RECAP: Warriors 123, Wizards 115 - Messed around and got a triple double

by dj fuzzylogic on Nov 23, 2007 9:08 PM PST in Recaps Comment 38 comments

Final Boxscore!

Washington Wizards minus Gilbert Arenas > Golden State Warriors

Boom Dizzle puts on a clinic in the nation's capital
(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Okay, so now that my arithmetic injustice has gotten your attention, let's get to the actual game. With one game left in their east coast swing, our Warriors are at a decent 3-1 record against some of the worst of the Other conference, finishing the game strong in spite of a depleted Wizards team where several unexpected players -- Blatche (pronounced blatch-aye), Haywood, and Young -- and former (Jamison) and could have been (Caron Butler) Warriors stepped up big time. In a shootout we haven’t seen since the historic Warriors vs Mavs (2006) upset, we Warriors fans have much to be excited about in a eerily disappointing season so far.

They had a decently even offensive output for 4 full quarters with 7 players hitting double figures. If you told a sports fan that the Warriors shoot their 3s at almost the same clip as they shoot freebies, they would no doubt be impressed. Except, the Warriors seem to inverse common basketball logic, like Antawn Jamison and his abilities to score, by shooting over 50% from 3s and less than 66% from the line in this game. But hey, maybe that’s why we love them so much.

Mr. Unorthodox is crafty in exploiting defenses
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

However, it might be safe to say that the Warriors will go as far as Boom Dizzle can take them. In another MVP-esque performance, Boom finished with 33 points and an incredible 15:1 assist to turnover ratio that coaches dream of. Boom got dimes on and off the court.

Despite getting much help from Jax (28 points), it's clear again from the lulls in the spare and rare 4th quarter break that Boom gets per game that the Warriors are lacking a decent backup distributor or game plan if (and lets pray to God, Allah, Krishna, Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva, and any other deity that will keep him healthy) he goes out long term. Without Boom, how do we plan to counteract the 30 point tandem of the b-level stars of the NBA in Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison and their combined 23 rebounds and 11 assists (10 by Butler… the ball is going up 9 times out of 10 if you give it to Jamison near the block)? What do we expect to do when promising and potential beasts in athletic and semi versatile (and buffed) 7 footers in Andre Blatche come barreling into the paint?

Before we go any further, I would like to note the Wizards forward tandem that abused the Warriors tonight could have been…should have been with the Warriors. The Warriors handed Dunleavy the future of the organization by not only selecting him with the 3rd pick in that 2002 draft (instead of Caron Butler who many thought was the next Paul Pierce and of course isn’t) but by soon after trading away the guaranteed and proven 20 point per game scorer in Antawn Jamison. I’m beating on a dead horse here, but I just wanted to prove again how skewed perceptions of Dunleavy’s worth are when placed in comparison not only by his contract but by the actual skill of the players that he’s been traded for or picked over.

Anyway, now that I got that out of the way, the Warriors overcame their shooting woes for the night though unable to control the middle with Haywood and Blatche having their way with Biedrins at several points in the game. I guess you can’t really blame him when the rest of the team doesn’t quite box out as best they should. It’s kind of frustrating too when your point guard, no matter how burly he is at 6’3, is grabbing more boards then the two forwards combined. Though the rebounding disparity is not that great, the Warriors look like that pushover boyfriend or girlfriend that lets their partner get tons of second chances to screw them over again. At one point in the 4th quarter, the Washington Wizards announcers on FSN flashed a sign showing how the Warriors had only 12 second chance points in comparison to the 30 that the Wizards had.

For those Grey's Anatomy fans, your Warriors are looking as pathetic as this guy who after getting dumped 10 times by Meredith, still thinks he's got a chance. Fellas, don't let this happen to you!

Which really means that someone needed to block out Jamison, like f’reals. Whereas Butler couldn’t miss no matter how many hands were in his face, Jamison just seemed to be in the right place at the right time all the time. Perhaps it's skill or maybe its just luck, but this guy gets the best position (or maybe this goes back to the Warriors poor rebounding). In the second half alone, he seemed to have at least 4-5 put backs that looked accidental more so than an actual display of his athleticism. For some reason, Atma’s term "unorthodox" is inadequate for describing his ability to "get his shot off at any place on his body."

