Well, here we are in mid-July, and many people are depressed about recent happenings with the Golden State Warriors.
Let's just have a quick review:
The Warriors lost Baron Davis, the team's star point guard, because the front office were unwilling to commit so much money for such a long time. Just the fact that the Clippers took him should tell us we probably made the right choice. You just can't give up that kind of money for personality. You must have consistent production.
The Warriors also lost out on the Brand sweepstakes. Remembering what Alton Lister looked like after his Achilles injury, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing for a team whose identity is to run—and maybe run even more in the future.
They did, however, get Corey Maggette for five years and $50 million.
True, this might be a lot of money to spend on such a player. However, he scores, creates his own shot—important, when you don't have a first-rate point guard—and gets to the line frequently.
In addition to Maggette, the Warriors also landed burly Ronny Turiaf.
While many of you would have liked to have kept Baron, all you Mullin haters have to remember that most often you have to pay a lot and get lucky to make good players come to (or stay on) bad teams, and that overpaying for an injury-prone star would have probably doomed us to more years of mediocrity.
Ronny Turiaf
Turiaf may leave us numb and indifferent, but he does fill a need and will probably create the court dynamics needed for Andres Biedrins to be even a better player.
Someone who can play defense at the four- and five-spots while rebounding will definitely allow Biedrins to foul more freely, knowing someone will be there to rebound with him off the court. That's something he couldn't permit himself to do last year as the sole consistent rebounder on a poor rebounding team.
I only have one question: Can he run?
Corey Maggette
At least on paper, Maggette was the best signing available. He replaces the points and gets fouled consistently. For five and fifty, he looks like the safest bet of the bunch.
In addition, he will also be a good fit in the fast-paced system. In the worst case, he should be usable as a trade bait to a contender if he's a bust with the Warriors.
What's next?
Does anyone really think Davis or Brand's legs would have been there on a running team for 82 games a year for five years? Or that they wouldn't be seriously injured at some point?
Now, if I understand this right, we have $10 million coming off next year for the contract of Al Harrington and another $10 million for *cough* Adonal Foyle. With this money, we should be able to sign someone young that can, according to Mullin, become a "difference maker."
The real question is: What do we do with the pieces we have?
First, move Harrington in the beginning of the season back to the small forward position. This move will hopefully increase his trade value. If the Warriors' front office decide to trade, they should trade him to the Knicks along with Belinelli for a point guard and some Fritos.
Belinelli should go, because with his lack of defensive skills, he should never be paired with Ellis. He is not a real option at shooting guard in the future. It would lead to lay-up drills by opposing teams.
Mullin seems to like doing business with Donnie Walsh, so that should be achievable.
Until then, we'll have Corey and Al. That should mean fresh legs and better than average production at the three-spot.
With the power forward position more open for Turiaf, the W's can find out if Brandon Wright is a player. Don't wait until year three of Wright's contract.
Monta Ellis—point guard?
Now, what do we do with the winged angel named Monta Ellis. I love his game, but I don't see him starting at the one-spot and us ever winning a championship—let alone getting to the playoffs.
So many times last year, he lead the break with his speed. As a point guard, this part of his game will have to be at a minimum curtailed, as he will have to hang back to bring up the ball. That kind of defeats the purpose of his speed, doesn't it?
Firstly, however, let's see if he can run the point productively and prove everybody other than Don Nelson wrong. In Nelly's system, all the point really means is bringing the ball up the court and then getting someone with handles to initiate the offense.
However, if he can't, then consider highlighting him at the two-spot and trading him while his value is high. We are already starting to hear rumors about Memphis and New York being cities "of interest" for him, and losing yet another star for nothing would be devasting.
Or, see if Anthony Randolph can run (or co-run) the point. If he can initiate the offense, he could use his size, handles, and athleticism to create havoc on both sides of the floor, and make up for Ellis' defensive liabilities. This is a reach, but for us to contest one day, we have to find a "special" player.
Think Magic, Pippen, or Livingston and the match-up nightmare that Ellis and AR would create for opposing teams. For this to work, Randolph needs to have a decent assist-to-turnover ratio—something he couldn't do at LSU.
If Randolph can't, then get him back to the three, and trade Harrington and Ellis for talent and future picks. Ellis at the shooting guard position without a defensive-minded, good point guard is not a plan for long-term success, but the lottery.
2008-09 Season Warriors' Focus
This upcoming season, the Warriors should focus on three aspects: Player development to be kept or traded, fiscal responsibility for 2010 free agent signings (or trading before), and figuring who stays and who plays where.
The team wasn't going anywhere with Baron (still, thanks for the memories), and was one injury to Captain Jack or Baron from the crapper. We have a future, but need just a little patience and vision.
If you can't buy good players (or have them given to you) like the Lakers or Celtics, then you need to learn to develop and trade for them.
This means that the Warriors need to play young talent, so that they could start thinking a little even more outside of the box.
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2 months ago
Love it or hate it. Just don't ignore it.
2 months ago
I agree with most of what you say, but I wouldn't even consider trading Monta right now. The Warriors need to make five more moves this offseason.
1. Trade Harrington, Belinelli, and a draft pick to the Knicks for Jamal Crawford and David Lee.
2. Sign a proven point guard like Carlos Arroyo.
3. Match Buike's offer sheet.
4. Sign Ellis.
5. Sign Biedrins.
Ellis/Arroyo/Watson
Jackson/Crawford
Maggette/Buike/Randolph
Wright/Lee
Biedrins/Turiaf
The front line is a little thin but they still have space on the roster for the best player available. Too bad Barnes isn't coming back, he could be Nelson's long range power forward. This team would definitely compete for the playoffs. Nelson would love the flexibility of this roster. Just about everyone can play at least 2 positions. This is the best case scenario; I doubt the roster will be this good...
2 months ago
Colin, I like the way you put this together.
Those would be some good moves and a good opening day roster.
Yes, undersized up front, but with 3 "balls to the walls" frontcourt players. We would struggle soem nights, but excel on opure adrenaline other nights.
2 months ago
Thanks, but I doubt it's that easy for Mullin. That roster would be really good, but the odds of pulling it off are very slim. The most important thing right now is to sign Ellis and Biedrins to reasonable long-term deals. Then we can worry about the pieces around them. The only problem with that logic is that we have to sign them after we've signed our other key players. It's all so simple and complicated at the same time.
2 months ago
let me explain something to everyone and let it be understood. Baron davis leaving only guaranteed that Al, Monta, Cpt jack, Beidris, and every other prospect will be leaving shortly. I have gotten some info that is confirmed that the reason that Monta and A.B. haven't signed yet is that they only want 3 year deals or LESS!!!! Also s. Jackson will be asking for a trade as will Al Harrington. Everyone even the players know that as soon as Nelson leaves he we go 20 win seasons again. Up here it became local public knowledge that Chris Mullin refused to call back Davis and said that they wouldn't give him anything until next season and that was only if he didn't get hurt. It offends me to know that Magette gets 50mil and davis doesnt get a phone call. We have a history of this, Gilbert Arenas, Antwan Jamison, Chris Webber, Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, so after 23 years of this I cancelled my season tickets and hope all of you will do so too, until that is the Clippers come to town so I can give a standing ovation to the man that really deserves it.
2 months ago
There is no way they trade Belinelli. His stroke is wet. How can you say he is bad defensively when he never got to play last year. His shooting abilities have been on display in the Summer League. His upside is possibly as big as Monta's.
The Warriors need to deal Harrington to the Grizz for Javaris Crittenton. Problem solved. We don't need people like David Lee and Carlos Arroyo to contaminate the speed and grace of the Warriors. And besides, Carlos Arroyo was never cool.
1. Monta/Crittenton
2. Stack-Jack/Belinelli
3. Maggette/Randolph
4. Wright/Randolph
5. Biedrins/Turiaf
2 months ago
Sean, you are extremely uninformed. Belinelli having the same upside as Monta? Oh no!
2 months ago
Belinelli shot under 40% in summer league and doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed when he says he needs to be more than just a shooter in Nelly's system. If it took him a year to figure that out he may be in trouble.
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