<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Given the choice to prove himself through extra practices with the Warriors or by playing in the development league, there really wasn't much of a decision for rookie Patrick O'Bryant to make. "I thought about it for a second, but I thought I'd be better off up here," O'Bryant said after meeting with coach Don Nelson on Monday morning. "I feel like I can learn more from NBA players up here." It's been a rough go for the Warriors' first-round pick since impressing Nelson during training camp. O'Bryant has logged a total of 41 minutes in five games and shot a combined 1-for-10 from the field. In his last appearance against the Nuggets on Friday, he picked up four fouls in six garbage-time minutes. The slow start left Nelson strongly considering sending him to the D-league, but the coach is willing to hold off after O'Bryant pledged to log additional practice time with assistant coach Russell Turner. "He'd rather stay up here, so I'm going to grant him his wish," Nelson said. "But I expect a lot of really hard practices, even if it's one-on-one with just two guys. If I don't see some improvement stamina-wise and playing-wise to where I'm comfortable playing him in a game, then I'm going to move him down there." Nelson believes O'Bryant has "regressed from training camp, but that's my fault, not his." Though injuries opened playing time for such reserves as Matt Barnes, who started his third straight game Monday, it has had the opposite effect on O'Bryant. The Warriors don't have enough healthy players to field 5-on-5 practices, so O'Bryant hasn't been able to work on his game in a scrimmage-like setting. Nor is conditioning built into his practice schedule as it was during camp. Nelson's temporary solution is to have O'Bryant come in early for practice, stay late and even return for second sessions with Turner. On Monday, that meant arriving for the Spurs game at 4:30 p.m., or about an hour before most of his teammates. O'Bryant hopes the extra work will help him avoid a stint with the Bakersfield Jam, the Warriors' minor-league affiliate, though he knows the consistent playing would be an upshot. "It's not like the D-league is a bunch of scrubby people or something," he said. "It's a bunch of people trying to make it like I am." </div> Source
Biedrins didn't go to D-League and rode the pine a lot his first 2 years, look at him now. I'm sure O'Bryant would benefit staying with the team.
Nothing wrong with D-league option. Too bad there's no veterans post up players that can teach him. Maybe Biedrins can provide some leadership in that area.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Nothing wrong with D-league option.</div> If he goes in D-League we can't pull him back out this season if we need him right? I think it's better for him to stay with the team. Warriors are really thin right now and if more injuries occur we would need his help somewhat. I'm sure he could be useful by the second half of the season.
<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If he goes in D-League we can't pull him back out this season if we need him right? I think it's better for him to stay with the team. Warriors are really thin right now and if more injuries occur we would need his help somewhat. I'm sure he could be useful by the second half of the season.</div> We can always call back anytime we want. But until we get some healthy bodies back, I agree that we should keep POB. If not, we may have to yank some fans to play center...
<div class="quote_poster">Kwan1031 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If not, we may have to yank some fans to play center...</div> As long as it means Foyle doesn't play...
Yeah, we will be hurting if Beans goes down, so I think it is smart to keep him around. I am ok with Foyle filling in defensively, but at least he is another big long body in the paint...
