Got our renewal notices today.  My wife and I are split.  I want to stop supporting this horribly dyfunctional franchise  front office and coached by someone whose meanness and stubborness has driven me over the edge.  But my wife wants us to find someone to slip the season.  So I know a guy who is equally fed up and wants to partner up rather than renew two seats on his own.  So at least I feel I depriving Cohan and Rowell of at least  the equivelant of one season ticket holder by taking on a parnter who last year had his own two seats.  If you have season tickets, what are your plans:

Poll

Will you renew?

16%

Yes:

33 votes

63%

No:

125 votes

19%

Will take less of the season:

39 votes

197 votes | Poll has closed

Yahoo Sports posted this interesting story yesterday about how big, bad Robert Rowell is rearing his ugly head and power and it seems Mully's days may be numbered:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Golden-State-s-newest-villain-ain-t-Stephen-Jack;_ylt=AkhPfbXoh64qJcr1XLwmXO68vLYF?urn=nba,115098

I agree with the author that Mully hasn't been in the running for VP of the year.  But having a "bottom line suit", especially the alter ego of one of worst NBA owners (Cohan) running the show, I am feeling pretty frustrated by this new turn of events.  First undermining the deal with BD, then imposing a larger fine and punishment on Monta (albeit deserved), then messing with Jackson's contract based on his liking of Jax, so what is next?

This new direction can't be good for the franchise and I can only surmise that Cohan and Rowell have already decided Mully is out with Nelly at the end of this year.  Otherwise, why are they undermining what seems to be the maturing and growth of Mully as the VP?  Just doesn't makes sense and doesn't bode well for the upcoming season IMHO.

Ok, I can't stand the current poll results on whether to trade for Artest. I originally voted No for a variety of reasons, but after Saturday's semi meltdown I think we, not Artest, would be insane to bring him to Dubland.

After the technical on him for his King Kong imitation, he is taking up his position on the foul line and is still talking to the chick ref and I heard him say to her, "oh, that felt soooo good" while continuing to appear highly aggitated.

So here is your chance to get it right; or not.

Oh, as an PS: let's pass on Miller.  He bitched about every call he got or didn't get, and although that would fit well with the Band of Brothers, I think not.

Whether it was fantasy or not, I think I'll pass.

Poll

Would you trade for Artest

49%

yes

77 votes

28%

no

44 votes

22%

not in a million years

36 votes

157 votes | Poll has closed

I read through the long thread diary and was amazed at the recriminations against many of our players, especially Barnes and Pietrus.  Words such as "retarded" and "idiot" were bandied about to describe their "contributions" to the loss.

And clearly Baron and Jax had one of their worst shooting nights of the season.  And the Webber experiment did not get off to the greatest of starts.

And the refs were worse than their normal atrious selves against the Warriors, probably because they rightously hate the whinning of practically every call and the gratituous and phoney pats on the butts they get from Jax and Harrington.

And last but certainly not least, we have the Spin Master (as opposed to Zen Master from down south), coach Nelson.  Lately Tim Kawakami has been tearing him a new one on this site during his Q&A interviews, mostly for being stubborn and ridgid about his system, who gets to play, bringing in Webber, and so on.

So I am posting a Poll to see what the community thinks.  I can tell you right now I am voting for Nelson, because the lack of focus and discipline of this team is amazing. Nelson let's his stars get away with whatever they feel like doing, which is usually hoisting threes with 20 seconds left on the clock.  He won't insist on putting the ball in hands of our best shooter, Monta, who is often the third option.  He won't create a flexible game plan when we are dying on the peremeter.

The loss the Bulls is just one of the many losses that could have been avoided with a tougher minded coach.  At least in the Commish's humble opinion.

Poll

Who to blame for loss the the Bulls

36%

Nelson

93 votes

46%

Individual players

117 votes

16%

Refs

43 votes

253 votes | Poll has closed

I am not sure who Kelly Dwyer is, but he has written an interesting and entertaining article on "the trade--one year later".  He seems like a clear Warrior fan so perhaps the GSoM powers that be might want to contact him for some Q&A in the future.  Hey, for all I know everyone else knows this guy, but I enjoyed his article in Yahoo Sports under NBA Expert Opinion.  Here you go:

 http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba_experts/post/Warriors-and-Pacers-make-a-trade-one-year-passe;_y lt=AueULoymrpT_j9Bi8IqaV_OkvLYF?urn=nba,62316

Wow, this is some article from Yahoo Sports. Coach Boylan suspended Noah for one game for basically a lot of ego and attitude.  But, the players insisted on a two game suspension.  

Now I'm not saying Noah wouldn't have been of more help to us this year than Wright, but it seems he has issues and baggage.  His college coach attributes it to "immaturity" and a desire to win; but this is decried by the team's obvious desire to send him a clear message to grow up.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ai_d6J7xWskQvHTAo8kOA3u8vLYF?slug=aw-noah011408&prov=yhoo& amp;type=lgns

I read an interesting blog by Geoff Leppers, the Warriors beat writer for the CC Times.  He suggests the best way to get Baron to the All Star Game is by voting (often) for Steve Nash.  

We all know Baron deserves to go but the odds are pretty long if T-Mac is voted in as a starter.  That is why Geoff is suggesting voting for Nash.  It is an interesting strategy and might be the only way to get Baron to New Orleans.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/

For those of you who do not read Marcus Thompson and Geoff Leppers blog, I wanted to point you to the entry from last night's game since I think it is particularly insightful.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2008/01/07/oracle-struggles/

And even though I thought Capt Jax was MIA for the first 48 minutes last night in one of his anger funks, I still agree in general and specifically with what Marcus wrote about the Warrior mentality at the Oracle.

Ok, so you think this is another trade related question.  Wrong.  I'm curious how many of our GSoM community members actually have season tickets; and, if not, tell me why. I have season tickets with my wife but take my oldest granddaughter (10) when my wife doesn't go.  My 10 year old is crazy for the Dubs and loves going with me when she can, even on a school night.

Poll

Do you have season tickets?

3%

yes, I share in season tickets

3 votes

63%

I get to go to a few games

57 votes

23%

no, I don't go any games (unlikely)

21 votes

8%

yes, all 82 games (yum yum)

8 votes

1%

yes, I split season tickets seats (42 games)

1 votes

90 votes | Poll has closed

Ok, I know the "anti-haters" will jump all over this post, but just for fun, who would rather have as the Warrior's coach:  Nellie or Jackson.

It seems to me Jackson outcoaches Nellie every time we play (0-9).  But then again, Nellie outcoached Avery in the playoffs.

I am asking this hypotethical question because I'm curious.  I know getting Phil Jackson is not an option under any circumstances, but thinking "big picture"--like how do you go deep into the playoffs--from whom would you vote?  More importantly, why?

Poll

Who Would You Rather Have as the Dub's Coach

70%

Nellie

48 votes

29%

Jackson

20 votes

68 votes | Poll has closed

In reading and trying to comprehend the information posted in the entry dealing with the potential signing of Biedrins or Ellis (or both), I am unclear about the TPE we have this season and it's relationship to our overall options.  In layman's terms, can anyone explain how using it is to our distinct advantage or aruge that not using it is the best thing to do?  

I've also included a poll that will gauge our community opinion about the TPE.  Thanks.

Poll

Will the TPE be used this season?

19%

Yes

13 votes

21%

No

14 votes

46%

It should be but won't

31 votes

12%

It should not be

8 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

Watching the game last night I couldn't help but wonder why Nellie played Baron and other starters deep into the fourth quarter while POB end up getting about three minutes and a DNP for Wright.  It is not so much the limited time for O'Bryant and no playing time for Wright that concerns me, but Baron being in the game so late in the game for no apparent reason.  At the end of the third quarter we were up by 15 but pulled away quickly at the start of the fourth and soon  were up by twenty.

I don't know why Nellie would continue to play Baron, but I could theorize that he wanted his starters to feel what it is like to play hard in the fourth quarter. I'm not subscribing to that theory but it is only plausible explanation I can think of. What about you:  speculate what you think went through Nellie's mind in the fourth quarter of the Knicks game?

Ok, we gotta be "hating" someone after the first 2.5 games.  I'm feeling it is Pietrus but want to check that out with the GSoM community members.  Why didn't we get rid of him?  Why is Nellie playing him?  These are the questions that will define the start of the 2007-08 season in my mind.

Meanwhile, Dunleavy lit it up for 25 tonight and is playing out of his mind, although the season is only three games "old".  Maybe that is good--Pietrus would do just great with another team where he doesn't have to play the 4.

Well, you tell me:

Poll

Is Pietrus the new Dunleavy

21%

Come on Commish, give him a break

25 votes

19%

Trade him for whomever ASAP!!!

22 votes

12%

Yes, I be hating him just like I hated Dunleavy

14 votes

9%

He has more potential than Dunleavy

11 votes

20%

I hate what Nellie is doing more than Pietrus' play

23 votes

17%

He definitely has an important role on the Dubs

20 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

I can't beleive it either, but I heard this from a very reliable source, that there will be no extension for Biedrins.  Want to know why?  Because Rowell doesn't want to make the same mistakes management has made with virtually all of the past terrible extensions.

If this is true, which I think it is, what will this do to morale?  What is Baron thinking right now?  

All is I can is wow, what is Rowell thinking?  To me this is very sad and disturbing news.

============================

[Moderator's Note, by OptionZero:]

According to SF Gate, some details have emerged:

Bill Duffy, the agent for center Andris Biedrins, said Sunday there will be no contract extension for his client after negotiations with the Warriors on a long-term deal ended with "significant" differences on Biedrins current value. Duffy was seeking a five-year deal worth substantially more than $50 million. The Warriors' offer was substantially less than $50 million. The gap was large enough that talks did not progress to a serious degree.

You gotta love Tim Kawakami.  In his latest blog er rant, he makes a multitude of points including that it is time for Mullins to earn his GM money and seal the deal with Nelson.  That means selling it to Cohan, who probably just hates the "wiliness" of the sly Nelson who--as we know--always just loves screwing with owner's heads and pocketbooks.

As usual, Tim humorously and self-effacingly covers a variety of Mulson related topics in his last few postings. we haven't had a Tim posting in quite a while, so enjoy:

http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawakami/2007/08/30/time-for-mullin-to-close-the-nelson-deal-if-its-t here-to-be-closed/#more-581

For what it is worth, Dennis Velasco has ranked the 30 top players in each position in anticipation of the upcoming fantasy basketball season.  In creating the preseason rankings, you'll see the Warriors don't do all that well, with Baron being ranked seventh and Beans 11th.  After that it is downhill, but then again, WE do BELIEVE.

Ironically, after reading the posting about Carlos Arroyo, I couldn't find him in the rankings. Dunleavy is listed higher than Barnes at SF and Murphy is four slots lower than Harrington.  J-Rich is ninth, Monta is 17 and Jax is 25th at SG.

Just to break our hearts, of course Gilbert is numero uno at PG and KG is one at PF.  Knock yourself out with your own fantasies, which I know most of do anyway.

http://probasketball.about.com/od/playerrankings/a/pgranks082807.htm?nl=1

Hey, I don't want to say I told you so, but I told you so.  I've been posting a few things about Donaghy and this messy, messy officating situation.  If this rumor is true, it is really going to blow up.  The rabid fans will be spewing hate at every game over every missed or perceived missed call.  It is going to be so hard for the officials but really, who cares, because they get so many calls wrong anyway.  I just hope we will get some degree of standarization--as much as possible--by the league so the refs calls will be more respected and where possible, above reproach.  Here is the article from S.I.:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/

What do you think will happen if this rumor is true?

With nothing better to do in the dog days of summer, I was online reading a SI's NBA article and saw a very interesting take on restrictive free agency. You will see the author Steve Aschburner contends it is very difficult for teams to sign restricted free agents because it gives the team owning the rights to a player so much leverage to match any offer coming from another club. You can read it yourself but I concur it makes a team who desires a player do all the work, usually with not much to show for it. So here you go:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/steve_aschburner/08/17/free.agency/index.html

We can see this issue playing out with Pietrus.  I am not sure why the Warriors are playing "hard ball" but it must get extremely frustrating for the player, the team trying to get the player, and of course, the agent trying to do the best for his client.

Yahoo Sports says Miami is renewing its interest in MP but they are not alone.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Heat-still-pursuing-Pietrus-but-other-teams-to;_ylt=AjJdZEym 4apj8uddbUAQ7vGLvLYF?urn=nba,41872

Christmas may indeed have come in August with Foyle's buyout, the possibility of moving MP and getting someone worthwhile in return (say, White Chocolate or Posey), and who knows what else.  I guess if we keep believing no telling how good our team might be come training camp.

==================================================

[Moderator's Note, by OptionZero:] Pree brings the heat again. Check out his new article updating the Pietrus situation as it stands so far.

Yesterday, when I posted about Donaghy pleading guilty, there were hardly any comments.  This didn't surprise me, per se, because it was not "sexy".  But there are deeper issues I want the community to think about and comment upon in a poll.

