Golden State Of Mind: FanPosts

The Golden State Warriors players have already given up on Don Nelson

2009-11-09T04:36:30Z

Golden State Warriors roster Golden State Warriors Golden State Warriors stats

After watching another pathetic effort by the Golden State Warriors against the Sacramento Kings, it has become clear that the Warrior players have given up on Don Nelson.

The question is how can you blame them? Nelson is one of the most overrated coaches in NBA history. When he has the right system his teams can be pretty competitive, when it's not the right system then his team's are awful.

That latter description is what suits the Warriors for this season. If it were any other NBA franchise Nelson would be fired, but since Larry Riley is basically Nelon's right hand Warriors fans are going to have to endure another pathetic season.

So far this season has been disgraceful. There's no rhythm to this team, there's no plays, it's mostly one-on-one moves, questionable shot selection, and careless mistakes and it's not going to stop anytime soon.

What's even more embarrassing for the Warriors is the fact that the team has been blown out by two of the weaker teams in the NBA in the Los Angeles Clippers and now the Sacramento Kings.

As a Warrior fan even though the team is going to be awful against this year the most disappointing thing has been the lack of playing time for Anthony Randolph. I'm not buying the excuse that he's so injured that the Warriors are trying to protect from further injuring himself.

I think it's just another excuse by Nelson not to play a young player. If you have followed Nelson enough he does not like playing rookies and prefers veteran players.

With Stephen Curry so far I can honestly say he's been disappointing as well, although he has shown flashes of brilliance. Curry needs to start being more aggressive and to look for his shot rather than just looking for other teammates.

Defensively again the team has no clue how to play. Against the Kings within the first three minutes of the second quarter the Warriors were already in the penalty because they weren't moving their feet.

I admit it I was wrong expecting the Warriors to start off the season well especially since their season started off with the Houston Rockets without Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady, I figured they'd lose to the Phoenix Suns, I had them beating the Memphis Grizzlies which was their only victory of the year so far, the Warriors should have at least played close to the Clippers but were blown out, and the Warriors should have beaten the Sacramento Kings, but again were blown out.

Instead of being 4-1 the Warriors are 1-4. You can blame it on the Warriors being a young team at worst by this point the Warriors should be 3-2. But, from the looks of things the Warriors have given up already.

The Warriors aren't even competitive and I leave you with this how much worse is it going to get before it gets better? Another question is do you think the Warriors are the worst run franchise in professional sports?

Poll

Have the Warriors players already given up?

On Mikki Moore, Anthony Randolph, and 'Done' Nelson

2009-11-08T01:42:39Z

To hear people defend Don Nelson for his ridiculous decision of starting Mikki Moore is to hear people mindlessly flail at justifying an authority figure's actions (He MUST have some justification, he's the coach!). At this point in his career, Moore is simply the worst NBA player I've ever seen in person. I am not being hyperbolic. I have watched NBA basketball since 1990, and Moore is the worst. He gives you nothing. No rebounding, no shot blocking, no scoring, no defense. Nothing. John Hollinger puzzled over why the guy is still in the league, and I share in his confusion.

He somehow committed 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, while scoring zero points in 18 minutes. So no, going with Moore is not about 'winning now,' it's about winning never. It's 4 on 5 and it's inexcusable. Mikki's PER is getting so low, it's starting to look like a respectable ERA. And there's no reason to be surprised, or assume things will turn around for the 34 year old.

Mikki evades criticism by simply doing nothing. He's the only player who can play within his limitations by doing nothing, and it throws casual fans off his scent. You tend to forget he's there....because he's not really there. He spent the first half standing next to the paint, occasionally catching a rebound tapped to him in the way a helpless baby bird would receive his mother's regurgitation. He doesn't 'do his job,' unless his job to send Chirs Kaman to the All Star game. Mikki was a prime player in opening the third quarter floodgates and he should be getting more flack for his invisible man act.

Now for Randolph. He had a poor showing, often looking spastic on offense. Unlike Moore's act, his mistakes are perceptible (they are mistakes, not the absence of action). But he did some things that helped, some things that we (Nelson team followers) have been conditioned to devalue. He rebounded well, and forced five turnovers in an awful mismatch with Chris Kaman. In short, he got a minus 8 (usually a bad plus minus, but not in this abortion of a game) for a reason.

We need to start actually valuing the things Randolph (and Biedrins) do, instead of being so scoring obsessed. Rebounds matter. Rebounds win games. So does blocking/altering shots. When Nelson says, "We're going to get out rebounded in every game," it's important to remember that he's choosing this losing strategy-- the Warriors aren't resigned to it.

So no more of the Moore talk, please. There is no logic to Nelson's actions other than masochism. Perhaps Nellie doesn't feel he deserves the win record, and is undermining his own success. Maybe he's just drunk. Maybe it's both. I don't know what's happening inside his head, but I do know that we don't deserve this guy. Stop justifying the actions of someone who either wants to lose, or is doing a damned good imitation of a self saboteur.

Poll

Do you ever want to see Moore start over Randolph again?

facebook Members: Keep the A's in OAKLAND

2009-11-07T22:14:44Z

Help spread the word and join our Facebook group to keep the A's in Oakland where they belong. We are now at over 9,000 members and counting!!

http://www.facebook.com/letsgooakland?ref=ts

Please don't forget to click on the link to sign the petition at either the FB page or the link provided below and remember to PASS IT ON by clicking the "Suggest to Friends" link at left, and invite everyone you know to join us. Help us keep the A's in Oakland! This information will be used to present to MLB and Commissioner Bud Selig through Oakland City Officials and their new Ballpark Committee to show that we still have the great fan base that we once had.

http://letsgooakland.com/

Thank you so much for the support and Go A's!!!

OKLND. It wouldn't be the same without the A's.

They're bad

2009-11-07T09:19:34Z

I just want to save everyone a lot of time. The Warriors are bad. It doesn't matter how much potential they have. None of the players are going to get so much better that it really makes a difference. It doesn't matter what trades they make. They are most likely not going to be able to trade for a player who will make a difference, unless they trade Curry, Randolf, or Ellis, and even then (I think we might be overrating the potential of our team's players) I don't think we could get Bosh, or one of the few players who could make a big difference.

They're going to be bad this year, the only way they could possibly get better is if they trade for an injury prone player (tmac) or an troubled player (like baron was years ago) who hasn't been doing will recently but miraculously starts doing better when he gets to the Warriors. I don't think this would be a good move to make even if it worked out well, and the chances of it working out well aren't good.

So I'm just gonna say it right now. Don't be surprised if Nellie doesn't play Randolf, even if the Warriors are obviously a bad team that might as well play its young player to give them experience. Its obvious that Nellie doesn't care about that. And try not to get mad when the Warriors lose all but 26 of their games, (and the games they win will almost all be to teams like the Grizz, so don't read to much into a good game against a horrible team. They Dubs get creamed by the Clippers at home after all)

Like I said earlier, I'm just trying to save people some time. I'm also just trying to save everyone from the emotional pain that having high expectations for this team can incur. If you have any expectations (even getting a high pick in the draft lottery) you will be dissappointed.

The Warriors will suck. Curry and (hopefully) Randolf will get playing time and get better. But the Warriors aren't going to make the playoffs. They will be frustrating to watch. They will not do bad enough to get a high pick. They won't get any luck in the draft lottery and end up with the 9th pick, and then they will do it all again next year!!!!!

Attention SoCal Dubs Fans

2009-11-06T18:36:31Z

Hey guys, Steve Perrin here, aka the artist formerly known as ClipperSteve.

I know there are some Warriors fans stuck down here in the LA area. If you're interested, we're having a Clips Nation viewing party at the Beach Club in Long Beach tonight to watch the game. Now, this is Clips Nation, not GSoM. We might have 20 people there if we're lucky, not like the thousands that turn out for GSoM events. But if you want to stop by, please do. We promise not to be mean.

After all, it's Clippers North versus Warriors South.

Date: TONIGHT

Time: Game starts at 7:30 PM, I'll be there about 7 I'm guessing

Location: The Beach Club Sports Bar

5755 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach (where PCH and Bellflower and 7th intersect, by the Ralphs)

Why Wright's injury could help the team

2009-11-06T00:44:21Z

Wrights shoulder impressed a bittersweet feeling upon the dawning of a brand new season. The Curry feedback excited, the idiocy of Jackson expected, and the emergence of Morrow and the rebuilt AR machine stirred hope. The news of Brandan Wright was absolutely spine shattering. But, in the midst of the depression, I began to think of this plight in a new light.

The Warriors exercise the option of 3rd year forward Brandan Wright. Yeah, so what? He's hurt. In the long run, this may actually save us quite a bit of money, and allow us to expand our team's talent. Why? Because if Brandan Wright were to come back completely reinvigorated, prepared, and ready for a new beginning, it would still be his first year back from a year's rehab, and his last under contract. Why the hell is this good news for the Warriors?

Because the NBA will have forgotten who Brandan Wright is. He will once again be under the cover of the Warriors. No doubt he will be sluggish in the beginning with all the time off, but he will be the same player Nelson was beaming about all training camp. Only this time, he will be forgotten by the league, and the fact this was to be his break out year, subtracts the kind of notoriety he would have eventually gotten from other teams given a full healthy year this season, and an additional year as we would exercise his option. He will only have one year to gain back his true form and continue on his path to being a great player before contract time. What does this mean?

It means come contract time after next season, unless Wright goes absolutely insane coming off a year where he missed a whole season, and puts up 18 ppg, 8 rpg and 2 bpg, we will be able to resign him for LESS MONEY than we would if he had 2 seasons minus an injury to prove what kind of contract he's worth.

You're looking at a forward with a lot of great potential on both ends of the court that we could sign to a contract similar to Turiaf's, while we get much more talent. This should allow the Warriors with just enough breathing room to make the major changes needed when Cohan smartens up and decides to sell the team within the next 1-3 years. Call me cheap, but this injury may have given our cap some significant space for the future, which is what this team is really all about anyway, the future.

- Sorry for capitalizing less money. I just have a feeling a lot of people pine through these things without getting the point.

Need extras in a basketball-related Doritos commercial

2009-11-05T18:51:02Z

Hey folks, I posted this to our league participants, but only got one response. If you're free and in the SF area (Potrero Hill district to be exact), please let me know by leaving a comment or going to my original post below, which has more contact info.

They are looking for "ballers" (you don't have to be a good bball player, you just have to wear the garb) with the following ethnicities: Latino, Caucasian, or African-American. Need 2 more guys asap.

It starts at 12p but might start a little late. Probably ends at 3p. Again, in SF.

Here's some more detail from the producer...

It is a spec commercial for Doritos. It is about a 70 year old asian lady that eats Doritos and schools all of the young guys at pick up basketball. It is very important that everyone wear dull colors like grey, brown, black, white and that they have clothing that doesn’t have brand names and logos on it.

For the original post, click here.

Time to get someone to listen (ala Cleveland Browns)

2009-11-05T18:04:27Z

If you don't wanna read all my opinions and just hear my idea just read the last 2 paragraphs.

I have been a Warriors season ticket holder since 1999 and have obviously seen many more terrible teams than good ones. I still go out support the team, support the players. However at what point should the fans take a stand to let management and coaches know that we demand better?

We are constantly touted as the "best-fans" in the NBA. But I'm starting to think we're the most willing to deal with lack of commitment and ineptitude.

After being at the last 2 home games and watching the Phoenix game on TV, I've come to a realization that the coaches and managment had to know before the seaon started. We are not a good team. We have many talented players, as well as good one on one offensive guys (Magette for example) but we are not a good team.

I would imagine that under the best set of circumstances we would win maybe 30 games this year but it is more likely that we end up somewhere around 25. I understand Nellie only needs 23 more wins to take over the all time lead, but what is the cost of his quest?

I sit there an watch him trot out Mikki Moore, a nice backup to a backup, Stephen Jackson (yes probably our best all around player, but he doesn't want to be here), Corey Magette (great scorer, no defense or passing at all), etc. In the mean time Anthony Randloph sits and molds on the bench.

If we are building for the future, then let the young guys play. Let me see a losing lineup of Curry, Randolph, Beidres. Get Morrow more minutes and fill in the blank with whomever you want. But don't keep putting out your "best lineup" for a team that is going no where but on vacation at the end of the regular season. Find someone to take Jackson and/or Magette, get a serviceable Power Forward. Let the young guys be young guys, if they make a mistake or do something wrong let them play through it.

At least I could stomach a bad team if I got to see glimpses of what the future might hold. But all I see right now is Nelson turning Randolph into another Chris Webber situation. The only difference is that Randolph has a better support system that won't let him act a fool.

At any rate, my idea is similar to that of what some fans in Cleveland proposed to get managements attention. On Wednesday December 16th we play the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. I'd stongly urge that we start now and get as many people involved as possible, as well as get some media attention, and stage a 1st quarter boycott. That means no one show up til the end of the first quarter, let the stands be empty for the begining of that nationally televised game. It worked for Cleveland, it got the owner to talk and the management to let people know what there plan was and if there was even one.

So that's my idea, anyone with me?

Terms of Service and Moderation on GSoM...

2009-11-05T17:13:54Z

I get that GSoM is a "Family Show", but this is the only 'Family' oriented blog on SB Nation that I've been in especially when compared to McCovey Chronicles, Niner Nation, and Silver and Black Pride. However, the Terms of Service officially say under Point 9 in the Privacy Policy section that:

The Sites are not intended for and may not be used by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children under the age of 13 and we do not target the Sites to children under the age of 13.

Those under the age of 13, therefore, are violating the ToS and Privacy Policy of SB Nation and first of all shouldn't be affiliated with any SB Blog. It is inevitable that a sports fan, specifically in a high paced game of basketball, will drop a cuss word here or there in what appears to be a site filled with raging opinions, fandome, and testosterone. You can't expect a Saint of a fan, especially one's who specifically look for a home place to talk their teams. It's not like those 13 and above never hear these words in school, work, or in the public. Also, not to point it out directly, but there are specific rules against Copyright stuff, which is never enforced here.

I don't want this discussion to get out of hand so those who want to voice their opinions, please be civil. But to the staff of GSoM all I ask for is more leniency or for clarification on this issue.

Poll

Age?

New Warriors logo

2009-11-05T02:27:43Z

via dreamleague.org

I see that this was posted in a previous FanShot from GSoM'er Precise Film Productions a few days ago, but I thought I'd do a little clipping and bring it out front and center in a FanPost.

Giving credit where credit's due, it's from Kurt Snibbe of ESPN.com in his Page 2's new and improved NBA logos article. Pretty funny!