A win is a win. With or without Arenas, the Warriors did what they should have in spite of all the red flags popping up throughout the game. This team has a ways to go and their rookies and young players need to step up if the Warriors are going to have any chance of getting to the playoffs. With Bellinelli and Monta’s minutes seemingly dwindling but the trainer finally having to wash Brandan Wright’s jersey now, cross your fingers that the future comes sooner than later.

It's not Valentines Day yet, but we're all always and already looking for Mr. Wright.
(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Warrior Wonder is easy like Sunday morning. The man put the team on his back again, this time dropping a triple double. I would also say that every point, rebound, and assist in his stat line was needed to keep this team in the game. MVP!

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Hey,

Does the FSN Bay Area broadcast of Warriors games have horrible sound quality for anyone else besides me? The announcers sound weak and tinny and you have to crank the sound up to hear them. It's not like the sound doesn't work on my tv, any time they have a swooshing graphic or something, it comes through rediculously loud and clear. I don't know about the commercials, thank god for tivo.

It sounds pretty crappy. Anybody else having a similar problem? I can't fathom how they haven't noticed it yet if everybody is getting it this way.

by Gringosaan on Nov 23, 2007 9:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

asdf

I have the same problem, I usually listen to my TV on volume 10-12 but when I watch the Dubs it's always up over 20.

by J Rich 4 MVP on Nov 23, 2007 11:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I wonder...

how long it will take for them to fix it? I'm a snob about production values, but still it is pretty bad compared to the espn broadcast or tnt.

Anybody else having this problem? I have Charter cable. It it bad on all carriers? Satellite?

by Gringosaan on Nov 24, 2007 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're forgetting, Fuzzy,

that the Jamison trade gave us Van Exel, who was traded for Dale Davis, who was traded for Baron Davis. I see what you're saying about Dunleavy, of course, but Antawn's contract was absolutely crippling to this franchise.

That said, I brought up Jamison as a possible good fit for our team next year when that contract dies. OZ thinks I'm crazy. AJ put up 30/12 on us, all from the paint and the charity stripe. That's all I'm sayin'.

by ffgolden on Nov 23, 2007 11:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yeah

and tracy murray also destroyed us. Did you clamor for us to get him back then as well?

As I said before, Jamison does nothing to help our biggest deficiency (defense), and there aren't any realistic scenarios to acquire him.

Let's trade for Kobe, he's a good fit.

24 > 23

WE NEED A BACKUP POINT GUARD

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Nov 23, 2007 11:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You keep ignoring

the fact that I'm not talking about acquiring him now to fix our deficiencies. I'm talking about the possibility of adding him next year as an additional component. Do they teach selective reading in law school?

by ffgolden on Nov 23, 2007 11:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Selective reading?

Naw, but we do learn a thing about logic.

You want to blow the MLE on another scoring forward, give him multiple years, despite the presence of Harrington and Wright?

What about our needs at backup PG? How bout re-signing one of our backup wings or acquiring an outside replacement?

Jamison would be a waste of money. We are not the Warriors of ages ago that was devoid of talent; we have talent now and need to sort it out.

Take a look at our contracts up next year and tell me straight that we need another scoring PF that doesn't play defense. Tell me if you think thats such a great idea you'd give the $25-30M an MLE deal would look like for a redandant body.

For a guy that's trying to take shots at another for selective reading you seem to be, laughingly enough, stubbornly clinging to a stupid idea that's been disproven already.

Why stop at Jamison? Let's bring Fortson out of retirement and trade for Reggie Evans. Get Earl Boykins. Then we can tank for the '09, 10, 11, and 2012 drafts.

24 > 23

WE NEED A BACKUP POINT GUARD

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Nov 24, 2007 2:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You can't disprove an idea.

You can, however, close your mind to one.

$25-$30mil for a 20/10 guy, who gets his numbers in the flow of the game? Depending of course on who else is on board, then yeah, I don't think that's unreasonable at all. I also don't think he's redundant: he is a good rebounder (especially on the offensive end) and free throw shooter, and has great touch around the basket. Harrington has more dependable range and puts out more effort defensively (not to say he's a great defender, of course). They seem more complimentary than redundant to me.

I'm not trying to lay out a plan for the future here. I'm not saying acquiring Jamison is #1 priority, and backup-PG woes be damned. I'm just voicing my opinion that Jamison might fit well with this team. You might think otherwise, but all the straw men in the world (Fortson? Really?) aren't going to "disprove" my opinion.

by ffgolden on Nov 24, 2007 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

20/10

Is a pipe dream.

