SB Nation User Blog: so ill so d0pe

The last remaining piece.

so ill so d0pe — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:18:55 -0000

The Warriors seem to be filling their plates with forwards and centers at the moment. Depending on free agency we have a glut of big and biggish men: Biedrins, Perovic, O'Bryant, Wright, Harrington, Randolph, Hendrix and even Croshere. With Randolph, hopefully, panning out to be a decent small forward with an inside game, we even have a good number of small forwards and swingmen: Jackson, Pietrus, Kelenna and Barnes.

The missing link here is depth at the point guard position. I know Hudson's injury last year really depleted the Warriors but not doing anything about a replacement for so long and then under utilizing the replacement is borderline inexcusable. I really hope Baron stays beyond next season, but for this season to pan out in the positive whatsoever and for the team to even smell the playoffs we can't let Baron, and to a lesser extent, Monta, play upwards of 35-38+ minutes per game (39 and 37 mpg for Baron and Monta respectively last season is absolutely way too much.) I thought CJ Watson could have been better if he played with any amount of confidence, and I think if he feels like he's an integral part of this team he might have that needed confidence next season. But when he sits on the bench for a guy to play nearly 40 mpg he has no rhythm or drive when he gets those garbage minutes.

Now, to my point, the Clippers drafted Eric Gordon, not really sure if he's a one guard or a two guard, but, coupled with that pick I heard that the Clips didn't exercise their option to keep Shaun Livingston (I'm still looking for a conclusive article on this - I saw it scrolling on NBATV.)

Despite his horrific injuries, I think Shaun Livingston could make a decent backup PG to split the remainder of the PG minutes with CJ. His injuries surely bring his perceived worth around the league significantly down, which could mean he might be picked up on the cheap in free agency. Signing him to a minimum salary one-year contract seems fairly low risk with the chance that he might re-injure himself.

The impending free agencies of many of our players (particularly some of those bigger guys and smaller forwards I spoke of) will change the tone of this conversation, but at the moment, whether or not people agree that Livingston should be the backup PG, I think, or hope, that since we've drafted two big men (again) that the Warriors need to pick up a decent PG to backup Baron this season.

Thoughts?

Air France now looking to stay in Oakland?

so ill so d0pe — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:11:36 -0000

Pietrus looking to rejoin the Warriors now?

Two months ago, Golden State Warriors forward Mickael Pietrus stated repeatedly that he wished to be traded, no longer desiring to be a member of a team that was giving him sporadic minutes and making him play out of position. He now would like to take those sentiments back. When the Warriors, unmoved by Pietrus' pleas, held onto the fifth-year player as the non-waiver trade deadline passed on Feb. 21, the consensus — supported by one of Pietrus' own agents — was that he would walk out of Oakland as an unrestricted free agent at season's end and take up with one of the 29 other NBA teams before consenting to return to the Warriors. But Pietrus made it clear in an interview with the Contra Costa Times that he is very much open to the idea of staying with the only NBA team he has ever known. Warriors executive vice president Chris Mullin, who could see nine of his 14 current players become free agents this summer, is amenable to such a move.

Pietrus to return tonight against the Kings?

so ill so d0pe — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:06:55 -0000

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Pietrus-hopes-to-return-Tuesday-from-hamstring-i?urn=nba,757 08

The Golden State Warriors ran a 3-on-3 scrimmage for Mickael Pietrus after their regular practice Monday to test out his injured right hamstring.

Pietrus, who has missed the last nine games, said he'll see how his leg responds Tuesday before making a final call on his availability against the Sacramento Kings Tuesday night.

"It's my hamstring's decision, because I went through a lot today and it's going to be sore," Pietrus said after his first full-contact workout in more than two weeks. "Hopefully, (Tuesday) is going to be better. I'm very athletic, so it'll take away a little bit of my athleticism, but I'm trying to get through it as best I can."

I really hope he can come out tonight, and especially Thursday against the Nuggets, with that same intensity on both ends of the floor. His presence was sorely missed on this road trip; a six or seven man rotation took it's toll. The Warriors need Pietrus's intensity now - these two games - just as badly as they needed it before he went out.
Let's hope Pietrus comes through healthy and active tonight.