Well that was crap. Monta looked terrible and was practically invisible the whole game. What happened to the aggressiveness? I just didn't see it. If Monta is going to play passive we are doomed. Nowitski just abused anyone matched up on him. I've never seen so many lame defenses on basic spin moves in one game. Let's call it the Pylon Defense. Then there's the non-existent perimeter defense. I saw numerous plays where there was no Warrior within ten feet of a jump shooter. It's one thing to be in front of them but not get a hand in their face but my goodness that was disgusting. I thought it was hilarious that one of the ESPN commentators said, talking about Keith Smart, "I think the worst job in the NBA would be to be the defensive coordinator on the Golden State Warriors." He nailed that one.
The thing with GS is, even the poor teams in the NBA don't look bad like that. Because, while teams like OKC, Washington and Sacramento may not have as much pure talent as the Warriors, they don't seem to mail it in the way GS does. Why? I don't know. Maybe it's me. Maybe my view is skewed. But I think it has to do with the leadership. I mean, I'm sorry. But Stephen Jackson is a terrible leader. He is an AWESOME big brother, wing-man, role player. But he is a terrible #1 leader. He just sets a bad example. Leadership isn't about about trying to be a star. Look at Billups vs. Iverson. My goodness, I don't know about you, but I could see that coming a mile away. Back in November, I said Denver just got a whole lot better with Billups, and that they'd be scary in a few months. That was addition by subtraction, IMO. Remove Iverson, who wants 20-25 FG attempts at low %, insert Billups, who is rock-solid floor general to get the ball to Melo, and Voila! Billups sets a good example for the team. They seem to trust him, and they seem to want to follow his lead. Iverson seems to be a headcase and a problem for chemistry. Two players, similar stats, similar contracts, WORLDS APART in terms of value to the team. Billups could be MVP candidate by years end. Iverson and the Pistons are falling fast. As far as Jax -- He throws up garbage and then stands and throws a temper tantrum at the ref, leaving his teammates out to dry playing 4-on-5. He bricks three after three, ignoring his teammates. Then, he tries to "look" like a PG, making a point to pass, even when there's no pass there, just to "make a statement" or something. He's a terrific passer for his position.; but, half the time, it seems he does it just to get attention, like 'see, I can pass, too." Basically, Jax has bade selection. Bad shot selection, and bad pass selection, too. He was the perfect "quiet" complimentary player to Baron, but as the #1 leader, frankly I think he just creates bad chemistry. Not his personality, mind you -- he's likable, and funny. I mean by his actions. By the example he sets. And for a leader, it's all about actions, not words. You lead by example. What kind of message do Jax's temper tantrums send to guys like Anthony Randolph? Now, just imagine if our leader was Billups. Billups Monta Bellinelli/Azibuike/Morrow Randolph/Wright Beans C'mon. You know that looks damn good. Finally, we get a leader who doesn't need to steal the spotlight. Have you ever seen Billups throw a tempertantrum? Doesn't need to. He lets his play do the talking. Basically, I just think this team needs some veterans who play the right way. Maggette is a class act in the locker room and in interviews. But his play--his actions on the court--is bad leadership. I'm not even talking about his being a ball hog -- I know he's a "scorer." I have a problem with him shooting 14 straight jumpers, but I'm not calling him out on that right now. I'm calling him out on the horrible example he sets on defense. Standing, flatfooted, back straight, just watching and waiting for it to be over so he can get his mitts on that ball again. It's "I love me some me" on the defensive end, too. He just sets a bad example. He could learn a thing or two from Bellinelli, who has 1/2 the physique but 2x the heart. Craw? I don't know. He seems to blow on his hands to keep them warm more than he does use them to guard his man. What's up with the hand-lowing anyway? It's like a self-conscious habit or something. Though, who am I to judge, we all have our issues. But the dude does not play a lick of body-defense. He moves around and goes through the motions, but it's almost like he's a spectre. You see him there, but if you try to drive at him, you'll go right through him like he's a mirage. He's a hologram. That's his new nickname. He's a Crawfogram. Get rid of the volume shooters, and get some vets who will set a positive example for the players that really matter on this roster: that being Monta, Beans, Bellinelli, Wright, Randolph, and Morrow, of course. Until then, the hard work and diligent play of those guys will be obscured by the "I love me some me" attitude of the leadership on this team.
