The only thing keeping the giants from falling off the deep end is their superb pitching (relative to the rest of the league). We have an atrocious offense, and there are not any realistic solutions available for that problem. Instead of making more foolish Renteriaish signings that don't do anything but take up money. Lets focus on what we have and keep improving it. Mychal Urban is reporting that we are very interested in Kiko Calero at a low price. Moves like that are actually smart (hard to believe under the B.S. regime) and will improve this team. Moving Brian Wilson for a hitter, and moving Jeremy to the closer role which is improving our pitching would be smart as well. Adding an Octavio Dotel, Chan Ho Park, or Kevin Gregg would further strengthen this bullpen. Not re-signing Brad Penny still baffles me but BS is what we expect from BS. However, a Lincecum-Cain-Sanchez-Zito rotation is damn good. If our top prospect can put it together, this can be the top rotation in baseball (if it is already not). Our fifth starter could be Pedro, or Doug Davis if Bumgarner is not ready.

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I know many fans of the Warriors are disheartened by Stephen Jackson's recent comments, but lets put it into perspective. Stephen Jackson is an aging, malcontent(to a degree) whose inefficient shooting and ball handling has lost us more games than his clutch shooting will ever win.

I have ragged on Monta recently, but now more than ever, we need Monta to step up and be our point guard. No Curry and Monta starting back court. Maybe 15 minutes a game but not starting together. Monta's pluses outweigh his negatives to me. His defense on point guards is average so he will not be a liability. His offensive game is devastating, and his driving ability should allow him to get alot more assists than we think. If anything, I want to see a Monta Ellis, with a huge chip on his shoulder. The same one we saw when Don Nelson announced Marco Belinelli would be the starting 2 guard. This time however, he will not be the second and third fiddle. He will be the main guy. Hopefully, Monta has worked on his defense this summer, because we will need him to step up in that category. This team is looking for a leader, and Monta obviously cannot be that off the court, but he can lead by example with his game on the court.

The trio of Morrow, Azubuike, and Maggette at the wings, should be one very difficult to guard. But who will fill the defensive void left by Jackson. He may not have been a very good defender, but Jackson could still provide valuable one-on-one defense against the top scorers in the league. I think Azubuike should be the guy we look to for defense. We know he has the strength, athleticism, and hustle to be a very good defender in this league. Will, he put in the effort and time to do this however. We will have to see.

Maggette easily will take Jackson's scoring load, and Morrow seems ready to be one of our big-clutch shooters(like Curry). I think Jackson's scoring and defense will mainly be replaced by improvements by our own players. His ball-handling will be deferred to a combination of Monta, Curry, Randolph, and i guess CJ Watson. This is where trading Belinelli, looks even more foolish to me, because he replaces alot of Jackson's defense, and ball handling that everyone seems to be worried about. But this could all be changed by whomever(if we aquire anybody) for Jackson. If it is a guy like Josh Howard, it would help tremendously. But we can probably expect a Greg Buckner type of trade.

I can go on forever about how much improved Randolph will be, but we all know that he is going to be a major contributor this season.

I hope its not just me, but I think this team can still make a playoff run with the roster we have. The improvements that will be made by our young players should be enough to negate Jackson's departure.

I don't Believe like I did before, but I still Believe in our teams young talent.

Poll

Do you think the Warriors will be alright without Jackson?

18%

No, too much to lose.

34 votes

25%

Its an addition like subtraction or it will be the same

46 votes

55%

Our youngsters improvements will bridge the gap

99 votes

179 votes | Poll has closed

Hello all,

I started writing a blog on wordpress about 3 months ago.

Basketball Tales: Warriors and Beyond

I stopped writing after only one post but I just want to hear what you all think of the post and if i should do more.

A Little Introduction!

Hello, My name is Kyle and I love the game of basketball. Basketball is a great sport when played to it’s maximum potential. In my opinion, Coaches such as Mike D’Antoni and Don Nelson push basketball to its full potential. For example, do you really think walking the ball up the court and taking 20-23 seconds off the shot clock to finally find a "perfect" shot. I tend to disagree due to the fact that this actually causes players to realize the clock is winding down, then in panic-mode, take a rushed shot with no intention to go in. D’Antoni pushes the game to it’s limits by forcing upon his players to take : A, the first shot they see, B. A shot within 7 seconds of the rebound, or C. spread the floor with shooters and set up the pick and roll.

