Please, Warriors Get a Point Guard.

This team isn't that bad, and they would be better if they had a PG and a little tweaking. The Bobcats want to deal Raymond Felton and want a backup for DJ Augustin. What about dealing Crawford who could be a backup at PG and start at SG and Marcus Williams for Felton and Nazr Mohammed who could become the next Adonal Foyle and whipping person to Nelson (Scott May would be even better, since he's the Sta Puf man)? Felton would become the PG for now and the future. Or Kirk Hinrich who appears to be on the trading block?

This makes too much sense, so the Warriors won't do it.

Please, Cohan sell the team.

 

We could get Felton, and some other pieces who can defend and rebound, in this trade:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ajjfvm

I'd do it. It would make the team better in terms of defense, rebounding, and it would make Monta/Beans better too, IMO.

 

LOL, of course you'd do it. We're getting rid of our three worst contracts! Therefore, it will never happen.

Here's a more reasonable and realistic trade (I never do these trade machine things, but here goes):

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=awgrs3

We offload two guards, one unused and one that might opt out next year. Then we get rid of Kurz (this is filler to make the trade work) who is takes up PT from Wright and Randolph.

We acquire a big PF who can rebound (to me this is a bigger issue than having a PG). Wilcox is not happy in OKC, so why not take advantage of that. We now have a legitimate PF who does the things no one else does on this team. He can start or come off the bench. I think that's a nice front court we have with Biedrins, Turiaf, Wilcox, and Wright. The downside is it might take away PT from Wright, but if that's the case, then maybe it's not meant to be.

We also acquire a good backup PG who averages almost as much assists (5.8) as points (6.4). He also plays good on ball defense, something CJ isn't that great at. I believe he has also been rumored to want out of OKC.

I think this is a good trade for OKC since they get an expiring contract in Williams, a potential opt out in Crawford, but still a good player to have for a team that is 21st in scoring, and Kurz, who they can afford to waive.

That's my big non-blockbuster trade idea.

 

? The contracts are pretty much equal. Boris Diaw comes in at $9 mils/year. That's more than any of those three Jax/Mags/Craw makes. And he puts up a meager 12 pts 5 reb. So, many would see that as the Bobcats unloading one of their worst contracts.

And Wallace is injured. Plus, he makes about $10 mills/year for 4 years, and he only puts up 16.4 pts and 7.4 reb. So, to many people, that would be a steal, getting Stephen Jackson, who only makes 8 mils/year over 5 years, and puts up 20 pts, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.

To many people, you would have it completely backwards, DK. To many people, this would be Charlotte getting rid of a few bad contracts and taking back more reasonable ones.

My whole point of why I offer this trade is because too many people are concerned with numbers. If you just look at the players, and how they would fit together, and how they would complement the young core, it seems obvious that this trade would make the Warriors so much better.

You get guys who will defend, rebound, pass well, and not demand 20 shots a night. They will complement Ellis/Beans, IMO, and probably make for much better team chemistry.

Felton is up after 1 year, so if he doesn't pan out, it's cap relief. Raja Bell is an awesome defender/three shooter off the bench, perfect for those special assignments when we need someone shut down.

Wallace at the SF gives us everything Jax doesn't. Tough rebounding, shot blocking, and fast break dunks.
Also, Diaw would probably become an 18 point scorer under Nellie. Jackson would probably fall to a 15 point scorer under Brown.

Felton
Ellis
Wallace
Diaw
Biedrins

I like that right there. Though with Nellie, who knows. He may go:

Felton
Ellis
Bell
Wallace
Biedrins

I still like it.

In terms of team play, defense, rebounding, and a vision of the future core, I think this trade works perfectly for the Warriors. However, I'm not sure where you get the idea that it's unrealistic (other than the fact that it's a blockbuster). Numbers wise, and contracts wise, this probably favors the Bobcats if anything.

 

Okay, I looked at it more closely and I spoke to soon about the contracts. So, you're right, we would be inheriting some bad contracts. Not only that, we're inheriting players I'm not a huge fan of. Especially Wallace. The guy plays D, but he's injury prone...don't you think multiple concussions is something to worry about, especially in the NBA?

I don't know, I'm not going to spend too much time thinking about this, but it seems we're trading away better players for bunch of mediocre players to a team (Warriors) full of already mediocre players.

Not sure how these players from Charlotte solve the rebounding problem we have.

I don't think Wallace is better than Jackson, at all. He is way too one-dimensional on offense (and erratic).

It seems like we're adding more players to the wing positions, which is not what we really need, while getting rid of our top 3 scorers, which is what the Warriors rely on. Aren't we trying to offload players from that position? Instead, we're adding one more player to that. That doesn't make sense. I think it's unrealistic not because of the contracts, but because it wouldn't solve any of the Warriors' problems right away. You don't inherit team play, you work at it, and it seems like the the Warriors are starting to do that with Jackson, Maggette, and Crawford leading the way.

 

Agreed.

 

^^yup, those are good points, run. didn't really think of it that way, but you're right.

 

Quality PGs don't grow on trees and we don't have a huge expiring to get one unless Crawford opts out next season. I wouldn't mind Raymond Felton because he's gotten better as a scorer and distributor, and is able to play the fast paced run and gun style. I doubt he's going to be able to command the $10 M per season he's looking for so would not be too expensive like a Kirk Hinrich is. The other guy who would appear to fit would be Ramon Sessions who may be available, too. He's a big PG in the Baron Davis mode except he doesn't shoot 3s which could be a blessing. He may be even cheaper than Felton to re-sign because he's less experienced. To me, the PG is the engine that makes a team go. The Kings thought a backup PG would be able to take over and dealt Mike Bibby, but it turned them into one of the worst teams in the league. The Warriors have more depth, but they need to make the right strategic decisions, too.

The other way to go would be the draft and there's Ricky Rubio, who would be a fantastic fit, but the Warriors would have to get lucky and land a lotto pick.

 

I agree with JV here. I just don't think you can quantify a true PG production as easily as simply looking at assists and ball control of the team. PG is a special mind-set. A true PG is always a leader, because they know the show is in their hands. It doesn't mean they are the best player; but it does mean they are assertive, determined and always plugged into the coach.

PG is a mind set, and a great PG is always in that mindset. Every time the ball is in their hands they are using peripheral vision to see the whole floor, to see the passing lanes, and to take advantage of any opportunity to get their guys an easy bucket.

Yes, a committee of players can bring the ball over the half court line and run a play. I mean, Biedrins can bring it up-court, too.

But PG is so much more than that. And it takes a guy who is clearly set in that role, he is the floor general, not just one of several guys who brings the ball over half-court. There should be no debate, no hesitation when the loose ball is picked up -- every player immediately looks for their PG and gives him the ball. He is the engine that makes the car go.

When you have Craw/Jack/Monta all on the floor together, they can't seem to figure out who is PG. They all kind of think they are. And they all hesitate as far as their role is concerned. When Turiaf picks up the loose ball, sometimes he gives it to Jack. Other times, Jack has his hands out like "I'm open," but Turiaf turns and gives it to Monta. Other times, Crawford and Monta come back to get the ball together. Turiaf hesitates, then gives it to Crawford, and Monta has an expression of hurt feelings (lol).

The bad part about this is that NO ONE player is fully in the mindset. At times, they are trying to think about running the play or setting up the pass. But not ALWAYS. Sometimes, they loose focus of that, because at the moment it isn't their job. Crawford oscillates between thinking he's the floor general PG and thinking he's Kobe. It's a bad combo.

I would LOVE to get a true PG who everyone knows that is THE point guard, he is the #1 and he gets the ball every time. Everyone else go get open because he is going to find a way to get you all shots. Even a guy like Brevin Knight or Chris Duhon -- mid-level vets who don't need to score 20 a night. I'd love that because then Monta can just focus on scoring and Jack can stop trying to pretend he's Baron Davis.

But, alas, I know that they are hard to come by. Still, it should be a priority. Because, while a committee of players can bring the ball over half court, that type of strategy makes it impossible for ONE guy to stay in the PG mindset and be the floor general. To me, it's impossible to be a good PO team without that.

 

Before we go to Shapecity's list, I rather see what we can get on the market for a PG because those guys are ready to play. Of course, there aren't any premier PGs like Paul or Williams available who will make our team better because they make other players better. Those guys we will have to get via the draft because most teams won't give up an all-star or potential all-star.

