http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=warr...ov=st&type=lgns <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - Golden State Warriors forward Chris Taft failed to make it onto the court in the preseason. He won't have the chance to take the floor with them in the regular season, either. The Warriors on Friday waived Taft, who missed all seven of the club's preseason games with muscular inflammation. Originally thought to be a possible lottery selection when he left Pittsburgh following his sophomore season, the 6-10 Taft fell into the second round, where the Warriors selected him 42nd overall in 2005. ADVERTISEMENT Despite the Warriors lacking quality big men, Taft failed to garner much playing time during his rookie season. He averaged 2.8 points and 2.l rebounds in under nine minutes per game. Taft's minutes in coach Don Nelson up-tempo system would have been limited this season. Golden State also selected 7-foot center Patrick O'Bryant ninth overall in June's draft. </div>
Wow. Chris Taft can play. I know his injuries have been severe, and it's a shame because that's the only reason why he's not with GS now. Chris Taft is a very good player. His first several games in the league he played solid, consistent, and produced like, well, he almost looked like a veteran big man in some regards. With that big center-of gravity, wide waist and big ass, he boxed out like crazy and even moved some of the larger competition around in the paint. If he ever gets healthy and plays in the league, he'll be a better natural big-man than anyone on the Warriors roster. If.
Just pure unluckiness for Taft. If he can get healthy he's definitely an NBA quality player but I'm sure if he did he'd join a team like NJ that's closer to his home, more successful, and he'd have a better opportunity to play on their front line.
It's really unfortunate that we had to waive him, because he certainly has a natural talent, and he isn't that raw to develop as well. This definitely means we are not here to develop talents. I wonder what this sign means. Is that mean we can actually squeeze both Roberson and Barne without paying luxury tax? Or, is Cohan willing to bite millions of luxury tax to keep both Barnes and Roberson?
Well, as much as I would have liked them to keep him, he just could not get healthy in over a year. Obviously the guy just was not treated properly. He had surgery and that did not help him. I want to know if they even THOUGHT about a chiropractor for him. Chiropractic works, but sometimes the doc does not. I really tried to find out this info and suggest it, but I doubt it got through. I hope they told him as soon as he gets healthy to give them first dibs. Its not like he still wont get paid. He just is taking up a roster spot...
<div class="quote_poster">Kwan1031 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is that mean we can actually squeeze both Roberson and Barne without paying luxury tax? Or, is Cohan willing to bite millions of luxury tax to keep both Barnes and Roberson?</div> The way those two have been playing, I'd cut McCleod, or even Zarko, and keep them both.
Maybe the Warriors factored into how much keeping and developing a big man would cost? I'm sad, but not that sad. I think Ike Diogu and Leon Powe or Ryan Gomes kicks his ass.
I'm surprized to read that Taft was waived, but not too surprized. (because of his injuries) I still thought they would hang on to him and see if he could overcome his injuries. (or once he overcame his injuries and showed what a healthy taft can do then trade him for a second rounder or in a package deal)
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The way those two have been playing, I'd cut McCleod, or even Zarko, and keep them both.</div> Even though we cut either Zarko or Mcleod, their salaries still remains on the book. So, in terms of luxury tax, it really doesn't matter. Also, it seems like we may have to pay luxury tax, if we wish to sign both players after all. So, even if we waived Taft, it's not a complete lock that we will sign both players. By going over luxury tax line, not only we have to pay dollar-to-dollar penalty, we get to lose portion of rebate, which tends to be millions. It's bit sad to see that we may not even be able to pay two minimum contracts, but that's the reality... http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGQMM1HL91.DTL
If cutting Taft and signing 2 minimum contracts brings us to luxury tax... why not just keep Taft and sign just one minimum contract? Btw, does anyone else think that we wouldn't have drafted O'Bryant if Taft wasn't injured?
Yes very sad. I liked his size, upside, calm demeanor, athleticism and underrated passing. I do think cutting Taft was the right move. If you fall to the 2nd and don't get consistent playing time within 18 months, you're not going to. I really thought he had a good shot to stick but after the back and muscular disease, he's damaged goods. Barnes or Roberson aren't as exciting but they are healthy and help with our weaknesses. Taft probably wasn't going to see the court this year. On the positive side if Taft ever gets healthy I'm sure Mullin will take a look at him.
I think Taft might not want to have anything to do with Mullins' Warriors after getting waived. I think his contract was partly unguaranteed, right? Does the article say? I feel bad for Taft, but not too bad. The guy should have stayed in school so that if this ever happened, he'd have an education to fall back on. I think every athlete should have at least a 3-4 year education in case their body can't perform. That is unless they're just too lousy when it comes to book smarts. Now, he'll probably have to enroll somewhere and take two years before he can earn his degree instead of finishing it up in one or going to work right away. Who knows? At least he can afford tuition on his own now. A guy like Emeka Okafor did the right thing knowing he was injury prone and now if something happens to him he ain't that screwed.
<div class="quote_poster">upsidedownside7 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Taft probably wasn't going to see the court this year. </div> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate...&entry_id=10336 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Brutal way the NBA can work. Just last week, I was talking with Chris Taft and his agent, Billy Ceisler, about their optimism that Taft would be back sometime this season. As far as they'd been told by doctors, Taft's muscular inflammation and back rehabilitation wasn't career-threatening, just something that would take time to heal. Taft's time with the Warriors, of course, ran out today as VP Chris Mullin made Taft what should be the final cut of the preseason. Mullin needed to waive at least one more player by Monday's drop-date, and while Anthony Roberson and Matt Barnes seemed most vulnerable because of their non-guaranteed contracts, both are now likely here to stay. </div>
Next season I bet we find a Taft replacement, if we can dump some salary that is. We probably cannot even sign our own draft picks next season thanks to buzzcut bob and his financial blundering and the way Cohan ain't that rich. Who knows we might get Joaquim Noah, Brandon Wright, the athletic 7 foot PF from China that Del Harris raves about, Josh McRoberts, Al Horford, Jason Smith. I dunno who else. But there's probably go to be a Taft type player around the basket that can also block some, pass some, and hopefully play the back to the basket game using strong footwork, quickness/athleticism/strength, and scoring with either hand (maybe like Diogu/Brand/Kaman/Duncan does). Taft seem so limited to be a long term option. He wasn't even that aggressive, but I like how he didn't freak out on defensive rotations. Usually rookies like Biedrins wind up with the foul every time.
I can't believe I'm thinking about the draft already... it's probably going to be a deep draft and we're screwing with natural selection by letting our future HOF coach take us further than Monty/Musselman/PJ/Winters/Adelman/Cowens/St. Jean ever did. BTW I hope we don't get a power forward (unless it is can't miss), but a small forward.
