FRENCH FRIED Warriors reserve Pietrus wants a bigger role On the day Baron Davis arrived in Oakland six months ago, Mickael Pietrus broke through a crush of reporters to serve his new point guard a cold bottle of Gatorade. The crowd was back in full force Monday for the Warriors' annual Media Day, only this time, Pietrus served up a chilling dose of reality. The Warriors' swingman says he is no longer content to sit back and wait for the team that drafted him in 2003 to nurse him along. He wants to play now, and play consistently. And not just any minutes. "I've been here for now three years and it's time to see the real MP," Pietrus said. "I don't need to start, I need to finish the game. People watch on TV the games, they don't watch the first quarter, they watch the fourth quarter. And when the game is tied and you make (the) big shot? "Now you'll see who's the real player." If the words seem alarming, remember that Pietrus has a history of making grandiose statements. Last March, he told a French newspaper that he wanted out of Golden State and characterized his teammates as selfish. Pietrus later apologized for those comments, but his remarks Monday could still represent the first hint of controversy for the Warriors on the eve of the training camp. Pietrus is feeling the afterglow of France's performance at the European Championships in Serbia-Montenegro last month, when he helped lead the team to it's first medal since 1959, and wants to continue building his confidence. Though the French team blew a late lead against eventual champion Greece in the semifinals, they responded by toppling Spain in the third-place game for a bronze medal. Pietrus scored 23 points in 21 minutes against Spain, boosting his tournament averages to 11.5 points and four rebounds per game. He was thrilled with the showing and enjoyed playing alongside the Spurs' Tony Parker and Pietrus' brother, Florent. But perhaps the biggest rush was being on a team that needed him. "If we won the bronze medal, it was part of my job," Pietrus said. "I don't feel like that here, trust me." Pietrus did not return to the Bay Area until Sunday afternoon, when teammate Zarko Cabarkapa picked him up from the airport. With construction clogging up traffic on the Bay Bridge, it took more than two hours to get home. He will face similar roadblocks in his quest for fourth-quarter glory. Pietrus has yet to earn the full trust of coach Mike Montgomery, and Davis and Jason Richardson are late-game locks. Derek Fisher has built a career off clutch shooting, while Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy are also proven 3-point shooters. Richardson said Monday it was natural for a young player like Pietrus to want important minutes. He welcomed the challenge and believes this will be the most competitive training camp since he arrived four years ago. But he also warned that players are not about to step aside for Pietrus. "I'm not going to let anybody come and take my spot," Richardson said. "He's going to come in and challenge me? Yeah, you challenge. But nobody's going to take my spot." And so, Pietrus is an interesting -- even vulnerable -- position heading into training camp. The Warriors have already committed to Richardson at shooting guard and are negotiating a contract extension for Dunleavy. There is no definitive answer on where Pietrus fits in long-term, but if there any doubt about his own ambitions, Pietrus squashed them with a visual aide Monday. He marked three imaginary spots on the white tablecloth in front of him, representing the recently completed European Championships, the upcoming Warriors' season and next summer's World Championships in Japan. "I want to enjoy, enjoy and enjoy," he said, circling each spot as he spoke. "This is going to take more experience to here, this will take more experience to here. That's what I'm looking for this year. "One, two, three." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGD1F28U11.DTL
I understand MP's frustration when he believes in playing defense, the coaches SAY they believe in playing defense, he is arguably the best perimeter defender and you got 3-4 guys playing ahead of him which 2 of them are aguable the team's worst defenders. I understand his frustration. I just hope he can be satisfied with a consistent 20-25mpg until someone gets injured...
If Pietrus learned to hit the mid-range jumper consistently in the off season than there's no way to keep him off of the court. It's time to show everyone what improvements he's made
I am a little worried with his history of injuries. With his style of play, he is much more prone to injuries, he even sat out an important euro championship game with a sore knee. He just needs to play 25-30 minutes a night, and once we are winning all is forgotten.
I can understand Pietrus' frustration. After all, the way he impacts the game, he deserves more than irregular playing time and 20 mins per game in average. Problem is that there are only 240 mins in one game, and that's actually what I am concerned about this season. Players like Pietrus and Zarko certainy deserved more than 20 and 12 mins per game. Also, Biedrins improved and players like Diogu and Monta will immidiately impact. But, where do we get those mins? We will give at least 36 mins to both Davis and Richardson, and at least 32 mins to both Dunleavy and Murphy. And, we didn't lose any talent from last season, and all young players worked their butt off for brighter future. When they don't get mins that they believe they deserve, some players won't be happy, and it may lead potential locker room problem. I do expect a lot of change in next season, and hopefully some players won't blow up the chemistry due to their unhappiness...
No arguments there. Y'all know how I feel about Pietrus over Dunleavy. I wouldn't mind going with a 3 guard offense. Before Baron, when the team was playing ugly, Pietrus was the only guy that was slightly less disappointing than the rest. I think it's because he was willing to get fouled and get dirty on defense. I couldn't stand watching our softies play and not score because they weren't too quick, weren't too good of a finisher or weren't too aggressive.
As long as Mullin doesn't throw extention to Dunleavy and wait how everything will unfold for this season, I will be happy. So far, there is no rumored Dunleavy extention news at the beginning of training camp...
I'm with you Kwan1031, I hope the W's just Wait it out. Pietrus was dog doo until late in the season. He didn't really shine until Bdiddy got here. He screwed his shoulder in summer league last year and then took most of the year to get his game working. He could be the best sixth man in the league this year. All he has to do is stay healthy.
Pietrus needs to pick it up and become smarter on the court. No jacking up three's, no spread eagle jumpers. That means moving the ball, getting to the line and playing awesome D. If he does that then he can close out games. If he won't, then he shouldn't complain. It's all up to him.
I am right there with you guys. Lets wait and see. It might kill us and it might help us. As far as Pietrus is concerned. He played really well, if he starts the season the way he ended last year, he might end up starting...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">As long as Mullin doesn't throw extention to Dunleavy and wait how everything will unfold for this season, I will be happy. So far, there is no rumored Dunleavy extention news at the beginning of training camp...</div> Spoke too soon... there were a couple articles today about it. Personally I hope the deal gets done before the end of the month. I'm less concerened about the cap situation. We're in a position to win now and hold on to our core group. A bad contract can always be moved... it's been done, we've watched it... we have draft picks to package that we won't really need. Dunleavy plays it cool Forward doesn't stress over his contract talks http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGE7F2OJA1.DTL For Dunleavy, his degree is a bigger deal than contract http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...ts/12822583.htm
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriors Redux:</div><div class="quote_post">Spoke too soon... there were a couple articles today about it. Personally I hope the deal gets done before the end of the month. I'm less concerened about the cap situation. We're in a position to win now and hold on to our core group. A bad contract can always be moved... it's been done, we've watched it... we have draft picks to package that we won't really need. Dunleavy plays it cool Forward doesn't stress over his contract talks http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGE7F2OJA1.DTL For Dunleavy, his degree is a bigger deal than contract http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...ts/12822583.htm</div> Yeah. Ever since the rumor of Dunleavy extention at the beginning of the training camp started, I am looking at that deadline date and hold my breath until it passes, because I know they are still talking. There is absolutely no reason to give Dunleavy an extention right now. Just because we do not give Dunleavy an extention right now, that doesn't mean we are in worse position to resign Dunleavy next year, because he will be a restricted FA. I mean, exactly what's the reason to give Dunleavy an extention now? Does he have huge untapped potential to blow up? No. Will he dramatically improve his market value? No. No team in NBA will offer Dunleavy a double digit mils per year salary, and if we desperately want to keep him, we can simply match that offer, since Dunleavy is a restricted FAs. Look around the league. Restricted FAs like Johnson, Curry, Evans, Radmanovic and almost all restricted FAs couldn't just do whatever they want. All those teams were in position to keep those players, as long as they pay them, and even if they felt that the contract are too rich to offer, they always ended up getting something in return. If Mullin can get Dunelavy close to 6 mils per year, I can live with it even if we may forced to lose Pietrus. But, if Mullin gives Dunleavy close to 9 mils per year, you will see me completely blowing up in here. Also, let's not get a blind optimism that something will turn out alright and we will be fine at the end of the day. Yes, bad contract can be removed. But, what cost? And, what will we get in return? No team in NBA will just offer expiring contracts to players like Foyle or Fisher and magically solve our financial situation and those are something that never been done and we never watched it happening. There is a reason why we have to trade Jamison (whom next year was traded for no. 5 pick and Stackhouse) and Welsh (at that time he have a good trading value) to just dump Fortson and his 4 years remaining salary, which is shorter than Fisher's contract btw. There is a reason why Mavs let Nash go, Suns let Johnson go, Chicago let Curry go, and Washington let Hughes go, because every team has limited resources and no team in NBA wants to take a big contract, even if losing that players would significantly hurt them. Really, Nash, Johnson, and Hughes could easily stayed with their old teams, if those old teams just threw two or three mils over what they were offering. And, that's why trading ugly contract cost a lot more than many fans think, and while Foyle and Fisher's contracts are not the worst kind of contract because they can contribute, it still will cost substential amount to remove them. Also, the value we receive is also important. Even if we trade Fisher and his 5 years contract, if we receive some garbage player with 4 years remaining, it would be meaningless, because we are looking for a financial relief, and that contract will hardly give any. Yes, we are in a position to win now, and we do need every help we can get. However, if Mullin keep giving overpaid and long contracts over and over, we are definitely not in position to keep our core, because our finance is limited like other NBA teams. Even if we do not give Dunleavy an extention, we are not in position to lose Dunleavy. I would love to keep our core as much as possible, and in order to improve that chance, it's much better for us to see who emerges and decide their fates next offseason. If we resign Dunleavy right now, we will keep Dunleavy. But, it will dramatically reduce our chance of keeping other young players, because existing contracts of Davis, Richardson, Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle and Fisher will hit close to luxury tax line, and none of contracts will end in 4 years...
if Dun becomes a restricted FA and we decide not to match an offer do we get reimbursed with a draft pick? I'm very curious what kind of contracts other teams will offer him. My hunch is it's very far below what Mully is willing to dish out, especially after his KNBR interview. What we do with his contract is very important in solidifying our future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jzblaze:</div><div class="quote_post">if Dun becomes a restricted FA and we decide not to match an offer do we get reimbursed with a draft pick? I'm very curious what kind of contracts other teams will offer him. My hunch is it's very far below what Mully is willing to dish out, especially after his KNBR interview. What we do with his contract is very important in solidifying our future.</div> In next year, there are few scenarios that can happen. 1. We can still offer Dunleavy an extention and he can sign him. 2. Another team offers a contract and we match that. 3. Another team without a caproom offers Dunleavy a contract and we decide not to match that contract for own reasons. In order to do so, the other team must agree on sign and trade. (Johnson and Curry case) 4. Another team with a caproom offers Dunleavy a contract and we let him go for nothing. 5. No team offers a contract and we do not offer an extention contract. Dunleavy settles for 5th year option, and that makes him an unrestricted FA (Radmanovic). We do not receive a draft pick for losing Dunleavy outright. In terms of dealing with unrestricted FAs, teams are in a drive seat. Generally what happens is that if you know one team wants to keep a player (like Dunleavy with us), either other teams offer an insane contract, such as what Atlanta did to Johnson, so that one team would not match, or never bother offering a contract, like how most of restricted FAs such as Chandler, Curry, Radmanovic, and Dalembert. Even Kwame's case, where everybody knows that he is out from Wiz, they received nice compensation for Kwame. Really, what's the chance of other team offering Dunleavy a 12 mils per year so that even Mullin will not match that contract? That's why there is little difference between signing Dunleavy now or later. Certainly, chance of resigning Dunleavy decreases tiny bit. But instead, we receive one valuable year to evaluate and see if throwing huge contract to Dunleavy is wise or not, because once we sign a big trade, there is very little chance to resign Pietrus or Zarko, and signing Biedrins may not be a sure thing either.
thanks Kwan, maybe I'm getting confused with football as far as a draft pick reimbursement is concerned.
With the NVBA pre-season almost starting, I gathered the opinions of some of the NVBA?s most respected Members, the writing team. Unfortunately, Rawse was unavailable for comment at this moment in time. Power Rankings - KingsOwner Insider - AdamIllman NVBA Trifecta - Rawse Fact or Fiction - Speedythief Interviews - Theo Airmail- BeeKewl <div align="center"><div align="center">Rookie most likely to?. Average 10 rebounds</div></div> KingsOwner - Ike Diogu, Cleveland AdamIllman - Andrew Bogut, Indiana Speedythief - Andrew Bogut, Indiana Theo - Andrew Bogut, Indiana BeeKewl - Andrew Bogut, Indiana <div align="center"><div align="center"> Average 20 points</div></div> KingsOwner - Chris Paul, Boston AdamIllman - Antoine Wright, Detroit Speedythief - Andrew Bogut, Indiana Theo - Antoine Wright, Detroit BeeKewl - Andrew Bogut, Indiana <div align="center"><div align="center"> Average 10 assists</div></div> KingsOwner - Raymond Felton, Seattle AdamIllman - Raymond Felton, Seattle Speedythief - Raymond Felton, Seattle Theo - Deron Williams, Orlando BeeKewl - Raymond Felton, Seattle <div align="center"><div align="center"> Win ROY</div></div> KingsOwner - Chris Paul, Boston AdamIllman - Chris Paul, Boston Speedythief - Andrew Bogut, Indiana Theo - Andrew Bogut, Indiana BeeKewl - Andrew Bogut, Indiana <div align="center"><div align="center"> Get unfair bench splinters</div></div> KingsOwner - Andrew Bynum, Phoenix AdamIllman - Ike Diogu, Cleveland Speedythief - Gerald Green, Toronto Theo - Marvin Williams, Toronto BeeKewl - Ronny Turiaf, Orlando <div align="center"><div align="center"> Break a leg while doing laps</div></div> KingsOwner - Julius Hodge, San Antonio AdamIllman - Martynas Andriuskevicius, Cleveland Speedythief - Danny Granger, Cleveland Theo - Martynas Andriuskevicius, Cleveland BeeKewl - Martynas Andriuskevicius, Cleveland <div align="center"><div align="center"> Be considered the biggest steal </div></div> KingsOwner - Nate Robinson, Memphis AdamIllman - Nate Robinson, Memphis Speedythief - Nate Robinson, Memphis Theo - Jason Maxiell, Sacramento/Nate Robinson, Memphis BeeKewl - Nate Robinson, Memphis/Sean May, Phoenix <div align="center"><div align="center"> Awards Most Valuable Player </div></div> KingsOwner - Shaquille O?Neal, Chicago AdamIllman - Tim Duncan, Sacramento Speedythief - Kevin Garnett, Memphis Theo - Dirk Nowitzki, Los Angeles Cl. BeeKewl - Kevin Garnett, Memphis <div align="center"><div align="center"> Most Improved </div></div> KingsOwner - Chris Kaman, New Orleans AdamIllman - Mickael Pietrus, Toronto Speedythief - Joel Pryzbilla, Utah Theo - DeMarr Johnson, Orlando BeeKewl - DeMarr Johnson, Orlando <div align="center"><div align="center"> Defensive Player</div></div> KingsOwner - Allen Iverson, Sacramento AdamIllman - Ron Artest, Utah Speedythief - Kevin Garnett, Memphis Theo - Ron Artest, Utah BeeKewl - Ron Artest, Utah <div align="center"><div align="center"> Sixth Man </div></div> KingsOwner - Leandrinho Barbosa, Orlando AdamIllman - Desmond Mason, Los Angeles L. Speedythief - Joe Smith, Washington Theo - Desmond Mason, Los Angeles L. BeeKewl - Trevor Ariza, Seattle/Gerald Wallace, Dallas <div align="center"><div align="center"> Best team record</div></div> KingsOwner - Memphis Grizzlies AdamIllman - Memphis Grizzlies Speedythief - Memphis Grizzlies Theo - Memphis Grizzlies BeeKewl - Memphis Grizzlies <div align="center"><div align="center"> Most Valuable Addition</div></div> KingsOwner - Stephon Marbury, Atlanta AdamIllman - Eddie Jones, New Jersey Speedythief - Eddie Jones, New Jersey Theo - Dan Gadzuric, Orlando/Damon Jones, Los Angeles Cl. BeeKewl - Michael Redd, Denver/Brevin Knight, Indiana <div align="center"><div align="center"> Worst addition (for price) </div></div> KingsOwner - Jerome James, Golden State/Nene, Miami (8 mil!!!) AdamIllman - Darius Songalia, Cleveland Speedythief - Fred Hoiberg Theo - Stromile Swift, Charlotte BeeKewl - Kwame Brown, Dallas
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Tell us how you really feel Kwan...</div> I have to say I am nervous about our current situation, and I feels like I am looking at another dot com boom in Warriors. Everybody are happy to see the new era and rightfully so. This season will be great and we may even end PO drought. But, financial crisis is also out there as well, and at this rate, chance of keeping our young talents are quite slim. If core of Davis, Richardson, Dunleavy, Murphy, Foyle and Fisher have a chance to win championship someday, I won't have much problem with it. However, as much as I would like them to run and gun, those 6 guys are not a championship material. In other word, that core will eventually hit the wall at some point, and we have to make an adjustment. In order to make an adjustment, we do need a flexibility. Also, in order to add talents, we need a room to pay additional talents. Unfortunately, we do not have either. Let's assume that Pietrus, Biedrins, Diogu, Monta, Zarko and Taft turn out to be better talent/fit then our existing talent. Then, we need to replace them with our current talents, because we can't afford keeping them all. Problem is that who will take our existing core, while giving up ending contract and possible something extra? Obviously, demand for Davis and Richardson are high, so we won't have a trouble replacing them. But, demand for Murphy isn't hot, and nobody will give an ending contract for Fisher or Foyle. Then, do we have a luxury to sign any of Pietrus, Biedrins, Diogu, Monta, and Zarko first and wait until some suitor appears to take our existing core? If we sign Dunleavy a long term now, that's basically impossible to do either. In other word, even if we find better pieces, we may have to give up better pieces because of our financial problem with lack of flexibility. Yes, we can get lucky and find a suitor just at the right moment to replace. But, that doesn't happen very often and that's why we are facing a troublesome future. I guess the best solution is that we can bundle up bad contracts + young talents for superstars in return, like KG trade. After all, we can't develop all young talents, and even if we can keep them financially, we may have to let some talents go. But, don't hold your breath for that happening, because it's just a wild theory at this point. Yes, I am angry about Mullin for overpaying other guys. But, what I am more angry about is that he bunched up every big contracts and none of them will end in next 4 years. If Fisher's deal ends in next year, Foyle's deal ends in two years and something like that, we will have some sort of breathing room, even if we hit close to luxury tax. But, since none of them ends in 4 years, it really feels like hitting a brick wall. Many fans really underestimate how hard to trade bad contracts, thinking that the chance of dumping bad contracts happens quite often and we can dispose those contracts anytime we want. But, let's look at the other side. If Fisher and his 5 years/30+ mils are on other team, and if they ask us for expiring contract for his contract + restricted draft pick, do you really want to accept that package? Absoultely not. Chance are everybody in this board will beat up that silly offer. Only teams that has a remote chance to accept Fisher's contract is a contending team with desperate need for PG. But, Houston didn't want Fisher with that contract when we signed him, and they already made the trade. We weren't able to afford the caproom for Arenas, so we created close to 20 mils caproom this offseason (supposely). Only problem is that it happened two years after Arenas left. Yes. If we wait long enough, we MAY be able to dump our bad contract for something more affordable. But, if we can't dump bad contracts at the right timing to help ourselves, it will be useless. Chance of dumping bad contracts rarely happens, and that's why it is called bad contract. I do recognize that what I said is not a gospel in any stretch of imagination. After all, all my prediction is based on unofficial contract info from hoopshype and based on what happened in past. If Cohan goes wild and becomes Cuban ver. 2, NBA finds a gold mine, or we get lucky and somebody offers expiring contracts for Fisher, Foyle or Murphy in right time, our problem can be solved. But, those are very unlikely, and based on past events, financial crisis is most likely scenario. Really, if anybody disagree with my prediction and have good reasons behind it, I would love to talk about that and change my dark prediction, instead of just relying on blind hope and say "Er, everything will be fine". I always try to explain why I said it and why I disagree with certain matters, hoping that I get similar response in return. Of course, sometimes things can get hot time to time, but at the end of the day, I believe everything will be cool. I really do not enjoy delivering a bad news, and I defended Warriors in ESPN board for ever since AOL started to give free 20 hours, which is good 7-8 years. But, even for me, I can't just ignore incoming financial crisis, and that's why I am trying to tell this crisis from last offseason, hoping that at least some fans will respond to what I said and give some sort of reaction, whether they agree or disagree and why, which just doesn't happen very often. Of course, the best routine is that I can just shup up about this issue and tell "I told you so", when fans find out that we can't afford keeping Pietrus, Zarko, Biedrins and other players. But, I don't plan to do that anytime soon...
I wonder if Cohan will pay the luxury tax if the Warriors make the playoffs this year. It's something that we never consider as an option, but it can happen. I don't blame him for not paying the tax in the past. If the team makes the playoffs, who knows.
If we signs Dunleavy, luxury tax is not an option. Davis 15 mils Richardson 12 mils Murphy 10 mils Fisher 6 mils Foyle 8 mils Dunleavy (8 mils) It's a rough estimate of their average salaries. Their acutal total number is smaller then those, and their later salaries are bigger. Those 6 guys alone will make 59 mils and luxury tax line is 62 mils this year. So, it's not matter of whether Cohan will pay or not, and it's matter of how much. Cohan provided support to Mullin beyond any previous GMs dream of. That's why I believe Mullin made all those moves, because Cohan promised him that he will bite some portion of luxury tax. Of course, if Cohan refuses to pay luxury tax, we are simply doomed. http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries.htm If we add additional 9 guys' salary, our salary will easily be in 70's. And, that's good for top 5. How much do we expect Cohan to pay? 10 mils over luxury tax? 20 mils? That would be ultimate x factor in our future. For now, it's hard for me to expect him to pay more than 10 mils luxury tax. I just realized that we seem to sign N'diaye for 3 years. I thought it was just a year signing. Wonder how much we gave him...
