2005-2006 REPORT CARD: Baron Davis

by Fantasy Junkie on Aug 17, 2006 8:11 AM PDT in News

BDiddy. Boom Dizzle. BD. Baron. Barren. Boom Fizzle. Whatever you want to call him, Baron Davis was the undeniable leader of this team when the season started. Now that the season is over, the love-fest has subsided and a lot of negativity has been pointed towards Baron because of his play and the team's win-loss record. Read on to find out how we graded Baron on his play this past season. And make sure to leave your grade in the comments section.

He's as athletic as anyone... (Photo: espn.com)

Has a flair for the fancy... (Photo: espn.com)

And dunks on 400 pound former All-Stars. (Photo : Gregory Shamus/NBAE/Getty Images)

Is it just me or does this photo remind you of anything? (Photo: gim.gupshup.org)

Baron Davis Mix by nes1us (featuring the unfortunate Warriors anthem 93 til' Infinity by the mighty Souls of Mischief)

Overall Grade: B-

Atma Brother #1 (Grade: B)
You know a guy is skilled when he's second in the league in assists in an off year. As the season progressed his shot selection worsened and his confidence in teammates like Adonal Foyle and Mike Dunleavy hit all time lows. Some freak injuries really hurt him and the Warriors this past season. Next season it all rests on Boom Dizzle.

DJ Fuzzylogic (Grade: B-)
I don't know what happened last season, but Boom Dizzle looked a lot like Will Smith in that one episode where he's the star of his high school team but continuously ball hogs and ignoring his teammates. Davis has the leadership skills to carry this team to the playoffs. Yet, he's clearly enigmatic: one day you'll get an MVP, then next day you get a better Stephan Marbury.

Fantasy Junkie (Grade: C)
I love the guy and he was an assists machine, but he failed to lead this squad to wins. Tack on the injuries and it was just a disappointing year. He was the reason for the high expectations this year, and so he's got to take some blame for the result of the season. His shot selection was poor and should be in better shape. There's no reason he shouldn't be beating defenders off the dribble almost every time on offense and causing havoc for the opposing D.

Hash (Grade: B)
Ouch. Well not really... Baron was a force out there this year. I just think back to the beginning of the season when in my mind the Boom Dizzle/JRich combo brought the Dubs into the post-season. Looking back on this vision, I can't in all rights give Baron an A. He's got the skills; he just needs to rise up to become a leader amongst the Warriors, much like we have seen JRich doing. If he can do this, trust me, we haven't seen anything from this one yet.

YaoButtaMing (Grade: B-) My hopes are riding on this guy, but it always seems as though he thinks more about himself then the team. How many times this year was the game on the line and he ignored his coach and team to take the final shot? He missed more then he won. Baron has the potential to lead this team deep into the playoffs, but he can't even get us there in the first place. I'm hoping he can step it up next year and prove us all wrong!

For more Baron analysis, check out eshock's diary: Mild Defense of Baron

Leave your grade for Baron in the comments section. Make sure to leave a vote as well.

2005-2006 Report Card Archives:

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Comments

B-

In most interviews, Baron comes across as intelligent and sincere and I suspect he really wants to win. Early in the season, he shared the ball well. He even tried to thread passes to Foyle who, with normal hands of stone reliability fumbled most of them.

He has always shot too much given that he isn't much of a shooter. In the beginning, it didn't seem to matter. There was enough firepower from the assists and seemingly enough respect for his ability to drive and dish to keep back. But when the schedule got harder and wins came less frequent, he seemed to get into one of two modes: either launch it early or try to pound it in himself. The offense stalled, and everything went to hell. It's much to ask one person to be savior, but with the ball in his hands most of the time, he's the one who has to do it.

He was statistically above average for his position, faults considered and not really statistically that much below his career line, so I don't know what to expect other than a different attitude and leadership. Intangible. Can't be measured (else it would be tangible) but wasn't always there.

I don't know what to make of any Dunleavy/Baron feud. There were glares that made it look real, but so much seemed like beat reporters making something out of nothing. Baron was at his best with the Hornets when he played with a multi-talented versatile forward with whom he split much of the ball-handling duties. I do suspect that both Dunleavy and Davis and the Warriors as a group will be better off with an offense that flows through both players.

by jae on Aug 17, 2006 8:34 AM PDT 0 recs

Bill Walton on BD:

"There comes a time in all talented athletes' careers when they have to take a risk to give up control and ego and accept responsibility and share the glory to win, in short, to be a leader. This is Barren's opportunity to rejuvinate his career and the franchise. What a story that would be, what a legacy he could have leading the Woes out of the wilderness to the promised land, raising the grail, entering the land of eternal sunshine and ..."

oh, dang, where was that url? uh, ya, ok, about last year, yup above average, not excellent, definitely not excellent, good scoring, assists, hmm, ya B- sounds fine (ah hell, f#qc last yr! same with the last 12, somebody light a fire under his seat!)

by hardcore on Aug 17, 2006 8:49 AM PDT 0 recs

C+

I like the guy and I don't know how much of last year was his fault, but it seems like the only word you can use to describe him lately is disappointing. His assists, scoring, steals and turnover ratio were all good last year, but his shooting was just terrible and I think that set the tone for the rest of the team. It's not just the crazy 3s he jacks up , it's the terrible FT%. He was dead last among PGs and that really sucks because he was 6th in attempts. It seems like he can take any defender to the hoop and make a play, but what's the point if you can only make 65% of your FTs?

He probably doesn't deserve a C+ based on his stats in 54 games, but that is exactly the point. Him being injury-prone is something that you have to take into consideration. I know it's not exactly fair to fault a guy for being injured, but at some point you can't ignore it anymore and you have to look at the whole picture. Since he hasn't played anywhere close to a full season since 01-02, it's pretty safe to say he never will. So while he has tons of talent, there will always be a ceiling on what he can do over the course of a year.

by Jud Booshler on Aug 17, 2006 9:19 AM PDT 0 recs

Damning praise

I see the grades and read the comments -- you're not at all happy with BD desipte the "B" grades.
Maybe BD has constitution of Elijah Price. I think he needs to train harder given how much he tries to do on the court.

by joe sez on Aug 17, 2006 10:33 AM PDT 0 recs

B--->D Curve?

I see a lot of B grades. However, reading your previous report cards (especially Andris), ya'll keep emphasizing how the grades are 'relative to your expectation of this particular player coming into the season.' I'm also assuming a C is average, aka what you expected coming into the season.

Does that mean we expected BD to jack up 16 shots/game and make less than 39%? Did we expect him to shoot worse than 67% from the line? Were we hoping for one of the worst decsion makers in all of the NBA? Did all we want was a flashy player that could throw oooops to J-Rich and give us no chance to win?

I bleed gold and blue. The Warriors have basically been my child ever since I can remember. I've had to constantly defend them, and watch them develope with many growing pains. When BD came at the end of '05, we began our very predictable late season push to get us out of the early lottery. HE got ALL the praise, not J-Rich or anyone else. All of the media (and probably a lot of GSoM users) were granting BD 'savior' status.

This just simply isn't the case. He played hard for those last 20 games. Our opponents were either resting for the playoffs, or coasting to the lottery (like we should've been doing!). This year rolls aound, and he can't get it done. The level of play is higher. His weaknesses are exposed. BD is easiliy the worst 'good' player in the game (meaning everyone thinks is soooo good because he's got crazy handles, quickness, and athleticism). BD is a waste of great physical tools.

My luv for the Ws runs deap....nothing can change that. But BD is a bad apple that I can't wait to throw away. This is J-Rich's team. The sooner we figure it out, the better.

BD D-

Top 7 of '07 draft = Warriors only chance of being good over the next 5 years

by jgodoski on Aug 17, 2006 10:53 AM PDT 0 recs

Grade Clarifications/ Not many B's so far

The 5 of us independently graded each Warriors' 2004-2005 season. Each person is going to have their own take and grading scale- just like the NBA dunk contest.

But here's a quick recap of the grades so far:
Troy Murphy: C+
Mullin + Higgins: D
MP2: C-
Zarko: D
Monta: A
Calbert (more of a joke report card): C+
Monty: F+
JRich: A
Biedrins: D-

Overall really poor grades for a poor showing last season. Baron's been the only B and a B- at that.

93 'til Infinity: The Warriors' playoff drought?

by Atma Brother ONE on Aug 17, 2006 11:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

Average grades

The Warriors won 41.4% of their games. I'm figuring that on a 4-point scale with an A=4 and a C=2 and F=0, 41.4% is a 1.65 GPA or roughly a C-. They were as a whole below average.

(My own experience teaching at the college level indicates that few people accept C for average anymore and consider it a below average grade--perhaps some of this comes into play here.)

If the grades for all the players somehow don't come out as below average, then it's either coaching FUBAR or some serious grade-flation where substandard play isn't recognized. I'd also expect that it's not terribly fair for the starters to all get above average grades and say that it's the reserves who got lousy marks, unless you conclude that it was the Biedrins and Zarkos and Cheaneys that were really the problem.

Of the starters, I think we can all point at two guys who we'll mostly agree weren't much help or were a detriment (though one appears statistically as damn close to average as any NBA player is--he just got PT like he wasn't average), one who was a well-above-average job and two for whom opinions vary--both had faults and both had strengths. In my book, that's going to spell a slightly below average (C-) team, which is what we got.

by jae on Aug 17, 2006 12:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

I meant Bs for Baron

4 of the 5 GSoM graders and following posts gave Baron Bs. That's what I meant.

p.s. You guys are doing a wonderful job with this sight! I just found it a couple days ago, and I love it! ....my hate for Baron is unchangeable. I'm not angry at what you guys have said.....he's just a POS.

Top 7 of '07 draft = Warriors only chance of being good over the next 5 years

by jgodoski on Aug 17, 2006 11:35 AM PDT 0 recs

Baron's a good guy tho!

He's done a lot of great humanitarian efforts with his enormous Katrina donations and charity hoops game in SoCal. He's a good old grandma's boy. Granted he didn't come into last season in great shape, but I think he's realized his mistake and will come in better shape this season. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion though.

By the way, just curious- how did you find us?

(Everyone who's relatively new- Make sure to browse the archives. It's more entertaining that FIBA 2006!)

93 'til Infinity: The Warriors' playoff drought?

by Atma Brother ONE on Aug 17, 2006 11:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

Lol

I kow, you're not asking me, but when I found this site (about March-Aprilish) I found it on Wikipedia.

by Zorgon on Aug 17, 2006 11:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

Re: Baron's a good guy tho!

The "he's a good guy" stuff used to matter to me, but after 12 years of no playoffs, I'd cheer for Baron if he caused Katrina, as long as we were in the playoffs.

I give him a C-. He fell well short of my expectations, but despite that, he was the second best player on the team.

If Baron brings the same attitude and ethic to the court this year, I'll give him an F-. We don't need a 6'3" Antoine Walker.

Still annoyed that we drafted Tod Fuller

by teagle on Aug 17, 2006 11:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

I haven't heard Souls of Mischief

since I was 15.

by Jeremy Belvins on Aug 17, 2006 12:45 PM PDT 0 recs

Baron

I think the number 1 problem for Baron was injuries. The Monty "feud" was the other problem.

It seems no one gets it. The reason why Baron didn't penetrate and take it strong to the hole was INJURIES. He and everyone else knew he was always on thin ice to getting an injury. That's why he was CAREFUL and resorted to jump shots. But nevertheless, he still stunk and needs to improve injuries therefore letting him play his best. Hopefully he'll show up healthy this year.

C-

by John Patrick on Aug 17, 2006 12:55 PM PDT 0 recs

Weekend Warrior

Three seasons full of injuries.

Either Baron needs to prepare his body for the rigors of the NBA season OR Baron needs to dial down his game to play within his biophysical limits.

I say he needs to hire Tim Grover, the trainer who helped Jordan perpare his body for those 6 NBA titles.