There's also more "improved" logos that are kinda clever too. I especially like the Minnesota Timberwolves one paying homage to the (ex-?)bespectacled Kurt Rambis.

Should we try to get Brand?

2009-11-04T23:58:07Z

I have 2 possible trades for Brand

Warriors trade Monta and Wright for Brand

or Warriors trade Jackson Wright and Speedy Claxton for Brand

This trade makes us bigger and better

If Brand were able to play at least 50 games this would be a great trade because we would be able to play Morrow more, let him start, and play Maggette less

When Elton is healthy he is in Beast mode( love that phrase) 24/7.

First trade makes us bigger and more competitive

Curry

Morrow

Jackson

Brand

Biedrins

This trade allows us to keep Jackson happy and have Brand mentor young Anthony Randolpha nd Biedrins

Randolph has a ton of potential, he really does, but he is not ready to start he needs more time and more size to go up against the NBA's elite. I just don't see him being able to stop a guy down low when he is getting posted up or him being able to post someone up downlow. We can limit Brand's minutes to 30 a night and keep Beans the same, play randolph 20 minutes a night

second trade makes us a little smaller but Brand still helps defensively

Curry

Ellis

Morrow

Brand

Biedrins

This helps our front line a lot it would no longer be shallow and Nelly gets a reliable star rebounder inside scorer and defender in Brand. It gives us a guy who can soak up minutes and guard those tough bigs down low and score down low

Poll

Trade for Brand

Maggette or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Ballhog

2009-11-04T22:01:29Z

Now that it's settled that the Warriors are going to challenge the '72-'73 76ers for the worst record in history, we should start assigning blame. Naturally, there's a lot to go around. I think (hope) everyone can agree that Stephen Curry and Kelenna Azubuike have played exceptionally well this season. Anthony Morrow has seemed to struggle at times, but that seems to be more that the secret is out that he can shoot, and he has to adjust to his new found attention. Turiaf has played like we expect him to play, with energy and enthusiasm, but not much skill. Biedrins has struggled to find his place on offense this season; he is still an efficient finisher but he's turning the ball over more and not getting as many offensive boards prior seasons. Randolph has had inconsistent play during inconsistent minutes, and seems to be showing some lingering affects from his injured lower back injury.

That leaves three players who have played significant minutes: Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, and Corey Maggette. Each of these players deserve some blame for the Warriors poor start. Jackson has already tried to sabotage the season before it began with his trade demand, and his on court play has left a lot to be desires. He's averaging 15 points, but his TS% stands at .488, and he's averaging a stellar 2 boards, 3 assists and 3 turnovers. Ellis is scoring points (averaging 22.5 points per game) but doing so by using up a lion's share of the teams possessions, his usage rate 30.8% (for comparison, Lebron James is 30.9%). He also has shot poorly, turned the ball over a lot, and not gotten his teammate involved (averaging just 4 assists). Both Ellis and Jackson have not only played poorly, but they have undermined the teams chemistry- Jackson's trade request and Ellis straight up saying he and Curry playing together won't work.

However, neither of them has gotten the amount of blame or hate as Corey Maggette. Maggs is closing in on the Armando Benitez zone as far as fan approval goes. For those of you who follow the Giants, you should know this idea well. For those of you who don't follow the Giants, Armando Benitez was the highly paid and highly ineffective closer for the Giants from 2005 to 2007. He kept finding new and unique ways to blow saves and get booed off the field until the Giants management had no choice but to trade him for a journeyman reliever, 3 goats and a 6-pack of Heineken. That's where Maggette is heading. He has shot poorly (.374 TS%), increased his reputation for being a ball hog (usage rate of 29.2), turned the ball over way too much (19.1 turnover rate), and he is getting playing time that could go to golden boy Anthony Randolph. Also, I believe that Maggette clubs baby seals in the off-season. He obviously is the biggest problem with the Warriors this year and deserves the majority of the blame.

There's only one problem with this: The Warriors have played better with Maggette in the game than they do with him on the bench. Much better.

In 2 games, the Maggette has played 43 minutes. In those 43 minutes, the Warriors have had 96 offensive possesions and 98 defensive possessions. They've scored 97 points and allowed 100. If we weight this for 100 possesions to give Maggette an on court offensive and defensive rating, we get an ORate of 101.04 and a DRate of 102.04, meaning that when Maggette is on the court, the Warriors lose by 1 point per 100 possessions. This doesn't sound good until you remember the Warriors as a team lose by 11 points per 200 possessions. Also, when Maggette is on the bench (which has been 53 minutes) the Warriors have played 112 possessions and scored 111 points while their opponents have played 110 possessions and scored 131 points. If we once again find an offensive and defensive rating per 100 possessions, we get an off-court ORate of 99.11 and an off-court DRate of 119.09. So when Maggette is out of the game, the Warriors lose by nearly 20 points. If we combine this with his on-court numbers, we get the the Warriors are 19 points better with Maggette on the court than with him off it.

