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- Who do you think the Warriors will draft in the 2009 NBA Draft?
- Who do you WANT the Warriors to draft in the 2009 NBA Draft?
Live Blogging and Live Twittering the 2k9 NBA Draft!
From around the World Wide Web:
The Ball Don't Lie/SB Nation 2009 NBA Mock Draft recap - Yahoo! Sports
Ball Don't Lie combined with SB Nation (and a few others) to put together this epic 2009 Mock Draft. The individual blogs, linked with their respective picks and breakdowns, made the selections for their team.
Thank God It's NBA Draft Thursday! - Ridiculous Upside
Let’s be honest here internet, my brain is full and tired. I am ready for this to be over. We all know how it’s going to end anyway. The Grizzlies, Clippers, and Warriors will probably screw this thing up. Either blowing it on draft night or within the ensuing months, ensuring that any draft luck they’ve been dealt is quickly wiped away by idiocy.
NBA draft: The latest trade rumors and more - ESPN
Wake Forest's Johnson and Italy's Jennings could be in for one seriously wild ride on draft night. Johnson is getting a look by the Warriors (7), Raptors (9), Bobcats (12), Suns (14), Bulls (16), Jazz (20) and Hornets (21). Think that's a big range? How about Jennings, who will get looks from the Timberwolves (6), Warriors (7), Knicks (8), Bucks (10), Suns (14), Sixers (17) and Hawks (19)?
NBA draft preview: Who's it going to be? [SFGate]
What's most apparent - and quite annoying to a number of fans - is that this Warriors draft is all about Ellis' psyche. For reasons that escape virtually every scout or NBA executive who has studied his game, Ellis fancies himself a point guard and team leader. Did Nelson and Larry Riley promise Ellis they wouldn't draft a point, as rumored? Maybe not, but they're talking up Ellis and Stephen Jackson as the backcourt mainstays of the franchise.
Speedy, Law not the Answer - Inside the Warriors - with Marcus Thompson
I’ve been told by Warriors insiders that neither Claxton nor Law is the Warriors’ answer to their point guard solutions. They are still in the market for a PG, so this trade does not rule out them drafting a point guard.
Kawakami: Warriors' draft choice seems obvious - San Jose Mercury News
If the Warriors had a clear-thinking front office, uncluttered by insecurity and frequent controversy, today's NBA draft would be pretty easy to ace. Select Arizona power forward Jordan Hill, stepping into the Warriors' rebounding void with the potential to provide low-post offense.
Warriors draft: The case for Jordan Hill | Talking Points
A good way to understand how much weaker this draft is than last year’s: When I circled the best potential big man for the Warriors last year, it was Kevin Love, if they could’ve traded up for him. This year, it’s Arizona PF Jordan Hill, who has definite strengths but doesn’t have Love’s natural hoops instincts or top-end NBA possibilities. (And Hill is more than a year older than Love.) Oh well. That happens. This is a terrible draft for versatile, athletic big men, but the Warriors got one of those last year with Anthony Randolph and they have Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf.
Warriors draft: The case for DeMar DeRozan | Talking Points
DeRozan (6-foot-6) might be the second most physically talented player in this draft, behind only Blake Griffin. Other than Griffin, I think DeRozan is the only other player you could say has a game, body and mindset that seems to likely project long-term as an NBA starter and possibly a very good one. That doesn’t mean he will be a star, just means you can see it in there, without a lot of caveats. (Stephen Curry and Ricky Rubio would be my other choices, but they’ve got caveats: Is Curry strong enough and can he play defense? Can Rubio shoot well enough?)
Warriors draft: The case for Stephen Curry | Talking Points
Of all the cases I’m making for the Warriors’ selection with the No. 7 pick, Stephen Curry is the easiest one. It’s simple: Curry, a silky-shooting 6-3 guard out of Davidison, is, by far, the best pure fit for Don Nelson’s run-and-shoot offensive system. (And Nellie’s stand-and-let-him-go-by-you defensive system.) If he’s still there at 7 (probably 40% chance that he is after today’s events, maybe less), I can imagine Nelson leaping to grab the phone and screaming "TAKE CURRY!"
Warriors draft: The case for Brandon Jennings | Talking Points
We’re all at a severe disadvantage evaluating his NBA prospects because almost none of us has watched him get serious minutes on any level (he was a star prep PG who didn’t get into college, then went to Italy where he barely played). Pre-draft work-outs have been mostly closed. All I can go by is what I hear and what I’ve seen on limited tape. What I’ve heard about Jennings: He’s probably the quickest player in the draft, with good vision and a nice knack for using his lefty dribble to slice through pick-and-roll defenses and for using his speed to mess up the opponent. I’ve also heard that his shooting in the work-outs has been less than stellar and that’s what has kept his projections down far below the Nash/Paul/Billups level. But if you had to pick one player, other than Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio, whose selection might totally change the way the Warriors play, it might be Jennings.
Warriors draft: The case for Jrue Holiday (final argument) | Talking Points
* Most likely option: Arizona PF Jordan Hill, who was my first case. * Best option: UCLA G Jrue Holiday, who is the final case.
2009 NBA Draft Q&A with Aran Smith of NBADraft.net
2009 NBA Draft Q&A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net (Part 1 of 3)
Aran Smith (NBADraft.net): It is definitely one of the less talented classes in recent memory.
2009 NBA Draft Q&A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net (Part 2 of 3)
Aran Smith (NBADraft.net): Hmm. At this point that's a pretty good argument. Hansbrough is going to be solid. He doesn't have Wright's potential, but we know he'll be pretty solid.
2009 NBA Draft Q&A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net (Part 3 of 3)
Aran Smith (NBADraft.net): The Warriors should take the best player available. I would take Jennings if he's there.
The Jamal Crawford Trade: Thanks for being the ultimate professional while you were here JC.
BREAKING NEWS: Warriors and Hawks closing in on Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton swap
Maybe Speedy Claxton can help us bring back Baron Davis again?
Exploring the rumored Crawford for Claxton and Law Trade: CBA and salary implications
Big questions abound. Important questions. It isn't quite "what did the president know and when did he know it", but at least as far as our Warriors go, it's "what do we know about the trade and could it possibly be real?"
Rumors: The ones where 99% don't happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!
RUMOR: Warriors targeting Chris Bosh
You win in this league with superstars and stars. I'm not convinced that Bosh is a superstar or will ever be one. I do think that's a big red flag that the Craptors couldn't even qualify for the "Not-So-Elite-8" in the Leastern Conference this past season. But he is a legit All-Star caliber big man and a proven commodity (Career Numbers via Yahoo! Sports). Those are hard to come by, especially for the Golden State Warriors who haven't had an All-Star power forward since Nate the Great Thurmond in 1974. (NINETEEN SEVENTY-FOUR for crying out loud!)
My opinion hasn't changed since word broke that the Warriors rejected a buyers remorse swap of Baron Davis for Corey Maggette and Marcus Williams at the trading deadline this past season. If the Warriors can move an injury prone, big time scoring 6th man and a bench player (obviously no Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, or Monta Ellis) for an injury prone, All-NBA quality point guard, it has to be done.
RUMOR: Warriors "readying or contemplating" a bid for Steve Nash
We can sit here and dissect Steve Nash's impact on the Warriors and what would be worth giving up for him (if anything at all), but that's fairly pointless. Point blank: Nash ain't coming to the Warriors. Kerr's not trading him here and I doubt the Warriors are genuinely that interested in adding him.
RUMOR: Warriors "readying or contemplating" a bid for Steve Nash
We can sit here and dissect Steve Nash's impact on the Warriors and what would be worth giving up for him (if anything at all), but that's fairly pointless. Point blank: Nash ain't coming to the Warriors. Kerr's not trading him here and I doubt the Warriors are genuinely that interested in adding him.
Who would you rather have starting at Point Guard for the 2009-2010 Golden State Warriors? 58% of GSoMers voted for Boom Dizzle over Brandon Jennings.
Rumor: Stephen Curry has a "chance" to drafted by the Golden State Warriors
I'm not 100% sure if Curry would be a good fit on the hardwood for this team as they're overloaded with combo guards (Jamal Crawford, Monta Ellis, C.J. Watson) and have a screaming need for a point guard. Maybe Curry can be that guy in the NBA, but way more often than not young players can't make that transition. There's a lot of truth in the mantra that "point guards are born, not made".
RUMOR: Warriors interested in Terrence Williams aka "Gatorade-protector" with the #7 pick
Gatorade-protector? Move over Rob Kurz. Your job will soon be obsolete. Sorry man. It happens to even the best of us- just ask Adonal Foyle.
RUMOR: Warriors and Raptors had a Marco Belinelli - Joey Graham deal in place
I still don't buy that Belinelli belongs in this league, but it's not a given that Graham gets a second NBA contract either. Neither player is even an average quality NBA player or has a high hoops IQ, but at least the athletic Graham gives the Warriors a little more size and cuts down their glut of poor to mediocre ranging guards. Truth be told, the Warriors aren't going to get much at all for Belinelli straight up. Unless the Warriors are taking back a bad contract, I'd be suprised if Belinelli could even net them a future 2nd round pick straight up.
Warriors to Work Out Arizona's Jordan Hill
Do the Warriors already have a pair of raw and talented young forwards, namely Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright? Do the Warriors desperately need a PG? Sure they do. Does this draft have a bunch of seemingly viable PG candidates? Sure it does. But who cares? B.P.A.
RUMOR: Atlanta Hawks shopping Josh Smith
Based on my view from the Left Coast and nightly box scores I can't but love Josh Smith's game. This 23 year old has proven that he can drop 17.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 3.4 apg, plus 1.5 steals and about 3 blocks a game. I don't care you how slice it, this guy is quite an intriguing basketball talent. Smith is exactly the type of ball player that Nellie can work wonders with too. I doubt for a second that Nellie would try to run him at the 5 and go super fast.
This could quite possibly be the oddest rumor I've covered in my 4 year GSoM tenure.
This would be a very unfortunate way to close the book on that disastrous Jason Richardson trade with the Bobcats that expedited the Dubs descent from WE BELIEVE. The Warriors essentially gave away a key cog in that unBELIEVEable spring run and the heart and soul of this team for basically nothing.
RUMOR: Jrue Holiday won't work out with Warriors because of agent Dan Fegan
I've been a harsh critic of the Chris Cohan/ Robert Rowell regime way before it was popular to question their every move and decision, but I"m not really sure where Fegan is coming from here.
RUMOR: Amare Stoudemire for Al Jefferson and #6 Pick + Dubs Summer of Fun
I don't doubt for a second that Amare will be bolting Minny the first chance he gets if they ended up making this trade.
Building the team around an undersized shooting guard with limited handles, court vision, defensive desire, maturity, hoops IQ, and overall smarts... is not a bright idea. Don Nelson and Larry Riley are smarter than that. I'm calling their bluff or Fried's distortion of what was actually said.
RUMOR: Monta Ellis demanded a trade from the Warriors shortly after the season
I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I really don't understand what Monta Ellis and his camp's beef is about or why they have the audacity or desire to demand a trade.
RUMOR: Warriors and Bobcats discussing Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli for Raja Bell
First of all it's good to hear the Warriors are exploring possibilities to improve on D. They can start by trying. The next step is getting players who can and want to actually play defense.
RUMOR: Stephen Curry is Warriors "Main Target"
Monta and Curry seem like a poor backcourt duo. They don't seem to complement each other as they're both combo guards who don't seem to have the size to guard NBA 2-guards. If Larry Riley and Don Nelson think Curry's the man at #7 that shouldn't stop them (BPA always), but just pointing that out.
RUMOR: Warriors and Blazers tried to trade for Wizards swingman Caron Butler
I must I say I am a Caron Butler fan. I remember back on Draft Day 2002 when he slipped to the #10 spot. There were questions about his character and what not. Seven years later I don't think there's really any doubt that he should've gone much higher in that draft. Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr. Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Dajuan Wagner, and Chris Wilcox all went ahead of him. Think those teams would like to have an All-Star caliber swingman who's good for close to 20-7-5 plus 2 thefts when healthy? I also want to highlight that (as far as I can tell from the Left Coast) Butler has been a model citizen. Give this man his props.
RUMOR: Warriors Like Brandon Jennings at #7
As much as I dig his game given his build and lack of a NBA quality J, I really don't expect Jennings to be starting many games and playing big minutes his rookie season. Backing up Moped at the 1 could be interesting though.
RUMOR: Warriors like Wake Forrest's James Johnson if Jordan Hill is gone
James Johnson is a 22 year old 6'7-6'8 257 pound forward. Riley has said he wants some more "beef" on the Dubs and JJ would definitely advance them towards that goal. I'd definitely be shocked if they took him though.
Amare's an undeniable great fit for Nellieball with his high flying, rim-rocking, coast to coast offensive repertoire. He didn't seem to be a big fan of slowing down to a half-court game that emphasizes defense. Guess which team's coach is the last guy to emphasize either? Amare also didn't seem to be a big fan of playing alongside another big tree. Guess which team's coach doesn't have the slightest problem with playing as few big men as possible? Stoudemire and Nellie are a match made in heaven.
News and Mo' Stuff
Open Thread II: 2009 NBA Draft Lottery- Welcome to the 2009 Playoffs Warriors fans!
It's playoff time in the Bay!
Warriors South came up BIG.
Introducing... The MingMing Movement!
There's a new spelling for the word "redemption" to add to your already eloquent lexicon Dubs fans. It's spelled "S-u-n M-i-n-g-m-i-n-g".
Warriors to Work Out Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings
GSoMers have spoken in doses and there's an overly positive sentiment towards drafting Brandon Jennings with the #7 pick
There's that little workout scheduling quirk that Tim describes which makes you wonder about the interest in Holiday. But who really knows if that means anything come draft day. The Warriors worked out Patrick O'Bryant right before the 2006 NBA Draft (turned out great didn't it?). They also never brought Brandan Wright in for a workout and they were willing to expedite the destruction of WE BELIEVE to make that trade for him.
Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings Work Out with the Warriors
Thanks for coming by, and we'll see you soon, hopefully. -- Warriors GM Larry Riley to Brandon Jennings after yesterday's workout
With the 7th pick in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft the Golden State Warriors SHOULD select...
You've been mocked by plenty of people recently, but there's nothing like getting mocked by the SB Nation NBA crew.
With the 7th pick in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft Golden State of Mind selects...
Hill wouldn't have won the vote, but it would have been interesting to see how many votes he would have collected.
Don Nelson tells Arizona PF Jordan Hill he won't get past the Warriors at #7
It looks it's time to bump up the Fab 5 of Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, Terrence Williams, and Tyreke Evans into a Stunning 6.
The nice thing about GSoM is that anything and everything about our Golden State Warriors is here. I can spend a good amount of my day on GSoM reading up on everything that is Golden State Basketball. It's all here: trade Rumors (my personal favorite), win-loss ratios or scenarios, even personal information to where the players shop, eat and hangout can be found in FanPosts. The GSoM Enquirer simply pays tribute to the everyday news, rumors, and rants of our Golden State Community!
Who would've thought that in a draft supposedly loaded with point guards and weak in power forwards aside from the Clips new big man, the Warriors would be seemingly fixated on a power forward? BPA always though, but again I ask: Is Hill the best player available? Better than my fav and your fav Brandon Jennings?
