Richardson Will Miss Road Trip

He should have waited until he was 100% and not play on half a knee.

 

It always makes me cringe to hear about athletes, NBA in particular, trying to rehab their knee by playing sporatic minutes in-game. It's the NBA, man... if Richardson is driving the lane, and he sees an opening, there's a split second there where he isn't thinking about his knee, his instincts have him thinking about scoring at any cost. That's not a bad instinct, obviously, but to risk a season for reserve minutes early on is dubious at best. Let the knee heal.

 

He should've had his operation in May instead of in August. I don't get it?

 

This has been the biggest set back of the young season.

 

I thought we talked about this, but JRich was given clearance by his doctor. He said he felt good and had to work to get back in shape. It's a trickey situation with the knee as it sounds as if something else could be wrong or he needs more rest and recuperation. Hopefully, the latter.

Still, JRich should make the final decision on whether to play or not. If the knee started to bother him again, then he should have sat himself down. Remember last season and him playing in the Dallas game when he didn't have to???!!!???!!!

Speaking of injuries, weren't we playing better when Baron was out? Just an observation.

 

<div class="quote_poster">jason voorhees Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">

Speaking of injuries, weren't we playing better when Baron was out? Just an observation.</div>

Weren't we playing better earlier in the season when Baron wasn't out? Just an observation

 

More like... weren't we playing better when we played some defense? It almost is like a repeat of the 2005-2006 season where we start hot, and then we stop playing defense, and then we suck until the regular season games no longer matter towards playoffs. Also, the lazy shots really kill us because they expose our weak transition D even worse... I wanna blame Murphy, but he's not the only problem. Can't blame one guy.

 

Well, IMO the Warriors have been playing pretty well. Last time I checked they were ranked 1st in FG%, 1st in BPG, and 3rd in PPG. They're shooting 49% from the field!! That's pretty accomplished compared to their dismal FG% last year of 43%.

The previous 2 games before SA against the Pacers and the Bucks, GS was right there and IMO should have won both. Sure they made mistakes and botched it in the end, but they still played very good basketball.

Tonight? San Antonio just played like one of the best teams in NBA history. At home. The Warriors laid an egg. But it's way too early to say the sky is falling.

GS still has one of the most potent offenses in the league, and a sub-par defense. pretty much exactly what Nellie had expected. And I have a hunch he felt this will be enough for the 8th seed. I doubt any team will win another game by 40pts this year. Hats off to SA.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Weren't we playing better earlier in the season when Baron wasn't out? Just an observation </div>

I'm at a disadvantage because I haven't seen several games this season, so checked 82games.com. We're both right it seems unless you interpret it different.

Look at when Baron is out. There isn't that much dropoff with the best team the Warriors could field. I'm willing to wait and see how this team continues to play WITH Baron. After all, this is still the same team from last season.

If you're wondering, I'm not ready to start the Who Do We Trade Baron For thread just yet. Still smarting from posting that dumb JRich one .

1 Davis-Ellis-Richardson-Murphy-Biedrins 41 97 86 +11 2 1 66.6
2 Ellis-Richardson-Barnes-Murphy-Biedrins 41 94 77 +17 1 2 33.3
3 Davis-Ellis-Pietrus-Dunleavy-Biedrins 30 77 81 -4 2 5 28.5
4 Davis-Ellis-Richardson-Pietrus-Biedrins 27 61 43 +18 3 1 75.0
5 Davis-Ellis-Pietrus-Murphy-Biedrins 25 41 46 -5 2 2 50.0
6 Davis-Richardson-Dunleavy-Murphy-Biedrins 25 48 55 -7 1 3 25.0
7 Davis-Richardson-Pietrus-Murphy-Biedrins 25 64 65 -1 2 1 66.6
8 Davis-Ellis-Pietrus-Dunleavy-Murphy 23 63 53 +10 3 1 75.0
9 Ellis-Richardson-Pietrus-Dunleavy-Biedrins 22 62 52 +10 2 0 100
10 Davis-Ellis-Richardson-Dunleavy-Biedrins 20 49 36 +13 3 0 100

http://www.82games.com/0607/0607GSW2.HTM

 

It's too small of a sample size to see any real correlation between which group works best (We've only played how many games so far??). Plus, it's all relative to what other matchups those guys are facing out on the floor , if they've been able to make stops and scoring runs. We also have to be pay attention to what caused those matchups to be put out there in on the floor (e.g. foul trouble/injuries might have caused such changes).

I still don't trust Dunleavy/Murphy matchup unless it's a blowout, because if our guards can't get inside, who else does? Those two can shoot, but they are not the most reliable people to create their own shot or score inside if that jumper aint going down. If our big guys can't post up, who has enough ballhandling and quickness to get to the rim? I mean Zarko on a hot night is better than those guys at getting in close, but the guy isn't very consistent or strong. But for both Murphy and Dun, who are former guards in their youth, It's too limiting to be an off-the-dribble inside player and play below the rim most of the time because they have no hops or footspeed or quickness/agility like those of Kevin Garnett/Dirk Nowitzki/Lamar Odom/Rashard Lewis/Chris Bosh.

It just won't work moving at that speed unless the first steps are used against an open lane (which we never have when guys are keeping all the perimeter guys on the outside instead of posting up on the blocks).

Neither of Murphy or Dunleavy are quick enough IMO to split defenders or attack a zone. So if our guards suffer, there's no bigs or inside presence to bail them out. Murphy would be so much more tolerable if he did more things for us defensively to help limit our team's foul trouble and allowed points total. And it would be helpful if he moved more without the ball because things get crowded when guys don't create more openings in the zone. We can't stand around and think the three pointer will be a floor spacer if it's just Murphy bombing threes. They want our second biggest offensive rebounder to shoot with nobody in the paint to get it back. Because if the big guy misses from downtown, it means more chances to run against that slow guy in transition and beat all the guards who might be hanging around to get the ball back instead of getting back on D. I don't like playing small ball because it means we're taking all the standard nba positions and playing it ass backwards. And none of our guards are truly outstanding IMO like Jason Kidd/Nash or any of our run TMC guys.

And unfortunately this ain't like the NFL where we discover a brand new position nobody else thought of because we have a unique player. Dunleavy and Murphy are not that unique IMO. Yeah Dunleavy can be sort of like an unathletic version of Brent Barry in an unathletic version of Hedo Turkoglu-type body, but they got no strength or speed or finesse to dominate the way most thought they could in their positions if they got better and better. Then there's Murphy who is strong at doing a few things shooting wise, but cannot emulate either power forward or center in the paint or on defense. He doesn't really cover anybody's weaknesses either IMO. Yeah, he gets defensive rebounds, but that's only if the other four guys are strong enough defenders for this guy to collect the boards. And that's only if Murphy is stepping inside to contest something rather than letting the guy run right in only for somebody else to foul them so they won't get the layup. If we're not playing defense, there's no defensive boards and when there's no defensive boards, we cannot run out. That's why I hold such a bad opinion of matador Murphy. As bad as Dunleavy is, at least he'll take the charge because it's better than getting out of the way and letting one of our better players get the foul. And plus, halfcourt works better with him with give and gos or him trying to find biedrins or somebody inside.

I totally dislike Murphy because he is easily the most exploitable player on defense. Not even Jrich (too slow) or Ellis (too short) are that bad on the perimeter compared to Murphy both on the perimeter and guarding the basket.

 

<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I still don't trust Dunleavy/Murphy matchup unless it's a blowout, because if our guards can't get inside, who else does? Those two can shoot, but they are not the most reliable people to create their own shot or score inside if that jumper aint going down. If our big guys can't post up, who has enough ballhandling and quickness to get to the rim? I mean Zarko on a hot night is better than those guys at getting in close, but the guy isn't very consistent or strong. But for both Murphy and Dun, who are former guards in their youth, It's too limiting to be an off-the-dribble inside player and play below the rim most of the time because they have no hops or footspeed or quickness/agility like those of Kevin Garnett/Dirk Nowitzki/Lamar Odom/Rashard Lewis/Chris Bosh.</div>

Dun and Murphy together sucks! I've done a 180 over the years. Was for Murphy in the beginning because he was a big man who could shoot, rebound and kept improving every year. Little did we realize he wasn't going to ever become a good defender or passer. However, this year he isn't a black hole he was in past years and passing the ball and racking up the most assists of his career. Still, his scoring and rebounding are down.

As for Dun, we all know his story. Highly touted coming out of Duke and slotted to be a Magic Johnson type player as the overall #3 pick.

Okay, so he didn't pan out with the #3 pick. Most people were able to get over that. However, Mullin decided to give Dun a fat contract when he didn't have to and left everyone scratching their heads . That was a great financial move for Dun, but left him vulnerable to the unforgiving crowds at Oakland. He still gets boos and jeers when he clanks a 3 or misses a free throw.

Now, with Nellie as coach, I'm on the Dunleavy bandwagon again. Maybe he will help as the sixth man. He can also spot start and seems like a good fit with Andris and Ike front line.

As for Zarko, it's interesting why Nelson won't play him. He keeps saying he can't rebound. Zarko is tall for a small forward and he likes to drive to the rack. He's a stready shooter, too, so if he gets hot you keep feeding him the ball. Anyway, I hope he gets to play some minutes just to see what he can do.

 

<div class="quote_poster">jason voorhees Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
As for Zarko, it's interesting why Nelson won't play him. He keeps saying he can't rebound. Zarko is tall for a small forward and he likes to drive to the rack. He's a stready shooter, too, so if he gets hot you keep feeding him the ball. Anyway, I hope he gets to play some minutes just to see what he can do.</div>

Zarko is still injured right?

 

I think we need to flush our frontcourt down the toilet (all except for Zarko, Ike, Biedrins and what would have been Chris Taft) Then I'd salvage Jrich, Baron, and Ellis. I don't care much for Pietrus these days because he's like our version of Darius Miles or Eddie Griffin. All this potential, some standout games, but you'd rather not have them long term once that contract extension comes along.

I think there's better players than whoever is left that I left out. I don't care if Murphy is 16/10, it's meaningless in the running game or halfcourt if there's no real center. I'd rather take Sean May, Emeka Okafor, or Dwight Howard 16/10 than Murphy 16/10. Double doubles are meaningless if they aren't the kind that real power forwards and centers get if they do their jobs at both ends of the floor inside the paint.

I don't think Biedrins is prototypical enough to be power forward or center, but he's in his own unique category that allows him to be sort of like how Jermaine O'neil is. As long as he's good at defense and efficient at offense, I don't care what he is or if he can't handle Shaq or Yao (few can). I think Ike is the guy we want for potentially dominant low post scorer. And if he's not that because of height or athleticism, well... he'll be more solid at PF than Murphy will be and probably better at center too. He's a lot stronger and more agile in the feet, that's for sure. You won't see this guy get swatted by 6'2" midgets on a little layup attempt or let guys blow by him like he doesn't care.

I think everyone knows we need more experience, more ball movement, and we need inside/outside presence. Because if we can't play the D, we can't run the break, and we can't play the halfcourt offense to get back in it. That's why I actually dread Murphy more than Dunleavy, despite the obvious results Murphy has in points, fg%, and rebounds over Dunleavy.

<div class="quote_poster">jason voorhees Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">
As for Zarko, it's interesting why Nelson won't play him. He keeps saying he can't rebound. Zarko is tall for a small forward and he likes to drive to the rack. He's a stready shooter, too, so if he gets hot you keep feeding him the ball. Anyway, I hope he gets to play some minutes just to see what he can do.</div>

Zarko's problem is not the fact he doesn't rebound very well, he is not a good defender or very consistent shooter and he tries to do all this guard stuff and sometimes loses control of the ball or travels. (Remember, Clif Robinson sucked at rebounding, but he was so good as a strong, lightweight defender and passer. Plus we had Erick Dampier interior presence to make up for it.)

If Zarko could just concentrate on offense, he'd be doing more than Murphy/Dunleavy do when they score because he's a real quickness and length mismatch and he makes others better. Unlike those two slowpokes, Zarko can actually finish above and below the rim and beat guys with his dribble and find other players like Ike Diogu or Biedrins. More athletic than Dunleavy with similar high basketball IQ, similar passing and good ball handling ability for 6'11, he could have been awesome like how he was in 2004-2005 season in february-april. He's definitely quicker and more versatile than Murphy. He's just been in the doghouse and injured...

Murphy is a limited contributor to shooting and rebounding, not an anchor in the paint for offense or defense at either C or PF. I think Biedrins is also a contributor, not an anchor (for now), because his offense is still a bit raw and he needs to get stronger if he wants to be a 245 lb center going against 255++ with broader bodies in the halfcourt. Biedrins is actually good (top 5 center potential) and will get better, but he needs another partner in the paint until he absolutely explodes. I think Ike is that anchor for when we need isolations in the paint and he'll make other guys better like Biedrins. Biedrins could learn from Ike and still post double digit rebounding, while Ike provides some shotblocking, similar hustle, offensive rebounding, and boxing out for Biedrins on defense. He'll also pass from the high post and shoot like Murphy with the wing jumpers. Unlike Murphy, Ike won't do this clumsy bullsht where he loses the ball keeping the dribble high off the triple threat position. He'll get it low and and if he's cut off on the drive, he can pull up, or make good use of his back pivot foot and fade away. We're talking power and finesse versus only finesse.

I say keep Zarko just because I think he's more unique with a higher upside than both Murphy and Dunleavy with similar dimensions like Dunleavy's game. Although Dunleavy himself ain't that bad of a utility player if he's used right and he's actually shooting it well enough to make moves.

 

I guess in the end, I think I'm looking for Mullin to get the team a little more basketball smart and athletic at the same time. We need those mix of power, finesse, and technical skills and they have to fit together as a team. No more of these weird matchups that work against us on one end of the floor or the other and can't create their own offense using strength, quickness, saavy. I'll take 2 Brandon Roys at SG over perennial all-star shooting guard if we can have a prototype position at all 5 spots just for once! We can find our own mismatch if the guy isn't overly slow or weak or passive or small or stupid with the ball. I just don't like slow tweeners that don't emulate the position they play unless they are the Jrich kind. Someone has to score 20 per game and affect the other team's defense directly. If Murphy or Dun go for 20 points per game, they will not affect the offense in the same way, guaranteed! But neither will Jrich on his own unless he's getting setup by somebody like a point guard. But when that point guard starts chucking, it doesn't help Jrich and other guys...