But back to Felton. I feel he can be our leader because we have Monta and AB or someone else who will be our all-star(s). Let's face it, you need at least two all-stars to win a championship. I don't think we have to have Felton be an all-star (which he isn't) to win. Neither is Kirk Hinrich, an all-star, but both can play the point. I'm not sure how good Ramon Sessions can be, so he's somebody who would be a good pickup. With CJ Watson, we automatically have a backup PG and possibly Marco Bellinelli could turn into a decent PG, but at this point, we don't know because Nelson does not play him enough. Don't get me wrong, if Marco could do the job and can play on par with Felton or Sessions, then I have no problems giving him the job. However, we have not seen that kind of continuous production from him. That's why I think we should go after a Felton or Sessions.

 

Well, Marco was playing a lot until he got hurt. I think if you can see the potential for him playing PG, there's no need to pull the trigger on a mediocre player who is a "true PG." Although, I like Ramon Sessions more than Felton.

 

I hear ya, but I differ on two things. First, one argument for why Craw/Mags/Jax are playing 35-40 minutes and Morrow is only getting 51 seconds is because we're trying to "build" some chemistry/steam for next year even though we have no shot at POs. So the same argument holds true for getting a PG like Felton now -- of course there's no rush for POs this year, but it would still help build cohesiveness going into next season (assuming he retains the starting role).

Second, I don't think we need a star PG. But I already posted my views on that earlier. I think we need a solid, reliable floor general -- not an all star. A guy like Duhon would do it for me. Solid, good defender, smart, and most importantly -- assertive. He plays like he's the leader even though he's not the best player. He's not a star but he's perfect at PG IMO.

Of course it would be nice to get a star like CP3/Williams or score some miracle in the draft. But what are the chances? Further, even if we get a mid-level PG like Felton now, who says we can't also draft one in the summer, too?

My feeling is that there's nothing to lose. Of course we don't trade prospects/picks/stars for him. Maggette or Crawford should be more than enough to get it done, no? At worst, his contract expires sooner that theirs. And we get a shot at trying out a real PG with Monta/Jack/Beans again.

 

I think someone mentioned him earlier but how old is Brevin Knight? I think he's got something left, especially since his game was built on smarts, not necessarily athleticism or speed. I'd like to add him or someone like Duhon to man the point and teach the PG we draft (hopefully) the little things like when to push or pull back, how to spread the floor on a fast break, how to get guys involved and feed the hot hand. Those seems like obvious things but IMO those are what separates "true PGs" from guys who just bring the ball up.

The biggest difference I have with you, AO, is that I only want them to be here one or two years and have a plan in place for someone to take over. Not just wait and hope like we did with Baron and Monta.


EDIT: I don't know enough about Sessions but from what I've seen, I'm not all that impressed. The guy I'd like to get from Mil is Ridnour. Don't forget, he went to the second round of the playoffs on the sonics with no inside presence. Of course Allen was the star, but him and Watson had a lot to do with their success.

 

Ideally, we'll want a point guard that plays defense which Ridnour is not very good at. I wouldn't mind a combo guard provided he's Sam Cassell type smart. How about we push for Kirk Hinrich like JV mentioned? Also, if we want a Brevin Knight type of guard we should look at Mike Conley if he's being shopped.

The warriors more than anything need to take care of the glass and continue to improve defensively. All the offense is pointless if we're not rebounding and protecting the basket. I would hope we concentrate on loading up on bigs and acquire a point guard through free agency, but if there's no bigs available we should take the best available point guard (hopefully with 3 or more years of college/international experience). The draft is a crapshoot because we also need a guy that is a dominant player to build around. Somebody that has a developed body and polished skillset. We can't get these guys that don't know how to pass properly or defend or can't shoot. We need some fundamentals like Lebron James mixed with the power and quickness of... Lebron James.

 

The thinking is we want to win now and in the future. I think Felton is better than mediocre and he has some upside, too. If he really achieves, then he could be another Kevin Johnson for the Warriors. Still, I like to see more consistency to go along with his upside. If Felton becomes close to another Kevin Johnson, then the Warriors have a chance to make it back to the playoffs next year with Monta coming back from the start and the Warriors regulars having another year under their young belt.

I'm not discounting the draft either. We could take a PG from the draft, too. It's just that it will take at least one or two years to develop one from the draft unless we get lucky and land Rubio.

 

Raymond Felton can't shoot. Look at his stats: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/raymond_felton/index.html?nav=page

Stephen Jackson is averaging .2 assists lower and averages 1 rebound more than Felton. Not that it's fair to compare the two, but Jackson is doing things that Felton is doing in Charlotte, but better.

Felton might be better than mediocre, but he's not that good, IMO. Not good enough to add to our roster full of capable ball handlers and offense initiators (as Fitz would call it).