You guys should read what this guy has to say about the warriors!!! Hope this guy feels dumb after we make the playoffs...what an idiot! http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/4927016
The weird thing is that he is totally positive about everything Warriors other than Baron. He says Baron is clueless in the clutch, I dont think that is true at all. I've seen him make several clutch shots in previous playoffs with the Hornets and he made at least one clutch shot with us (to go along with a clutch performance) in the Spurs game at the end of the season where he scored on Bruce Bowen to send the game to OT and eventually Double OT. From what I've seen Baron isnt selfish; he passes if players are open and scores when the team needs him to.
Time will tell. I just dont see how you could put something like that in print to have it fly back in your face if you are proven to be wrong. Someone should book mark it and send it back to him at the end of the season...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting iLL PiLL:</div><div class="quote_post">You guys should read what this guy has to say about the warriors!!! Hope this guy feels dumb after we make the playoffs...what an idiot! http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/4927016</div> Well he is entitled to his own opinion. I do agree about the soft, matador defense though, and the regular season games meaning nothing. The warriors already knew what the season outcome was so they played to have fun and to look forward to next year, not necessarily to win at all costs, deal with bickering teammates/coaches, and endure all the stress of getting edged out by a few games like a lot of the marginal playoff teams. Without Richardson or Bdiddy we sucked. Bdiddy at least understands that on the Warriors there are 3 other starters that can score and pass the ball along with some promising high energy, open court guys like Pietrus, Biedrins, Zarko. It's all about getting guys that can play with Baron and he likes uptempo guys that know the game, can pass, defend, score, and play with energy. All of our guys have at least 3 or 4 of the 5 qualities. The bottom line was that Baron Davis really did not care to be on the Hornets so he didn't play to win. He was disgruntled and players like him, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, Shaquille O'neil and Iverson can pout and make a lot of media noise because they are franchise stars with typical NBA egos. But they separate the teams that are good from the bad because they bring a lot to the table. Also sports writers, like this guy above, have their own agendas when they write news stories. They can make a guy look good or bad no matter what they actually did. Here's parts I disagree with: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't get caught up in the misguided predictions about how Baron Davis is going to lead the Warriors to glory. The truth is that Davis is multi-talented but extremely selfish, willful and clueless in the clutch.</div> Extremely selfish? Baron Davis averaged 22.5 points and 9.4 assists in 19 games as starter. He almost averaged a double double as a point guard if he could keep up that pace. He was dominant as a one-on-one player while 80% healthy. Just let him drive, pass, score, and get fouled, until we find some offensive inside presence that can make others better the way a franchise big man does. Like Steve Nash on the Mavericks or Suns, Baron is the heart of the team, while the other guys feed off of the style of play. As far as the Jamal Crawford/Quentin Richardson thing Baron does from behind the 3-point arc, well it's something he's gotta cut down on if he's only shooting 32-34% and averaging 8 attempts. Now if he's connecting for 38% or higher, then that's all right. The team as a whole pretty much lived or died from beyond the 3 point arc anyway and that's a scary thing when the team's not hitting it or they aren't getting open looks or aren't getting anything in the paint, in addition to not making defensive stops. The warriors were at least scoring in the paint on fastbreaks, were hitting wide open looks at the basket which any 4 of the warriors starters can knock down, and the Warriors were at least trying to make defensive stops in the backcourt along with Foyle upfront. As far as clutch goes, we'll see how Baron does in the playoffs, which I think we will have a great chance of making. Clutch in regular season is one thing, but playoffs is what makes the meat of a good player. Check out the crap Gary Payton got as a Laker and Paul Pierce last season during the playoffs. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's a shot-hungry, pseudo-star who will eventually break his teammates' spirits.</div> We'll see over time. He's kind of moody and sensitive as big stars can be, but he's been nothing but encouraging to guys like Dunleavy and Foyle and rookies like Pietrus, Zarko and Biedrins. The guy's provided leadership on the floor and by example. We always needed vocal floor leadership with some authority and swagger to get these guys' confidence up instead of old former star veterans winding down in their careers. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pity poor Jason Richardson — he's a powerful and versatile scorer who will eventually become frustrated with his lack of touches.</div> Man, that's b.s. How does he know Richardson will eventually become frustrated when he is the team's second go-to guy or primary go-to guy. I think this writer's only assuming based on his first opinionated observation about Baron. And like the old saying goes "assume" makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me". Actually, it's just him, so he's "assu"-ing. Well anyway, he's an ass of a writer who is only guessing that Baron's shot selection and shot attempts, that he so heavily criticized earlier, will make JRich and the rest of his team frustrated. But he's not on the Hornets anymore. There's players less selfish to set Baron up with a better shots that he can't always create with the constant ball pressure he's facing (Take Mike Dunleavy or Jason Richardson for example, or possibly Ike Diogu if he's as good as expected by some. Those guys are team players with more all around games than most and could create opportunities when there's more opening in the other team's defense and better offensive teamplay on our end). When you have Magloire, Mashburn, Wesley, Brown, these guys are all half court guys or guys that don't make others better the way a team of Baron-type players with more all around skill can. The running game is Baron's game and he requires running players who can run at least 80-90% of the time while reserving half court play 10-20% of the time. In a way we are like the '02 Nets minus Kenyon Martin, only still not as good because of the whole defense thing and us being in the big, competitive Western Conference. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Derek Fisher is slow, steady, awesome in the clutch and the consummate team player and peacemaker — he was Kobe's only friend during the Lakers' championship run. Look for Fisher, in his own quiet, behind-the-scenes fashion, to try and hold the team together.</div> WTF? You got to be kidding... Consummate team player my ass. More than half the time he would start jacking shots up as if he WERE Kobe (Now I know a shooter who witnesses a breakdown in offensive play will do what comes natural... SHOOT... but half the time he would not wait to even get his feet set before crossing the half way line and launching at the first six seconds of the shotclock). Yes, he is a good locker room vet, good head on his shoulders, but as far as holding the team together, I was unaware Baron was that volatile. Can anyone say lack of communication between Baron and the Hornets front office and the coach Byron Scott? Remember, Byron Scott had a tiff with another franchise playmaker in Jason Kidd and that seems suspicious. Now Baron and Jason Kidd have big shoulders to lay their franchises upon as well as big egos, so it's only natural they want more freedom to do whatever because of the pressures and other self-sacrifices they have to make. And that's something that the organization and it's policies and the faces of the franchise have to compromise on. Only fans/media can criticize and takes sides over who said what or what is fair to whom, but we're all on the outside looking in. We're not really in the loop on a situation unless a noticeable consensus is pointing to something that is most likely true. Bottom line was both sides were in diasagreement over some things from personal trainers to Baron not being with the team when he was injured. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The forwards — Mike Dunleavy can score but is one of the NBA's most impotent defenders. Troy Murphy is another top-flight point-maker who's just about useless on the other end of the court. Mickael Pietrus is athletic, strong and quick. He specializes in rebounding and defending, and his shooting improves year-by-year. This guy's a comer.</div> Very blunt, but hey I agree with it mostly, especially with our forwards, but our forwards do other things like pass, initiate a break or rebound. Still, Pietrus gets away with a lot since he's not a starter, is more athletic/flashy/aggressive/exciting than the other two and therefore, very few people see how little he has overall. In between a perimeter game and dunks, he's got hardly anything. He lacks a lot in terms of an effective, polished offensive game to be a starter right away. No midrange game, no up and under moves, a streaky ballhandler mostly due to his decision making skills and the fact he's always relied more on his athletic ability than his craftiness or fluidity. (I like how he can go left though, since he is a righty, but he will always switch to his good hand unless it's a dunk, which most of the time it is because he can't layup without getting it blocked. He's too raw!) Anyway, I recognize his faults on offense, his overratedness on defense for bigger positions like small forward, but I also recognize his immense potential for being a lockdown defender like a mini-Ron Artest on quick shooting guards or combo guards. I would like him to start eventually just to keep him happy (but he just wants important, consistent minutes not starting position). Besides, it'll be a weird starting lineup especially because he's got some question marks still hanging over him as a team player and consistent producer. Plus, it makes Richardson guard small forwards and at 6'4-6'5, he will have a tough time guarding anyone outside of Desmond Mason and Bonzi Wells because most 6'8 forwards that are starters have some post game. (Also another reason why I picked on Dunleavy is because he's 6'9-6'10 and unlike other nba forwards, he does not play much in the post). Anyway, there's no hiding Pietrus because most teams are interested in him. I hope we have the money to keep him because very few guys his size guard Kobe and Redd and Arenas like the way he does with his lateral speed, toughness, and mindset for taking punishment. Mini-Brian Cardinal? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Calbert Cheaney is a terrific baseline shooter who'd rather stop-and-pop than take it to the rim. CC can also hit the boards and is an excellent off-the-bench player.</div> Okay, not to misjudge him in limited minutes and in the course of one year, but why mention this guy? He will probably not play as much unless Pietrus gets hurt. I remembered Cheaney being more effective starting rather than off the bench cold, but I especially remember Cheaney being so disappointing when it came to turnovers, late game posessions, free throws and shot selection. Calbert Cheaney: "Okay here I am along the baseline. I'm going to fake a 3-point shot, which everybody in the league knows I can't shoot, so I dribble up a little and.... a.) Shoot a midranger over the guy b.) Post up and shoot a turnaround midranger over the guy c.) Turn it over while trying to bring it in closer to midrange territory "Then on defense it's" a.) blocking foul b.) reach-in foul c.) foul and 1 Yeah, it'd be great if it wasn't an important possession because you save an easy layup, but these are late game posessions where you can't foul and yet Cal is sent in to lose the game hence, throwing in "the Towel" nickname. I'd rather have Pietrus sent in to foul, turnover everything up because at least he'd do us more good doing three or four possible things on offense (dunking, driving and shooting three pointers or getting fouled). <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Zarko Cabarkapa has been hailed as the second coming of Toni Kukoc but hasn't arrived yet. </div> Frankly, I think Cabarkapa is a lot more exciting than Toni Kukoc because he at least has some power to his game with the way he finishes at the rim off the quick two and half steps off the dribble (Show em the ball and Connie Hawkins style jam). But as to who is more effective in their primes? Hmm... Kukoc was mostly a utility player good for either starting or off the bench, earned his three championship rings. He could score, make plays, good all around skills, but was soft, passive, streaky, not as focussed, pretty weak on the defensive end. Like Dunleavy now, he needed two other bigtime ballers to make him stand out and appreciate his high IQ game. Cabarkapa hardly gets much consistent playing time to really see how effective he is, but I think he can be a really good baller as a utility player playing some forward or center where his offensive talents for making plays happen from the high post can make up for his lack of defense and rebounding. He shoots a high percentage when he scores in the flow, can create his own shot, has good vision, good basketball fundamentals, decision making and is energetic and aggressive for a player 6'11 that is supposed to be mostly all finesse. Plus, what I like about him: long arms, big soft hands, big first step. He could be truly Dirk Nowitzki lite if he rebounded more and sunk 3 pointers and punished more people with a go-to move like the step-back fadeaway jumper. I guess, the running hook shot will have to do for now until he develops some more strength, more range, better ballhandling, and takes more advantage of his size. At 225 lbs this guy could get knocked around on a jump shot with J-Rich slightly grazing him because Z ain't naturally strong. Hopefully, his trainers get him some pads so they can do contact drills with him shooting with some contact. I guess it's mostly about weight and balance though, but some of it's strength... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The centers — Adonal Foyle is strong, plays hard and can knock down an otherwise laughable 15-foot one-hander. Hustle is his strong point — lack of size and talent, his weaknesses. Andris Biedrins rebounds, hustles and commits fouls — but at 19 he'll be a (worthwhile) project for at least another three years.</div> True, but they forgot Andris Biedrins blocks shots too. If Biedrins gets some respect from the Refs and at the same time Biedrins learns which baskets to let go, he could be very well averaging Andrei Kirilenko/Marcus Camby type numbers off of clean blocks. Athletic, lengthy, quick wired ballers with some awesome hops and reaction time ought to come up with some pure carnage on the defensive end. Biedrins is still a question mark as an offensive player, though. He scores pretty much like Ben Wallace and shoots like him too (except no midrange jumper). Let's hope for some Kirilenko type offense or Jermaine O'neil type offense.
