You think we have drama about who starts or who sits, Golden State is straight madness! http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/61820/20090928/monta_says_he_cant_play_with_curry/ It Can't Work? According to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis doesn't see a combination of him and rookie Stephen Curry in the backcourt being very successful. "Can't. We just can't," Ellis said on media day in Oakland. According to Kawakami, teammate Stephen Jackson not only didn't take back his trade request – without saying the fine-prompting words – but he said the Warriors have gotten worse with every move they have made in the past two years. Oh, and he signed the extension last year because there is no way he could turn down the money. Welcome to the 2009-10 NBA season Warriors fans. Now, while it's not fashionable for players to say things like this because it makes a lot of people uncomfortable, let's take a look at the two statements. Ellis and Curry Can't Work Together Curry and Ellis are both listed at 6-3 and 180 and 185 pounds, respectively. So, um, which of them is going to body up on Kobe Bryant or Brandon Roy? Defensively, while both players are exceedingly quick and can go the other way in a hurry, they just don't have the size and strength to keep much stronger shooting guards from driving right over them to the hoop. Both players can shoot, both players have handle (though, respectively, not true point guard handle), and both can direct an offense. Essentially, the Warriors drafted another Ellis when they took Curry. Now, Monta can't be the only one who thinks this combination starting in the backcourt is less than ideal. Every Move in the Past Two Years Has Made Them Worse Well, to be fair, there have been a lot of them. As far as trades, there is the recent Jamal Crawford to Atlanta for Speedy Claxton and Acie Law move. Talentwise it's hard to disagree with Jackson, since Crawford can score (although the Warriors have plenty of that) and Claxton and Law couldn't get healthy or break a lineup in Atlanta. MORE BY JASON FLEMING NBA PM: Boozer Ready For Season: Boozer ready to play...Beasley has head on straight...Daryl Morey gets... Portland Trail Blazers 2009-2010 Preview: Here is a preview of what to expect this season, and what we here at... Atlanta Hawks 2009-2010 Preview: Here is a preview of what to expect this season, and what we here at... View Jason Fleming Archive Heck, you could argue the extension to Jackson was a bad move as well, since even though he is an excellent player they have others who can play the swing positions. Well, either that or the free agent signing of Corey Maggette was bad – they can't both be good. The extensions for Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis may have been a tad high, but they aren't bad moves. Well, Ellis' looks bad now, but only because of the moped incident. It's hard to put that on management. They traded a 2011 first pick to New Jersey last July for point guard Marcus Williams…whom they cut. The signing of Ronny Turiaf was a reasonable deal, but in Don Nelson's offense he won't get a lot of burn. Trading Jason Richardson for Brandan Wright was an obvious minus in the talent department, but it did give them cap relief. You know, to sign Corey Maggette. They have done well in the draft. Anthony Randolph has a bright future and Curry is a good player, even if he's not the team's best fit. I can co-sign on Jackson saying every move has been bad, but you can make a decent argument that most of them have been, well, less than ideal.
They're F'd. Their best players aren't on the same page and their both headcases. Doesn't bode well for them. Oh well, they'll still give us a run for our money. No matter who's on their team, they always seem to play us well.
If I wasn't so high on Batum, I'd like KP to go after Jackson, but as it is....I'll pass. Too bad we couldn't take Turiaf off their hands for some spare parts.
especially if the refs are going to buy Maggette's repeated flops on D after being thrust into guarding Aldridge... some of the most blatant home cooking I've seen in person. The W's do need to make some moves, but they've some nice pieces that should hold interest for some. But there are bigger things in play here. Their owner (Chris Cohan) bought the team the year I moved here by the Bay 16 years back. He's been truly terrible and is reported to be trying to sell his stake. For the sake of basketball fans I hope he strikes a deal soon. STOMP
