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Postby The X on Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:07 pm

warriors 2nd Rd picks were great....Taft and Ellis were great picks at that juncture, especially considering that some people penned in Taft as a possible pick in the 1st round for the warriors, not their 2nd pick of the 2nd Round :lol:

it surprised me that Diogu went that high, as I thought they might grab a SF like Granger, but I guess they want some more interior toughness....

some nice picks that should help the Warriors next season
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:11 pm

I like our 2005 draft choices, especially the second Round ones...

Ike Diogu is a mystery, he could be the second coming of Elton Brand (heck, even a poor man's Brand would fit nicely into the lineup right now...), or a bust and a bench guy at most.

Looks like all those times Chris Mullin talked about convincing Troy Murphy to start playing Center and bang it out with the big guys were on the level, after all. At 6' 11" and near 250 pounds, Troy has teh physique to play the 5, byt he needs to develop the grit and passion needed to constantly go up against big seven footers in the paint. Plus, if he does it, his fantastic mid range shooting and agility will cause mis-match problems.

Diogu will probably start at PF, and if teh fact that he was Pac-10's scoring champ with constant double and triple teams being thrown at him is anything to go by, he should contribute. Also, his work ethic is unparalleled.

With a starting lineup of BD, J-Rich, Pietrus, Diogu and Murphy, a bench of Fisher, Dunleavy and Foyle, things are looking good PROVIDED the frontcourt of Diogu at 4 and Murphy at 5 works. I still hold reservations about Troy's ability (and willingness) to play the 5, though... :(


As for the second round picks, I am very pleased with the landings of Ellis and Taft. Taft is being said to possess Top-10 talent, but his lack of heart and/or motivation hurt his stock. He's the best gamble available at the 42 spot, and hopefully being in the NBA with a non-guaranteed contract will spur him on to be a warrior, in name and heart.

Monta Ellis is a HS kid with a great deal of potential, but he also received critiscism about his lack of size, position and heart. Size is 6'3" and his age is just 18. so he just might grow an inch or two in the future , which will allow hism tyo play as a SG. About his alleged lack of work ethic, one can only hope that the struggle for a guaranteed NBA contract will aid in his working a bit harder.

All-in-all, I grade this year's Warriors drafting selection, as a B+.
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Postby dsigns on Thu Jun 30, 2005 6:57 am

I liked the draft, was confused at first with Diogu going so high, but once the secound round picks happened I became excited. To think of how big & strong the warriors become off of one draft, not to mention being able to send Ellis to the NBDL to develop, it was a great draft.

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Postby air gordon on Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:51 am

i was glad to see mullin address the teams real needs instead of going for anoher high flyer (Y)
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:44 am

i was glad to see mullin address the teams real needs instead of going for anoher high flyer


I wouldn't be disappointed if we got Granger or Gerald Green... At the very least, they'd be trade assets...
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:02 am

Taft likely candidate for a spot in NBDL
Thursday, June 30, 2005


By Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"If you're looking to follow the progress of Chris Taft's professional career next season, you might be able to find him in a minor-league city.


Matt Freed, Post-Gazette
Chris Taft was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 42nd pick in Tuesday's NBA draft.
Click photo for larger image.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--> Columnist Ron Cook: Cook: It's not time to give up on Taft
Under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, which is awaiting ratification from the NBA board of governors and the NBA players' association, NBA players with less than two years experience can be loaned to the NBDL, the NBA's developmental league.

In years past, NBDL players were free agents and eligible to sign with any NBA team. Now, if the agreement is ratified, players can earn an NBA contract and play in the minor leagues.

Taft, the former Pitt power forward who was taken with the 42nd overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in Tuesday night's draft, is a prime candidate to be one of those developmental players.

Once considered a lottery pick by many, and a top-five selection by some, it is now apparent he and his management team made a terrible mistake in assessing his readiness to play in the NBA.

"We were surprised he was there," Golden State president Chris Mullin told Bay Area reporters.

"We saw another opportunity to get bigger and tougher. He has great size and a pretty good feel for the game. There is a lot of room for him to grow."

Taft could not be reached for comment yesterday, but he did speak with Bay Area reporters Tuesday night and expressed a strong desire to rebuild his soiled reputation.

"I'm so motivated, it's unbelievable," he said. "People haven't gotten a glimpse of the real Chris Taft yet. I am ready to show everyone what I can do."

His first opportunity to impress is in the NBA summer league, which runs from July 8-15. It will be easier to determine after the five-game summer league schedule if Taft is a legitimate candidate to make the Warriors roster next season.

It is more than likely that Taft, who is 20, will spend one year or more in the NBDL refining his skills.

He dropped like a rock in the draft because he was badly outplayed by his peers in several workouts leading up to the draft, including Arizona State's Ike Diogu, the Warriors' first-round selection (9th overall), in a workout before Golden State scouts a few weeks ago.

The pending collective bargaining agreement allows for rosters to be expanded from 12 players to 15 and eliminates the injured list, where rookies and other young players found themselves in years past.

Taft is not being counted on for major contributions next season. Golden State is set with starting forwards Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy and center Adonal Foyle. Diogu will take another of the forward positions as will Zarko Cabarkapa, a 6-11 third-year pro from Serbia-Montenegro who was the first forward off the bench last season.

Other forwards or centers on the roster include Andris Bierdens, Nikolosz Tskitishvili and Rodney White. Tskitishvili and White are not locks to be on the team next season. The Warriors have to decide whether to exercise a team option on White, and Tskitishvili is a restricted free agent.

After the Warriors make decisions on those two players, Taft's future with the team could be clearer.
"
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Postby air gordon on Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:11 am

D-Wolverine 99027 wrote:
i was glad to see mullin address the teams real needs instead of going for anoher high flyer


I wouldn't be disappointed if we got Granger or Gerald Green... At the very least, they'd be trade assets...

so you agree that toronto was smart for selecting villanueva @7 too?
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:28 am

No. Without having played a single NBA game between the three of them, Green and Granger hold much greater trade value than CV.
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Postby FanOfAll on Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:25 pm

D-Wolverine 99027 wrote:I like our 2005 draft choices, especially the second Round ones...

Ike Diogu is a mystery, he could be the second coming of Elton Brand (heck, even a poor man's Brand would fit nicely into the lineup right now...), or a bust and a bench guy at most.

Ike Diogu is a mystery :roll:? Diogu isn't a mystery to anybody who remotely follows college ball (and doesn't just look at stats). Diogu was Pac-10 Player of the Year and Second Team All-American. There is no mystery about Diogu. He's not the most mobile player, but he's probably the best post scorer in the entire draft. He really worked on his jumper and apparently impressed scouts with it in workouts. He has a 7"4" or so wingspan, making him even more like Elton Brand. This wingspan makes him a terrific rebounder and shotblocker, despite only being 6'8". He gets to the free throw line with regularity. There isn't much bust in Diogu, but not much star either. He should be a solid player for years to come.

Diogu will probably start at PF, and if teh fact that he was Pac-10's scoring champ with constant double and triple teams being thrown at him is anything to go by, he should contribute. Also, his work ethic is unparalleled.

I think Foyle will continue to start with Murphy. Murphy isn't ready as one of the worst post defenders I've seen in a long time, to guard the Amare's, Duncan's, etc. Heck, he wasn't even ready to guard Juwan Howard last year and Howard, in the last several years, has been a strict 15' jump shooter (except in the game against the W's).

Looks like all those times Chris Mullin talked about convincing Troy Murphy to start playing Center and bang it out with the big guys were on the level, after all. At 6' 11" and near 250 pounds, Troy has teh physique to play the 5, byt he needs to develop the grit and passion needed to constantly go up against big seven footers in the paint. Plus, if he does it, his fantastic mid range shooting and agility will cause mis-match problems.

Murphy, however, does have the grit and passion. I don't want to be rude, but do you watch basketball? Murphy doesn't back down from guys that challenge him. He's looked to pick a fight several times in his career already.

With a starting lineup of BD, J-Rich, Pietrus, Diogu and Murphy, a bench of Fisher, Dunleavy and Foyle, things are looking good PROVIDED the frontcourt of Diogu at 4 and Murphy at 5 works. I still hold reservations about Troy's ability (and willingness) to play the 5, though... :(

There isn't a big difference between the 4 and 5. It's a very small distinction, especially on a team that doesn't have a Shaq or Big Z.

As for the second round picks, I am very pleased with the landings of Ellis and Taft. Taft is being said to possess Top-10 talent, but his lack of heart and/or motivation hurt his stock. He's the best gamble available at the 42 spot, and hopefully being in the NBA with a non-guaranteed contract will spur him on to be a warrior, in name and heart.

Monta Ellis is a HS kid with a great deal of potential, but he also received critiscism about his lack of size, position and heart. Size is 6'3" and his age is just 18. so he just might grow an inch or two in the future , which will allow hism tyo play as a SG. About his alleged lack of work ethic, one can only hope that the struggle for a guaranteed NBA contract will aid in his working a bit harder.

All-in-all, I grade this year's Warriors drafting selection, as a B+.

I haven't seen Monta Ellis before (what I read about him is interesting though), but I've seen quite a few games of Taft. He impressed me; he has good low post moves, obviously nice athleticism. Pretty good rebounder and decent shot blocker. But he impressed me with his post play. He has a lot of potential to be a very good player and I'm glad the Warriors took him. I would give the Warriors an A-.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:37 pm

Ike Diogu is a mystery ? Diogu isn't a mystery to anybody who remotely follows college ball (and doesn't just look at stats).


Correction: Ike Diogu's game and how it translates to the NBA is a mystery. You get the meaning now... :wink:

I think Foyle will continue to start with Murphy. Murphy isn't ready as one of the worst post defenders I've seen in a long time


I agree there. Foyle might start the season, but he'll definitely not finish as a starter. Not if we're going to make a playoff run...
As for Murphy, I already said it: He's far from ready to play C. But he can start trying... (Y)

I don't want to be rude, but do you watch basketball?


15 years of being a Warriors fan, and I don't watch basketball? Excuse me, but that WAS rude.
Unless your point that the Warriors don't really play much baskeball during the last 15 years, in which case your point is correct. :lol:

Murphy, however, does have the grit and passion. Murphy doesn't back down from guys that challenge him. He's looked to pick a fight several times in his career already.



I get tired of people translating 'grit and passion' into not backing down, picking fights , etc... This is not streetball, buddy, this is 5 0n 5 pro basketball. :wink: 'Grit and passion' translates into working hard to do what is required of you, leaving your last drop of sweat on the floor to win, and keeping your head in the game and each and every play, giving your 100% every second that you grace the hardwood. And Troy is far from that yet. I'd take that 'grit and passion' over Ronnie Artest's version any time.


There isn't a big difference between the 4 and 5. It's a very small distinction, especially on a team that doesn't have a Shaq or Big Z.


yes there is, especially when you are facing a team with a big difference between teh 4 and 5. I do not believe this needs further explication.
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Postby FanOfAll on Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:55 pm

15 years of being a Warriors fan, and I don't watch basketball? Excuse me, but that WAS rude.
Unless your point that the Warriors don't really play much baskeball during the last 15 years, in which case your point is correct. Laughing

My apologies. The Warriors only started playing in the last 28 games of the season :lol:.

Correction: Ike Diogu's game and how it translates to the NBA is a mystery. You get the meaning now... Wink

I still disagree. I feel don't Diogu's game will have any problems transitioning. Brand did fine and while Diogu isn't nearly the same athlete, Diogu does have a better supporting cast to help him out.

I agree there. Foyle might start the season, but he'll definitely not finish as a starter. Not if we're going to make a playoff run...
As for Murphy, I already said it: He's far from ready to play C. But he can start trying... Thumbs Up

Again, the only reason I don't believe Murphy is ready to play "center" is because his PF can't guard Duncan, Randolph, Dwight Howard (be it a small lineup w/MDJ or Diogu). When Murphy is the "PF", Foyle is a better post defender and draws the assignment of Amare, among others. Diogu can guard Brand, Okafor, Ben Wallace, but I really don't believe it will ideal to have Duncan eating him up.

I get tired of people translating 'grit and passion' into not backing down, picking fights , etc... This is not streetball, buddy, this is 5 0n 5 pro basketball. Wink 'Grit and passion' translates into working hard to do what is required of you, leaving your last drop of sweat on the floor to win, and keeping your head in the game and each and every play, giving your 100% every second that you grace the hardwood. And Troy is far from that yet. I'd take that 'grit and passion' over Ronnie Artest's version any time.

No it's not streetball, but to me, that shows passion. He's passionate about defending his teammates or himself and not letting the other team be more physical. I haven't seen Murphy have problem with not giving 100%. He's out there hustling, saving loose balls, tipping rebounds, boxing out, just not playing defense...

yes there is, especially when you are facing a team with a big difference between teh 4 and 5. I do not believe this needs further explication.

Ah, but you see, is there a big difference between the 4 and the 5 on the Nets? On the Clippers? On practically all the teams except for the Lakers, Bulls, Cavs (or wherever Big Z goes), Suns, or Rockets? Nope. It's big man and big man for most of the teams.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:11 pm

I still disagree. I feel don't Diogu's game will have any problems transitioning. Brand did fine and while Diogu isn't nearly the same athlete, Diogu does have a better supporting cast to help him out.


A lack of athletiscism is the main knock on an undersized PF. Mo Taylor's career
anyone? I hope he turns out to be a superstar, but he'll most likely be a nice player, which is still good for us.


Foyle is a better post defender


True, but there are some guys who have 'backup' written all over them.



He's passionate about defending his teammates or himself and not letting the other team be more physical.


Yes. passion uncontrolled. Extreme willingness but little knowledge. Bad combination.

He's out there hustling, saving loose balls, tipping rebounds, boxing out, just not playing defense...


'Passion' and 'defense' go together in pro sports, especially basketball.


I haven't seen Murphy have problem with not giving 100%.


My point exactly. :lol:


Ah, but you see, is there a big difference between the 4 and the 5 on the Nets? On the Clippers? On practically all the teams except for the Lakers, Bulls, Cavs (or wherever Big Z goes), Suns, or Rockets? Nope. It's big man and big man for most of the teams.



It's not about size only,it's about skill. Think Dirk, Brand, 'Toine, Okafor etc... Murphy can't guard them and Foyle can't go chasing around the quicker ones. Big problem when you have a combo of a defensively lacking agile PF who can't play the 5 and a big shot blocking 5 who can't guard anything farther than 10 feet. That's where Diogu's X-Factor comes in. Hence the mystery. :wink:
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Postby FanOfAll on Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:30 pm

A lack of athletiscism is the main knock on an undersized PF. Mo Taylor's career
anyone? I hope he turns out to be a superstar, but he'll most likely be a nice player, which is still good for us.

Diogu is a hard worker (as seen by the improvement in his jump shot), Taylor is not. Diogu has all kinds of moves in the post, Taylor does not. Diogu has a longer wingspan than Taylor.

True, but there are some guys who have 'backup' written all over them.

This is where hopefully Biedrins comes in, a couple years down the road!

Yes. passion uncontrolled. Extreme willingness but little knowledge. Bad combination.

Murph has uncontrolled passion? Little knowledge? Huh? I'm somewhat confused.

'Passion' and 'defense' go together in pro sports, especially basketball.

Ah, you are probably correct here. That combined with bad technique is probably why Murphy sucks as a defender.

My point exactly. Laughing

Whoops, I meant "I haven't seen Murphy have problems with giving 100%" :?. But now that you point out defense...

It's not about size only,it's about skill. Think Dirk, Brand, 'Toine, Okafor etc... Murphy can't guard them and Foyle can't go chasing around the quicker ones. Big problem when you have a combo of a defensively lacking agile PF who can't play the 5 and a big shot blocking 5 who can't guard anything farther than 10 feet. That's where Diogu's X-Factor comes in. Hence the mystery. Wink

Ah, you see that wasn't the point :wink:. We were talking about the difference between a 4 and 5. Can you tell me what's wrong with Murphy playing the 5 when the Spurs bring in Nazr Mohammed and Robert Horry? What about Chris Mihm and Lamar Odom/Ronny Turiaf? Think Murphy will have problems against Theo Ratliff or Marcus Camby? Nope. Defending skilled PFs is another story.
I don't see us having a problem with Brand (Diogu is his size, Foyle can guard him too), 'Toine (chucker, not much of a slasher or post up man, can't make layups anyways), or Okafor (not exactly overpowering). Dirk and KG present problems because they are 4s who often play like 3s, and Diogu is probably our best bet.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:47 pm

Diogu is a hard worker (as seen by the improvement in his jump shot), Taylor is not. Diogu has all kinds of moves in the post, Taylor does not. Diogu has a longer wingspan than Taylor.


Mo T was a lottery pick 7 years ago and has been in th eleague for some time. Diogu still has to prove himself. Let's leave it at that and see what the future has bestowed.


This is where hopefully Biedrins comes in, a couple years down the road!


Indeed. let's hope he can be a Center, not a 4/5 hybrid, though.


Murph has uncontrolled passion? Little knowledge? Huh? I'm somewhat confused.


Exactly. Passion and little knowledge of post offense or defense can only lead to quick fouls and loss of rhythm.

Can you tell me what's wrong with Murphy playing the 5 when the Spurs bring in Nazr Mohammed and Robert Horry? What about Chris Mihm and Lamar Odom/Ronny Turiaf? Think Murphy will have problems against Theo Ratliff or Marcus Camby?


Hehe, if you were Poppovich would you use the Horry/Nazr duo often, or would you opt to crush Murphy by rotating TD, Nazr and even Rasho on him on offense? See, it's not only what WE choose to do, it's how we can adapt to what the other coach throws at us. And trust me, with Foyle and Murph, versatility is not our strongest point... :(
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Postby FanOfAll on Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:06 pm

D-Wolverine 99027 wrote:Mo T was a lottery pick 7 years ago and has been in th eleague for some time. Diogu still has to prove himself. Let's leave it at that and see what the future has bestowed.

Sure, but Maurice Taylor has proved himself to be nothing more than a very mediocre player. Mo Taylor actually might be the better athlete, but I'll say this (believe me or not), there are some things Diogu does that are already better than Taylor.

Exactly. Passion and little knowledge of post offense or defense can only lead to quick fouls and loss of rhythm.

From Murphy needing to "develop the grit and passion" to this. Little knowledge of post offense has nothing to do with this.

Hehe, if you were Poppovich would you use the Horry/Nazr duo often, or would you opt to crush Murphy by rotating TD, Nazr and even Rasho on him on offense? See, it's not only what WE choose to do, it's how we can adapt to what the other coach throws at us. And trust me, with Foyle and Murph, versatility is not our strongest point... :(

Pop did play Horry and Nazr together for certain periods during the NBA Finals. Come on, he has no trust in Nesterovic and Duncan can't play 48 minutes a game. Plus, even if he did play Rasho and Nazr, Rasho strikes 0 fear in the hearts of Warriors fans and Murphy. Anyways, you want me to list more? Brad Miller. Miller is a jump shooting big man (and a damn good one at that), but Murphy at the 4 or the 5 could cover him. Big difference? No. Eric Dampier, Lorenzen Wright, Stromile Swift? Dampier has the best game out of the bunch and his post game sucks. The Kandi Man or Jerome James? Maybe when they're playing their best, which is once in a blue moon. Mehmet Okur? Just a shooter. He could play the 4 and Murph could be playing the 4 too. If they're both playing the 5, it's the same thing. Joel Pryzbilla, Theo Ratliff? They only dunk. Marcus Camby? Jump shooting big, there are plenty of jump shooting 4s that Murphy plays against. And that's just the Western Conference. Murphy's an excellent rebounder already and I don't see him having problems rebounding against any of those guys. Maybe Camby. Foyle and Murph aren't versatile at all, but the point here was that there isn't a big difference between the 4 and the 5. IMO, Murphy is closer to playing the 5 than you seem to believe.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:12 pm

Sure, but Maurice Taylor has proved himself to be nothing more than a very mediocre player.


...and Ike Diogu has proven nothing at the NBA level yet. My point all along.


From Murphy needing to "develop the grit and passion" to this. Little knowledge of post offense has nothing to do with this.


It has everything to do with it. Real passion to play the 5 (meaning: leraning to play some post D, and working his butt to do so...) is lacking, Knowledge of post offense and defense id lacking. The only way to start covering these deficiencies is "grit and passion", meaning working hard to learn a new position and being disciplined in doing what the coach requires of him. Therefore, it makes perfect sense.

