Who do you guys think will be the starting point guard for the Warriors come opening night? Fisher or Speedy? I think that it will be Fisher because he was the one that the team went out and spent the free agent money on. What do you think?
Entering the preseason, it seemed to be an even matchup, but now, Fisher seems to be ahead. It might be moot if Speedy's injury is worse than it appears, or even if it lingers. I think it actually will be decided due to preseason performances, and if Fisher keeps up his play and Claxton is either injured or taking precautions against reinjury, Fisher will get in. Considering Flores' troubles converting to PG, the W's need to keep Claxton healthy throughout the long run.
Although I love Speedy, I think he would be great coming off the bench. He is a great energy player and brings instant energy to the game.
Didn't speedy play really poorly coming off the bench last season behind van exel..... and then excel as a starter? Fisher i think is mentally stronger to handle being a reserve. He did it all last year and i am sure the minutes will be equally divided.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">One guy has a strained groin. The other is the team's leading scorer through four preseason games. So, at the halfway point, guess who's winning the race to be the Golden State Warriors' starting point guard between Speedy Claxton and Derek Fisher? The fact is, you would have to guess because the guy holding the checkered flag isn't saying. That's because he hasn't made up his mind yet. "When we get Adonal (Foyle) and (Mickael) Pietrus back, we have 11 guys capable of starting," Warriors coach Mike Montgomery said before embarking on this week's four-game trek to Southern California. Game 3 is tonight at the Staples Center against the Los Angeles Lakers. "You have to look at all the combinations," he continued. "There are a lot of them." Montgomery has tried four combinations in his starting lineups so far. Clearly, some have been better than others. </div> Source This is a closer battle than I thought it would be, and I didn't expect Fisher to even be considered as the starter. The original position battle I thought would be between Speedy and Dunleavy. If I were the Warriors I would let Speedy be the opening day starter. He's more familiar with his teammates and is a better defender. The Warriors will be missing a creator on the court if Speedy goes to the bench, and will have to rely on JRich or Dunleavy to initiate the offense. Neither of which have shown me they are capable of playing that role.
JRich could play a big role offensivley by creating some offense. Troy Murphy has shown already that he is caple of averaging a double double in the west which is impressive. Whether or not Fisher or Speedy is starting, we will have a nice point guard coming off the bench.
I believe that Fisher will start on opening day, but both will probably share the minutes at point guard. While Fisher will be the starting games, Claxton will most likely be the one finishing them, and that is what's important. Claxton is more suited to come off the bench with his speed to be a sparkplug for the Warriors and cause turnovers by the opponents. I would also like to see them being played together in the backcourt and J-Rich or Pietrus being bumped to the three. Claxton and Fisher can be great partners with Fisher draining threes and Claxton slashing to the hoop.
I think Fisher should be the starter and he probaly will be.He has more expierence then Speedy does so that gives him an edge over him.This isnt really a good thing for the Warriors,Speedy has proven that he can come off the bench and produce,not to mention how much energy he will bring to games.
Fisher should be the opening day starter. He can shoot, dish, and can play thru pressure. Speedy is way better coming off the bench. He comes in and gets the job done. Very good player to have on anyone's team...
I think they're roughly equal because you can depend on them to set the tone for certain situations, but not all obviously. Fisher is an all around player to watch out for that can pass, shoot and although he isn't as quick/athletic, he's a decent defender off the ball and can trick opposing guards into drawing a charge. He's got muscles everywhere. Speedy on the other hand is a better defender on the ball because he can put a lot of pressure on his assignment and still stay in front of him which can make an impact on how the other team can run its offense. His one one one skills are excellent and he can create offense for others with his quickness and floor awareness. His size really hurts him though because he is not as strong as other point guards and he's more prone to injury. Both are adequate floor generals and have been on championship teams. But all in all I think Speedy is the guy to start with and Fisher is the guy you want to close the games with. Much like last year when I felt Speedy should have started and NVE closes the game. It's not who starts, but who finishes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting petitt33:</div><div class="quote_post">Fisher should be the opening day starter. He can shoot, dish, and can play thru pressure. Speedy is way better coming off the bench. He comes in and gets the job done. Very good player to have on anyone's team...</div> I disagree that Speedy is better coming off the bench. Based on what I saw last year, Speedy was way better when he started games. He was more in control and a whole lot more confident. I also feel that Fisher will be better suited coming off the bench because of his experience. It is Speedy's job to lose IMO, Fisher just can't come in here and be the starter, he has to earn it. Speedy earned it last year and should start. I am not sure that this is the only position battle. Is Murphy a lock to be a starter, or is Cliff still in the picture. I sure hope Murphy does start all the way through. The thing I liked about Musselman is that he picked his starters and stuck with them (at least in the beginning of games), there were no controversy's as to who should start.
Maybe we're having a hard time deciding who should start because the pieces don't seem to fit. We're still transitioning from open court to a half court system because.... of Dunleavy? Oh man we're betting on the wrong horsie if that's the case. So far Jrich is our best player and I think he would excel if you give him a good point guard, a fast, defensive small forward that can hit 3's or midrange jumpers (a Bruce Bowen, Joe Johnson, George Lynch type players) and someone that can run with him. And then there's Murphy who could be dominating because of his size and hard-nosed style of play is more of face the basket player then he is a banger in the paint and has trouble guarding quicker power forwards in the league like Kmart/Amare Stoudaire. Who are we building around you think? We're still in limbo like last year, but I think the coaching situation isn't in limbo like our roster is.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We're still transitioning from open court to a half court system because.... of Dunleavy? Oh man we're betting on the wrong horsie if that's the case. So far Jrich is our best player and I think he would excel if you give him a good point guard, a fast, defensive small forward that can hit 3's or midrange jumpers (a Bruce Bowen, Joe Johnson, George Lynch type players) and someone that can run with him. And then there's Murphy who could be dominating because of his size and hard-nosed style of play is more of face the basket player then he is a banger in the paint and has trouble guarding quicker power forwards in the league like Kmart/Amare Stoudaire. Who are we building around you think? We're still in limbo like last year, but I think the coaching situation isn't in limbo like our roster is.</div> First suggestion for you: Pietrus would be that player to go well with Jason Richardson. I thought so long ago. I loved what I saw in that Bulls game in Chicago in being an example of how good the duo of Pietrus and Jason can be. Pietrus is able to run the court with JRich, play defense, and hit some shots from range, along with handling the ball a little bit. Also it really seems as if Jason is becoming a good passer lately, from what i see in the box scores and near the end of last season. I do like that. And the Warriors don't know what they are doing Custoidanrules, or I guess I should say that they don't know who they want to build with... They build outside-in, and they never build inside-out, until it's too late and their bad contracts hand-cuff them from keeping their good core and the players they want to build with. I say the Warriors just build with Speedy(more-so if he were healthier), JRich, Pietrus, Murphy, and Biedrins along with some cap room(for possible free agents and draft picks. However the Warriors making sketchy moves in signing big contracts this last offseason to Foyle and Fisher, may prohibit that strategy from working. This season is going to be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see some moves happening this February.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Clif25:</div><div class="quote_post">First suggestion for you: Pietrus would be that player to go well with Jason Richardson. I thought so long ago. I loved what I saw in that Bulls game in Chicago in being an example of how good the duo of Pietrus and Jason can be. Pietrus is able to run the court with JRich, play defense, and hit some shots from range, along with handling the ball a little bit. Also it really seems as if Jason is becoming a good passer lately, from what i see in the box scores and near the end of last season. I do like that. And the Warriors don't know what they are doing Custoidanrules, or I guess I should say that they don't know who they want to build with... They build outside-in, and they never build inside-out, until it's too late and their bad contracts hand-cuff them from keeping their good core and the players they want to build with. I say the Warriors just build with Speedy(more-so if he were healthier), JRich, Pietrus, Murphy, and Biedrins along with some cap room(for possible free agents and draft picks. However the Warriors making sketchy moves in signing big contracts this last offseason to Foyle and Fisher, may prohibit that strategy from working. This season is going to be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see some moves happening this February.</div> Glad to hear ya explain it, Clif, because sometimes I'm like, "okay I'm frustrated what have we gotten our selves into and what are we doing talking about how great Dunleavy is?" It's not his fault the organization is doing bad, but It's bad enough the nba has all these trackstar athletes that can't shoot, we got one that wouldn't win a footrace against a parked car that also can't shoot. Might as well build around Jrich / Murph / Biedrens / Pietrus along with Speedy because least you can get better defense and better scoring out of them. Biedrens can play some forward and so can Pietrus and you have that mix of scoring and defense. Plus in the future we could have a full team with Claxton at the 1, Pietrus at the 2, Richardson at the 3, Murphy at the 4, and Biedrens at the 5 spot. What trades do you think our going down this February. Hopefully Foyle, as much as I like his character, but I doubt it. Fisher is worth it for the short term, but long term it's going to end up hurting us especially when he gets even slower and more injury prone when he draws charges.
Fisher will start Speedy should start. I don't think it will be that long until Speedy takes over starting duties. They'll both get their minutes but Speedy is a better player.
Part of me wants to say start Fisher because of his leadership, experience, and that he was on a championship team. What makes us think that ANYBODY on our team is better than ANY starter on a better team? I know, dumb argument, but you get my point. In a way, I want to have this starting line up... Fisher Jrich Dun (until Pietrus gets healthy) Murph Davis But I know it is going to be Speedy Jrich Dunleavy Murphy Foyle Same old Warriors. If we want to win and bust this playoff drought, I think we need to start the new players...
