"2. Monty hearts IU: Through various middlemen, former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery has made it clear that he's interested in Indiana if Indiana is interested in him. Montgomery is enduring his second straight losing NBA season at Golden State. For the record, in my book, Montgomery should be the first choice at Indiana. What he did at Stanford (393-167) boggles the mind. Imagine him at Indiana." http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/sportsline/main9272381.shtml
I guess that's if Monty is fired. I don't think he deserves to be fired. Neither did Musselman. Crap general management we've had.
That's not the way I read it. It's more that Monty would want to leave, i.e. have a buy out of his contract. This after Mullin said he's here 100% next season. If you're a Monty fan for the Warriors, one could look at it as he's screwing the Warriors. Keith Smart could be considered for the position, too, according to another newspaper article. http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll.../602190354/1023
Montgomery fans, I believe, wouldn't think he's screwing the Warriors because the warriors were screwed to begin with. He was set up to fail just like the other warriors coaches. Warriors haven't won crap in more than a decade. It seems like the only time they start winning is when real playoff teams play down to the Warriors when they other team has already clinched a playoff berth. Plus, young rooks want to stick around and earn some big contract. Western Conference teams got stronger, our record against WC teams got worse. Warriors stood pat during the offseason, warriors had way too many vulnerabilities to exploit from Dun to Murphy to Jrich to Baron to Foyle on D that weren't fixed (especially high post screen and roll against the stay-at-home kind of guys or dribble penetration against slow laterally moving players). Warriors also had few ways to create offense outside of dribble penetration and isos. There was no inside game, no dominant ballhandler that could keep the defense honest, no extra pass, no fluidity. Even with Baron Davis giving players confidence last half season, you still get the bad shooting selection, poor execution, poor free throw %, some idiots mishandling passes or not spacing the floor right. As marvelous and creative as a passer as Baron is, he's only one guy. His having untalented teammates and his response in ignoring playsets, altogether hurts the team. You can't expect him to create something from nothing every single time when nobody else is on the same page as he trying to get open for him. When he starts to overdribble and try to draw a double team, good team defenses recognize the gaps in their strategy to stop him. Once they see him being trapped and forced to kick out, it's as bad as a telegraphed pass and smart defenders close up the passing lanes on the standstill jump shooters. This is the nba level where everyone is quick and extremely long. This is at a level where players needed to have already been in motion to the spot where the ball is passed to at a precise moment so they have time to collect the pass, spot up, shoot, or find another open guy cutting. We don't have this concept of play execution down very often. There's too many guys who aren't quick enough or smart enough to remember the plays. We stand still a lot. We also can't be running before the passer knows where to hit them or its the same as a telegraphed pass or its a miscue if the passer and receiver aren't in sync. We give up so many points off turnovers throwing the ball away and I don't blame Fisher or Baron Davis when they look bad doing so because sometimes the receiver is at fault because he wasn't where he should have been or was too slow. The right way to do it is the passer is already passing and the guys are already moving where they KNOW the ball is going. And this is after they've fooled their defender and any help defense into going the wrong way and then cutting back to the open spot (this is why floor spacing is important because you isolate the traffic from the guy receiving the ball). It's like football routes, only it's the Joe Montana to Jerry Rice kind, not the receiver trying to get open and then the pass comes. The pass should already be flying, receivers already moving precisely and in sync to cut back at the last minute to catch the ball. Unfortunately you need 100% execution, solid chemistry, and solid role players and big talent. It's why Rip Hamilton and his underrated teammates are more appealing to me than any of the guards and wings we've had. In football, they've got the equivalent of good blocking, good receiving, and a good quarterback. Plus, besides offense, how many guys on defense get into foul trouble based on crap other players don't do defensively? We sent a lot of guys to the foul line this season, going over the foul limit because of poor perimeter defense and poor interior defense. Most teams hit their free throws while we don't. So we've lost a lot of games not hitting our free throws, but sending guys constantly to the line for easy points.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Montgomery fans, I believe, wouldn't think he's screwing the Warriors because the warriors were screwed to begin with. He was set up to fail just like the other warriors coaches. Warriors haven't won crap in more than a decade. It seems like the only time they start winning is when real playoff teams play down to the Warriors when they other team has already clinched a playoff berth. Plus, young rooks want to stick around and earn some big contract.</div> Well, non-Monty fans wouldn't think he's screwing the Warriors either. In fact, I think they'll drive him to the airport . As for being set up to fail, there may be some truth in that but then it would apply to the players too (explained more below). It's not like Chris Mullin has made great trades to help the team including Baron. And he hired Monty who isn't a great fit for this team. It's definitely not Monty's fault that he is, but it's causing some problems for him and the players. For example, I blame Baron for the Clippers loss where he broke off the play and took it upon himself to win the game . Still, Monty should've reigned Baron in. Yet, it's not his personality to get in the face of players so I blame Davis more. MUCH MORE. It's Monty's job to get the team on the same page and Baron not listening to the coach is a HUGE problem. He's preventing Monty from doing his job!!! It's not fair to the other Warrior players either. A lot of people are still against Baron for this. Last night, I think he could've played. It was reported that he took part in shootaround and didn't look like he had problems. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As marvelous and creative as a passer as Baron is, he's only one guy. His having untalented teammates and his response in ignoring playsets, altogether hurts the team. You can't expect him to create something from nothing every single time when nobody else is on the same page as he trying to get open for him. When he starts to overdribble and try to draw a double team, good team defenses recognize the gaps in their strategy to stop him. Once they see him being trapped and forced to kick out, it's as bad as a telegraphed pass and smart defenders close up the passing lanes on the standstill jump shooters.</div> At this point, I'd trade Baron before he says to trade me. That has been his MO. I hope he doesn't go Steve Francis on us. He'd be the guy I want to trade if it's to get a Pierce or KG. I disagree on him not having talented teammates, too. JRich dispelled a lot of his critics last night. I wouldn't trade that guy for anyone now. There are some talented rooks and sophs, too. Murphy can get boards and shoot. It's more chemistry and learning to play together as a team. But Baron keeps thinking it's HIS team or something. At this point, maybe getting rid of Baron would help the team more than getting rid of Monty. Monty's still not a good fit (again not his fault), but it'll go a long way in helping the team get rid of chemistry problems which to me is the bigger one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jason voorhees:</div><div class="quote_post"> I disagree on him not having talented teammates, too. JRich dispelled a lot of his critics last night. I wouldn't trade that guy for anyone now. There are some talented rooks and sophs, too. Murphy can get boards and shoot. It's more chemistry and learning to play together as a team. But Baron keeps thinking it's HIS team or something.</div> Jrich is talented, but not in the ways we need him most which is every night drawing defenses in, creating shots, and hitting free throws. He was having trouble in the 2nd half scoring against the Magic (of all teams), but he hit a real huge shot which Biedrins helped him out in by hustling for a loose ball. Also, Jrich didn't shoot a high volume, 80% on free throws until one game, which was last night. We often lose games because of the poor team efficiency of shooting free throws and Jrich, Baron and Pietrus are guards! They are supposed to be 75-80%. Plus, on Murphy, if he didn't have one of those stellar rebounding games, he'd be just another tall guy casting long shots that don't go in and playing pourous weakside,help, and transition defense. He also needs guys like Foyle and Biedrins to have a good game as well along with some perimeter defensive effort so he can stay at home and get rebounds and not worry about defense. I agree about Baron though. He ain't going to win unless he settles down and listens to the coach. The team also needs to play better with him as well. Baron will only serve to launch poor ass shots and telegraph passes on kickouts if he doesn't follow a 5 player-concept.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Jrich is talented, but not in the ways we need him most which is every night drawing defenses in, creating shots, and hitting free throws. He was having trouble in the 2nd half scoring against the Magic (of all teams), but he hit a real huge shot which Biedrins helped him out in by hustling for a loose ball. Also, Jrich didn't shoot a high volume, 80% on free throws until one game, which was last night. We often lose games because of the poor team efficiency of shooting free throws and Jrich, Baron and Pietrus are guards! They are supposed to be 75-80%. Plus, on Murphy, if he didn't have one of those stellar rebounding games, he'd be just another tall guy casting long shots that don't go in and playing pourous weakside,help, and transition defense. He also needs guys like Foyle and Biedrins to have a good game as well along with some perimeter defensive effort so he can stay at home and get rebounds and not worry about defense.</div> JRich has been improving and making progress every year. He's still young at what 25 or 26? (BTW both Pierce and KG will be 30 or older next season.) He's a guy the Warriors has developed. If you don't believe in yourself to develop a player, then what's the point? Second, there are all-stars that take time to develop. And they make great strides and suddenly it comes together in a few games. Last night was one of them imo. JRich really stepped it up for himself and the team. Third, I think his dribbling, passing and free throws will come. Once he gets that down, then other teams will be forced to come out on him or rotate help. He WILL be an all-star. He still needs time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree about Baron though. He ain't going to win unless he settles down and listens to the coach. The team also needs to play better with him as well. Baron will only serve to launch poor ass shots and telegraph passes on kickouts if he doesn't follow a 5 player-concept.</div> I think if he has talent around him, he'd be content with 15 and 15. And it would come.. the problem is that only JRich consistently hits the open jumpers. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Third, I think his dribbling, passing and free throws will come. Once he gets that down, then other teams will be forced to come out on him or rotate help. He WILL be an all-star. He still needs time.</div> I aggree that he needs time. Although I disagree about dribbling and passing coming. You don't just become a good dribbler. Jrich should concentrate on becoming the best post playing 2 in the league (a la Mitch) and slashing to the hoop, hitting the open jumpers and jumpshots off of screens. The handles just aren't there.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jason voorhees:</div><div class="quote_post"> Third, I think his dribbling, passing and free throws will come. Once he gets that down, then other teams will be forced to come out on him or rotate help. He WILL be an all-star. He still needs time.</div> Ya never know. It could be all mental. Jrich can panic at the line or when he's doubled with the ball trying to penetrate. I think historically his trend of poor free throw % for a guard will continue and its not like he owns all this quickness to take a defender off the dribble. If he gets a better handle it will probably be used as a follow up move to one of his post moves or to do a step around move off the dribble. Guys don't need to dribble the ball once they are close to the rim and hopefully the double teams will be on Ike or Baron a lot more than Jrich. In terms of ballhandling I really think the catch, one dribble 2 and half step and the finish is more important than the slow crossover or baseline move you can't sell to fake a defender out. And Jrich can do the step off the dribble even in heavy traffic because he's full of strength like a football player. Still it would be nice to have a Vince Carter or Jerry Stackhouse or Kobe Bryant one-on-one threat.
CR2, in your first post you blame management and state that the management has set up the coaches to lose. But in your second post you state all of these problems, which in my opinion are all reasons of how Mike Montgomery is a problem and not setting up the players on the court to win. Anger against how Baron Davis puts a lot of weight on himself to carry the team is directly related to how the fans, media, and the team decided that he was going to be the team's "savior". Really, I think all of Mike Montgomery's offensive strategies going into this season was to just feed off Baron and have him control things on offense. At first it was fine, but once the other team's adjusted, then the coaching staff was nonexistant in help or answers and hince the downfall this season. I don't think Jason Richardson should be an untouchable. I would trade Jason Richardson for a better wing player, a more complete wing player who isn't a big weak link on defense, or someone who is just a dominant scorer or playmaker. Everything that everyone has written about JRich is correct. But I just see his defense being a big weak spot on the team, and I don't see him has a player that is great at initiating any type of a team offense. Yeah when his shot is going down like the last two games everything looks great. But I don't think most of his shots came from good offense(which also reflects the system the team runs) and his defense has been pretty bad for most of the year. Murphy is a good player. His rebounding is important for this team because this team is weak at rebounding. His shots also aren't really gained off good offensive plays or sequences either. But he can put the ball in the hoop a few different ways which is good. I believe his man defense is improving as well, all year. Recently we have seen the effects of his defense as well on guys such as Duncan, Randolph, and Dirk. The two things that are annoying and frusterating about Murphy though is that he is weak at finishing near the hoop/from getting his shots blocked near the hoop, and he is not a good weak side defender and isn't very swift in that area in making the best plays, but I believe help side defense is a problem for most of the Warriors post players as there seems to be a misconception on which strategy to use, either Diogu's help big time or Murphy's don't help at all.
Don't give me any of that Murphy's improving on D. He plays ok against slow players, that's it. He's one of the worst defenders in the league 1 on 1, and quite possibly the worst helpside defender I can ever remember watching. JRich has it in him to be a great defender, right now he's just average. Like his free throws, he lacks focus at times which causes him to play poor D, but he can play. This is the one area he can definitely improve on the most with minimal effort. How anyone can put Murphy or Fish alongside JRich or Baron is mind boggling to me. I hear it again and again, it's like people don't watch the games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post">CR2, in your first post you blame management and state that the management has set up the coaches to lose. But in your second post you state all of these problems, which in my opinion are all reasons of how Mike Montgomery is a problem and not setting up the players on the court to win. </div> I disagree that Monty is a problem. He's doing everything he can on a flawed team to get these guys to play the right way and we know this is a flawed team trying to learn how to win. There were no changes made since last half season except the fact we're concentrating more on defense this year and guys like Zarko/Dunleavy were actually effective players last half season, but not this season. It's still the same perimeter team that can't create offense, can't hit free throws to win these winnable games, score a high% inside or play man to man defense or make extra passes. Montgomery isn't the problem when the players don't even know the fundamentals of execution to begin with and they're having problems learning new ways to score the ball when they need to score high % points. We also have rookie players for depth and two veteran guys that play like rookies starting for us. Plus with Dunleavy signed so soon for doing so little, I wouldn't be suprised the Warriors feel like they don't have to do much to get big money. Maybe little motivation to win and ignorance or ego on what the coaches are trying to get these guys to do? I think this whole perception is caused by the fact we become so overrated whenever we start winning late in the season when we're clearly out of the playoff race. Plus we got young guys playing for contract extensions and teams playing down to us because they don't respect us enough. Also if we want the same team from last year it means Dunleavy and Zarko have to step up and have good games because those two were hot last half season and it means less defense. We can play defense with the right personel, but not without sacrifices to offense or rebounding. This year, Zarko and Dunleavy, they're not hot consistently like they were last season and we still overshoot the three that can lose games as well as win games. That's why we need to play perfectly, settle down, get high % points, hustle more, value every posession, and we can't do that because we lack the fundamentals, discipline, and mental game. There are some months we struggle to hit the outside shot like Pietrus/Dunleavy/Baron is struggling with now , there are some months where the D gets better at the sacrifice of rebounds, and there are some months where Baron will get hurt and we can't get those easy fastbreak points he gives us because nobody else can push the ball, make good decisions or run with the ballhandler. Also the three ball was what carried us last season and I doubt it can carry us to the playoffs when teams are wisening up to how to defend it. Sag off and let us shoot it. I mean heck wide open free throws, wide open threes, hell we lack the mental game to knock it down when its a given. It seems like Jrich/Fish/Murphy can hit surefire threes, but some of those guys shouldn't be taking as many because they tend to cause fastbreaks going the other way when they miss, which we can't defend in transition so we end up giving away the lay-in or fouling. Also do we get a body on the offensive rebound? No, because too many guys not getting inside position and too many guys running back to cover up their slow transition D. Do we get a good field goal efficiency or player movement when we settle for long shots? No. And I don't think it's the coach's game to settle for long shots, but look at things the players don't do as a team to get a good fastbreak or midrange or catch and shoot game going. They don't move, they don't know where to go, they don't move together, they don't have inside scoring players, they dont' space the floor well, they don't even have good dribble penetrators or screen setters or good interior passers. This often means we need to go Foyle or Dunleavy or one of the rookies for these certain things and that causes even more problems when we're trying to manage offensive and defensive production in a balanced way. I'm saying all these flaws can't be blamed on one man and his coaching staff and his style. His style is to play smart, efficient, and utilizing many ways to exploit teams both inside/outside. Well we've got no inside game, no ball movement other than the one-pass shot, we're not solid on defense to go without man-to-man d like Montgomery always stuck with in college. Plus, he's had smart players with less athletic talent beat teams with less brains and more athletic talent that couldn't shoot or do the fundamentals. If you can't shoot or do the fundamentals as a team, you ain't going nowhere like the Warriors haven't been going. Warriors have few strengths, lots of weaknesses, and worst of all they just aren't gifted as a team running the ball, scoring the ball without Baron Davis setting things up and creating for everyone else. But then when Baron tunes out his teammates and his coaches because Baron is thinking he's the man, he's only got himself and Mullin and his crew to blame. Even if Baron's teammates are dropping passes, or bricking shots, he's got to distribute, keep the ball moving and find the guy that will step up and hit, not try to do it all himself and jack up the flow. We got too many guys that have the same mentality and that just f-s up everything on offense. We shoot 39% or lower when it comes that kind of dumbness of overdribbling on isos, shooting the three before trying to run team plays as a 5 man unit. Fisher does the same crap and that gets us killed. Murphy does it. Pietrus has a tendency to do it. It's just not good basketball. Also what evidence has this team ever had of playing an 82 game season all the way through with a winning record? We've got no inside-outside game, no play execution, no floor spacing, very little size and very little depth. That is not the coach's fault for being put in that situation where there is no balance and too many holes to cover up. How can you be boss finding a way to succeed if you can't choose your own employees because the current employees aren't getting it done? Alternatively, how can you be the boss, if you're the new guy trying to earn respect with guys who won't listen because you're the new guy? Also, what room is there to learn if everybody is fully concentrated on short term, 8th seed playoff appearance, one time only? I'm not saying we should be lax about our hopes for playoff appearances, but we need long term success and that means doing things the right way until they get it right, not the short fix. The team needs to learn how to play and that takes the team getting involved with the coach showing them the right way. They'll learn in time that if you go iso and do some dumb **** with the ball, you can't win that way. I'm not saying they need any screaming to convince the dumb guys to play Montgomery's way, but the players need to recognize how they're struggling, be reasonable on playing within themselves and that buying into an organized system should be given a try, because they need some damn weapons besides just running over people. Why not use their brains? You can't be a winning coach if you have to teach these guys the right way to play and they end up tuning it out thinking they badasses headed towards the playoffs. You can't win without talent that fits together (in any style) and makes good decisions with/without the ball (which partly is on Mullin's decision making as GM since he made one good move, lots of bad ones, no follow up moves after Baron). Anyway, I've seen high school players that make better decisions than some of the guys we have on the floor and better understanding of game situations and teamwork. I've seen unathletic, strong chemistry teams beat stronger, athletic teams because they executed solidly, made the easy shots, hustled, moved quickly, were unselfish, played smart and listened to the coach rather than egotistically tune them out or get carried away doing their own thing or forgetting plays. Jazz was a good example of an unathletic team that stayed with it mentally and executed despite lacking a marquee player. They didn't settle for dumb shots and the players were smart enough to know the situation on their own. We got Pietrus who can't even run out of bounds plays or know when to foul or remember what the coach just told him. We got lots of guys like Dunleavy/Foyle who can't make their shots, but also have teammates that don't take advantage of what they are trying to do for the team with the extra pass or screen. (yeah neither does the little things extremely well, but you gotta follow up not bottle up and be one dimensional, high volume, low % one-on-one scorer.) Also yes, free throws, can't leave that out. We need mental toughness. Also here's the thing: So what if we make the playoffs like one time when the chances are we won't be back there many times. I want a solid foundation for years to come. Something that we've never had and guys who believe in playing both ends of the floor the right way, not the rookie way, not the egotistical way. This team is barely a team and sometimes its not even a team. Maybe these warriors ought to run amock and see what they can accomplish on their own when they tune out coaches calling the plays. Maybe that will humble them and they can learn to be men and play ball the right way as pros and go beyond just going through the motions and counting their paychecks. Maybe Mullin can wisen up and realize the guys he picked for Monty suck for a 5 on 5 offense and can't play man to man defense against teams in their own conference. It's Mullin that keeps labeling his teams playoff teams, handing out big money when they aren't even ready mentally or talent wise or chemistry wise to be a playoff team. Maybe we got a chance at 6th, 7th, 8th seed had we shot better free throws or some damn thing we could have controlled, but I'd rather have Mullin see this team's glaring weaknesses executing the plays and lack of talent and fundamentals before he gets carried away with more money. The Dunleavy contract was such a stupid deal, and the worst part is nobody else offers to show the same willingness to plays unselfish like Dun and not for just stats. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post"> Anger against how Baron Davis puts a lot of weight on himself to carry the team is directly related to how the fans, media, and the team decided that he was going to be the team's "savior". Really, I think all of Mike Montgomery's offensive strategies going into this season was to just feed off Baron and have him control things on offense. At first it was fine, but once the other team's adjusted, then the coaching staff was nonexistant in help or answers and hince the downfall this season. </div> Again that is on the team that was built by Mullin and also the way Baron was tuning his teammates/coaches out and the ignoring the called plays and sometimes open players (guys crowding the lane on d against us means we have to make some distance shots not drive into nowhere). Here's our strength: Baron Davis creates double team opportunities which is our biggest weapon, but what is the point when the drive against the trap is almost the same as telegraphing a pass? You know the kickout is coming if you got him contained, with the defense crowding inside and he's got no help coming to his aid because they'd rather stand around and watch out on the 3-point arc. Then also Foyle can't catch, Dunleavy can't shoot, Murphy doesn't move or play inside, etc, etc. See how this talent does not fit even though you and I can point out several things we like about the players? Running 5 on 5 is extremely difficult for the bball quarterback if guys don't get open for him and sometimes that's Baron's fault because maybe it falls upon him to understand what the coaches are telling him. He needs to move that ball and trust his teammates regardless if he thinks they'll drop or miss the shot. He's got to do it to play the 5 on 5 game. He needs to call plays, listen to coaching staff and distribute the ball and not feel compelled to take poor shots out of frustration or wanting to force the issue because nobody else is stepping up. I know somebody has to step up and it can't be just him all the time because he's the damn point guard, not the scorer. Team has to do it together, but not at the 29% from three point range or 65% at the free throw line way. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't think Jason Richardson should be an untouchable. I would trade Jason Richardson for a better wing player, a more complete wing player who isn't a big weak link on defense, or someone who is just a dominant scorer or playmaker. Everything that everyone has written about JRich is correct. But I just see his defense being a big weak spot on the team, and I don't see him has a player that is great at initiating any type of a team offense. Yeah when his shot is going down like the last two games everything looks great. But I don't think most of his shots came from good offense(which also reflects the system the team runs) and his defense has been pretty bad for most of the year. Murphy is a good player. His rebounding is important for this team because this team is weak at rebounding. His shots also aren't really gained off good offensive plays or sequences either. But he can put the ball in the hoop a few different ways which is good. I believe his man defense is improving as well, all year. Recently we have seen the effects of his defense as well on guys such as Duncan, Randolph, and Dirk. The two things that are annoying and frusterating about Murphy though is that he is weak at finishing near the hoop/from getting his shots blocked near the hoop, and he is not a good weak side defender and isn't very swift in that area in making the best plays, but I believe help side defense is a problem for most of the Warriors post players as there seems to be a misconception on which strategy to use, either Diogu's help big time or Murphy's don't help at all.</div> I don't think Jrich is untouchable. He's got a lot of flaws, but I see him as the talented, humble guy that will find some success in any style we play and that we need. But he's not untouchable. He's not what makes this team go, but he's definitely its heart and soul with his effort. All this team has got is effort. I mean Jrich doesn't even play like a shooting guard, he's not even a good shooter, but he finds some way to score lots of points at an efficient percentage and he hustles a lot more noticeably than others. Murphy, I dunno... love his nose for rebounding, but not sure about the rest of his game because it needs somebody else to compliment it and Murphy needs to be more physical in other aspects of the game. I don't like slow, small forwards masquerading as power forwards that try to iso and hold onto the ball too long. I like Murphy's play of recently though where he's been passing it more. I just wish he had more dimensions to his game like the ability to score down on the block or challenge players weakside to protect the basket or play the high post passing game. We need more than one defensive guy guarding the hoop because of our backcourt, we need some glue to hold our perimeter offensive minded team together. Whatever we do, we need better shooters at the foul line and guys who can setup players or create their own shot from the field if they are guards. For big men, we need big men that play like big men and do all the dirty work, play the defense guarding the basket, play defense on their man, play some help defense as to not be exposed or giving up position for the rebound, and they need to do better than 45% on shooting and take less threes. Since we have few consistent production players like Jrich and Murphy, fans are settling on them for now (until somebody comes along that's better). It's also one reason why we never get anywhere with those two is because we need even more from the other 3 guys and the bench. We only get limited number of shots per game and chances to make defensive stops. It ain't enough. The slighest bit of hope and excitement has some fans going overboard on what this team can actually do. It's like what Jeff Van Gundy was stuck with, the Rox need more help than just Yao and T-mac and unfortunately a lot of their best roleplayers are injured.
I guess Clif if you don't want to wade through that long post I want to emphasize how the Warriors don't seem to value posessions. They don't have the discipline, mental game, or desire to find ways to take better shots than the kind that defense will give them if they don't get organized. Also, this is on Mullin because he has very few guys that can play together well in a 5 man game and he couldn't make the necessary followup moves based on what he had done with the available money. We have no depth and questionable starting talent. It's why the rotations were changed this year because we're not getting some things from Foyle or Dunleavy or Zarko like we hoped they would do this year like last year. Plus the more Baron shoots the ball at a ugly %, the more he becomes a liability. He needs to pass the ball and instill confidence in his guys and actually have confidence in his guys and the game strategy. That's it. Sorry if I sound preachy! I wasn't trying to be, but I'm just trying to lay out all the details which make it hard for any coach to succeed and make this team have a strong foundation.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CohanHater:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't give me any of that Murphy's improving on D. He plays ok against slow players, that's it. He's one of the worst defenders in the league 1 on 1, and quite possibly the worst helpside defender I can ever remember watching.</div> Agreed CohanHater. I'm a Murf fan and yet have been frustrated this season because of Murphy's woeful and inconsistent D. He's very slow and sometimes doesn't even try to keep up with his man. I used to think if he improved his passing, then he would be better, but Murphy needs to stay with his man more. He's not a help defender as you said, so he has to play the man and not let his man just go where he wants. I've pretty much bagged this season even though I'll stick it out with this team. But I'm only going to two more games and not buy anymore Warrior gear. They'll have to do something for next season before I start going and buying again. It's too frustrating when Mullin keeps saying the same thing over and over and does nothing. To me, it was over when Mullin sat on his hands again during this past trading season.
He said he didn't want to do a trade for trades sake. Um... I think trading foyle, dunleavy, and fisher wouldn't be a trade for trades sake... Take away the Baron trade, and Mullin has been a pretty bad GM. Just look at those signings, the Dunleavy one killed it for me. I wanted Darko too!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree that Monty is a problem. He's doing everything he can on a flawed team to get these guys to play the right way and we know this is a flawed team trying to learn how to win. There were no changes made since last half season except the fact we're concentrating more on defense this year and guys like Zarko/Dunleavy were actually effective players last half season, but not this season. </div> I guess one can say that Montgomery for his experience level in the NBA is doing what he can on a flawed team to get these guys to play the right way. Yet who are you blaming on the players for not doing the same, if not more than that of what Montgomery is doing? You notice a lot of flaws or weaknesses on the Warriors as players and even on Mullin. But tell me how Montgomery who is "doing everything" has helped in all of these weaknesses, most notably which you are stressing in execution on the court. Yes maybe players don't take Montgomery seriously 100% of the time, or maybe even 85% of the time(maybe even a lot less of the time, who knows?) but does Mike Montgomery listen to his players? Does Mike Montgomery listen to his assistant coaches even? Remember when Ellis finally got his chance to produce? All of the assistants were saying how they were not surprised by his performance due to his domination in many scrimmages and his performance in the summer leagues. The only reason Ellis got playing time though is because of the injuries. And you are stressing that the Warriors play more post offense and inside. Yet if it's up to Mike Montgomery, it's obvious that he doesn't take inside offense very seriously. Look at how little PT Diogu the best post scorer on the team gets, look at how the other teammates don't adjust to stress to get Diogu his chance. And then in the media he is saying how he is expecting more from Diogu. What about the coaches do something for the players? It seems as if the coaches/Mike Montgomery expects a lot from his players, yet he does what for his players? Ok, so maybe Mike Montgomery puts in some effort to do things. But if that is all you have to do to get someone's satisfaction, then I don't think that same person should be too upset about the players' effort. I think for the most part the effort has been up there, but like you are saying CR2, the execution and the cohesiveness isn't. Now this is my thinking: If you aren't part of the solution then you are probably part of the problem. To me, I haven't seen, pretty much, anything that gives me the notion that Mike Montgomery has very many solutions for this team(hince, not part of the solution). Yet like you are posting, CR2, there are quite a few problems that the players are facing on the court, mostly as a coheisive unit. In the Warriors' case without a cast of players that has been to the championship game like the Pistons' squad or the Spurs' squad, or playmakers and leaders like Jason Kidd or Steve Nash, then the next level, which I think is usually the first level to get players to play cohesively is by the head coach and the coaching(even the Pistons and Spurs who I listed, kind of as exceptions, are with very good NBA coaches).
custodian, you are a wise man, with much knowledge of the game...but you type some fawkin novels sometimes hahahahaha....your insight is much appreciated though, i enjoy your posts.
The problem with Monty is that he's a college coach who should be coaching in college. Very different environments for someone like him. Even for someone like Rick Pitino, he had problems even though he wouldn't be afraid to get in players faces. Now I see some teams are looking at Tubby Smith. He'll likely have problems, too. History shows very few succeed in the NBA. Here's what Dick Vitale said about college coaches (in case you missed it): http://espn.go.com/dickvitale/vcolumn010215coaching.html Monty the College Coach:
I'd have to say Clif and Custiodian both have some good points. The boem line is the coach is not just a reference library,he has to be a leader,has to have a long range view,and a short-term ability to quickly,accurately react to the situation on the floor. A good coach gets it across that its a joint effort,that the whole point is to help the team win games. It can't be a coach folding and spindling unique players into cookie cutter roles to fit a pet system. A good coach gets a read on who his players are,what makes them tick,what they can do and can't and what more they can learn. A good coach communicates,but few can be either a tyrant or a wimp. A good coach should not need to get in a guy's face But needs to deal with players as if they were people How hard is that? A good coach has a good plan and finds it pretty easy to sell it to the players. A good coach can see a players flaws,can see those that can be fixed,and can work around limits that can't be fixed. Some players do certain things well,and that got them in the NBA,but are lost in some areas A good coach has the ability to maximize benefit,minimize damage. A good coach will see talent and find ways to develop it,and use it. A good coach will build a plan that has the available talent each contributing whatever is possible,has those individuals playing as a unit Put it altogather,and I'm getting short of patience,because Monty is not coming through on any of these areas beyond a marginal level. A good coach would have this roster winning 50% If the coach can't get results with players who have talent,who try hard,care about winning....how is he a good coach?