"In 1989 the newspapers reported that Michael Jordan was tired of getting knocked around on the court, and wanted to get stronger for the next season. Dr. John Hefferon, the NBA Team Physician at the time, had heard of Tim and thought he and Michael might be a good fit. He arranged a meeting for the two of them."

"'Tim Grover has proven himself to be highly skilled in sports Performance Enhancement. I consider him to be second to none in his knowledge of sports training, and an invaluable part of my training program. Tim is a take-charge person with deliberate but energetic and enthusiastic technique...'"
-- Michael Jordan

by joe sez on Aug 17, 2006 9:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

Baron's new trainer

Baron would be amazing if he had a new trainer. Someone to help him recover from injuries faster, to not wear down or get tired as the season went along. Here's my suggestion for his new trainer, I'm not sure if you've heard of him:

There's this Greg Anderson guy and he knows his "stuff"

by Fantasy Junkie on Aug 17, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

C

When he was there, he was really good. The few games he hobbled through he was average.

Though I've read he was told to sit out those games at the end, I just kept thinking of Ronnie Seikaly.

If he had played 10 more games, I'd give him a B. My grade is based upon his impact for the team all of last year. When it was there, it was valuable. It wasn't there enough.

by Gain on 10 on Aug 17, 2006 1:13 PM PDT 0 recs

GSoM Rules!

I think I found this goldmine of a website through hoopshype or realgm....can't quite remember. But I do know GSoM has severly hurt my production the last week.....and I love it!

-damn you Steve Logan

Top 7 of '07 draft = Warriors only chance of being good over the next 5 years

by jgodoski on Aug 17, 2006 1:23 PM PDT 0 recs

F

Baron, to me, gets an F.

If he would have actually plassed the ball before there was 5 seconds left on the shot clock, leaving Dunleavy or the like to airball a 3 75% of the time, or hit it half the time and magically get Baron 10 assists per game. About 1 of those assists is actually a good assist, not give the ball to someone with the shotclock winding down.

And then if he doesn't pass it, he'll take the shot himself and miss! How fun! Especially when it happens at the end of games! Richardson is and was and will continue to be 100x better a cluch shooter then Baron is, and I also think he'd make a better point guard then anyone we have now. Hell, fisher is a better cluch shooter then Baron is. And he's a SG, which is why we didn't win with him later in the season.

Baron is a great player. Yet, he's the biggest ballhog in the NBA next to Kobe, and hes not as good as Kobe is. I'd dance around a fire naked if this guy was traded anywhere for anyone, Dan Dickau, Sebastian Telfair, Luther Head are all better than this guy at being a point guard, unless he can learn to be a team player.

by Zorgon on Aug 17, 2006 10:59 PM PDT 0 recs

Rich ain't no point.

I think it is interesting - the whole Davis vs Dun debate - as if you have to pick sides or something. They can both be frustrating, but they are really the only players that can run the show - Fish wasn't as good, but ok - and Monta will probably be there sometime. With everyone else it is just painful to watch them try to bring the ball up the court with pressure and get the offense going. For some reason Dun was at his worst when Davis was playing last year, but there were many games were the it was a relief when Dun came off the bench (despite all of his faults) because he brought some patience and control to the game. Hopefully they can learn to play together, but I'm not against having Dun off the bench and having most of his playing time when Davis is resting. If either of them get traded it better be for someone who can handle the ball.

Next year Davis is the key, but after that it is up to Dun, MP, Ike, and Monta - Because you know Rich and Murhy are going to be solid - when have they not? It's the players that have upside or havn't been playing to their potential that will make or break this team.

I give Davis a C. He was the star of the team, but when he was hurt it became clear that the team was only slightly worse without him. He should learn from Wade and Parker and drive instead of taking 3s. At his peak he could be one of the top stars in the league - and mostly all he has to do in be in shape and limit his game so more people can be involved.

Dun gets a C too. The first half of the season he was a D (pretty terrible), but turned it up at the end of the year and was one of the most dependable players on the team. At his peak I see him as the 3rd best player who handles the ball alot on a good team. To do this he will need to shoot better and be more assertive.

by bol on Aug 18, 2006 12:07 AM PDT up 0 recs