great value with the 14th overall selection if he’s still there. He can come in and play right away (or so is being reported). He’s a plus defender and plus outside shooter. Not as high potential as Donte Greene does, but I don’t think we can argue that it’d be nice for the Warriors to select a player who’d actually see some time on the court in 09’.

Alright guys (and ladies), that’s my ramble post for the night. Tell me what you think.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

by kenntoe on Jun 18, 2008 12:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

would you do this?

according to espn, rumor has it that the Cavs and Dubs are talking trade about Varejao and their 19th pick for Wright. I think its very interesting.

99% of rumors are just talk aha

by Spee-D on Jun 19, 2008 2:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Anthony Randolph

He has a pretty good mid range jumpshot

by gWARRlORSs on Jun 19, 2008 9:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Get Beasley

Trade TPE, Monta, Biedrins, No. 14 for No. 2, Haslem, and Banks.

by dhp318 on Jun 24, 2008 7:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Impossible, even if we wanted it to happen.

by jae on Jun 24, 2008 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops

its not possible anymore to sign biedrins/ellis before the draft is it…

fine, how about….

TPE, Brandan Wright, No. 14, Al Harrington for No. 2 and Marcus Banks or some other crappy contract?

by dhp318 on Jun 24, 2008 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So we get a pick that looks to be a potential franchise player and a competent backup pointguard in Banks in exchange for a mediocre forward and a pick that has a better than even money chance of being worthless to accompany Wright?

The TPE isn’t a “thing” that we can send their way. It’s only a tool if they want to send us much more salary than we send to them to help with their cap problems. They actually aren’t in terrible cap shape, so unless they’re really itching to push Blount out the door, that isn’t going to be an issue. Since Harrington and Wright make about as much as Blount and Banks, the TPE doesn’t get used here. Miami doesn’t “get” it and don’t shed salary.

The Heat would really have to think that Wright was going to be a player to look at that trade without rolling on the floor. Harrington is cap baggage for a team rebuilding. He’s not an enticement to give up Beasley. Unless they think Wright is better than Beasley (and I doubt they do) then they politely say no thanks, but we only consider trades that aren’t ridiculous.

by jae on Jun 24, 2008 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs