Remember at the end of last year when we were wondering what the future held for the Warriors and how that depended on some blockbuster trade, Jermaine, KG, Artest, etc.? Well now look at the Warriors, with Monta and Biedrins, JRich and Baron are almost irrelevant. The future is all about Monta and Biedrins. Now, its only been 19 games, but those guys have shown they can compete and be a major part of winning. Add Nellie and the mix is bright. Ike? Could be a valuable piece, let's see. Everything else just needs to fall into place because the Warriors have both an inside player and an outside player simultaneously developing into potential stars. That has never happened here, at least not since Barry and Thurmond (unless you count Webber and Spree for one year.) Whatever happens this year, the future is better than we could have imagined last year.
With J Rich hurt and Murphy's role shifting around-neither has been the steady asset they can be. Baron's a bit better. Dunleavy is still not that good-and yet-it's quite an improvement. Biedrens-Ike-Monta-Pietrus...we have seen at times how good these guys CAN perform..and that may not even be their best as years pass-what we need is all that---all the time. Roberson and Barnes were like finding $20 on the street,a lucky bonus. We won't know for a while what POB and Zarko can do for us. At 7-0 and 6-11 they are tall with some talent. We just had a pair of real ugly games. They don't nessicerily prove we are in free fall. They do say there's plenty to do to get this team up to it's potential. The W's are 2nd youngest team in the NBA and probably lead in number of lotto picks on the roster. Add in a coach who played on Auerbach's dynasty teams....have some patience...and the odds are we should have a contender.
I hope we find some inside-outside presence and some sound D soon. I hate it when our guys just settle for jumpers and it swings the momentum around exposes our poor defense. Plus, if we don't fix the center matchup soon, it'll be hard when the other team sends out their biggest, strongest guy and we can't do anything but to double the middle and collapse inside. It's even worse if that guy is a good passer, great offensive rebounder who understands inside positioning and footwork on either side of the block. And it's even worse if he's got a perimeter that can shoot. The bigger team essentially controls the tempo at the end of the 82 game marathon... we can only play fast, but not slow... That's why I hope Biedrins can get bigger or POB develops into a more legit center. I feel Biedrins is in between forward and center. Ike is definitely pure power forward. I'm hoping those two skilled bigs (Ike and Beans) can emulate a strong frontline in comparrison to the rest of the league. If we own those matchups, then I think our backcourt can fit right in and hold their own against other guard matchups. Now small forward... we have yet to see what fits in with Ike and Jrich. We might have to go athletic, medium-weight, tall shooting guard that can defend small forwards and guards, for this one... Maybe body of James Posey with Tayshaun Prince type skill... We know JRich is not really a guard with his game and he's not a quick defender, and Ike may need a strong defender as well. This will be hard...
It seems like when talent is put under the microscope, the cream rises to the top. Guys like Monta, Beans, Barnes, and Robeson all flourished when they were flying under the radar. Barnes looked like 6th man of the year. However, after he was given the starting job, he put up a rotten egg performance. Now, all I mean is that, I hope these young guys can keep the same hungry, stubborn, ravenous attitudes that got them through training camp, earned them a spot with the team, earned them starting roles. I think Monta played better before the interviews, the ESPN talk, the sportscenter highlights, the "little brother" comparison with Baron, the attention from Matt Steinmetz. I just think he's a kid who is SO HUMBLE and so innocent, he isn't ready to deal with the spotlight yet. And I don't want to see him fake it. The moment you think you are the sh!t, that's the moment you expose a weakness. Even the greats -- Jordan, Kobe, Russell, Magic -- who knew they were the greatest of all time -- they were the ones with the supreme work ethic and dedication. Even though the were supremely confident on the court, and knew the shot would go in before it left their hands, they still maintained that humble appreciation for the game, that intense drive to better one's self, to come to practice early and stay late, to never be the fool that thinks you know it all. You think Kobe's 81 point game was a fluke? He's my arch enemy (being a GS fan and all) but lemme tell you dude works as hard as anybody in the game. He earned it with dedication. Supreme confidence, yet supreme humility and dedication to the game. What I hope and pray as a GS fan is that the spotlight doesn't taint the genuine passion and dedication of these current prospects we have. Beans? I don't see it happening; he just goes out and does what he does. It's a beautiful thing. Monta? Well, he's the last kid I ever thought might have things go to his head (because he's so damn humble and well mannered). However, playing alongside Baron, and having such quick success, I do think it's an issue he must deal with. He's not sure yet whether he's this innocent, unheard of rookie, or whether he's a star. Is he being talked about on ESPN? Will he be invited to the Rookie-Soph game? He's making noise, and it seems like he's struggling to negotiate between that rookie who just came out and danced circles around the opposition on defense, and the "emerging star" who just signed a two-year shoe deal and is being given the ball in closing minutes to win ball games. Monta's greatest asset is is humble passion to get better; I hope he doesn't forget that. Barnes? This guy has been one of my favorite Warriors. I like his bench-player mentality, hustle, defense, rebounding, and level-headed attitude. He's been a quiet spark, a cog in many of the Warriors early wins. Like Monta, he needs to keep that eager drive to earn minutes, and not become complacent. Roberson? This kid was born to shoot, and that's all he'll ever do! Fire it up, little fella!! Roberson will always have limitations on his game due to size and skill set, but this kid is in NO way afraid to shoot, and that will never change. I love it. Even though he got off to a rough going in his first career start, I didn't see any signs of self-consciousness or shift in effort. He will come out fearless and ready to shoot regardless of whether he is playing 5 or 45 minutes a night. I like that. IMO there are many players in the NBA who show amazing promise or potential. There are many players who produce well when given their first chance. remember Kareem Rush? Lakers were saying he was their starting 2 guard of the future. Now, he's out of the NBA and looking for a job. Many players show promise; what makes them good is the ability to stay focused, preserve that hunger, humilty and respect, and stay dedicated to working hard. Ultimately, a player's biggest asset and biggest enemy are the same thing: ego. Have Supreme Confidence; yet maintain Supreme Humilty. That's what the greats do.
Good post alleyoop, but maybe it's because some of our guys are relatively unknowns, the league hasn't picked up on their tendencies yet. We have promising guys, but sometimes it's hard to say who will be truly great. We haven't accomplished a single playoff berth in these past 12 years. Ridiculous.
Alley has good points,work habits,desire,learning curve..those things seperate the guy drafted high who goes nowhere from a sleeper,whether it's a late lotto like Biedrins or a walk on like Barnes. Having a coach willing and able to teach and motivate is also crucial. This team has the material to keep moving up. My big fear is that we try to find a shortcut and botch it only to see several guys we let get away prematurely be better than who we thought would be the big deal.
