The Warriors are still not set on starting lineups with the PF, SF, and C, not being set positions. I think the Warriors wil alternate lineups often. Therefore for the regular NBA team and first ten games, PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mike Dunleavy PF: Troy Murphy C: Adonal Foyle For the more defensive teams, PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mike Dunleavy PF: Troy Murphy C: Andris Biedrins For offensive minded teams PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mickael Pietrus PF: Troy Murphy C: Adonal Foyle For undersized offenive minded teams, PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mickael Pietrus PF: Mike Dunleavy C: Troy Murphy For undersized, defensive minded teams, PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mickael Pietrus PF: Ike Diogu C: Troy Murphy Thoughts and lineups of your own for these types of teams?
I think Pietrus is going to be on the defensive teams listed. The jury is still out on Diogu but I could see him starting if he holds his own. What about Biedrens?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Pietrus is going to be on the defensive teams listed. The jury is still out on Diogu but I could see him starting if he holds his own. What about Biedrens?</div> Biedrins only starts against the average teams that are more offensive like maybe Miami. Pietrus starts against the more defensive minded teams because he is a more explosive scorer and will make getting buckets easier. But you are right
I think it all depends on how the team is clicking and who has the hot hand of the night. Then it's just a matter of putting the guys on the court that will limit the other team's offense, chip in some points and look to get the ball to the hot hand. The game is about outproducing the other team AS a team and hopefully in a balanced way on offense and defense. Like Larry Bird said, it's not who scores, but who can get the ball to the scorer, so it's all dependent on the main scorers and who to surround those guys with. They need the passers, the off the ball movement, the guys that can read plays and work hard to limit the other team's scoring. Hopefully, they'll realize that our matchups where we have guys that want to move the ball and can move the ball, they'll have the most impact in getting the other guys involved because the offense reacts to the ballhandler a lot more than they do to guys without the ball. I mean look at Zarko. He's kind of a tweener, but he does get defenses to collapse on him because he can penetrate against power forwards and centers. The big guys can't stay with him off the dribble, he's been a pro with that 15 foot hooktshot floater, and he hits some solid 20 foot J's, and he's simply an excellent passer from the high post. Then it leaves guys like Pietrus or Biedrins who can really cut to under the hoop, wide open for the layup or dunk. So with these kind of lineups: PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mickael Pietrus PF: Troy Murphy C: Adonal Foyle I'm wondering who is going to be the primary passers other than J-Rich and Baron. I'd like to see at least 3 guys that can really move the ball whether it be Zarko, Dunleavy, or D-Fish (when he's not chucking). Personally, I would love to try this lineup. pg: Baron Davis sg: Mickael Pietrus sf: Jason Richardson pf: Ike Diogu c: Zarko Cabarkapa We'd suck on defense, we'd be kind of small, but we got 4-5 guys that can move the ball, get fouled, and play with tremendous energy. For defense I like this lineup (assuming Pietrus is the hot hand). We don't have a great defensive frontcourt and only one true middle that won't foul out sooner than the other guy we have so we have Diogu/Foyle at the 4/5. I don't think Zarko can play the 3 real well or be a tough enough rebounder to get what we need at the 4. If he played D at least as well as Dirk Nowitzki maybe he would be a good option at the 4 and if Ike Diogu can measure up like a Ben Wallace or Mike Sweetney player, he can play the center in some matchups. pg: Baron Davis sg: Mickael Pietrus sf: Mike Dunleavy Jr. pf: Ike Diogu c: Adonal Foyle or (less defense) pg: Baron Davis sg: Mickael Pietrus (Kobe Bryant/Ricky Davis type wing) sf: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (Brent Barry type wing) pf: Zarko Cabarkpa (Toni Kukoc type PF) c: Ike Diogu a la Ben Wallace/Mike Sweetney playing center at duty or if Dunleavy is suffering from lapses, just substitute in J-Rich. I just don't think J-Rich has proven he's been able to handle the bigger small forwards much like how Pietrus doesn't show much at that 3. Pietrus' is money on D against point guards and other shooting guards.