According to a Jazz Radio, the W's offered J-Rich, Pietrus, and Pattycake for AK and filler. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this If so, what would you guys say?
AK does a little bit of everything, but he's been very disappointing this year... I wouldn't give up JRich AND Pietrus.
I question the validity of the trade. Last year if Mullin offered this trade, Warriors nation would go and shoot him. I think we have to wait to see if J-Rich can play well again, and Pietrus is playing great, he's our best defender, and we get an overpaid injury prone player who can put up good stats once in a while?
AK had a good game yesterday if you guys didn't know, the day that there was an article that Sloan and AK are on the same page now.
I'm still in favor of trading J. Rich. However, I think Ak would really up our defense and he can also run the court with the other guys.
I would love to have AK47. However if I followed him as much as some of the other fans here maybe I would think differently. But man AK47 and Andris Biedrins on the court together would be absolutely nuts. The Warriors defense improves dramatically with this trade. The Warriors now have Jackson who can fill in for Pietrus' role pretty well. Also it's debateable and probably unlikely Pietrus would even be on the team next season. Also AK47 I think would prosper playing for Nelson. I don't think AK47 is much of a set offense type of player. But if you can get him on the run with his athleticism and his height and ability then he should put up good offensive stats with his big defense. To answer the question I haven't seen anything about it, but it doesn't mean what was said is false. Mullin has worked undercover pretty well, as can be seen by yesterday's trade which came from nowhere.
I think I might rather have Gasol. But I would probably still make that trade. I just hope Jrich comes back to form after the All Star break...
Starting Lineup Davis Ellis Harrington Kirilenko Biedrins By the way, I think Kelenna Azubuike was a brilliant pick up.
I like the deal. AK-47 is a freak. He has size, can play multiple positions, start or come off the bench and most important grab rebounds and be a defensive stopper. But it's hard to see Utah making the deal even if it is JRich and MP. They may rather take Zarko instead of POB in order to get an expiring contract. Another thing is this deal doesn't help the Warriors shed salary in order to re-sign Monta and AB unless they dump Giricec after he's up. OTOH if it's from Jazz radio, then are the Jazz are presenting this deal? I read Sam Smith was mentioning AK-47 for the Bulls, but it's Sam "Flappin' My Gums" Smith. Sam said the Jazz may want to dump AKs huge contract which is the biggest on the team. That said there are rumors that the Warriors have another deal in the works and the Warriors already made a deal with Utah, so it's a possibility.
Sorry, but I think Kirilenko is way overrated. He has some skills, but another midsized forward? Meh. If you gave Ike his minutes, his numbers would far exceed Kirilenko's. Not worth giving up JRich and Pietrus for IMO. And the guy has a 5-year deal topping out at $18M in the final year, averaging 9-5 in 32 minutes? No thanks. We just witnessed a miracle in shedding two bad contracts, we don't need to take on another mammoth one unless it's KG, Gasol, JO, PP, etc.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry, but I think Kirilenko is way overrated. He has some skills, but another midsized forward? Meh. If you gave Ike his minutes, his numbers would far exceed Kirilenko's. Not worth giving up JRich and Pietrus for IMO. And the guy has a 5-year deal topping out at $18M in the final year, averaging 9-5 in 32 minutes? No thanks. We just witnessed a miracle in shedding two bad contracts, we don't need to take on another mammoth one unless it's KG, Gasol, JO, PP, etc.</div> I agree with HiRez here, however I disagree with the part about Ike exceeding Kirelenko's numbers. I don't think it is a fair comparison. They are two different players and their strengths are different. One of the best things about Kirelenko is that he does not need to score points to be effective. His strength is defense, and with Nellie's zone I can see Kirelenko being a very effective player since the team relies a lot on steals to fuel the fastbreak. I wouldn't be surprised if he averaged over 3 steals a game and 3 blocks a game. He can also rebound decently at 6-7 a game (Boozer and Okur really make it hard for him get any rebounds). Plus he gives a couple assists a game. This year Kirilenko is averaging 9 points a game but for his career he has average 13 (previous three years of 15 15 16). He's also only 26. Ike's strength is low post offense. He can rebound. He can shoot FTs and get to the line a lot. But for him to be effective he needs the ball. Ike's height will, I think, in the long run prevent him from being more than a Corliss Williamson. He needs to play the D to even be considered an elite player. However, like I said, I do agree with you on all other points about Kirilenko and why the team should not trade for him. Not to mention that Kirilenko is also injury prone. Kirilenko is just not a franchise type player due to what he lacks on offense and his susceptibility to injury. Now if Ike and Kirilenko were fused into one player with all their good traits combined. Then I'd do a trade.
