At the risk of enraging the GSOM faithful...

by Togna Balogna on May 19, 2011 6:39 PM PDT

Given the landscape for centers out there - and the likelihood of landing one of the stars - would a better approach be for the brass to hire the coaching prospect who can get the most out of Beidrins? Shaw and McHale come to mind. Shaw has experience with Gasol and Bynum and Kevin was a great PF.

If we can get Udoh and Beans to be a decent center combo then we can go about addressing other problems through the draft and free agency and trades. Here is my question about Beidrins, what evidence do we have, both for and against, that he wants to be good again, that he is ashamed by his recent play, that he wants to be a force? I'd love any and all insights on this one because it seems that this is key in deciding steps the warriors should take.

Also, anyone know if any Tony Allen / Taj Gibson types might be available via free agency? That would be a priority, especially based on the playoffs so far. Can you imagine how much better we would be if Monta had more time to rest and we had a tony allen type to plug in? I am (overly) optimistic that Jeremy Lin might be able to backup Curry at some point - he is a pretty good defender and handles the ball well.

Finally, go CJ Watson and the Bulls!

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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would a better approach be for the brass to hire the coaching prospect who can get the most out of B[ie]drins

A better approach than what?

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on May 19, 2011 6:47 PM PDT reply actions

in my humble and unexperienced opinion I would rather hire a big-man specific coach, rather than a head coach who specialises in big men. Let’s get KAJ since he seems pretty unhappy with LA!

by soda pop SMASH on May 19, 2011 6:55 PM PDT reply actions

That’s what I was thinking, too. I think that’s a job to give to an assistant coach. Realistically, I’m not sure there is a better option than trying to get Biedrins to turn back into the player he used to be….

by Missing Barry on May 19, 2011 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Nate Thurmond? Clifford Ray? Kareem?

"If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball." - Phil Jackson

by GovernorStephCurry on May 19, 2011 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Hakeem!

Wanna feel real torture? Try being a Warrior fan.

by luvmydubz23 on May 19, 2011 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

the dream

would be a dream come true for us to have coaching the bigs

by tom88gsw on May 19, 2011 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Kareem would kill himself trying to coach Biedrins, not to mention from the depression caused by L.A. failing to build a statue of him.

I'm the soul brotha' like no other!

by Naticus on May 22, 2011 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I've been saying this for a year now, I wanted him to work with AR and BWright

He has nothing going on other than a summer ‘big man’ camp that he puts on for NBA prospects and players, and I feel like Lacob has this new ‘price is not problem’ mentality.

Go Hang A Salami, I'm A Lasagna Hog

by Butterknuckles on May 20, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

dr phil?!

by PIRATEWARRIOR on May 21, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

I should have been more clear

If I am Lacob, to what extent do I prioritize finding a potential head coach who has a track record with bigs and a clear plan for getting the most out of Beidrins? Is it a small factor or a big one?

by Togna Balogna on May 19, 2011 7:11 PM PDT reply actions

Getting the Most out of Biedrins

I think it’s important to “get the most out of Biedrins” but I think this is going to largely depend on Biedrins himself and his own motivation. Mass opinions were out there that he was tired of Nellie and would thrive under anyone else. This simply was not the case. I can only conclude that it is not the coach, but the player. It has to do with desire. Does Biedrins have desire? I don’t know. To me he seems content to collect a check and sit the bench for 15-20 games a season with a questionable injury that most players could play through.

by brewitt on May 19, 2011 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree, which is why

If I am Lacob and Riley I would want a coach who is going to take a hard line with him at this point, while at the same time giving him chances to shine early in games so he can regain his confidence. I know a lot of us pine for Marc Gasol and others – but at the end of the day, Beans at his best is right there with the rest of the decent/good centers in the league. If we can get 9 and 11 from him and some presence in the paint, it would really help our team – not new info, I know.
Also, I would look to Curry to step up here as well. As the PG he is our floor leader and he can make Bean’s job a lot easier if he chooses to and then he can call the big latvian out. Overall, I really hope Curry becomes a vocal leader on the team next season – we really need it.

by Togna Balogna on May 19, 2011 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Mass opinions were out there that he was tired of Nellie and would thrive under anyone else.

WHo’s opinion was that?

Biedrins was playing injured during his final year with Nellie. The mass opinion – which turned out to be wrong – was that once he was 100% physically healthy his game would return.

by Ronaldinho on May 20, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I think it's small.

I think Beans is done.

"Morrow... That's a two pointer!"
-Kevin Harlan for the 22nd time during an NBA 2k11 exhibition

by don't leave Morrow! on May 19, 2011 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions

he certainly has given us that impression

but he is also still relatively young and it isn’t as if his knees are shot, its just his ego which can be built back up, right?

by Togna Balogna on May 20, 2011 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Nah, it’s beyond just an ego thing. He’s not making the same reads he did before. He’s not doing as good a job in contesting shots in help D, he’s not cutting on offense when he needs to, he’s not hitting the offensive glass as hard and when he does get an offensive rebound, he’s not looking to finish it. He’s gotten even softer on D, yet fouls more often. He’s playing pretty crappy basketball in general. It might not be fixable.

by Missing Barry on May 20, 2011 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions

All his offensive woes are contributed to the fact that he does not want to get fouled and have to go to the line.

He used to look for the ball on offense and now, more often that not, he shies away from the ball.

I think he still has the tools to be a very productive center, but he has to get over his mental issues. Wether someone can do that here is up for debate.

by ajtrinc on May 20, 2011 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions

More than just having mental issues, though, is he’s started making bad reads. A simple shift in mentality doesn’t necessarily change that.

by Missing Barry on May 20, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

And why has he started making bad reads?

On offense, it is obvious. He does not want to go to the foul line so he is less aggressive. I thought at first that he may have been unable to make the adjustment from receiving the ball from Curry and Ellis instead of Baron and Jackson, but he really makes little effort to make himself available to receive a pass from them unless it is at the top of the key to move the ball to another player.

You can make an argument on the defensive end, but really, if the guy is making a mental effort to avoid something on one end of the floor, he is not focusing any aspect of his game.

by ajtrinc on May 20, 2011 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions

The point is to be effective again, he has to start making the right reads. It’s not as simple as just deciding to be aggressive, so you start doing it right away. When you practice bad habits, they become engrained in your play, just like when you practice good habits, they become engrained. He’s going to have to learn the correct reads all over again.

by Missing Barry on May 20, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

He can practice good habits, but if he does not have the self-confidence in himself, he is not going to show any improvement on the floor.

He had some good games early on in the season, but any set back or injury easily shook his confidence. You can not play at a high level if your worried about making mistakes or having to go to the free through line and shoot foul shots.

Work on the mental issues and the game will come, not all-star worthy, but enough to contribute positively while on the floor.

by ajtrinc on May 20, 2011 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions

If he’s depressed, that could explain all of that.

I'm the soul brotha' like no other!

by Naticus on May 22, 2011 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

These are all good points and I’m sure our front office is bringing them all up in trade talks for Biedrins.
I think you are making good arguments for other teams to make a trade for him (while his trade value is low).

by WestCoastWarrior on May 20, 2011 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I think it’s small. Biedrins returning to form isn’t going to transform this franchise or anything. Getting one role player to return to form is not nearly as important as a coachs other duties.

by Missing Barry on May 19, 2011 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions

If I am Lacob, to what extent do I prioritize finding a potential head coach who has a track record with bigs and a clear plan for getting the most out of Beidrins?

I do agree with you that getting the most out of Biedrins will be our best option in dealing with the Biedrins situation. But in no way should it be such a high priority that we mold the team around Biedrins being a successfyl center.
I’d say our most important player isnt even on the team yet, and that should be a much higher priority for our owners than Beans, who is our (I dont know) 9th worst player on the team.

by WestCoastWarrior on May 20, 2011 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions

to the extent that any plans concern Biedrins

Chairman Joe and his cohorts will probably be quite cold and pragmatic : he’ll be tough to trade, especially if the cap gets more restrictive in the next labour agreement, and can’t be counted on to be much more than the ninth/tenth guy on the bench. Lacob seemed to relish snubbing Nelson with the phrase ‘sunk cost’, so let him dine on Biedrins’ contract as another sunk cost, with liberal sprinklings of salt and vinegar, if the Latvian isn’t able to revive himself. The coaching staff will be significantly different, and he’s a new father, so no one can really know.

Music is the Healing Force of the Universe (a.ayler)

by the.monk on May 20, 2011 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

The only reasonable strategy with Biedrins -

- is to put whatever off-court resources you can into him figuring out his issues …

… but to make no assumptions based on the notion that he’ll turn it around. If he does, great. But don’t plan on it. Consider it a complete bonus. Make sure you have a plan in place for him NOT putting it back together, because that way you’re not stuck if he doesn’t.

by Ronaldinho on May 20, 2011 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Meanwhile lets consider K Leonard at #11 and Jeremy Tyler in the second round if he falls our way.

KL could be a great backup at the 2/3..even more if we trade you know who off. Tyler could be a sleeper/C/PF in the second. Both have great combine measurements. Leonard’s hand is bigger than Jerrys w’s head!

by Only In Fairfax on May 20, 2011 4:28 PM PDT reply actions

Biedrins should NOT be the focus point of our team

I am sorry but Biedrens will not ever be a KAJ type player and we should not even expect him to be that. I would rather have him being trained by Rodman. That is what We need out of Biedrins. Not finesse and jump hooks. I need defensive intensity, ferocity, desire, and gobbling up boards.

But make no mistake about it. Biedrins is not a focal point of this team and if he even comes close to what he once was then he will hopefully be moved in a large deal that can bring us an all star or close to all star calibur center.

Don’t mean to sound like a hater, but realistically who sees biedrins being on this team for the life of his contract

by shooter1525 on May 20, 2011 8:52 PM PDT reply actions

Of course, I’m not sure we want to win next year (although Lacob has committed to do so). If we had a coach who focused on working with both Udoh and Biedrins, who wasn’t very good at other stuff, we’d lose more but get better at C. Higher draft pick and more valuable assets for the long run.

Not that I would necessary recommend that… although I wouldn’t recommend against it.

I'm the soul brotha' like no other!

by Naticus on May 22, 2011 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

i dont think beans wants to ever get hurt... hes grown into a softy and needs to walk

by PIRATEWARRIOR on May 21, 2011 9:33 AM PDT reply actions

actually WHO DOES want to ever get hurt.. what i meant is that he is afraid of that...

completely wrong attitude to be bangin around in the low post with the best in the world

by PIRATEWARRIOR on May 21, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

I prefer to utilize any other option available

(i.e.) sitting Beans while Udoh layeth the smacketh down…

Shut up, just shut up. You had me at "cure for Cohan".

by Baygiant11 on May 23, 2011 12:09 PM PDT reply actions

*

think i used one too many “eths”

Shut up, just shut up. You had me at "cure for Cohan".

by Baygiant11 on May 23, 2011 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

nets fan here, get rid of biedrins and start udoh

by jadedeed2327 on May 24, 2011 7:10 PM PDT reply actions

get rid of biedrins

He’s under contract. You want to trade us something for him? Morrow?

There will be no extra point!

by Sleepy Freud on May 25, 2011 4:44 AM PDT up reply actions

nets fan here, get rid of biedrins and start udoh

Make us an offer

by WestCoastWarrior on May 26, 2011 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

They'll give us Outlaw hahahahah

"If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball." - Phil Jackson

by GovernorStephCurry on May 26, 2011 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I’d like the say that I had the pleasure of witnessing the best game of Biedrins’ career. It was against Memphis, this year, he had 28 points and 21 rebounds. As I sat in the upper deck surrounded by a bunch of hoosiers, I sat in awe of the Biedrins’ of old.

by Grant B on May 26, 2011 9:39 PM PDT reply actions