Will the Warriors Fly Air France Anytime Soon?

by Atma Brother ONE on Sep 28, 2007 8:28 AM PDT in News

Chris Mullin and the Golden State Warriors have played some serious hardball with the always goofy and entertaining multipurpose guard/ forward Mickael Pietrus this past offseason. They have refused to give him anything more than the 1 year qualifying offer of $3.47 million, which would leave him as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Additionally, the Warriors have shown that will not cave into any trade demands, no matter how HEATed they may get.

Media Day for the Warriors is coming up this Monday (stay tuned for some real deal GSoM coverage of the event!) and it doesn't look like MP2 will even be there. No, he's not partying with Thunder at Dave & Buster's, he's actually still in France [SFGate]:

Two years ago, Mickael Pietrus stirred up the Warriors' annual Media Day festivities by declaring his desire for a bigger, more important role.

This year, he might stir things again by not showing up at all.

Pietrus is in France without any travel plans as his representatives make their final push for a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors. The restricted free agent has until Monday to accept the team's qualifying offer of $3.47 million for this season, but plans to exhaust all other options before doing so.

How long with Air France be stuck in the hangar?

Use your hops to make the jump for more on the Pietrus contract situation.

One of MP2's agents (how does he have multiple agents? haha) Happy Walters also seemed to be hinting at some news that doesn't exactly live up to his joyful first name:

Asked what would happen if the Warriors continued to reject the sign-and-trade offers that have come their way, Walters stopped short of saying that his client would hold out.

I was seriously expecting better news from a guy named Happy, but anyhow let's not forget there's a reason LL Cool P:

"Anything's possible, but Mike's a team player," Walters said. "He likes the coaches, loves the city. Mike's not the kind of person who's going to do something arbitrarily to be uncool."

Normally I'm all for anyone including all pro athletes to get paid that dolla-dolla (actually, I don't have a problem with college athletes getting paid either even if it's under the table). Particularly in football I typically side with the player during the holdouts- the NFL player's union is weak and the players get treated like interchangeable parts in a machine that are tossed to the side once they are worn out or hit 30 (the end of most running back's careers). But, I just don't see a holdout for Pietrus really helping his cause. The Warriors aren't stupid (anymore!)- they aren't going to budge on their 1 year qualifying offer and they aren't going to make a silly trade just to appease the man (see Jasikevicius , Sarunas). The Warriors are firmly planted in the driver's seat right now.

Given his inconsistent career and failure to even come close to the 2003 draft day French Air Jordan hype, I just don't see Pietrus doing better than playing out the year with the Dubs. The best case scenario for the good man is he finds some consistency in his game and showcases himself for the 2008 free agent market as a more athletic Bruce Bowen by being a shutdown defender and knocking down treys at a high clip. MP2 would be happy, we'd be happy, and most importantly Happy would be happy.

When it's all said and done will Mickael Pietrus be sporting a Warriors' jersey on opening night (GSoM Night 2)?

Also check out:

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yes, and that's a good thing.

For that price, there is nobody better (proven) and available to fill that last roster opening. I don't see a scenario under which not signing by Monday could benefit him. It would basically put him in the situation he is now but without the $3.47M safety blanket.

Besides being exceptional value, he's now in a situation where it's in his best interest to do what the coach says (play defense, rebound, shoot the corner 3) because that's the only way he's getting on the floor. Even he's not dumb enough to start trying to disobey this coach in some misguided attempt to pad his stats. This is the perfect situation for the Warriors because what they want him to do on the floor is also what will likely help his market value.

"Mike's not the kind of person who's going to do something arbitrarily to be uncool."

You make the call:

by bloodsweatndonuts on Sep 28, 2007 9:08 AM PDT reply actions

ok criticize when need be, but give props too

ok so this time, i gotta say, very nice title, funny, good article, and great picture and caption under it lol.

(see i'm positive)

If War brings peace Dubz wit' it den!

by gsdubz on Sep 28, 2007 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

Mickael

I love his fearless attitude especially when he's at the baseline and smells dunk. But mainly it seems like he has 0 clues when he's on the floor. Maybe he'll find one, learn how to communicate with coaches and increase his value for the free agency market next season.

Nice write-up!

by ViveAirFrance on Sep 28, 2007 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

Air France: the year he puts it all together

His agent's comments were excellent and show that he is aware that his client has a great deal to improve this year. I think Mickael must know now that there just isn't the demand for his services in the NBA. He needs to concentrate on defense. I think that Nellie's scheme is designed to trap offenders to commit to their first step and allow our guy to recover in time for a block or steal. That keeps the pace flowing, right? So, if we gamble and cover the outlet passes and force the offender to drive and create their own shot, we'll take our chances of it going down.

Air France has the keen ability to stay grounded and defend the perimeter extremely well. If he can earn a reputation for that it would mean he would have to stay on the floor taking minutes from the other swingmen.

by eshock @ Golden State Of Mind on Sep 28, 2007 11:09 AM PDT reply actions

Good but...

I just don't know how he'll fit into the rotation now that we have Ellis, Belinelli, Azibuke, Barnes and Jackson as our wingmen.

Mulson love the Italian Sharpshooter and we all saw during Summer League that Azibuke is ready to get more minutes in this level.

I'm glad we can get him, but where does he get the playing time?

"All I can say is wow!"

by gswfan4life on Sep 28, 2007 12:40 PM PDT reply actions

Don't worry...

...about playing time. Injuries and cold streaks inevitably open up PT. There will come a time this year, and it'll be sooner than later, that we'll be VERY grateful for our depth.

by read2achieve on Sep 28, 2007 1:44 PM PDT reply actions

MAN WHO CARES

the best thing for the warriors to do is dump this guy, didnt get the team to the playoffs and didnt help during the playoffs we need all the money we can get to make baron davis happy :D haha

by gswLLBatman on Sep 28, 2007 3:03 PM PDT reply actions

Air France is only a Commuter

Pietrus needs to recognize that he's a nice rebounder, decent defender and can score in transition. That's it. He's not a lockdown defender, nor is he a sharpshooter (despite his belief in standing behind the 3 pt line.) He's lucky to be on a Warrior team that highlights his plusses and hides his negatives. I've been waiting for 4 years for him to blossom, still waiting.

Nothing better than "The City".