Mr. Lacob, there's this guy in the draft.
There's only one player on the Warriors I enjoy watching on a consistent basis: Curry. No matter what the score is or who we are playing against, when he is on the court, I am watching. Don't get me wrong. I love watching Ellis when he catches fire on offence or defense, or Dorell when he's shooting the lights out. But every minute Curry plays. I am fascinated. Maybe it's the way he has to compensate for his lack of NBA athleticism at all times. On defense, you can see him positioning himself every second. On offence, his moves are much more complex than an athletic player's moves, yet so smooth! Defenders think they have him and boom, he's 3 feet away shooting the ball. It's like watching alchemy or Luke Skywalker turning from a farm hand to a great Jedi on a nightly basis.
Mr. Lacob, as a life long Warriors fan I am asking you to please draft another player that I would enjoy watching every minute he plays. And I have a particular player in mind. Even more perfectly, he has everything we lack in spades: incredible heart, toughness, big man athleticism, efficiency, savage dunks, rebounds, rebounds and more rebounds. He is Mr. Kenneth Faried. Our own not so poor man's Blake Griffin. This guy had me at 'best rebounder in NCAA.'
Any Cal fans? Do you love watching Jorge? You'll love watching this guy play.
Here is ESPN's blog entry on him:
And here's the most extended play, in game highlights I can find. It's from 3 years ago when he was a freshman. # 35 K Time! (This clip only had 695 views compared to 450,000 views for Jimmer Fredette highlights.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM0NcI4GZ1g&feature=related
I know he's not projected in the lottery yet, # 27 Draft Express # 16 Chad Ford, but look at our record in the draft. Could he be worse in value than Brandan Wright or Anthony Randolph? And what's wrong with a little reach with a super athletic, a little undersized, tough guy versus a super young guy? (Of course all of this advice is naught if W's lands a top 3 pick.)
I know he plays the same position as Lee, and we just drafted Udoh, but frankly I don't care. I want entertainment, damn it! Did I say savage dunks? Savage Dunks! That's what's missing this year at the Oracle. Well, I want entertainment, toughness, defense and rebounds. On defense, I rather see a Rodman type man up on Griffin than Udoh trying to swat at him or Lee trying to out position him all game. I love Lee the person and like Lee the player, but there's a reason his nickname in New York is "the door man." Tough and nasty, he is not.
And not to tout my own draft expertise, but I did say on record:
Noah over Wright
Robin Lopez over Randolph (OK I did say if Nelly wanted AR, I am for it.)
Curry pick great!
Monroe over Udoh (Like everyone.) And more importantly. No Evan Turner! 'I don't want Turner' that comment drew hell-fire.
OK I did tout myself and I admit I was lucky. The point is, I am pumped for next year already because of this guy. (I know this last statement makes me a true Warriors fan... pathetically loyal and eternally hopeful.)
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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Jorge is pretty annoying though lol
I like his spirit I guess.
"I tell him straight, 'If you're going to lead, you have to be the first to practice. You have to come in, get your work down and be prepared for practice,' " assistant coach Keith Smart said. "He needs to figure out why he is having stomach problems and he's got to watch how LeBron (James), Kobe (Bryant) and D-Wade (Dwyane Wade) work. He needs to mimic that if he wants his teammates to speak volumes about him." -Keith Smart on Monta Ellis
Rodman...
Faried is more Rodman like than Griffin. He’s not going to score much at the next level, but has an incredible motor, a quick 2nd jump and a Rodman/Love like nack for rebounding the ball. In February he broke Tim Duncan’s NCAA career total rebounding record.
Here’s a piece that SI did on him in late January: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1180942/index.htm
He’d be awesome player to take from this draft, the problem is that he’s a undersized at the 4 and it’s unclear whether his offensize skill set with translate to the NBA. Meaning if we’d play him with Udoh or Beans that we’d be playing 3 on 5 on the offensive end.
A Sonics fan without a team... but after 7 seasons now of GS Warriors season tickets have convinced me to adopt the boys from Oakland.
DRAFT ADVICE TO ANY TEAM:
Never draft for position, always draft the best player available.
Type the words RUN TMC in Ebay!
Type the words RUN TMC in Ebay!
Raider fans copy & paste 140523934006 in Ebay!
Raider fans copy & paste 140523934006 in Ebay!
by JonDoe on Mar 16, 2011 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
always draft the best player available
If the best player available does do fit your teams need, then trade immediately!! He will not reach his potential on your team and his trade value will fall game by game.
With all due respect, I am a Analyst Hall of Fame candidate. If you are offended by my comment, I did write "With all due respect".
by KillaContract on Mar 16, 2011 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Philly says, HEY!
"I thought it was going in," Warriors center Chris Hunter said. "It looked like the invisible man tipped it away at the last second."
"He's chicken curry right now. He'll become beef curry a little later on."
-Keith Smart
to be honest, anytime Chad Ford likes a guy it gives me pause. that said he passes the athleticism markers statistically, albeit against weaker competition (i mean seriously, it looks like he’s playing against high school sized teams). too bad they didn’t get that late 1st rounder from Boston. maybe he’ll be Rodman like Chad Ford thinks or maybe he’ll be the PF version of Renaldo Balkman.
btw, didn’t a lot of people want Noah? i distinctly remember people comparing him to Varejao with hops. i believe it was before sbnation, so maybe it was someone else or someone with a similar moniker, but i remember Sleepy being particularly fond of him.
I’d be ok with the PF version of Renaldo Balkman
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
if you like Balkman, you’d probably love Damian Saunders of Duquesne. he needs someone to completely break down and rebuild his shot, but kid can defend 1 on 1. anyway DX:
by homer simpson on Mar 17, 2011 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Gotta like the rebounding, if nothing else, especially since rebounding translates so well from college to the NBA, and because it correlates with success in other, non-rebounding skills (though it’s not necessarily clear “why”)….
I like the rebounding and the energy, but you’re not supposed to draft projected role players and specialists with lottery picks (Adona- cough Ekpe Udoh). It doesn’t help that he’s also extremely raw even having spent four years in college. If we had a late first-rounder or an early second, yeah he’s worth a look. Any higher than that is a no-go.
I think you're overestimating what's available for late lottery picks. The dropoff in talent from the top picks happens pretty rapidly.

by Missing Barry on Mar 16, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
A scatter graph would be more appropriate.
With all due respect, I am a Analyst Hall of Fame candidate. If you are offended by my comment, I did write "With all due respect".
by KillaContract on Mar 16, 2011 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Ha, I was about to explain it, but then realized it’d just be way easier to send you to the article I pulled it from:
http://www.82games.com/barzilai1.htm
by Missing Barry on Mar 16, 2011 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
The same article indicates that our pick will be in the nearly optimal location for Basketb all talent value/Rookie Guaranteed contract value.
With all due respect, I am a Analyst Hall of Fame candidate. If you are offended by my comment, I did write "With all due respect".
by KillaContract on Mar 17, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
With all due respect, I am a Analyst Hall of Fame candidate. If you are offended by my comment, I did write "With all due respect".
by KillaContract on Mar 17, 2011 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
still not working, are you trying to post a picture?
"There’s no such thing as off the charts, just get a bigger piece of paper. If you can’t figure that out you shouldn’t be charting anything" - Skep
by Duby Dub Dubs on Mar 17, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
To post a picture, you have to get the picture URL itself, not the webpage it’s on URL. So right click on the picture, go to properties, and use that addresss.
by Missing Barry on Mar 17, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Test

With all due respect, I am a Analyst Hall of Fame candidate. If you are offended by my comment, I did write "With all due respect".
by KillaContract on Mar 18, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
MB Thanks for the tip.
With all due respect, I am a Analyst Hall of Fame candidate. If you are offended by my comment, I did write "With all due respect".
by KillaContract on Mar 18, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I have a more interesting question for you.
Why do certain teams end up finding value when they pick at a much higher rate than others? Good scouting or good development?
I’m talking mostly the Spurs, but really you can point to spurs disciples in Presti and Prichard as well…..
