Rank the Players

I saw this in the Magic forum and thought it was preety cool. You rank the players on the Warriors in order from the most important player to the least important player. I will post my list later.

Roster:
Andris Biedrins
Devin Brown
Will Bynum
Zarko Cabarkapa
Calbert Cheaney
Baron Davis
Ike Diogu
Mike Dunleavy
Monta Ellis
Adonal Foyle
Keith McLeod
Troy Murphy
Patrick O'Bryant
Andre Owens
Mickael Pietrus
Jason Richardson
Chris Taft

 

Baron Davis
Jason Richardson
Troy Murphy
Adonal Foyle
Mike Dunleavy
Mickael Pietrus
Ike Diogu
Andris Biedrins
Chris Taft
Patrick O'Bryant
Monta Ellis
Zarko Cabarkapa
Devin Brown
Will Bynum
Keith McLeod
Andre Owens
Calbert Cheaney

 

1. Baron Davis
2. Jason Richardson
3. Monta Ellis
4. Ike Diogu
5. Andris Biedfrins
6. Troy Murphy
7. Mickael Pietrus
8. Devin Brown
9. Adonal Foyle
10. Mike Dunleavy
11. Chris Taft
12. Zarko Cabarkapa
13. Patrick O'Bryant
14. Will Bynum
15. Keith McLeod
16. Andre Owens
17. Calbert Cheaney

My pessimistic, homerisitc point of view.

 

1. Baron
2. Richardson
3. Ike
4. Murphy
5. Ellis
6. Biedrins
7. Pietrus
8. Dunleavy
9. Taft
10. POB
11. Brown
12. Cabarkapa
13. McLeod
14. Foyle
15. Bynum
16. Cheany
17. Owens

 

1. Baron - if he is injured then the team isn't going anywhere
2. Richardson - need his consistency and the teams most clutch player. losing him would hurt the team
3. Dunleavy - I think his improvement (mostly shooting) is key. I still have hope that he will improve.
4. Biedrins - I lost hope in Foyle so he needs to provide consistent center minutes.
5. Monta - without Fisher Monta will be have a big role at backup pg and sg. I'd rather see him then Mcleod.
6. Ike - he has a post game that Murphy lacks. Provides much needed post presence.
7. Pietrus - He can play a lot better than last year but with Monta he is kind of expendable. But he can provide a good spark off the bench. I think the bench (my 4-7 most important players) needs to play well. Last year the bench was weak and inexperienced, except for Fisher. Though I'm not sure if all these players will step up.
8. Murphy - I know what to expect from him.
9. Foyle - Ditto above.
10. Mcleod - if Monta can't play the point then his play will be really important
11. Taft - Would be higher but I'm pessimistic about his injury still
12. Cabarkapa - Would be great if he played well but not necessary for the team to win.

 

Everyone thinks Baron is better than J-Rich?

 

I like Jrich better than Baron, but pretty much all the playmaking comes from the point guard position. Now if Jrich was T-mac or Lebron type assist maker and scorer I'd rate him higher.

Jrich is proven that he can be a good scorer in a slow pace or a fast pace and his contract is pretty good and he's not a cancer.

 

1. Davis: As much as Richardson has been solid, Davis is the only guy who can put this club not only into PO but to contender. Of course, that would be the best scenario and will take awful a lot of work though.

2. Richardson: 26 years old, 12 mils per year, 23 ppg, and improved every single year.

3. Murphy: Only contract we can afford to trade/cash in/or dump. Double-double machine and pretty good 3rd/4th option. Certainly, he may not be the best fit, but that's mainly because of Dunleavy and Foyle's inabilities.

4. Ellis: Without Ellis and his promise, we would never be able to dump Fisher. A lot of burden in his sholder.

5. Biedrins: He has heights, quickness and uncanny ability to put virtually any shots. If he puts some muscle and skills, he can be dangerous. And, he is younger than Ellis.

6. Diogu: If he can overcome being undersized PF, he can be a very good player.

7. Foyle: He has lighter contract than Dunleavy and he still is the only player who can bring some sort of interior defense.

8. Dunleavy: If I ignore his contract value, he may rank higher. And, he is a good jumper away from being a good player. But, his horrendous contract makes him a 9 mils paperweight. And, he was a text example of "What happens when a player receives a fat contract". Let's see if he can bounce back.

9. Pietrus: He had every chance to blossom last year, and he completely blew it. Like Dunleavy, let's see if he can rebound this year.

10. Brown: He was a good player in SA, and if we exercise his contract, he can be a good wing defender.

11. Zarko: Although he didn't have much chance like Dunleavy or Pietrus, he still didn't manage to capitalize his chance.

12. POB: He is 7 feet and breathing. That alone is a value in NBA.

13. Mcleod: This year's Bynum

14. Taft: Wake me up when he ever recovers from his back injury.

15. Owen: Well, I heard he has a potential, but...

16. Bynum and Cheaney: Waived...

 

The most important players this year:
1. Mike Dunleavy- it's time to show up and play.
2. Baron Davis- the playmaker. he must stay healthy
3a/3b. Andris Biedrins/Chris Taft- better and more consistant center play is necessary
4. Jason Richardson- his scoring was huge last season and is the main scorer on the team
5. Mickael Pietrus- Bring back the great defense. Better shot selection is expected.
6. Ike Diogu- instant offense(off the bench?)
7. Monta Ellis- can't stop him, can't get rid of him.
8. Troy Murphy-bring back the toughness.
9. Devin Brown- more perimeter defense!
10. Adonal Foyle- (almost forgot him) just catch the ball and show your hook shot a little bit.
11. Zarko Cabarkapa- so much skill and size. Give him a chance!
12-14. POB, McLeod, Owens- honestly I don't know what to expect from these guys.

 

Jason Richardson
Baron Davis
Troy Murphy
Ike Diogu
Monta Ellis
Mike Dunleavy
Mickael Pietrus
Zarko Cabarkapa
Adonal Foyle
Andris Biedrins
Chris Taft

 

Well, there are different ways to spin "most important." Monta Ellis hasn't done much as of yet, but IMO could very well be the best player on the team in a few years. But if I were to combine potential talent with who will be important to the success of the team this year, I'll say:

Baron Davis
JRich
Troy Murphy
Monta Ellis
Ike Diogu
Andris Biedrins
Mickael Pietrus
Mike Dunleavy
Keith McCeod
Adonal Foyle
Zarko Cabarkaba
Devon Brown
Chris Taft

The rest: POB, Cheaney, Bynum, Owens

 

Why is POB so low on everyones list? Shouldnt a rookie center with loads of potential be very important to your team. the first post said important not better

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheFreshPrince:</div><div class="quote_post">Why is POB so low on everyones list? Shouldnt a rookie center with loads of potential be very important to your team. the first post said important not better</div>

He doesn't have loads of potential. He may be good some day, but he has yet to play in a game. The other prospects have shown they can produce on the NBA floor, and POB has looked like POS in summer league play.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, there are different ways to spin "most important." Monta Ellis hasn't done much as of yet, but IMO could very well be the best player on the team in a few years. But if I were to combine potential talent with who will be important to the success of the team this year, I'll say:
</div>

The assistant coaches last season were saying how Monta Ellis was the best player on the court in scrimmages many times last year. They were saying this before he even got any significant PT. It definitley isn't a big reach that he could possibly become the best player on the team in a few years. I wish that he had more help in developing a true NBA winning-game though. Last year he too, like the rest of the team, decided to fall into the lacking focus on creating by team-work and shot a few too many 3 pointers. I hope this next season, not just Monta Ellis, but more especially the starters and main players start improving their shot selection.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post">The assistant coaches last season were saying how Monta Ellis was the best player on the court in scrimmages many times last year. They were saying this before he even got any significant PT. It definitley isn't a big reach that he could possibly become the best player on the team in a few years. I wish that he had more help in developing a true NBA winning-game though. Last year he too, like the rest of the team, decided to fall into the lacking focus on creating by team-work and shot a few too many 3 pointers. I hope this next season, not just Monta Ellis, but more especially the starters and main players start improving their shot selection.</div>

I agree, I think there has been a lack-of-credibility issue on the team. When your leaders aren't vocal (like Jamison, Jrich and Murphy) or they are setting a poor example of discipline and decision making (like Fisher and Davis) and the coach does absolutely jack sh!t to address that leadership-accountability issue, then it's of course going to permeate and trickle down to the other players.

From what I've read, if there is anyone in Oakland (or in the NBA for that matter) who has an impeccable work-ethic, it's Monta Ellis. Mario Elie is absolutely in love with this kid. Hopefully, his innocent appreciation, desire and respect for the game will not be tainted by a bunch of over-paid primma donnas who care more about shouting out "and 1!!" then actually making the subsequent freethrow.

Whether Montgomery is right or not, regardless your lead players must listen to and support the coach. Otherwise there is absolutely no chance of winning a title, let alone making the playoffs. If Davis can reel it in enough to show his troops that he respects the coach, this will help setablish a winning attitude in Oakland. Davis needs to be a role model-type leader. Listen to the coach, run the desired plays, out-work everyone in practice, dive for loose balls, and vocally back up everyone on the team.

JRich and Baron need to form a "leadership partnership." JRich needs to step up and be vocal. He needs to get angry on the court. Let him do the yelling, because guys will take it differently coming from him than from Baron. Reverse the roles. Let Baron lead by example, and let JRich lead vocally on the court and in the locker room. JRich needs to light a fire under Foyle's a$$ and push Dunleavy to be more aggressive.

Here's a good idea. Baron and JRich need to stage a scene during a game, plan it out before hand. Baron shoots an ill-advised three, and JRich comes and gets in Baron's grill and tells him to play smarter. I doubt Baron could take the ego-hit, but if he could, a display like this would be great for the accountability issue on this team.

If Baron can walk the walk, and JRich can talk the talk, this emergence of a "leadership-accountability" quality in Oakland will set the tone for the younger players like Ellis and help create a winning atmosphere.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AlleyOop:</div><div class="quote_post">Whether Montgomery is right or not, regardless your lead players must listen to and support the coach. Otherwise there is absolutely no chance of winning a title, let alone making the playoffs. If Davis can reel it in enough to show his troops that he respects the coach, this will help setablish a winning attitude in Oakland. Davis needs to be a role model-type leader. Listen to the coach, run the desired plays, out-work everyone in practice, dive for loose balls, and vocally back up everyone on the team.</div>

I believe the coaches would be telling Baron not to dive for too many looseballs, or work too hard in practice. The team decided to rest him up most of the end of last season so he will be healthy for this season.

Also, it's tough for me to expect others to listen to Mike Montgomery. I read some of his post-game comments and some of his other comments in newspaper or from the TV and his ideas and words don't motivate nor lead very much. I get tired of reading his quotes after games. He can point out the obvious situations but it doesn't seem as if he is able to execute and get his players or team to correct their or its problems. To compared Baron Davis' vocal leadership to Mike Montgomery's I'll randomly give some quotes from post game interviews. Who sounds more like a leader?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On how they handled the Sixers comeback:
"I think it's tentativeness, lack of alertness and a lack of preparation, individual preparation. We have a lot of people on this team that we depend on to step up and play big and we're not getting that play. You have to look in the mirror and look at yourself before you point fingers. We're not playing well enough to win. We're not showing any heart or character as a unit." </div>http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/recap_122105.html

vs.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">?You can put it on the defensive end, you can put it on the offensive end sometimes the shots that we take on offense lead to having to come back and play defense, we?ll tend to come down one on three and we?re right back on defense again maybe you need to rest on offense, make a few more passes. We had fifteen assists for the game which is not very many, Baron (Davis) had nine of them which means that nobody else is making passes to anybody. You?re on the road and it?s back to back and you got what you got. You got to control tempo late, and we probably got to orchestrate it from the bench a little more where we?re trying to get the pass advanced, all of a sudden the guy is taking a shot first shot one pass and it doesn?t go down and now your back on defense.?</div> http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/recap_121905.html

Also, I got a sense that Baron Davis tried hard to listen and get with the game plan that Mike Montgomery wanted. Some of it has to do with Mike Montgomery possibly depending too much on Baron Davis, especially in the offense. I got the sense that last year's offense was just going to ride off the back of Baron Davis as their leader. I mean who else on the team even had a role, or at least a role that they knew? Baron Davis had his as captain, but obviously Dunleavy and Troy became uncertain about their role in the offense, and Jason Richardson just went with the flow, like he usually does, and Foyle has little offensive game, so maybe for him it wasn't a big deal. Then there was Zarko, Ike, and Monta and to an extent Andris on the bench scratching their head if not by then already turned to apathy wondering if they will ever get PT to help the team. Then you have Baron Davis getting upset with the other players for not preparing themselves and for a lack of energy, though by then I believe Montgomery had already drained everything he could get out of the starters and the main six that he relied too much on. Last season it was apparent that communication and uncertainty was at their worst.

How are you going to get leadership from this roster when no one has any experience of winning? Baron did his best last season(with his possible lack of offseason preparation, which I hear is going to be better this year). The rest of the team is very young. No one is older than 26 or so(besides Foyle and I guess Fisher last season along with Cheaney from last season).

 

POB wasn't exactly POS, but he wasn't anything to scream about over our other training camp invites.

If we weren't saddled with so many ugly contracts I would probably be more attached to some of these guys. Too many projects though...

 

Hey, I got no problem with either Baron or Monty's comments. Why sugar coat it? They got the ring of truth in both. Guys besides Baron Davis can't even dribble past defenders or make guys better. That's a problem trying to breach an opposing defense when only one guy really breaks people down and knows how to make the smart pass. Then there's just plain guys who just can't shoot or get stuff to go down in the paint. Mainly almost everybody. Then there's also teamwork. Guys like Baron David can tend to get away from this when few guys are reliable or talented enough in their roles. We'd finally have an identity if we had a more balanced roster that could play like a team. Instead we're very unbalanced, especially inside the paint, on defense, and guys who can get to the line not hitting free throws.

Then there's defense and rebounding... If we don't make stops, we don't get defensive rebound opportunities, and our defensive rebounding as a team goes way down. It's especially sad how we can't even box out at the foul line and the opposing team scores on a second chance point. No, I don't fully blame Monty for what he has received, but I'm not convinced Mullin and Monty go hand in hand with one another. That's like Isiah picking Larry Brown to be his head coach. There's two different mindsets at work here. I tend to trust the coach better than then G.M. when it comes to the NBA except for already successful franchises which inlcude successful G.M.s.

That's why a good coach like Musselman couldn't succeed in the NBA with the Warriors because it's the ownership and the top management that is so messed up. Not only do they keep repeating the same mistakes of the past, they invent new ones. Please, let us get somebody successful from another organization that wins like the Spurs or the Pistons. Ours is just garbage and I'm tired of it like everyone else is. Just when we turn the corner, sht absolutely happens because financial troubles prevent us from making solid trades and from re-signing our own rookies.

Of course this is speculating whether or not there's something better at all-star break or if Cohan is willing to pay luxury tax. But I'm more unhappy with this nothing roster that Mullin locked up in '04 handing out 5-6 year guaranteed deals to guys who should be warming the bench.