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">I think it all depends on how the team is clicking and who has the hot hand of the night. Then it's just a matter of putting the guys on the court that will limit the other team's offense, chip in some points and look to get the ball to the hot hand. The game is about outproducing the other team AS a team and hopefully in a balanced way on offense and defense. Like Larry Bird said, it's not who scores, but who can get the ball to the scorer, so it's all dependent on the main scorers and who to surround those guys with. They need the passers, the off the ball movement, the guys that can read plays and work hard to limit the other team's scoring. Hopefully, they'll realize that our matchups where we have guys that want to move the ball and can move the ball, they'll have the most impact in getting the other guys involved because the offense reacts to the ballhandler a lot more than they do to guys without the ball. I mean look at Zarko. He's kind of a tweener, but he does get defenses to collapse on him because he can penetrate against power forwards and centers. The big guys can't stay with him off the dribble, he's been a pro with that 15 foot hooktshot floater, and he hits some solid 20 foot J's, and he's simply an excellent passer from the high post. Then it leaves guys like Pietrus or Biedrins who can really cut to under the hoop, wide open for the layup or dunk. So with these kind of lineups: PG: Baron Davis SG: J-Rich SF: Mickael Pietrus PF: Troy Murphy C: Adonal Foyle I'm wondering who is going to be the primary passers other than J-Rich and Baron. I'd like to see at least 3 guys that can really move the ball whether it be Zarko, Dunleavy, or D-Fish (when he's not chucking). Personally, I would love to try this lineup. pg: Baron Davis sg: Mickael Pietrus sf: Jason Richardson pf: Ike Diogu c: Zarko Cabarkapa We'd suck on defense, we'd be kind of small, but we got 4-5 guys that can move the ball, get fouled, and play with tremendous energy. For defense I like this lineup (assuming Pietrus is the hot hand). We don't have a great defensive frontcourt and only one true middle that won't foul out sooner than the other guy we have so we have Diogu/Foyle at the 4/5. I don't think Zarko can play the 3 real well or be a tough enough rebounder to get what we need at the 4. If he played D at least as well as Dirk Nowitzki maybe he would be a good option at the 4 and if Ike Diogu can measure up like a Ben Wallace or Mike Sweetney player, he can play the center in some matchups. pg: Baron Davis sg: Mickael Pietrus sf: Mike Dunleavy Jr. pf: Ike Diogu c: Adonal Foyle or (less defense) pg: Baron Davis sg: Mickael Pietrus (Kobe Bryant/Ricky Davis type wing) sf: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (Brent Barry type wing) pf: Zarko Cabarkpa (Toni Kukoc type PF) c: Ike Diogu a la Ben Wallace/Mike Sweetney playing center at duty or if Dunleavy is suffering from lapses, just substitute in J-Rich. I just don't think J-Rich has proven he's been able to handle the bigger small forwards much like how Pietrus doesn't show much at that 3. Pietrus' is money on D against point guards and other shooting guards.</div> Defenitly interesting scenarios, but not starting J-Rich wif we always use those rotations for those type of teams, will mean J-Rich kissing Mullin goodbye and demanding a trade
I also think J-Rich is a very good player at getting the big man involved because he can get in the lane and fake a pull up midrange jumper and dish off to whoever is cutting to the hoop. I think he has very underrated court vision. He found Biedrins and Foyle in some pretty plays a lot this season and can kickout pass off the dribble. The guy did average about 4 assists a game, which isn't too shabby. I think the big knock on him is his ability to handle the ball. If he doesn't improve the ball handling situation he'll be severely limiting his upside, but I'm sure it's stuff he can work out. In that case the ideal lineup would obviously be to include him on the court in matchups where he doesn't have to worry about the other team's shooting guard on defense. Guys like Redd and Kobe sometimes take him to school even though Richardson has an edge on both of them strength wise down low in the post. He can definitely score on both of them in the low block and get their backs sore.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J-Rich23:</div><div class="quote_post">Defenitly interesting scenarios, but not starting J-Rich wif we always use those rotations for those type of teams, will mean J-Rich kissing Mullin goodbye and demanding a trade</div> It's for defense purposes. J-Rich, if you look at his overall game, definitely seems like a forward more than a guard. He just isn't as good as Pietrus when it comes to breaking someone down one-on-one or smothering the ballhandler. On the other hand, J-Rich is a much better decision maker now in his 4th year, has above average court vision, can pass the ball really well in transition, from the post, or off the dribble. He's stronger than Pietrus or almost any 2 guard in the league except maybe Magette at 2 guard, Paul Pierce, or any other 230 lb guard who is actually a true 6'6. He's a better scorer than Pietrus with the amount of moves he has, but this is a guy who barely averaged 4 trips to the line and probably sunk less than three quarters of those foul shots. Pietrus on the other hand will just drive with reckless abandon, get fouled, and although %'s don't indicate it, he's been a pretty good free throw shooter late in the season. Sure defenses might figure him out in that he loves to go left, that he makes up his mind before he reacts to the defender and won't go for midrange jumpers, but his tools to play shooting guard look scary. So if teams can't figure out how to guard this guy when he's on, I think he needs to come in and give our starter a rest and just close the game for us. Let J-Rich rest. Maybe if Montay wants to come in and help give Baron Davis a rest, that would be great too. I'm sure he could play right now, but he'd be weak as Steve Blake or Luke Ridnour... or maybe not because Tony Parker doesn't seem to have trouble finishing with contact or playing defense. Those guys are all a buck-70 lb players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">It's for defense purposes. J-Rich, if you look at his overall game, definitely seems like a forward more than a guard. He just isn't as good as Pietrus when it comes to breaking someone down one-on-one or smothering the ballhandler. On the other hand, J-Rich is a much better decision maker now in his 4th year, has above average court vision, can pass the ball really well in transition, from the post, or off the dribble. He's stronger than Pietrus or almost any 2 guard in the league except maybe Magette at 2 guard, Paul Pierce, or any other 230 lb guard who is actually a true 6'6. He's a better scorer than Pietrus with the amount of moves he has, but this is a guy who barely averaged 4 trips to the line and probably sunk less than three quarters of those foul shots. Pietrus on the other hand will just drive with reckless abandon, get fouled, and although %'s don't indicate it, he's been a pretty good free throw shooter late in the season. Sure defenses might figure him out in that he loves to go left, that he makes up his mind before he reacts to the defender and won't go for midrange jumpers, but his tools to play shooting guard look scary. So if teams can't figure out how to guard this guy when he's on, I think he needs to come in and give our starter a rest and just close the game for us. Let J-Rich rest. Maybe if Montay wants to come in and help give Baron Davis a rest, that would be great too. I'm sure he could play right now, but he'd be weak as Steve Blake or Luke Ridnour... or maybe not because Tony Parker doesn't seem to have trouble finishing with contact or playing defense. Those guys are all a buck-70 lb players.</div> Good points there, at this point if you had to choose, Pietrus or J-Rich at SF?
The most important factor for the Warriors is that they manage to get through the exhibition pre season without anybody getting any major injuries. The Warriors are going to have to keep the core of the team Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy healthy for the Warriors to have a good chance to make the playoffs. The Warriors have the luxury of being two deep at each position but if any of the core group goes down we will not be able to see the true potential of the team. By the way anyway you look at it depending on who starts I really love our bench.
Yeah I love our bench too! Fogie free! J/K I guess if I had to choose between who plays what with J-rich and Pietrus. I'd probably make Pietrus the small forward for now. All he has to do is stand on the wing and shoot 3's or cut along the baseline for the dunk. Simple role player offense. He can dribble his way in, but he's kind of unpredictable with what he'll do with the ball and he doesn't pass much on the drive. He's a good passer in transition offense, though. Richardson is the scoring machine and I like the fact he can always guard the other team's small forward (if he isn't Rashard Lewis, Carmelo Anthony or Lebron James close to the basket) while Pietrus guards the other team's 2 guard. I'm hoping Pietrus can be like our own version of Supermanu. Not quite the playmaker, but the same energy on defense and the ability to give our team a huge scoring burst in crucial moments of the game. It is possible Pietrus can go from his streak shooting to more of a consistent game by just driving the ball. I think that's how Ginobili went from 40% shooting to shooting a high 47%, he just took it in and got lots of layups. In games we were losing, I remember M.P. just brought us back in many games in 2003 and 2004 almost singlehandedly.
I think this should be the starting lineup to start the season... Baron Jrich Pietrus Dunleavy Murphy Those are our 5 best players at this point regardless. Now depending on the team we are playing and the progress of our young guys we can adjust that lineup and solidify the starting lineup. Regardless, I think Pietrus needs to start this year. Fisher is our #1 option at PG but if Ellis plays as well as he did in the SL he may get a shot at least of playing with Fisher off the bench as a 1, 2 combo. Zarko played really well on the perimeter, but what I love best about his game is how he gets out there and runs. How many fast break baskets did he get last year? I noticed several in the games I watched. Taft, Diogu, and Biedrens. How they play this season can completely change the face of the Golden State Warriors; just as Baron Davis did last year. If Taft plays like a monster like everyone expected and started to see in the SL, then he will be a bonafide replacement for Foyle. Same goes for Diogu. He will send Murphy packing. Biedrens is so raw offensively at this point, but he plays his heart out. I love that. That is the perfect kind of player you need off the bench. Here are the subs... Fisher Ellis Zarko Diougu Taft/Biedrens (depending on if Taft ends up starting) All defensive team Baron/Ellis (heard he played tough D this summer) Fisher Pietrus Diogu (I hope) Foyle/Taft Run and gun team 1... Baron Jrich Pietrus Dunleavy Zarko
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">I think this should be the starting lineup to start the season... Baron Jrich Pietrus Dunleavy Murphy Those are our 5 best players at this point regardless. Now depending on the team we are playing and the progress of our young guys we can adjust that lineup and solidify the starting lineup. Regardless, I think Pietrus needs to start this year. Fisher is our #1 option at PG but if Ellis plays as well as he did in the SL he may get a shot at least of playing with Fisher off the bench as a 1, 2 combo. Zarko played really well on the perimeter, but what I love best about his game is how he gets out there and runs. How many fast break baskets did he get last year? I noticed several in the games I watched. Taft, Diogu, and Biedrens. How they play this season can completely change the face of the Golden State Warriors; just as Baron Davis did last year. If Taft plays like a monster like everyone expected and started to see in the SL, then he will be a bonafide replacement for Foyle. Same goes for Diogu. He will send Murphy packing. Biedrens is so raw offensively at this point, but he plays his heart out. I love that. That is the perfect kind of player you need off the bench. Here are the subs... Fisher Ellis Zarko Diougu Taft/Biedrens (depending on if Taft ends up starting) All defensive team Baron/Ellis (heard he played tough D this summer) Fisher Pietrus Diogu (I hope) Foyle/Taft Run and gun team 1... Baron Jrich Pietrus Dunleavy Zarko</div> I like your first lineup there. My own personal favorite Like to see that start the first week and play the run?ngun
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J-Rich23:</div><div class="quote_post">I like your first lineup there. My own personal favorite Like to see that start the first week and play the run?ngun</div> Me too unless Diogu and Taft turn out to be monsters...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Me too unless Diogu and Taft turn out to be monsters...</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">I have heard Taft being compared to Amare with the way he just tries to dunk on people viciously...</div> I'd say thats a good comparison, a poor man's Amare on offense without the jumpshot, supposedly Taft plays very solid defense too.
I heard Taft is more like Nene physically, but who knows until we see in person against nba competition. Amare is like a Kwame Brown or Jermaine O'neil physically. Just some freak athletes with a lot of strength.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">I heard Taft is more like Nene, but who knows until we see in person against nba competition.</div> My guess is a poor mans Stoudamire.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J-Rich23:</div><div class="quote_post">My guess is a poor mans Stoudamire.</div> That's very presumptuous of you, but all right. Like I said nobody really knows and it's just a matter of observing over time and against real competition.
