Simply put, it will be very hard to create a package for Utah. We have only 3 sizable contracts now; Davis, Harrington and Jackson. And, now that we waived Cabbage, it's even more difficult to trade for Utah. In theory, Utah can receive Harrington, Pietrus, and POB. But, I seriously doubt that Utah would want that package to being with (Harrington's soft defense, Pietrus' IQ and POB's passion for Sloan???). Then, do we really want AK47? I mean, if his contract is smaller, I would welcome him with open arms. The problem is that he still has a max contract with 4 years left. Considering what he did last year, that's awfully high risk to take, especially when we will not pay luxury tax. Also, because of the luxury tax problem, if we accept AK47, there is a good chance that we may not retain both Biedrins and Monta. AK47 can either be Davis, who can turn the franchise around, or Kemp, eternal cap killer. If we are not sure that he will turn the franchise around,it probably will be the best not toget him...
I'd also ask myself this question .. "Does AK47 make us a title contender?" </p> I'm not sure if he'd be considered the missing piece for the Warriors to make win a title. I thinktheir greatest need is a consistent threat in the post to get points against teams who have the ability to slow the Warriors pace down. </p> AK47 is a great player and defender, but it's hard to justify his price tag, especially if it ends up costing you Beans or Monta down the line, or possibly even re-signing B. Diddy.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'> I'd also ask myself this question .. "Does AK47 make us a title contender?" </p> I'm not sure if he'd be considered the missing piece for the Warriors to make win a title. I thinktheir greatest need is a consistent threat in the post to get points against teams who have the ability to slow the Warriors pace down. </p> AK47 is a great player and defender, but it's hard to justify his price tag, especially if it ends up costing you Beans or Monta down the line, or possibly even re-signing B. Diddy.</p> </p></div> Agree with that. In theory, AK would be a good fit here but is he really going to make us much better? All those years of dominance from him were when he was the man in Utah and most of the time when he was the man they sucked. Lets not forget we just gave ourselves the all-important freedom of cap flexibility, trading for AK would completely destroy that. Not to mention we just drafted the PF of the future in Wright, making a move for AK may hinder his development or we may end up in a situation where Wright is that Bosh-esque post threat and we need to dump AK but there will be no takers.</p> I also believe AK's fit in Nellie's system isn't as ideal as many make it out to be. Sure, hes got SF athleticism with PF shotblocking/rebounding skills but hes missing two key characteristics to paly in Nellie's offense; a jumpshot and the attitude. Is Nellie really going to play AK and Biedrins at the same time? AK is mediocre at best from 3 pt land and he hates playing more than one guy who can't shoot. Also, as we've seen with Dun, Murphy, and Ike, Nellie hates players who are mentally weak, inconsistent, and habitual complainers/blamers. AK fits all three from what I've observed. How is AK going to react if and whne Nelson is ragging on him in the media, is he going to cry like he did in Utah? Nellie has no remorse or patience for guys like that. </p>
Uh...folks....we just bought out a better shotblocker---Foyle.....We seem reluctant to pay $4 mill for Pietrus---a defensive player who OUTSCORED AK by almosat 3 pt a game....without being a starter. AK is 4 yrs at about a $15 mill avg and his numbers last year were below the Dunleavy level.. We are talkin' DAMAGED....FLAKY....a player who was either in a daze or pouting (niether is good). We can no longer toss a Foyle-Jazzy package at the Jazz as the bulk of a deal.</p> Harrington + ? I'm not satisfied with Harrington because 6+ rebounds are too damn few for our PF-----but AK had 2 LESS per game..about equal to Barnes--though in a lot more minutes. Lasme can do anything AK did last season at a WHOLE LOT less $. </p>
AK47 is in the same boat as why I don't want Shawn Marion. </p> Way overpaid! IMO he doesn't make us a title contender because his primary role is defense rather than being a go-to guy on offense. He is not a dominant threat on offense nor a consistent enough shooter. He's a decent offensive player and he's a smart player, but he's not great at making others better as a distributor and leading team scorer. His bread and butter is to block lots of shots, get steals, and play energetic defense on multiple positions similar to how Tayshaun Prince operates (another all-around player, but whose primary role is to focus on defense and contribute a minor or medium role on offense as a glue guy). If we want that kind of player, we have to leave enough $$$ room first for guys that can do the things that nobody on the current team can bring. We have a dominant threat going one-on-one on the perimeter (Baron Davis), he can pass, he can score, and he's our best vocal leader. The next thing we need is to invest in at least two players who can rebound and can score in the post. That's why I think the Warriors went through the trouble to trade for Brandan Wright because if he can prove to be strong at the nba level, he's got enough advanced scoring footwork/passing ability to be a dominant threat in the post and find shooters spotting up from outside. But the gamble is he's a lot like Biedrins in that he's now got to rely on quickness because there is no bulk or strength to stay rooted and hold low post position against heavier, stronger players. Plus Brandan Wright doesn't have that much range and he only takes shots he is comfortable in making (which might lead us to believe he is unaggressive rather than dominating). I think the Warriors are heading in the right direction if the rookies pay off in the long run because they got some nice prototype position players who can provide quickness mismatches with great coordination and high basketball IQ. If they add a little bit of strength, they've got a good future the inside and outside game with the quickness to front their man on perimeter defense. But IMO inside and outside dominance is key. If Belinelli starts playing like Ray Allen or Penny Hardaway and Brandan Wright starts terrorizing people inside and from the mid post like Chris Bosh/Tim Duncan, we could be a very good team in the future so long as Baron Davis stays healthy and we got somebody like Monta Ellis being a great spark off the bench or starting as a undersized shooting guard. Oh and let's not forget Sjax. He's very important as well since he can play both sides of the ball and pass it. Harrington is somewhat important, but... I think sooner or later he will tire of the demands for playing power forward and center. He is an oversized small forward by the way he plays and finishes. </p>
