Q&A: Marcus Thompson - Contra Costa Times / InsideBayArea.com (Part 1 of 3)- Warriors bright spots, the next to be traded, Robert Rowell and basketball decisions
by Atma Brother ONE on Dec 13, 2009 6:00 PM PST
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PrintWe recently mic'ed up Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times/ InsideBayArea.com to get his thoughts on the Golden State Warriors.
Click and roll to MT's Dubs blog
Jump for some positives about the Warriors season, who will be the next players the team ships out, and Robert Rowell's future in making Warriors hoops decisions.
Golden State of Mind: We're in the midst of some seemingly endless "Dubs Drama" (again). Let's hit the pause button on the dysfunction for a second though. You cover the Warriors extremely closely, so you're the best person to ask this. What are some of the bright spots for this organization either on or off the court that aren't getting enough ink across the hoops world?
Marcus Thompson: The bright spots are obvious: Monta Ellis, Anthony Morrow, Anthony Randolph, Stephen Curry and I will even throw Kelenna Azubuike in there.
The brightest is no doubt Monta Ellis. Say what you want about him, the kid is showing he is special. He hasn't done anything yet. But the prospects look good. He will benefit the Warriors extremely down the road, whether as a player or as trade bait.
Morrow is right behind Ellis. He may not have the superstar power Ellis has, but Morrow at the very least could be just a solid starter for years to come. That is nothing to sneeze at.
Randolph, though he is up and down, I think is still promising. His fate may be more in the hands of his coaches, who have to figure out a way to help him progress. But that is what organizations have to do sometimes. Sure, the onus is on the player. But he didn't invest in himself, the Warriors invested in him. It is on them to do everything they can to maximize that investment. Because if Randolph turns out to be a bust, it's the franchise's fault for drafting him.
The cap flexibility is also pretty good. As it is now, they have the flexibility to add a big contract for a player they really want. The chance is there to really get someone good. If they don't take advantage, that is on them.
Golden State of Mind: Within his first few months on the job as the GM of the Warriors Larry Riley has already given the roster a shake-up. Jamal Crawford, Marco Belinelli, and recently Stephen Jackson have all been shipped out. This still isn't a contender to say the least, so more moves seem likely. Considering the big money deals still on the books, expiring contracts, young and raw talent, and lingering in-house drama, who do you think will be the next player(s) headed out? Does Monta Ellis "got next"?
Marcus Thompson: Ideally, it would be Corey Maggette. They aren't getting the bang for his buck, and he certainly would like to play more. But everyone knows it's tough to trade his contract. With that said, I think it has to be either Monta Ellis or Andris Biedrins. I don't see how they can land a difference maker without giving up one of those two. Those are the two big money guys, so if the Warriors want to give someone $15 a year, they will probably need to move one of those two (unless they can get rid of Maggette's contract). But mainly, those two guys I think are the only commodities the Warriors have that will make another team give up a stud.
If you're Phoenix, who would you want in return for Stoudemire? If you're Toronto, who would you want in exchange for Bosh? Sure, they want young talent, but for the money the Warriors will have to shell out, young talent won't be enough. Maybe if they decided to package Curry and Randolph with Maggette, they might get another team to bite. But I really don't think they'd do that.
Curry and Randolph are among the untouchables currently, but I wouldn't be surprise if their status changed between February and August. Especially in the case of Randolph, the Warriors may be more willing to include him in a deal down the line than they are right now.
Golden State of Mind: Golden State Warriors president Robert Rowell has had his fair share of critics for personally inking Stephen Jackson to that questionable early 3 year extension, among other recent front office decisions. With Larry Riley and Don Nelson firmly entrenched as the Warriors GM head coach is this the last we'll see Rowell making basketball decisions such as negotiating player deals and extensions? How safe is his job with the Warriors?
Marcus Thompson: I think it's the last he'll be taking or given credit publicly. There was a time when the Warriors wanted his name mentioned for the good things the Warriors did. Of course, with that comes your name being mentioned when bad things happen.
I think everyone in the organization, even Rowell, realizes that he needs to either become the GM or let the GM run the show. I don't think that means he is out of the loop on decision making, though. In the end, he's still got to approve all financial moves, and sell them to owner Chris Cohan. So he's in the room, and at the very least in the loop. But Riley will get all the credit and the blame when it comes to basketball decisions.
**********
Stay tuned for the rest of our Q&A with Marcus! In the mean time make sure to check out Inside the Warriors
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Even though I really like him
Trading Andris and our 1st rounder with CJ as a filler for an upgrade at center like Bosh would be great. Of course he would have to sign an extension which he has said that he will not do. But no Amare! He plays no defense, no rebounding,no passing and is vastly overrated. Bosh or bust in a trade.
Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"
I agree
Bosh/CP3 or BUST! Andris + fillers….or Maggs + AR + Curry for bosh (only way I’d wanna lose AR is if it is with Maggs and its for an all star caliber player).
I just can’t imagine how much better Ellis can be if our team had another legitimate threat that he could pass to and that the other teams defense would be forced to focus on.
You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk
Cp3?haha...
We all have the right to dream.
by Cpt. Jack in the Box on Dec 13, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions
I hope Randolph
starts to play good consistently along with Curry. I also want Andris to stay on the team. I feel that he is our center for now and the future even though he has been injured. If we could have the right PF next to him(potentially Randolph) he would be even better.
Golden State Warriors Fan 4 Life!!!
The Golden Future
PF: Anthony Randolph
PG: Stephen Curry
Can't wait until GS wins a championship!!!
the right PF
There is still a chance that Wright could be that PF. I’ve still got faith in him.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 13, 2009 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
As much as wouldn't want to admit it...
Monta is probably our best option to land an All Star/Superstar.
He’s been spectacular and the only way teams (most of them) would want to give away there best players was if Monta was included in that deal.
Why can't he be our star?
He’s shown that he can be already. You don’t have to make an all star game to be an all star (Deron Williams).
Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"
Never been to an all star game
You don’t have to go to all star weekend to be an all star.
Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"
Ya kinda do.
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
Than Deron Williams is just your good average player?
And Durant?
Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"
Those two just might make it this year then you can call them all stars because they made it on the all star team (see how it works). A lot of really good players don’t make the all star team, that does not take away from how good they are. You may disagree on how the all stars are picked (I’m sure not a big fan of it) but you can’t call someone an all star if they aren’t.
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
I'd rather keep monta
and bring in a big all star to help him. Imagine either Cp3 or Chris Bosh along side Monta. They would only help eachothers game by leaving Ellis with better people to pass to and more room to work with (defenses wont be able to just focus on containing one person)
I think we should move andris for Bosh. I’d even be willing to move AR/Curry for Bosh, if we get rid of Maggs in the process.
You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk
I just realized that
We are worse than the Grizzlies this year who are 10-13. What is up with that?? I knew the Grizzlies were good on paper with a bunch of underachievers, except for Gasol, Gay, and Mayo, but rly the Dubs are worse than them? Really???…. I still can’t believe it.
The Time Is Now! Win Warriors Win!
Gasol, Gay, and Mayo are three legit good players. It’s impossible to mention three players of equal caliber on the Warriors unless you start talking about potential or upside. You can’t really forget Zach Randolph either… He may have been a cancer for the Blazers and Knicks, but he’s acting like a teammate in Memphis and the guy is close to 20-10 on the season.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 13, 2009 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
Injuries play a role in that
I think were better if we have our whole roster.
Rookie: "Why did you bench me?"
Nellie: "You're a rookie"
I Disagree
They have a much more balanced roster with Gasol & Randolph. Gasol has better offensive skills then Dris, and Randolph is better than anybody you want to put at the four for us, injured or not. I thought they would be a good team because of the youth they have and the amount of scorers (Mayo, Gay, Randolph), so the only question was who was going to distribute the ball but they sure aren’t a suprise to me.
GSOM- Where Education From Debate Happens
by The Dedication on Dec 13, 2009 7:58 PM PST up reply actions
Untouchables and untradeables
There’s no doubt in my mind that Curry is untouchable. I’m not so sure about Randolph. I could easily see him going in a deal that returned a superstar like Bosh or Stoudemire.
I’m also not sure that Maggette is as untradeable as people think. That’s what they said about Jackson, right? And JRich and his max contract before him. Maggette is an elite scorer in this league who drew interest from both the Spurs and the Celtics before the Warriors signed him. I could see him being very attractive to one of the contenders down the stretch. eg., Cleveland was disappointed to have missed on Jackson, and is still behind the Celtics and Orlando.
umm...
I’m not so sure about Randolph. I could easily see him going in a deal that returned a superstar like Bosh or Stoudemire.
The Warriors would not do this kind of move. Not unless they want a fan revolt as Bosh and Amare leave next summer. Plus, Amare hasn’t been Amare Good, more like Amare Bad this year.
Maggette is an elite scorer in this league who drew interest from both the Spurs and the Celtics before the Warriors signed him.
You’re right and wrong here. They DID have interest, but only at the MLE. NOT at $10 per or whatever steal Maggette makes now.
Teams just aren’t taking on a lot of long term money. Just look at the Jack deal. Teams were offering crap contracts to take Jack, you think they’d take Maggette (who’s been just as maligned here) and give up something good? Hardly….
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)
Why would you want Stoudemire
No defensive capabilities whatsoever and he’s not a strong rebounder either. Bring in Bosh or don’t bother making any trades, unless it’s for Gerald Wallace who’s a superior rebounder to Stoudemire.
reply fail.
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)
On Curry = untouchable
I wasn’t just giving my own opinion, but what I believe is Don Nelson’s. He thinks Curry is the best basketball player he’s had since Steve Nash. And I’m pretty sure Nellie doesn’t believe he can have a team worth anything without a great point guard.
Also, according to many sources, the Warriors had a deal for Amare Stoudemire in place until Curry fell to the Warriors, and Nellie refused to give him up. If true, that’s pretty strong evidence that Curry is untouchable, no?
From what I’ve seen so far, Curry is an extraordinary talent. So if Nelson thinks he’s untouchable, I would agree with him.
by Feltbot on Dec 14, 2009 1:17 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Nellie’s sky-high opinion of Curry is based on a bunch of quotes he gave in the preseason; he hasn’t publicly weighed in on that in a while. And seeing as Curry has not actually been very effective (six or seven other rookies have outplayed him at point guard so far), I wouldn’t be surprised if Nellie’s changed his tune on that.
That’s not to say that he’s not still high on Curry. I’m sure he is, as are we all. But I don’t think he’s truly untouchable right now, and I doubt Nellie does, either.
Ladies and gentlemen, your Golden State Worriers.
HAHAHHAAH….no one on this team is untouchable. Especially not Curry. As much as I love him, he’s still an unproven rookie. If we can land Bosh, Curry shouldn’t be holding us back.
You know I spit technique to the freshest freak
Gimme a call you will see results in just a week
With the soul of a LOST HAWK
Is there a heaven for a Rap Cat, let's talk
Agreed
Nobody on this squad is untradeable. That being said – either a trade needs to happen or this season will be rough. We’ll get better with Turiaf and Andris returning but I’d be suprised if we got to 30 wins.
The main area I see we are lacking is a solid, defensive minded smart SF. I’d be open to trading Monte for Gerald Wallace, Rudy Gay or Ron Artest (maybe). This would mean other guys would need to step up their game in scoring but the potential is there with curry, morrow, Buike.
Imagine this line up:
Biedrins, Randolph, Wallace, Morrow and Curry.
Bench:
Turiaf, Vlad/Wright, Maggete, Buike, CJ
not bad at all.
=Bobcats of last year #2
=no playoffs again
=do not want
Monta>>>>>>Gay>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Wallace, Artest
it isn't about individual players
Monte may be better than those guys- not sure about Rudy Gay though. But that isn’t the point – what he gives us we already have (too a lesser degree). What those other guys would give us is what we totally lack. Its a team game!
Wallace and Gay
are both terrible passers, on the same level as Maggette.
by Reverend_Randy on Dec 14, 2009 12:34 AM PST up reply actions
Curry should not be untouchable
The only players on the roster that should be untouchable are Monta Ellis, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Anthony Morrow.
If the Warriors can get a good player and have to give up Curry, they should do it. Curry isn’t going to amount to being a good player at all. His basketball IQ for a son of a former NBA player is laughable.
How many times can he stop his dribble and make a lazy pass only to have it intercepted and go for an easy finish on the other end for the opposing team? I’m sick of it.
Until Curry can show in practice that he can make the correct decisions he should be on the bench. C.J. Watson should be starting ahead of him!
Curry has been a disappointment pretty much the entire season. I think he was overrated and should have stayed in another year to groom himself to be a better point guard. Wasn’t he being helped over the summer with Chris Paul?
Obviously Curry didn’t take the those lessons to heart because he has stunk. I’d rather have Paul’s backup Darren Collison then Curry.
Collison four years at UCLA, he is a better shooter than Curry, he’s faster than Curry, he can get to the rim better than Curry, and he’s a much better free throw shooter than Curry.
Pretty much another wasted pick in the first round by the Warriors!
Until Curry can show in practice that he can make the correct decisions he should be on the bench.
You’ve been at Warrior’s practices watching him?
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 14, 2009 12:30 AM PST up reply actions
Hey guys
lets give up on rookies after only twenty games.
That seems reasonable and intelligent to do.
by Reverend_Randy on Dec 14, 2009 12:35 AM PST up reply actions
Because I still lack the belief in our ability to trade for Bosh or Stoudamire, and I like the prospect of Wright or Randolph at PF in the future, here is a list of the best SFs that could be available.
Caron Butler, Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince, Rudy Gay, Luol Deng, Josh Howard, Richard Jefferson.
T-Mac has typically played SG, but he’s big enough and rebounds well enough to be a SF. Jefferson is the least likely to be available because the Spurs make smart moves, but there is a slight chance he might be available if he can’t ever find a way to fit in with their big 3. I can imagine Butler and Deng being available because their teams are much worse than expected. Prince, Howard, and Gay were all rumored to be available at various points in time.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 13, 2009 9:32 PM PST reply actions
Gay would probably be one of my last picks from that list…
My first would be Deng.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 14, 2009 12:36 AM PST up reply actions
Though to clarify real quick… Deng has a big contract, and thus trading for him would involve Monta, Maggette, or Andris because adding a 4th big contract would undo our Cpt. Jack salary dump.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 14, 2009 12:39 AM PST up reply actions
My opinion is try to ship Maggette,fillers and a couple of 1st round picks for...
Tracy McGrady and bad contract of their own.
You already know the benefits,I will do this without even looking at who we get.
by Cpt. Jack in the Box on Dec 13, 2009 11:14 PM PST reply actions
This is an extremely disheartening interview.
I for one, would never trade any of the following players:
Biedrins
Ellis
Curry
Randolph
Morrow
The Lakers gave up absolutely NOTHING for Pau Gasol. We don’t have to give up EVERYTHING for 4 months of a free-agent-to-be superstar.
by HOLDEMUPGoldenStateOfOppression on Dec 13, 2009 11:32 PM PST reply actions
the dubs are extremely disheartening
everybody who follows basketball knows that was a shady, insider trade that happened with Gasol . The sort of lopsided deal that happens once every ten years. You have to give to get – and right now this team is garbage. Nobody should be untouchable.
I do agree we should only make a move if we can lock someone up long term.
Marc Gasol is turning out to be more than “NOTHING”.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 14, 2009 12:31 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah
In retrospect, that trade wasn’t THAT bad.
by Reverend_Randy on Dec 14, 2009 12:36 AM PST up reply actions
Marc’s 2nd year: 14.4pts, 9.8reb, 2.1ast, 1.1stl, 1.5blk, 2.0to, .618FG%
Pau’s 2nd year: 19.0pts, 8.8reb, 2.8ast, 0.4stl, 1.8blk, 2.6to, .510FG%
Granted, Marc is older in his second year than Pau was in his. Grizz will still probably lose out in total, but it was far from a terrible trade.
by samuraaaaiiiiiii on Dec 14, 2009 12:45 AM PST up reply actions
Game does not recognize game in the bay these days
I felt abdominal pain when the Warriors didn’t draft B Jennings. Curry will not be a bust but he reminds me too much of Dunleavy. You hear how smart these guys are, how they can shoot, see the floor and can do it all. Those people always imagined the versatility on offensive instead of figuring out what they would do on the other end. Not quick enough nor big enough to stop guards and forwards in Dunleavy’s case. Can their production on one end make up for their exploitation on the other end?
It was Jerry West who got the buzz going with Dunleavy and the Knicks raving about Curry that allowed the Warriors to fall into the trap of drafting sub par athletes way too high.
Trade Monta? I hope not he is all they got and has potential to be all time great. They are not one player away. Bosh and his Whoopi locks is not the answer nor salty CP3. Randolph and Morrow have not shown enough to entrust them with any future not including Monta.
Move Curry before his mediocracy is realized league wide. Wait for Andris to come back along with Randolph, Morrow, Ellis and see what that core can do for 25 games and go from there. Nelson does need to start contributing to the growth of young players by letting Randolph fight adversity on the court.
by Eastbay and down on Dec 14, 2009 4:27 AM PST reply actions
I felt abdominal pain when the Warriors didn’t draft B Jennings.
I liked Jennings too, and I’d probably take him over Curry if we were to re-pick, but I think it’s still way too soon to call this “race.” The only area where Jennings has really shown himself to superior to Curry is his ability to hoist up lots of shots. Curry’s been more efficient from the floor, roughly equal as a passer/playmaker and rebounder, and better at stealing the ball. I’d take Tyreke Evans in a heartbeat over either of them but (fortunately for my abdomen) we didn’t have the option of picking Evans.
Trade Monta? I hope not he is all they got and has potential to be all time great.
Monta’s 24 now — time to start setting aside the talk of “potential” and looking at what he is: a very good ’tweener guard who can score in bunches and with decent efficiency. Not really a true point guard, not a defensive beast, and, in terms of the number of wins he brings his team, certainly not an “all time great.”
They are not one player away. Bosh and his Whoopi locks is not the answer nor salty CP3.
Depends on the player, and what the question is. All things being equal, they are a LeBron James or Dwight Howard away from being a serious championship contender (though you could say this for most of the teams in the NBA). They are a salty Chris Paul away from being a 50-55-win perennial playoff contender. Bosh may not guarantee the playoffs like the other two, but, Whoopi locks notwithstanding, he’s better than anyone on our team by a pretty fair margin.
mediocracy
Haha: a pretty good word for the Cohan/Rowell/Mullin/Nelson regime, I think. Perhaps a bit kind, but this is the holiday season…
There will be no extra point!
Have to agree that while Monta can be very good, the “all time great potential” is rather a stretch. I can’t come up with any “all time greats” who weren’t already recognized as among the very best in the game by the time they were his age. Unfortunately, especially given what I’m seeing this year, I’m seeing more of a guy who will get the glory stat at the expense of the team’s performance, scoring high 20s a night, but not in a manner and not with enough other tangible-but-less-often-highly-regarded contributions to put us among the elite.
Yeah, I’m starting to worry a little. To be fair, Monta’s played more under control the last three games, but his overall numbers overall are real, real empty — far emptier than any Iverson ever recorded. Forget elite… Monta hasn’t even really been effective thus far.
The farther we get from ‘07-’08, the more it looks like the peak year of a good, not-great player. I’m a big fan of the guy, but we absolutely have to be open to the possibility of trading him. If he can’t get his scoring efficiency close to where it was two years ago, he’s highly overpaid, and a pretty bad centerpiece for a team.
Ladies and gentlemen, your Golden State Worriers.
Let's get healthy...
I agree with what you guys are saying, but I have to add that there is not much motivation on a team this poorly constructed and this injured for him to play the right way. I think JAE hit it on the head when he said:
I’m seeing more of a guy who will get the glory stat at the expense of the team’s performance
But I’m not sure if this is a temporary attitude of a player coming off injury, trying to prove himself on a real stinker of a team, or if it’s a more damning trend that will continue throughout his career.
We’ve seen him show restraint in his shot selection before the moped season, so I can still hope that if this team gets healthy and a little more competitive that he will start taking more intelligent shots and stop trying to force it. I do absolutely agree that he should be available for trade though. If he continues to put up big PPG #’s we might be able to get pretty good value too.
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
He’s young, Nelson said it’s his team. I thing he is trying to put the team on his shoulders and he just is not good enough to do it on his own. I think YOU hit it on the head when you said:
But I’m not sure if this is a temporary attitude of a player coming off injury, trying to prove himself on a real stinker of a team,
If and when there are other quality players around Ellis, I think we will see way less turnovers and driving into 3 defenders but this could be two or three years away.
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
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