<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Going into his second draft, Mullin acknowledged the Warriors' need for better rebounding and defense Thursday, as well as a low-post player worthy of double-teams, and would not rule out any draft-day moves. Most mock drafts project the Warriors selecting a big man to fill those gaps, from Arizona's Channing Frye, Syracuse's Hakim Warrick and New Mexico's Danny Granger to Spanish power forward Fran Vazquez and 7-foot-3 Lithuanian center Martynas Andriuskevicius. Mullin seems inclined to take the best available player, however, and he knows better than most how a league's obsession with big men can be misguided. In 1985, the Knicks drafted Patrick Ewing with the first overall selection in a no-brainer. He was followed by Wayman Tisdale, Benoit Benjamin, Xavier McDaniel, Jon Koncak and Joe Kleine. Mullin, the reigning college player of the year who led St. John's to the NCAA Final Four, fell to seventh and into the Warriors' lap. Then-general manager Al Attles, whose reaction to losing out on Ewing in the draft lottery became a great moment in reality television, admits he would have been strikingly calmer if he knew Mullin would be available at No. 7. Not that Mullin buys it. "We all know he got the booby prize," Mullin said. "I know it, you know it, they know it." </div> Source
The description at the top points to Ike Diogu. Warrick and Granger are high on the list still. While the W's are not short guys,only Foyle weighs in at 250-plus. Murphy has added weight but it's cost him a little spring and quickness,so unless thay can be regained,he's not getting heavier. Diogu figures to play somehere between 245 and 255,which is 20lb more than DG or HW. Various hints have indicated the W's are not looking to get any sort of project. There were no rumors of Bynum /Blatche workouts,or buzz over any Euro. I think Frye interested the W's but the Knicks figure to take him at 8 unless the do something real wierd. Based on recent workouts I think Salim is getting looks as a late rd 1,Bynum's stock has shot up,Martynas has taken a dive. I never agreed with mocks that thought Salim and J Hodge were somewhere in rd 2-though it would be sweet to catch either with pick 40.
Personally, I'm still rooting for a draft-day trade. I'd like to move down a few slots and get a veteran in return along with a possible pick this year or a future pick. If the Warriors don't get any good offers, though, I'd be happy with taking any of the top candidates who we've been working out, although I certainly prefer some players over others.
I'm hoping on draft day there's actually some way to dump Foyle or Fisher for equal talent, better contracts for our two future first rounders next season.
Well gang,we argued and lobbied for months and I think we narrowed it down..we all wanna trade up to get Taft,right?
I think it's going to be Ike Diogu, but I'm probably way off. It can't be Warrick, unless Mullin's goal is to help sports agent Bill Duffy out so he'll take one of his number one clients (maybe Yao) to maybe our team? I can't see our team having 2 max contract players including Murphy's and Jrich's big deal, but I can guarantee the arena will be sold out for years to come even at raised ticket prices. There'd be something in it for everyone. Fancy passing and dribbling (Baron), Fancy dunking and explosive 3 pt. shooting (Jrich), and Yao (inside presence and an internationally popular 7'6 genetic freak).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting REREM:</div><div class="quote_post">YOW,if we could add Yao </div> Yeah if only we could, we'd be pretty dangerous in the open court (w/o Yao but with BDiddy) and possibly in the half-court (w/ Yao). We'd be extremely popular that's for sure, especially in China. Even if Yao wanted to badly come over here, he couldn't force a trade, though. It's just not his style, nor do we have the contracts to faciliate such a trade. Unless maybe there could be a way where it's done as a sign and trade, they take a poison pill like Murphy's contract or Foyle/Fisher's bad contracts right off the bat and we include somebody we like like Biedrins, Zarko or Pietrus, I guess. That would be bad for Houston though and we might have to give up a lot just to make Houston happy if Yao ever forced a trade to here. A real big long shot, nonetheless. Also, the thing that scares me about 7'6, is that the dude is going to have a short NBA career if he develops those foot and knee problems big dudes get because of their size and the wear and tear. Unfortunately bigger people like that have the same joints of regular sized people.
SF's Chinese cultural appeal would appeal to Yao,and if the W's are arising power-that's good too. He has a good rapport now with T-Mac,and that's in Houston's favor.It will come down to where he wants to be. The W's will find a way to deal with the cap/budget side
