<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Zhone:</div><div class="quote_post">Tor taking Araujo really opened up this pick. I hope that Biedrins fits in well.</div> Oh yeah, what was Toronto smoking??? Thank goodness for Toronto I didn't even think that Biedrens would fall this far.
I guess they were peeved that all of the good PG's got taken, although they left Nelson on the board. Oh well, great for the warriors, it would be great if some more deals could get done though.
I have a few things to say. At first, I was happy. But now I am a little bit upset. What happened to picking up the best available athlete? Watching highlights of him, he looks kind of unathletic, but wants to bang. Second of all, whats up with him crying? I want someone tough downlow, not someone who cries on national TV. This seems like a St Jean pick rather than a Chris Mullin pick. What does this mean for Troy Murphy? Will Biedrens play center? I am excited to watch this kid play. I hope we make a trade because I do not like this line up... Speedy Jrich Dunleavy Murphy Biedrens
I agree somewhat, while Biedrins seems like a great kid - good post instincts, excellent attitude, wants to play here, is proud to have a chance in the NBA at all - he's clearly like Darko, i.e., loaded with potential but a few years away. But who else could GS have taken? In my opinion, this draft wasn't filled with anyone who was athletic enough to clearly be a must-pick and who was available at 11. For example, take a look at a few of the picks after Biedrins that might have worked on the warriors. Swift didn't work out with any team and was hard to gauge. Kris Humphries will be a great banger, but we've got Murphy at PF. Kirk Snyder was athletic, but he's got a scorer's mentality and probably wants to contribute this year, which is tough with Pietrus and JRich on the team. Al Jefferson showed a lot of promise, but he's in danger of pulling an Oliver Miller, or James Lang - he has to control his weight. Pavel is risky would more development than Biedrins, because at least Biedrins played good minutes on his team. Based on the information that was available, the Warriors made a solid pick, although unspectacular. In a few years, Biedrins will be a solid PF/C. This draft wasn't loaded with impact players, though. Although I would have been equally as comfortable with some of the other players selected after Biedrins, at the same time, GS didn't make me go "Oh no, why didn't you select So-and-So!!" As you stated, I hope that we make a trade somewhere, or find a diamond in the rough that will fit under the cap/mid level exception.
Well, a few guys went undrafted that we could take - Jaber Rouzbahani, Desmond Farmer, or Darius Rice, or there's a pretty huge list of guys who could try out for the summer team. Personally, I would have liked to see the Warriors angle into the second round for Donta Smith, but no teams really want to bite onto any Warriors as bait.
I can't say that i was hoping the Warriors drafted Biedrens but now that I think about it, I will have to say that I am happy with the pick especially if Dampier leaves.
Well I think Pavel suffered from simply too much negative hype. He's played only garbage minutes on his team, he's got that pituitary gland condition, he's a big stiff, he plays out on the perimeter a bit too much on offense, etc. I think that Dallas got a good deal for him - simply giving up a future pick. Still, although the guy can run the floor and dunk, he needs to work a lot on an inside game for a 7'5" guy and somehow get better instincts on defense. The argument for Nelson might just be due to the NBA GM/scout collective mentality, if everyone rates someone a bit low, then a team doesn't think they are "worth" that pick. He's small and dominates the ball a lot, we're currently ok at PG with Claxton, Van Exel and occassionally Dunleavy at point-forward, he's "topped out" his game. I think he would have been a good choice for any team, but he wouldn't have gotten enough playing time on the warriors.
Well I don't think this guy will have much of an impact for a few years. We still have a big hole we need filled if and when Dampier leaves. I'm interested in seeing this kid get some minutes.
You can't draft for need unfortunately. Biedrens I think has a lot of upside given the fact he's only 19 and his game is about defense and playing physical. Besides drafting a center would send the wrong message to Foyle and Damp who we may try to re-sign. Some speculate he isn't tall enough to play the starting position, but I think he can do it. He is a good locker room presence too.
With the Warriors selecting Biedrens, does this mean Dampier is not coming back? The Warriors had promised Biedrens he wouldn't fall past them and they kept their promise. Like Zhone said, he was a solid pick, but won't make an immediate impact. I'm still trying to figure out what the Warriors are trying to accomplish. Are they going to make a run at the playoffs, or are they in a rebuilding stage? They have the right mix of veteran and young talent to get into the 7th or 8th spots, but they need to get a better starter at center. I'm sure the trade rumors will heat up in the off-season. I can't imagine Nick Van Exel being around much longer. He doesn't really fit the Warriors and he can be a cancer to a team if they are on the losing end of most games. He still has trade value because of his ability to hit the perimeter shots. I expect him and Uncle Cliffy to be a part of a trade package within the next few months.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">With the Warriors selecting Biedrens, does this mean Dampier is not coming back? The Warriors had promised Biedrens he wouldn't fall past them and they kept their promise. Like Zhone said, he was a solid pick, but won't make an immediate impact. I'm still trying to figure out what the Warriors are trying to accomplish. Are they going to make a run at the playoffs, or are they in a rebuilding stage? They have the right mix of veteran and young talent to get into the 7th or 8th spots, but they need to get a better starter at center. I'm sure the trade rumors will heat up in the off-season. I can't imagine Nick Van Exel being around much longer. He doesn't really fit the Warriors and he can be a cancer to a team if they are on the losing end of most games. He still has trade value because of his ability to hit the perimeter shots. I expect him and Uncle Cliffy to be a part of a trade package within the next few months.</div> Doesn't mean anything. It means Biedrens had the entire package that Mullin was looking for in a player. A guy that could rebound, shotblock, defend, pass and score some.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">With the Warriors selecting Biedrens, does this mean Dampier is not coming back? </div>Not necessarily. Biedrens isn't expected to make an immediate impact. He is a young kid, 18 I think. The guy is full of potential and seems to have the work ethic to become a really good player. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I'm still trying to figure out what the Warriors are trying to accomplish. Are they going to make a run at the playoffs, or are they in a rebuilding stage? They have the right mix of veteran and young talent to get into the 7th or 8th spots, but they need to get a better starter at center.</div>I'm with you on this, I'm still not sure but my best guess would be that Mullin wants to make the playoffs this year. We do need that inside presence if we expect to compete for the last few spots in the playoffs. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I'm sure the trade rumors will heat up in the off-season. I can't imagine Nick Van Exel being around much longer. He doesn't really fit the Warriors and he can be a cancer to a team if they are on the losing end of most games. He still has trade value because of his ability to hit the perimeter shots. I expect him and Uncle Cliffy to be a part of a trade package within the next few months.</div>Sadly, I think Cliff might have to be included for a deal to go down. I love the guy and he could play an important role on the Warriors next year as he is a premier defender.
It appears to me that Mullin is picking all the "defensive versions" of our star players. Like he's got Pietrus who is a defensive version of Jrich. And I think Biedrens will be the defensive version of Troy Murphy. We'll see. Not that Troy Murphy is a bad defender, it's just he's not as quick to contain those athletic power forwards like Stoudamire or Chris Webber. Murphy is above average at low post defense and defensive rebounding but once in a while I'd like to see him block some shots and contain someone when the player they are guarding is going toward the basket.