This is not an easy issue to capture in a poll because I am not sure what are the "correct" set of questions to ask.  But I do know that in today's pleading, something really important came out and I'll quote from Yahoo sports:

Essentially, Donaghy used for gambling purposes his knowledge of who would be officiating which games. He knew which refs had issues with which coaches and players, and how that could influence the scoreboard. He also knew certain officials would dictate a certain style of play.

"By having this non-pubic information, I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," Donaghy told the judge. At times, maybe he oversold the usefulness of his insider knowledge to gamblers. Maybe his mob connections won most of those bets, kicking him back $5,000 for each winner, on basketball acumen or dumb luck. Whatever the case, this confirms our fears of how agendas - some innocent, some not - play out in the sport. Perception becomes reality, and the reality is the NBA has lost the credibility, the moral authority, to defend itself.

Do you see the central issue here!  It is that Donaghy was basing his bets on his knowledge of clear biases of other officials. We pretty much all feel this way given our perception of how unequally the officials, in general, treat rookies versus established stars; and specifically the calls that seemily consistently go against us.  We all know the extreme power the refs have to determine the outcome of a game or series.  Just think back to our loss against Washington when 00 gets three free throws due to an insanely called technical.  That is just one extreme example.

So what should be the focus of the poll?  I will through out some questions, but I am not sure they are the best ones.  I'd like your feedback and opinion because maybe, just maybe, there is a window of opportunity to actually have some input on officiating in the league.  Now that the public finally has moral certainty that bias is not just our "homer" instincts, can we appeal to the league to reduce the power and seeming arbitrariness of the refs and their calls?

I hope this post gets more attention than my post about Donaghy pleading out. Not for my vanity, but because the fate of potentially some to even many games and conceiveably a season can rest on a clear bias for or against us.

NBA refs have enormous power.  Is it too much?  Is it abused?  We know it is a very tough and subjective job, but there is so little public accountability.  What, as fans, can we do to begin to influence the league to create more even-handed refing of games?  Or am I just blowing smoke up my tush?

Poll

What to do about the NBA refs

23%

There has to be a way to create a more even playing field

9 votes

7%

We should develop a GSoM community position paper and forward it to the league

3 votes

2%

We should lobby our sportswriters to take on this issue

1 votes

18%

I think ref bias is just a part of the landscape

7 votes

18%

We should make signs and protest at home games to embarass the league

7 votes

28%

Nothing to do; we are powerless

11 votes

38 votes | Poll has closed

According to Sports Illustrated, Donaghy is to plead guilty:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/08/14/donaghy.ap/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy planned to plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges alleging he wagered on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe said.

====================

[Moderator's Note, by OptionZero:]

Took out the bit on Powell, since there's an existing diary on it just above the "Foyle Buyout" diary.

The news on Donaghy, however, is new, and we haven't had a discussion on it in a while, so I've made that the focus

The availabe players to come to the Dubs seem to be dropping like flies as one more is rumored to being signing with another team, in this case the Spurs:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors;_ylt=Amu._QRxJ0sJS.hHXrYxdX68vLYF

Someone posted that those of us who tend towards impatience are in for a hard time.  I really hear that.

Ok, what is a webpin and how do I get one?  Since my nickname is "Commish", I'm thinking David Stern.  Who can make this happen for me?  I'm willing to go up to the MLE since it seems we are not going to spend a damn dime to get anyone who wants more than $1.5 mil for two years (is that good for Buki?.)  I'd also consider the trade exemption big bucks if I could have two cool webpins like Sleepy to pull out at will.  Now that's power.

Regardless, the Commish is an old dude who doesn't know how to do these cool things.

Thanks :-)

I would have preferred to nest this question in one of the zillion threats about aquiring KG or Baron"s extension, but I'm not sure it would be seen or addressed.  So please bear with me.

For those members of the community who want to win now, there is the KG Movement at almost any costs.  And then there are others who claim if Baron isn't around--even if KG is--we are still not a contender.

So assuming we could land KG, here are my quesions:

1.  How do we guarantee (if we can) he will not opt out after this coming year?
   
2.  If Baron doesn't get his extension, or close to it, even if we have KG, do you think he will opt out after next season?
   
3.  And for cap experts, if the seaon after this one we are paying KG over $22 mil and Baron around $20 mil, what will that do to our luxury tax situation in terms of who else we could even afford on the team?

I am sure these questions have been asked and answered in the recent past, but I have either not seen the answers or more likely not "grocked" them.  These are not loaded questions, per se, but I think when community members are asked to vote for either a youth movement versus getting KG or making minor tweaks, it would help to know what our luxury tax and cap picture would look like after this season if both KG and Baron were extended for three to five years.  Of course I know a number of our current players would be off the roster if we signed KG, so a best guess estimate will be good enough for me.