Prichard particularly. How he turned telfair, ratliff a 2nd into randy foye who he turned into brandon roy. Then how he turned Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa into LaMArcus Aldridge.
He got two of the 4 best players in the draft (Rondo and Gay being others) without drafting them for two players who are disappointing (actually I like Tyrus Thomas as a rotation guy but he’s no where near LaMarcus Aldridge’s level)
Still think that was one of the most impressive drafts of any GM.
I hope he’s high on Lacob’s list for new GM
I’d say the best guess when a guy has a good track record is they do both scouting and development well. I’m actually skeptical that the Spurs draft that much better than other teams. Manu was a long time ago. They had a bunch of failed draft picks since him. I’m not sure if they’d really be better than other teams at a statistically significant level. One thing worth noting – since the Spurs already have their top level talent, they can draft guys who aren’t that good and play them in a limited role and the player will be successful. It makes players look better than they are when they only have to do one or two things they’re good at and their weaknesses are mostly covered up.
by Missing Barry on Mar 21, 2011 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, rebounding and defense help a team win, right?
by Missing Barry on Mar 16, 2011 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
How do we know this guy plays defense?
I’ve become very wary about rebounding lately.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 16, 2011 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Watch him. I haven’t. I don’t know anything about him. Just saying those things are good! Also, have you checked this guys rebounding numbers out? He’s leading the nation in both offensive and defensive rebounding %, and his career numbers are supportive of the fact that he’s an absolute monster rebounder. You should continue to value rebounding among NBA draft prospects. It is important. Like I said elsewhere, not only does it have a strong correlation from college to the pros, but it also seems to correlate positively with other traits. This suggests there are some confounding variables that help a player rebound well in college, but also help him do other things well in the pros.
by Missing Barry on Mar 16, 2011 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Well that's good.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 16, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
rebounding is not the most important thing on defense...
When I read his DraftX profile, I’m concerned how he makes it as a 4:
Defensively, there are serious concerns about what NBA position Faried is going to play, as he plays almost exclusively at the center position in Morehead State’s 3-2 zone, virtually never allowing him to venture onto the perimeter and get into a perimeter stance. Given his athletic abilities, it’s not outlandish to think he could develop the lateral quickness to match against 3’s in the NBA, and that’s certainly something NBA teams will want to evaluate in private workouts, because at 6’8 with a narrow frame, Faried doesn’t project as a great defender at the 4 position.
Even in college, he is constantly pushed off the block by stronger players, struggling to maintain post position, forcing him to overplay entry passes in the paint to try and steal the ball, leading to some easy scores. As a help defender, Faried uses his length well both in the passing lanes and in the paint, blocking and stealing a decent amount of shots, though he doesn’t project as a big-time shot blocker in the pros by any stretch.
From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kenneth-Faried-5325/#ixzz1GuN5DJdr
http://www.draftexpress.com
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
that last paragraph should have been in quotes, too
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Hope you saw Moorehead St. last night
I don’t want to compare him to Rodman, but Faried is a monster. He’ll be a quality NBA player, worth trading into late first round for, because I don’t think he’ll last to our second…
I'm on the Faried bandwagon
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Farieds a monster defensively.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 17, 2011 12:49 PM PDT reply actions
think it was Greg Anthony on TNT saying Faried was the best player for both teams out there.
Interesting praise for a guy I’ve heard nothing about except for the knowledgeable GSOM community.
"I thought it was going in," Warriors center Chris Hunter said. "It looked like the invisible man tipped it away at the last second."
"He's chicken curry right now. He'll become beef curry a little later on."
-Keith Smart
I would like to get Faried very much.
All around good player. Defensive and rebounding monster (unlike Udoh, does both things well).
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 17, 2011 12:49 PM PDT reply actions
I fear that management will not grasp the concept of sunk costs and say “but we just drafted Udoh, so we shouldn’t get another PF”.
Well that didn't stop them from drafting Udoh.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 17, 2011 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm curious where he'll go
I think 11 will be too high, but i doubt after the tournament he lasts to our second round pick.
I find the notion of "too high for to be somewhat strange. I think a large part of it stems from not wanting to do anything that deviates much from conventional wisdom. If a pick that was conventional wisdom doesn’t wind up being much use (as is the case with almost all picks after top half dozen or so), it’s defensible. “It’s the call that every other GM would have made”. If it’s a “surprise”, then the GM has nothing to fall back on when the player fails, and that’s likely to happen with or without a conventional wisdom strategy.
Granted, the success of players does correlate (albeit loosely) with draft position, so in general, talent does seem to get identified by a reasonable, but still imprecise means. However, I wonder if the “surprises” that fall later in the draft, late first rounders and second rounders who on occasion outperform guys taken much higher, could have been identified. If so, it shouldn’t matter if they’re a ‘stretch’ and it would be ‘too high’ to take someone. It takes a brave GM to buck such a system though.
Just knocked off #4 Louisville
This dude’s pretty good. Are you suggesting that we draft him in the 11th spot though? He’s projected around the mid to late 20’s of the 1st round now. Would you want to trade down?
Cut.
I'd rather take my chances on Henson
he could develop into something really special – Faried seems more limited as a 3/4 tweener (and older)
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
DraftExpress profile...
On the defensive end, Henson has the potential to be outstanding, especially as his body matures and he continues to add strength. He has adequate lateral quickness to cover NBA power forwards, and his tremendous length helps him recover quickly and covers up some of his mistakes. In addition to the havoc he can cause on the ball, Henson excels as a help defender as well, as evidenced by his averaging 3.6 blocks per forty minutes pace adjusted last season. He also showed a very good activity level on the glass as a freshman, posting double digit rebounds in 5 of his last 12 games.
From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/John-Henson-5236/#ixzz1GuNarWPb
http://www.draftexpress.com
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
I see where you're going..
Another super skinny young PF who can’t shoot from the outside but is athletically gifted. Hasn’t worked twice in the last 4 years, but why not this time?
Here’s my rule of thumb on skinny tall players. They either have to be able to shoot from the outside, like Durant, Frye or Dorell. Or they have be close to 7 foot so they can play center a la Noah. They’re not going to play PF in the NBA. I am done hoping they gain 40 lbs so they can play PF.
Hasn’t worked twice in the last 4 years,
It could have if this organization wasn’t so incompetent.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 17, 2011 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
The organization is now competent?
But seriously, any good PF’s in the NBA today that fits the AR, BW, or the Henson skinny as a rail, 200 lbs or lighter profile in college? Even Bosh was 210 and he can shoot. Average weight is probably around 240 to 245 for PF’s.
Who
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 18, 2011 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions
*Who's to say with proper coaching and development that BW isn't as good as Bosh?
When you’re a bad team looking for bigs, give them PT, don’t let them rot on the bench…sigh why do i follow this team. At least we have Udoh.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 18, 2011 12:26 AM PDT up reply actions
BW....Dont disagree that in perfect world that if.....
If BW had stayed in college a bit longer….
If BW had been somewhat healthy…..
Problem is with typical W’s luck BW will be healthy for the next 10 years and live up to his potential….I also would have loved seeing him get the PF min. that Udoh has at center just to see…
AR is still clueless but who knows maybe in another 3 years he will learn how play NBA ball.
Despite all that agree with JSML also..
by Only In Fairfax on Mar 18, 2011 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Well why isn't BW playing now?
To saw Bosh is a bit unfair.
Bosh also put up bigger numbers in college and was more polished. Add to fact BW was hurt.
Sure.
But our team should have played him as much as possible when he was healthy. While i do respect somethings i’ve heard from K.L. i do not agree with the Warriors take that Brandan doesn’t care about basketball. I found it foolish you would use some subjective opinion over how the guy actually produces.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 18, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Who’s to say with proper coaching and development that BW isn’t as good as Bosh?
sarcasm?
because seriously, this is extremely speculative!
Bosh is considered one of the better players in the league (maybe top 30?)..BWright…not considered much at all, by anyone. In fact, we had to toss in an athletic 7-footer with BWright just to get a second round pick.
I get your point about not giving him playing time with the Dubs, but it is a super stretch to compare BWright to anybody good; at this point in his career, the only thing BWright has going for him is potential.
"There’s no such thing as off the charts, just get a bigger piece of paper. If you can’t figure that out you shouldn’t be charting anything" - Skep
by Duby Dub Dubs on Mar 18, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
He had very similar per minute numbers in his first 2 years to some great players...he just needed PT.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 18, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Even Bosh was 210
you’re actually wrong here, but it actually helps your argument, i guess. Bosh weighed in at 225 in the pre-draft measurement according to DX.
by homer simpson on Mar 18, 2011 12:26 AM PDT up reply actions
For starters, I’m not sure how much Henson actually weighs. He was listed at 200lbs last season, and looks to be bigger this year. Could he be bigger than Bosh was when he came out? Possible. He’s now listed at 210 in the Carolina media guide (published last fall), up from 195 as a frosh, which matched what most recruiting services had him at in SH.
Of course, media guides aren’t fact. Different schools have their own policies for what gets released in media guides. I do know that when Dean Smith was the coach, players were allowed to modify their listed heights to a degree. A player was allowed to take his measured height, round up or down to an even inch, then add or subtract an inch at the player’s discretion, or so reported my friend in sports information who actually made the media guide at the time. That means a guy who is 6’ 10-1/8" could list himself as a 7 footer. I don’t recall how they dealt with weight for the media, but I suspect that what you see on draft sites (none of which employ their own scales) is similarly not completely accurate.
Bosh, for what it’s worth, was listed at 6-11/202 by recruiting services before college, but shrank an inch and gained 8 pounds for the GT media guide. He wound up being listed at 6-11.5 and 225 from combine reports.
Motiejunas....
They either have to be able to shoot from the outside, like Durant, Frye or Dorell. Or they have be close to 7 foot
Then Motiejunas is our man as he is both!
Think Dirk jr. with a bit of future Pau G mixed in ….W’s could possibly get this guy!
No comparison with AR or BW…….we will regret passing up on him.
by Only In Fairfax on Mar 18, 2011 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Motiejunas present weakness is defense...
However, do not pass up on him..defense will improve and get the defense guy in the 2nd round.
I do not agree that this is a bad draft…..better than last years….look at what is available at 6th pick for example….Someone special could fall to the W’s… just need to keep sucking strong..no Nellie surprise wins please….counting on ya Smart….we know you will do the right thing…(dont)take it for the fans!
by Only In Fairfax on Mar 18, 2011 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions
What we need
Look, Dubs are pretty mediocre on offense (and admittedly atrocious on D).
We need help on both ends of the court!
"There’s no such thing as off the charts, just get a bigger piece of paper. If you can’t figure that out you shouldn’t be charting anything" - Skep
by Duby Dub Dubs on Mar 18, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Wait, why is playing center somehow acceptable but not PF?
by Missing Barry on Mar 21, 2011 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Henson doesn't interest me at all.
This team has shown zero ability in developing projects.
by Spider Jerusalem on Mar 18, 2011 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
this season
Henson avg’d 4.7 blk/40 minutes (and that’s not a cupcake conference he’s playing in)
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
While i'd agree on taking Henson, Faried could be really good defensively.
And he’s already a monster on the glass. A Faried-Udoh frontcourt wouldn’t provide much offense but it would be very good defensively and rebounding wise.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 17, 2011 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Faried is probably a late first early second round pick
we don’t want to take him 10-12
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
I wouldn't mind buying a late round pick to select him.
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 17, 2011 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions
He’ll be picked higher than we’re drafting.
by Missing Barry on Mar 21, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
From the mock drafts I’ve seen, he’s right around where we’ll be drafting. Of course by the end of the tournament, his value might rise. But as of right now, our chances are looking pretty solid. I’ve only watched a couple of UNC games. From what I’ve seen, his defense looks good. But how’s his offense? Does he have a post game?
Offense is weak, but dude has ridiculous length, good athleticism, high energy/motor guy, still young with tons of potential. Come draft time, I have little doubt he’ll go much higher than some of those mock drafts (I’ve seen them too) have him.
by Missing Barry on Mar 21, 2011 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Any chance his offense can improve? Like can he develop a post game? Also, he’s around 210, which doesn’t seem to be much.
Sure, I mean, anyone can develop an offensive game if they work hard enough, right? Whether it’s likely or not is what you try to judge based on interviews and workouts and such. Personally I thought his jumper looked decent over the last few games. Not much range and I doubt it’s even that high a percentage yet, but he made a couple and more importantly, the form looked good.
by Missing Barry on Mar 21, 2011 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions
He's light in the cakes.
So sayeth Sir Charles. He’s a project. The defensive version of Brandan Wright.
by Spider Jerusalem on Mar 22, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions
He’s skinny, no doubt. Other than that, he couldn’t be a more different player than Brandan.
by Missing Barry on Mar 24, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I would also take the chance on Motiejunas
He is already a proven 7’0 outside scorer.
“has blossomed into one of the best scoring big men in all of European basketball at the tender age of 20” -DE,
“2nd best per-minute scorer in the Italian Lega A, and is doing so in spectacularly efficient fashion, shooting 66% from 2-point range and 46% from behind the arc”. -DE
“Motiejunas’ improved frame has helped him considerably when it comes to scoring inside the paint, as he’s doing a much better job of establishing post-position, and is in turn attempting much higher percentage shots and getting to the free throw line at an outstanding rate”
Lacob…Please….Do not pass on this guy if he falls to the W’s.
by Only In Fairfax on Mar 18, 2011 9:08 AM PDT reply actions
So I was in Milan last weekend (visiting family). I went out with my cousin to a bar, and being as my italian is limited (to being able to order food) I was pretty much unable to communicate with anyone who didn’t speak english. Which was no one.
Interestingly enough, some americans who were playing in the Lega A all-star game the following night happened to come into the bar. I introduced myself, and had a nice talk. Naturally I asked a bit about some of highly touted europeans and difference between euroleague and NBA.
Some notes I got:
Euroleague- resembles a much more physical version of college basketball, little to no transition, foul calling is very conservative, lots of handchecking/pushing etc.
Rubio- Skill level is there. Both guys I spoke with said, in NBA he can thrive, because of tempo of game and he is best in transition. Struggles in euro league because he is an inconsistent shooter. Said someone like an early jason kidd isn’t a crazy comparison. Said if you put him in Warriors or Suns system he’d rack up double digit assists consistently.
Donatas- Has an ego. He thinks he’s very good. Can score at will, and knows it. Is tougher than you think. Has NBA game for sure, but kind of insinuated needs to mature to reach it.
Talked about how both are rated on potential so the real question is work ethic/desire. Didn’t know either personally so he said basically, if they want to, and put in work they can certainly be very good players.
Oh and when I said “I’m a warriors fan” both said “Monta Ellis is special” :)
by tafkasam on Mar 18, 2011 10:13 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Did you catch their names ?
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 18, 2011 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
yup
played at St. Marys, from norcal so easy convo. Funny part, he showed me his bulgarian passport. So i decided to wikipedia his name next day. Plays for bulgarian NT, lol
Donatas M
Thanks taf enjoyed your story( Milan/north is not as “romantic” as most of Italy but a great city).
Their take on DM sounds similiar to the scouting reports…I just think that he will be too good to pass up if he falls to the W’s..wish we could grab him and Faried(defense toughness) both for balance ha!
by Only In Fairfax on Mar 19, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
does he play defense?
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Naw.
"Of course, these people couldn’t really have predicted...the joke of a mockery of a sham of a circus of Keith Smart’s nightly rotations. " - Sleepy Freud
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 19, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
well, then you know what I think
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Fail.
Black players with dreadlocks can only be compared to other black players with dreadlocks.
I’m sorry, but you’re stuck with Renaldo Balkman.
Thing C
I saw Faried play this weekend….and lose! Suck it, Morehead St. The Richmond Spiders are in the Sweet 16! :)
What?
Faried’s a monster!
"Of course, these people couldn’t really have predicted...the joke of a mockery of a sham of a circus of Keith Smart’s nightly rotations. " - Sleepy Freud
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 21, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions
We are, U R! Next up, Kansas. Have fun watching at home, Faried.
by Missing Barry on Mar 21, 2011 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
What? Didn't you go to Cal??
"Of course, these people couldn’t really have predicted...the joke of a mockery of a sham of a circus of Keith Smart’s nightly rotations. " - Sleepy Freud
Steph Curry and Reggie Williams all day baby!
by GovernorStephCurry on Mar 21, 2011 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
this is before your time
but i was a huge Syracuse fan back in high school, and always remember when Richmond beat them in the tourney in ’91. I was so pissed! I was like, who? Richmond? Spiders? Get out of here!
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
they've been a giant killer over the years
(sort of ironic – or appropriate? – for a team named “spiders”)
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Most wins as a 12 seed or higher of any team in tournament history.
by Missing Barry on Mar 22, 2011 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions
so, what are your thoughts on Harper?
Is he legit?
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Well, he’s tall enough, athletic enough, and can shoot some. Yeah, I like Harper enough. Wouldn’t take him too high, but I see no reason he can’t be a poor man’s Channing Frye. Seems worthy of a late 1st rounder to me.
by Missing Barry on Mar 22, 2011 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions
can he play d?
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
I wouldn’t call him a defensive stopper. He can play a little D, though – he seems to have a solid enough combination of size/athleticism and length. A bit of a tweener, though, I wouldn’t feel too comfortable with him out on the wing, but he’s probably gonna end up being a bit small for the 4. I really do think Frye is a good comparison. He’s probably going to be a bit smaller and not quite as skilled, but in terms of their overall game, they’re a very similar type of player.
by Missing Barry on Mar 22, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions
hmm...
not sure I like that profile enough – maybe late first round, early second – but not a great fit for the way I’d like us to go.
I’m really sort of set on Henson or Burks, and just going to pray that we suck hard enough these last few games to move up the board to get one of them.
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Why are you so high on Henson?
Every time I’ve seen him play, he gets dominated. I’m not really a fan of the: sure, he’ll fill out philosophy.
by Spider Jerusalem on Mar 22, 2011 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Do keep in mind he was ACC Defensive Player of the Year this past season. So there are a lot of people out there that watch him fairly often that clearly aren’t seeing him getting dominated regularly.
by Missing Barry on Mar 24, 2011 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think they're mutually exclusive.
He’s absurdly long, and (in the games I’ve watched) gets a large number of his blocks on rotation defense. He’s without a doubt a great weak side shot blocker and those highlight blocks often lead to accolades (see: Camby, Marcus), but his physical limitations are evident. Almost all of his potential as an impact player in the NBA hinges on him getting a lot stronger, and I’m just not seeing the potential for that in his skinny frame.
by Spider Jerusalem on Mar 24, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh yeah I wouldn’t advocate him for us. I mean, I think he could be a nice piece for this team, but he shouldn’t be picked higher than late 1st round.
by Missing Barry on Mar 24, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
another under-the-radar guy that intrigues me...
is Jeff Taylor. I know his shooting ability is really suspect right now, but from all reports, he can be a defensive stopper. If that’s true, and if Henson/Burks are gone, I’d think hard about getting him, so that we could put out a lineup like this:
Curry
Taylor
Dorell
Udoh
Lee
With 2 defensive studs – and maybe a new coach who could implement the right system – we might get enough offense from Curry/Dorell/Lee/Reggie to have something.
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
this is the DraftExpress quote that excited me...
Taylor has a rare blend of prototypical physical tools, excellent toughness and a very good feel for the game. He shows all the characteristics the NBA looks for in a complimentary wing player (a la Raja Bell or Thabo Sefolosha), but he is a far more explosive .
From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jeff-Taylor-1351/#ixzz1HMOLJdZ6
http://www.draftexpress.com
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The City: A Golden State Warriors-Centric NBA Blog
Ha, I was wondering who Jeff Taylor was. Clearly he didn’t make an impression on me when my alma mater ended his season….
by Missing Barry on Mar 24, 2011 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions



























