Despite a new owner, numerous talks about trades and so forth, Monta Ellis has been a team leader in every sense of the word.  He has grown into a man and a player that I  appreciate as an extremely gifted NBA player, and as person with perserverence and moral fortitude.

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Reports say that Wallace will be traded in the very near future.  Would he be a good fit for the dubs?  The guy is like a bigger JRich who could be traded for Al and pieces.  Would that be something that could benefit the dubs in any way?  They have enough swingmen, and Al has been a very valuable player. 

Would Wright Turiaf and Biedrins be able to hold it down on the inside?  Would Nelly play him at the 4 being so athletic?   He played Pietrus at the four and he was 6'6".

I just don't want to see an unhappy Al fail to produce for 20 more games until he realizes he's not going to be traded.  This is a very rare opportunity to get a great player.  Thoughts?

Marcus Williams sprained his ankle in the last day of practice.  Damn, I was excited to see Williams play in the pre-home-opener against "The Thunder".  He should be better by opening day if its just a sprain though.

Rob Kurtz is the "best rookie" Nelson says.  Rebounds, good bball IQ, has highest rebound average in camp.  Here's a link to his college stats, which are impressive:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=22190

The game against New Orleans is not televised or on the radio.  Not sure if there will be a stream online.  Any knowledge?

Final interviews and articles:

http://www.nba.com/warriors/fanzone/2008_training_camp_blog.html

Final interviews and articles. 

Seems the starting lineup is:

Watson

Jax

Mags

TMNT

Beans

I like it.  C.J. is said to be looking good.  Further though the article on TMNT is similar to the positive response he was getting at this exact time last year, it feels good to hear good things.

Just an update of Traing camp:

http://www.nba.com/warriors/fanzone/2008_training_camp_blog.html

-Monta arrives and is interviewed.  Thoughts by SJax.

"Going wait 'til [his] agent addresses the team"-Monta

What the heck does that mean?  Is he not going to personally apologize to his teammates?  What is he waiting for?

I think part of his punishment should be to take some college courses while he's not training.  Mainly English and Ethics.  Give this boy some gramma, and teach 'im what right and what wrong.  It was nice to have Baron, (UCLA), doing a lot of interviews because he could articulate himself a little. 

Also there's a nice bit about AB, and how far he has come to become a co-captain.

Also here's a piece about Jackson still talking about being "taken care of" with a new contract.

http://www.examiner.com/x-441-Golden-State-Warriors-Examiner~y2008m9d28-Mullin-appears-out-of-the-loop-as-Warriors-talk-extension-with-Stephen-Jackson

Now that the MBL has instituted video playback to verify home runs and such, NBA fans are waiting for technology to help officials make the right choices.

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Watching the current USA basketball team reminds me of watching the Dream Team of old.   Kind of made me think about ideals and how we view players and teams.   The name the "Dream Team" sets the stage for an NBA team that will never exist.  Therefore every team fan shall see shortcomings from every player on their team; unless they have Lebron or whoever. 

What I want to draw attention to is how fans respond to players based on their contracts.  I felt nothing but pity for Barry Zito, unitl tonight when he shut down the Padre's  for 8 innings.   Even though Zito has received so much crap for under-preforming based on his salary, he came back through adversary tonight with what we must understand as an uphill battle.

This brings me to another topic:  Al Harrington.   If you true fans remember, Mullin sought after Al for years.  The dubs wanted a versatile SF/PF that could shoot the 3, (Al had the best % in the league), and they got one of the best big men that could shoot.   Now a few years down the line, TMNT is burden.  His contract is too high.  To that I say F that!  Al has done great for the team through much effort.  People who stil complain about him not being able to finish well must understand that if he could both finsh close and far, he would cost more than he already does. 

What do we want?  We want Monta to be a mix of Tony Parker and CP3.....I can actually see that happening.  He already finishes better than Tony, and with what Baron taught him from the BD J-Rich show, I can definitely see some allie oops al la randolph/wright/biedrins

At SG, we have no LeBron.  We have Azi and Beli that are all athleticism and shooting respectively.  Deal with being limited.  Kevin Martin or others would be better, but we have to use what we have.

Randolph will be the next KG.  This has been said many times, but it would be at least a year before he could be a consistant starter.  Though he will be great, I would say that his best upside is that he is playing with Wright every practice.....can you imagine how long, (length)  they will play?   The talent and practice will pay off in a few years.

Back to my main point; without mentioning Maggette. We have many players that have not proved their worth on the Dubs for their contracts.  Ellis, Biedrins, Al and Maggette may all fall short of our and  the front office hope's.  It is easy for fans to hate on individuals for being payed a lot and not doing well.  It is being a fan, to know that our boys will come through this season with solid wins.  I think it may take a year for the playoffs but I would not be surprised if this team could pull it off.

My main point:  Even though as fans we should be critical about every player at every time, support your team and don't talk $hit about players that are doing their best and might just need your support to be their best.  Al can win games.  Ellis will eventually perform at his level.   What I think will happen is Ellis or B might underperform and lead to a hate movement based on early performance and his payscale.

AND SO LET US START NOW AND DECLARE UNDYING ALLEGIANCE TO OUR TEAM, THROUGH LOSSES AND WINS, WITH DEDICATION AND LOYALTY, I DO HEREBY BELIEVE IN THE    GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks like Brand is not coming to the Bay.

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Orlando Summer league on right now.  Here's the feed:

http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nba/11191/300_nba-orlandmagic_060502.asx&video=blank&nbasite=magic

If the link doesn't work just go to nba.com

By the way, according to hoopshype.com, Ben Gordon is available in that the Bulls have chosen to keep Heinrich.  Anybody think that he might be a prospect if the Brand deal falls through?

http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm

Found this on ign.com.  Its a list of the top ten trades that should happen before th 21st.  Needless to say, the Warriors and Pietrus are mentioned.  While much of it is just speculation, it was a fun read.  Editors may merge this into another diary if they want; whatever.  Enjoy!

http://sports.ign.com/articles/851/851604p1.html

P.S.  I have a class in college with a friend of POB's.  He was telling me that how pissed he is because of his limited minutes, especially that he only got about 5 minutes of playtime in the Bobcats blowout.  He has talent and potential even though he gets dogged on this site.  I agree that he could be used more, even for just a few minutes a game.

All of the most recent diaries have been very informational and are appreciated by all.  And while every Warriors fan loves the info, it's been a while since we've had any fun.  So let me try it.

Try to describe any Warriors player in 5 words or less.  Or give your own spin and do whatever.  Something they would say to describe their place on the Team.  Be it serious or humorous, I thought it would be fun:

Baron Davis: I Shall Lead the Way
Stephen Jackson:  On a path for redemption
Monta Ellis:  They said.  They were wrong
Kellena Azubuike:  For my father...and myself
Matt Barnes:  Built tough.  Built Barnes tough.

Al Harrington(TMNT):  I think I would be Raphael

Perovic:  Hope I'm better than POB
POB:  Hope Perovic's not better
Andris:  I'm better and shorter

Foyle:  I'm gonna miss that bench
Cabbages:  Can I play in Europe?

Wright:  I think I'm screwed
JRich:  Yep
Paul Pierce:  Me too.

So I was thinking about going to Hawaii for a vacation in the winter.  When I heard about the Exhibition Games vs. the Lakers I was stoked.  Then I checked what tickets were still available.  All they have left are upper-level seating at $80.00 per seat.  WEAK.

Does anyone have any other way to get reserved seats?  Or did anyone buy extra tickets?  I would need 2.

Check this link out and say what you think.  

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Nets-Moore-still-talking;_ylt=AqgCEAkhG447mFEU702o3zt90bYF?u rn=nba,39007

Moore is one of the 4 6'10"+ F/C on the Nets.  He's asking a lot, roughly 10 mil, but maybe a magical Nellie trade is in order "a la Indiana."     He has stats similar to Biedrins, and together with Harrington and Wright/Lasme our "big men problem" would be solved.  But do the Warriors need another big man?  Over the past few years the Dubs have had an overflow of Guards and Small Forwards.  Are they being overzealous in their attempt to Go Big?  Baron may need a few back up points.  How will this be addressed with or without the KG trade?  By the way, I heard Roberson is doing pretty well.  He had a nice shot and was a little better than McCloud in my opinion.  Both are cheap as hell, but I wouldn't mind giving Pierce a chance.  I don't think that he would shy away from a league minimum contract seeing as how no other team wants to tarnish themselves with an almost felon.  Neuter him then sign him, Barnes Moore and forget KG.  We now have Depth, Potential, and Talent like a Mutha!!