Before Baron went out, I for one was blaming Davis for being too selfish and launching too many shots in the 4Q. Baron still is a lousy shot, but bottom line is he gets this teams wins. We're not as good a team without him. Now, does this mean that Baron is the ideal player for us? No. No question I rather have the ball in Baron's hands, but he's got to play more team ball for this team to make it to the playoffs. He can't just decide to take it upon himself to win the game. He needs to be on the same page as the rest of the team and listen to what Monty says. It doesn't matter if Baron dislikes Monty or disagrees with him, he's got to follow the play Monty is calling. That said, Baron's got the talent to just blow by people and is the best passer we have. I'm not sure he'll become a better shooter like JRich (on a yearly basis), but he won't if he doesn't work hard at it. Sometimes, he just relies on his talent and it is not enough to improve his shooting. Baron has lead the New Orleans Hornets to two or three playoffs. With the Hornets, he needed to get them to the next level and not have issues with the coach -- Silas and Floyd. Baron's not without warts, but his talent gets wins for his team, Warriors included. I hope Baron matures enough to get along with Monty even if he doesn't like him. This team has other problems it needs to work on and don't need another one like star player vs. coach to distract it. That's not to say I'm defending Monty who I think is not a good NBA coach, but what Monty says is what Baron should do -- just to keep the team on the same page. That's Monty's job and we don't need a player preventing that from happening . Otherwise, we better look to trade Baron.
I agree with everything you've said. The team simply is better with Baron in the game. However, as you mentioned, Baron's short-comings come from his laziness. I think his free throw shooting along with his FG shooting can improve with...*gasp*...practice. He needs to lower his ego in order to gain the team-ball mentality. He's still young enough to mature a bit to be able to do so...I think.
I think his FG will always be low, kinda like how Jason Kidd's FG is. But both are great passers. I don't blame Baron for not playing as much team ball as he should, when you have such horrible shooters (excluding J-Rich) on your team you'll change the way you play. Have you see the Warriors shoot lately? I bet Baron is cringing on the bench.
Yup. I noticed that our shooting was still bad when Baron was out, too. We don't have too many good (consistent) shooters. JRich is okay, but wish MP, Murphy, Fish and Dun did better, but it's not like the ball is being passed their way a lot with the exception of Fish. He just passes to himself and takes the shot . The BIG problem I see is when the shooting is off during the slow starts and in stretches during the game. Then the team starts playing individual ball, stops moving and forgets about defense. I can't see why they can't work the ball around more for a better shot or have the wings drive to the hoop or Murphy or Ike work the ball down low more often.
Exactly, Warriors fail to play the high% game so they have to rely more on effort than anything because they can't set the tone or pace themselves for 2nd halves. I like Baron and I think he's the answer for the team's lack of playmakers and dribble penetrators. He could be perfect if he didn't get so easily frustrated and do stupid things that don't help the team. Sometimes I feel as long as Baron Davis is here, there needs to be only one guard that can't make his free throws. We need at least one guard to make their free throws. We also need a higher% game from the center and forwards and it's hard when 2 of those guys are all perimeter with no low post game and the center has no perimeter or post game and can't even freakin' catch the ball right to his hands.
I think a good big man would make a HUGE difference for Baron and the team. Baron is 2nd in the league in assists, behind Nash. And I find that amazing because the Warriors are such POOR shooters and they have NO inside/post game. To be second in assists on a team like that is pretty damn good, you have to give it to him. And a good amount of Nash's assists come from GOOD post players and GOOD perimeter shooters. Baron gets easily frustrated and does stupid things, because the rest of the Warriors just can't seem to do anything right at times. So I for one think we shouldn't blame Baron, I mean, just look at the Warriors without him. It's like watching a massacre.
Yeah Baron could be a ballhog at times but he is our team leader and get frustrated when his teammates miss open shots or can't catch a pass. (Adonal Foyle) I also think Baron is one of the NBA's best players because of his ability to carry a team. He did it in New Orleans and he sure as hell should be able to do it here. Jason Richardson is the only player that can produce beside Baron and Murphy has good games once in a while. Bottom line is that without Baron Davis we suck and sometimes with him we suck and we need a better supporting cast. Fisher is a vetern but plays like a rookie.
AF, you should see Stephon Marbury dishing out the assists last season. But there's one thing about the Knicks versus the Suns, is that the Suns had secondary passers that could make good decisions with the ball. On the Knicks that was hard to find unless Jamal Crawford was having a good day. Suns you had guys like Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw that could handle and pass the ball. On the Warriors you have Baron Davis... and sometimes, but not often, Mike Dunleavy Jr. to be the secondary ballhandler and passer. If we're trying to construct a team like the Nets, not only do we need that big guy that can pound the ball inside using athleticism or footwork, but we need that guy that can take the pressure off the point guard by becoming the secondary point guard. On this team we don't have it. I wouldn't task Jrich with that job because he's the guy you want to set up to score and plus he can't handle the ball well at all. He'll show a crafty behind the back dribble and crossover to slow things up, but against multiple defenders he doesn't know how to break the pressure or protect the ball without getting freaked out and dribbling off his own foot. VC, yeah not enough help from the starting 5. We've got 3 on 5 most of the time and with Baron gone, 2 on 5 since you never know if Foyle, Dunleavy, Pietrus will get it done. Everyone else doesn't see big minutes or show enough impact right now. Murphy, Fisher, Jrich just aren't enough...
custodian, I like your point about the secondary passer. Funny how Dunleavy is "supposed" to be that person... the Warriors need better ball movement from everyone to be a better team, and when Baron Davis is the only one who can move the ball well, he'll hold the ball longer since the others can't.