So, if Maggette is shooting the ball poorly and turning the ball over, why are we better off with him in the game?

As noted earlier, it isn't his offense. He's shot the ball often and poorly and turned it over. He is even getting to the line slightly less this year. Of course, offense only accounts for half the game of basketball. Is is possible the Maggette is a great defender and we don't realize it?

PLAYER                        MIN
Maggette, Corey, GSW	    43.77  
OVERALL
ON           OFF      NET
-1.00        -19.98    18.98
OFFENSE
ON          OFF       NET
101.04      99.11     1.93
DEFENSE
ON          OFF       NET
102.04      119.09    -17.05

Offensively, the Warriors are slightly better when Maggette is in the game. Defensively, the Warriors are much, much worse when his NOT in the game.

Another main reason that Maggette finds himself as the target of so much hatred is that he is seen as impeding the progress of superstar in the making, and possibly the second coming of Christ, Antony Randolph. This is observation is true, Maggette has not played once this season with two other big men on the floor (which I guess would make him the power forward, but positions are pretty hard to determine with this team). However, Randolph has seen a fair amount of playing time, but the results haven't been great:

PLAYER                          MIN
Randolph, Anthony, GSW 	      34.70
OVERALL
ON      OFF     NET
-25.64	-2.31	-23.33
OFFENSE
ON      OFF     NET
96.15	102.31	-6.15
DEFENSE
ON      OFF     NET
121.80	104.62	17.18

What's the point of all this? I don't know. It's not that Maggette is the savior of this franchise. He's not. It's not that Randolph sucks. He doesn't. I think it's more that hating on Maggette is kind of pointless, especially when him being on the court has a direct correlation with the Warriors playing well.

Actually, I think the real point is this: It's only been two games!

Poll

So, do you still think Maggette is to blame for the Warriors bad start?

Yet Another Trade Proposal...

2009-11-04T20:12:25Z

Lets send Stephen Jackson to the Chicago Bulls!!!

The proposal is Stephen Jackson + Ronny Turiaf for...

Tyrus Thomas and Jerome James.

Here are the salaries for the Warriors:

Jackson: $7,650,000

Turiaf: ~$4,100,000

Here are the salaries for the Bulls:

Thomas: $4,750,000

James: $6,600,000

Why the Warriors should do this trade: Get's rid of Jackson. Enough Said.

Why the Bulls should do this trade: Tyrus Thomas has been in conflict with coach vinny del negro recently and it looks like it's not something that will be easily resolved. Also they drafted two power forwards in Taj Gibson and James Johnson. Both are 6-9 versatile forwards who can play both the SF and PF positions. They would be getting back a bigger more traditional PF in Turiaf and getting a solid wing man in Jackson. A lineup of Rose, Jackson, Deng, Turiaf, Noah with Hinrich and Salmons off the bench could be tempting for chicago.

The Warriors possible lineup with this trade:

Curry, Ellis, Randolph, Thomas, Biedrins

Roll the dice for Nellie?

2009-11-04T17:45:37Z

Considering all the negativity and circular arguments we have on this board, I thought I'd present something different.

One thing Riley said in his opening round of interviews (when hired) stuck with me. Someone asked him if he'd like to add veterans, and his response was "I Think we'd all like to do what Boston did, trade young talent for proven vets like them and make a run." To me this stuck in my mind because it is exact opposite of the Cohan Warriors approach of 'Next season! Wait till the guys develop, Next Season" approach. And after watching out guys play again, and again, and again, I begin to wonder, do we really have GREAT young talent that will eventually develop to being a deep playoff contender, or are we being sold the same sorry excuse we've been for 15 years.

Will Randolph really be an All-Star? Or is he just massively overrated because of his potential and occasional highlight real moments (is he just a taller Tyrus Thomas?). Is Monta really going to develop into that killer player who can win you games in crunch time? Or are we all enamored by his great efficiency in 2007-8 when he had a top play maker and a good team around him where he was a 3rd option often going unnoticed in other coaches game plans. Are Morrow, Biedrins, Azubuike and co. really going to be viable NBA players or are they little more than nice role players on a good team.

We all know Nellie's strengths and weaknesses. Nellie is a master of match ups, in my opinion he is still a top 10 nba coach, coaching bottom 10 talent. Finally he does better with more experienced teams. So I pose the question, should we consider trading some key youth for quality all star? Roll the dice?

Proposal:

1. Monta + Randolph for Bosh.

Yes its a HUGE gamble, but lets look closer. Monta is about 1 year younger than Bosh, and FAR less accomplished. Bosh is a legitimate All-Star Power Forward. good rebounder, good range, growing defender. Randolph for all his potential, is little more than potential. Watching him play he still makes A LOT of mistakes. He is years away (if ever) from being the Garnett/Odom-type player people think he can be. That being said, around the league many regard him as a 'budding star' and even more so (in our favor) think Nellie is ruining him, and it's not his fault. I personally tend to believe, if he played better, Nellie would play him more. It's a huge role of the dice because Bosh will be a free agent, but hey, you really get nowhere in this league with a slow conservative management style unless you truly luck up in drafting (which I don't think we have). Turning 2 players with unproven star potential into 1 star is worth it IMO.

2. Trade Expiring s (Claxton, Law, Geroge) + Bwright for a all-star caliber wing on team looking to clear cap space: Rip Hamilton.

There's more than one team looking to do this, but I choose Detroit for 2 reasons. One they did it last year, Dumar's is not afraid to pull the trigger. Two, they just signed Ben Gordon to a big contract and he plays exact same position. I wouldn't rule out they dealing Rip for space to make a run at someone next off season

where does this leave the warriors?

1. Curry

2. Hamilton

3. Jackson

4. Bosh

5. Biedrins

Bench: Watson, Morrow, Buike, Maggette, Turiaf, Moore.

As it stands we're still not that old. Hamilton and Jackson are over 30, but everyone else in starting 5 is 25 of under. Having Hamilton and Bosh will allow Jackson to be 3rd option, more defensive a role he does better in. And will allow Curry to not have to do too much offensively, just handle the ball, take open shots as they come and play defense. The idea of Hamilton and Jackson gives us 2 very good perimeter defenders. Bosh + Biedrins finally gives us legitimate NBA size.

When I look at this rotation, yes its flawed. Ye we're still a little thin inside, lack a second PG, but this team is good enough to make playoffs and win a round. For a team whose done than once in 15 years, we should be ecstatic with that. I realize it's a huge gamble with bosh, but at a certain point especially when you're a struggling franchise you have to roll the dice. It'll never happen but hey its fun to talk about/

We Believe Part Duex?

The case for packaging Turiaf and Jack for Big Z and JJ

2009-11-04T17:41:44Z

Cleveland is not going to part with Z without getting a big in return, and rightly so. Every other legit championship caliber team is loaded with big-time big men, and there is really no chance they could win it all without at least two (even then I think they will have a lot of trouble dealing with the Lakers, Magic, and Celtics frontlines). We all want to get rid of Cap'n Crack, but we know the only way to do it is to give away Turiaf as well. Most diarists on this site have balked at the suggestion, but what follows is the case for making this deal happen.

Argument One: Trading Jack will only be harder over the course of the next 2-3 seasons (until he becomes an expiring or near-expiring contract). The convergence of talent at the top of the league this season is unprecendented. With every top-tier team reloading, the time is now to cash in on the insecurity of a team that has come tantalizingly close to a championship in recent years, and recognizes that their window may be closing. Getting an expiring contract for Jackson is only going to get more difficult after this season. The prospect of trading a disguntled Jack for contracts that are the same length or longer than his current one is just too depressing to contemplate.

Argument Two: Turiaf is a role player, and perhaps a solid backup, but nothing more. I love the guy, really I do. His game is exciting and he brings a lot of energy, but what does he really do for us that we couldn't replace? He is not a good post defender nor is he a particularly good rebounder. He blocks a lot of shots, but we have Randolph, Biedrins, and (next year) Brandon Wright (who I maintain is going to be a very good player and will ultimately make us glad we got him). He does not have good hands, and with a team featuring Curry and Ellis, two guards who like to slash and dish, as well as an offense that features (or ought to feature) lots of high pick and rolls, this is a serious liability. Mikki Moore can easily replace Turiaf in the rotation for this year, and he may actually be an upgrade in several key areas.

Argument Three: Getting rid of Jackson needs to be the number one priority for this team, and contrary to popular opinion I actually think this trade would make us better, not worse, immediately. Azubuike and Morrow need playing time, and only Jackson's departure will allow that to happen in a way that doesn't hurt us (playing Buike at the 3 and Jack at the 4, for example)

Addendum to Argument Three: Acquiring Big Z is not going to make us any better. If he comes here, he won't be playing for us. The guy is just about done with his career, and there is no way he wants to play out the string with us. Hickson, on the other hand, is a guy who might actually be able to help us (at the very least he gives another option at PF). He is barely playing in Cleveland, and I really doubt they would be unwilling to part with him.

So there you have it. Comments please.

Phoenix 2.0 (Warrior's road map)

2009-11-04T10:20:58Z

The first 2 games showed an ill constructed Warriors team. Phoenix and Houston are going to be better than people projected them to be and in that sense, the losses are not horrible. What is horrible is the way Warriors played as a team. There were no combinations out there that can dominate the opposition's first team.

I hate to see the Warriors rebuild at this point, but I don't see an alternative.

Even if we are building through the draft and continue to draft good players, we need a road map.

What the Warriors need to ask themselves is: What are we going to do that is going to be better than the rest of the NBA?

To me the blueprint is Phoenix for these reasons:

1) Our 2 strongest upside players have natual positions in this system: Curry and Randolph. And they will play the 2 most important postiions in this system: PG and center. If we can fill the most hard to fill positions with strong players, it is much easier to fill the other positions. I think it's much easier to find a Marion type and a Diaw type of talent as compared to a Stoudamire type or Nash type of talent. We would have an easier job filling out the rest of the team.

2) Our best player now, Monta, will be great in that system as the shooting guard. Monta is the one starting player we have that is possibly better at what he does than any other player in the NBA. Play fast and score. When we really do play faster, his diffenciencies on defense won't matter as much.

I propose we trade Biedrins for someone who is a better fit at PF. Biedrins seem to have plateaued and that is not a good sign for building the team around him. If he can't win his match up on a day to day basis, we can't be succesful a majority of the time.

Maggette would have to go or just not play. Jackson could fit but if his heart is not in it, he needs to go or not play.

Buike and Turiaf are 2 definite keepers. Morrow would be great in the system although his athleticism is questionable. I like to see the Warriors put together the fastest team in the NBA.

There's a lot of if's... if Randolph can keep his head straight and really develop. If Curry can develop into an elite pg. If Nelson and Riley will buy into the vision and forget immediate wins. But what else are the Warrior's going to do?

Monta hurt us this offseason: Brandon Jennings!

2009-11-04T05:12:40Z

MY THEORY: The only reason we didn't go with Brandon Jennings in the draft is because Monta Ellis would have taken it as a deliberate attempt to get a new PG, rather than go with Curry who we were able to say was "the best ranked player" available when we picked. If you all recall, he worked out for the Warriors and said it went really well and that he enjoyed our up-tempo style and thought he'd fit in well. The coaches liked him, I'm sure Nellie was gushing, but because of Monta being a damn baby (who can't back up his opinion that we don't need a PG), we missed on this guy. I knew he would be really good, and now guess what?

BRANDON JENNINGS IS THE HOTTEST ROOKIE IN THE NBA!!!!! He's the Compton version of Gilbert Arenas. He's been hot right out the gate, playing like an All Star, hands down the best Milwaukee Buck in YEARS.

THE GUY IS AMAZING!!!!!!

Curry is a great player, probably our best Warrior (especially if we lose Jack and while AR4 gets back in rhythm), but Jennings is better than any player on our team. And I love my dubs, but I have to give props where it's due.

Brandon Jennings, way to show David Stern and the NBA who's boss!!!! I salute you!

.. and Monta? Goto clutch school man!!!

Is it just me or are you guys also noticing

2009-11-03T02:31:33Z

That the coaching staff, players, and fans are showing way more excessive body language and facial expressions whenever a foul is being called? Yes, I'm trying to make a point that everyone is aware of the book and all have probably read the same excerpts. It is going to be pretty interesting as time passes because the NBA has made a statement that they will read the book and act accordingly.

I think Donaghy is scheduled to be released later this week so I'm sure he's going to be stormed by reporters about the book and if he can prove the statements are true. As most of you know he mentioned names in the book and those people can sue him for infringement... (I think that's what it's called from business law) so he better be careful on what he says during those interviews.

After reading the excerpts I've become pretty disgusted about the way the NBA was ran up till this season. There were probably games that were ran last season but this season should be different now that the refs have all been put on blast by the media. I hate knowing that games have been rigged for this many years because I gamble too and I've mostly been on the losing side =*(

The thing I think sucks most about this is that the refs probably hated the Warriors squad the most so games have always been called against us for years... no wonder we only made playoffs once in 15 seasons. Ok Ok, I know it's just silly excuses but I'm sure it had to count for a number of games over the years. Maybe I'm just crazy but I think these refs gotta go and I think we would have been better with those D-League refs... at least we know they could make trustworthy calls and improve as time goes by.

Whatever, but I think whenever you've worked the bizz for plenty of years you're going to know how to work the bizz for your own benefits. Am I right? I would if I worked the same job for 20 + years and no one ever questioned you besides a silly rating system.

Poll

What do you think about the referees?

Five Good Things So Far

2009-11-03T01:30:30Z

This four-day layoff came at a pretty inopportune time. Usually you don't have a lot of time to dwell on a bad loss, because another game pushes it aside; thanks to our odd early schedule, we've still got a while to go till we can wash the taste of that Suns game out of our mouths. It's got a lot of us feeling worried and cranky. And to be sure, there are issues aplenty: Jack's a headache, Randolph's screwing up again, Monta's slowing himself and the team down by trying to play point guard, and we're already razor-thin in the frontcourt, two games in.

Still, I feel good about this season. I like this team, and I like our future. Here are five reasons why.

1) Stephen Curry! I am not saying that he'll be Steve Nash. I'm not saying he'll be an All-Star. I'm not even necessarily saying he'll be an above-average point guard. But I think we've seen enough to say that *we have a point guard*, a guy who can play and defend the position credibly. That's a great, important thing for this franchise... it means we don't have to live and die with Monta's development.

2) Kelenna Azubuike! Hot damn, he's looked fantastic... glad to hear he's been practicing with the first unit, because he absolutely deserves to be considered for a starting job. There's of course a dark cloud to this silver lining: I think it's pretty much a no-brainer that 'Buike will opt out of his contract this summer. That adds urgency to the drive to trade Jack, as we'd ideally get a clear sense of what we have in Morrow and 'Buike before we'd decide whether or not to extend them. Right now, 'Buike's making a pretty compelling argument that we should at least think about keeping him around.

3) Andris Biedrins! For all the talk of the MJM trio's selfishness hurting Curry, I'd say Biedrins has actually been the most affected... there hasn't been any sustained effort to get him involved in the usual screen-and-rolls of years past. But I think Biedrins has looked pretty good out there, and in particular, his passing seems noticeably better. His assist rate took a jump last year, and while we're only two games in, considering the smoothness with which he's been finding people, I'd expect another little jump this year. That'd good be, not only because it'll make him a better player, but because it may make Nellie more willing to give him consistent starter's minutes. Biedrins will never be a Nellie-friendly type of player, but I'd improved passing would make him a lot more palatable to the big man.

4) Don Nelson! I'm not going to pretend that I think that Nellie's doing a stellar job... any athletic team with defense as woeful as ours is not being coached perfectly, and Nellie continues to think that Jack's more useful than he is. But I do think that Nellie's doing an overall *good* job, as opposed to last year. He's generally playing his best players and deploying lineups that make sense; as much as I hate seeing Maggette at power forward, I can at least understand where it comes from when the alternative is Mikki Moore. Nellie's going to war with a rookie at the point at the risk of alienating a star veteran; I think that's the right call. And he seems very good at knowing how to coax smart play out of Randolph.

I do think that this roster's brightest moments will come under a different coach. Between Monta and Maggette's abilities to get to the hoop, the efficiency of Biedrins, the sharp-shooting of 'Buike and Morrow and the promise of Curry, this is actually *not* a team that needs the offensive genius of Nellie to figure out how to score. This roster's big limitations are on the other side of the ball, and that's a side where Nellie just doesn't give you much. In a weird way, I think Nellie's a poor fit for this roster. But Nellie *is* a very good coach when focused, and he seems genuinely focused again this year. I hope that keeps up... if you ask me, Focused Nellie is 8 to 10 games per season better than Tuned-Out Nellie.

5) Stephen Jackson! Okay, okay... Stephen Jackson is not a Good Thing for the Warriors right now. But we've heard a number of rumors about possible destinations for him, enough so that it seems likely that we'll be able to dump him for '11 expirings at worst, and possibly better. I'm frankly shocked by that; I wouldn't have thought he'd bring back that much even *before* he demanded a trade. But luckily for us, it would seem that a lot of GMs overrate him almost as much as Rowell and Nellie do. If his unhappiness forces us to get from under his contract, he will have actually done us a huge favor.

I really like this team. I want Jack gone yesterday, and I'll admit to being a little tired of The Corey Maggette Show, and I'm ready for Monta to start playing like Monta again, but overall, I think this is a fun, likeable bunch of guys with some real upside. Playoff-bound this year? Nah, but there's real promise here. Not in the usual "we're the Warriors and we suck so we need to pretend there's promise" sort of way, but in a "dang, we actually have pretty interesting young players at every position and a decent cap situation if we can get Jack gone" sort of way.

Of course, if we lose to Memphis at home on Wednesday, OMGSEASONZOVERFIREROWELLLARRYELLISONetc. But for now, that glass is looking mighty half-full to me.

Please Trade for Eddy Curry

2009-11-02T20:00:53Z

Forget about Peja, Ilgauskas, and any of those potential Piston trades. The most logical player to pick up would be EDDY CURRY!!! If the Warriors are going to move Stephen Jackson wouldn't it make sense to trade him for someone who will add something to our roster(About 300 pounds). Jackson is not likely to lead the Warriors in any statistical category this season considering the offensive talent of our SG/SFs (Azubuike, Morrow, Maggette, and potentially Randolph) and the passing prowess of our two talented PGs (Curry and Monta)...The Knicks were one of the teams Jackson listed as his desired destination so why not acquire a Powerful Post Presence in Eddy Curry.

He may not miss a lot of meals BUT over his 8 year career he has not missed a lot of games, not including the past 2 seasons when he was dealing with a tragic family loss. His last full season in 2006-2007 he average just under 20ppg and 7rpg in 81 games. And aside from one season he has always shot well over 50% from the floor. We are not deep into the season so far but already the Warriors big men, specifically Biedrins and Turiaf, are only averaging 25 and 21 minutes per game due to foul trouble. Big Curry will immediately add a skilled post presence to the W's lineup and could benefit from getting good passes from Little Curry and working with a long athletic forward like Randolph..Not to mention this guy is going to need to be double teamed often if he gets his offensive game going.

Overall the Warriors roster consists of 5 PGs and plenty of wing players, however there is a huge size disadvantage that will become more evident as the season continues. Why not exchange Jackson, who will not be one of the warriors better players this season, for some frontcourt help in the form on the 2nd biggest player in the NBA: Eddy Curry??

This is my first post so tell me what you guys think.