my pops called me today and said he was listening to KNBR and they were saying that baron and monty haven't been getting along. also, baron got into it with kawakami (sp?) from the SJ paper...anybody have any more info regarding this???
I heard about the Kawakami/Baron shouting match. Basically, Kawakami wrote a column that Baron and Monty weren't getting along and Baron, after the Phoenix loss, gave an earful to Kawakami. Kawakami didn't back down and argued that he's defended Baron throughout the years and written many positive things about him. Apparently, they have a mutual respect for each other so this kind of thing isn't a-typical. The fact that Baron reacted so aggresively towards Kawakami leads me to believe that Baron is not too thrilled with Monty and the team, for that matter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kensaku:</div><div class="quote_post">I heard about the Kawakami/Baron shouting match. Basically, Kawakami wrote a column that Baron and Monty weren't getting along and Baron, after the Phoenix loss, gave an earful to Kawakami. Kawakami didn't back down and argued that he's defended Baron throughout the years and written many positive things about him. Apparently, they have a mutual respect for each other so this kind of thing isn't a-typical. The fact that Baron reacted so aggresively towards Kawakami leads me to believe that Baron is not too thrilled with Monty and the team, for that matter.</div> This was the situation as I heard it as well, but the only place I heard it was in Kawakami's column. He wrote that he and Baron "go way back," and more-or-less that he's "the only one with the guts to stand up to Baron right now." Despite generally enjoying Tim's work, until I hear it elsewhere I'll take it -- like I take every other new item -- with a grain of salt.
Tim Kawakami talks out of his ass half the time, though. It's hard to really take him seriously. This is the same guy that wanted the Cal quarterback in last year's NFL draft even though he was nowhere near a consensus #1 overall pick compared to Braylon Edwards or Alex Smith. In basketball, he makes similar opinions, but he also adds spurious statements on top of it. Let's just say we're doing crappy because of the numerous reasons listed in other posts like ball movement, inside presence, help defense, rebounding, shooting, floor spacing, floor recognition, undersized substitutions, the little things like boxing out or creating for others. Free throws? The list goes on. There's no real chemistry out there, size or organization. I think it's the players and the distractions we've had with trades and probably playing styles. Dunleavy vs. Baron, for instance, is quite a difference in style of play. But besides that, we just have no good starting center to set the tone. Murphy plays center most of the time while Dunleavy or somebody plays power forward with Jason Richardson playing small forward. There's too much perimeter play going on and that just hurts us when our defense and rebounding are horrible. Plus, our guards don't shoot a very good combined average from the foul line. Baron, Fisher, Pietrus are low fg% chuckers at times. Then Murphy and Dunleavy can be really cold at times especially because they can't get to the rim sometimes..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Tim Kawakami talks out of his ass half the time, though. It's hard to really take him seriously. This is the same guy that wanted the Cal quarterback in last year's NFL draft even though he was nowhere near a consensus #1 overall pick compared to Braylon Edwards or Alex Smith. In basketball, he makes similar opinions, but he also adds spurious statements on top of it. Let's just say we're doing crappy because of the numerous reasons listed in other posts like ball movement, inside presence, help defense, rebounding, shooting, floor spacing, floor recognition, undersized substitutions, the little things like boxing out or creating for others. Free throws? The list goes on. There's no real chemistry out there, size or organization. I think it's the players and the distractions we've had with trades and probably playing styles. Dunleavy vs. Baron, for instance, is quite a difference in style of play. But besides that, we just have no good starting center to set the tone. Murphy plays center most of the time while Dunleavy or somebody plays power forward with Jason Richardson playing small forward. There's too much perimeter play going on and that just hurts us when our defense and rebounding are horrible. Plus, our guards don't shoot a very good combined average from the foul line. Baron, Fisher, Pietrus are low fg% chuckers at times. Then Murphy and Dunleavy can be really cold at times especially because they can't get to the rim sometimes..</div> Couldn't have said it better myself. The Kawakami/Baron episode is just a product of all the negative things that have been going around lately...uh, losing. It's hard to put a finger on what's the focale blame for it all...
I read the same article from TK. If it is true I give him props for not backing down from a guy like Baron. As for picking Alex Smith... I was a Rodgers fan just because when they had the QB skills challenge he blew everyone out of the water with his accuracy and arm strength. The only thing I did not like about him was he seemed really cocky. But that is what you want in a QB/leader/fighter pilot...
I was listening to Rick Barry on KNBR the other day and he chimed in on the possible Baron-Monty blowup. He was critical of both Baron & Monty and had some advice on what needs to be done. In order for the coach's philosphy to work, the superstar has to embrace it. Right now Baron Davis is not playing efficiently, and is chucking the 3 ball too, much. He was very critical of the defense, and made a blanket statement "Any coach who can't get his team to play defense doesn't belong in the NBA." I guess Monty & Baron need to have a sit down and get everything out in the open and then go from there. If they cannot co-exist then one or both have to be moved. For Monty it's a tough spot, because he doesn't have the NBA credentials to shut a superstar up. He can't say look, my way is proven now fall in line. He's still a rookie coach learning the ropes so to speak. Everyone in the NBA community has been impressed with his progress and they all acknowledge he's a basketball genius. He has to somehow sell his style to Baron Davis and get Baron playing in his system and leading by example. Later on Tom Tolbert was on the radio. He said he's heard from a lot of people saying Baron Davis is very high maintenance. When he's in a funk from losing, he won't listen to anyone and needs a lot of coddling. I forget which one said it, but Baron should only be taking 12 to 15 shots a game and start getting to the paint more. Tolbert said Baron should only shoot the 3 ball 3 to 4 times a game, and unless he makes those first 3 he shouldn't continue shooting from there. Later on some callers were ranting about JRich and some wanted to deal him straight up for Artest. The biggest concern was defense and also his poor FT shooting.
Thanks ShapeCity for the info. BTW how does Monty get the team to play defense when we have poor defenders on the team? You can't just transform certain players into becoming stronger or laterally quicker and better at reading angles like Ron Artest. I forgot to mention "team defense" or "help defense". The problem with this is you need 5 good defenders on the floor who recognize things on the floor very quickly and move quickly. If a person is screening off their own teammate or isn't picking up the slack of somebody getting beat, the defensive scheme won't work. It's generally why I hate soft, unathletic players. If a defender is going to be slow at least be physical and aggresssive and play smart.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks ShapeCity for the info. BTW how does Monty get the team to play defense when we have poor defenders on the team? You can't just transform certain players into becoming stronger or laterally quicker and better at reading angles like Ron Artest. I forgot to mention "team defense" or "help defense". The problem with this is you need 5 good defenders on the floor who recognize things on the floor very quickly and move quickly. If a person is screening off their own teammate or isn't picking up the slack of somebody getting beat, the defensive scheme won't work. It's generally why I hate soft, unathletic players. If a defender is going to be slow at least be physical and aggresssive and play smart.</div> He actually touched on this as well. Barry's philosophy was defense is more a desire than a skill. If you spend time practicing your defense and knowing where to be and making an effort to get to the spots then you'll be a better defender. I think for the most part a player can be a solid defender if they put the effort into it. Look at someone like Deshawn Stevenson in Orlando this year, or Glenn Robinson taking charges as a Spur last year. They both stepped up to their coaches challenge and realized they had to earn minutes by playing great on defense. Barry feels Monty isn't doing enough to discipline his players, but he understands it's tough as a rookie coach to start making demands on the star players and sending a message by benching them during a game. It's a unique situation and part of the growing pains a franchise has to deal with by putting faith in a rookie head coach. It sounds like the management completely supports Monty though, and believes he is the answer as head coach. Maybe Mullin or Elie needs to take a more active approach in chewing out Baron, JRich, and Co. for not playing better on defense. Mullin & Elie have the credentials as players, and Elie can flash his championship rings in their face as a reminder.
Good post, Shape. If defense is more of a desire than a skill, maybe the same can be said about our rebounding and boxing out problem. Besides the rebounding problem, Baron Davis must know that Montgomery needs to get the team moving when Baron does. Baron can't make good passes if people aren't helping him out and getting open. Anytime we play the Suns, Spurs or Pistons or teams that can run and score our guys just stand around waiting and the passing lanes get sealed off. Monty obviously doesn't want that because Baron Davis is the guy who sets everybody up by creating. We need others to create for themselves or for others just by moving around and setting good screens, sharp cuts, etc. Who are guys that move well off the ball? Zarko, Cheaney, Dunleavy, etc... unfortunately those guys don't hit the shots they're supposed to sink very often. And guys like Murphy, Richardson, Fisher, give immediate results for the time being. They just aren't very efficient players at times, but they're putting the ball into the bucket.
Me and Baron both are sick of this guy. Does Baron need to play better all the time? Yes. Is Baron the reason that the team doesn't rebound or play defense? That Murphy jacks up shot after shot? That Diogu is playing center?!?! You need a coach that brings the best out of his players. Montgomery knows the game of basketball but for whatever reason it isn't translating. On a side note: I'm suprised by Foyle's game against Seattle. He rebounded the ball very well. It won't last but hopefully he turns to be somewhat useful even though he hasn't done so in nine years.
