I just thought I'd make this official in it's own thread. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Monday, January 01, 2007 And the winner is ... former Kentucky guard Kelenna Azubuike From Janny Hu of the Sporting Green/Chronicle staff. Get ready to have a new Warrior in uniform against the Hornets. Golden State is expected to sign 6-5 guard Kelenna Azubuike as early as tonight to bolster its depleted backcourt. Azubuike is the D-league's leading scorer with a 26.2 ppg average for the Fort Worth Flyers. Some more quick hits on Azubuike: # He's shooting 51 percent from the field and 49 percent from 3-point range. # He's also averaging 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists. # He left Kentucky after his junior year in 2005 and went undrafted. # He caught on with the Cavaliers for training camp that fall and played in five preseason games before he was cut. # The Rockets signed and waived him this preseason. </div> Link This guy is leading the D-League in scoring at over 26 a game. Here's a scouting report: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Strengths: A proven scorer... Unselfish and can move effectively without the ball … Good athlete, 40 inch vertical, definitely athletic enough for the next level… Almost unstoppable on penetration ... Loves driving from the wing … An explosive finisher … Vision, finds an open man in scoring position… Viable threat from beyond the arc, shot in high 30s during his college career, but that needs to be improved for the next level… Biggest strength is shooting from the field, connecting on almost 50% of field goal shots at Kentucky … Strong free throw shooter … Loves the open court and fast break style … Has potential to play a shooting guard and fill in at small forward because of his rugged frame and a knack for getting rebounds. Weaknesses: Defensively Azuibuike's intensity level leaves a lot to be desired... He improved in his junior season but is still weak... Needs to improve in half court, this could be accomplished by becoming more consistent from beyond the arc, but he seems like he could be better suited for the pro game than the college game …Lacks great size for the shooting guard psoition at 6-4 or so ... Despite warnings from pretty much everyone, Azuibuike entered the draft and signed an agent ... Returning to UK would have given him a real shot as a first rounder in 2006, and given his NBA potential a boost ... </div> Link Here's some pics: http://www.hoosiermania.com/photo/indiana_uk_02/kelenna_azibiole_workball.jpg"> HereSome Dunk Highlights[/b] Looks like he'd fit Nellie's style very nicely. And he's strapped, kind of like a Magette-type. Go Warriors!
Thanks for starting this thread Alley Oop (edit). It's a lot easier to see how AZ will fit in. Can't pronounce his name nor spell it yet without looking. He sounds like a Nellie type player. The other plus was he was leading the D-league in scoring. Hope we found our diamond in the rough. As for defense, Nellie's been using a lot of zone D a lot of the time, i.e. > 80%, so AZ won't have to be that tough on D. However, the zone can and will be exploited at the NBA level, but that's another thread and another issue to discuss at another time.
I doubt he's the Warriors savior but I'll be glad to watch him get a chance (hopefully more PT than McLeod). He looks exciting, has some of the best parts of JRich and Mickael. Can't really tell a lot from the highlight reel though, like how his dribbling and passing skills are, or his midrange jumper. 80% freethrower, I like to see more of that on the Warriors.
does signing the guy mean the end for Roberson? With Jan 10 deadline looming for Barnes and Roberson getting guaranteed deals.... I would have to think Roberson may be the odd man out. Especialy if that toe has not healed. Last i read he had a boot on it still but has been shooting around. This guy definitely sounds like the perfect fit for us right now.As i am one of the anti MAggette guys here.... at least anti for the warriors. I just dont want a guy that is getting ouseted form Clipperland mostly because of his lack of effort on defense. Also the fact that he is always always injured. Just dont want him. Adn this guy has a Maggette type body.... nice. I would love to see us move Murphy and to a slightly lesser extent Dunelavy, but i would rather see us bring in Artest rather Corey.... or try and get picks/salary dump for them. My preference is Nocioni and/or Deng, but i doubt that is realistic for M/D package even with MP
I can't tell if he's a good player from those highlights. I agree with HiRez. Looks exciting though, but then again Pietrus and hell even Foyle can be exciting if you take all the good stuff show it in a short clip. I hope the guy can shoot, create offense, and is smart.
I think this is just a move because of Jrich being out long term. That is why he is a SG instead of a PG or anything else. Roberson has been a good player so I hope they keep him around. At least he is cheap. We can always use more players with the league minimum contributing on our team. I hope I get to see him first hand in action tonight in OKC. Does anyone know if he will be available to play with the team or if he will at all. I dont know how he could get significant playing time when Ike can barely do that and he has been with the team a lot longer...
<div class="quote_poster">boogielew Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">does signing the guy mean the end for Roberson? With Jan 10 deadline looming for Barnes and Roberson getting guaranteed deals.... I would have to think Roberson may be the odd man out. Especialy if that toe has not healed. Last i read he had a boot on it still but has been shooting around.</div> For sure, the only reason we had him here was because we thought he would be the 3 point specialist that we needed even though he really didn't fit with all the other combo guards we have. Turned out that Barnes was the stud 3 point shooter but he fills a need much more by being a guy who can play SF/PF, rebound, bring the ball up, finish, play defense, drive. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think this is just a move because of Jrich being out long term. That is why he is a SG instead of a PG or anything else. Roberson has been a good player so I hope they keep him around. At least he is cheap. We can always use more players with the league minimum contributing on our team. I hope I get to see him first hand in action tonight in OKC. Does anyone know if he will be available to play with the team or if he will at all. I dont know how he could get significant playing time when Ike can barely do that and he has been with the team a lot longer...</div> I agree, this move is to adjust to JR's absence. He probably won't get much playing time immediately but if he shows the ability to score, run, and defend he could buy himself more playing time and maybe show that hes a legit NBA player. I'm not getting my hopes up that this guy is a diamond in the rough but if anyone can do it its him; hes got the athleticism, the skills, hes leading the D-League in ppg, hopefully he gets good opportunity to prove himself.
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I can't tell if he's a good player from those highlights. I agree with HiRez. Looks exciting though, but then again Pietrus and hell even Foyle can be exciting if you take all the good stuff show it in a short clip. I hope the guy can shoot, create offense, and is smart.</div> I doubt Foyle could average 26 a game in a city-rec league, let alone the D-League. Whatever his shortcomings, this guy can flat out score at the 2 spot, no doubt.
I watched him in college, he has some great upside. He's one of those kids who listened to the wrong people and declared prematurely for the NBA draft. He's always been a talented scorer, so he should fit in the Nellie system.
Kelenna has taken his raw athlete tools and added enough skills to add up to some game. given our situation-he's easily the logical choice. Worst case-he's a 10 day contract who does not last beyond that. Best case-this is the launch pad of a pretty good career.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I watched him in college, he has some great upside. He's one of those kids who listened to the wrong people and declared prematurely for the NBA draft. He's always been a talented scorer, so he should fit in the Nellie system.</div> He did come out too early but he was kind of forced to because his father was sent to jail and he had to support his family.
<div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He did come out too early but he was kind of forced to because his father was sent to jail and he had to support his family.</div> He also thought a team was going to give him a 1st round promise. I wasn't aware about his family problems, but I think he could have helped them more by staying in school for 1 additional year. Tough choice.
Apparently his father was arrested on fraud or forgery charges: Link As I was typing I accidently hit a "t" and typed "artested." Hmmm.. Ron Arrest Resisting Artest Artesting Development Stop... this is a citizen's Artest!
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently his father was arrested on fraud or forgery charges: Link As I was typing I accidently hit a "t" and typed "artested." Hmmm.. Ron Arrest Resisting Artest Artesting Development Stop... this is a citizen's Artest!</div> Those have potential to be the next album title for Artest's next CD.
This kid looked pretty darn good tonight. Good defense, had a steal for a break away dunk, great rebounding for his position, quick, athletic, and smooth. Not bad at all for his GS debut.
Azubukie has alot of raw Talent, when i first saw him he came on as a freshman for a player in foul trouble, and as soon as he came in he dunked on someone. He could have really helped his chances staying at Kentucky another year, but as his Defense is concerned, hes not a liability you have to play Defense if you want to play for tubby smith. The only thing that is not his greatest strength is making plays off the dribble, which he could have improved in two years. I always wanted to see this guy and Gerald Fitch make it im glad atleast one of them is getting a shot.
<div class="quote_poster">AlleyOop Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently his father was arrested on fraud or forgery charges: Link As I was typing I accidently hit a "t" and typed "artested." Hmmm.. Ron Arrest Resisting Artest Artesting Development Stop... this is a citizen's Artest!</div> I do the same thing! Musselman artested for DUI!
<div class="quote_poster">fitch4delk00 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Azubukie has alot of raw Talent, when i first saw him he came on as a freshman for a player in foul trouble, and as soon as he came in he dunked on someone. He could have really helped his chances staying at Kentucky another year, but as his Defense is concerned, hes not a liability you have to play Defense if you want to play for tubby smith. The only thing that is not his greatest strength is making plays off the dribble, which he could have improved in two years. I always wanted to see this guy and Gerald Fitch make it im glad atleast one of them is getting a shot.</div> Thanks for the observations man! Didn't see much of this guy.
