The Golden State Warriors have ten players on their roster in free agency this year, leaving them with many decisions.
Who should stay and who should go?
The Warriors are going to keep restricted free agents Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. They wouldn't have gotten rid of Jason Richardson last year if they were planning on losing either.
I also believe Kelenna Azubuike will stay with the team.
Same goes for CJ Watson who has shown that he can be a back up guard in this league.
But now things get tricky.
Unrestricted free agents include Austin Croshere (who I am a big fan of), Matt Barnes, Patrick O'Bryant, Mickael Pietrus and, if he decides to opt out of his contract, Baron Davis.
Monta is not ready to be the leader of the team. Golden State needs to keep Baron Davis.
I believe with the system they run they have to have Davis on the team to compete.
He is a big physical guard who can guard the 1,2 and 3 positions.
The Warriors outscore their competition in large part because Davis is the highest scoring point guard in the league.
He is also one of the best defenders on the team.
If the Warriors lost him it will be impossible to find another guard who can do what he does on both ends of the court.
Mickael Pietrus is the best unrestricted free agent on the team.
He is a great defender, has three point range and can shift momentum through his play be it high—flying dunks or intense blocks.
He wants a bigger role in the team but will have to compete with Stephen Jackson and Azubuike for minutes.
If the Warriors can afford to keep him I believe they should.
The team needs to improve their rebounding and defense.
Barnes, O'Bryant and Croshere shouldn't be resigned as there is better talent to be had in free agency this year.
Antawn Jamison, Ron Artest, Josh Childress, Emeka Okafor (who wants out of Charlotte) and Elton Brand are just a few of the names available. All of these players would be upgrades for the Warriors and it would be a great move to land any of them.
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4 months ago
you, my friend, have been watching a different team than i have. baron davis has not played defense in 2 1/2 years. he doesnt cover anyone and has become a liability not only for his lack of defense, but for how his defensive laziness has rubbed off on monta and stephen as well.
and, while pietrus has the skill sets you mention, his inconsistency has plagued his career and makes him unreliable. he was better towards the end of this past season until he got hurt, but he is still a question mark.
i dont mind your analysis. but i think it helps to be realistic.
from 3 months ago
you, dan, musn't have been watching the team at all you were probably watching charles barkley after the game. Baron is one of the best defending point guards in the game.
being realistic is saying that baron is one of the nba's best defending point guards and that you are an idiot
4 months ago
I think you're probably drunk when you said that Baron Davis hasn't played defense in 2 1/2 years. You don't even know what you're talking about! Stephen Jackson is the Warriors best defender and Baron Davis is right there with him. Deny that, and you basically don't know who the Warriors are.
I really like the article. But I don't think any of the free agents you mentioned will make it to the Warriors roster next season. Having said that, Barnes, O'Bryant and Croshere have to get the hell out. Croshere hasn't produced anything this season. Not on defense, not on offense. His highest scoring game this season was against the depleted Sonics and it was only 14 points. God damn!
If I were the Warriors, I would trade O'Bryant for Leon Powe of the Celtics. O'Bryant will certainly learn with the Celtics. Powe will be our true rebounder in the middle.
Good article.
4 months ago
BD was behind only Chris Paul in steals last season. His ability to gaurd a a 2 or 3 made monta's job easier and allowed him to gaurd a 1 on the other team. I doubt that baron could have a negative impact of Captain Jack. No one can have a negative impact on that guy. Monta was a good defender last year and i believe BD can only help him improve his all around game. Pietrus has to learn how to dribble the ball and become more aggresive on his way to the rim. On the topic of the free agents you never know. Mullin can go out and get guys for us. I think we will have a better picture come draft night. I like Powe but i dont think boston will give him up for o'bryant.
4 months ago
Thanx my first article.
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