<div class="quote_poster">HiRez Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry, but I think Kirilenko is way overrated. He has some skills, but another midsized forward? Meh. If you gave Ike his minutes, his numbers would far exceed Kirilenko's. Not worth giving up JRich and Pietrus for IMO. And the guy has a 5-year deal topping out at $18M in the final year, averaging 9-5 in 32 minutes? No thanks. We just witnessed a miracle in shedding two bad contracts, we don't need to take on another mammoth one unless it's KG, Gasol, JO, PP, etc.</div> I kind of agree. Pietrus + Jrich? That's too much. While I'm not a fan of Pietrus' overall game, he's still a good role player if we can live with the free throw, shot selection and decision-making liabilities. Kirilenko is paid a lot for a mostly defensive player with a limited shooting game. We could be getting the same type of guy in Biedrins already in terms of defensive play. What Kirilenko does offer is versatility at smaller positions, nice passing skills, good rebounding and monster shotblocking and steals numbers. However, has anyone here ever cared much for his offensive game? We probably agree somewhat that Jrich is more dynamic than Ak47 as a scorer and comparable to scoring figures like Ray Allen, Michael Redd, or Carmelo Anthony, except not as good as those players for obvious reasons. Skills such as playmaking, decision making, free throws, quickness, ballhandling, and overall shooting are main factors which could prevent Jrich from becoming a one-time all-star at best. If he kept his strengths and added the good things that guys like younger Jerry Stackhouse or Vince Carter have on offense, his defense won't be too much of a worry because of his offense impact. Plus with pure shooting guard skills his offense won't be totally shutdown once a guy like Bruce Bowen, Shawn Marion, Eddie Jones, Shane Battier, Reuben Patterson or Ron Artest is on him. To Jrich's credit, he's gotten better, but injuries really prevented him from showcasing his stuff.
AK-47 is pretty darn good. 03-04: 16.5 ppg / 8.1 rpg / 3.1 apg / 1.9 spg / 2.8 bpg on 44%FG and 79%FT 04-05: 15.6 pts / 6.2 rpg / 3.2 apg / 1.6 spg / 3.3 bpg on 49%FG and 78%FT 05-06: 15.3 pts / 8.0 rpg / 4.3 apg / 1.5 spg / 3.2 bpg on 46%FG and 70%FT Here are a few bio notes: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Became just 4th player in NBA history, and first since 1993-94, to average 15+ points, 8+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 3+ blocks in single season (Abdul-Jabbar six times, Bob Lanier – 1973-74, David Robinson – 1993-94)... Led NBA in total blocks (220), ranking 2nd in blocks per game (3.19) and 19th in rebounds (8.0) … Led the league with 28 games with 4+ blocks, blocking 5+ shots 16 times … 2003-04: Completed the 2003-04 season as the team’s leader in scoring (16.2), rebounding (8.1), steals (1.92), blocked shots (2.76) and in minutes played per game (37.1)… finished third in the league in blocks and fourth in steals and was fifth in the league’s balloting for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year…Was selected to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team, earning his first ever selection to the All-Defensive Team…</div> The thing with AK-47 is he puts up the numbers Dunleavy was supposed to put up, yet he also does it with fierce defense. He is one of the best shot blockers in the game. He is wiry-strong, with his sinewy arms and bony elbows, he has much more strength than Dunleavy simply because of the way he plays the game. I think this trade makes some sense only because of the talent we have right now at SG. With Monta Ellis, and Azubuike, and SJax coming, I could see this type of trade making some sense, as long as GS got more than just "filler" along with AK-47. But I don't want to see JRich go. I want to see him come back and push this team into the playoffs. How about Pietrus, Foyle, and POB for AK-47 straight up.
I like him, but maybe I like him better when we find a replacement shooting guard for Ellis. If we ever let Baron go, Ellis moves to PG, and we get a 6'5 or 6'6 shooting guard. PG Monta Ellis SG Dwade/Ginobili/Ray Allen/young Penny Hardaway type guy/ or even a rip Hamilton midrange marksman SF AK47 PF Biedrins C: POB (lol) POB sucks right now, but if we're talking full potential, might be pretty interesting lineup with a shotblocking, rebounding center who can take midrange shots and score some inside occasionally.
<div class="quote_poster">HiRez Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry, but I think Kirilenko is way overrated. He has some skills, but another midsized forward? Meh. If you gave Ike his minutes, his numbers would far exceed Kirilenko's. Not worth giving up JRich and Pietrus for IMO. And the guy has a 5-year deal topping out at $18M in the final year, averaging 9-5 in 32 minutes? No thanks. We just witnessed a miracle in shedding two bad contracts, we don't need to take on another mammoth one unless it's KG, Gasol, JO, PP, etc.</div> AK-47 is definitely not overrated. He'll be great in Nellie's system. He can score, but he doesn't have to score or have the ball to be effective. He's a tremendous defensive player. It's not all about offense. He can go one on one with anybody. Very athletic and for someone his size, he can play both inside and outside. He can give you 15 pts, 10 boards without getting the ball. That said, it may be too much to give up both JRich and MP for him since his value is down right now. I'd do the JRich package with Zarko and POB.
AK47 was one of my favorite players last season. I would have loved him on the W's. The same trade last year and I would do it in a heartbeat. I'm not that high on J-Rich or Pietrus. Good SG's are more easily to find. AK47 is (or was?) unique. But now, I'm very worried about Kirilenko's injuries. Will he ever be the same player again? And what about this so-called world of warcraft addiction? Are these rumours true? His contract is so high that the risk is too big. I know J-Rich is also risky at the moment, but its the money that concerns me. Biedrins and Ellis should be priority number one and this trade would not be helping financially.
<div class="quote_poster">chuck.be Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">AK47 was one of my favorite players last season. I would have loved him on the W's. The same trade last year and I would do it in a heartbeat. I'm not that high on J-Rich or Pietrus. Good SG's are more easily to find. AK47 is (or was?) unique. But now, I'm very worried about Kirilenko's injuries. Will he ever be the same player again? And what about this so-called world of warcraft addiction? Are these rumours true? His contract is so high that the risk is too big. I know J-Rich is also risky at the moment, but its the money that concerns me. Biedrins and Ellis should be priority number one and this trade would not be helping financially.</div> Is he playing WOWC in the locker room? We'll have to deal with it just like Dampier making trades on his laptop. Yeah, AK-47 has been injured, but so has been JRich. Last year and this. Anyhoo, it's worth discussing. The best trade would be JRich, Foyle and Zarko for the AK-47, Giricek and filler package. Mullin would be a genius if he pulled that off.
It's a tough decision because nobody knows how AK47 would contribute in Nellie's system. AK47 has spent his entire pro career under the same coach, Jerry Sloan, and it's hard to untrain someone who's been in the same system since they've stepped in the league. A change of environment might be exactly what AK47 needs, but the Warriors are giving up two starters for one, and you have to ask yourself, is AK47 the missing piece? If the answer is no, then you don't do this deal because of his high salary and he's very injury prone. The Warriors are already loaded at the forward spot, and Nellie's system generally requires his big men to be able to handle the basketball. AK47 isn't very good at creating his own shot or setting up teammates. He gets most of his points by being active on the offensive glass or hitting jumpshots off a drive and kick. He's just not a polished offensive player on the perimeter or in the post. I agree with Warriorsfansnc93, the Warriors should target Gasol or better yet KG.
