B. Davis for D. Davis and Speedy. It's bit funny to say, but Mullin's biggest asset as a GM may not be how he draft, trade, or resign players, but how he can gain Cohan's full support like no previous GMs couldn't even imagine. Less than a year, Mullin convinced Cohan to committ nearly 300 mils on this club, and I don't know Cohan committed 300 mils on Nelson + Twerdzik + PJ + Saint combined. Maybe, Cohan also got sick and tired of losing seasons and he put all eggs on Mullin, or Mullin mastered how to hypnotize Cohan. But the bottom line is that Mullin somehow convinced Cohan to open his wallet for years, even if this move will more than likely put us to pay luxury tax for years, and without Cohan's support, there is no way for Mullin to pull this deal. That doesn't mean that Mullin didn't make a bad trade in any stretch of imagination. Man, what a trade! After horrendous offseason, Mullin rebounded big time with this trade. There is no question that I would love to keep Speedy. However, if we receive Davis, we have to get rid of Speedy one way or the other, because we can't remove Fisher. Not only Mullin was able to package expandable Speedy with Davis, he didn't even lose a single second rounder to Hornets. If Davis can regain his old form and remain healthy, Mullin deserve to be in prison for lifetime, because it's a big time robbery. Davis' health is certainly making me worry. Rumor is that many teams turned away from Davis after looking at doctor's report, and that may be the reason why we were able to receive Davis at a bargain price. And... Downside... Guys, start pray that new CBA will be kinder to luxury tax. http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/golden_state.htm Starting from 2006 to 2009, Davis, Richardson, Fisher, Murphy and Foyle will take 45 mils to 55 mils, and in current CBA, luxury tax line will probably be drawn at 55-60 mils range this offseason. If there is no change in current CBA and Cohan doesn't want to pay significant amount of luxury tax, we are simply screwed in later years, and we may have to trade players like Richardson or Davis for nothing like what Hornets did. Also, if that's the case, it would be extremely hard for us to resign any of our current rookies or make any moves to fill the hole without moving any of our significant pieces. There still is huge holes for us to fill, and Mullin must be creative to fill those holes. And, I really hope that Mullin has some future plans and didn't go "er, I will worry future problems when they become a problem in years." Mullin's fate will probably tied with Davis, because if this gigantic gamble fails, we will be in deep deep trouble for years to come. Of course, if Davis remains healthy and Warriors make PO because of Davis, Mullin will be a savior Also, it's funny to see how fate works sometimes. We let Dickau go for nothing, and he is flourishing in Hornets. And, his success might push Hornets to trade Davis for nothing. Hey, Mullin's greatest move is waiving Dickau, so that we could get Davis for bargain price . It's all part of the plan... Denver - Warriors trade. In a sense, I love this trade more than Davis trade, because Mullin was able to dump salary without paying much. Sure, Najera's contract isn't that big, but it still usually take more than one lower first rounder and one promising rookie. Not only Mullin dumped Najera's 5 mils/3 years contract for Flores and Dallas' pick, we also received Skita and White. I don't put much faith on Skita, especially when we have Dunleavy, Murphy, Biedrins, Jarko to develop, but who knows. Sixers - Kings trade. I don't get it. First, I thought Kings simply dumped Webber's salary, because Kings go nowhere and the owner want to rebuild/reduce salary. But, it turned out that 3 guys they receive make as much as Webber makes. So, why? There must be more reasons behind it or it just doesn't make much sense for Kings to give up a franchise player for 3 role players without upside. Sixers - Hornets. I guess Philly must be serious, because they are willing to gamble on Mashburn's contract to get Rogers. For Hornets, they were able to dump yet another salary to clean up the house. Boston - Atlanta. Can you imagine Mullin rehiring Muss back after all those snipings? Nelson, PJ, Spree and Webber spending Christmas together? Well, if Ainge can reacquire Walker, anything can happen. It may be a good trade for Boston this season, but it certainly makes Ainge look bad. Was he that desperate? For Atlanta... Why? Whether they hold onto Walker or get Payton, Goog, and Stewart, their contracts will all end after this season. Knowing that Boston is willing to take Walker, can't they at least fry one second rounder? Meanless trade for Atlanta. Dallas - Bucks. It must be nice to have Cuban's wallet. Because they can keep trading expiring contracts for something better. I don't know exactly what Van Horn can do in Mavs, but something is better than nothing. Also, Van Horn will clear up 10+ mils next year, so that's very nice bargain chip for next season. For Bucks, they dumped some money to resign Redd next year. Knicks - Spurs, Knicks - Rockets. Uh... Well... Next season, Knicks would have gotten 46 mils expiring contract. Yes, 46 mils expiring contract! If we were able to get Davis for Davis and Speedy's expiring contracts, just imagine what you can do with 46 mils expiring contract! And, there is no limit for Knicks to spend, so they don't have to worry about luxury tax and stuff! Sooo... what did Thomas did? He traded away some of 2 years remaining contracts for longer contracts, while not receiving much in return. Sure, 2 first rounders are nice, but when is the last time NY actually developed impact rookie? Also, those picks aren't likely be lottory picks anyway. Moreover, they traded Mohammad, servicable center, and first thing Thomas said was that getting a center is their priority. Uh... For Spurs, they received another servicable big man, while dumping Rose's contract. I wonder what Thomas was smoking while making that deal. For Houston, they were able to get some help in PG, while dumping Taylor's contract. Dang it, Mullin. Call NY and dump Foyle and Fisher's contract! Biggest loser: As usual, Fans who create millions of trade scenarios. Exception of our seemlingly pipe dream of getting Davis from Hornets, did anybody see those trades coming?
Uhoh, Kwan, you seem almost giddy about the Davis trade! This guy better be ready to play 70+ games next year, because I'm really getting my hopes up. You're right about the Knicks too, we should have unloaded Foyle for Muhammed. If Isiah is crazy enough to take Rose's deal, Foyle's deal must look like treasure waiting to be plundered. Well I guess between Sweetney, Rose, Kurt Thomas, and Mo Taylor the Knicks have cornered the market . . . on something.
You definitely made some good points Kwan. I had the same criticisms of all the other trades that went on especially the NY Knicks. It was like... why? For two smallish forwards with long contracts, no doubt. And I did not understand the Antoine Walker for Gary Payton deal. What is up with that? One thing that I would like to point out about Cohan is that Baron Davis could be his secret weapon to build himself an exit strategy. By adding on another star player, it increases our chances of winning, raising ticket prices, and not only that, he's a marketable player who is a highlight reel and a proven allstar when healthy. I don't think Cohan will spend beyond a certain limit even if Mullin says we need this player. But you never know. So long as he forks over the money and doesn't interfere and has a winning attitude, I'm content with him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GSWScruff:</div><div class="quote_post">Uhoh, Kwan, you seem almost giddy about the Davis trade! This guy better be ready to play 70+ games next year, because I'm really getting my hopes up. You're right about the Knicks too, we should have unloaded Foyle for Muhammed. If Isiah is crazy enough to take Rose's deal, Foyle's deal must look like treasure waiting to be plundered. Well I guess between Sweetney, Rose, Kurt Thomas, and Mo Taylor the Knicks have cornered the market . . . on something.</div> I know I'm kinda laughing at that one too. Thomas can play center for a small guy, Sweetney will definitely start at some point, but then Rose and Mo Taylor are guys that are practically untradeable and you can't play them as small forwards very well. Let's tell the Knicks that we'll trade Adonal Foyle + 2 second rounders for Afternee Hardaway. Isiah needs to build through the draft.
As far as the Webber trade, although the cumulative sum is the same, there is much more flexibility to trade one player that is slightly overpriced than one with a huge contract. Thus, they'll be able to trade either one of those guys a lot easier in the long run.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Zhone:</div><div class="quote_post">And, his success might push Hornets to trade Davis for nothing. Hey, Mullin's greatest move is waiving Dickau, so that we could get Davis for bargain price . It's all part of the plan...</div> We actually didn't waive Dickau... he was part of the Dampier trade. Dallas then dealt him to N.O. for Armstrong. So in short, we can thank Don Nelson for it. That sounds weird...
<div align="center">Projected Starting Lineup according to Warriors.com</div> <div align="center">[TR][TD]<div align="center"></div>[/TD][/TR]</div> <div align="center">http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/preview_022705.html</div>
Ummm, we better play some zone. I like Mike getting some challenges by defending good players, but Rasheed will just murder him.
^Thats why we should go regular. That way we have Murphy up against Sheed. Also that way Jason can get some boards and points against Rip
One thing I don't like about going small ball is that the Pistons can go out and run too. Second, they play great transition defense. Notice that the Spurs and the Pistons have that ability to pound the ball into their big man in the half court, and then run in the open court. Plus they have great defensive players and defensive ability as a team. Let's hope Rasheed doesn't go into the post because he's a pretty solid low post player when he wants to be. Call me pessimistic but I see this as a losing game. We can't match their defensive intensity and these guys have been known to lock down the high scoring teams because they always control the tempo.
