Where To Next? - An Alternative Vision of The Golden State Warriors Long-Term Future

Conceptually, I agree that that a strong, well-orchestrated tank may be what the doctor ordered. Realistically, I think we have to accept that just ain’t happening.

I’d also note that the tank team you presented is more than capable of finishing outside of the bottom 5. A proper tank would have to all-but-guarantee a bottom 5 finish, as during lotto, a #6 or 7 could easily slip to #8, thereby forcing us to cede that pick — the ultimate nightmare scenario.

I’d actually rate the chances of that team you posted (with a bench of Reggie-Udoh-Jenkins) finishing in the bottom 5 as in the neighborhood of 25%. We’d basically have to break Curry’s knees to increase the chances to the 75-80% range where you might consider it. In other words: not a good plan, even conceptually.

But I also think that getting to the playoffs, which should be our immediate goal, is as important a way as any to build a contender. Players take teams seriously when they can at least make it to the postseason. Otherwise, all the Front Office moves and draft picks don’t mean a thing. If we can build respectability throughout the league on the court, we can attract big name players through free agency (and possible trade with the right moves.) I don’t think I could take the Warriors purposefully tanking , they were already hard to watch last year!

(ie their respected roles on a championship contending team) ultimately comes down to hiring the right personnel to do so (budenholzer).

Heres a link of budenholzer dealing spurs younger players (hill/blair) as subsitute coach in a wolves game (i know its a small sample size). What I like about san antonio is the steady progress with which they cultivate their talent.

In contrast, mark jackson’s comments about “not having time to develop players” (im paraphrasing) and “making the playoffs” sound haphazard. I really dont think the warriors get it right with that attitude.

In a vacuum void of human beings and Joe Lacob’s ego, your plan is very sound. I’ve really enjoyed your posts since your promotion. Keep up the great work.

but realistically, we have an FO that is so hell bent on playoffs that they’d never consider it. I like the idea of starting thompson and taylor, the earlier the experience the better.

i think the one player you are underestimating is jenkins. he was the single most underrated player in college, and i see nothing but him turning into a stud. i really want him on the team for the long run

The problem is the Warriors don’t have the talent to get it done.

To accomplish their goal AND build for the future, they need to get talent, so free agency and trades will be a big part. Teams with great players they may end up dealing are New Jersey, Utah, Orlando and Atlanta. I’m sure there will be others.

I’m not too sure the W’s can get an impact free agent since they don’t have enough cap space, but who knows. They got an expert now.

That said, I hope the team has enough sense to see what they have first and who ends up making the team. We probably won’t see a big trade until the deadline.

because one of the most frustrating things with this current Warriors franchise is the mixed signals it keeps sending out. On the one hand, Lacob says that Ellis and Curry are the backcourt of the future… but then they draft Klay Thompson. They say that they want to play defense… but they do not try to get the right personnel to play defense. The only thing I’m mildly confident in is that they want to make the playoffs, if only because they signed David Lee to that humongous contract. And even then I don’t know how they expect to get anywhere in the playoffs.

or tank, but I think both are a long shot.

What about the future? Well i see a team growing a legit 45 win team. Steph and klay fit better together than monta and steph and i do believe that klay can be a good defender, I adore monta, but everybody knows he will be traded, because it’s the right thing to do and because he wants to be traded now,

So we got:

Steph
Klay
D-Wright
Lee
Center from monta trade, if we don’t get one than i’d pick udoh as our starting 5

Bench:
Jenkins
Reggie
Thornton(resigned)
Tyler
Beans – i don’t think he will be traded, simply because nobody wants him and he can be somewhat good coming off the bench

Obviously – if trade iggy-monta happens than iggy is our starting 3 and D-wright comes off the bench

There is also this possibility in that case:

Steph
D-Wright
Iggy
Lee
Udoh

Bench:
Jenkins
Reggie
Klay
Tyler
Beans

I just am wondering if Steph will be on board to have another awful year. Also i think we can definitely get a top 7 pick next year if we are willing to part ways with monta. That way we will not only be able to retain our pick, but get another pick in addition.

1. I don’t think Lacob and the new ownership will do this. Ever. Not with all the front office manoeuvrings and bold stateents of immediate success. It would make them look foolish. And Jerry West ain’t no fool.

2. None of those first 7 picks are Centers. So how long are we supposed to stick Jeremy Tyler out there just to let him “fail and learn”?

3. I still think the Warriors are in contention to land players such as Igoudala, Nene, and so on. Call me crazy, but I still believe.

I’m torn on your plan. But as much as it makes sense, I’m of the mind of BSD (as is usually the case): I don’t want to watch a team intentionally lose.

One part of your idea does seem imperative: we need a draft pick next year. if they can flip Monta to a lottery team for a pick and cap relief I think it has to be strongly considered.

The thing is you find the age of your core and see if u should add good players or young players with potental. I think tanking could be real nice and we could end up like a thunder team (young talented core) but deeper – but also i wouldnt see us doing anything interesting for about 5 years. And it is hard to guarantee that everyone will pan out. You could keep D lee and have him be our vetrin to keep the young players in line and progressing. Then when the team is ready to take the next leap we use him to upgrade, or unload him so we can upgrade.
Thats my take on ur vision.

Now what i would do is run with this team now. Show the talent, win a playoff series or at least appear in one, and trade our talent for more talent and sign free agents. Good teams always seem to stay good or get better because players want to play here and teams want to play like us (i.e buy our pieces i.e trade.). Our core is basically Steph in my mind – Reggie and Udoh havent proved much beside potental and being inept on one side of the ball. So you have to play with them and decide they are worthy of being part of the core. You must always be able to distinct your core players from the non, and add to them. Smokescreening has left me numb to the actual core of this team but i do see a glub full of talent which means VALUE. This team is mad VALUABLE. better of then most teams.

then that means we are doomed cause bad teams would hafta stay bad?

I guess if there’s a method of tanking, this would be the way to go, but you wouldn’t call it “tanking.” You’d call it “developing young talent.”

I just don’t think it’s realistic for the Warriors to go into any form of tank mode. They set themselves up to succeed now from this point of mediocrity.

It seems more likely that the Warriors could flip a current asset for a lottery pick than it is to tank and get a top 7 pick. Why not make your own luck through a trade instead of hoping a roster of Curry/Thompson/Wright/Lee/Tyler would fail?

Advanced stats might tell you that that roster would fail accordingly but what if something changes where Steph elevates his game with the absence of Monta?

Which brings me to my next question, wouldn’t the absence of Monta make this team better? You’re proposing the opposite. I’m sure you have some analysis to backup this claim, but it seems a little counteractive to the discussions about Monta’s effect.

so.. NO!

Next season without any major free agent signings (We likely can afford only the MLE) and trades, I see us being better offensively, still top 10, and making no progress on D. Hope we do tank and get one of the Heels.

Do you seriously think a new ownership group who paid $450 million for a franchise is going to consider tanking or starting a worse player in place of a better player? Sales at every level would drop off the face of the earth and would be slow to return while the team tries to prove they are done tanking/the plan worked.

Also, how do you talk free agents into coming to a team whose plan is to tank instead of making intelligent moves? Who’s to say they wont tank again in 2 years when all they have is Dwight Howard and a bunch of bench players because the plan didnt work out? You think Dwight wants to spend his prime with a team where he might have losing seasons?

The Warriors cannot do anything crazy like start 3 rookies and bring the talent off the bench. They need to make one or two good trades, maybe a painful trade; utilize the talent they have in the best way possible through solid coaching; demonstrate a dedication to being crafty and player friendly on and off the court; pay the luxury tax for one or two years; and keep the arena packed full of rabid fans every night…Never diminish the impact of having a full house every night regardless of the record. I think all else being equal, a good free agent will come here before a place like Atlanta because of the fan support.

Think about it. Curry’Monta.Udoh and the rookies. The stars of are team have yet to fulfill their potential so why get rid of them. a few years of getting More centres in the draft and we’ll be a great team

I think you’d get a different answer. Especially those in the lower bowl and near or on the floor.

Keep the same team, aim for 7th or 8th seed in the playoff every single year.

Rebuild (not tank) for a few years and hopefully get a SUPERSTAR in the draft.

With the way Udoh has rebounded the last couple of games, he’s not the first big off the bench for a championship team. Hopefully, he steps it up again.

Trade Monta.

Tank.

Profit.

http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2011/10/3/2463251/the-costs-and-benefits-of-amnesty

I basically predicted that Charlie Bell would be amnestied… and sadly I was right

We need a Billy Beane. Someone who can revolutionize how our team approaches assembling and fielding a team.
Right now, we are just complaining to an empty room. Without a significant change in approach, Dubs are doomed

I don’t think many fans grasp what it means to play on a team in a sport that you’ve been competitive in since you were young.
Players don’t EVER tank to get better draft picks for a team
Players don’t hustle less or commit an extra turnover to bring in competition.

I think the Warriors are suffering in mediocrity for three reasons:

1. Trading competitive pieces i.e (J-Rich) and not getting an improved player in return

2. Drafting Big Men who don’t pan out:
2006: Patrick O’Bryant
2007: Traded for Brandon Wright
2008: Anthony Randolph (look at all the big men we could have had after him!)
http://www.nbadraft.net/nba_draft_history/2008.html
2010: Ekpe Udoh (How many of us wanted to draft Monroe?)

3. Sticking with pieces that don’t work for too long (David Lee) and not dismantling a team and starting over.

We should get rid of as many players as possible for draft picks. This is a great year for college players. If we can add a legitimate SF and PF in this draft, then we have something to build around Klay and Steph.

Kill it with fire.

Don’t worry…Your team will kick the Blazers’ butt tonight….they always do. I totally expect a train wreck of a game from my Blazers against your Warriors.

The Kwame injury hurt. A lot. Say what you want about him, but he was providing something critical thing that the Warriors have traditionally lacked; SIZE. I think now more than most years in the past, the utter lack of any effect at the 5 is glaring.

With Kwame Brown in the lineup as it currently stands, I think thing would be vastly different.