Warriors Draft History- We laughed, we'd cried. Actually we mostly cried.
Golden State Warriors 1st Round Draft History and Just My Imagination
What if the Warriors had a string of PERFECT drafts with their 1st round picks during the Chris Cohan era of prime suckitude?
Nellie Knows NBA Draft: The Warriors and Mavericks Years
Unlike Chris Mullin's spotty draft history, it's hard to argue with Nellie's draft and scouting acumen. This is one sharp and shrewd hoops mind.
Polling GSoM: Was Billy Owens a "monumental NBA bust"?
But was Owens a "monumental bust"? I'm not so sure I buy that given the facts. Guys like Clifford Rozier, Todd Fuller, Adonal Foyle, Patrick O'Bryant, Kosta Perovic- now those are "monumental busts". Over here in Dubs land, we know a monumental bust when we see one!
Draft history Part I of ???: on trading picks
With the draft lottery still a little more than a week away, it is too early to really recommend a 'draft strategy', but it is not too early to look at what becomes of various picks. In this multi-part pre-draft assessment, we'll look at various aspects of the draft, including trading picks, drafting for need vs. talent vs. tossing a dart at a board with a bunch of names on it and hoping for the best.
All eyes are focused on who the Warriors should hire to follow the legendary Don Nelson after this season, but few seem to be closely monitoring the status of Chris Mullin's current GM deal which expires in 2009. If I were the one deciding whether or not to extend Mullin's tenure in the front office, I'd put a lot of weight into the progress and performance of Kosta Perovic, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli, and the 2008 Warrior Draft picks this upcoming season. Coupled with his embarrassing contract negotiation history (Adonal Foyle, Derek Fisher, Mike Dunleavy, and Troy Murphy) I can't say I'm all that sold on Mullin being in the driver's seat of the Warriors' front office, especially if his drafting record doesn't take a huge turn for the better. As of right now it really looks like it's time to not only plan for a critical head coaching search in the summer of 2009, but possibly also a search for a new GM.
Don't Forget Your Warriors' Draft History
What's that saying that your middle school History teacher never ceased to repeat at nauseam? "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it"? Well, believe you me the last thing we want is for some of those historically bad Golden State Warriors' draft day blunders to repeat themselves today.
Lucky #9: Revisiting the Warriors' Draft 9 Years Ago
Warning: This bit of Warriors history is not safe for work, hanging out with friends, studying at the library, etc. It will make you cry... out loud... like Adam Morrison in the clutch.
We know the Warriors' messed big time in the draft, but the real question is: Which was a better overall draft 1996 or 1984 which produced hoops legends galore in Akeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and some guy named Michael Jordan?
Feeling Even Fuller- Golden State Warriors BLOG
Props to NBA Source for pointing out the ridiculously hillarious- Todd Fuller's college GPA was higher than his career scoring average.
1994 Milk Carton- Golden State Warriors BLOG
This was the draft that started the most infamous "streak" in NBA draft history.
1995 Draft- We're #1!!- Golden State Warriors BLOG
There you have it Warriors nation- 12 better players the Warriors passed up on when they "won the lottery." This qualifies as bad, Michael Olowokandi bad.
Worst #3?- Golden State Warriors BLOG
And there you have it my folkers- Dunleavy the top #3 stinker of the past 10 years. Funny thing is how many of those picks have played on the Warriors or had some connection- Christian Laetner, Penny, and Baron Davis.
Don't Bust Out!- Golden State Warriors BLOG
It's draft day! We here at the Golden State Warriors BLOG are excited but you can bet bet your ridiculous Bay Area rent or mortage that we've got fingers and toes crossed hoping that the Warriors don't pick another comedic BUST.
Ahem, NOBODY does NBA Draft like GSoM. Stay tuned for our 5th Annual Live Blogging of the NBA Draft! My man RDizzle's got you on Twitter too.
