The good, bad, and ugly of last night

by RonG on Nov 2, 2006 9:17 AM PST Comment 7 comments

Yes, it was not a pretty sight or what we fans deserved. However, there were some bright spots.

Clearly, free throws are too obvious as "the ugly," so lets move on to the bad. While inspiring, JRich was clearly not ready for the minutes he played. He looked fatigued in the first quarter. It is also pretty clear that Dun Dun is not yet the commander Nellie envisioned. TMurph looked mortified that he actually had to work for his double-double. Ike was a liability on defense. He was too slow to adjust and, in my opinion, is a big part of why the Lakers had a stellar scoring night in the second half. Our lack of an outside shooter made it too easy for LA to control the pace and make people pay for trying to score.

However, I liked a lot of what I saw. Baron was dominant and clearly in charge on the floor. If Murphy continues to look awkward and outgunned, don't be surprised if Biedrins takes the starting spot at center. (I've admired his energy and rate of improvement from day one.) Obviously, Monta is a great boost on offense and very well could be the future face of our team. Pietrus brought the D and energy. His shot selection needs to improve before his starting role is cemented, but that is easy enough to fix (I hope). Counter to the popular perception, I think we have the potential to be a good defensive team if people can play with inspiration. Really, our shortcomings on D appear mental. On Tuesday, Chicago proved a zone/help system can shut down opponents, if done correctly.

The scoring and free throws will get better with time, we know that. Roberson's opening night jitters and JRich's lack of conditioning are certain to disappear in a few weeks. POB should have a chance to help out too. From what I've seen and read, he has the fundamentals to become a good, if not great, center.

So what will it take to bring our game to a winning level?
A) Play defense with dedication, intensity, and quickness (the same as the offense).
B) Somebody please get an outside shot going!?
C) Guys on the inside need to be alert for the pass and MAKE THE EASY SHOTS.
D) Murphy and Dunleavy need to earn their money.

Oh, one more thing; give at least five or six games before tolling the bells of doom and gloom. C'mon guys! You call yourselves fans?

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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normally i would agree

however, this year is a bit different. The W's play 13 of the first 17 games this season at home against less than steller opposition.
In order for the W's to have ANY chance at the playoffs they need to get out of the gate fast. Losing to the Kobe-less Lakers at HOME is not my idea of a quick start. That was a game they needed to chalk up as a "W". They are now going to have to steal one like at Denver or something to get back on track. Not impossible, but if they play like they played last night...well, we all know what that means and it wouldn't make sense to even worry about the playoffs at that point.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Nov 2, 2006 2:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Davis was dominant?

BD stunk up the place last night. (He wasn't as horrible as Dunleavy, but he's a bigger piece of the puzzle, so his poor play actually hurt more.) He's still playing last year's game -- pounding the ball as the rest of the team looks on. No motion. No side to side. No movement without the ball. No screens. I don't see how anyone can call him dominant when he topped out at six assists, went six for 19 from the floor (a worse percentage than he was shooting last year as the worst sghooter in the league) -- oh, and of course he missed all four of hhis ugly threes, including the one he forced up on the first W possession of the game. If he continues to play the rest of the season like he played last night, it won't matter how the others are doing; you'll be able to stick a fork in this team because it'll be done.
Don't give the guy a pass for last night, cuz this guy didn't look like he's picked up a thing from Nelson, and no one needs a repeat of last season when he and the team were simply atrocious and increasingly unwatchable.

by johnl on Nov 2, 2006 4:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

BD's game last night

BD's shot selection was pretty horrible last night, but I aside from that I didn't think he was that bad. Although he should be playing much better.

I know Nellie and everyone else minded him pounding the ball, but I didn't so much. The other guys need to cut and move without the ball. I really think BD enjoys setting up his teammates, but if they aren't moving there isn't much he can do.

Regardless, he needs to play better if the Warriors are going to win. It starts with his shot selection.

I also think that means scrapping this point forward idea and letting BD distribute a la Steve Nash, but I'm in the minority right now.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 2, 2006 5:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

BD

The simple truth: unless BD changes his game and plays the way Nellie wants, the W's are SURE BETS to be BIG LOSERS. When Davis pounds the ball -- like on Wednesday -- he's not looking to pass first; he's trying to get inside. Thus, his teammates can't be moving to the post because that's where HE wants to go. So, no motion. On his one terrific play -- the lob to MP in quarter one -- note that Davis was WAY outside.
Also, when BD hogs the ball -- and everyone (fans included) starts going to sleep -- he precludes his own ability to move without the ball, and get it back on a drive.
So, if you're just happy to see the guy with the ball in his hands, it's real easy -- just have him keep playing like he has the past year. But don't say you're interested in winning, because THAT game with THIS team will never win more than 35. In other words, Davis with the ball in his hands is GUARANTEED FAILURE. So choose what's more important -- cuz on this point there is NO middle ground.
Finally, if we can now conclude -- tho it's still a trifle early -- that Dun and Murphy can't do it at 4 and 5, let's bench 'em both (I've always thought Dun was most effective as a sixth man, anyway) and consider playing MP at 4 (I know it sounds crazy, but he'll be guarding most iopponents' 4's anyway, as he did with Odom) and O'B at 5. Diogu seems just too slow -- mentally and physically -- to justify his nice touch around the basket, Murph can come off the bench for some quick jumpers (and a few rebounds), and we'll be able to put JRich at 3 and Ellis at 2 (throwing in Wagner, IF he can get to play some defense). O'B's got to get in better shape -- and fast -- but he's smart, got talent and has a good upside (since he started so late at BBall).
What about that for a lineup?

by johnl on Nov 3, 2006 9:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good points

I disagree with your second paragrpah, but I've been trying for a long time to portray what's in your first paragraph effectively.

by Zorgon on Nov 3, 2006 6:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Proposed Lineup

Finally, if we can now conclude -- tho it's still a trifle early -- that Dun and Murphy can't do it at 4 and 5, let's bench 'em both (I've always thought Dun was most effective as a sixth man, anyway) and consider playing MP at 4 (I know it sounds crazy, but he'll be guarding most iopponents' 4's anyway, as he did with Odom) and O'B at 5. Diogu seems just too slow -- mentally and physically -- to justify his nice touch around the basket, Murph can come off the bench for some quick jumpers (and a few rebounds), and we'll be able to put JRich at 3 and Ellis at 2 (throwing in Wagner, IF he can get to play some defense). O'B's got to get in better shape -- and fast -- but he's smart, got talent and has a good upside (since he started so late at BBall).
What about that for a lineup?

I'm all for experimenting with lineups especially in this early going, but you think lineup would work? My particular concern is MP2 at the 4. I think his strength as a defender is guarding opposing perimeter players. I think Odom was just an exception, because Nellie didn't have anyone who could do a half decent job guarding him.

Over his career Pietrus' rebounding really hasn't been that much better than Dunleavy's either. Although I expect to see MP2 improve on the glass this season. Playing him at the 4 guarantees MP2 a lot of nice drives to the bucket. I don't think there are more than 2 starting PF's who can guard his first step.

You really think Project O'Bryant's ready for showtime? I haven't seen anything to warrant that, but then again I haven't seen anything to warrant Dunleavy, Foyle, or Biedrins start.

Some fun radical ideas though.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 4, 2006 10:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

It was sometime during the 3rd quarter when the Dubs finally managed to get a defensive stop and the break went like this: Baron receive the pass, took off running with the ball, ahead of the pack, no numbers...and launched an uncontested three. I was in shock, b/c I thought I had somehow stepped into a time warp and was watching the opening tip of last season's squad. Nellie's got his work cut out for him, I wonder if he'll make it through the season without some serious health problems.

Look for him to do some major lineup shake ups, I would love to see him bench Baron and start Monta or Roberson even for a game just to see what effect it would have. And please, please, PLEASE, get Murphy or Dun off the floor, they can't share it.

jusgo

by tobin on Nov 2, 2006 5:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs