Warriovs vs. Sonics @ Oakland, Jan 16, 2005 @ 1pm FSN

thanks BJM...much appreciated.

 

Believe it or not, Dunleavy was playing Lewis well which is why Pietrus only got minutes backing up JRich. He looked good but you could see him huffing and puffing at times. Ike should be getting minutes at the 4, especially with Murphy playing the way he has been. Biedrins was the better matchup agains Swift today, I understand what Monty was doing. How can you be upset when you didn't even watch the game. I though Monty had the right guys in the game today. It's good to have Pietrus back.

The Answer to Murphy and Pietrus is that they need to get minutes to pad their stats in case they need to be traded (IMHO)

 

Yeah, we've been playing better with Pietrus' point per minute production off the bench. He gives us solid defense too. I hope we don't let him go. Especially after that lefty dunk. He can really get up there off of one foot and hit those threes accurately from the baseline. That's pretty darn exciting to watch.

Also, Dunleavy had another nice game to go with Baron's would-be triple double if Ike hadn't scooped it up.

I'm not a fan of Monty this past month, but the team did play more like a team today with several passes being made and some excellent out of bounds plays. Mainly, I didn't like the lineups. We played Baron Davis, Fish at guard, Pietrus, Richardson at forward, and Biedrins at center. Basically Richardson played a power forward and that would have been bad in any other situation when we're lacking size to get the rebound. Let's just say as bad as our coaching is, we can't fix the rebounding problem unless we get better inside presence and guys who will do the dirty work. Just like CH mentions, we don't play physical enough and we don't box out or seal offensive rebounders off (Watch Murphy's style of play and he's a stats guy like Antwan Jamison). We also don't set good screens. It's either a weak, half-assed one or it arrives too late. Because we're weak in the big man department and big man fundamentals, it's probably why we want guys in there that are quicker to the ball and can be physical and aggressive. Guys like Jrich and Pietrus together as forwards are harder to seal off kind of like Shawn Marion because both can jump real high and quickly and many times in a row and aren't afraid of contact.

I have to say I'm so glad to have Pietrus back because our team was missing something. Pietrus is just another weapon that gives us an inside/outside threat. Although he's not a playmaker, he's hard to defend because no guys can react to the way he moves. He's just too quick to stay with.

Also, I'm glad Baron Davis is getting more rebounds, because damn... we don't stand a chance of winning if we aren't rebounding the ball on a bad shooting night. Luckily, we rebounded well and we shot over 50% and played the D.

 

I'm glad they won. They had to win this one. Even though they were playing a terrible team, it was nice to see them hold their opponent under 50% percent for once.

 

Pietrus is the 3rd best player on this team. No doubt.

 

Given an extra 5 mins he'd probably be the leading scorer of the game

 

Very good win. Granted that we were fighting against not-so-good Sonics team without Allen, but this blow out will let some steam out.

Another near triple-double from Davis. It was funny to see Davis playing till 1 min left to collect his last rebound.

After mini 3 games slump (if you can call that as a slump), Richardson has been pumping points in last two games as usual.

Is Dunleavy finally finding his role? Pretty impressive Jan. so far. As long as he limits his range to around 18 ft, he can be a good shooter. Also, pretty impressive defense on Lewis.

In other hand, there is no sign of Dunleavy and Murphy coexisting together. Murphy's Jan. has been horrendous, and I was kinda hoping that Monty will bench Murphy for couple games like how Wiz benched Jamison for couple games. 35% from the field, including 2-15 from 3 pts. It may be because of Dunleavy, Artest rumor, injury or just a mini slump. Hope he can break out fast.

Maybe, we should change Foyle's role every game. He brought something called defense, and we finally stopped first quarter onslaughter.

Fisher has been really really struggling for last 10+ games, and at some point, you may need to reduce his min. Hope Pietrus will take some of Fisher's min until he regains his shooting touch.

Well, Pietrus certainly brushed off his rust fast. Still chaotic and extremely productive ever. Can we keep him? Please? Please?

It was interesting to see both Biedrins (11th) and Swift (12th). At this point, Swift seems more refined in both offense and defense and he is much bigger factor, but Biedrins looks quicker. I wonder who will have better career in the future...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">
Murphy's Jan. has been horrendous, and I was kinda hoping that Monty will bench Murphy for couple games like how Wiz benched Jamison for couple games. 35% from the field, including 2-15 from 3 pts. It may be because of Dunleavy, Artest rumor, injury or just a mini slump. Hope he can break out fast.</div>

Given that Dunleavy played super horrendous in the beginning of the season and still got to start and got mins, he won't bench murph.

 

I don't see why the W's can't play like this against better teams. I think Murphy is still ailing from his ankle sprain, so I'd give him some time to get his step back (if you can call it a step). I'm very encouraged by Dunleavy; he's still shooting too many three's but not as much as before. The W's just make it hard on themselves by shooting all those three's. There's really a simple solution: don't!

 

Dunleavy played a great game. I think he's going to be a good distributor and secondary set up guy for Baron and Ike, as well as a decent midrange scorer. If there's smart off the ball movement from the rest of the team, Dunleavy will find the guy. I'm glad he's not bombing away from long distance, because his quick shots are potential airballs. He just plays within himself, looks to pass, and attacks the hoop. It's everything you expect out of him. He can't be just a catch and shoot player, otherwise why sign him to that much and pick him 3rd overall in 2002. He's got to be that 6'9-6'10 mismatch that can handle the ball and dish inside.

His defense was pretty good too. Offensively, we expect him right now to be Matt Harpring or Calbert Cheaney in his prime (midrange shots and layups). Later on, we hope he grows into Peja.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Dunleavy played a great game. I think he's going to be a good distributor and secondary set up guy for Baron and Ike, as well as a decent midrange scorer. If there's smart off the ball movement from the rest of the team, Dunleavy will find the guy. I'm glad he's not bombing away from long distance, because his quick shots are potential airballs. He just plays within himself, looks to pass, and attacks the hoop. It's everything you expect out of him. He can't be just a catch and shoot player, otherwise why sign him to that much and pick him 3rd overall in 2002. He's got to be that 6'9-6'10 mismatch that can handle the ball and dish inside.

His defense was pretty good too. Offensively, we expect him right now to be Matt Harpring or Calbert Cheaney in his prime (midrange shots and layups). Later on, we hope he grows into Peja.</div>

I agree -- Dunleavy has put it together consitently for a good stretch now. He'll most likely -- as all players do -- face some adversity when his shots aren't falling, but because he can be productive in other ways, let's hope his confidence stays up.

Hopefully The Real Dun actually Goes Wild, eh?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AnimeFANatic:</div><div class="quote_post">Given that Dunleavy played super horrendous in the beginning of the season and still got to start and got mins, he won't bench murph.</div>

Well, we didn't have any legit replacement for Dunelavy, especially after Pietrus' injury, so I can kinda understand why we didn't bench Dunleavy. But, in case of Murphy, we do have number of replacements for him. When Murphy isn't producing at offense, he isn't a productive player. Also, at the same time, we will actually give Diogu a chance to perform at the offense against 4, and our interior and help defense will be stronger with Diogu and Foyle inside. Also, bencing Murphy for couple games will provide a time for Murphy to heal/receive a wake up call for horrendous January when he shoots 35%.

Yeah, the chance of happening may not be good, but if Murphy keeps struggling like this, something should be done...

 

For last 11 games, Dunleavy recorded...

65-135 / 48.1% FG / 9 - 33 3pts / 27.2% 3 pts / 17-19 ft / 89.4% FT / .81 stl / 4.9 reb / 3.4 ast / 14.2 pts (including 16.7 pts in december)

Pretty impressive stats, especially considering his slump at the early season. His 2 pts attempts and FTs has been excellent, and maybe he learned to play with our current club. It's bit strange to see Dunelavy really struggling at 3 point land, but I guess you can't ask everything...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree -- Dunleavy has put it together consitently for a good stretch now. He'll most likely -- as all players do -- face some adversity when his shots aren't falling, but because he can be productive in other ways, let's hope his confidence stays up.

Hopefully The Real Dun actually Goes Wild, eh? </div>
Hopefully. I've always felt that Dunleavy was super overrated and that his weaknesses more than his strengths would be visible in today's nba. I couldn't stand his softness, lousy shot touch, and passivity out on the floor. In his three years here, he should have never started because he was a mediocre player on both ends of the floor, but we had no choice given our depth at forward. While it's true that Dunleavy needs to be more aggressive in order to be effective, sometimes players aren't that way. Right now Dunleavy is the underdog facing that adversity you mentioned (only it's not the kind where he wasn't drafted, or 2nd round unguaranteed or close to being out of the league. He was spoon fed the whole way whether he deserved to be benched or not).