You're gonna pay $25-30M for a THIRD power forward that's not an improvement over our current PF and lacks the upside of our #8 pick?

What the crap kind of priority is that? Why are we even talking about signing another free agent POWER FORWARD? We already have our PF's for next year, why on earth would anyone want to blow the little space we have on ANOTHER one?

Jamison is shooting 40% from the field and doesn't play a lick of defense. On a rate basis, he's even less efficient than Harrington (ask JAE what he feels about that). So yeah, sorry, I'm closing my mind to this one. I tend do to that with lame suggestions.

Offense isn't our problem, getting consistent defense is. Jamison is MINUS 10 on defense. Even if you don't like Harrington, spending money to bring in a guy that's no better is Isaiah Thomas logic.

Pass.

24 > 23

WE NEED A BACKUP POINT GUARD

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Nov 24, 2007 4:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jamison's "crippling" contract

You know I just don't buy it. Since the Warriors traded him Antawn has been to the playoffs every year with the Mavs and the Wizards. The Warriors are a bigger market team then them both too, so it's not like the Warriors didn't have the money to pay him and another big money player. It seems like only loser franchises like the Warriors worry more about how much their players are making, rather than their production on the court or winning ball games in the present. Jamison is a near 20-10 player who plays hard every night, so it's not like he has a horrendous Jerome James contract or anything.

I honestly could care less about the Warriors payroll as long as they're fun to watch and winning games. The NBA's astronomically rich owners have somehow brainwashed fans into caring about keeping their payrolls low with the salary cap, which correct me if I'm wrong every single team is over except for a few (e.g. Hawks). This isn't football where there's a hard cap- although JAE would be the best person to talk about the NBA's salary cap structure.

And I think my man's point about Dun and Jamison was how nauseating it was to hear that part of the motivation for trading Antawn was to open up more undeserved and unearned playing time for Mike Dunleavy.

Jamison's never been much of a defender (understatement of the year), but I'd love to have his scoring in the paint, rebounding, 3pt shooting, positive attitude, and goofy smile back on the Warriors. He's athletic enough to play uptempo and backed up Dirk for Nellie one year and took home the 6th man of the year honors.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 23, 2007 11:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Couple things

First off, the Warriors WEREN'T winning games with Antawn at the helm. He was a consistent producer, but he didn't put his team in the win column. Dallas was a winning team with Antawn because they also had Nowitzki, Nash, Walker, and the overachieving Howard and Daniels. The Wizards have made the playoffs because they're in the East. The Dubs just weren't good enough aside from Jamison to win games. The fact that Dunleavy was considered to be a huge factor in eventually turning things around was indeed gut-wrenching--but most of us hadn't even written Dun off quite yet.

I've never been a huge fan of Cohan myself, but I don't know if it's fair to say that "only loser franchises like the Warriors worry more about how much their players are making". EVERY franchise cares how much money their players are making, but especially so if the team is losing. Now that the Warriors are respectable and capable of winning, people aren't complaining about Cohan's thriftiness. In reality, he's always been willing to pay his players--they just haven't been the right players. Sadly, Jamison was one of those.

Lastly, I don't remember too many options for the Dubs at that point in time. They tried building around Jamison and hadn't yet worked. Should they have traded budding star Richardson? An emerging Murphy? A Dunleavy that was brimming with Potential? Well, damn, yeah they probably should have, seeing as how they went ahead and did it later after paying them all truckloads of green. But it didn't make as much sense at the time, as it would have looked like they were "trading away the future".

by ffgolden on Nov 24, 2007 12:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

FF i agree

I like the discussion going on here, so I'll jump in and offer my two cents. The W's are obviously flawed team that will not have home court advantage in the playoffs, so why are we all of a sudden yearning for this to be an elite team?!?!? There are some things this team does right, and some things this team does wrong, and the Wizards are very similar in those categories. For us to walk away with a win on the road (much less 3-1 in 4 games on the road), we should be very encouraged. I didn't get to see the game tonight (damn family business), but we scored over 30 in every quarter, hit our open shots, and won the game. On the road in the lig, you try to stay close until the 4th, and then pull away, and that's what we did.

On to the debate that FF and Atma were having about Antawn and his career with the Warriors, I'll ask this question... Instead of him, what if we had Shawn Marion in his present state? He'll get you easy buckets, 20-10, etc... but he won't get you wins by himself! You can't give a player like them the ball with 8 secs left on the shot clock and expect a good look. Those W's teams were so dysfunctional that Antawn was not the solution, as much as I like his game as a 3rd or 4th option (and he'll never be more than that).

This W's team has problems, but they also have lots of positives, and tonight was one of them. Sure we're getting beat on the boards, but as a team we're averaging less than 13 TO's a game, and almost 8 steals! Even if we give away some possessions with poor rebounding, at least we're handling our business in other ways. I feel like we're building something with this team, and we're doing a lot of things right. Go W's!

"Stephen Jackson is my shrink, and I'm his shrink." -Baron

by Lou on Nov 24, 2007 1:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good Discussion

First off, the Warriors WEREN'T winning games with Antawn at the helm. He was a consistent producer, but he didn't put his team in the win column.

Actually the season preceding the Jamison trade they only missed the playoffs by a few games and people around the league were praising their up and coming backcourt. Jamison, Arenas, JRich, Murph, Boykins, Damp, Sura, etc were nothing to laugh at. I would've kept that core and went to the playoffs.

Dallas was a winning team with Antawn because they also had Nowitzki, Nash, Walker, and the overachieving Howard and Daniels. The Wizards have made the playoffs because they're in the East. The Dubs just weren't good enough aside from Jamison to win games.

My point is that Jamison's contract in itself isn't as bad as the Warriors made it out to be back then. Both of those teams were just fine with him on board. I'd contend that the Wiz would've made the playoffs in the West the past few seasons- before Arenas' injury last season they were one of top 10 teams in the league.

The fact that Dunleavy was considered to be a huge factor in eventually turning things around was indeed gut-wrenching--but most of us hadn't even written Dun off quite yet.

Haha I guess I'm one of the few people who wrote him off the day they drafted him.

Because of money he let Arenas go, traded CWebb (FJ knows more about this one than me), traded JRich to save money and avoid the lux tax, and had one of the lowest payrolls in the league for years. And at 4-7 I'm hesitant to call this team respectable.

Again I would've just rolled with Arena, Jamison, JRich, Murph, and Damp. Haha and along the way maybe the Mavs could've been suckered into a Damp trade.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 24, 2007 8:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

warriors pay

I don't think it's fair to say that he let Arenas go because of money. I know this horse has been beaten to death thirty or forty times at this point, but the simple fact remains that at the time, the rules of the CBA didn't allow us to pay him what Washington could. Sure, buy into the "if he just looked me in the eye I would have left 50 million guaranteed on the table to play in Oakland" if you'd like, but realistically, it came down to an inability to match an offer, an inability to dictated by the rules, not by desire.

Not that there's a strong correlation between payroll and wins in the NBA anyhow but, the Warriors haven't had one of the lowest payrolls in the league for most of Cohan's time here. The myth that Cohan has starved the team of cash is just that: a myth. They've been somewhere around the league average for most of the time, sometimes over, sometimes under. It's not that they've been cheap so much as they've been stupid about who to pay.

by jae on Nov 24, 2007 10:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hmm uh...

"Again I would've just rolled with Arena, Jamison, JRich, Murph, and Damp. Haha and along the way maybe the Mavs could've been suckered into a Damp trade."

I'm pretty sure that the Warriors management would have rolled with that as well. Only thing is the Warriors could NOT keep Gil. Simple as that. You think they didn't want to keep him??!! Once he left they knew that they had to shake the roster up. Given the fact that they ended up with Baron AND made the playoffs within two seasons. I'll take that. Why the sour grapes? I'm sure there will be room for you on the bandwagon later though :)

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

by OaktownFunk on Nov 24, 2007 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, good; hope it doesn't get buried!

We'll just have to agree to disagree on that one then. To this day, I don't see that as a playoff team--at least in the Western conference. Not to mention (and I know you hate to bring in salaries, but..) we'd probably be well over the lux tax with that roster. More on $ below.

Jamison's salary didn't hurt Dallas as much because they were already way over the lux tax threshold, and have remained thus for quite some time. Washington has made the most out of who they're paying for, but it's not like they are on the brink of winning a championship: they're consistently around .500, and I doubt they would be a playoff team in the West.

I see what you're saying--it'd be nice to root for a team that doesn't care about finances at all--but Dallas has been in the minority as far as how much they've been willing to spend on players; it hasn't just been the "loser teams" that are careful to stay under the lux tax. As JAE says, we've been at the league average in payroll. That said, more teams than ever are in luxury tax land this season--shockingly more than half.

by ffgolden on Nov 24, 2007 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ha

i remember that day/days, and other than the excitement the one thing that got in my mind was why didnt baron take dales number so i could of bought a whole bunch of dale jerseys for cheap than they would of been good again lol.

What you thought that I only played basketball? I AM A Golden State WARRIOR!

by 24k state fan since 87 on Nov 24, 2007 12:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

word..

jamison really did begat our main man Boom, but ya, i was just highlighting how Dun alone was not only valued more than Butler (and some might say he is) but him and Jamison combined in a sense for how Jamison was traded because Dun couldn't crack the rotation with capkiller Jamison in his place. It sort of surprises me that they both couldn't co-exist at the 3-4 spot. But as a salary cap move, trading Jamison was in my opinion a decent move.

awesome webpin by the way. when is his mixtape droppin???

by dj fuzzylogic on Nov 24, 2007 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fuzzy

After that recap, I feel like we lost the game instead of winning it. You did bring up good points though.

Playoffs!!??

by PAWarrior on Nov 23, 2007 11:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

lol

I was gonna say the same thing. WTF. I'm all for realism, but can we maybe mix in a tiny bit of optimism?

It's almost like the Warriors have 6 guys out there... they always have a guy open! - Jon Barry commentating game 3 last year

by gsw4life on Nov 24, 2007 1:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

very pessimistic

i realized i spent more time hyping up the other team than really noting anything on the Warriors side. I guess like any win we've seen so far, if the shots ain't falling from 3, the game is practically over for us. It was a fun game to watch, but its seems to me that if we're unable to play any defense, all we're going to do is just score as much as we can. We're streaky like doodoo stain on white briefs and that's scary (if not disgusting).

Plus, I returned to Michigan after a fun week on the westcoast... blah! More cheer next time everyone!

by dj fuzzylogic on Nov 24, 2007 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I missed the game

but the wiz can't be all that bad of a team. One of the leastern's worst... I don't know.

I think they won six straight b4 the dubs came into town.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Nov 23, 2007 11:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

ya

they'll make the playoffs, I'll put money on that

It's almost like the Warriors have 6 guys out there... they always have a guy open! - Jon Barry commentating game 3 last year

by gsw4life on Nov 24, 2007 1:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Freakin brothers every way like MJ

I gotta say...today was a good day.

Nice reference.

by WhiteElephantGuy on Nov 23, 2007 11:49 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

yep 6 in a row

the Wiz had pulled off six W's in a row before dizzle came to town...and the Celtics....Toronto...these are not exactly the dregs of the East. I'll give you the Knicks but can you blame the Warriors for pounding them because they are a bad team? This road trip has been very nice IMO. Talk about glass 1/2 empty, wow. But whatever.

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

by OaktownFunk on Nov 24, 2007 12:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Trip-Dubs are nice, but...

It goes to show that without Baron, we aren't really a good team. Sure, i'll take wins any way we can get them, but the fact that we usually flounder when Baron even gets a few minutes rest always worries me.

I pray i never have to use a gun again.

by ssmokinjoe on Nov 24, 2007 12:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

the dubs...

flounder with him on the court too. The Warriors as a team are VERY streaky, and I don't mean making it into the finals and upsetting the Mavs streaky, I mean within every game they're streaky. Sometimes they just play without energy. They forget they're the MFing warriors and stand around like they're the cavs, and concede easy baskets on defense. Then Nelson needs to knock some sense into them, and they start running hard again.

by kinetic on Nov 24, 2007 2:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

well

No, they don't flounder with Baron playing. They may not always be the best team on the court, but Baron is the key component that is vital to their success right now.

I pray i never have to use a gun again.

by ssmokinjoe on Nov 24, 2007 4:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

GSOM heresy

It must be said: annoying personality aside, Mike Dunleavy Jr. is about as good at basketball as Antawn Jamison, and better than (the current) Jason Richardson. Burn me at the stake forthwith.

by Sleepy Freud on Nov 24, 2007 4:01 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

WHOA! LOL

I'll get the lighter fluid and wood.

