Warriors 2k7-2k8: It's Training Camp Time!

by Atma Brother ONE on Oct 1, 2007 11:31 AM PDT in News Comment 9 comments

"Practice? Practice? Practice? We're talking about practice man!" Yup, it's that time of the year again. After today's Media Day (our man Fantasy Junkie is actually over at the festivities at the Arena as I'm typing this, check back later today for his thoughts), the fun really begins. Haha well I guess it's fun for us since we're not the ones running suicides with Nellie barking at us to chug the Slim-Fast and drop weight like Oprah- but not gain it back of course! The Dubs will be flying out to O'ahu, Hawaii and undoubtedly be practicing like crazy until October 8th.

At the very least it should be good for tons of great Nellie quotes. Last season he was good for all those crazy lines about how Mike Dunleavy was about to blow up the spot as a Point Power Forward (the point was Dun and power don't belong in the same sentence), how Troy Murphy was going to morph into a 20-10 big man (um, no) and how Adonal Foyle was going to get a lot of splinters sitting on the Warriors' bench (well I guess that one actually did happen).

Is Chris Mullin making a comeback?
Anyone actually think Nellie's sippin' a non-alcoholic beverage in this pic?
Has Lucky been working on his free throws this offseason?
We'll find out the answers to those questions and more this training camp!
[photo: warriors.com]

Then on October 9th it's game time! Sure the games are absolutely meaningless, but ever since Marco Belinelli aka Il Tiratore was lighting up the Vegas Summer League we've all been anxiously waiting for some action on the hardwood. Here's the Warriors' preseason schedule at a glance plus my "expert" commentary and analysis:

October 9th Lakers vs Warriors (Honolulu, HI 10:00pm - TV: FSN Bay Area, Radio: KNBR 1050)
This is the only Warriors preseason game that's being televised, so you won't want to miss it.

October 11th Lakers vs Warriors (Honolulu, HI 10:00pm - Radio: KNBR 1050)
I can just see the headlines and news items on October 12th: "After suffering two straight beat downs at the hands of the Golden ones, superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant issues a statement 'I believe! I believe! And I demand a trade to the Warriors!'"

October 14th Warriors vs Clippers (Oakland baby! 6:00pm)
Let's thank the Clipped for their meltdown late last season, by giving them freebie preseason win. Or let's not...

October 15th Warriors vs Zalgiris Kaunas (Roaracle Arena 7:30pm)
I won't lie- I'm just dying to see what "Zalgiris Kaunas" looks like printed on a jersey. Can you even fit something that long? I think this ranks up there with my 2006 NBA Draft cries for the Warriors to "Bring Gay to the Bay!" as far as immature cracks. I still swear I'd sport a The City Gay jersey if Rudy Gay ever played on the Warriors just to show some support for those good folks in SF who wrongly aren't able to legally get married.

October 18th Warriors @ Spurs (San Antonio, TX 5:30pm)
Thank god this isn't being televised. Even though it's the preseason you know the Warriors are going to get their butts kicked by the Snores. Find a way to watch this game if you're suffering from insomnia though.

October 23rd Warriors @ Sonics (Seattle, WA 7:00pm - Radio: KNBR 1050)
It's raining Northern California game in Seattle!

October 26th Warriors @ Clippers (Los Angeles, CA 7:00pm - Radio: KNBR 1050)
We'll give them the first one, but it's always fun to beat Mike Dunleavy Sr. on his team's home court- so no promises here.

Don't sleep on these links:

Warriors Training Camp Central [Warriors.com]- Make sure to listen to Nellie's 2 part interview. Just keep passing the mic to Nellie and it'll be a great time out!
2007-2008 Training Camp Blog [Warriors.com]
Warriors: Training Camp Preview [Hoopsworld]- GSoM friend Pree drops science.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... And it's off to Hawaii we go! [SFGate]- Janny Hu's got the 2007 Warriors Training Camp roster (see below).

(Thanks to kaszowski and OptionZero for digging up the links in this diary)

Warriors' 2007 Training Camp Roster
Kelenna Azubuike, G, 6-5, 220, Kentucky
Matt Barnes, F, 6-7, 226, UCLA
Marco Belinelli, G, 6-5, 192, Italy
Andris Biedrins, C, 6-11, 230, Latvia
Tierre Brown, G, 6-2, 189, McNeese St.
Pat Burke, F, 6-11, 250, Auburn
Austin Croshere, F, 6-10, 235, Providence
Baron Davis, G, 6-3, 215, UCLA
Monta Ellis, G, 6-3, 177, Lanier HS
Al Harrington, F, 6-9, 250, St. Patrick's HS
Troy Hudson, G, 6-1, 178, Southern Illinois
Stephen Jackson, G/F, 6-8, 218, Oak Hill Academy
Stephane Lasme, F, 6-8, 215, UMass
Patrick O'Bryant, C, 7-0, 250, Bradley
Kosta Perovic, C, 7-2, 240, Serbia
*Mickael Pietrus, G/F, 6-6, 215, France
Carlos Powell, F, 6-7, 225, South Carolina
Brandan Wright, F, 6-9, 205, North Carolina

What are you most excited about this Training Camp and Preseason? Anyone in particular you pulling for to make the final roster cuts?

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im most excited about it

being over and starting the regular season

by djchuckdeez on Oct 1, 2007 11:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Biggest Dramas to play out in Training Camp

Start at the top: Baron Davis, lighter, faster and more durable? Will Nellie be able to preserve our leader for the stretch run? Will he shoot more? Spend more time at the two to give Monta more experience at the point? He is upset that we traded away JRich and got back a 3 year project. Did anyone ask Baron if he wanted to play with Croshere? I mean they didn't seem like buddies back in their high school days. Add the contract situation, and we've put some question marks on a possible All Star season. Was it worth it?

Monta is 6'3", so he's not that undersized to play the 2. But, his slight frame and boyish looks means that he will only play PG. So, we know Nellie wants a height advantage at the 2, and he likes his PGs to be able to hit from perimeter. These factors seem to limit the talents of Monta on this team. Will he be traded or become a free agent? I thought he played excellent filling in for Baron in the playoffs for the brief time he assumed the role. So, there's hope.

Will Harrington gain consistency? Fighting off Croshere, Lasme and Wright shouldn't be too hard. We'd like to see his skills fully utilized this training camp. Can he positioned better to increase his rebounds. He did put the time in to add 3 point range to his repetoire just this last off season. So, I expect him to ascend to a double-double machine. Garbage points, count just as much you know.

Defensive Schemes. I'd like to us build a reputation as solid defenders capable of disrupting passing lanes and creating fast break opps after TO.

I hope Wright will pleasantly surprise everyone with a dominant training camp. Can't he just focus on blocks, rebounds and alley oops? Seems like that's his game.

by eshock on Oct 1, 2007 11:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

where is

pierre pierce?

by thewarriorsrule on Oct 1, 2007 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

zalgiris

I won't lie- I'm just dying to see what "Zalgiris Kaunas" looks like printed on a jersey. Can you even fit something that long?

I bet you won't have to bother yourself with that - only Zalgiris will be printed on the jerseys. Zalgiris is a club that delivered to the NBA Songaila, Ilgauskas, Jasikevicius, Sabonis and Kleiza (I may be a little off with this list). And Kaunas is a city in Lithuania.

Just bringing some culture to the community!

by zvz on Oct 1, 2007 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs