Hi all,

With the free agent movement coming up, I've heard analysts and journalists throw around the term "big market."  I've often wondered why the Bay Area is not mentioned as one.  We have the 6th largest population in the country, revenue is 10th, attendance is 10th, attendance percentage is 14th, and of course, the best fans in the league. (Props to the Clips for today's fan loyalty article on RealGM, but I'm not convinced...  their population base is 2X+ the Bay area!)  

Of course, no one needs reminding that our record is not ranked nearly as high as any of these wonderful marks.  I'd wager a sustained winning tradition (over .500 for more than two seasons) would easily put us in the top two or three in any category.

I know there are some really smart fans here on GSOM.  Can anyone please shed some light on what this refers to or who these "big market" teams are?  I know that New York and LA are often mentioned.  Could it be as simple as resident population?  I sure hope not, because that is certainly a poor indicator of basketball appreciation and does little to explain the appeal of these markets to players.

Sources of info: 

• http://www.insidehoops.com/business.shtml
• http://espn.go.com/nba/attendance
• http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/64332/20100128/study_clippers_warriors_have_nbas_most_loyal_fans/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urbanized_areas_in_California_%28by_population%29

Check out this article from MSNBC:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19026497/

Some points I found really interesting:

The league is encouraging a faster game for entertainment reasons.

A controlling coach could be the main reason we get a snooze-fest finals this year.

Highlight reels are inspiring kids to work on the dunks and threes instead of the low post game.

Too bad Nellie didn't get more credit in this article for being one of the innovative coaches to lead this movement.

I was listening to KNBR in the car last night and one of the hosts was asked if he thought we should trade BD.

He had an interesting point, which was that even though Baron has played really well this year, we shouldn't be paying him $16 million to go out and play for around 48 games.  Unfortunately and through no fault of his own, partial seasons have been the story his whole career.

Since no player ever comes back for less money, the only way to deal with the situation is to package him up and trade him in the offseason.

Does anybody think Baron will play a full season next year?  I've lost faith myself.

Is Monta ready for the starting job?  At 17 points and 1.6 steals a night, I think so.  Yeah, the turnovers are a problem and the assists are low.  He has a ways to go, but a trial by fire will make him grow quicker.

What kind of a player could we get for Baron?  I'm thinking on the level of Gasol or Garnett, if the other team is desperate and we can package him with a little youthful talent, such as Pietrus.

I want to know what the Warriors faithful think about this.  I've heard a lot of complaints about the thought of trading JRich, for many emotional (not rational?) reasons like him being the "heart" of this team or because he's a nice guy.  Do we feel the same about Baron?

Where would last night have gone if the bench wasn't cleared for that rally?  I was surprised Nellie let a dog tired Harrington back in, the way he was clanking shots!  I was terrified we would lose when the bench squad was replaced with the one that gave up that pathetic third.

While the commentators are quick to say that the balance of the Indy trade rests on the potential of Diogu, nobody has said a peep about Powell.  Guess what?  He very well could end up better than Ike.  He has a great offensive touch, looks as cool as ice out there, and hustles every play.  His defensive skills need a bit of work, but I have no doubt we'll be talking about him a lot next year.

I'm also becoming a fan of Azubuike.  He plays with hustle but doesn't get reckless.  Clearly he has some basketball skills AND smarts.  Of course he's no Baron, Monta, or JRich, but he plays refreshingly consistant.

I'm excited about the way the team is coming along.  This might end up being a rebuilding year (not a playoff year), but I really like the way the organization is putting this team together.

Wow, and I thought the Charmin Brothers (Dun and Murph) had some funny hair!

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In an interview with Tim Kawakami, Chris Mullin emphatically stated that he will not trade Jason Richardson.

My question: A week ago you gave a rejuvenating jolt to the franchise by trading Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy to Indiana; could Richardson, another of your old favorites, be next out the door?

"Jason?" Mullin said, bolting up in his seat. "No. I've seen Jason enough to say, `No.'"

No, as in: Richardson's not going anywhere. Right, Chris? Anybody asks about him, you say . . .

"No," Mullin said.

Yeah, but we need another big man, right?  And JRich is a sure ticket to a quality player!

Mullin doesn't deny that the Warriors could use another big man. He won't rule out making any move that could bring the playoffs into view.

But he said that Richardson is "absolutely'' on another level than Dunleavy and Murphy. Even though Richardson (due back from his broken hand in a few weeks) hasn't been healthy enough to show much to Nelson yet, Mullin said Richardson has proved his worth.

"Nellie's waiting for him with open arms,'' Mullin said.

Maybe this was just post-trade languor. Maybe Mullin will change his mind if Richardson is the price he has to pay to land a key big man. But it doesn't sound like it.

"We're more athletic, longer, just tougher physically,'' Mullin said. "I think we can match up one-on-one more, offensively and defensively. I think we've seen that. It's been apparent.

Another valid argument, brought up by Al Harringturtle, is that what would we do with a big man?  Most beast-like shot blockers are not known for speed.

... Harrington said that he doesn't see the need for more major retooling. You couldn't use one more player, Al?

"I really don't think so,'' Harrington said. "Maybe a `big,' a shot-blocking `big.' But I don't know if he could help us because of the way that we run. For the style that we play, I think this is a great team.

"I like the team we've got right now. I'd rather keep the team just how it is.''

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/basketball/nba/golden_state_warriors/16549900.htm

(By the way, the instructions on creating a quote are messed up and I forgot how it was done before.  It shows the final result instead of the code necessary.)

It looks like the Warriors front office is indeed talking about getting another big man.

This from the CC Times today:

... Detroit has inquired about Warriors combo guard Monta Ellis, recently acquired point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, swingman Mickael Pietrus and forward Matt Barnes.

...

The Warriors need inside help now that forwards Troy Murphy and Ike Diogu play for Indiana. Adonal Foyle is the only true big man remaining behind starting center Andris Biedrins.

However, the Warriors might not be willing to absorb Mohammed's contract, which has four years and $25 million remaining after this season, or part with one of their perimeter players just yet. Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said Wednesday he wants to use the month or so remaining before the Feb. 22 trade deadline to evaluate his new roster.

It sounds like Mohammed is a dissapointment to the Pistons, can't play small-ball, but he has been known to step up in the clutch.  Above all other causes for concern in Warrior-land, he has a heavy contract.

I can't believe that the Warriors would even consider giving up Ellis for this guy.  Must be wishful thinking on the part of Detroit.

Poll

What should the Warriors do?

37%

Try and get somebody like him, but without the huge contract.

16 votes

23%

Try to get a faster, long center to back up Beidrins (such as AK47).

10 votes

32%

Don't do anything, use Foyle in the role this guy is supposed to play.

14 votes

2%

Sell the farm! We want Nazr at any cost!

1 votes

4%

Make the trade, but don't give up Pietrus, Barnes, and/or Ellis.

2 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed

Poor Patrick O'Bryant.  Used and thrown away like a tissue.  Yep, they are sending him back to the Jam.

http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3417445

I guess we should have seen it coming, but you have to feel for the guy.  If there is one place worse than Indiana, it's Bakersfield.

With Foyle and POB both appearing as dissapointments to Don Nelson, could the next hole to fill be a back-up center?  I'm sure we still need to see how the new guys effect the game over the next few weeks (before Feb 22), but I'm guessing it is being talked about.

Poll

What do you think about POB?

14%

He is a good center, but not a fit for Nellie-ball.

4 votes

50%

He's a bust.

14 votes

35%

He needs time, but he will eventually be incredible.

10 votes

28 votes | Poll has closed

All kidding aside, I'll be anxious to see how the team chemistry is after this trade.  In my eyes, Mullin has salvaged his GM career with this move.  We may be getting supposedly mediocre talent, but at least we have hope again.  And cap space!

I have a feeling a low-post presence will take us to the next level.  If Al takes it there, our future looks bright!

Poll

What happens now?

15%

Stephen Jackson comes to fight for a starting spot with both guns blazing.

6 votes

5%

Beidrins and Ellis get HUGE contracts, only to put up mediocre bench-like numbers the following years.

2 votes

31%

Ike Diogu, now unchained from the dog house, puts up MVP stats and gets his own shoe line in three years.

12 votes

31%

Fearing the fists of Indy, booing the home team in the Oracle just became a distant memory.

12 votes

15%

Remember the flowing manes of gold? Get the clippers out, mohawks are where it's at!

6 votes

38 votes | Poll has closed

Did anybody catch the really dull game between Detroit and Cleveland?  And this from the cream of the East!  Some of the worst shooting and most unimaginative strategy I've ever seen.

The Sacramento and DC game was like watching Terminator after sleeping through On Golden Pond.  

And does Washington even practice playing defense?  Talk about blown assignments...on every play!  I guess if you can put up 44 points in a quarter you don't care.  If they tried just a little on D they might be a contender.

Yes, it was not a pretty sight or what we fans deserved.  However, there were some bright spots.

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