I still think Dunleavy can be a good player if he gets the ball in his hands more and we have floor spacing and a true inside/outside talent. Dunleavy can work the midrange shot off the dribble anytime he wants and hit the three when he's comfortable. The problem is he needs options to go to inside the paint (like with Dampier two years ago or a cutting Jrich/Pietrus). Then he needs floor spacing so he can handle the ball without it getting stripped or shoot the midrange shot in a wide open pocket along the baseline or one of the wings (a help defender's no man's land). That's just smart basketball when you let the game come to you rather than try to take over the game. I don't think Dunleavy is that player like Baron Davis is that can take risks and come through squeeky clean. But that's sort of obvious. Davis has guts, strength, speed, and he's more of a versatile weapon to use against players of his position where he can post up or drive. Dunleavy won't overpower or outquick anyone, but he'll be a guy who can distribute to somebody moving off the ball because of his passing and courtvision, and he'll push the break himself or drive toward the hoop if a defender is caught sleeping or out of position.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kwan1031:</div><div class="quote_post">For last 11 games, Dunleavy recorded...

65-135 / 48.1% FG / 9 - 33 3pts / 27.2% 3 pts / 17-19 ft / 89.4% FT / .81 stl / 4.9 reb / 3.4 ast / 14.2 pts (including 16.7 pts in december)

Pretty impressive stats, especially considering his slump at the early season. His 2 pts attempts and FTs has been excellent, and maybe he learned to play with our current club. It's bit strange to see Dunelavy really struggling at 3 point land, but I guess you can't ask everything...</div>

Those are very good stats. Thanks for compiling that information, Kwan. I'm sure that 3 point shot will come along eventually. 35-38% is where I think he'll end up given his career stats or maybe he might be streaky as Toni Kukoc from season to season. I noticed from observations that Dunleavy will usually start nailing that long shot when he's hit a few from closer in. It's like Ricky Barry's style. I mean some of Dunleavy's shots are way off from 3-point land. Probably forced or he needs to shoot it WNBA style from the chest to get the extra distance.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kensaku:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't see why the W's can't play like this against better teams. I think Murphy is still ailing from his ankle sprain, so I'd give him some time to get his step back (if you can call it a step). I'm very encouraged by Dunleavy; he's still shooting too many three's but not as much as before. The W's just make it hard on themselves by shooting all those three's. There's really a simple solution: don't!</div>

With the way Dunleavy moves the ball and is finally starting to contribute efficiently on offense, we need to break Murphy's other ankle.

Between Dunleavy and Murphy, I think Dunleavy makes others a lot better. I see Murphy as an Antwan Jamison and he hasn't improved his defense like I hoped he would. His numbers 16/10 do jump at you and he's been producing mainly much needed offensive results, but defensively he's horrible and that outweighs his offensive contribution. Plus, a true offensive player can create for others whether it be Jerry Stackhouse or Antoine Walker high volume type chuckers. Murphy barely averages one assist a game.

Defense is the club's worst problem. Dunleavy might have looked like the worst defender after the Anwtwan Jamison trade, but our overall defense wasn't that bad when we had Cliff Robinson and Erick Dampier protecting the middle. I bet when players see Murphy inside the lane, they think, "drive". If they know we have nobody inside to challenge or guys who can't move their feet or they tend to overplay (Foyle, or Murphy) we just get creamed.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Hopefully. I've always felt that Dunleavy was super overrated and that his weaknesses more than his strengths would be visible in today's nba. I couldn't stand his softness, lousy shot touch, and passivity out on the floor. In his three years here, he should have never started because he was a mediocre player on both ends of the floor, but we had no choice given our depth at forward. While it's true that Dunleavy needs to be more aggressive in order to be effective, sometimes players aren't that way. Right now Dunleavy is the underdog facing that adversity you mentioned (only it's not the kind where he wasn't drafted, or 2nd round unguaranteed or close to being out of the league. He was spoon fed the whole way whether he deserved to be benched or not).</div>

That's a nice way to word it. I've always felt exaclty the same way. I've been "Down on Dun" for a while now. I was shocked when Mullin gave Dunleavy the same over-paid deal he gave to Foyle. I was praying Dun would be the guy to go in a trade this year.

Now I'm not so sure. The thing is, it's not necessarily that he's playing well. It's the way he's been playing. Agressive, consistent -- hey! he's been rebounding very well lately. And Baron's got confidence in him right now. Which is a good sign. I dunno, I just have a hunch he'll be a great fit at the swingman position once the Warriors get a tough, classic, bang-in-the-paint low-post rebounding power forward. I don't want my 4 draining threes. I don't want him trying to jab step and bust an Allen iverson crossover from out on the wing. I want my 4 in the paint, all day, making life hard for everyone else. I want Barkley. I want him banging, boarding, blocking, and cleaning up.

I WANT IKE!!!

Once the W's get a true starting center and slide Ike to the 4, Dunleavy will make perfect sense at the 3. That'll be a nice line-up.