Azubuike!!! We better keep this guy!

Since the Warriors don't really need to have many more offensive role players on the team, I think having Azubuike and Pietrus helps the team's defense quite a bit. That's probably what's more important. I mean earlier in the season the Warriors seemed somewhat respectable as a defensive squad. Right now they just look horrible on defense. It seems like any team that comes out with a decent ability to score will have a strong shot to beat this team. Hence, the Pacers who didn't shoot well was actually a win for the Warriors where as the Warriors lost twice to the Hawks who just went bananas on this team scoring the ball. Baron, JRich, Harrington on the starting lineup equates to horrible defense; thus it would probably be wise for this team to see how they might be able to keep both Pete and Azubuike or maybe make a trade to possible address the defensive issues (AK47?).

 

Jrich can't be 6'2... Jrich has kind of a short torso but long everything else. I remember Rudeezy said that Jrich was over or around 6'3 or 6'4, while Rudeezy is 6'5".

But man we're talking about an inch if we're talking minimum height of 6'4 or 6'5 for shooting guard! Everything is relative anyway. Ray Allen can play at 6'5, Dwade can play at 6'4. It's about skillz, quickness, strength, finesse, smarts, and definitely wingspan if one hopes to keep the ball lower, contest shots, and avoid getting blocked. Both Brand and Ben Wallace can play strong because they got the broad shoulders, long arms, smarts, and athleticism. Jrich has a combo of that as well, although he's not an all-star. It's about what one guy has relative to the matchups that are out there.

 

Indeed, Richardson was, if I remember, the top rebounding off guard in the league a couple years ago?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Montaman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Indeed, Richardson was, if I remember, the top rebounding off guard in the league a couple years ago?</div>

Right, and he's one of the more efficient high scoring guys at his position if we're not counting free throw %. That always puts Richardson at the bottom compared to guys like Redd, Melo, and Ray Allen. I guess if we want to be picky we can bash Richardson for his lack of shooting guard handles and ability to deliver off the drive, but he's an incredible forward that makes a good deal of hustle plays.

Actually, forget what I said, PER probably includes how many times this guy can get to the free throw line and that's dependent on how well his handle is and if he's hitting his first few shots, and if he's actually making those free throw shots... groan. Okay, bad claim. He's efficient for a Warrior then I dont' think we have any starting player on this roster that has a high PER.

 

Az is a nice find. He's got some quickness and scoring ability. Barnes has an advantage because he's bigger. JRich is a nice asset and I'd really like to see him out there with Harrington, Jackson and Baron, but he's never going to be Allen, Redd, etc., JRich simply does not have the handles.

I bet when Nellie decides whether to give the Warriors a day off, he makes it a dribble drill between JRich and Pietrus and he picks Pietrus.

 

AZ was a great pick up plain and simple. The kid got skills and potential, and we got him this season for the minimum.

Look at Maurice Ager, Mavs first round pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-m...ov=ap&type=lgns

He averaged 1.3 pts in 3.7 mins in 19 games for the Mavs, and he averaged 14 pts and 3 assists in the NBDL.

AZ is way better than this guy, and we didn't even draft him. I bet if we offered AZ for Ager Mavs would take it too.

 

<div class="quote_poster">AnimeFANatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">AZ was a great pick up plain and simple. The kid got skills and potential, and we got him this season for the minimum.

Look at Maurice Ager, Mavs first round pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-m...ov=ap&type=lgns

He averaged 1.3 pts in 3.7 mins in 19 games for the Mavs, and he averaged 14 pts and 3 assists in the NBDL.

AZ is way better than this guy, and we didn't even draft him. I bet if we offered AZ for Ager Mavs would take it too.</div>

Yes, I remember after the Warriors acquired Azubuike and after he played a couple of games, I caught Jim and Bob talking saying something about someone's potential and how Don Nelson was saying he could have been a lottery pick in a draft or that he was as talented as a lottery type of player. I came in on the conversation after they mentioned who they were talking about, but I only imagine that they were talking about Azubuike.

Azubuike is great (as a role player). I can only assume that he isn't playing more possibly because the Warriors need to see Pietrus play to give him more value to trade him if that becomes necessary and to see his actual potential/game to make a smart bid this offseason. Also Azubuike would probably put up great stats and great games that would make him tough to re-signt this offseason. If that were the case Pietrus, Barnes, AND Azubuike could easily end up going to different teams for more money and that would leave the Warriors short handed.