ESPN once again does not have audio of the game. Sirius will not have the games on until the regular season starts. Are you guys getting the game locally on TV, league pass or on the radio?
Let me guess... No Baron? And no Murphy (rebounding)? And no Foyle (shotblocking). And let me guess that Dunleavy Jr. probably was crap because it was against his father's team and also because he just isn't ever consistent or that much of a scoring threat. Also Jrich probably struggled as well. I believe the Warriors can shoot, but it's a matter of getting open looks and easy fastbreak points. Ever seen Fisher run the break? His idea is to jack up a shot from the top of the key.
What happened last night? Baron, Murphy and Foyle did not play, we got blown out by 30pts, there was no radio broadcast and odd players got more minutes than more likely players like Pietrus.
My feeling is the Monty saw this as his last chance to see the "on the bubble" players. (If there are any, I think Miles is for sure on the team, and the bay area natives, J. Davis, and Young are gone) The game gave the starters a chance to regroup and get ready for one more test run, on the 27th vs. the Suns in Oakland, before a few days off, and then opening night the 2nd. From reading recent articles by Marcus Thompson and Janny Hu, the two main bay area beat writers who follow the W's, the staff knows that the season is going to be a track meet, and any down time is recovery time. Especially in the beginning of the season before the players get their legs under them.
I didn't watch/listen the game either, but as far as I know, we were pretty close till middle of 3rd quarter, then things got ugly. Just based on stats, defense was non-existant, turned the ball over way too many times, and couldn't shoot a thing. Sure, we did miss Davis, Murphy and Foyle, but Clippers also missed Kaman, Cassell, Maggette, and Brand only played 11 mins. So, it was a disappointing loss...
I think it was a case of Montgomery trying to figure out a few things. 3/5ths of his starting five were out so he uses this game as a throwaway to look at different line up combinations and to answer any other line up questions. Zarko and Biedrins both got time because Murphy and Foyle were out. Montgomery also wants to see what these guys do with extended minutes. Zarko because Montgomery is trying to figure out if he should be ahead of Diogu in the rotation. Last night wasn't bad, but I haven't seen anythinig from Zarko yet that tells me he should be the primary back up at the 3/4. Biedrins needs to be in there so he can get game experience, espeicially on the defensive end, i.e. figuring out what is and is not a foul in this league. The same goes for Taft. Monta was out there to get game experience as was Miles, who will probably be the team's 3rd pg. These two are an interesting pair, Monta has no experience and limited bb IQ, but a lot of potential. Miles is the exact opposite. I think they'll both make the team (did you hear that Montgomery said he probably won't send anyone down to the DL as he prefers they practice with the Warriors coaches and learn the Warriors offensive and defensive schemes?). It is strange that Montgomery would have Young and Cheaney in there instead of Pietrus though. My guess is that Young is going to get cut soon and Montgomery gave him some blow as a last chance to prove himself. Cheaney hasn't played much this preseason, maybe Montgomery just figured this was the night he got a chance to get some floor time. I wouldn't worry about Pietrus though. I imagine he's going to be getting most of the minutes that Cheaney and Young got tonight and will average about 30-33 minutes a game this year as the sixth man on the team.
I think Zarko was in tough situation to begin with and neither his performance nor our current situation helped him much at all. We lacks half court offense, rebounding and defense, and we can't say Zarko is better at any of those aspects then Diogu. In other hand, Biedrins seems to improve quickly and make himself a clear back up center. He would have started if he can bring defense presence like Foyle, but since he doesn't, starting gig is not for him yet. Pietrus isn't playing well. I hope it's because he joined euro championship game like he said. After all, it does take something away from anybody. Overall, I have to say I am bit concerned. Obviously, with or without Davis is day and night. But, without Foyle, our defense also look crap. Overall defense has been worse than I expected. Not that I expect much from Fisher, but at least in preseason, he looks worse than last year. Hope it's just because he doesn't give much for preseason performance. Dunleavy defines extreme inconsistancy in this preseason. Wasn't our 2nd units be our strong point? So far, drop off from 1st to 2nd units has been quite significant. Since our half court offense, rebounding and defense are weaknesses, how much Diogu will help this ball club? Guess we have to wait for few weeks...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">Since our half court offense, rebounding and defense are weaknesses, how much Diogu will help this ball club? Guess we have to wait for few weeks...</div> Not to give the chicken littles any ammuntion, but doesn't the Diogu injury smack of classic Warrior snake-bittenness? The one major change the Warriors make this offseason is drafting Diogu to cure the three main problems the team has. Whats the worst thing that could happen to him? Well death I suppose, followed by career ending injury, followed by...well, you get the point. Right now the worst thing that could happen to the Warriors in the short term is not having Diogu out on the floor.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorsfan:</div><div class="quote_post"> not another disappointing loss aww im starting to lose faith in the warriors =[</div>I hope youre joking.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorsfan:</div><div class="quote_post"> not another disappointing loss aww im starting to lose faith in the warriors =[</div> I agree with you. I am quite disappointed. This next game will be a real test to see if not only can we bounce back from 2 losses in a row, but also the fact that we killed the Suns in our first game. Lets hope they dont come into the game with a chip on their shoulder and return the favor...
Remember that this is only preseason, the main focus isn't on winning. Its okay to be disappointed but don't lose faith just quite yet, no reason to.
I know, but we should be worried if this is how we start the season. I understand these games really have no bearing, but I still think we should win these games. It is one thing to lose a close game with the starters on the bench but to get blown out and our real starters shoot 25% and 35%! That is unacceptable even in pre season...
Preseason: Baron; Awesome. Almost a triple double one game. Please stay healthy Richardson; OK. Not worried about J-Rich Dunleavy; Inconsistent, but I think he'll have a good year. Murphy; Looks to be moving better than at any time last year Foyle; Looks good. If he can shoot free throws, watch out. Needs to not pick up fouls in the 1st quarter. Pietrus; Not a good preseason. Must be very tired. Keep your mouth shut. Fisher; Shooting a ton of free throws, but the ball doesn't move well with him in control. Biedrins; Rebounding very well. Catching inside passes. Quick leaper. Ready to play alot of backup minutes, but picks up a ton of fouls. Needs better ft%. Zarko; Seems to be struggling alot. Very disappointing this preseason. Diogu; incomplete. Ellis; I love the poise. I think Monty should use him as much as possible. Miles; Will make the team, and provide a much needed playmaking presence. Tough. Taft; Out of shape. Has shown flashes of what could be. Very intriguing. Cheaney; Who cares. Great guy to have around I guess? Justin Davis; I think he should make the team, based on a need for a big three, who's got some athletic ability. He knows Monty's style, and will take what he's given. Overall this preseason: When the starting five is out there we've looked impressive. When Baron's out for an extended period of time we fall apart. Hopefully the addition of Diogu in the lineup will allow us to do different things. Baron's gonna have to play major minutes this year. Some of the backup guys just won't be as effective unless Baron's setting them up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Remember that this is only preseason, the main focus isn't on winning. Its okay to be disappointed but don't lose faith just quite yet, no reason to.</div> True. We might want to evaluate our other seldom used players or try new offensive sets, but without Baron we're really the same team when Fisher started for us, Dunleavy struggled, Murphy shot 41% and was a defensive sieve and Richardson was our only hope. Also Foyle was there and Zarko at center/forward was pretty much our non-chucking, non-post defending version of Clifford Robinson. Great passing skills though. Pietrus didn't get into rhythm until we brought in Baron. I think with Fisher off the bench and without inside presence, we're better off using a dribble penetrator like Montay Ellis or Aaron Miles. We need quickness in the backcourt not chuckers. Fish can chuck all day if we wants so long as his feet are set, but that's not often when there's nobody to set up and he can't create for others that well. I would recommend a three guard lineup if we can.