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

by OaktownFunk on Nov 24, 2007 11:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

If he was a consistent 3-shooter then I'd argue that he's better than J-Rich now (ex: I think Mike Miller is a better player than J-Rich). But I will say that Jamison is a much more consistent player (you know every night what you'll get...that is unless it was those back to back 51 pt nights) and that his ugly scoop shots are made pretty regularly and not just against the dubs.

by sadleavy on Nov 24, 2007 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Two possible responses:

My Word!

Mike Dunleavy - Has chicken and pasta before every game whether the hotel or restaurant has it on the menu or not. Takes a 2-hour nap, exactly. Never wears his jersey during warm-up. Puts his right sock on first, then left sock, always. Puts his warm-up pants on last as the final thing he does before he leaves the locker room.

http://www.nba.com/warriors/interactive/Fitz_File_120103.html

by bloodsweatndonuts on Nov 24, 2007 1:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did Black Friday

warp your sense of reality? Or perhaps you broke into the eggnog a bit early?

by ffgolden on Nov 24, 2007 2:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Its funny

how when we first got Brandan Wright in the Draft when they dumped Jrich on the bobcats... everyone was bitching and moaning. Then even before the kid got a chance to play in summer league, they were calling him bust. When he got little to no PT in preseason, they were saying he's too skinny to be an effective asset to the team. And now that he's getting some decent minutes, getting boards on both ends of the floor, changing shots and scoring... nobody cares to mention him. Where'd all the Brandan Wright haters go?

by david240z on Nov 24, 2007 10:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

It is funny

I think BWright has a bright future ahead of him, but let's not get carried away with what he's doing out there.

Check out his game log:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4286/gamelog;_ylt=AgLqMI92qeWrXbHu4vb7N9KkvLYF

He just put up 2 points, 2 boards, and 3 fouls and you want people to mention him?

Again he's a rookie and he does deserve plenty of time to adjust to the NBA. But until the Warriors use that 10 mil trade exception the JRich trade just helps save Cohan some cash this season.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 24, 2007 10:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you must be kidding

Time for the biggest BWright Future apologist to throw down with the biggest J-Rich fanboy. LET's DO IT!!!!

READ HIS DRAFT PROFILE:

http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/brandanwright.html

A young big prospect with that much upside is easily worth more than an overpaid shooting guard who has proven his whole career to be:

1)slightly better than the league average with inflated stats due to being on a talent-thin team most his career
2)a spectacular (SPECTACULAR) dunker (J.R. Smith anyone?)
3)an above-average rebounding guard (snicker)
4)aaaaand probably the only reason half of the GSOM community loves him so much: he is a loyal person (Although, Jax probably has him beat in this category)

Now, let's look at Wright's weaknesses, they include:

lacks upper body strength
should expand perimeter shooting (although he has shown the touch to do so)
free throw shooting (WAAAAAARRRIORRS!)
intensity and effort level need to improve

Now here's how a 20 year-old is trained to address these issues in the pros:

lift weights, gain strength (KG anyone? He's also only a year older than "cagey" when he entered the league too)
SIDNEY MONCRIEF
SIDNEY MONCRIEF
Don Nelson: What happens when a guy who's been praised his entire basketball career and was put in the same sentence as Oden and Durant gets paired up with a genius coach, coming off of arguably his best season, who is known for not playing rookies? He learns to get hungry and impress his coach. He knows that he'll get few chances and so he makes the most of them. Hearing him talk in interviews, he sounds humble, mature, and seems to have the right mindset. He's not C-Webb. Instead of whining, he's manning up and getting hungry. Non-issue.

I remember there was a diary some months ago about the obsession with athletic "Beasts". I generally agreed with it. I also think there's an obsession with athletic, dunking 2-guards ever since Jordan owned the 90's. When J-Rich was drafted, we were hoping he'd be a Kobe or MJ-esque player. Ironically, Jordan is now probably hoping the same thing. Problem is, he lacks the ball handling abilities, the basketball IQ, passing skills, or even a good post game. He shoots three's and dunks hard. So does Pietrus (albeit with even less bball IQ). I'd even argue that Wright has only slightly less handles than J-Rich (which is a testament to Wright's talent).

A skinny player like Wright, Kirilenko, Prince, Bosh, and even KG when he was first drafted does not strike us as athletic "freaks" like a Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, or dare i say it....Kelenna Azuibuike (who is slowly being slightly overrated by this board, although i do like his game). By the very same token, they ARE athletic freaks, super long, multi-talented players who unfortunately remind us of us as gawky teenagers.

Now to the heart of the discussion, production. Brandan Wright's 3.0 ppg and 3.2 rpg per 7.2 minutes is a great ratio for a just turned 20 year old who's not even expected to contribute (unlike say...Durant). He'd have 20 pts and 21.3 rbs. per 48 minutes. Of course, he'd have a crapload of fouls by the same logic. But if he was expected to carry a rebuilding team like J-Rich had to for so long, then his stats would most definitely be better and he'd progress faster.

Anyways, there's nothing we can do except wait for the Bobcats to miss the playoffs and for BWright Future to turn into the next Chris Bosh. Apparantely all his teammates are calling him "Young Chris Bosh" according to Wright on a Murph and Mac interview which can be found here: http://media.knbr.com/knbr/1029wright.mp3

Honestly, we finally drafted a guy who's been a winner his whole life and isn't making excuses and now we're worried that he'll be Dunleavy or something. Does he need to get sent to the NBDL like POBeast, or to be (rightfully) perenially "snubbed" from All-Star status like J-Rich, look like Rocky and have one hot shooting night like Belinelli, or to have no talent but be politically minded like Foyle, or worse...leave us like Gilbert, in order to become a fan favorite. So far he hasn't had the time to prove as "interesting" (time will tell of course) as those characters, but goddamnit he's a soft-spoken guy with a voice like a subwoofer, he's got big ears, braces, long arms, a deal with Topps, and god-given talent. He also probably would've been picked over Bargnani and Aldridge too. So let's root for the guy. Not to say that you aren't Atma, but it seems like for such a homer blog with such a large homer community, we aren't mindlessly supporting our young prospect like we should be.

by sadleavy on Nov 24, 2007 12:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Where did that come from?

Seriously that was random especially when I've already said many, many times I think he's a great prospect and I've pointed out JRich's limitations numerous times (check out his report cards, etc). I've made my point clear so many times- Wright most likely isn't going to help this year while JRich would've and he was a great fit for this team. I would've like to see them make a trade that helps them win now which this one doesn't.

Again I've said many times he's doing a good job out there, but 3 points and 3 rebounds are still just that. You really think Nellie, BD, Jack, Barnes, MP2 and many fans who are dishing out big bucks care to keep hearing about how a guy is 20 years old and the other excuses? No one's blaming Wright, but it's bizarre that you think people should be ecstatic about these ratios when the team is 4-7 (going to 5-7 after the Sixers game).

Your BWright extrapolations are nice and yes I hope he gets there, but by the time he gets to that level Nellie will be gone, BD might be gone or not as good as he is now, and Jax and Harrington might not even be here. The Warriors have a hall of fame coach and a rare PG with hall of fame talent (not to say that he's worthy right now or that he'll even get there) and they're looking to build for the future after finally ending a 13 year playoff drought? How does that make any sense?

With all the swingmen last season someone had to go and it doesn't surprise me it was JR since he had the gaudiest stats and is a good guy. BUT that doesn't mean this trade was the right one for this team right now. If they traded JR for even Drew Gooden who can rebound, run, defend, and shoot a little I would've thought it would've helped this team now.

Believe me I've read all of Wright's draft profiles, saw him play at UNC a little, etc. We've interviewed Jonathan Givony about him http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/10/6/191123/515 and I've been working on an interview with Aran Smith of NBADraft.net about him as well. I really don't get your point how he's not getting any support or worthy attention here.

Not to say that you aren't Atma, but it seems like for such a homer blog with such a large homer community, we aren't mindlessly supporting our young prospect like we should be.

To tell you the truth I'm sick of half the people saying we're homers and the other half saying we're overly critical and negative. I guess you can't please everyone. We're honest here- if the Warriors suck we point it out, when they're good we point it out. There is no mindless analysis here from the writers, just mindless support for a team that has made the playoffs twice in the past 15 years. Sometimes we're right with our predictions/ analysis and sometimes we're wrong. There's nothing wrong with that. All we can be is honest.

by Atma Brother ONE on Nov 24, 2007 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mr. Popular

To tell you the truth I'm sick of half the people saying we're homers and the other half saying we're overly critical and negative. I guess you can't please everyone.

Comes with the territory of running a hugely popular blog! People tend to forget that all you're doing is voicing your opinion--a blog isn't usually about objectivity. For the record I think most of you FrontPagers have done an excellent job defending your opinions without becomings pricks.

by ffgolden on Nov 24, 2007 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs