<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">OAKLAND - The Warriors brass have been fond this season of saying that every player will benefit from the presence of new coach Don Nelson. Assuming that's true, some players will benefit less equally than others. Take Adonal Foyle. After starting 72 games last season, the nine-year veteran has been relegated to the far end of the bench. "As a player, you want everything sweet and nice," Foyle said. "But that's not the real world." The new reality for Foyle is that he has to scrap for minutes as a defensive specialist in Nelson's system. And be prepared to handle nights like Thursday, when Foyle was the only Warrior in uniform not to play as Golden State cruised to a 120-66 blowout in its preseason opener against Turkish side Efes Pilsen. "What he needs to do is guard, block shots, run, get thin and do what I tell him to do, and not worry about scoring or anything like that," Nelson said. Although Foyle spoke out publicly three seasons ago when his playing time dropped precipitously, he has been nothing but gracious about the change in his role this time. "To me, the issue is really not minutes," Foyle said. "The issue is to try and be supportive and give the team what they need on any given night. ... This is a team that is going to have to take more chances because we have to win. So the benefit of the doubt is certainly going to be with the coach, and what he thinks. And you can't question that." Foyle's teammates expect nothing less from their longest-tenured player. "Adonal's been in a lot of different situations since I've been here," forward Mike Dunleavy said. "He's been in situations where he's started and played a lot of minutes, he's been in situations where he hasn't played at all. He's as professional as they come, and he's going to handle whatever role is given to him in the best way. "</div> Source
Foyle is in the position where he needs to be on this team, coming off the bench with a very limited role. I just wish it didnt have to be him, he's a great all around guy but this is a business. He's making millions to sit on the bench...not a bad situation if you ask me.
<div class="quote_poster">Rudeezy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Foyle is in the position where he needs to be on this team, coming off the bench with a very limited role. I just wish it didnt have to be him, he's a great all around guy but this is a business. He's making millions to sit on the bench...not a bad situation if you ask me.</div> Yeah, even though Foyle sucks, he is still a great guy off the court.
I am so glad a coach is not afraid to sit a guy just because of his contract or amount of years in the league. I love Foyle's intellect and class, but the guy has proved to be relatively ineffective in a starter's role and is a true back up center. He can be more productive that way as a spark off the bench like Diop was for the Mavs...
<div class="quote_poster">Warriorfansnc93 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He can be more productive that way as a spark off the bench like Diop was for the Mavs...</div>So you're saying by playoff time, he will be our starting center?
<div class="quote_poster">Rudeezy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So you're saying by playoff time, he will be our starting center?</div> We're making the playoffs?
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Perhaps this benching will improve Foyle's trade value.</div> Y'know, this could be true. If he does play then all the other GM's would see how horrible he is still and would never want him.
Mostly-Foyle's trade value improves when there's little time on his contract. Meanwhile...he has had games where he's been a big plus...just too few of them to be a regular. A leaner-meaner Adonal just might be the guy who tips the balance for us a few times. The alternative appears to be us dealing him for worse-so i'm pretty much figuring he's here for now-and just a guy used in certain situations. What POB and Taft can do-at varios parts of the season-could have impact on Foyle's role.