Brad Miller. Miller is a jump shooting big man (and a damn good one at that), but Murphy at the 4 or the 5 could cover him.


Good luck to Adonal Foyle dealing with Kenny Thomas. KT is very underrated, and can score a ton if plays are called for him.

Eric Dampier, Lorenzen Wright, Stromile Swift? Dampier has the best game out of the bunch and his post game sucks.


Stro can just dunk over Troy anytime he wishes, so don't even go there.


Mehmet Okur? Just a shooter. He could play the 4 and Murph could be playing the 4 too.


And I'm guessing Foyle and/or Diogu can take Boozer and Kirilenko out of the game? Good one.

Murphy's an excellent rebounder already and I don't see him having problems rebounding against any of those guys.


I never quastioned his rebounding instincts. That is not the issue. Defense and offense in the key is.


Foyle and Murph aren't versatile at all, but the point here was that there isn't a big difference between the 4 and the 5. IMO, Murphy is closer to playing the 5 than you seem to believe.


Versatility is the key when going up against twin-tower formations, small lineups, etc... and believe you me, coaches in the NBA are smart enough to take advantage of the lack of versatility. Murphy can start playing the 5 as of tomorrow, for all I care. How he does is the issue, and I'm just not that optimistic. Let's leave it to time to prove me wrong or right, shall we?
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Postby FanOfAll on Sat Jul 02, 2005 5:54 am

D-Wolverine 99027 wrote:...and Ike Diogu has proven nothing at the NBA level yet. My point all along.

Believe whatever you want. Diogu already does things better than Taylor. I've seen Diogu enough times to make that statement. Diogu isn't a LeBron or even the freshman Chris Bosh, but when they came into the league, they already did things with the ball that were than what a bunch of scrubs could do. Same goes with Diogu.

It has everything to do with it. Real passion to play the 5 (meaning: leraning to play some post D, and working his butt to do so...) is lacking, Knowledge of post offense and defense id lacking. The only way to start covering these deficiencies is "grit and passion", meaning working hard to learn a new position and being disciplined in doing what the coach requires of him. Therefore, it makes perfect sense.

Well, I didn't realize you were just stating the obvious and parroting some of what I said. Spin doctor :P. Players need "real" grit and passion to play every position. However, he doesn't need to learn any post offense. Of course, it would be preferable, but he doesnt have to be the traditional center, which is where I think you're getting confused. Murphy should learn some post defense to guard the big men, but his outside shot is already very effective in stretching the defense. Raef LaFrentz can be a center, but he doesn't have any post game to speak of, yet he does a good job in his role. I'm telling you, Murphy is close, but he just needs the post defense.


Good luck to Adonal Foyle dealing with Kenny Thomas. KT is very underrated, and can score a ton if plays are called for him.

KT is actually scoring when plays aren't called for him. Unless you count an iso as a play. You, again, miss my point. Miller is your "center". If you move Murphy to "center", he's covering Miller. Who happens to lack a post game. Murphy will do fine at "center" guarding Miller. You could put Mike Dunleavy on the athletic Kenny Thomas and problem solved. You could probably put Diogu on KT. Foyle just has to watch out for his jumper and not let him get started, but it won't be that bad.

Stro can just dunk over Troy anytime he wishes, so don't even go there.

Wait, Stro can dunk whenever he wants? So if Murphy pushes him out of post position, he can still jump, horizontally, 14' and dunk over Murphy :roll:? Let's be realistic now. How big of an offensive threat does Stro pose? How often a game does Stro dunk? What if Memphis keeps both Stro and the disgruntled Lorenzen Wright (unlikely) and plays both together on the floor for 5 minutes, to give Gasol a breather (likely). Stro is the "4". Murphy is the "4". Murphy covers Stro. Stro shoots 15' jumpers on the baseline and dunks when he man leaves him. Murphy isn't a shotblocker and doesn't leave his man very often. Murphy shouldn't have a problem, unless he doesn't have his head in the game. So let's move both of them to the 5. Bring in Diogu and Gasol. Suddenly Murphy is going to have a problem guarding Stro, just because he's playing "center"?

And I'm guessing Foyle and/or Diogu can take Boozer and Kirilenko out of the game? Good one.

Boozer :lol:? Wow, should I be scared? He has even less of a post game than the Stro Show, Brad Miller, Lorezen Wright, and Kenny Thomas. Give me a break. You just have to keep a body and box out Boozer, which Murphy, Foyle, and/or Diogu could do. Easier said than done, but it's not as if we're putting softie Mark Blount on Boozer. These guys are warriors, no pun intended. AK-47 plays the 3 mostly now, but if you play him at the 4, you could go small and bring in Dunleavy or Zarko.

I never quastioned his rebounding instincts. That is not the issue. Defense and offense in the key is.

Defense certainly is the issue, but I've beaten this horse dead. Offense is not an issue.


Versatility is the key when going up against twin-tower formations, small lineups, etc... and believe you me, coaches in the NBA are smart enough to take advantage of the lack of versatility. Murphy can start playing the 5 as of tomorrow, for all I care. How he does is the issue, and I'm just not that optimistic. Let's leave it to time to prove me wrong or right, shall we?

Haha, look, we agree on versatility. But you're just talking about it, I'm giving you actual matchups to prove to you that against many teams and the lineups they bring out, a Murphy/Diogu or Murphy/Zarko or even Murphy/Dunleavy lineup wouldn't be bad. When Murphy is supposedly "center" and guarding the biggest man the other team has, who often lacks a post game to exploit Murphy's shortcomings. Murphy is close to being ready to play the 5. He probably could've against many teams last year. He just isn't ready to take on Shaq, Eddy Curry, Big Z, Duncan, Amare. That's where his game needs work. Post defense. Because he will be the biggest big man out there and he'll have to guard the low post threat.
And finally, it's almost impossible for us to determine who was right and wrong, because we won't know if Murphy's improvements really helped him or not. I've found that you can't refute some of the matchups I've given anyways :wink:.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:16 am

GS rookies made a good showing in the LVSL...

Diogu had a monster 37 point game, to boot. :P

http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/summer ... cap_5.html
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:24 am

A piece on Biedrins and his potential by RealGM...

http://warriors.realgm.com/articles/106 ... s_the_key/

The author strikes me as a bit of a homer, but what the hell. News about the Warriors are scarce as it is... :lol:
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:06 am

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... for_curry/


A trade for Curry? Hmm... doesn't sound so bad... if we can keep Murphy as well, th elineup would be

C - CURRY
PF- MURPHY
SF - DUNLEAVY/PIETRUS
SG - RICHARDSON
PG - DAVIS


Not too shabby, if I may say so myself... :lol:


But anough day-dreaming for today... as if it's ever going to happen, what with our history and all... :lol:
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Postby maes on Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:33 am

The theoretical trade would be FOR Murphy, and the article says even that's pretty remote.

That makes 0 sense for the Bulls, since Murphy is valued mainly for rebounding, and the Bulls already have Chandler.

Most of these theories say why another team would want Curry, but offer no motivation on Chicago's side to trade him. You need motivation on 2 parties to swing a trade.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:36 am

A man can dream, can't he?

Although I believe the Bulls would prefer getting Murphy in a sign-and-trade than letting the Hawks out-offer them for Curry and get zip in return.
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Postby maes on Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:00 am

Oh i agree, if the Bulls want to deal Curry because he's going to cost too much, i think Murphy is far more attractive than anything else i've heard. I think he's a great player, and he's thrived in the NBA game, not withered.

I just don't think the Bulls will refuse to match...BUT Reinsdorf is an idiot, so who knows.
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Postby AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy on Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:24 am

I just don't think the Bulls will refuse to match...BUT Reinsdorf is an idiot, so who knows.


There is still the matter of Eddy's heart ailmant, along with his pending insurance. A lot will depend on this.
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Postby Fenix on Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:47 am

D-Weaver 99027 wrote:A piece on Biedrins and his potential by RealGM...

http://warriors.realgm.com/articles/106 ... s_the_key/

The author strikes me as a bit of a homer, but what the hell. News about the Warriors are scarce as it is... :lol:

I like this guy. 7 footer, nice athleticism, still growing in all directions (I wouldn't know about him growing forward, though :lol:) and tough as nails on the court. I'm surprised that no one speaks about him as of a potential top 5 center in this league (if the Warriors keep him at that position).
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