Don Nelson pushes the game to a new limit with his style of basketball. He plays ridiculously small, yet quick and skilled lineups that force the other team to adjust to his style of play or take the risk that it will not succeed against its more conventional lineups. His lineups are rather positionless for the most part.

This is the type of basketball i enjoy to watch and play. The stereotype is that ‘Defense Wins Championships’ is correct but only in the sense that teams who have won in the past 20 years have been defensive-oriented or adequate defensive teams. When i look back rather, it seems like more teams go with the defensive standpoint allowing more defensive teams compete for a championship. So if only 2 teams play Run and Gun and they come close to a championship, that is better than 28 teams trying to win with defense and only one coming out on top. Basketball is a game that is heavily influenced on the teams coaching styles for the better or worse. You Decide.

Poll

Has this debate gotten out of hand?

50%

YES

18 votes

50%

not at all

18 votes

36 votes | Poll has closed

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I was playing Nba 2k9 yesterday as the Warriors... and yet again i was playing the lakers.

These Laker fans on 2k9 online are just garbage. They only dunk with Kobe and they can't do anything else yet they still score alot with Kobe. So his strategy was to put Kobe on the opposite side of the court and play 4 on 5 defense and just everytime i didn't make a shot he would throw it down court to Kobe for a dunk.... I was wondering if anyone else plays people like this. Its so annoying.

I play a lineup that i usually play the majority of the game.

PG: Crawford(only on defense)

SG: Belinelli

SF: Morrow/Buike

PF: Jackson

C:Randolph

This lineup is actually really good in online. I win alot of games and usually score around 80 points but I only play against Laker Fans... so i lose some games with Kobe scoring 50-80 points(i'm not joking) so yes it is a struggle but i still enjoy it so much when i hit a 3 with Marco, Morrow, or Jamal. Or dunk with Randolph, or do an iso with Gasol on Jackson.

What team and lineup do you guys play with. What are some good stories you have ?

My most recent was a 40 foot jumper by Marco over Fisher going in. And Marco dunking over Bynum and Morrow dunking on Kobe.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-yaorockets062909&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

If you have not heard, Yahoo Sports has run a story that Yao Ming's basketball career may be over. His injury in the playoffs this year is more serious than once thought and now is at career-threatening stage. The report also conclude that the team has already concluded that Yao will miss the entire NBA 2009-2010 Season.

The Rockets and Yao’s reps are frightened over his future, and the concern is the most base of all: Does Yao Ming ever play again?

"The realization has hit them that this is grave," one NBA general manager said.

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To All,

I've watched enough Marco Belinelli bashing on this website. I Don't understand why but i have come to a conclusion.

People do not like to root for Marco for reasons not related to basketball sometimes. I know that sounds cynical but when I talk to all of my non-white friends they always bash him but then say stuff like,' Crawford plays alot better D than him. Monta is a better defender than him. Monta is a better 3 point shooter. Jackson is a better dribbler. Maggette, Azubuike, and Turiaf are better passers than him."

Hogwash. When Marco was starting we had much better ball movement, and defense. I remember that he was the one bright spot of the season until he was injured. When he was injured Randolph and Morrow started to emerge. Everyone forgot about Marco. They keep saying he has not shown the ability of an NBA player. They make him sound like he is a fringe roster player.

I saw the trade rumor about Buike and Marco for Bell. I thought.... this would be good if Marco was not included. People jump on Morrows bandwagon really quickly. Marco played alot better than Anthony Morrow in almost every facet of the game when they both got their chances. Morrow was alot better at the 3 but he was better than everyone in the league so.... Also Marco played some of the best perimeter D on the team and he was a much better facilatator, shooter off the dribble, and he played very well in the clutch. (Remember Boston, LA, Toronto, Atlanta, Indiana games). Stop having emotional driven opinions when you don't want to remember the logical facts . A player should never lose his chance because of injury.

The same goes for Wright. He played excellent his rookie season when he played and Nelson refused to play him(even when we were desperate for bigs). His sophmore year, he started the year out very strongly and was playing some great basketball until he was hurt. Everyone forgot about him. When he came back everyone forgot about his glory moments and his fine play. The same for Marco. He lost his playing time because there was no room for him but thats just not fair.

Marco and Brandan deserve another chance because until they were hurt... they were the positive parts of the Warriors. Give them more playing time again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUrH954f0TE&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14YnPpr2z8k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ2wTHvXcnI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDRG9M5ypt4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lCImv9E894&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwS_Ztsp_fM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDDtgssVBjg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SUlPW9q1RU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_pLchxznAA&feature=fvsr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioEIny7Kn-o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1qzgxh0dCM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcXSs_CBojY&feature=channel

Lets be Honest..... We arent going to get baron back and truth is.... i dont want him. Lets try to develop Marco into our point/backup point. He runs the offense smoothly and hes about the 2nd or 3rd best shooter on the team. His dribbling is smooth and he plays good defense. Monta doesnt move the ball well but hes a good ball handler. Marco is a playmaker. Everyone is all over Morrow and i like him yet he is only a shooter. We need him but in a 10-15 mpg role. Bellinelli can play with Monta at the guard spot and we would be fine. I say play this lineup most.

Pg Monta/Marco

SG Marco/Monta/Jackson

SF/ Jackson/Maggette/Azubuike

PF Randolph/Wright

C Biedrins/ Ronny

Marco has played very well when given consistent time this year. Much more consistent than Morrow and he is about 3-4 years younger than Morrow. Hes got alot of room to grow. Much more than Morrow.

Please dont trade the player besides Randolph that keeps me watching. DONT TRADE HIM.

Poll

Do you want to trade marco?

37%

no

100 votes

19%

yes

53 votes

3%

i hate that guy

10 votes

39%

i love that guy

105 votes

268 votes | Poll has closed

Did anyone find tonights game against the suns pathetic and so funny. I went to the game and applauded when they ejected Nelson. I was laughing so hard. I screamed so loud for randolph and wright to be put in. I watched Jackson play terrible d and ruin our first quarter flow. I was laughing when Shaq dunked over us every time and how he made the shot clock and the backboard shake for a couple of minutes when he dunked the alley oop. Jackson argued the whole game about one call. It was really pathetic. He deserved everything he got. He was on the ref on legitimate calls and he wouldnt let up. He bogged down the offense in the majority of the 2nd and the rest of the 3rd up to his ejection.

Don Nelson refused to play Wright and  Randolph and he chose to have corey maggette as the center for the majority of the 3rd until he got tossed and Keith Smart used some common sense. He ran on the court like a drunk on a legitimate call. He acted like he gave Jackson his support of confidence but wtf, Jackson was out of line. Who is the leader of this team. Stephen or Nelson because Don sucks up to Jackson all the time. Its time for new leadership. Let Monta, Brandan, Randolph be the leaders.

After watching this game, i realized Ronny is a great backup but nowhere near a starter. He is a crowd favorite for his blocks and dunks but while watching the game, he contributes little compared to randolph and wright. Those two are something special. Those two are great rebounders and can dribble it up and initiate the fast break. They get blocks. They are the best 4/5 combo. Unless we are facing shaq or yao, those two need to play because they are both very skilled, fast, rebounders, shot blockers, everything this team needs.

Poll

Do you think i am right or am i just a pissed off fan who needs to vent?

38%

right

72 votes

61%

pissed

116 votes

188 votes | Poll has closed

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDwBEnOOJ7Y&feature=related

Once upon a time we had a  great point guard, 3 great swingmen( Richardson, Ellis, Jackson), a good center and a good coach.

2 years later we have one good swingman, and a good center. This is a joke how far we have fallen. We beat the Mavs, were close in every game against Utah. It started when we thought Stephen Jackson should be the face of the team. Rowell thought a Jackson lead team was better than a Baron lead team. I think we should have let Baron go but i would have traded Jackson and Harrington and Wright for a star. I dont know who that would be but the Warriors front office could have found it. Stephen Jackson should not be the 1st or 2nd option. That calls for disaster. This year our offense has been very boring and slow. I know we are scoring alot but it seems very stagnant.  We wont find anyone for Jackson or Maggette so we have to hope Randolph and Wright become VERY GOOD or else we are doomed.

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I personally was at the game and for some reason i see Monta Ellis playing PATHETIC defense(not even effort to put up a hand) and terrible shooting. Basically contributing nothing, he still played a mind boggling 45 minutes. WHY? Watching him at this point in his recovery his athletism is above average for nba players. NOT GOOD ENOUGH for a player who relies on his quickness and explosiveness in all parts of the game. He did nothing and i was not suprised to find his +/- was very poor at around -15.

Getting to my point, i saw Marco play some pretty great movies. He helped out so much. Guardng Kobe, he did not let him score while guarding him. He hit two monster threes when the warriors had a huge drought at the start of the fourth. He had 4 assists. no turnovers. What else could he do? Play like monta? He played 15 minutes. He, not monta, should have been in the 4th quarter. I guarantee the warriors would have won that game had he played montas minutes. Monta played no defense, did not distribute, did not make shots (7-18) , could not hit any threes( watched him miss 2 or 3 in the key moments of the game). What could have taken him out of the game for old man nelson.... i dont know. What could marco have done to play more for old man nelson.... i do not know. Dont say this is valuable time for monta. He has not shown any improvement in his explosiveness except for maybe two games. Ridiculous. I screamed all game how bad the calls were, how bad kobe is, how bad faker fans are, but i look like an idiot when i support this team and they do this stuff everytime. This happened last year with worn out baron and jax and in the only games marco got played in he had 15 and 17. Nelson said his defense was holding him back but that was bull@#$@. I have seen Marco play better on ball D on this team than anyone else on this team. If anything, Marco's D is the reason he should be playing. Its just plain and simple to me right now. Nelson has something against Marco. Not his favorite i assume. Monta is last years Jack. Obviously this has far less serious ramifications with no playoffs on the line, but f this. I am a loyal paying fan in this economy and i want to see us kick kobe's ass. Marco is a fighter. He is a player. We need players like him and maggette and randolph on this team. People with that killer instinct who get to the line, get rebounds, play d(not always maggette ), get in the right spot at the right time, cut without the ball, score when given opportunity.

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http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2166~1727~429~497~3455~3277~3242~125~194~779&teams=12~9~12~6~21~6~21~21~6~21&te=&cash=

 

There have been rumors that the Mavs are deperate to part with Kidd's expiring contract and get some value in a trade. Heres what i am saying due to rumors of a Kidd for Boom Dizzle and Camby. I Don't know if that is realistic for the Clippers as they would want a young player in return who will contribute past this season.

The warriors are looking to shed some perimeter players for one impact post player. Maggette has been mentioned as a serious option for the Mavs. The Mavs need a reliable 2nd/3rd option behind Dirk and Terry

Obviously there are rumors involving Amar'e in trades. The suns look like they are in rebuilding and removing all the d'antoni faithful besides Nash. Barbosa has looked lost this season as he has no real role as he is neither the backup point guard or sixth man. His style for the suns is not working and the suns are looking for young big men and defensive minded big man. Camby would be that player and the warriors have Wright and Randolph. You can see where i am going here.

Warriors give: Randolph, Wright, CJ, Maggette             Receive: Amare

Clippers give Camby, Boom Dizzle, Skinner                 Receive: Kidd, Barbosa

Suns Give : Amare, Barbosa                      Receive: Randolph, Camby, Wright, Skinners expiring contract to help the books work

Mavs give: Kidd                                                  Receive: Maggette, Baron, Cj

Poll

Are these trades realistic and do they work?

15%

Yes

55 votes

50%

No

185 votes

34%

Not For all teams

126 votes

366 votes | Poll has closed

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