Golden State Warriors: 10 Defensive Players to Turn the Team Around
What do the sports terms squared circle, light heavyweight, metal woods, and Golden State Warriors defense all have in common?
They are all oxymoron's.
The Warriors defense has been a liability for as long as I have been watching them it seems. If defenseย wins championships, then not playing defense leads to one playoff appearance in 17 years.
This year was a lot like most other years, but there may be some hope with the numerous free agents expected leave. The Warriors have a chance to bring in some new players, hopefully some that have a defensive mentality.
With Ekpe Udoh looking like he could be a great defender in this league, it would be nice to have a couple of other guysย to pairย with him. Here are ten guys the Warriors should be lookingย at toย help turn this team aroundย as the look to head into the post season.
10. Tyson Chandler
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While Chandler should be number one on this list, I put him at ten because of the likely hood that he will be a Warrior next year. (That's also why you won't see Nene on this list, why even get hopes up that he will be a Warrior.)
However, if the Dallas Mavericks get bounced in the first round and with them already committed to 61 million dollars in salary next year, he might not be back with the team. Who knows, stranger things have happened.
As a center who can really run up and down the floor, Chandler would be a perfect fit for this team. With the Warriors being able to score like they do, Chandler is perfect because he doesn't need the ball on offense. In fact, he doesn't even want it, averaging 10 points a game while shooting a robust 65% from the floor, they aren't exactly force-feeding him the ball inย the post.
A great shot blocker,ย rebounder, and most importantly as a strong inside presence, just by adding him it would instantly make everybody a better defender on his ability to provide weak side defense. Now when players blow by Stephen Curry they would now have Chandler to deal with.
9. Chuck Hayes
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Hayes is the best free agent to be that no one talks about, maybe that's because with the way he has been playing the Rockets would have to be out of their minds to let him go.
He is an excellent rebounded, terrific passer, and he averages over a steal per gameย and despiteย his smallish size averages just under a block a game. At 6'6" he is undersized for a center, but a center nonetheless.
I think he would be a terrific compliment to David Lee, even though they would be giving up a lot of size, anyone that hasย youtube clips named "Chuck Hayes Shuts Down Amare Stoudemire" and "Chuck Hayes shuts down Paul Pierce," theyย should be able to be just fine lacking height.
Here is a quote from Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman. "I can't say how pleased I am with someone like Chuck, it's terrific for a guy like that and the way he works and the things he's done...It's just a pleasure to watch a guy like that with his work ethic and everything he does is really terrific."
Shall we start an online campaign now for Chuck Hayes to get him to play by the Bay?
8. Delonte West
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Of course the Warriors need a big defender, but they also need someone who can play defense in theย back-court. Wouldn't adding Delonte West as a 3rd guard be a sneaky addition this off-season?
Especially if he can stay healthy and away from teammates mothers. (That Lebronย James/ Delonte West story couldn't have been true, could it?)
West isย a toughย defender who has averaged over a steal per game over his career. He would be able to come off the bench and harass the opposing teams best opposing perimeter player while providing excellent team defense.
Bonus he can also handle the ball, which would allow him to come of the bench and play point guard with either Stephen Curry or Monta Ellis at shooting guard.
7. Wilson Chandler
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With all the pieces the Denver Nuggets have to retain and with many upcoming free agents, it's looking more and more likely that they will not be able to resign Chandler.
Chandler, as we saw in his time with the New York Knicks can thrive in an up-tempo system. He is an excellent defender who can also bring a solid offense game to the table.
He is an emerging player whose best years are in front of him and the Warriors would be lucky if he were to play for them, and the Nuggets would be foolish to let him go.
He is going to be a restricted free agent (another oxymoron) so it might have to be a tricky deal to getย him here, but itย is something the Warriors should be looking at doing.
Look what Gerald Wallace has done for the Trailblazers, Chandler could be that same guy for the Warriors.
6. Kawhi Leonard
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With the Warriors expected to draft at or near 11,ย (a top 3 pick doesnโt seem too likely, after trying to get them into the top three in ESPNโs lottery game for probably too long, it never happened and I finally gave up.)ย Kawhi Leonard should be available when the 11th pick rolls around and the Warriors should be looking to select him.
He is an athletic defensive minded forward who would bring energy to the Warriors defense.
5. Tayshaun Prince
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Having gotten lost of the tragedy that is the Detroit Pistons, Prince is a free agent at the end of this year and one the Warriors should be looking at.
He is an excellent defender who is very long, if they pair him with Udoh theyโve got about 30 feet in wingspan alone.ย
Prince should be looking for a new home this off-season and hopefully a change of scenery is exactly what he needs to rejuvenate his career, he would be an excellent addition to this team.
4. Greg Oden
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This one scares me even as I'm typing it, but the facts are: he is a center, he is a former a number one pick and he has shown flashes (and if you blinked you probably missed it) of being a great defender.
The injury history is a big concern, but he just might be worth the gamble if the Warriors are allowed to give him a complete physical exam that would make the TSA blush and find that he is good to go.
One thing we know is that he will be well rested, maybe he will be able to come in for 25 minutes a game and provide the defensive presence the Warriors desperately need in the middle.
3. Shane Battier
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Anybody that comes in mid-season, replaces Rudy Gay and leads a team called the Grizzles to a playoff appearance is someone that the Warriors should be looking at.
Battier would be able to come in and provide the defensive leadership the Warriors desperately need.
With him being the new starting small forward it would also strengthen their bench by allowing Dorrell Wright to become the instant favorite to win the sixth man of the year award.
Having the rest of the team watch when he takes charges, hustle for loose balls, and become the vocal leader on this team, it should inspire everyone else to try to do the same.
I really hope they are able to make a push for him as Battier would not let this team play as poorly as they have been defensively. Plus as another guy who won't need the ball to be productive, he should fit right in.
2. Nazr Mohammed
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Playing on his 7th team now, Mohammed is one guy Golden State should be lookingย at toย make the Warriors his 8th NBA team.
The Warriors need a center that is defensive minded, who can rebound, and can block shots. That is exactly what Mohammed would bring to the table nothing more, nothing less.
While the Warriors would have to overpay to get him, as I think any situation in where he makes more than 3 million a year would be overpaying, he might be well worth it. He would make them more dangerous on defense.
Besides being a good defender he is another player that doesn't (or can't in this case) need to score to be able to produce.
1. Samuel Dalembert
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With the Sacramento Kings so much in limbo that they don't even know where they will be playing next year, you'dย have to think that re-signing Samuelย Dalembertย is not high on their off-season to do list.
Dalembert's defensive presence is just what the Warriors are looking for. Having someone plug the middle that other teams haveย toย respect, with his ability to block shots would really elevate the defensive unit as a whole.
He looks like a great fit and since he looks like he is the most attainable, he is someone the Warriors should be making a strong pitch too.
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