Return of We Believe

by Jaguarundi on Apr 8, 2011 9:13 PM PDT

I started this post with the idea that Warriors will be making some needed roster changes in the off-season coming up. With that in mind, I began pondering what we should focus on. The ideas are very simple really, and they've also been emphasized here on GSOM for months. Four things in no particular order:

1) Some kind of production from the center spot
2) Need better depth off the bench
3) Must play better defense
4) Need another head coach (beyond scope of this post, but inconsequential in my opinion, because there are very few difference-making coaches in the NBA)

We've won 35 games up to this point. Looking at this record, our home games have been very good (25-14), and our road games have been horrendous (10-30). It seems like we have two personalities, and it's obvious that this is the main problem with the team. I believe three things win road games in the NBA: depth, defense, and experience. Improving in just these three categories might make us a playoff team. On the other hand, acquiring a difference-making center is what every team in the NBA hopes to accomplish. In other words, it's not very likely, which leads me to my next point after the jump.

Whatever players we acquire during the off-season, we are going to have to overpay. No one wants to play in Oakland, even with the change in ownership and a new outlook. We're going to have to pay more for a Zack Randolph or a Marc Gasol, that is, if they even want to come here. Same goes for any other free agent on the open market.

Would it really hurt to stay put at the center spot? David Lee's not going anywhere, and he has been productive there in the past. We are not going to get equal value back for trading Biedrins. Then, there's always the chance that he may return to form, which would be almost exactly what we need. In addition, there are a couple of interesting pieces (Amundson and Adrien), Udoh will undoubtedly improve next year (although rebounding obviously remains a big question mark), and we will also have some decent draft picks we can use to find that elusive difference-making big man. If the "right" deal comes along, of course we jump on it, but I seriously doubt that it will.

So my idea is this: why not revisit the names of some ex-Warriors that have fond memories of being here, specifically those on the "We Believe" squad of the 06-07 season? These guys would give us exactly what we need: bench depth, veteran leadership, and solid defensive effort. I'm looking at 2 players specifically, but I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and look at 3 guys: Baron Davis, Matt Barnes, and Jason Richardson. My original idea was to look at Al Harrington and Steven Jackson as well, but what's the point? They both demanded trades and don't really fit on the current team.

Baron Davis

Baron Davis has been playing pretty well for the Cavaliers

Current numbers, per 36 via Basketball-Reference.com:
- 8.6 ast, 3.2 tov; 16.6 pts, w/ a .508 TS%

pluses:
+he was the best player on the We Believe team, a top 5 PG in the league when motivated
+still a very productive player today, would be a fantastic back-up pt guard
+could be a very good mentor to Curry and Lin

minuses:
-will he be motivated?
-his contract is enormous
-would his ego be willing to take on reduced minutes in a back up role?

I just don't see how we could get him here without him taking a reduced salary. So while it's fun to think about (which is why I included him), it's not very likely.

Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes being Matt Barnes

Current numbers, per 36 via Basketball-Reference.com:
- 8.1 reb, 1.4 stl, 0.8 blk; 31.8% from 3

pluses:
+the guy gives 100% every night, and in many metrics it shows
+plays great defense, the reason he's with the Lakers this year
+has toughness, and the crazy factor going for him; every good team needs at least one crazy guy
+cheap contract

minuses:
-with the Lakers now, will he leave?

What can I say about Matt Barnes? He's been underrated almost his entire career. He's a fantastic lockdown defender and has played and even started on some contending teams. I can't think of a better player to come in and help change our defensive mindset. In fact, I would probably have him start over Dorell for his contributions on defense. He has shown in the past that he can hit the 3 (36% on We Believe and 34% in Phoenix), and it would allow Dorell to provide scoring off the bench. We could offer him 2-3 times what he's making in LA ($1.8 mil) in a multi-year deal and it would probably be worth it.

Jason Richardson

"Psst, Monta! I'm going to be backing you up next year buddy."

Current numbers, per 36 via Basketball-Reference.com:
- 16.5 pts, w/ a .552 TS%; 4.4 reb, 2 ast, 1.2 tov

pluses:
+has been among the best off-guards in the league
+would be great in a 6th man role off the bench
+has improved defensively since leaving GS

minuses:
-he still starts; would he be willing to come off the bench?
-currently playing for a contender; will he play for GS?

A very under-the-radar (deserved at least one all-star nod) off guard that has put up some impressive numbers in his career. Since he left before the 07-08 season in a trade for Brandan Wright, there has been endless debate about whether it was a smart move or not. Well, it wasn't. While Brandan was either injured or in the doghouse for years, J Rich has been very productive. Say what you will about B Wright's promise/potential, we would be a better team with Jason Richardson right now. With that said, why not bring him back? He'd provide Monta and Steph with much needed rest and he'd be a shoe-in for sixth man of the year.

That's it, pretty much. While I realize getting all three of these guys is near-impossible, getting one isn't. Netting Barnes and Richardson COULD happen, provided that LA or Orlando don't win the title. Assuming the that to be the case, we could have a rotation that looks something like this:

Curry/Ellis/Lin
Ellis/Richardson/Williams
Barnes/Wright/Radman
Lee/Amundson/Barnes
Biedrins/Udoh/Lee
(fielding a decent second unit for a change!)

So, 50-win contending team? I'm not ready to make any bold
proclamations here, but I think it could be a lot more competitive on the road than our current roster. It's almost a cliche at this point, but in order to play defense, guys have to buy into the system. It doesn't matter if your coach is Keith Smart or Greg Popovich. Getting veteran players who are willing to play defense goes a long way toward fixing this problem.

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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Comments

I'd love to have one or all three back.

I’ve was a big Jrich fan in the We Believe season and before they made the playoffs, but If I were Lacob, I would concentrate the most on trying to get Baron and Matt Barnes.

Problem with Baron is would he be down to come off as 6th man for us? With his ego to the side, I think he would automatically win the award and bring us a championship in 2012 or 2013(if there is a lockout). If Baron was smart. This would work. He shouldn’t give a rats arse about being a starter. It would work as a benefit as he wouldn’t be worked to the ground and get 25-30 minutes a game off the bench playing alongside Monta or Curry.

We already know what Matt Barnes will do for us if he came back. Plus his mom demanded she be buried with a Warrior Jersey to the grave. Still have absolute much respect for that.

Rest in Peace Ann Barnes: Golden State Warriors NBA Champions one day. its gonna happen. =)

ROMESdavidWOOD37 has taken over the Ongline. He's cool.

by ROMESdavidWOOD37 on Apr 8, 2011 9:27 PM PDT reply actions

Nostalgia tends to make for lousy personnel decisions.

by jae on Apr 8, 2011 9:27 PM PDT reply actions

I agree, but these guys are still very productive, right? Aren’t we more likely to get them than say a Nene or Stuckey? Now I admit to using some homerism and flowery rhetoric to make my case, but the idea is sound, no?

by Jaguarundi on Apr 8, 2011 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Not really.

Baron’s production has been entirely a function of his motivation, plus you’re guaranteed that he’s going to come into camp out of shape, and it’s not clear his ego is ready to handle backup duties. He’s been a below-average PG overall this season, although how much of that is connected to motivation is hard to say.

JRich, absent Steve Nash, has been a pretty average player. He’s also 30, and thus should be in the declining part of his career – he may have some more decent years left, but he’s a stopgap, really, at best – and he’s not as good as the guy who’s minutes he’d be taking – Reggie Williams.

Matt Barnes is playing pretty well and would be a reasonable pickup as a backup – assuming he doesn’t exercise his player option. It seems unlikely that he wouldn’t, though, given the uncertainty in play this offseason.

by Ronaldinho on Apr 9, 2011 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions

No arguments here about Baron.

Will he show up? That’s always a question. But even “Bad Baron” is better than Acie Law, and is a serviceable backup pt guard for 15 min a night.

Yeah thanks for pointing that out, I took a look a JRich’s numbers after leaving Phoenix and his efficiency did take a hit. Due to SSS, I’m not sure though how much of that drop is due to him trying to fit in a new system (Steve Nash does have an effect though, for sure). Reggie’s better offensively, but his defense still leaves a lot to be desired. I was one of the people that was really high on Reggie at the beginning of the season. If Reggie’s the better player, have him compete for more minutes in the rotation. Otherwise, I’d really like to not see Monta play over 40 min a game next season.

About Barnes, yeah, depends on how much he likes his stay in LA. If we offer him more money though, and a mult-year deal, it would be worth considering.

by Jaguarundi on Apr 9, 2011 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, JRich was never anything particularly good defensively, either ...

It may be small sample size, but it looks a lot like his career number.

Also, if you watched him play in Pheonix, you saw the incredible synergy he had with Nash. The stats backed this up – JRich was the recipient of far more assists from Nash than any other player. They worked really well together – so I think there was more than the normal “playing with a good PG” effect – I’m not basing that assessment just on the statistics, btu rather on what I saw in Phoenix, too. In this case, the stats are backing up what my eyeballs told me.

The thing with Barnes is that we can’t offer him anything until after he makes a decision to decline his player option.

by Ronaldinho on Apr 9, 2011 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I feel you, son.

My prom date was hot as hell and I used to think about her all the time.
I saw her last month for the first time after 2 years and did a double-take.
She looked horrible, so much so I didn’t want to say hi.

Lesson: memories are just that, memories. Cherish those memories, cherish that moment, because for that moment, all was perfect, all was well. Rebuilding those memories is never a good idea because most of the time, they don’t live up to your insurmountable expectations.

WE WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE.

"I am not prettier than your girlfriend, you just like ugly girls." - an extremely confident man.

by DEBACLE OF MASS ERUPTION. on Apr 8, 2011 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I like the idea of either Barnes or JRich

Not yet for Baron, wait until he’s a FA before thinking about getting him back, I want cap space in 2012. JRich or Afflalo are the guys I want the most this off season to give us a 6th man .

As for coaching Smart although earlier was stubborn he is learning. He has laid out a blueprint for a half court offense and more energized defense. It may not be coming through but every now and then you can see it. He’s developing just like our players, if we win our last 2 games and Shaw stays in LA I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed. And although he’s not a genius the players really seem to like him and continuity is key in developing a up and coming team.

When it comes to the draft I say BPA who isn’t a guard unless he is by far the BPA. I like Leonard cause I think we could use a tough outside defender who can rebound which is something we lack. DW is a solid defender but he isn’t super tough and doesn’t change the game on defense like Udoh does. Leonard to me seems like the SF version of Udoh but way more explosive in comparison (to others at his position)

‎"There is nothing like a wise phrase or quote to help convince others that your decision makes sense." - Anon

"If you're ever in a fair fight, then your tactics suck." ಠ_ಠ

by dubzfan on Apr 8, 2011 9:28 PM PDT reply actions

+1 to ...

And although he’s not a genius the players really seem to like him and continuity is key in developing a up and coming team.

ROMESdavidWOOD37 has taken over the Ongline. He's cool.

by ROMESdavidWOOD37 on Apr 8, 2011 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Is there any way on earth Dwight Howard would come to the warriors?!?

Even consider it in 2012????

by macdreboi on Apr 8, 2011 10:27 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

If we were good and had the cap space, I see no reason he wouldn’t at least consider it. Unfortunately, neither of those are true…

by Missing Barry on Apr 9, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

If we could get the old Biedrins, id like that.

"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 Apr 8, 2011 11:42 PM PDT reply actions

do you mean that you want vladimir back next year?

if so that is ??

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Apr 8, 2011 11:52 PM PDT reply actions

If it’s for the minimum, why not? He’s was one the few people off the bench to speak out about the lack of effort from the team. He’s been playing much better this season; that’s good enough to be 3rd string imo.

by Jaguarundi on Apr 9, 2011 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

No. We Believe was fun, but mostly because we’ve been starved of success. It was never a championship contender. If the Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, or Heat put up a We Believe type season, they would be massively underachieving.

I’d rather hold onto cap space and gut the roster, pursuing incoming rookie talent. I’m in favor of a three year, publicly acknowledged rebuild.

Those guys are nice pieces to add to a contender, but they won’t make a bad team great. Tinkering might get us an 8th seed, but it’ll never get us ahead of the top teams. They would, however, keep us from getting top draft picks.

by Uwe Blog on Apr 9, 2011 9:48 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Exactly.

by GovernorStephCurry on Apr 9, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Sure, I agree that team wasn’t a contender. But some of the players from that time were talented and they still are. Plus, all of them at one time wanted to come back. How rare is that?

The writing seems to be on the wall. I think for better or worse, we’re stuck with Curry, Ellis, Lee, and Biedrins for at least another season. Why not talk about ways to make that group better? Adding some decent veteran presence would at least address our atrocious road record which would make us a better team, would it not? We were actually a good home team this year. And how much would it cost us? Not that much (Baron excepted of course).

by Jaguarundi on Apr 9, 2011 2:16 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

why not talk about ways to make that group better?

Well, my main point is that we would not become a contender with that roster. We may get as good as, say, the Grizzlies. But we certainly wouldn’t be ready to take down the Lakers and Heat. Being a middle of the pack team is only good if you’re doing it with a youth movement. That means you have room to improve. Signing Richardson, Davis, and Barnes would max out our cap space for years, and those guys are through improving. Jrich and Boom Dizzle are already in decline. That means that our championship hopes would depend entirely on the future development of Curry and Udoh, and I don’t think either of them is the elite player that would lead the team you’ve constructed to a championship.

The team would, however, be too good to improve significantly through the draft, and the draft is still the best way to get a star on a bad team.

by Uwe Blog on Apr 10, 2011 12:29 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I disagree that the ceiling for this Warriors team is a Grizzlies-like season.

I also disagree with the assessment that the Warriors are a bad team.

Firstly, David Lee’s injury severely impacted the team at a time when we were already short-handed on the frontline. In the month following the David Lee injury, we went 2-13 (not to say that all these losses were the result of injuries; we’ve been a truly awful road team). Had the same happened to Zack Randolph, I think Memphis would be in a similar situation. Next season will be different: Lee won’t have a bite on his arm, Udoh will complete a training camp, Amundson will remain healthy, and Biedrins will possibly contribute, or we will move him and find a player that will. Next season our big men will be improved in regards to wins produced, perhaps significantly.

Secondly, the Grizzlies won’t be the same next year. Either Gasol or Randolph is gone, due to the max deal given to Rudy Gay. The Warriors won’t have to make a similar decision among it’s best players. We’ll be able to keep this team together (for better or for worse) and we have more flexibility. Who says we have to give the “We Believe” guys a lot money to play here? The whole idea is that they’ll return because of their past Oakland experiences. $5 mil a year for Barnes, for example, is not a whole lot. Anything more than that and we should look elsewhere.

Lastly, assuming we win tonight, a home record of 26-14 is not the mark of a bad team. The road record is, for sure, but as shown in the past, road records can be improved with a commitment to defense, bench depth, and experience. If anything, it looks like the guys are finally buying into the system.

How does a middling team become a “contender” anyway? Sign a big name player like Lebron (majority perception and unattainable for mostly everyone in the league)? Draft a player like Dwight Howard? Maybe get some really good ones and hope for chemistry? The term is at times used very ambiguously. The only way to know for sure is to do your best building, play the season out and start winning. That’s what the “contending” teams have done, and that’s any team below them will have to do.

by Jaguarundi on Apr 10, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

this wouldnt work

say we got all three, while this deepens our bench extremely, the players wont be happy with their roles…
Barnes would start for his defense, leaving Wright as a 6th man. But what about Jrich? and Bdiddy? we cant have 3 6th men.. Out of these three, I’d like to see barnes back, mainly because of his defense.

keep em both.

by dandubz on Apr 9, 2011 10:16 AM PDT reply actions

Well, this would only work if all the players coming in accepted their new roles. But it’s definitely one of those things that could derail this from ever happening. Like how would Dorell feel about his minutes getting cut into or moving to the bench?

by Jaguarundi on Apr 9, 2011 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Even if Dorell wouldn't start if we picked up Barnes

that means he could also come off the bench for monta, so mintues would be picked up somewhere else

All we need to do is win win win no matter what,
Got the Dubs on my mind I could never get enough,
and everytime they step into the building all the three pointers go UP,
And they STAY DERE AND THEY STAY DERE

by Dinney on Apr 10, 2011 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

BRING BACK B DIDDY

he still knows how to run a team. of course he’s be motivated, he misses us. he’s said that multiple times before. im down for barnes, but not j-rich. not worth the money for an aging vet. bring back buike also

It's lonely being the only Warriors fan at UMass :(

by j-spliff415 on Apr 9, 2011 3:38 PM PDT reply actions