Let people talk as much as they want. After all, we didn't prove anything yet, so lack of credits are expected. Also, since we are out of spotlights, many teams don't have a clue about our team. Remember when Magic said it's good thing Jamison played PF for us few years ago, when he basically never played PF? I am actually surprised how many people already put us as a PO team. I must say I also thought Davis as selfish player before watching him closely. After all, he jacked up 3 pts like 9 per game, and his bad break ups with Hornets may make give other people an image of selfish player. But, after seeing less than 30 games, I was really surprised how unselfish Davis was. Sure, he may go wild time to time or still jack up too many 3pts, but when he has a chance, he always trys to create a shot for other players (especially when the play looks good ). Hope he stays healthy for all season...
I guess its true we really have not proven anything. Now if we make the playoffs this year and they hate on us next year, then we have a right to be mad...
I had no issues about his predictions for the Warriors this year because we did not prove anything, but the descriptions he puts on our players are somewhat unfair.
I think a lot of them are very unfair. But, once we start to get a highlight with success, their views will quickly be changed. I mean, you don't see many expert not knowing about Shaq, Kobe or other superstar's style or gameplays. For now, they just write stuff based on the first impression, because they never pay attention to this club. I really hope we can actually change their views with the success. It has been a while since Warriors fans tasted the success...
Rosen can try and discredit the Warriors late season push all he wants, but his argument has a big flaw: while the games weren't important to the Warriors, the absolutely were for the teams they played against. The Warriors wins over Sacramento (2), Phoenix (2), Minnesota, and Seattle all played a role in determining playoff matchups, particularly Sacramento and Minnesota. If Sacramento beat the Warriors both games, it would have meant they would have played Dallas instead of Seattle, and had a much greater chance of getting to the second round. As for Minnesota, they missed out on the playoffs by ONE GAME, try telling them the loss to the Warriors was meaningless.
wtwalker once again brings up a great point. Although I believe the games did mean something to the Warriors, they definately meant a lot to those top teams they were beating. The fact is, we won't and shouldn't expect to get any respect around the league until we start winning. Winning is the cure to almost everything.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post"> Winning is the cure to almost everything.</div> Ain't that the truth. I mean, it sure shut Rasheed Wallace the heck up. No more leading the league in technical fouls and he can finally play the game without being a distraction since he is on a championship team. However, he was still a complete rod when it came to how he treated Mo Cheeks on the visiting team when he was on the floor. Of course, I'm a big fan of Maurice Cheeks. Great point guard when he was on the Sixers, lots of heart/personality, and he's also a good coach who had the displeasure of being the babysitter for a bunch of punks like Sheed (not all, but a number - Bonzi, Patterson, D-Miles). Let's just say with Rasheed Wallace on the Blazers... sometimes I wonder if the state messed up on the lobotomy. It's the frontal lobe guys, not the back of the head. But yeah it's different... these signs indicating we could have a winning season... for once in 11 years... it sure stopped my complaining and scapegoating cold that I'm speechless... It just dawned on me that the Warriors may actually be a legit and respectable organization for once, even headed by Chris Cohan. But we'll see. 82 games. Can we last that long? Something tells me there's a slight chance we could all go down in typical Warriors fashion. That's right. No lube. We figure as Warrior fans we'd be used to it, but this is the last straw. If we don't make it to the promised land this basketball season, we deserve to be moved to the D-league and become a farm team for the Atlanta Hawks. I mean there's no excuse. We've had lottery picks forever and we wasted them on a lot of dumb drafts that left us reeling for years. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets could have drafted as poorly as we did during the Twardzick years.
The Warriors DID prove they can win in that strong finish last year-and with everyone back it's logical to expect better than a .500 season. Just the same-this is a team that has not seen the playoffs in a long time. This time of year everything is an educated guess. You can figure,logicaly,how a team ranks-but some explode,some implode. On this team,who is sure to be the same player as last year? On any team,who is going to be healthy? Who is going to become a headcase? Probably.....the Warriors will be a pretty solid team.
