SB Nation User Blog: AlbinoWhale

The Irony of,"We are healthy this year".-Larry Riley

AlbinoWhale — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:34:50 -0000

I remember before the season started, there was an interview of Riley saying that the difference this year was that everyone was healthy. Note: I can't find the video, but it's somewhere in GSW's youtube page.

He said players who were banged up last year are healthy this year, which was true at that moment. Monta Ellis' ankle is not injured anymore, but has probably changed his game because of that. We were basically set and ready to go when everyone was healthy.

But as the off-season went on, things changed...

Pre-season then went off, and everyone was playing well without any injuries. Then Brandon Wright get's his shoulder dislocated again during a practice. I know accidents happen, and Wright is now injury prone, but the irony of Larry Riley saying everyone is healthy this year.

That was a huge loss, because having Wright start at PF was a great idea from Nellie. Randolph still needs to grow and be more settled down like Wright is. It's just very unfortunate that Wright had to be injured and have to go through surgery even.

Already short a key Power Foward in Wright, Warriors' Azabuike had to start off the season with a minor injury. Then Turiaf with his early injury too.

I know injuries happen and all, but isn't it a little ironic how Larry Riley said that we were healthy and injuries started piling up.

Now Biedrins is out along wih Turiaf, already mentioned Wright out( with Mikki Moore as a replacement?)

This is almost as bad as Monta's ankle injury except he was out a whole season.

If we were more fortunate, we would've had a great front court of Randolph/Wright, Turiaf/ Biedrins. But as of now... we have only Randolph and that's just not enough of a core for our defense.

Not blaming anyone for injuries but it's all too ironic.

Poll

Who is our biggest lost to an injury so far this already, outrageous season?

Maggette(wait he's not injured...Yet)

5 votes

Wright

42 votes

Biedrins

47 votes

Turiaf

8 votes

I just want Stephen Jackson traded already...

44 votes

146 votes | Poll has closed

W's Offseason 'Do's and Don'ts'

AlbinoWhale — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:52:36 -0000

First off, I would like to say there has been many many " possible trade" threads and most likely none of them would even happen. I don't think the Warriors have to make many trades except for the 2 obvious ones, Corey Maggette and Jamal Crawford.
And then there is the untouchable list. This list are the names of the players on the Warriors roster I would really hate to see leave in a trade this offseason. Also it could happen this upcoming draft.

I don't know why people are so eager to hope for trades right away just because of a major losing season.

You have to remember this year, the Warriors starting five was the most in the NBA to have a different starting lineup. Look at the teams that MADE the PLAYOFFS, their starting lineup has been the same and consistent. I know the Lakers lineup changes once and a while, putting Lamar Odom back and off the bench and same goes for Walton and Ariza, but those are little changes.

For the Warriors, there were so many different starting 5's I can't even remember how many. I know for sure it was more than 10 and it was rare to see a lineup you'd like. Except for the near end of the year when Monta was in the lineup, things were Slightly better.

What I'm trying to say is that the thing I would hate to see is a good team roster, I personally believe( When fully healthy) to Break up this team, By making trades... when this team's roster looked nothing like it did in the beginning of the year. - Demarcus Nelson starting, Disgruntled Al Harrington still playing, they're both gone now and new players like Morrow, Randolph, even Davidson/ Kurz had shown good vibes late in the season. Brandan Wright and Marco Bellineli, especially Marco, had shown growth from last year, EVEN with the VERY MINIMUM playing time they both got.(Damn you Nellie)

Isn't it very stupid and naive to 'rearrange' a nice roster that we have currently, by some stupid trades....

I know at least ONE PERSON is going to say " Look at the Warriors past and what the FO has done with the trades, stupidity there? Messed up the We Believe team"

Messed up the We Believe team, I don't want this new team to be get messed up too. And I GARUN-DAMN-TEE if we keep this current team and a with a draft pick, playoffs will be for certain.

Here are a list of players I would really hate to see in a trade this offseason:

-Anothony Morrow, Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright, Marco Bellineli, Ronny Turiaf, Andris Biedrins, Azabuike.

Here's a list the players I ' don't really mind and won't be so bad if they were traded:

-Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford, CJ Watson, Kurz, Davidson.

And we're pretty much stuck with our 'Captain Jack' because I'm sure no team would make a trade for him.

With all that said... here are the Do's and Don'ts:

DO's:

-Do give effort to trade Corey Maggette if possible, his contract is sickening.

-Do hope Jamal opts out( great person & handler, horrible in-game player)

-Do sign a FA something like; Andre Miller, Gortat, etc

-Do look to improve.

DON'TS:

-Don't trade away key players that rarely had the chance to shine.

-Don't get into any 'Moped incidents' this offseason.

-Don't make any stupid trades that would remind us of the trades/off-season before.

Feel free to add some of your own and give your thoughts and opinions.

Poll

Would you like to see some major trades happen this offseason for the Warriors or Would you rather keep the roster as is and see what the team is capable of in a healthy season?

I believe we NEED trades, But Dear god, not another J-rich type deal.

49 votes

No NEED for major trades, Near same roster currently,I believe in the roster when it's fully healthy a whole season, by keeping (Marco, Wright, Morrow, Randolph etc) PLAYOFFS BABY!

44 votes

Don't care who stays, who goes, I WANT SPARKS FLYING, TRADES HERE, TRADES THERE.

16 votes

109 votes | Poll has closed

Who likes Point Guards?

AlbinoWhale — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:53:31 -0000

Let's all assume that the main position the Warriors are going to select this upcoming draft is a Point Guard. That being said, there are many PG's in this years draft with their own limit of talent and skill set. I am not going to rank them in order because you'll never know who's better than who until they play in an NBA game.

So the Warriors have their guards too,

You have CJ Watson, Monta Ellis, and that's about it. Stephen Jackson is probably going to stay at the 2 Guard (mainly for defense and rebounding issues.)

CJ Watson most likely won't be starting PG next year for the Warriors, but definitely capable for another team.

That leaves Monta Ellis, who doesn't care what guard position he plays, as long as it's a guard. So assume he's officially a point guard period. He would have to compete against other PG's in the league such as; Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Derrick Rose, Gilbert Arenas, etc.

We havn't seen Monta play Point a whole season yet, but how valuable is Monta Ellis really, that's the question.

Back to the draft, point guards being drafted this year vary in talent and skill. Let's compare them to our point guard: Monta Ellis. Not only by telent and skill, but leadership and what they can do for a Team instantly with a strong impact.

Mainly, is there any Point Guard in the draft that the Warriors CAN draft( Probably not Rubio) that can be better than Monta?

(You fill in the blank with >, or <, or =.)

-This is just estimating before you've seen these PGs play in an NBA season, but Monta hasn't really played as a Point Guard in an NBA season too has he? So it's fair to compare them now.

Ricky Rubio ____ Monta Ellis

Johnny Flynn ____ "

Jeff Teague ____ "

Brandon Jennings ____ "

Patty Mills ____"

Jrue Holiday ____"

*Add your own if you'd like. Even if it's players like Andre Miller, Derrick Rose etc.

Poll

Out of these draft prospects who would; in a couple of years, MOST LIKELY to have a bigger impact than Monta Ellis as Point Guard for their team? I know Monta isn't a draft prospect but I'll put him as a choice... If one thinks Monta Ellis can/ is better

Brandon Jennings

39 votes

Johnny Flynn

20 votes

Jeff Teague

4 votes

Other(Name)

21 votes

Monta Ellis

38 votes

122 votes | Poll has closed

Will Monta stay a Warrior?

AlbinoWhale — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:18:15 -0000

Would you be suprised if Monta Ellis is no longer a Warrior by next season?

Meaning Monta Ellis would be dealt in a trade during this offseason. As much as he is a valuable player, There IS NO PERCENTAGE of Monta being traded.

Either way, the Warriors roster would still be not only exciting, but will compete for a playoff spot, or maybe more.

So here's my scenario; ...IF Monta is traded for whatever reason,

Say we get Bosh or Amare for Monta and other's, I rather keep Biedrins than Monta because defense is what wins games for you.
-Don't get me wrong, Monta is full of offense but crappy on defense.
-So we get rid of 'some' offense(We won without Monta multiple times)
and we gain some defense(from whoever we get from the trade)

Lineup would be like-

PG- Marco
SG-Steven Jackson(Defensively, I like him, but Turnover MANIAC)
SF- Azabuike
PF-Bosh, Bargnani, Amare or (Whoever we get for Monta& Wright or Maggette)
C- Biedrins

2nd Unit-

PG- CJ Watson- (Whoever we draft-Ty Lawson, Patty Mills, etc.)
SG- Morrow    (He can improve his handles during offseason)
SF- Maggette   (If he doesn't get traded)
PF- Randolph- Wright   (If he doesn't get traded)
C- Turiaf- Davidson- Kurz

*And Crawford, if he doesn't opt out, he probably will get traded for someone who'll be in the 2nd unit also.

I really want Toronto to trade Bargnani and/or Bosh for Monta & Pieces(Exluding randolph) Because- then we'll have the Italy connection with Marco and Bargnani.

Imagine a Starting lineup to be like this:

PG Marco
SG Steven Jackson(Can't get rid of him, 1% chance he'll get traded, no team wants him)
SF Azabuike or Bosh(If we get him) Randolph( If Randolph, The Lineup is VERY TALL)
PF Bargnani- Randolph
C Biedrins -Turiaf/Davidson/Kurz
-Morrow can be a SG/SF in 2nd unit and CJ& Draft pick 2nd unit for PG.

I know I lack stats and not accurate, so don't take things too seriously.

I don't hate Monta so please don't flame me.

I'm asking for your honest opinion on 'Do you THINK or WANT Monta to is going to be/stay a Warrior.'

Poll

Do you WANT Monta to stay a Warrior? Do you THINK Monta will most likely get traded or not get traded?

Yes, I want Monta to stay a Warrior!

253 votes

No, He can ride of into the sunset with his Moped!

45 votes

Yes, it's inevitable

25 votes

No, who would we trade him for anyways?

23 votes

346 votes | Poll has closed