Would the answers to these questions effect popular opinion of what we should considering doing now/Thanks.

I like some informed opinions on  realistic ideas if there is any way possible to rid ourselves of Foyle and his contract, either as part of a trade or a buyout.  All fantasies aside.

Right now I see him sitting on the end of the bench while the rest of the non-starting team lingers up in the air, like being on a teeter totter with a 9 mil salary weighing so heavily it totally skews and screws the rest of the team.

Hey, it's not his fault, that's for sure.  And it doesn't make him a bad dude because we all know he is a solid citizen.  But right now, fantasies aside, does anyone think he'll be gone by October or November?

Geoff Lepper reported this morning in the CC Times KP (well, its close to KG) is close to coming to the Dubs.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_6296806?nclick_check=1

Pree or anyone out there know about this guy?  Would he fit with Nellie-ball?

Also, speaking of KG, rumor from a reliable source is that Minn would take Wright, Monta, POB and Beans but the Warriors want to make it Al instead of AB.  I'd be down with plan B but not plan A.  I know the "deal" about rumors and such but thought I'd add one more to the 99% for what it's worht--presumably 1%.

Again, I'm interested in the community's opinion about whether we should keep MP or not.  I'm voting only to sign and trade because I just haven't seen him improve enough and I don't trust him in any clutch situations anymore.  Not to mention he'll probably be playing for France over the summer and come in beat up and worn out like he did two years ago.

I'm sure there are variations the poll doesn't cover, and I'd be interested in hearing about those.

Poll

MP--yes, no, maybe

19%

yes, only if he is cheap

21 votes

44%

only to sign and trade

49 votes

21%

never

23 votes

4%

yes

5 votes

10%

yes if his salary is reasonable

11 votes

109 votes | Poll has closed

Obviously it is impossible to know what Mullins is going to do next because he seems to be a hell of a poker player.  But given what just transpired, I'm very curious how you will vote on this hypothetical question.  One condition is Foyle must be a part of the deal.  I'm guessing the community might want to stand pat, not give up our future (my vote), and use our new exemption to ideally sign someone like Wallace:

Poll

who would you trade for KG

21%

Monta, Harrington, Wright, MP (sign and trade), Foyle

30 votes

35%

I'd stand pat and not give up our future

50 votes

6%

Monta, Harrington, AB, Foyle

9 votes

35%

Monta, Harrington, Wright, Foyle

50 votes

139 votes | Poll has closed

Matt Kamalsky wrote this today in NBA Draft Express:

http://draftexpress.com/blogs.php?blogid=12

The Indiana Pacers dismantled the team that brought them success over the past few seasons before the trade deadline leading to their first sub-.500 season since 1997. General Manager Larry Bird's decision to trade Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson for historic underachievers Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Troy Murphy was one of the most scrutinized trades any GM made this season. The Pacers current nucleus struggled to gel, and injuries to Jermaine O'Neal made it hard for the team to win games down the stretch. With complementary players like Jamal Tinsley forced to pick up some of the scoring load, the Pacers finished last in the NBA in field goal percentage, a testament to how important O'Neal is in their offense.

With Rick Carlisle on the way out, the Pacer will not only be looking for a new coach, but also for a new identity. Recent Pacers history would dictate that the team will return to their winning ways sooner rather than later (2007 was Indiana's third losing season since 1990), but next year's team may face an uphill battle under a new coach. Indiana is known for reloading quickly, but the franchise has enough dead weight contracts to force a rebuilding period.

Double sweet!  "....but the franchise has enough dead weight contracts....." Yes, I'm a DunMurphy hater and have a support group to prove it.

Marcus Thompson II wrote an interesting article in today's Contra Costa Times about Shawn Marion:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_6108248

Like Baron, Shawn Marion can opt out of his contract after this upcoming season.  Marcus raises the issue of whether Kerr should trade Marion while his value is very high; or, keep him and potentially watch him walk as a free agent next summer.  He also advises Kerr not to undervalue Marion's role and ability. Marion is 29 and will make $34 mil over the next two years if he doesn't walk next summer. In addition, the Suns have a $77 mil payroll and most likely won't want Marion long term.

Lastly, do you think the Dubs should or would have any interest in Marion?

Poll

Steve Kerr Should

58%

trade Marion this year

18 votes

25%

not trade Marion this year

8 votes

16%

try to extend him beyond next year

5 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed