<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">One of the keys to getting the Warriors' Mike Dunleavy continued playing time at point guard is the defensive play of Mickael Pietrus, Jason Richardson and Calbert Cheaney, according to coach Eric Musselman. Musselman said one of the important facets of Dunleavy's 24-point, 20-rebound, five-assist game against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday -- a 96-88 loss -- was the ability of his perimeter players to defend point guards Jamaal Tinsley and Anthony Johnson. "Pietrus did an unbelievable job of playing the point guard," Musselman said after Wednesday's practice. "And Mike (Dunleavy) did a great job of cleaning up the midrange rebounds. It's hard for a guy to get that many rebounds." Dunleavy, 6-foot-9, is likely going to have difficulty guarding opposing point guards, particularly the one the Warriors might face Friday: New Jersey's Jason Kidd, who sat out the Nets' past two games because of a bruised left knee. That's where other guards come in. If shooting guards Pietrus and Richardson or swingman Cheaney can guard Kidd, or any other point guard for that matter, it will allow Dunleavy to guard a shooting guard or small forward, which he is more equipped to do.</div> http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...ors/8105377.htm
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice find Rudeezy.</div>Thanks. This just proves how important Pietrus is to this team. He hustles every play and a guy that can create havoc on defense.
With the guys we have right now, I would say go for it. Avery Johnson didn't give us anything against the Pacers.
I'm just upset that Musselman couldn't see the values on defense that Pietrus brings over Calbert Cheaney. Pietrus has just unbelievable lateral quickness, really long arms and aggressiveness you need to force turnovers whereas Cheaney will just play physical enough to force a missed shot. First, I don't like that defense because its too risky down the stretch and its already proven that Cheaney can foul out like in two minutes if you let him keep going. Second, the pressure defense reminds me of how Speedy plays and frustrates the opponent into coughing up the rock any time the ball touches the floor. Look for some fastbreaks when Pietrus, Richardson, and Speedy are all in the game together. I'd be expecting some alley oops with that much leaping ability on the floor.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jayserinos99:</div><div class="quote_post">How's this for the starting 5: Damp/Cliffy/Pietrus/JRich/MDjr?</div> Even better... Dunleavy Jrich Petrius Cardinal Damp
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Even better... Dunleavy Jrich Petrius Cardinal Damp</div>I'm not sure if that is better. I would take Cliff over Cardinal in the starting rotation. Cliff brings better defense to the table and more offense.
More offense? What alternate universe are you posting from. Ruuuudeeezzyyyy, if you can heeeeaaaar me, cooommee baaaack toooo theeee llliiiiigggghhhhtt!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">More offense? What alternate universe are you posting from. Ruuuudeeezzyyyy, if you can heeeeaaaar me, cooommee baaaack toooo theeee llliiiiigggghhhhtt! </div>lol...thats right. Cardinal can not hit a shot if his life depended on it right now. He is all hustle and does a lot of things that do not show up on the stat sheet but he is more suited coming off the bench IMO. Robinson needs to be in there to shut down the K-Mart's of the league.
Doesn't matter what the starting lineups are, Musselman will opt for the smallest lineups possible during crunch time. Let's utilize Rusty Larue at the 4 spot. Yeah that makes sense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Doesn't matter what the starting lineups are, Musselman will opt for the smallest lineups possible during crunch time. Let's utilize Rusty Larue at the 4 spot. Yeah that makes sense. </div> Lol, it's crazy but sounds exactly like the kinda thing Musselman would do.
He loves speed and the running game. He once pulled out all the front court players and used all guards and small forwards and the warriors ended up getting steamrolled. No rebounding. No blocking. No defense in the paint. And the players were damn tired and not getting it done the first time around. Having at least one good defensive big man would have saved a couple of plays. BTW, the Pietrus/Dunleavy setting traps worked well because Dunleavy has got the size and Pietrus has got the quickness. A really deadly combo that smaller guards can't get around if they can't see it coming.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">lol...thats right. Cardinal can not hit a shot if his life depended on it right now. He is all hustle and does a lot of things that do not show up on the stat sheet but he is more suited coming off the bench IMO. Robinson needs to be in there to shut down the K-Mart's of the league.</div> Ok, so Cardinal might have had a bad game or 2 recently, but I think he is still a better scorer and shooter from the floor. He gets to the line while Robinson settles for jumpers. Granted, if Robinson is on the floor he is a better defender, but surely not a scorer.
i would rather start cliff over cardinal... lately cardinal's been off and cliff provides the tough D. Cardinal isn't suited to be a full-time starter when he can't hit shots.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobeonfire:</div><div class="quote_post">i would rather start cliff over cardinal... lately cardinal's been off and cliff provides the tough D. Cardinal isn't suited to be a full-time starter when he can't hit shots.</div>Exactly. Defense is a lot more important and Cardinal is a little undersized playing the opponets PF most of the time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Warriorfansnc93:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, but he gets to the line and hustles more than anyone on the court.</div>Hustle only takes you so far. I love the guy and he has done tremendous things for this team this year. I would just prefer Cliff because of his defensive ability.
