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Q&A: Matt Steinmetz (AOL FanHouse + Comcast Sports Net Bay Area)- Part 3 of 3: Talking hoops with a balla

It's time for the 3rd part of our interview with Matt Steinmetz. By day he's writing for for AOL FanHouse and by night he's on CSN Bay Area sharing the insights of a former college baller on Golden State Warriors broadcasts.

Part 1: Making Sense of Stephen Jackson

Part 2: Warriors defensive woes, Stephen Curry's jumpshot, and managing playing time

Good things come to those who wait. In the final part of this Q&A Matt lets fans know what are some of the intricate details of the hoops game to pay attention to while watching Warriors games at home on TV and where some great playground spots are in the Bay Area to hoop it up.

Star-divide

Golden State of Mind: Given your experience playing college ball and years dedicated to covering the game, you have a better eye for the little things players do that everyday fans don't pick up on. What are some intricate details of some of the Warrior players that either help or hinder their play that we should look for while watching games on tv?

Matt Steinmetz: Thanks for the butter-up. Well, keeping with that theme, the one thing I would suggest is for Warriors fans to take note of how many times the Warriors have a possession with zero or no passes. Or count how many times a player gets the ball and just swings it for no other reason than to get ball movement. Point is, it doesn't happen nearly enough.

But there's a reason it doesn't happen. They don't have the kind of personnel that does that. Ellis, Jackson and Maggette like to make plays for themselves first and teammates second. All three of those guys can make shots from the outside and go the basket. The problem with that is that every time each one of those guys gets the ball, that's the first thing they're looking to do.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I want to see improvement in this area. I want to see the ball move more and guys being a little less greedy. I want to see more cohesiveness at the offensive end, not five guys seemingly on their own.

That falls solely on coach Don Nelson. That is his responsibility and his responsibility alone. The Warriors aren't the first team in NBA history to have a bunch of guys who like to shoot the ball instead of pass. Bottom line, though, is it's up to Nelson to get this team to play more like a team.

That's what I'm going to be looking for in the coming games. I want to see if Nelson can actually get this team to start improving, to start playing together and to start resembling a team rather than five guys out their on their own. That's his job.

 

Golden State of Mind: You're a former college hoops player and known to mess around on the blacktop. What are your favorite spots around the Bay Area to get in a pickup game?

Matt Steinmetz: When I first moved out here in 1990, I played at the Marina all the time ... at all three courts: the upper court, lower court and that little indoor gym in the middle. Those games were pretty good. More recently, I've played at Grattan playground in the city and "States Street," also in the city.

When I moved to Oakland about 10 or so years ago, I was running regularly at Club One in City Center, and those were the best games I played in out here. Those are the places I've played consistently over the years, but I've also driven out to Bollinger Canyon and played on that outdoor park and also played at a place out there by the name of "Snake Park," I think. Now, I'll pop into a health club in San Ramon for an early morning run here and there. But I'll still go anywhere for a game, provided I know 10 guys are going to show up.

Got any good spots?

**********

I must concur. Central Park in San Ramon (of all places) is shockingly a great spot for pick-up ball. How about it GSoMers- got any other good spots to hoop it up in the Bay Area?

 

All of us at GSoM wanted to thank Matt for coming on our show and for his continued support of this community. When he was doing the Warriors blog rankings last year he awarded GSoM with the #1 spot and the player comparison of the incomparable Kevin Garnett. Much appreciated.

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We want Matt back!

I hate the new halftime and pregame stuff. St. Jean? Really? I liked it when they were there at the game in the box talking about the game. Not some random studio with St Jean off all people.

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"

by dubzfan on Nov 5, 2009 7:08 PM PST reply actions  

of*

Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"

by dubzfan on Nov 5, 2009 7:08 PM PST up reply actions  

In a weird way

I’m kinda liking Good ol’ St. Jean as a commentator. Hated him as a GM and coach, but I feel that maybe he can bring that perspective to the camera.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.

RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."

(MT)

by kenntoe on Nov 5, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions  

Manzanita Courts at Stanford

Is where the ballers ball, and everyone knows it

by Goldenstarter on Nov 5, 2009 7:36 PM PST reply actions  

Union City courts!

Where you’ll always find young guys ready to fight.

Warriors, Stupidest franchise in the league.

I told Randolph that Bill Russell would tell him to keep that ball in play and start the break.

RANDOLPH: "I know. But sometimes, you gotta let ‘em know."

(MT)

by kenntoe on Nov 5, 2009 8:46 PM PST reply actions  

states street

there is nice 5 on 5 every saturday morning.

by farid on Nov 5, 2009 10:28 PM PST reply actions  

Central Park in San Ramon (of all places) is shockingly a great spot for pick-up ball.

I have played some very enjoyable pickup ball at Bollinger, but it isn’t what it used to be – Central Park used to have some amazing basketball at almost any time of day or night (at least during the summer.) It’s gotten a little spotty as of late and I don’t find games where I’m the worst player on the court nearly so often anymore (which is saying something, because I’m older and slower now.)

I’m set for ball Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but if any of you want to try to get something going for a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, I’m almost always ready to play a game.

by toddaverth on Nov 6, 2009 2:25 AM PST reply actions  

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