Reasons Why The Warriors "Can" Make The Playoffs

by nocal81 on Oct 15, 2009 3:33 PM PDT Comment 104 comments

Not to be overly optimistic i have studied the Warriors roster and the layout of the Western Conference and have come up with multiple reasons why the Warriors can make the playoffs this season/

#1- Talent: It's not like the Warriors roster is void of talent, they have a lot of talent on this team. Monta Ellis is one of the ten most talented guards in the NBA and that is hard to question. Young guns such as Anthony Morrow, Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph promise to improve in 2009-2010 and be major contributors to the team.

#2- Nice Mix Of Athleticism: Curry, Ellis, Buke, Morrow, Maggette and Randolph can all play more then one position giving Nellie many more rotation option

#3- Rebounding: I know this isn't normally one that would be on this list. But With Beans and Randolph starting in the front court i see absolutely no reason why we can't have two double digit rebound performers.

#4- Something To Prove: A lot of Warrior players feel they have something to prove, as a team and as individuals. Monta Ellis was a 2nd round pick, Anthony Morrow and Buke weren't even drafted. There are chips on these players shoulders. Give a talented player more incentive and what you get in the end is a lot more then one' would think.

#5- Who We Compete Against: It's not like the Warriors have to match the likes of the Lakers, Blazers or Spurs. They just need to hover around .500 and steal a couple in the end to squeeze in at the 8th slot. Assuming the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers, Mavericks and Hornets are the first 6 teams in. This leaves two spots for the remaining teams in "contention" These teams being the Suns, Warriors, Clippers, Rockets and Jazz. So the Warriors would actually only have to be better then 3 of the other 4 on that list in order to make the playoffs.

Poll

Do The Warriors Have A Good Shot At Making The Playoffs

YES

219 votes

NO

80 votes

Are You On Crack!!!

99 votes

398 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

i think there might be 5 teams

the grizzlies should be included in that list. It’s a pretty nasty lineup they got: A.I., Mayo, Gay, Z Randolph, Gasol with conley and Thabeet. I mean they shouldn’t be overlooked. But yeah I think we might make the playoffs

It’s probably a 30/70 chance we make it, but hey Dubs vs Lakers first round

OWENS! OWENS! OWENS! OWENS!
- Joe Starkey

by 9ersDubsGiantSharks on Oct 15, 2009 3:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Griz? They suck, dude. Gasol is a solid center and Mayo and Gay are pretty good. The rest of the team? Bleh. No superstars, either. We’re better than they are, I suspect (although we probably won’t match up well with them).

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, a motivated A.I is dangerous and might be an all star this year playing for the Grizz. Randolph is a beast who can avg 20 and 10 on a nightly basis. We always had match problems with the Grizz but it will take an improved Beans and AR to beat the Grizz. I also think the Thunders will be a good team this year. If we can stay .500 then we have a chance, if we start 11-29 then God saves us.

Waaaarroirs

by puffylove on Oct 15, 2009 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Iverson is 34 and was complete garbage last year. He probably has a few more big nights left in him, but in general the biggest “danger” he poses is to NBA rims.

Z-Bo is a 20/10 ballhog who can’t defend his way out of paper bag. He’s also a lard-ass who generally doesn’t keep himself in good enough shape to play a full season. Then again, that may be a good thing for the Grizz.

I mean, people in glass houses, etc… but if we really have to worry about finishing ahead of the Grizzlies, it’s going to be a long season.

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on Oct 15, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AI

Also takes minutes away from Conley and/or Mayo. How can that be good for the Grizz? In my opinion it’s subtraction by addition

"I Would Call It Futbal, but we have the nukes"

by nocal81 on Oct 15, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can someone find out combine winning percentage of Z-bo teams?

Correct me if i’m wrong… no other 20/10 big has a worse once. Typically a 20/10 big is garenteed to guide your team to atleast .500. Z-bo teams are more around .300

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Western Conference Playoff Picture

The Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks, Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Jazz are pretty much locks. Those six teams will more than likely make it. For the final two spots, it’s down to the Suns, Hornets, Warriors and Clippers and maybe even the Thunder, Rockets and Grizzlies.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Oct 15, 2009 3:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Yeah, this is a better break down of the six that will almost surely get in and the teams that are fighting for the last two spots. I was going to write the same comment myself.

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2

agree with your list

by jakarta on Oct 16, 2009 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hornets are a lock to make playoffs

(assuming cp3 doesn’t get hurt of course). That’s is 7 locks. I kind of like houston’s chances at 8 seed even without Yao. Defensively they may be best unit in the league. Brooks, Ariza, Battier, Landry, Scola will make the warriors cry and jack probably get tossed out by halftime

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m rooting for Warriors North and South to make it in.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 16, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

?

The Mavericks go 8 deep at best and the Jazz need another swingman. Who is Williams’ backup again?? Matter of fact if Kirilenko is in foul trouble or injured small forwards will run wild against the Jazz. The Jason Kidd trade was Cuban’s worst roster move ever, if not one of the epically horrible trades in NBA history! I wouldn’t even bet on those teams to get in at all. I call Hornets and Clippers in. The Rockets are headed for the lottery. Without T-Mac they have no scoring from the 2 or 3 they’ll need Scola to average 20 and Landry double double to even get 30 wins

by polar on Oct 18, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t overlook the Thunder and the Grizz, they may make out to be like the Blazers 3-4 years ago.

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

by JustSomeName on Oct 15, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Grizz are meh

I didn’t like there drafting, and trade for Z-dolf? really? AI won’t help oj mayo. rudy Gay is a bit overrated…They could have drafted any pg to compliment mayo, or Harden if they say mayo as a point, but instead went for thabeet who won’t be better than marc gasol

Thunder on otherhand, have a great young core

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

The Thunder completely slipped from my mind. So i would add them to the list. Grizzlies? Still not sold on what they are doing but you could add them as well.

"I Would Call It Futbal, but we have the nukes"

by nocal81 on Oct 15, 2009 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dubs-Lakers

I’ve been predicting a first round upset of the Lakers by the Warriors in 2010 for months now.

…it could happen.

by WheresMyChippy on Oct 15, 2009 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oo a Tim & Eric fan

by Dr. Orpheus on Oct 16, 2009 2:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sold on the jazz

The jazz were the 8th seed last year and barely made it in then got housed by the lakers. They haven’t made any improvements and isn’t harpring retiring? boozer might get traded before the deadline, among other things. I just don’t see them as a lock in the top 6 in the west I see them in the same pic as hornets and suns which is a 6-8 or seed or knocked out.

by FeartheBeard4 on Oct 15, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I see what you're saying

but last year they had major injuries to both D. Williams and Boozer, not to mention Okur being out for a while. They still made the playoffs (and for a while looked like they would be the 3 seed.) I don’t like the long term prospects for the Jazz improving, but they are still one of the better teams in the West and should be expected to make the playoffs.

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I strongly agree. The Jazz are a solid team with fantastic coaching.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deron Williams is also a very, very good player. If he’s healthy all season, they’re a lock to be a decent team.

by Missing Barry on Oct 15, 2009 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most definitely. I love D Will.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I voted no. I definitely think we have a shot at the playoffs, I just think it’s less likely we make it as opposed to more likely….so I don’t think that qualifies as a “good chance”….

by Missing Barry on Oct 15, 2009 5:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Me too. I voted No unless we can pull a major trade and get a really solid small forward or a real beefy PF like Maxwell from Detroit.

Waaaarroirs

by puffylove on Oct 15, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jazz and Hornets are in for sure

I can see the suns team breaking down midseason(Grant,Nash,Amare) so I think were above them and Sac Town cause theres no way we have regressed that badly. Clips are going to be our biggest threat book it. They have so much talent like us but lack the glue like us.
Warriors could make it but our team plays in factions almost. Theres Monta,Buike,Andris then theres Morrow,AR4,Curry those two groups know and trust the people in their group. Nellie needs to find a way to merge them together,hopefully the old man has some kick left.

by Warriorfan on Oct 15, 2009 6:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Were very similar to the We believe team

In the sense that back then we had a 3 play backup small forward (barnes and Maggs) and two small guards with one sometimes off the bench (Curry and Ellis) but were deeper up front then we were back then with Turiaf.

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "Your a rookie"

by dubzfan on Oct 15, 2009 6:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

I think we were better team defense oriented in the we believe year. Baron was a mismatch night in night out, he commanded double team and I dont see neither Curry or Ellis commanding double team. Jackson is our true defender and if he is not motivated to play for us, then his minutes will get reduced. Hopefully, AR can step up this season and have double double every night.

Waaaarroirs

by puffylove on Oct 15, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is debatable

I think it is debatable whether this team or “We Believe” is better for exactly the reasons you two just pointed out. I’m excited to see if this team comes together like that one did with the same (or better?) success.

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It all depends on Randolph, if Randolph can develop, get boards, and more importantly DEFEND OTHER PF’s!! I really liked what I saw on the defensive end from him in the matchup against Amare. If Randolph can bring the defense and rebounding than this team has a different dimension than the we believe team, but the we believe team had more offensive power I think just because baron brought mismatches

by FeartheBeard4 on Oct 15, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Randolph gets good enough to demand double-teams on offense, we will be a very good team. Not until then, IMO. I think we’re just decent until then. I could be wrong, though.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let’s keep in mind the “We Believe” team just barely skated into the playoffs in the last game of the season…

by Missing Barry on Oct 15, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hence the word "can" in the post title

It is certainly not a given that this team makes the playoffs, but “We Believe” was making up for lost time in ‘07, because the trade that brought Jackson and Harrington happened mid season (and Richardson had been injured.) If we are able to compare this team favorably to that one it says good things about this year’s team’s chances of getting a 7th or 8th seed.

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Were very similar to the We believe team

No way, That team had one of the best point guards in the league at that time, an experienced hungry Jrich, Jax and TMNT freed from their pacer shackles, Air France, Barnes fighting to make a name for himself , Dre finally learning how to play and Montay getting up to speed.
Now we got a rookie and a scorer tryin to play point, Montay not sure what to be, Jax pissed, More-O doing more than he should be required to do, BrokenWing broken again and a pile of tired vets and trading fodder on the bench. The only things better than the we believe year is Dre is more experienced, I’z-a -blue-kitty has blossomed, we got a great 6th man in magette and we got Rony and rudolf . Whether the positives can cancel out the negatives remains a good question but no matter what happens we won’t resemble the 07 squad.

Standing on the moon
Where talk is cheap and vision true
Standing on the moon
But I would rather be with you
Somewhere in San Francisco
On a back porch in July
Just looking up to heaven
At this crescent in the sky

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 15, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You tried, but failed to make them sound that dissimilar

Monta’s got something to prove (and looks like he’s ready to prove it,) Curry is only a factor if he’s ready to contribute, Morrow compares well to Pietrus, Dris now is better than Dris then, Randolph now contributes as much or more than Al then, Azubukie isn’t what JRich was then, but he’s not that much of a downgrade, Turiaf is better than Barnes. Maggette isn’t exactly what Jackson was then, but he could contribute as much on the court; the leadership and heart come from elsewhere. Jackson being upset is only a factor if he stays that way and the team lets it be; even without him they compare favorably.

Monta, Randolph, Morrow, and Curry all have something to prove and have put in the work to prepare to prove it. Biedrins and Turiaf are showing strong leadership as well. The heart and hunger and talent are not all in the exact same positions, but in the sense that they are both a team of scrappy, potent, underdogs that have the heart, will, and ability to surprise some people this years team and “We Believe” look a lot alike. If the Warriors get anything positive out of Jackson, Wright, Law, etc. there is a good chance this years team is better than “We Believe.”

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You tried, but failed to make them sound that dissimilar

I don’t have to try to make them sound dis-similiar, Boom makes them dis-similiar. If we had DRon williams we might be closer to being similiar to the 07 team.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 15, 2009 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree. Baron made our team special. Randolph will have to exceed my expectations this season (and my expectations are fairly high) for us to compare favorably to We Believe.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

um...

Deron Williams would make the Warriors nearly unbeatable. That’s much better than “We Believe.” (Hint: in your own description almost every position except point guard has been upgraded since “We Believe.”)

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deron Williams would make the Warriors nearly unbeatable. That’s much better than "We Believe."

Similarity of play has nothing to do with how good we are, we need an excellent big point guard to play similiar to the 07 squad. The boys we have now will have to play different whether they are good or bad.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 15, 2009 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah!

Again we find ourselves in a definitional debate. This time we are using differing definitions of what it means for the teams to be similar. You were going for talent at similar positions resulting in a similar style of play. I was going for similar overall talent level and attitude resulting in a similar result (low playoff seed, with possible magic once they get there.) Also, the reliance on the scoring and scrappy play of the guards as a strength of the team (which isn’t quite the same as your definition) seems to be a similarity that the original poster pointed out.

by toddaverth on Oct 16, 2009 12:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

there's still a significant void

no one has proven he can make the decisions and plays in critical moments. At present, it’s Ellis who will get the ball in those moments, but from what I’ve seen he lacks what I would describe as split focus, that is, certainty in what he needs to do individually while also mindful of all the other players. When the game is tight his assertiveness comes at the price of tunnel vision, and his decisions seem to show plenty of self-confidence, yet the actual execution, tentative. The players in preseason who’ve impressed me with this split focus are Biedrins and Curry, but of course the former doesn’t have the talent of Ellis and can’t hit free throws in crunch time, and the latter is a complete tyro. Morrow will probably be the surest shooter in the clutch, but his lack of other ball skills rules him out as a decision maker.

It’s probably a margin of ten or fewer close games over the course of a season that separate the eighth and eleventh teams in a competitive division, and lacking a consistent, reliable floor leader will cost this team, unless there’s marked improvement in four players—Ellis, Randolph, Curry, Morrow—plus problems with injury, coaching, or chemistry in a couple of the established contenders.

by the.monk on Oct 16, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the area Ellis must improve if the team is going to do really well this year. He’s got the physical tools to take over the game, but, as exhibited in the Clipper game, isn’t used to using his team mates to take over a game. I think he can learn it though. He’s showing signs of it already. Baron’s own skill at taking over a game just over-matched him and thew him off.

As you say, Curry, being a young rookie who is still trying to get his shot to fall, isn’t ready for it yet. We hope Randolph will eventually have the tools too, but is still learning to be a consistent scorer with the ball in his hands. That has to come first. Morrow has shown the ability to put the ball in the hole with the game on the line – Reggie Miller style – but needs someone to put the ball in his hands.

The fact that the Warriors have 4 different young guys who could step in to this role bodes well for them, but one of them has to actually do it.

by toddaverth on Oct 16, 2009 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

unless there’s marked improvement in four players—Ellis, Randolph, Curry, Morrow—

Well Montay should definitely be better since he can walk this year. Rudolf has to be better too just from getting pawned by Boom which should make him think things out a little bit. Curry wasn’t here so we can only compare him to Crawford or jax or CJ or Marco or whoever was running the point and I guess it’s a wash? Curry-bury might have more long term potential but right now he’s not gonna be much better than Marco or Crawford. Morrow can’t get much better than last year cause he was the league leader. So the balance tips toward 42 or more wins this time instead of 29?

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 16, 2009 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

pawned by Boom

Is that somewhere between “owned” and “pawed”? That’s actually a pretty apt description of it, along with healthy helpings of “mauled” and “sat upon with his big fat tuchus”…

I’m not so sure that particular play is what will make Rudolf better this season — a full year of practicing hard, working on every aspect of his game, working out, getting stronger, and growing out of his age-19 body will probably be a slightly bigger factor in that regard. But here’s hoping the play makes him think about bringing it a little stronger next time. And perhaps returning the favor a few times on the other end (only with less body and more ball…)

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on Oct 16, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not so sure that particular play is what will make Rudolf better this season

I’m hoping it will make him think before he leaps, the kid is just asking to be hurt and that won’t do us any good.
Boom almost looked like the time he pawned Kirilenko? Nice to see him restrike the spark.

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 16, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boom did look damn good. I’m happy to see him healthy and in good spirits.

Of course, the time he “pawned” Kirilenko, the spark he struck had the unintended side effect of sparking AK and his teammates to whup our candy asses. Here’s hoping his “pawnage” of Randolph (which in fairness has nothing on the original) has similar consequences…

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on Oct 16, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the unintended side effect of sparking AK and his teammates to whup our candy asses

Well, I don’t think it had any side effects. The Jazz did beat us the first two games of the series, after all, and then beat us the next two after that dunk. The Jazz were simply a bad matchup for us, there was nothing we could do to win that series because of their size.

by Missing Barry on Oct 16, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Baron was out of control on that play. It wasn’t exactly dunking on Kirilenko all over again. Also, Rudolf is going to be better this year no matter what.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 16, 2009 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baron was out of control

And if Randolph had brought the ball back down and protected it with his elbow, Baron might have been thrown over his shoulder with a fat bruise on his chin. I’m not recommending hurting guys, but if Randolph protects himself (and the ball) there is a good chance Baron is the one who is out the rest of the game. That play was electrifying, but it was also reckless.

by toddaverth on Oct 16, 2009 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pietrus/Morrow

I don’t see any similarties to their game. Morrow is the better shooter, Pietrus the better defender and more athletic.

by ajtrinc on Oct 17, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not talking about the specific way they play the game

Clearly the layers we have now are different players, with different individual play-styles. Monta and Baron are extremely different (Baron: big, bruising PG who passes well and launches 3’s. Monta: small, fast, dynamic shooting and finishing guard who is developing point guard passing and game management skills.) However, as an under-appreciated team with talent that will need to play scrappy, fast paced defense and score efficiently, particularly on the fast break, the two teams are similar.

When listing players, i was talking about roles. Morrow probably plays a bigger role with this team than Pietrus did for “We Believe,” but I didn’t want to put too much expectation on his shoulders just yet. I’d rather just do my best to dampen my expectations and then be absolutely giddy when he exceeds them. As I said elsewhere, Morrow is one of many players on this team that could be poised to have an amazing year and bring the team a lot of success. One of the reasons I have faith in this team is I find it unlikely that Morrow, Monta, Randolph, Curry, Biedrins, and Wright* all fail to do anything special this year.

(* – clearly Wright is already injured, so that’s one down, but I hope that just means better things for the rest of them.)

by toddaverth on Oct 17, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Monta*

And I was saying were similar in the way of types of players. Back then we only really had 2 bigs (al and Beans) and we played a wing at power forward off the bench( Barnes). And that we have a young promising player (back then it was Monta, now it’s AR4) and our star of the team is our point guard who has something to prove(Baron and Monta).

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "Your a rookie"

by dubzfan on Oct 15, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they were*

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "Your a rookie"

by dubzfan on Oct 15, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like “Lieutenant Wright” better than Broken Wing, honestly. I think a good spoof would be to have Wright in a hospital bed and have Forrest offering him ice cream. I wish it’d catch on.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The difference being

the “We believE” team was players in there prime. This year we may have similar talent, but the exerience of players 27-29 year olds is hard to compensate for unless you have truly superior talent, which we do not…

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect you’re right that an underrated strength of the We Believe team was that the whole core, outside Monta and AB, was in their peak 25-29 age range. Throw in a little synergy, a late-season schedule in which a lot of our opponents were either tanking or resting for the playoffs, and a soft first round playoff opponent against whom we matched up beautifully … and you have a perfect recipe for making a mediocre collection of talent look a lot better than it actually is.

I’d say this team has superior overall talent, even with the Wright injury — just not aged or blended as nicely as the We Believe vintage. On the plus side, this version, like a 2005 Pomerol, has much greater growth potential.

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on Oct 16, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heart! Our young guys play with passion!

Ammo and Big Smooth are the keys to our season(and getting rid of jack of course). Them 2 aren’t yet concerned with money over winning! ME8, Goose, Turiaf(he have a nickname?), and Maggs already got paid and their mindsets are on playing winning basketball. Kid Curry, CJ, and Buike will follow the lead of the rest of our guys. Nellie provides to be a bit of an obstacle for our guys because he tends to be too hard on young players,but thats all we have so he gotta be patient with their mistakes and just make sure they giving maximum effort. If he can get all our guys to give max effort on at least the defensive end we will be a playoff team. If not it’s time for Smart to take over. Ordered my league pass today(i live in San Diego), bought tix to 3 games in january yesterday, cant wait for the season to start!

by pre10d on Oct 15, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Anthony Randolph is not the Big Smooth. That nickname is already taken, sorry. Sam Perkins is the Big Smooth.

by Missing Barry on Oct 15, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kinda like Big Smooth, though. Maybe we could just change it to Smooth Big.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we could just change it to Smooth Big.

or SmoothMove?

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 15, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about the following synonyms:

Behemothic Deft
Giant Fluidity
Altitudinous Savvy
Huge Dextrous
Colossal Spightly
Towering Mercurial
Vast Nible

I’m going to go with Behemothic Mercurial.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

~~nible~~ nimble

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by Naticus2 on Oct 15, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudolf

is easier to rememmber

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 15, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Randolphasaurus Rex.

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by Naticus2 on Oct 16, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or just Rex, for short.

by toddaverth on Oct 16, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I think it’s a decent nickname, too, it’s just already been given to an NBA player. Trying to give a nickname to someone that’s already given out is just irresponsible. The only situation I find it acceptable is if the players are very similar players from different generations – Perkins is obviously a different generation than Randolph but they couldn’t be more different as players….

by Missing Barry on Oct 16, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

until randy strokes it like a 6-9 ray allen (a la perkins) he cannot be the big smooth

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mavericks?

i think the mavs r gonna take a pretty big dip this season… the players that won 60+ games r getting old n r on the decline and they wer 7 seed last year so……… im jes sayin

by slackersphere17 on Oct 15, 2009 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

could go either way

They are old. So are the Spurs (but the Spurs are more disciplined and Parker is still fairly young.) There are plenty of opportunities for a major injury or two (or just general wear and tear and declining athleticism) to cause the Mavs and/or Spurs to under-perform expectations. I think it is a little early to be predicting either teams demise though. There are a lot of proven contributors on both rosters.

by toddaverth on Oct 15, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

playoff 2010

here we come! LGW!

by Shells on Oct 16, 2009 12:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

playoff 2010 here we come!

How far we going little concha?

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 16, 2009 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I truly hope so...

As I hope to be back in the States before the end of the season! :D would be nice to be back in time for the Playoffs!

GSOM Blog Beast!

by BritWarriorGSW on Oct 16, 2009 3:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Reasons why the warriors can NOT make the playoffs

1. Lakers
2. Spurs
3. Nuggets
4. Blazers
5. Jazz
6. Dallas
7. New Orleans
8. Pheonix
9. Houston
10. Oklahoma City
11. Stephen Jackson
12. Chris Cohan
12. Robert Rowell
13. Mike Singletary
14. Al Davis

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 9:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There's 8 spots and maybe only 5 or 6 locks?

We probably have a 50/50 chance. Someone somewhere is gonna get injured and maybe we filled our quota last season?

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 16, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think first 7 (assuming they stay healthy)

are locks. New Orleans w/ cp3 is a lock. Utah doesn’t even need health to be a lock… look atl last year. So really…. pheonix, houston, okc, memphis, us are fighting for 8th spot. Not saying we cannot get it…. but it’s no given

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Just Don't See Utah Being A Lock

Deron Williams is one of the top 5 PG’s in the league and i won’t question that. But Boozer hasn’t proven he can stay healthy, this if he is even there, which is highly unlikely. Okur and Kirolinko are solid not great and have actually declined in production over the last two seasons. The Warriors have a chance to be better then Utah. The upside is much larger, but then again so is the downside.

"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"

by nocal81 on Oct 16, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except the Jazz have Jerry Sloan. Even if Boozer goes down, they still have Millsap. That’s a good team that’s set up to be successful even if they face some adversity.

by Missing Barry on Oct 16, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your Right

It’s extremely hard to discount what Sloan brings to that team. Wish we had a difference maker at the helm. Oh that’s right we do!! Just on the other side of the spectrum LOL

"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"

by nocal81 on Oct 16, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nelson is 1 of the top 10 coaches in nba

fact. Or would u prefer monte? musselman? etc? sure he isnt popovich, adlemen, rivers but he’s hardly whats holding us back

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m going to say… that’s about right. 50/50 sounds pretty good, judging by the improvements by leaps and bounds this season. If Randolphasaurus only plays as well as he did at the end of last year all year, HUGE improvement, Morrow looks fantastic so far, Monta is back… I mean, we’re a much, much better team. We ought to get quite a few wins this year.

Welcome to the Pit of Despair! Don't even think about trying to escape.

by Naticus2 on Oct 16, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If everyone is healthy

Then its gonna be a possibility to make the playoffs.

Win Or Lose Warriors For Life.........

by mykelala01 on Oct 16, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BEST case scenerio....

1. Monta returns to form of 07-08. I do not think he will t be a 53% shooter, simply because we have no point guard to set him up easy shots. That being said He could easily hoover at 49-50% which is still very good for a PG. If he can keep his assist to turn over at 2 to 1, I’ll be content.

2. Jack keeps his emotions in check. This is a BIG if. That being said, this team CANNOT afford to trade him for nothing (if they have playoff aspirations this season). He is the Warriors best defender by far (buike is making strides, but jack is still much better and more versatile defender). Jack may turn it over a bit, but he still is the only wing player on this team with vision, and if monta is our PG we need someone else who can instigate offense at times. Morrow, Buike, Maggette CANNOT. (It makes me wonder why we dumped belinelli for NOTHING)

3. Curry develops faster than the typical rate of rookies. He’ll have his pains. If he can give us 20-22 solid minutes a game, and not turn it over. I’ll be ecstatic. That would be 10 or so without monta and 10 with. I think playing curry and monta more than 10-15 minutes a game at same time NOW would be a disaster, in future it’s possible but a rookie pg and monta both 6-3 and skinny is a disaster particularly in the west.

4. Randolph develops faster than a typical 20 year old. We need him to be able to play 30 minutes a game efficiently. I can deal w/ him not scoring much if he rebounds like he showed he could last half of season. He cannot play out of control offensively and get himself benched.

5. Morrow, Buike continue developing there ball handing. It’s too difficult to play both on the floor with just monta. We have a combo guard and 2 guys with little to no playmaking ability. That is why Jack is so fundamental, even with turn overs, he can still get ball past half court, instigate our offense, take pressure off monta

6. Improved perimeter defense. If Jack stays, this is something attainable, between him buike and what we’ve seen of curry, not shabby.

7. Improved rebounding. Randolph + Biedrins show alot of potential. Add Monta’s ability to get loose balls, maggette and buike being above average rebounding wings, we could be a good unit. note if randolph does rebound like he did end of season, this can really spur the break the other way.

8. Health. We half depth, but not enough depth to deal with certain players missing prolonged periods of time…

All this, and I think we are around a .500 team. Range of 38-45 wins depending on way we close out games….

But there is little reason to believe all this, particularly jack related will happen. Best case, we start off well, above 500 for first few weeks to month. Jack keeps his cool as we are in playoff contention, and we start getting LEGITIMATE offers for him.

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

cont'd

but if we trade jack for peanuts, we will be a 30-33 win team. He does too many things, other players on our team CANNOT do. Yes we can play curry and monta together to compensate for passing ability. But we’ll get eaten alive defensively. Best case he gets moved for a wing with some defensive ability and passing ability. Even if he doesn’t score. Mike Miller off top of my head would be great, but that won’t happen…

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and then there is always the possibility of Daryl Morey in Houston going braindead for a day....

and doing this:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yjpch5p

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tmac

old. useless.

by HopHurdles on Oct 16, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

expiring....

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s quite arguable. For a time, people were comparing him to Kobe. He’s been playing unhealthy, though, and he may have a resurgence after his surgery and rest.

Welcome to the Pit of Despair! Don't even think about trying to escape.

by Naticus2 on Oct 19, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Notice That I Didn't Even Include Jack In The Evaluation?

Even if he is with the Warriors, which is unlikely, i see Nellie pulling a Harrington on him

"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"

by nocal81 on Oct 16, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nellie's said he's planning on still starting Jack

by 123707THIZZ on Oct 16, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh Nellie Said That Huh?

And your prepared to take him at his word? I hope your right!!!!

"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"

by nocal81 on Oct 16, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And your prepared to take him at his word?

He made a pretty convincing argument for working out the flak with Jax

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 16, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'd say at the minimum

he’ll play alot a la harrington to attract trade….

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think we have zero shot at playoffs w/o jack

or w/o trading him for value

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously it’s not “zero shot” either way. But if we have a slim shot without him, I don’t see how our chances are significantly different with him. A team’s sixth or seventh best player doesn’t make that much of a difference in their performance. I guess he does give us some needed depth (esp. with the loss of Wright), but assuming Morrow, I’zaBlueKitty, Maggs and Curry picked up most of his minutes, what we lose in depth might be made up for by an increase in efficiency and production.

I’d give us a 20% shot without Jack — maybe bump that to 22% with him.

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on Oct 16, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is WAY more than our 6th or 7th best player

Probably our 2nd best player. His shooting sucks. I won’t deny that. But he is our best defender, and only wing player with any vision/able to move the ball. Can you imagine monta, morrow, maggette, randolph, biedrins. We couldnt instigate a propoer offense, it’d be 1 on 1 turn over city. You can say what you want about his turn overs but he did average over 6 assists, someone noone else on this team (bar curry) is capable of….

He is also our best and move versatile defender.

There are two huge losses.

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you’re overestimating Jack’s contributions on D. When he’s focused, he’s a pretty good on ball defender, I’ll give you that. He’s a truly awful off-ball defensive player, though. He also rarely puts in the effort to play the piay the pick and roll correctly. As I said earlier, his on ball D is good when he’s focused, but last year that wasn’t the case. Last year Jack didn’t provide a whole lot defensively. That doesn’t even take the rebounding aspect into account (I don’t include rebounding in defense myself but many others do), another area Jack is awful at. All put together, Jack’s defensive contributions really aren’t that hard to replace.

by Missing Barry on Oct 16, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Ellis, Curry, and Law are all showing signs of being able to distribute the ball more efficiently than Jackson did last year (ie. fewer turnovers.) Both Biedrins and Turiaf have shown the ability to make smart passes from the post. With those to options for distributing the ball (PG and C) and efficient outside shooters, like Morrow and Azubukie, you can run a very effective offense. I’d love to see Jackson come back happy an contribute, but I think you are overestimating how necessary his contributions are.

by toddaverth on Oct 16, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

None of those 3 have shown ability to distribute the ball alone though

the way a natural PG like CP3, Dwilliams, rondo, whoever you choose can. (I have hopes for curry eventually, but he will need to grow into it). And I doubt any combo of those 3 can play together for long spells of time effectively (what we’d need to be an effective passing team). So Jack becomes an asset cause he can play any variety of positions without leaving us defensively vunerable and help w/ general ball movement.

Cause fact is when ball gets to buike, maggette, morrow, the movement stops. They are not players who look to distribute, which is fine, but it leaves us limited. As is we were one fo the worst passing teams, trading the turn over machine (jack) I think will actually make us worse unless we get right player in return.

1 of my fav things of the we believe team was the ability to move the ball. Yes Baron was an elite pg (and that shouldnt be downplayed), but jack, jrich, monta, barnes could all effective move the ball around. Ball movement is something we were really awful at last year

by tafkasam on Oct 19, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

By no means am I claiming that Monta, Curry, or Law have reached the level of elite passing guard. Far from it. I am claiming that they have shown an inclination and ability to pass the ball well enough to work with a big man like Biedrins (and Turiaf) to distribute the ball effectively. Most teams use a little of this type of offense, but it is often underestimated as to how effective it can be. Those 4 and 5 assist games showing up for our big men are a big deal in a very good way.

Jackson’s turnover numbers indicate that his passing is very hit-and-miss. I actually believe that much of that is due to fatigue; he makes his worst passing and shooting decisions when he’s played too much. I’d love to see a player with Jackson’s size and skills here, helping the Warriors, but if he doesn’t want to be here, isn’t going to maintain his composure, and/or gets played to much so he continues to do dumb things that hurt his team on the court then getting him out of here for any kind of reasonable exchange (comparable talent and/or salary relief and potential for the future) is a top priority.

Right now, I’m just waiting to see what happens.

by toddaverth on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although Ronnie/Biedrins are underrated passers combine they average 4.1 apg in a little over 48 minutes. Thats nice, but its hardly sensational. Most teams get something comparable from there bigs. It’shardly enough to compensate for our lack of above average (for there position) passing guards…

I would agree a lot of jack’s turn overs r too to fatigue. Last year a lot also had to do with a poor supporting cast and forcing the ball (IMO). His assist to turnover ratio was comparable to Hedo and Caron butler, two players often considered much better passers…

Cap Relief is the #1 thing I do NOT want him traded for. If trading jack would clear room to make a significant free agent move i’d be all for it, but it won’t. It’d put us somewhere between 8-11 mil under cap, or in other words, in line to sign another Corey Magggette type player, which is not what we need.

GSW will not be able to attract decent free agents till we put a consistent winner on the floor. That’s why losing Baron (maybe even j rich) and abandoning we believe was such a poor move. It at least gave warriors some credibility around the league, made them an attractive team to players.

In an idea situation we could move him for some talent in return. Perhaps a 3 way deal with us sending him to a contender (as they are most likely to want him), them sending cap relief to a team trying to get well under for 2010, and us taking some talent.

by tafkasam on Oct 20, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’d put us somewhere between 8-11 mil under cap, or in other words, in line to sign another Corey Magggette type player, which is not what we need.

Sigh, if only we didn’t have Corey Maggette…

by Missing Barry on Oct 20, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And how much of it had to do w/ our whole defense being awful?

Also, his passing alone makes him valuable as we are a terrible passing team. Without him, i shutter the thought of morrow, buike playing heavy minutes together. not to mention ball handling. I realize both hit open shots well, but they won’t get them…

I’m not saying he isnt tradeable. I think he is, we just need to find a way to replace those attributes.

by tafkasam on Oct 16, 2009 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I see no reason why the Warriors can't make the playoffs

This is a team that has the potential to average 110 points or more per game. Any time you have that, you have a chance to win every time you step on the floor. Not to mention the fact that if people get hot for stretches at a time (Ellis, Morrow, possibly Randolph and Curry) the offensive output can become even greater. All the Warriors have to do to grab a lower-half playoff spot is get ridiculously hot offensively (which they are more than capable of) and play around .500 for the rest of the season. This may not be a championship formula, but it can definitely be a formula for a 7 or 8 seed, and once you get in, the Warriors of all teams know what can happen. Don’t underestimate this team.

by LakerFan24 on Oct 19, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a team that has the potential to average 110 points or more per game. Any time you have that, you have a chance to win every time you step on the floor.

Except we average 115 points scored against us for every 110 we score >:)

by Skeptic con Urquell on Oct 19, 2009 8:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

While that may be true....

All they need to do is get crazy hot for a month and average 120 per game for a month (which they are more than capable of), in which case they could easily go 12-3 or so in a single month. When you’re scoring that many points, all it takes is 5-10 minutes of defense a night to win a lot of games against lesser teams. Even without any defense, I’d take the Warriors in a 3-point shooting contest (when they’re taking good shots) against almost every team in the West. Don’t underestimate this year’s Warrior team, I think they will give every team they play matchup problems. 40-45 wins is not out of the question, and 45 could get it done in the West this year.

by LakerFan24 on Oct 21, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs