Interview with Keith Smart
by Free Zarko on Dec 14, 2009 9:17 PM PST
Email
Print
Q: Thanks for agreeing to talk with me, I know it's difficult to speak to fans at a time like this.
Keith: Yes, well, at first I was worried and didn't know whether I should. But Don said this is okay.
Q: That was nice of him.
Keith: Um, I think he gave the go ahead. That catatonic look usually means 'yes.' When he ignores me and tosses the frisbee to Lucky, I think that means 'no.' Being a coach is hard sometimes.
Q: Right...so how has the interim job been going?
Keith: Great! Well, mixed results. I'm not sure. I was told to keep saying we're too short handed to win, so I guess we're meeting expectations?
Q: You certainly are. A lot of fans are angered with the lack of playing time for Anthony Randolph. They cite statistics both advanced and rudimentary. Explain your reasoning for the lack of minutes.
Keith: Well, first and most obviously, anytime you can start a 34 year old who can't rebound
or block shots, you gotta do it! Lemme explain: Rebounding is silly and blocking shots leads to jumping, which, as Fitzgerald explains to CSN viewers, is the WORST thing a basketball player can do. Right now, we're feeding off Mikki Moore's steadying influence.
Q: Um...yeah. But what about developing Randolph for the future?
Keith: The future is NOW! Wins sell tickets, and we can't afford to throw away games with Anthony's out of control play. He'll have to play his way into the mighty Vlad&Mikki frontcourt. I don't see that ever happening.
Q: But the stats say he's better than those guys right now. Am I missing something?
Keith: Hoo-boy, you're missing a lot. You want stats? How about this, Mikki Moore is shooting over 60%! That's a lot of percent! Sure, he takes less than four shots per game, but that's part of the glorious plan.
Q: Plan?
Keith: Have you heard of Wilt Chamberlain? Well that's what Mikki will remind you of when we unleash him in the playoffs and he launches 25 shots per game! The defense won't know what hit em'!
Q: Right. And where does Vlad factor in here? So far his production hasn't made up for the loss of Stephen Jackson.
Keith: Wow, wrong and wrong. He draws opposing PFs out of the paint. Once that happens something magical occurs that leads to wins. Plus 'Forward-Left-the-Paint" is Don's favorite drinking game.
Q: But Vlad's PER is 8.52, and he's thought to be a small forward. Should he really get over 30 minutes of playing time at the 4?
Keith: Don's other favorite drinking game is 'Frustrated-Fan.'
Q: What about your future coaching prospects? Does the league respect what you've done?
Keith: Who cares! As long as I employ this small ball strategy, Don gives me a pat on the head. Well worth it, even if I destroy my career!
Q: This has been informative. So do you think John Wall could be in our future?
Keith: I don't think we'll lose that much, but who knows...we could use a new CENTER!
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!
66 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Just to explain
This method is a direct rip-off of the Bill Simmons GM summits. And yes, I’m aware, not even close to being as funny as those articles were.
ES
To be completely fair
Simmons is far from the first person to mock somebody through a mock interview… He’s really funny, and often comes up with great comedic ideas, but he gets way too much credit sometimes.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 16, 2009 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
i cant wait
untill the fat man finally retires so coach Smart can do whatever he wants to do
Fear is the Mind Killer
UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Thanks, but no thanks I’ll take Nellie.
bag them both
warriors need a coach who uses players in their natural positions
Rick Barry movement!!!
Nate Thurmond could be our big man coach.
I get it BRO
It seems like you are being sarcastic and that you don’t like Mikki. Well, lets think about what will happen if we bench him. Goodbye veteran leadership. Goodbye solid postgame. Goodbye hustle plays. Hello Randolph playing all the time and shooting too much. Hello Big Vlad having no help to do all the dirty work. (Randolph certainly wont help.. he is timid and weak.) Sure, lets bench a 7 footer who can shoot the J and plays lethal defense and replace him with a horrific idiot named Randolph. Let me put this simply. MIKKI MOORE IS SHOOTING 60%!!! And randolph is shooting 42%. That is an 18% difference, a difference so big that I cannot fathom it. I have been around basketball for a long time, and let me tell you, this is a first for me. Yeah, lets replace the guy who shoots 60% with the 42% guy who is also mentally insane. I have a better idea… How about giving the 60% guy more touches??? No, that would be too logical I guess.
lets replace the guy who shoots 60% with the 42%
This is what is known as “cherrypicking.”
who is also mentally insane.
This is what is known as “making a fool of oneself.”
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Dec 15, 2009 4:55 AM PST up reply actions
42% is a good indicator of how AR stats are irrelevant
he is not playing well, is bricking lay ups, missing ever single jumper, and biting every pumpfake. Moore is terrible but at least he is a center.
Moore is terrible
That doesn’t even begin to describe it…
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 7:47 AM PST up reply actions
… but at least he’s a center! ;-P
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Dec 16, 2009 8:47 AM PST up reply actions
Do you SERIOUSLY think giving Moore more touches = a consistent 60% fg % and scoring more points??????? Have you ever watched him play?
by Throw up the Dub on Dec 15, 2009 8:59 AM PST up reply actions
You really think
Moore would shoot 60 percent for the season if he got more shots? Moore is pathetic! There’s a reason why he’s bounced around the NBA for years it’s because he doesn’t play defense and yes he can hit a 15 footer on occasion but he can’t do anything else.
He’s a liability! He should never see minutes.
Wow, I seriously thought you were joking after reading your first few lines. I guess not.
by randolphforpresident on Dec 15, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
Wow...
Just WOW! I love people’s reasoning sometimes, it really opens my eyes to how this team should really be run by the FO. This leads me to the “Cure All” for the Warriors…we should trade AR straight up to the Raprtors best big man!
No, No, No….silly people…haven’t you learn anything from Pablo? Not Chris Bosh with his meager 49% FG Percentage, I’m talking about Patrick “The Truth” O’Bryant! He’s obviously better since he’s shooting an OUTSTANDING 62.5% AMAZING….who’s with me?
Pablo.19
This dude actually made a post called “Morrow must go” of course it was deleted pronto.
by Loveisforfree on Dec 15, 2009 10:35 PM PST up reply actions
Look Pablo.19
“When you look around at other teams, yeah,” Brand said. “It’s like, no disrespect, but [Golden State’s] Mikki Moore gets the start and I don’t. Not that he’s not a good player, but, definitely.”
See that quote? Seems Elton Brand thinks Mikki Moore can’t cut it.
ES
lol
owned
Mikki is a 3rd string center at best. Starting him is just the dumbest thing ever, especially when we have AR.
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
by LostHawkGSW on Dec 14, 2009 11:55 PM PST up reply actions
What is the point your trying to make....?
Do you not think if we had Brand we would be playing him instead of Moore? We dont…all we have is Moore for certain roles right now (personally I would like to see Hunter more) but the point that Brand is making is more aimed at his own team wondering why he does not get to start when Moore can get a start….
In which case Elton….why not ask to be traded to Golden State???
Then you can get all the starting minutes you want!
"Better a Has-been than a Never-was. But better a Never-was than a Never-tried-to-be"
by BritWarriorGSW on Dec 15, 2009 3:10 AM PST up reply actions
How about this, Mikki Moore is shooting over 60%! That’s a lot of percent!
liked this
Ladies and gentlemen, your Golden State Worriers.
Yawn
Your becoming like a stuck record.
What you and others fail to see is just how truly pissed off Randolph’s teamates are with him especially Monta. Do you understand why?
No, because you have your face stuffed in the stats lines and cannot, sorry refuse, to understand what the actual issue is.
The issue is A. Randolph and what he is being asked to do on the court. It is becoming painfully obvious to anyone that bothers to look is that he has confident young man “I know best” attitude at the moment, when clearly his teammates are getting incredibly frustrated that is is not maintaining the positioning or tasks that he is asked to do.
Monta tore a strip off Randolph during the game last night and it was clear Keith Smart was none too impressed either.
Basketball has a structure to it that in order to be very good, all the pieces of the jigsaw know what they are doing, when and where. The only basketball that has no structure and where players run around doing what they want to do, is street basketball….this however is the NBA and Randolph needs to get his game head on and get it on FAST! Or he will be out of here in a trade….
Again , all the Randolph fanboys fail to see the painfully obvious to anyone else…..
He is a good player yes, but not following instructions and being where he is meant to be on plays is stopping him and no one else right now, from being a great player.
I would even go so far as to say, his career is resting on this right now. He either stays here and learns to follow damn instructions, or he will go to another team…but no matter where he goes, he has to learn to be in the right place at the right time and that means ‘listening….and saying no problem coach’.
In the meantime, yet again in last nights game thread we had a couple of people coming in and basically saying the same stuff OVER and OVER and OVER again and it is pathetically dull!
Like.. “Curry sucks, I hate Curry, Wow look how Randolph is out of control (sarcasm), Why did we pick Curry I hate him, Curry is terrible, My life will be a little more worthwhile to live if Randolph starts, etc etc etc”
Many of the regulars here to GSOM were getting more than just a little Fecked off at frankly some of the childish posting that was going on.
So to answer, Yes Smart had a horrible game and in fact I think the last 3 games have shown how he is NOT ready to be an NBA coach. Why? Due to being out-coached in everyone of those games.
It seems he takes the view of the snow plough….just keep going and you will get through it. He never seems to call timeouts when it is clear the other team is trying to a new tatics and there is a clear need to change. For example, the double team on Monta, the Sixers knew exactly how to hurt us and we did nothing to react.
For example what we should have done was have Morrow on the court with Maggs Hunter and Randolph and maybe CJ, then as Monta draws the players, either Hunter of Randolph could have been hanging near the paint with Morrow and CJ probably wide open for any dish Monta can give them for a free look shot. But no…. we kept the same line up on the court that simply was not working and the Sixers extended that huge lead in the 3rd quarter….possibly one of our more epic collapses!
Why?….not through the players….but through the coaching. It was simply bad.
"Better a Has-been than a Never-was. But better a Never-was than a Never-tried-to-be"
by BritWarriorGSW on Dec 15, 2009 3:05 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Well Monta Ellis is frustrated with AR but is Monta Ellis frustrated with himself?
He plays terrible and makes A LOT of bonehead plays so I believe he is the first to take the blame. But it’s obvious the Warrior team is all about double standards where young players take the blame while stats shows the veterans are even the bigger part of the problem.
"he plays terrible"
HA! someone hasn’t been watching the Warriors
makes A LOT of bonehead plays
This sounds to me like he’s been watching the Warriors…
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 7:50 AM PST up reply actions
Thank You!
Somebody who has the guts to stand up to Zarko’s deeply flawed outlook. Brit, I can tell you know your hoops. It is clear to me when somebody looks at numbers that they have never played the game. If you played hoops (like I did, two years varsity) you can watch the game and understand things. Things like Mikki Moore’s positive impact on Monte Ellis and Vladimir Radmonovic. These are our two best players, and Mikki makes them better. He sacrifices his own stats to give Vlad Rad the open look and encourage him to hit the J. “Swish.” Randolph? He is not concerned with the others. He only wants stats, and doesn’t care if he is out of position. One problem Randolph: Basketball is like a tender, delicate plant. Everything has to be just right. When Mikki is in his standard “proper position” it gives Vlad Rad more room to “Swish the J.” When Randolph is in his typical “improper position” suddenly Vlad Rad has no space to hit the J. The result? Instead of a swish to make the home crowd roar with delight, it is a clank or a turn-over. Unfortunately, this subtle impact does NOT show up in the “stats.” (This is the problem with stats. This is why well-meaning guys like Zarko can never understand the game properly.)
Look, I understand that watching Randolph might be enjoyable to you becuase of “stats” and slam-dunks. But I have a great analogy for you. Here it is: Randolph is like eating french toast. It may “taste” good (translation: look good in “statsville” and on behind-the-back dribbling) but it will deteriorate your health tremendously. Mikki and Chris Hunter (Who is also phennomenal at position by the way) is like Tempura. It way not “look” healthy, but it is because the Japanese make it and they live the longest of any race. So that is my analogy. I came up with it late last night, and I am glad I got to share it with you all. Think it over, and let me know if you agree. Maybe you have a better one? I am open to constructive criticism. And remember, when you watch a game, do not focus only on “stats” and “cool plays.” Mikki will not provide you with these. What he (and Hunter) will do, however, is provide the others with a positive environment, open shots, and unwavering support. How do I know this? Simple. I played the game.
bravo
zarko has been spamming this site with his best friend Rocky the last 2 weeks.
Marco Belinelli's Biggest Fan
Zarko’s spam is way tastier than Rocky’s. Or Pablo’s. Or yours, for that matter. ;-P
Zarko’s spam and french toast could actually be a pretty tasty and nutritious breakfast…
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Dec 15, 2009 4:22 PM PST up reply actions
I’m not sure tempura is any healthier than french toast. It’s basically the same composite ingredients: batter, egg, and grease. I imagine it depends on what you’re making tempura out of. If tempura zucchini or mushrooms, it’s reasonably healthy (though less healthy than the same ingredients sans tempura). If tempura Snickers bar … not so much. Conversely, french toast could be pretty OK for you if you made it with whole grain bread and put some berries or apples on it.
Primary thing that makes tempura more salubrious than french toast is that the Japanese tend to eat it in small quantities, as part of larger, well-balanced meals; whereas many Americans scarf down french toast (or comparably carb-heavy, calorie-rich meals) in excessive quantities, with reckless abandon.
Your other question— whether Mikki Moore’s presence in the lineup has a more positive effect on the Warriors’ chances of winning than Randolph’s presence — is much less complicated. He doesn’t. It’s not even close.
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Dec 15, 2009 4:20 PM PST up reply actions
+1
Friggin’ awesome, man. Just awesome.
My icon is a testament to the Dubs ability to play defense.
by JR Repertoire on Dec 16, 2009 4:44 PM PST up reply actions
It is clear to me when somebody looks at numbers that they have never played the game. If you played hoops (like I did, two years varsity) you can watch the game and understand things.
Since when did looking at objective facts meant to count what happens (how many rebounds you got, how many points you scored, how many shots you took, etc) become mutually exclusive with playing basketlball…?
Honestly, if you think Mikki Moore is making his teammates better, you haven’t attended a game and watched it very closely. Mikki Moore dropped a perfectly placed pass that hits him in the chest right under the hoop doesn’t make Monta better. It takes an assist away from Monta. Mikki getting the ball and traveling because his footwork is god awful doesn’t make anyone better. Mikki standing around and being left open by his guy who helps on everyone else because Mikki is a horrible, horrible player does not make his teammates better. Mikki not being able to rebound, box out, or play help defense does not make his teammates better. Mikki Moore literally adds nothing of value on the basketball court. He’s a body standing there, and that’s it. Looking at the stats, I knew he was bad. Then I went to the Sixers-Warriors game. He was far worse than I expected. He doesn’t do a thing on the floor.
You know why people look at stats? Because when you make shots, it helps you win games. When you get steals, it helps you win games. When you get rebounds, it helps you win games. Stats are just a record of these things that are necessary to win basketball games. I’m sorry you fail to understand that. But hey, good for you for playing 2 years varsity, right? Did you manage to accumulate any “stats” while you were doing so…? Couldn’t be, because stats are for people who didn’t play! :)
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 7:57 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
So...
I started doing that thing where I’m kinda reading a comment, but just sort of skimming it. It’s always fun when you come across a blip like this:
Things like Mikki Moore’s positive impact on Monte Ellis and Vladimir Radmonovic. These are our two best players
And then I stopped reading the comment. Pablo’s spam isn’t even real spam. It’s partially hydrogenated soy product.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 16, 2009 10:26 AM PST up reply actions
there are tons of awful points in your argument but I’ll just focus on your analogy. tempura is deep fried seafood + vegetables. nothing deep fried is healthy.
by randolphforpresident on Dec 16, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions
He is a good player yes, but not following instructions and being where he is meant to be on plays is stopping him and no one else right now, from being a great player.
Not something you’d expect from a military boy…
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 16, 2009 10:23 AM PST up reply actions
your point exactly?
"Better a Has-been than a Never-was. But better a Never-was than a Never-tried-to-be"
by BritWarriorGSW on Dec 17, 2009 4:24 AM PST up reply actions
Umm...
Not everything I comment in response to you is a sarcastic and snarky dig at you. Most of them, yes, but in this case, I’m just sad that he’s clearly not able to understand what’s good for the team and that you wouldn’t expect that type of idiocy from a military boy.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 18, 2009 1:49 AM PST up reply actions
How about asking why
Smart wants to be a coach when no one on the Warriors responds to him, how about asking why the Warriors went 1-4 on a trip they should have been 4-1 with? How about playing with no passion, no intensity, no nothing basically.
Here's the situation:
The coaching staff sees all of Randolph’s numbers. They know he’s better than Moore. They know he’s exciting, fans love him, he gets people talking about the Warriors. It’s their job to know this, they likely know it better than any of us do. Yet despite all of this, Randolph is not starting or playing big minutes.
Here on GSoM, it’s always their fault. The coaches must be stupid or crazy. But what if we’re the ones who are ignorant and irrational? The coaches are privy to years of experience playing and working in this league that most of us are merely entertained by. They get to see everything about the Warriors that Comcast SportsNet’s cameras don’t pick up, which is a lot. They understand the relationships and psychologies within the team and the league. It’s incredibly silly to think we, fans who flip the game on after work or school a couple times a week, know better. But man’s confidence in his own abilities tends to make us say and do silly things.
You could make the case that the coaches have ulterior motives: they trust older players and hate younger players, they want to win instead of develop, etc. But fans aren’t perfectly rational either. We want to see MONSTER DUNKS and REJECTIONS more than sound footwork or defensive communication. We want to see players develop ourselves, game by game, since we can’t see them in practice or the video room. We want to be entertained.
An empty barrel makes the most noise.
by antihero on Dec 15, 2009 12:34 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
Totally agree, especially 1st paragraph
If Randolph’s numbers are better than Moore’s, yet Moore gets the start, then whatever it is that Moore does that’s better than Randolph cannot be based on the numbers.
by IQofaWarrior on Dec 15, 2009 1:18 PM PST up reply actions
If you continued reading his post...
His point was that maybe the things we appreciate as fans (e.g. monster dunks and rejections) do not really help the team win, and that less exciting, but possibly more “sound” play from our veterans, is actually giving us our best chance.
That argument might make sense if the vets we played could actually compete at the NBA level. Mikki Moore? Not only is his game (or lack thereof) boring to watch, it isn’t effective.
Also, in regards to what we aren’t seeing behind closed doors, that was the exact same explanation for why Randolph didn’t get consistent minutes last year. He didn’t “work hard enough in practice.” Only problem is, when he did get big minutes, he produced (see end of last year.)
My point is: we already have some evidence that despite the reluctancy of the coaches to give Randolph 30+ minutes each night, when they are forced into doing it, he usually produces at a high level.
by randolphforpresident on Dec 16, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions
less exciting, but possibly more "sound" play from our veterans, is actually giving us our best chance.
At this point in this particular season, winning individual games should be pretty low on our priority list. I’m just saying coaches might appreciate the sound play in of itself, and not necessarily for winning purposes. Maybe to send a message to the other guys- “we care about how smart you play, not necessarily how well.” Pure speculation obviously, but there’s a range of possibilities not necessarily related to immediate results in terms of wins.
Only problem is, when he did get big minutes, he produced (see end of last year.)
Produced- to what end? We pulled out a couple of nice wins perhaps (Utah) but we still sucked it up. It did get the fans hyped up though, which really accomplished nothing concrete but made a lot of people slightly happier.
I think you could argue that it boosted AR’s morale, that it motivated him to work, that it made him believe he was a superstar. I think you could also argue that it was a little too successful in that regard. A little ego reduction could probably do AR some good right now. The numbers might say he’s very productive and so forth, but those forced turnaround jumpers he’s been taking have got to go.
An empty barrel makes the most noise.
I don’t have any arguments against those points, but when it comes to playing Randolph vs. Moore, it really is simple. Randolph is a much, much, much, much better player. There’s just no getting around that point….
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 8:00 AM PST up reply actions
If Randolph is that much much much much better of a player
It should be a no brainer for Nellie or Smart to play Randolph. Then why aren’t they?
by IQofaWarrior on Dec 16, 2009 9:50 AM PST up reply actions
Your guess is as good as mine. I honestly cannot figure it out. The best I can come up with is Smart has coached Moore in the past and is already familiar with him. One of those things where it’s “who you know”, rather than “what you accomplish”. That’s just one possible theory. Obviously I’m not knowledgeable on what’s going on behind the scenes so I’m sure there’s something there….
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions
Or...
Moore actually sets a pick & pop, draws his defender and rotates the ball. Meanwhile, Randolph doesn’t realize he’s supposed to set the pick for 3 seconds, runs over there, gets the ball on the pop, and tries to dribble drive to the hoop instead of keeping the ball moving towards the open man.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 16, 2009 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
Right, and if Moore was a decent player that was doing things right, I’d be inclined to buy that. Except that Moore isn’t even doing something as productive as that….
It’s more like Moore sets the pick, rolls, is open because his guy doesn’t even bother to cover him because he sucks, gets the pass right under the hoop…and has it knocked away for a TO. This happened multiple times in the Sixers game….so it’s like….whatever Randolph is doing wrong, he’s being replaced by someone who also doesn’t do anything worthwhile, and while Randolph may make those mistakes, at least he does do some good things to make up for it….
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
The team is not about using Anthony Randolph to the best of his abilities
The team is about using a PF/C to the teams best performance. It would seem to me that a freelancing PF might get in the way of the whole team effect and might screw up the guards’ (hint: Monta’s) ability to know where his “roller” is and how the defense will react and what lanes (passing or otherwise) will be open. Instead, Randolph does whatever he likes, Monta turns the ball over, and the whole team is screwed. At least Mikki tries and actually gets into a position to try be effective for the team. I’ll take a guy who tried but couldn’t do it over a guy who didn’t even bother to or doesn’t even know how to try any day of the week. Sorry. Randolph is a great talent, and hopefully he’ll figure out that he’s got to do the little things, but right now, he’s not there yet.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 16, 2009 6:14 PM PST up reply actions
This. It’s interesting how much grief Maggette gets for every ill-advised jumper, but Randolph gets a free pass on 20-footers, wild hook shots, and attempts that defy categorization because they are him contorting every limb, yelling, and flinging the ball up while crashing painfully to the floor.
An empty barrel makes the most noise.
Mikki has the worst plus/minus of any starter
They break even when Randolph is in the game. I don’t think the coaching staff is thinking about winning with these decisions, it could have more to do with personal rivalries (such as Randolph being a Mullin pick). Who knows, we’ll see what happens with Randolph tonight.
ES
+1
And if Rudolf kicks ass tonight, I’m going to be stuffing tempura ice cream down the throats of the haters… XD
There will be no extra point!
by Sleepy Freud on Dec 16, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions
er.....
;)
If that is your idea of kicking ass…may I have chocolate sauce with mine! LOL
"Better a Has-been than a Never-was. But better a Never-was than a Never-tried-to-be"
by BritWarriorGSW on Dec 17, 2009 4:27 AM PST up reply actions
But at the end of the day – nothing Mikki Moore does helps his teammates, or helps the Warriors, in any fashion. Even when Randolph screws up, he’s contributing infinitely more than the nothing Moore is contributing….
And as for things like Mikki’s efforts to get into a position to be effective…well, I can’t vouch for how much effort the guy is putting into it one way or another, but what I can say after watching him in person Monday is his positioning sucks, his footwork is awful (read up on the Sixers/Warriors game summary I go into detail on one play where he exhibited the worst footwork I’ve ever seen in a basketball game at any level more or less), and even times when he does get into position – he doesn’t execute.
On one possession that game he had great position for a defensive rebound with Brand boxed out. It was a short rebound in front of Mikki. Brand simply went and got the ball. I don’t know how else to put it. Brand was behind Moore, the ball was in front of Moore, and somehow Brand just took it. So the ball ends up getitng passed to a small guy on the opposite side of the floor – he drives. Mikki, still in position on Brand, takes two steps to help (he was not the closest guy there, so he wasn’t even responsible for the help D on the ball), the other Warriors player contests the shot, it’s missed long…and Mikki is standing under the rim on the ball side of the basket, doing nothing. What happened? Brand easily caught the rebound at the opposite block (where Mikki should have been instead of being the second help defender just standing in no-man’s land, not contesting the shot, not boxing anyone out, not in a position to grab a rebound of any kind) for a putback.
Randolph may miss assignments – but so does Mikki. Everything bad Randolph does, so does Moore. The only difference is Moore usually doesn’t have the ball because he can’t rebound it, or dropped it on a pick and roll, he never shoots it so he can’t screw that up…at least some of the stuff Randolph does is productive, as for Moore…well, nothing he does is productive. And it would be one thing if Randolph came in a blew a couple assignments so he was taken out and they discussed his responsibilities with him so he improves in the future (this is called coaching*). Instead the way it works is Moore starts and Randolph basically doesn’t play for the entire 1st quarter…how does that make any sense?
*Snark directed at the coaches because they anger me, not at you guys
by Missing Barry on Dec 16, 2009 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
We’ve got to remember that at this point in the season, winning is (or should not be) not our primary goal for its own sake. In this context, actions that may otherwise seem illogical could make more sense. However, we, using traditional modes of analyzing games or statistics, can ONLY evaluate situations based on the win/lose paradigm. I just don’t think we know enough to figure out what’s going on.
An empty barrel makes the most noise.
I just don’t think we know enough to figure out what’s going on.
That’s….one of the most correct things that’s ever been said around here. Obviously none of us know what’s going on behind the scenes – so we don’t really know why. What bothers me is I can’t think of any plausible reason why the season is playing out the way it is. You don’t want to start Randolph as some sort of motivation? Makes sense – but you if you’re leaving Moore in the entire first quarter with Randolph on the bench, somethings wrong. If Randolph runs around like an idiot blowing assignments and they take him out to coach him or just for the fact that he’s blowing assignments….that makes sense. Except that’s not what’s happening – they’re not giving him the chance to get in in the first place. I just can’t figure out any scenario that the way they’ve been deciding PT makes sense….
by Missing Barry on Dec 17, 2009 7:47 AM PST up reply actions
Well, Mikki’s ouchy foot/can’t play after he gets cold story (that we found out only yesterday) is one possible explanation for his start.
Or maybe Randolph spent his entire per diem on a leather jacket, and he convinced Curry to do the same. And so they couldn’t afford food on the road trip and keep asking for Nellie’s fries, which of course bothered Nellie to no end.
Randolph may miss assignments – but so does Mikki. Everything bad Randolph does, so does Moore.
Umm… no. There are many types of bad. It’s like you’re comparing the crab apple to the rotten orange. Neither are particularly edible, but they’re far from the same.
Mikki may be bad, but if Randolph sometimes completely throws off the team by not being where he is supposed to be or doing what he’s supposed to. Nobody knows what to expect from him on any given play. If you’ve ever played basketball (and I’m assuming you have), knowing what your teammates are going to do is extremely important to being able to make quick decisions.
Put it another way, if you’re a MLB playing defense in football, and you know your OLB is not going to maintain gap control, you might over compensate towards him. Simultaneously, the cornerback on that side leans inside knowing the same thing. All of a sudden running backs are running up the middle and down the sideline because everybody’s trying to cover for the guy who’s screwing up. Who looks bad when the RBs are running up the middle and down the sideline? Why, the MLB and CB who’re trying to cover for somebody else. Certainly not the OLB who’s missing assignments. Nobody’s running through his gap! My point is that Mikki may be getting beasted by Brand (who doesn’t?), but Randolph missing assignments makes everybody else look bad instead of just making himself look bad (i.e. what Mikki does). His inability to be where he’s supposed to makes Monta take more crappy jumpers than he already wood. Makes it harder for the ball handlers to find Morrow, and makes it easier for defenders to double team ball handlers AND makes it harder for the ball handlers to pass him the ball (because they don’t know where he’s going to be standing. Is he rolling? Popping? Standing and watching?). If the ball handlers have to think about this instead of just reacting to what the defense is doing based on what they know everybody else is doing.
Instead the way it works is Moore starts and Randolph basically doesn’t play for the entire 1st quarter…how does that make any sense?
Maybe because the coaching staff is trying to reward “performing the duties of your position” instead of “having lots of undeveloped talent.” I know it’s a crazy idea, but a 7-18 team isn’t likely to get anywhere unless the coaches develop the talent on the roster rather than just throwing what’s already present out there. Hint: If just throwing out the most talented players on the team worked, we’d be better than 7-18 already. We need to get better. Maybe, just maybe, making Randolph earn his PT by doing the little things might make him into a better player. The type of player we’ll need once we start winning (if that ever happens).
We’ve been over this a thousand times: I know that the NBA season is grueling and that there doesn’t appear to be that much time away from games, but Randolph practices with Nellie, Smart, other players, and coaches watching and participating at least 2-3 hours a day. An extra 15 minutes every other day isn’t really going to help that much.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Dec 18, 2009 2:13 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
This is a well thought out response...
but I disagree. If Randolph throws the D off more than Mikki, that should be reflected in the defensive plus minus numbers. And it isn’t, not by a long shot.
ES
For your last point, of course I agree with that, I’ve made the same point elsewhere – game situations are actually just a small portion of the time an NBA player spends developing their skills. The countless hours of practice and offseason work are much greater than the 48 minutes ~3 times a week during the season.
As for Moore, what I’m saying is it looks to me like he blows assignments, too. I wasn’t disagreeing with any of the point you made regarding Randolph, and it may be that Randolph blows his assignments more frequently – but what I was trying to do in my example is show times where I see Moore blow his assignments and make himself and the whole team look bad. The not getting the rebound part sucked, but it was the next thing he did that highlighted his lack of basketball IQ – when he found himself on the wrong side of the hoop in no man’s land, not doing anything.
Over this past offseason, I accepted the notion that Randolph didn’t get minutes last year because he wasn’t ready. This year, I even buy that he makes enough mistakes that at times, he needs to get taken off the floor for coaching instead of playing. What I’m arguing against is what they’re doing – it looks to me like a dumb way to handle things. Randolph still does a lot of good things on the floor, especially grabbing rebounds, something nobody else on the team that’s healthy does. These things are so much more productive than anything Mikki Moore has ever done that he deserves to get PT.
If he gets PT and starts playing like an idiot messing the team up, take him out, give him some coaching, I’m ok with that. It’s the way they give him his PT that really bothers me. He played a lot of minutes against the Sixers, for instance, but didn’t play until the 2nd quarter, and just got all the garbage mop up minutes. Put him in to start the game. If he messes up, take him out. By the time he entered the Sixers game, it was over, because Moore really does suck that much.
Well, I don’t know if I’m very clear with my point, it’s taking me longer to explain than I was hoping….basically I’m just saying I’m really not seeing a constructive method for using Randolph right now. He does do enough good things to warrant some PT. If he gets benched at times, I understand that. It looks to me like they just don’t even value the good things he does do, and don’t realize just how bad the guys they’re playing ahead of him are. That’s what bothers me. Way too reminiscent of Bruce Bochy….
by Missing Barry on Dec 18, 2009 8:12 AM PST up reply actions
In the past, I think a case could be made for trusting the coaches
But these days, we’re privy to breakdowns of every lineup, and a whole host of other analytics. Plus we know that the NBA is replete with incompetent GMs.
ES
I still don't understand the logic of starting Moore.
He may offer some positive things on the court like his “YELLING” and such, but shouldn’t we put our best players on the court. From what we can see during his time on the court, he legitimately offers close to nothing in terms of winning. I like the positive influence he brings to the team and personality wise he’s great, but to have Moore start is puzzling. What happens with Randolph once Andris and Ronny come back? I wouldn’t be surprised if Moore and Vlad were receiving the bulk of the backup front court minutes and have Randolph be the human victory/defeat cigar.
In another note, I hope these Randolph rumors are false considering every GM is salivating at the opportunity to offer average talent for his potential. It just sucks that losing young talent is something that us GSW fans expect, and sadly we know with Nellie in control, Randolph for a decent veteran is very realistic. (I could seriously see Nellie pulling off a deal with Randolph for Channing Frye + late 1st rounder…Ugh)
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
"UNSTOPPABLE BABY!"
Golden State Warriors rookie Marc Jackson to the Mavericks' bench, after hitting a lay-up during a 29-point loss (2000)
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Most Commented
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Grizzlies Valentine’s Day cards are the key to love
- Kevin Love would like the NBA to take the MLB’s approach on All-Star games
- Kobe Bryant fires a few hilarious salvos at Jeremy Lin
- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
- The Facebook campaign to hire Will Ferrell for All-Star Game player intros is underway
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
