<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NELSON MAKING CENTER MAJOR PART OF WARRIORS' ATTACK By Geoff Lepper MediaNews At 66, Warriors Coach Don Nelson might not be around to fully enjoy a future renaissance by the team, but he's certainly trying to lock in the foundation for such a revival. And one of the building blocks still can't drink. Third-year center Andris Biedrins, 20, has gone from being a project to an integral part of Nelson's rebuilding scheme. ``We have two players, one is 20, one's 21, one's a center, one I'm going to make a point guard,'' Nelson said recently, referring to Biedrins and Monta Ellis. ``Those are the hardest two positions to find, and we've got two 20-year-olds there. So I'd be crazy and I'd be remiss if I didn't take advantage of that and get those guys ready to go as quickly as possible.'' Many observers expected Ellis -- clearly the Warriors' quickest player and best perimeter defender by the end of last season -- to make an impact this year. Biedrins, however, was still an unknown quantity, his flashes of brilliance often obscured by his well-chronicled struggles at the free-throw line. Last season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Biedrins became the first player in 15 seasons -- since ex-Warriors forward Larry Smith did it for the Houston Rockets in 1990-91 -- to attempt at least 150 field goals and 50 free throws and come up with a field-goal percentage (63.8) that was more than double his free-throw mark (30.6). This season, Biedrins has raised his free-throw shooting 16 percent. More surprising, his field-goal percentage has also spiked, to an absurd 77.4 percent (24 for 31). He played 31 minutes in the Warriors' 111-79 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, scoring 13 points on an assortment of looks from inside 7 feet. Every night, it seems, Warriors fans are treated to multiple versions of the same play: A Golden State player, often guard Baron Davis, beats his man off the dribble, forcing the opposing big man to help, then deftly delivers a pass to the wide-open Biedrins for a layup or two-handed flush. Against the Pistons, Biedrins even showed off a new spin move from near the top of the key before dropping in a short jumper over Detroit center Nazr Mohammed. Last season, giving Biedrins the ball there probably would have ended in a turnover or, at best, a resetting of the Warriors' offense. ``I just want to prove that I can help, that I have some post moves, too, I can score,'' said Biedrins, who's averaging 7.7 points.</div> http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...rs/16006821.htm I love how Nellie is developing our young players soon and quickly so that they'll live up to their potential. And he does it in a way that doesn't hurt the Warriors. Mullin better find a way to extend Biedrins, Ellis, and Diogu.
Those three players should clearly be the future of this team. All others are expendable if necessary. JRich or Baron would be hard to part with but anyone else I wouldn't miss for long. Even those two could possibly be the key in a big trade though. If Andris, Monta, or Ike are allowed to walk away due to lack of cash or are bundled in some desperate, midguided trade that might just be the last straw for me.
<div class="quote_poster">HiRez Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Those three players should clearly be the future of this team. All others are expendable if necessary. JRich or Baron would be hard to part with but anyone else I wouldn't miss for long. Even those two could possibly be the key in a big trade though. If Andris, Monta, or Ike are allowed to walk away due to lack of cash or are bundled in some desperate, midguided trade that might just be the last straw for me.</div> My sentiments exactly...
<div class="quote_poster">HiRez Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Those three players should clearly be the future of this team. All others are expendable if necessary. JRich or Baron would be hard to part with but anyone else I wouldn't miss for long. Even those two could possibly be the key in a big trade though. If Andris, Monta, or Ike are allowed to walk away due to lack of cash or are bundled in some desperate, midguided trade that might just be the last straw for me.</div> I think everyone feels that way. That's why a lot of us are so bent out of shape about this salary thing that started in 2004. Solid drafts, bad FA signings made all at once for 6 years.
