http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/4345 Recent articles about Kelenna Azubuike en-us <p>Now that all of the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/section/draft">2009 NBA Draft madness</a> is over it's time to turn our focus towards 2009 NBA Free Agency. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/195114/51h9yjjqldl._ss500_.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/195114/51h9yjjqldl._ss500__medium.jpg" alt="51h9yjjqldl" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>Looks like an interesting read. Anyone read it?</i> [<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Agent-Nation-Independent-Transforming/dp/B000FA5SL6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246466227&sr=8-4">Amazon.com</a>]</p> <p>Jump like LB23 will be jumping from the midwest to NY in 2010!</p> <p>In <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=FreeAgents09-090629">Chad Ford's list of Top 25 free agents for this summer</a> over at ESPN.com he notes that only a handful of teams such as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/DAL" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Mavericks</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/CLE" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> are expected to use their midlevel exception this offseason. In the list he notes that the Warriors are interested in two restricted free agents in particular: 1) Ramon Sessions and 2) Jarrett Jack.</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Ramon Sessions, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MIL" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> (RFA)</b><br />Teams Interested: Bucks, Mavericks, Warriors, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/HOU" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MIA" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a>, Blazers<br />Salary Range: $3-5 million per year<br />Teams are always in pursuit of point guards, especially ones that aren't going to break the bank, and Sessions has caught the eye of a number of teams. With the Bucks struggling financially, they may not be able to match. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/195142/ramonsessions.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/195142/ramonsessions_medium.jpg" alt="Ramonsessions_medium" /></a></p> <p>via <a href="http://www.tiricosuave.com/images/ramonsessions.jpg">www.tiricosuave.com</a></p> <p>Sessions is indeed intriguing. Some have even called him <a href="http://www.tiricosuave.com/2008/04/15/ramon-sessions-is-the-greatest-basketball-player-on-earth/">The Greatest Basketball Player On Earth</a> [Tirico Suave] which is pretty impressive for a guy who the Warriors passed up 4 times in the 2007 NBA Draft for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24202/Jermareo_Davidson" class="sbn-auto-link">Jermareo Davidson</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24212/Stephane_Lasme" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephane Lasme</a> (see <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/901354/golden-state-warriors-1st-round">Golden State Warriors 1st Round Draft History and Just My Imagination</a>). In all seriousness, Sessions is an upgrade over both <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24166/Acie_Law" class="sbn-auto-link">Acie Law</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24741/C_J_Watson" class="sbn-auto-link">C.J. Watson</a>. Maybe if he comes here San Ramon can give him the city key too. If $3-5 million is the asking price, the Warriors should be buying.</p> <p>Check out: <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2009/5/29/890268/how-much-do-the-bucks-want-ramon">How much do the Bucks want Ramon Sessions back?</a> [Brew Hoop]</p> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix"> <table class="zebra"> <thead class="super-head"> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th colspan="3">FG</th> <th colspan="3">3PT</th> <th colspan="3">FT</th> <th colspan="3">Rebounds</th> <th colspan="6">Misc</th> </tr> </thead> <thead> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th>G</th> <th>M</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>Off</th> <th>Def</th> <th>Tot</th> <th>Ast</th> <th>TO</th> <th>Stl</th> <th>Blk</th> <th>PF</th> <th>PPG</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-name td-first">2008 - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24238/Ramon_Sessions">Ramon Sessions</a></td> <td>79</td> <td>27.5</td> <td>4.4</td> <td>9.8</td> <td>44.5</td> <td>0.1</td> <td>0.4</td> <td>17.6</td> <td>3.6</td> <td>4.5</td> <td>79.4</td> <td>0.8</td> <td>2.6</td> <td>3.4</td> <td>5.7</td> <td>1.9</td> <td>1.1</td> <td>0.1</td> <td>2.0</td> <td class="td-last">12.4</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <!-- END WIDGET --> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p><b>Jarrett Jack, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/IND" class="sbn-auto-link">Pacers</a> (RFA)</b><br />Teams Interested: Pacers, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/ATL" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/TOR" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a>, Sixers, Warriors<br />Salary Range: $3-5 million per year<br />Jack beat out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21631/T_J_Ford" class="sbn-auto-link">T.J. Ford</a> for the Pacers' starting point guard position at the end of the season. He might get offers in the range of the midlevel exception, and it's not clear whether or not the Pacers can afford to re-sign him. One team to watch is the Hawks, who could bring him back to Atlanta, where he played college ball at Georgia Tech.</p> </blockquote> <p>Jack is about 3 years older than Sessions and provides a very steady hand in the backcourt. There's nothing spectacular about this signing, nor is their much upside. It would still be a solid one nonetheless. The fun money would go to Sessions, but Jack is no slouch either. This is a guy who finished off the 2008-2009 season in a tear. 17.3 ppg. 4.9 apg, and 1.4 stls (post All-Star break) capability is more than adequate for a backup guard.</p> <p>Over at <a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/community_logos/13481/indy-lg.jpg">Indy Cornrows</a> don't miss:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.indycornrows.com/2009/5/31/893151/2008-09-player-review-jarrett-jack">2008-09 Player Review: Jarrett Jack</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.indycornrows.com/2009/6/30/931246/pacers-make-qualifying-offers-to">Pacers Make Qualifying Offers To Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts</a></li> </ul> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix"> <table class="zebra"> <thead class="super-head"> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th colspan="3">FG</th> <th colspan="3">3PT</th> <th colspan="3">FT</th> <th colspan="3">Rebounds</th> <th colspan="6">Misc</th> </tr> </thead> <thead> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th>G</th> <th>M</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>Off</th> <th>Def</th> <th>Tot</th> <th>Ast</th> <th>TO</th> <th>Stl</th> <th>Blk</th> <th>PF</th> <th>PPG</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-name td-first">2008 - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21816/Jarrett_Jack">Jarrett Jack</a></td> <td>82</td> <td>33.1</td> <td>4.7</td> <td>10.4</td> <td>45.3</td> <td>1.0</td> <td>2.7</td> <td>35.3</td> <td>2.7</td> <td>3.2</td> <td>85.2</td> <td>0.5</td> <td>2.8</td> <td>3.4</td> <td>4.1</td> <td>2.2</td> <td>1.1</td> <td>0.2</td> <td>2.2</td> <td class="td-last">13.1</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <!-- END WIDGET --> <p> </p> <p>Another name to toss out is Jason Kidd as my esteemed colleague<b> R Dizzle</b> has already done: <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/30/931242/bring-back-jason-kidd-to-the-bay">Bring Back Jason Kidd to the Bay! ...Why not?</a></p> <blockquote> <p><b>Jason Kidd, Mavericks</b><br />Teams Interested: Mavericks, Blazers, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAL" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a>, Rockets, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NYK" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a><br />Salary Range: $5.5-7 million per year</p> <p>Kidd continues to claim that the reports of his demise are exaggerated, and his solid play last season backed him up. Still, he's a 36-year-old point guard.</p> <p>The Mavs are one of several teams willing to pay for a point guard with court vision. It remains to be seen where he wants to be and whether he'll command more than a midlevel deal.</p> </blockquote> <p><a></a></p> <p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/195145/374015614_d6b8dc294e_o.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/195145/374015614_d6b8dc294e_o_medium.jpg" alt="374015614_d6b8dc294e_o_medium" /></a></p> <p>Don't let anyone tell you Kidd is old, washed up, and not good anymore. Take a look at the facts:</p> <p><span> </span></p> <ul style="padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px;"> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 21px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;">he’s morphed into a very nice 3pt shooter- <strong style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">40.6% 3pt</strong> last season</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 21px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;">he’s still an elite passer with nearly <strong style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">9 dimes a game</strong> to only 2 turnovers</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 21px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">6.2 rpg</strong> last season</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 21px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">2 steals</strong> last season</li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 21px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">played in 321 out of 328 possible games</strong> the last 4 seasons</li> <div><font face="Arial, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></font></div> </ul> <div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">Unlike the Warriors other 2 primary ball handlers Monta and Jack, no one is ever going to accuse JKidd of being a black hole or regularly making dumb decisions with the rock.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">He’s a perfect PG guard alongside Monta. Kidd is still a phenomenal distributor and he’s big enough and still able to guard the non-elite 2 guards in this league. Think Monta will love running out on the 1 man fast break will Kidd rebounding the rock and dishing a laser pass to him? Think Corey Maggette will love finishing the fast break or long lobs from Kidd? Think everyone will be complaining a lot loss about Jack's turnovers?</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">I think so.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;"><span>At this point in his career Kidd's looking for a championship as he should, so I highly doubt he'd even be the least bit interested in coming back to the Bay to play for Cohan and Rowell's disaster. However, as Eric B and Rakim will tell you- this ain't no joke:</span></p> </div> <p><span> </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">PG: Jason Kidd<br style="line-height: 0.75em;" />SG: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21527/Monta_Ellis" class="sbn-auto-link">Monta Ellis</a><br style="line-height: 0.75em;" />SF: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21700/Stephen_Jackson" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Jackson</a><br style="line-height: 0.75em;" />PF: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35086/Anthony_Randolph" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Randolph</a><br style="line-height: 0.75em;" />C: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.9em; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">Bench: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/50286/Anthony_Morrow" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Morrow</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21758/Corey_Maggette" class="sbn-auto-link">Corey Maggette</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71907/Stephen_Curry" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Curry</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21868/Ronny_Turiaf" class="sbn-auto-link">Ronny Turiaf</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Check out <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a> for more thoughts on Jason Kidd's recent play.</p> <p> </p> <p>Kidding around in the GSoM Vault:</p> <ul> <li><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2007/2/21/12177/1549">Rumor: Jason Kidd Not Going to the Warriors</a></font></li> <li><span><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/2/18/134631/398" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Interested in Jason Kidd</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/2/18/134631/398" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"></a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/1/29/215247/730" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Jason Kidd for Jason Richardson, Mickael Pietrus, Monta Ellis and Patrick O'Bryant</a></span></li> <li><span><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/1/29/215247/730" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"></a><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/1/29/215247/730" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Interested in Jason Kidd and Nets Like Troy Murphy</a></span></li> </ul> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix"> <table class="zebra"> <thead class="super-head"> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th colspan="3">FG</th> <th colspan="3">3PT</th> <th colspan="3">FT</th> <th colspan="3">Rebounds</th> <th colspan="6">Misc</th> </tr> </thead> <thead> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th>G</th> <th>M</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>Off</th> <th>Def</th> <th>Tot</th> <th>Ast</th> <th>TO</th> <th>Stl</th> <th>Blk</th> <th>PF</th> <th>PPG</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-name td-first">2008 - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21554/Jason_Kidd">Jason Kidd</a></td> <td>81</td> <td>35.6</td> <td>3.2</td> <td>7.6</td> <td>41.6</td> <td>1.6</td> <td>4.0</td> <td>40.6</td> <td>1.1</td> <td>1.3</td> <td>81.9</td> <td>1.0</td> <td>5.1</td> <td>6.2</td> <td>8.7</td> <td>2.3</td> <td>2.0</td> <td>0.5</td> <td>2.1</td> <td class="td-last">9.0</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <!-- END WIDGET --> <p> </p> <p>A final name I'll toss out is the one and only <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21504/Allen_Iverson" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Iverson</a>. It really doesn't appear teams are that interested in him right now. His stock is at its lowest point... ever.</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Allen Iverson, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/DET" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> (UFA)</b><br />Teams Interested: ???<br />Salary Range: $3-5 million per year<br />Iverson's late-season disappearance didn't help his reputation. He's still a good player, but two nagging questions will hurt his case for a big deal: One, with the exception of that magical season in Philly under Larry Brown, is Iverson a winner? Two, does he have much left? The answer to Question 1 seems to be no. The answer to Question 2 seems to be a qualified yes. But I can't find a team that is willing to stick its neck out for him. I think retirement for Iverson isn't out of the question.</p> </blockquote> <p>If the Warriors can add AI for $3-5 million that would be quite the steal. Last year was a frustrating and injury-riddled one for the Answer, but before that he was actually putting up some of the best numbers of his career. He's one season removed from putting up <b>26.4 ppg</b> (45.8% FG- 2nd highest of his 13 year career, 34.6% 3pt- career high, 80.9% FT), <b>7.2 apg</b> : 3.0 to, and <b>2.0 thefts</b>. in another high octane offense over in Enver. For comparison's sake Monta Ellis' career high ppg is 20.2 and last season he distributed 3.7 apg with 2.7 turnovers (unacceptable distribution totals for a starting point guard in the NBA) and 1.6 steals. A healthy Iverson is a better player than a healthy Ellis in 2009-2010. The big question of course is- will either of these 2 guards be healthy?</p> <p>Also don't believe the hype that swapping AI with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21686/Chauncey_Billups" class="sbn-auto-link">Chauncey Billups</a> miraculously improved the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/DEN" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> and vaulted them to the Western Conference Finals. Billups is wildy overrated and Nuggets just got very lucky in the 1st two rounds of the playoffs. If they faced the Lake-show in the 1st round of this past year's spring dance it'd be the same broken record- bounced in the 1st round faster than you can say "Muppet". Flip back to <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/30/893541/polling-gsom-based-on-their-stats">Polling GSoM: Based on their stats Guard A or Guard B?</a> and if you think I'm a lunatic for holding these stances, I'm sure there's plenty of smart folks over at <a href="http://www.pickaxeandroll.com/">Pickaxe and Roll</a> who will agree with you.</p> <p>For a different look on AI see: <a href="http://www.motownstringmusic.com/2009/4/10/829253/the-truth-about-the-answer">The Truth About The Answer?</a> [Motown String Music]</p> <p>I might be the biggest AI fan in the Bay Area and I'm all for bringing Iverson here. Will he guarantee that the Warriors crack the Elite 8 and our playing well beyond the first week of April? Of course not. But who cares? If this team is going to continue to suck (missing the playoffs in 14 of the past 15 seasons) then let's at least have a wildly entertaining team. There's very few players in this league who can entertain more than AI. Plus, who can resist this smallball lineup?</p> <p>PG: Stephen Curry</p> <p>SG: Allen Iverson</p> <p>SF: Monta Ellis</p> <p>PF: Stephen Jackson</p> <p>C: Anthony Randolph</p> <p>Bench: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a>, Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf </p> <p>Hey if you're going to suck, then at least do an entertaining job at it.</p> <p>Also it's probably worth noting that the more star power the Warriors add (e.g. Jason Kidd or Allen Iverson) the easier it might be to convince Amare Stoudemire that playing for the Warriors isn't the worst thing in the world- I mean there's always the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a>! (Don't sleep on the excellent SBN blog for <a href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Warriors South</a>)</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/55/191760410_86b4fc1166_o.jpg" height="450" alt="iverson-warriors" width="450" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><i>Let's do this.</i></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p>AI to the Warriors ain't nothing new:</p> <p><span> </span></p> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2006/12/19/231333/49"><b>The Allen Iverson Trade: Throwing Up W's and L's</b></a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/15/165359/31" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Not Interested in Allen Iverson Anymore</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/15/12571/127" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Could Be in on Multiteam Allen Iverson Trade</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/14/173231/32" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Why the Warriors Should Trade for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/14/14236/390" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Baron Davis + Andris Biedrins for Allen Iverson Package Reports Were Bogus</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/14/14411/609" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Could Have Allen Iverson for Jason Richardson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/14/132247/54" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Tony Mejia Thinks AI to the Warriors by Friday</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/14/0512/2262" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Offered Baron Davis, but Ready to Drop Out of Allen Iverson Trade Talks</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/13/231949/03" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Tom Tolbert Says Warriors Out of Allen Iverson Trade Talks</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/13/13335/743" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Sixers Targetting Troy Murphy and Jason Richardson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/13/12482/373" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Troy Murphy Not in Trade Talks</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/13/122145/74" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Allen Iverson to the Warriors, Ben Gordon to 76ers, and Troy Murphy to Bulls</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/13/12741/225" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Baron Davis, Andris Biedrins, and 3rd Unidentified Player for Allen Iverson and Steven Hunter</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/13/115141/00" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Andris Biedrins, Monta Ellis, and Baron Davis for Allen Iverson and Steven Hunter</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/203952/81" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Upped Offer for Iverson to Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Ike Diogu, and a 1st Rounder</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/193136/86" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Ric Bucher Says Warriors Out of Running for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/135214/93" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Dangling JRich and Adonal Foyle for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/132858/88" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Stephen A. Smith Thinks the Warriors are the Frontrunners for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/124441/71" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Looking to Move Dead-Weight Contracts for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/12167/296" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Allen Iverson to the Warriors for JRich, Monta Ellis, or Baron Davis</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/115854/03" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors the Front-Runner in AI Sweepstakes</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/12/12144/914" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Celtics, Warriors, and Kings Most Likely to Acquire Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/11/131228/32" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, or Jason Richardson + Monta Ellis for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/11/2386/1119" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">GSoM Talks to Preetom Bhattacharya about Allen Iverson Rumors</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/9/163424/792" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors, Celtics, and Pacers in the Mix for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/8/19642/0914" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: 76ers Contacted Warriors, Sonics, and Nuggets about an Allen Iverson Deal</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/12/8/145818/406" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Allen Iverson Wants Out of Philly + Warriors Need The Answer</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/28/211520/930" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: 7-1 Odds on Allen Iverson for T-Double, Ike, MP2, and Zarko</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/17/111947/938" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Sixers want Troy Murphy or Jason Richardson for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/15/11957/3991" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Iverson Will Play for Warriors</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/13/192029/562" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: 8 Team, 9 Player Super Trade brings Allen Iverson to the Warriors</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/12/112732/744" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Won't Pursue Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/9/182942/0254" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors' Youth + Bad Contract for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/6/153853/9596" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Sixers Listening to Troy Murphy Package for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/2/122349/6787" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: 76ers Want a Troy Murphy Package for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/6/29/203542/987" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors in the Mix for Allen Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/6/27/111625/708" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Warriors Really After Iverson</a></li> <li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 15px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/6/22/172848/024" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #01378f; text-decoration: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Rumor: Allen Iverson to the Warriors</a></li> <p> </p> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <div class="error sports_data_widget player_stats"> <p>Data for this widget is not currently available</p> </div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <!-- END WIDGET --> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Which of these free agents would help the Warriors the most in the 2009-2010 season?</h5> <div id="poll_container_44720_460660472"> <form action="/polls/vote/44720?container_id=poll_container_44720_460660472" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44720?container_id=poll_container_44720_460660472', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_211534" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="211534" /></span> <label for="poll_option_211534"><span class="option">Ramon Sessions</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_211535" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="211535" /></span> <label for="poll_option_211535"><span class="option">Jarrett Jack</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_211536" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="211536" /></span> <label for="poll_option_211536"><span class="option">Jason Kidd</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_211537" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="211537" /></span> <label for="poll_option_211537"><span class="option">Allen Iverson</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   34 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44720?container_id=poll_container_44720_460660472', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0YE6QxnR7TR3WthNf0KcUfyH-ec/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0YE6QxnR7TR3WthNf0KcUfyH-ec/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0YE6QxnR7TR3WthNf0KcUfyH-ec/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0YE6QxnR7TR3WthNf0KcUfyH-ec/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:52:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/760824 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/760824 <div class="photo-tpl photo-tpl-right_landscape"> <a href="/photos/the-big-blue-daily-mail-uk-news"><img alt="Scott Skiles has reason to smile after getting Jennings and Jodie Meeks in the NBA Draft." class="ap_photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/49736/65713_bucks_draft_basketball.jpg" /></a> <div class="photo-meta"> <p class="by clearfix"> <span><a href="/photos/the-big-blue-daily-mail-uk-news">More photos »</a></span> by Morry Gash - AP </p> <p class="cap"> Scott Skiles has reason to smile after getting Jennings and Jodie Meeks in the NBA Draft. </p> </div> <p class="more-link"><a href="/photos/the-big-blue-daily-mail-uk-news">Browse more photos »</a></p> </div> <p>I am going to change the format of the Big Blue Daily Mail a bit (things around here are always a work in progress) to be a bit more link based than links at the end of commentary.  I find myself taking so long to do the BBDM that I simply don't have time for anything else.  The new format will have the lead story on the front page, and everything else below the fold.</p> <p>Today I will be at Churchill Downs all day.  It is the annual trip that I do with my wife to celebrate her birthday.  She absolutely loves to gamble, and especially loves to bet the ponies.  So that's were I'll be all day.  You can look for a tweet or two if something particularly good or bad happens there.  Perhaps I'll be betting on <a href="http://horseracing.bloginky.com/2009/06/26/coach-billy-g-the-horse-at-churchill-tonight/">Coach Billy G</a>.</p> <p>Today's lead story is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29147/Jodie_Meeks" class="sbn-auto-link">Jodie Meeks</a> to the Milwaukee Bucks.  I am not the world's greatest NBA fan although I do watch and keep up with it, so those of you who are experts in the NBA might want to chime in and add some value to my comments.</p> <p>On it's face, this looks like a good pickup for the Bucks since they recently traded away star swingman Richard Jefferson.  SLAM Online <a href="http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/06/2009-nba-draft-grades-pt-1/">grades</a> the Bucks draft as an A-:</p> <blockquote> <p>Meeks gives Milwaukee a solid scoring option coming off the bench to help fill some of the void left by Jefferson. While he won’t be able to attack the rim and create a ton of offense as a slasher, Meeks is a big-time scorer who can light things up from the outside as he showed countless times at Kentucky this past season. With Jennings getting into the lane, Meeks can spot up and bury jumpers from the outside when he is on the floor. These two will take some time to develop, particularly Jennings, but the Bucks addressed two needs and they did it with quality picks.</p> </blockquote> <p>I think Meeks will definitely be able to find backup minutes right away, and I am not 100% convinced that Meeks can't get his own shot -- he just didn't do so at UK very often.  He is a better spot-up, catch-and-shoot guy, but I do believe that he has the tools necessary to improve his handle and get into the lane or pull up for a jumper.  The question is, will Jodie see the value in putting in the work necessary to develop those skills if he sees good minutes as a spot-up shooter?  J.J. Redick as definitely worked hard on the other aspects of his game, for example, but there are others who have come in as catch-and-shoot guys that never try to expand their role.  Which one will Jodie be?</p> <p>SB Nations' Bucks blog Brew Hoop <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2009/6/25/925672/deep-threat-bucks-take-jodie-meeks">likes</a> the Meeks pick, although he was hoping for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26104/DeJuan_Blair" class="sbn-auto-link">DeJuan Blair</a>.  The Bucks do need some front-court help, so this makes sense.  For his part, Jodie Meeks <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/609/story/844193.html">can't wait</a> to get to Milwaukee and join the team.  Of course, he first has to <i>make</i> the team, but I am convinced he will.  If he doesn't, he is likely going to have to take the Kelenna Azubuike route and that is a tough road.</p> <p>A final note on Jodie -- did you know he will be <a href="http://www.thesportsbank.net/wisconsin/bucks-bet-on-jennings-and-meeks/">playing with</a> former Wildcat (and one of this blog's favorites) Keith Bogans?  I didn't, but I suspect there will be a lot more Bucks fans among the Big BlueNation than previously.</p> <p>Now, the rest of the news:</p> <p> </p> <h4>UK Basketball News</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://new.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=22163">UK Recruiting Notebook: Kyrie Irving, interesting developments and lots of notes</a><br />Dustin Rumbaugh at KSR reports on Kyrie Irving.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/luke_winn/06/26/draft/?eref=sircrc">John Calipairi won't be taking a back seat to Traitor Rick</a><br />Via <a href="http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2009/06/26/calipari-wont-take-a-backseat-to-pitino/" target="_blank">John Clay</a> comes this piece from Luke Winn at SI.com. Calipari and Pitino at two rival schools is just one of the many great things that bringing Calipari to Kentucky created.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1585673.html">Quincy Miller picks up UK offer ...</a><br />... Along with about 100 others.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/2009/06/uk-offers-top-2012-prospect.html">UK offers 2012 prospect Perry Ellis</a><br />Per Jody Demling.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>UK Football News</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://www.truebluekentucky.com/index.php/football/928-guest-football/1586-wallace-will-play-at-uk.html">Wallace will play at UK</a><br />Big pickup by the football team.</p> </li> <li><a href="http://www.truebluekentucky.com/index.php/football/928-guest-football/1594-blitzkrieg.html">DeQuin Evans is enrolled at UK in summer school</a></li> </ul> <h4>Other UK Sports News</h4> <ul> <li>None today.<br /></li> </ul> <h4>NCAA Sports News</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=959971"> Who is next year's No. 1 NBA draft pick?</a><br />Most agree with UK fans that it is likely to be John Wall. But Ed Davis? Really?</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/31577066/ns/sports-college_football/">Alabama reportedly working on Saban extension</a><br />The Saban-Calipari comparisons will just keep getting stronger.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Other News of Interest</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=960009">CatsPause.com - Fab Frosh Camp</a><br />A report on the Fab Frosh camp held this weekend at Memorial Coliseum.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090626/SPORTS02/906260400/">No U of L coach at Kentucky Football Coaches Association clinic </a><br />Can Kragthorpe's life get any more chaotic? This poor guy steps into a cowpile and sinks up to his neck. Man, I really do feel for him.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>The Daily Schadenfreude</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090626/SPORTS11/906260394/">Swopshire's little brother is a bit of a Kentucky fan </a><br />Louisville forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52438/Jared_Swopshire" class="sbn-auto-link">Jared Swopshire</a>'s brother Jordan is a UK fan. Oh, schadenfreude!</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.kentucky.com/609/story/844225.html">Ex-Duke guard Williams lists UK among transfer destinations </a><br />I would just love to pick up this guy. He is a very good player, and taking one away from Duke would just tickle me pink.</p> </li> </ul> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:25:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/746582 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/746582 <div class="photo-tpl photo-tpl-right_landscape"> <a href="/photos/the-big-blue-daily-mail-uk-news"><img alt="Scott Skiles has reason to smile after getting Jennings and Jodie Meeks in the NBA Draft." class="ap_photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/49736/65713_bucks_draft_basketball.jpg" /></a> <div class="photo-meta"> <p class="by clearfix"> <span><a href="/photos/the-big-blue-daily-mail-uk-news">More photos »</a></span> by Morry Gash - AP </p> <p class="cap"> Scott Skiles has reason to smile after getting Jennings and Jodie Meeks in the NBA Draft. </p> </div> <p class="more-link"><a href="/photos/the-big-blue-daily-mail-uk-news">Browse more photos »</a></p> </div> <p>I am going to change the format of the Big Blue Daily Mail a bit (things around here are always a work in progress) to be a bit more link based than links at the end of commentary.  I find myself taking so long to do the BBDM that I simply don't have time for anything else.  The new format will have the lead story on the front page, and everything else below the fold.</p> <p>Today I will be at Churchill Downs all day.  It is the annual trip that I do with my wife to celebrate her birthday.  She absolutely loves to gamble, and especially loves to bet the ponies.  So that's were I'll be all day.  You can look for a tweet or two if something particularly good or bad happens there.  Perhaps I'll be betting on <a href="http://horseracing.bloginky.com/2009/06/26/coach-billy-g-the-horse-at-churchill-tonight/">Coach Billy G</a>.</p> <p>Today's lead story is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29147/Jodie_Meeks" class="sbn-auto-link">Jodie Meeks</a> to the Milwaukee Bucks.  I am not the world's greatest NBA fan although I do watch and keep up with it, so those of you who are experts in the NBA might want to chime in and add some value to my comments.</p> <p>On it's face, this looks like a good pickup for the Bucks since they recently traded away star swingman Richard Jefferson.  SLAM Online <a href="http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/06/2009-nba-draft-grades-pt-1/">grades</a> the Bucks draft as an A-:</p> <blockquote> <p>Meeks gives Milwaukee a solid scoring option coming off the bench to help fill some of the void left by Jefferson. While he won’t be able to attack the rim and create a ton of offense as a slasher, Meeks is a big-time scorer who can light things up from the outside as he showed countless times at Kentucky this past season. With Jennings getting into the lane, Meeks can spot up and bury jumpers from the outside when he is on the floor. These two will take some time to develop, particularly Jennings, but the Bucks addressed two needs and they did it with quality picks.</p> </blockquote> <p>I think Meeks will definitely be able to find backup minutes right away, and I am not 100% convinced that Meeks can't get his own shot -- he just didn't do so at UK very often.  He is a better spot-up, catch-and-shoot guy, but I do believe that he has the tools necessary to improve his handle and get into the lane or pull up for a jumper.  The question is, will Jodie see the value in putting in the work necessary to develop those skills if he sees good minutes as a spot-up shooter?  J.J. Redick as definitely worked hard on the other aspects of his game, for example, but there are others who have come in as catch-and-shoot guys that never try to expand their role.  Which one will Jodie be?</p> <p>SB Nations' Bucks blog Brew Hoop <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2009/6/25/925672/deep-threat-bucks-take-jodie-meeks">likes</a> the Meeks pick, although he was hoping for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26104/DeJuan_Blair" class="sbn-auto-link">DeJuan Blair</a>.  The Bucks do need some front-court help, so this makes sense.  For his part, Jodie Meeks <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/609/story/844193.html">can't wait</a> to get to Milwaukee and join the team.  Of course, he first has to <i>make</i> the team, but I am convinced he will.  If he doesn't, he is likely going to have to take the Kelenna Azubuike route and that is a tough road.</p> <p>A final note on Jodie -- did you know he will be <a href="http://www.thesportsbank.net/wisconsin/bucks-bet-on-jennings-and-meeks/">playing with</a> former Wildcat (and one of this blog's favorites) Keith Bogans?  I didn't, but I suspect there will be a lot more Bucks fans among the Big BlueNation than previously.</p> <p>Now, the rest of the news:</p> <p> </p> <h4>UK Basketball News</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://new.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=22163">UK Recruiting Notebook: Kyrie Irving, interesting developments and lots of notes</a><br />Dustin Rumbaugh at KSR reports on Kyrie Irving.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/luke_winn/06/26/draft/?eref=sircrc">John Calipairi won't be taking a back seat to Traitor Rick</a><br />Via <a href="http://johnclay.bloginky.com/2009/06/26/calipari-wont-take-a-backseat-to-pitino/" target="_blank">John Clay</a> comes this piece from Luke Winn at SI.com. Calipari and Pitino at two rival schools is just one of the many great things that bringing Calipari to Kentucky created.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1585673.html">Quincy Miller picks up UK offer ...</a><br />... Along with about 100 others.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/2009/06/uk-offers-top-2012-prospect.html">UK offers 2012 prospect Perry Ellis</a><br />Per Jody Demling.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>UK Football News</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://www.truebluekentucky.com/index.php/football/928-guest-football/1586-wallace-will-play-at-uk.html">Wallace will play at UK</a><br />Big pickup by the football team.</p> </li> <li><a href="http://www.truebluekentucky.com/index.php/football/928-guest-football/1594-blitzkrieg.html">DeQuin Evans is enrolled at UK in summer school</a></li> </ul> <h4>Other UK Sports News</h4> <ul> <li>None today.<br /></li> </ul> <h4>NCAA Sports News</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=959971"> Who is next year's No. 1 NBA draft pick?</a><br />Most agree with UK fans that it is likely to be John Wall. But Ed Davis? Really?</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/31577066/ns/sports-college_football/">Alabama reportedly working on Saban extension</a><br />The Saban-Calipari comparisons will just keep getting stronger.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Other News of Interest</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=960009">CatsPause.com - Fab Frosh Camp</a><br />A report on the Fab Frosh camp held this weekend at Memorial Coliseum.</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090626/SPORTS02/906260400/">No U of L coach at Kentucky Football Coaches Association clinic </a><br />Can Kragthorpe's life get any more chaotic? This poor guy steps into a cowpile and sinks up to his neck. Man, I really do feel for him.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>The Daily Schadenfreude</h4> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090626/SPORTS11/906260394/">Swopshire's little brother is a bit of a Kentucky fan </a><br />Louisville forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52438/Jared_Swopshire" class="sbn-auto-link">Jared Swopshire</a>'s brother Jordan is a UK fan. Oh, schadenfreude!</p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.kentucky.com/609/story/844225.html">Ex-Duke guard Williams lists UK among transfer destinations </a><br />I would just love to pick up this guy. He is a very good player, and taking one away from Duke would just tickle me pink.</p> </li> </ul> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9J28e8gQqTXJCt--J2GCLvCtolI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:25:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/746584 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/746584 If I'm running the Warriors, I'll give up Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli for Amare Stoudemire. Those players are expendable, given that Stoudemire replaces Biedrins in the middle. Throw in Stephen Curry, and the deal's... Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:00:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/746222 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/746222 If I'm running the Warriors, I'll give up Andris Biedrins, Brandon Wright, Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli for Amare Stoudemire. Those players are expendable, given that Stoudemire replaces Biedrins in the middle. Throw in Stephen Curry, and the deal's... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:05:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/745351 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/745351 <div class="photo-tpl photo-tpl-big_time"> <a href="/photos/recap-warriors-draft-day-stephen"><img alt="Photo" class="ap_photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/49163/65687_nba_draft_basketball.jpg" /></a> <div class="photo-meta"> <p class="by clearfix"> <span><a href="/photos/recap-warriors-draft-day-stephen">More photos »</a></span> by Jason DeCrow - AP </p> </div> <p class="more-link"><a href="/photos/recap-warriors-draft-day-stephen">Browse more photos »</a></p> </div> <p>What a day! What a day!</p> <p>If you haven't been around a computer, television, radio, or friends in the last 24 hours, here's a quick recap. At #7 in the 2009 NBA Draft, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> drafted Davidson guard, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71907/Stephen_Curry" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Curry</a>, son of Dell Curry. They had no 2nd round pick. Also, the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924534/rumor-warriors-inquired-about-suns">Dubs are heavily rumored to be involved in a trade</a> of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a> for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a>. Some rumors have <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a> and Stephen Curry included.</p> <p>Even if you don't agree with the moves, you at least had a little fun watching, waiting, anticipating the what the Warriors would do.</p> <p>GSOM was going crazy yesterday, I don't know when the last time we had that many comments in a single day. We had a lot of comments on the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925260/pre-2009-nba-draft-open-thread">OPEN THREAD: Pre-NBA Draft</a>, every pick prior to #7, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925446/with-the-1st-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#1 Blake Griffin</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925467/with-the-2nd-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#2 Hasheem Thabeet</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925486/with-the-3rd-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#3 James Harden</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925487/with-the-4th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#4 Tyreke Evans</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925500/with-the-5th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#5 Ricky Rubio</a>, and <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925502/with-the-6th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#6 Jonny Flynn</a>, the Warriors own pick, the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925512/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">7th pick Stephen Curry</a>, the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925435/open-thread-nba-2k9-draft-picks-8">rest of the first round</a>, and a <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925600/open-thread-iii-2009-nba-draft">recap of the Warriors day plus 2nd round coverage</a>. Whew!</p> <p>There were a few thoughts and hopes swirling in the back of my mind as the day went on. Hit the jump for some thoughts or <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/26/926243/warriors-draft-day-2009-this">check out what others are writing across the WWW</a>.</p> <p><br id="1246029224862" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iRBUTKNtUTI&hl=en&fs=1&" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iRBUTKNtUTI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="344" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iRBUTKNtUTI&hl=en&fs=1&" width="425"></embed></object> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>1) Stephen Curry</b></p> <p>I had gone back and forth on my desire to draft <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71910/Brandon_Jennings" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Jennings</a> or Stephen Curry. In yesterday's poll, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923575/polling-gsom-who-do-you-want-the">Who do you want the Warriors to draft in the 2009 NBA draft?</a>, I chose Jennings. I had buyer's remorse as I lay my head to pillow last night. I wanted Curry instead. I even went so far as trying to figure out how I could change my vote since I figured an admin could do it, no luck. I didn't want <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71908/Jordan_Hill" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Hill</a> either, I just don't think he's going to be that great - 2nd best PF in the draft but it's a weak PF class, strong G class. Jennings is too raw. How many more projects do we need? A PG who might be good in 3 years? Naw, give me the guy who's proven he can deliver on college's biggest stage, the NCAA tournament. One of the better passers amongst all guards in the draft. Best shooter in the draft. Knows how to run a team as he did at Davidson.</p> <p>So as Minnesota took <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71906/Jonny_Flynn" class="sbn-auto-link">Jonny Flynn</a> with the 6th pick, there was Curry sitting in the green room and me hoping the Warriors would take him. We got the guy I wanted. Feels good since that hasn't happened in a long time. It was even more satisfying that we screwed over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NYK" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a>. The boos from the Knick fans made the pick that much more sweet.</p> <p>Will he be Rookie of the Year as Dick Vitale suggests? I don't think so. Either Dicky V was factoring in the curse of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71901/Blake_Griffin" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Griffin</a> or he's out of his mind by picking anyone over BG.</p> <p>I guess the question is, will Curry remain a Warrior?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133221/340x.jpg" target="_blank"></a> <br id="1246038537050" /></p> <p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133221/340x_medium.jpg" height="375" alt="340x_medium" width="227" />   <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133225/340x-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133225/340x-1_medium.jpg" height="375" alt="340x-1_medium" width="294" /></a> <br id="1246038559225" /></p> <p><b>2) Amar'e Stoudemire aka STAT</b></p> <p>One of the things I'll remember about the CME, Chris Mullin Era, is that the Warriors were always linked to big names in trades or free agency, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21524/Baron_Davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Baron Davis</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4350/Kevin_Garnett" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Garnett</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21756/Elton_Brand" class="sbn-auto-link">Elton Brand</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21829/Gilbert_Arenas" class="sbn-auto-link">Gilbert Arenas</a>. The NBA is entertainment and I was entertained. Apparently, Larry Riley will continue this tradition and try to make a big splash early on in his tenure. The Amar'e trade talks aren't dying down.</p> <p>Amar'e Stoudemire</p> <p>for</p> <p>Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and might include Kelenna Azubuike and Stephen Curry.</p> <p>I still don't know how I feel about this trade especially including Kelenna and Curry since it affects the depth of the bench. If it's just the first 3 guys, I think I do it. This league is made up of stars. None of the Warrior guys is or will ever be a star. Amar'e has superstar potential and even showed it 2 years ago when he averaged 25-9 along with 59% from the field and 80% from the line in 34 minutes per game. He was considered a top 10 player. The Inspired and injury free Amar'e I'll take any day over Biedrins and some role players. Which Amar'e will show up makes this a risk. Sometimes you have to take some calculated risks. Marco is addition by subtraction, he gets way too much love for having done nothing. Brandan showed some flashes last year, but has been injured and Randolph will eat up the majority of his minutes anyways. Andris is clearly the centerpiece in this deal, you have to give up something to get something.</p> <p>If Amar'e ends up joining the team, he's already got his nicknamed tattooed on his arm, Standing Tall and Talented. Check the bullet points at the <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/amare_stoudemire/bio.html">bottom of his NBA profile</a>.</p> <p>Put it this way, the Warriors aren't trading for Amar'e of last year, they're trading for the chance that Amar'e will return to the top 10 player he was 2 years ago. They're trading with the hope they can keep him long term as he'll turn 27 this year, right in his prime. They're trading for him because he's a game changer. And for that, I think it's worth it since he's not that far off. Some extra motivation and change of scenery might push him back to his elite level, just as it did for Baron a few years ago.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133146/rubios_restaurant_jobs.gif" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133146/rubios_restaurant_jobs_medium.gif" alt="Rubios_restaurant_jobs_medium" /></a> <br id="1246028088559" /></p> <p>3) Ricky "Harry Potter" Rubio</p> <p>After Blake Griffin, Pretty Ricky was the guy I was hoping the Warriors would pick up. I think he's got the qualities to be a special player. So, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71905/Ricky_Rubio" class="sbn-auto-link">Ricky Rubio</a> dropped (inexplicably) past the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/OKC" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> at #3 (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71903/James_Harden" class="sbn-auto-link">James Harden</a> instead), I was surprised. What's wrong with pairing Westbrook and Rubio? I don't mind having 2 guys who can distribute to Durant! Anyways, I was thinking that there's no way he drops past the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/SAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a>. After all, the Kings need a point guard. Nope, I guess they wanted a guy people think will play the point, but probably can't, Mr. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71904/Tyreke_Evans" class="sbn-auto-link">Tyreke Evans</a>. I like his game, though he'll never be a top notch point. So I'm just a little excited. Perhaps Rubio would fall to the Warriors as Crabtree fell to the Niners. The problem was Minnesota needs guards so they were most likely going to take 2 guards at 5 and 6. In the back of my mind I was thinking they could take Stephen Curry and then, only if they had kept Kevin McHale, they might take Flynn or a big like Hill. Denied. Rubio went 5th and Flynn went 6th. Oh well, that was fun while it lasted.</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Grade the Warriors pick of Stephen Curry.</h5> <div id="poll_container_44296_508769477"> <form action="/polls/vote/44296?container_id=poll_container_44296_508769477" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44296?container_id=poll_container_44296_508769477', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209876" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209876" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209876"><span class="option">A</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209877" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209877" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209877"><span class="option">B</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209878" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209878" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209878"><span class="option">C</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209879" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209879" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209879"><span class="option">D</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209880" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209880" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209880"><span class="option">F</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209936" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209936" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209936"><span class="option">Incomplete</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   293 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44296?container_id=poll_container_44296_508769477', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:12:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742499 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742499 <div class="photo-tpl photo-tpl-big_time"> <a href="/photos/recap-warriors-draft-day-stephen"><img alt="Photo" class="ap_photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/49163/65687_nba_draft_basketball.jpg" /></a> <div class="photo-meta"> <p class="by clearfix"> <span><a href="/photos/recap-warriors-draft-day-stephen">More photos »</a></span> by Jason DeCrow - AP </p> </div> <p class="more-link"><a href="/photos/recap-warriors-draft-day-stephen">Browse more photos »</a></p> </div> <p>What a day! What a day!</p> <p>If you haven't been around a computer, television, radio, or friends in the last 24 hours, here's a quick recap. At #7 in the 2009 NBA Draft, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> drafted Davidson guard, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71907/Stephen_Curry" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Curry</a>, son of Dell Curry. They had no 2nd round pick. Also, the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924534/rumor-warriors-inquired-about-suns">Dubs are heavily rumored to be involved in a trade</a> of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a> for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a>. Some rumors have <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a> and Stephen Curry included.</p> <p>Even if you don't agree with the moves, you at least had a little fun watching, waiting, anticipating the what the Warriors would do.</p> <p>GSOM was going crazy yesterday, I don't know when the last time we had that many comments in a single day. We had a lot of comments on the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925260/pre-2009-nba-draft-open-thread">OPEN THREAD: Pre-NBA Draft</a>, every pick prior to #7, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925446/with-the-1st-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#1 Blake Griffin</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925467/with-the-2nd-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#2 Hasheem Thabeet</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925486/with-the-3rd-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#3 James Harden</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925487/with-the-4th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#4 Tyreke Evans</a>, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925500/with-the-5th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#5 Ricky Rubio</a>, and <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925502/with-the-6th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">#6 Jonny Flynn</a>, the Warriors own pick, the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925512/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">7th pick Stephen Curry</a>, the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925435/open-thread-nba-2k9-draft-picks-8">rest of the first round</a>, and a <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925600/open-thread-iii-2009-nba-draft">recap of the Warriors day plus 2nd round coverage</a>. Whew!</p> <p>There were a few thoughts and hopes swirling in the back of my mind as the day went on. Hit the jump for some thoughts or <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/26/926243/warriors-draft-day-2009-this">check out what others are writing across the WWW</a>.</p> <p><br id="1246029224862" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iRBUTKNtUTI&hl=en&fs=1&" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iRBUTKNtUTI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="344" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iRBUTKNtUTI&hl=en&fs=1&" width="425"></embed></object> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>1) Stephen Curry</b></p> <p>I had gone back and forth on my desire to draft <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71910/Brandon_Jennings" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Jennings</a> or Stephen Curry. In yesterday's poll, <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923575/polling-gsom-who-do-you-want-the">Who do you want the Warriors to draft in the 2009 NBA draft?</a>, I chose Jennings. I had buyer's remorse as I lay my head to pillow last night. I wanted Curry instead. I even went so far as trying to figure out how I could change my vote since I figured an admin could do it, no luck. I didn't want <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71908/Jordan_Hill" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Hill</a> either, I just don't think he's going to be that great - 2nd best PF in the draft but it's a weak PF class, strong G class. Jennings is too raw. How many more projects do we need? A PG who might be good in 3 years? Naw, give me the guy who's proven he can deliver on college's biggest stage, the NCAA tournament. One of the better passers amongst all guards in the draft. Best shooter in the draft. Knows how to run a team as he did at Davidson.</p> <p>So as Minnesota took <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71906/Jonny_Flynn" class="sbn-auto-link">Jonny Flynn</a> with the 6th pick, there was Curry sitting in the green room and me hoping the Warriors would take him. We got the guy I wanted. Feels good since that hasn't happened in a long time. It was even more satisfying that we screwed over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NYK" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a>. The boos from the Knick fans made the pick that much more sweet.</p> <p>Will he be Rookie of the Year as Dick Vitale suggests? I don't think so. Either Dicky V was factoring in the curse of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71901/Blake_Griffin" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Griffin</a> or he's out of his mind by picking anyone over BG.</p> <p>I guess the question is, will Curry remain a Warrior?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133221/340x.jpg" target="_blank"></a> <br id="1246038537050" /></p> <p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133221/340x_medium.jpg" height="375" alt="340x_medium" width="227" />   <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133225/340x-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133225/340x-1_medium.jpg" height="375" alt="340x-1_medium" width="294" /></a> <br id="1246038559225" /></p> <p><b>2) Amar'e Stoudemire aka STAT</b></p> <p>One of the things I'll remember about the CME, Chris Mullin Era, is that the Warriors were always linked to big names in trades or free agency, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21524/Baron_Davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Baron Davis</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4350/Kevin_Garnett" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Garnett</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21756/Elton_Brand" class="sbn-auto-link">Elton Brand</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21829/Gilbert_Arenas" class="sbn-auto-link">Gilbert Arenas</a>. The NBA is entertainment and I was entertained. Apparently, Larry Riley will continue this tradition and try to make a big splash early on in his tenure. The Amar'e trade talks aren't dying down.</p> <p>Amar'e Stoudemire</p> <p>for</p> <p>Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and might include Kelenna Azubuike and Stephen Curry.</p> <p>I still don't know how I feel about this trade especially including Kelenna and Curry since it affects the depth of the bench. If it's just the first 3 guys, I think I do it. This league is made up of stars. None of the Warrior guys is or will ever be a star. Amar'e has superstar potential and even showed it 2 years ago when he averaged 25-9 along with 59% from the field and 80% from the line in 34 minutes per game. He was considered a top 10 player. The Inspired and injury free Amar'e I'll take any day over Biedrins and some role players. Which Amar'e will show up makes this a risk. Sometimes you have to take some calculated risks. Marco is addition by subtraction, he gets way too much love for having done nothing. Brandan showed some flashes last year, but has been injured and Randolph will eat up the majority of his minutes anyways. Andris is clearly the centerpiece in this deal, you have to give up something to get something.</p> <p>If Amar'e ends up joining the team, he's already got his nicknamed tattooed on his arm, Standing Tall and Talented. Check the bullet points at the <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/amare_stoudemire/bio.html">bottom of his NBA profile</a>.</p> <p>Put it this way, the Warriors aren't trading for Amar'e of last year, they're trading for the chance that Amar'e will return to the top 10 player he was 2 years ago. They're trading with the hope they can keep him long term as he'll turn 27 this year, right in his prime. They're trading for him because he's a game changer. And for that, I think it's worth it since he's not that far off. Some extra motivation and change of scenery might push him back to his elite level, just as it did for Baron a few years ago.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133146/rubios_restaurant_jobs.gif" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133146/rubios_restaurant_jobs_medium.gif" alt="Rubios_restaurant_jobs_medium" /></a> <br id="1246028088559" /></p> <p>3) Ricky "Harry Potter" Rubio</p> <p>After Blake Griffin, Pretty Ricky was the guy I was hoping the Warriors would pick up. I think he's got the qualities to be a special player. So, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71905/Ricky_Rubio" class="sbn-auto-link">Ricky Rubio</a> dropped (inexplicably) past the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/OKC" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> at #3 (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71903/James_Harden" class="sbn-auto-link">James Harden</a> instead), I was surprised. What's wrong with pairing Westbrook and Rubio? I don't mind having 2 guys who can distribute to Durant! Anyways, I was thinking that there's no way he drops past the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/SAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a>. After all, the Kings need a point guard. Nope, I guess they wanted a guy people think will play the point, but probably can't, Mr. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71904/Tyreke_Evans" class="sbn-auto-link">Tyreke Evans</a>. I like his game, though he'll never be a top notch point. So I'm just a little excited. Perhaps Rubio would fall to the Warriors as Crabtree fell to the Niners. The problem was Minnesota needs guards so they were most likely going to take 2 guards at 5 and 6. In the back of my mind I was thinking they could take Stephen Curry and then, only if they had kept Kevin McHale, they might take Flynn or a big like Hill. Denied. Rubio went 5th and Flynn went 6th. Oh well, that was fun while it lasted.</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Grade the Warriors pick of Stephen Curry.</h5> <div id="poll_container_44296_508769477"> <form action="/polls/vote/44296?container_id=poll_container_44296_508769477" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44296?container_id=poll_container_44296_508769477', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209876" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209876" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209876"><span class="option">A</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209877" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209877" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209877"><span class="option">B</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209878" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209878" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209878"><span class="option">C</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209879" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209879" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209879"><span class="option">D</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209880" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209880" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209880"><span class="option">F</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209936" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209936" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209936"><span class="option">Incomplete</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   293 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44296?container_id=poll_container_44296_508769477', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NV2_XLR05fmLajGV7iym6TuM5QY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:12:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742500 <center> <p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192106/question_mark_naught101_011.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192106/question_mark_naught101_011_medium.jpg" alt="Question_mark_naught101_011_medium" /></a></p> <p>via <a href="http://chroniclingthecuse.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/question_mark_naught101_011.jpg">chroniclingthecuse.files.wordpress.com</a></p> </center> <p><b>Don't miss:</b></p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924879/pre-2009-nba-draft-golden-state">Pre-2009 NBA Draft Golden State Warriors Linkage Madness</a>- An unstoppable assortment of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> related links in preparation for the 2009 NBA Draft.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925260/pre-2009-nba-draft-open-thread">OPEN THREAD: Pre-2009 NBA Draft</a>- Running pre-draft and pre-Warriors pick commentary.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925512/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">With the 7th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft the Golden State Warriors select... STEPHEN CURRY!</a></p> <center> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133203/Welcome_Curry_safe.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133203/Welcome_Curry_safe_medium.jpg" alt="Welcome_curry_safe_medium" /></a> <br id="1246035299446" /></p> </center> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923913/breaking-news-warriors-and-hawks">BREAKING NEWS: Warriors and Hawks closing in on Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton swap</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">- </span>Maybe <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21562/Speedy_Claxton" class="sbn-auto-link">Speedy Claxton</a> can help us bring back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21524/Baron_Davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Baron Davis</a> again? </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/924155/exploring-the-rumored-crawford-for">Exploring the rumored Crawford for Claxton and Law Trade: CBA and salary implications</a>- The CBA... where amazing happens.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925435/open-thread-nba-2k9-draft-picks-8">OPEN THREAD: NBA 2k9 Draft Picks 8-30</a>- More running commentary.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925600/open-thread-iii-2009-nba-draft">OPEN THREAD III: 2009 NBA Draft Recap + Round 2</a>- Recapping the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs and the activity from the Golden State Warriors + the 2nd round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924534/rumor-warriors-inquired-about-suns" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">RUMOR: Warriors inquired about Suns' Amare Stoudemire and offered Andris Biedrins</a>- Amare to the Bay?</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://twitter.com/unstoppablebaby">Golden State of Mind (unstoppablebaby) on Twitter</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">- </span>Keep Tweeting!</p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p>Jump for more...</p> <p>I think <b>Chad Ford's 2009 Draft Day grade for the Warriors</b> over at <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftGrades-090626">ESPN.com</a> pretty much says it all:</p> <blockquote> <p>GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS <b>GRADE: Inc.</b><br />Analysis: I think it's too early to know what grade to give Golden State. I love Curry, and if the Warriors keep him, I think he's a great addition to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21527/Monta_Ellis" class="sbn-auto-link">Monta Ellis</a> in the backcourt. Neither guy is a pure point guard, but Curry's shooting should complement Ellis' slashing nicely.</p> <p>But if the Warriors turn around and ship Curry, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a> to Phoenix for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a> in July, as rumored, I'm not going feel as good about it. Stoudemire is great, but that's a lot to give up for one guy, especially if he might be just a one-year rental in Oakland.</p> </blockquote> <p>We're in a state of disarray here in Warriors land. It feels like the Warriors are on the verge of getting a young and gifted superstar, but who knows if it's all going to be talk a la <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4350/Kevin_Garnett" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Garnett</a>, Gilbertn Arenas, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21756/Elton_Brand" class="sbn-auto-link">Elton Brand</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21639/Chris_Bosh" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Bosh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21504/Allen_Iverson" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Iverson</a>, etc. It feels like the Warriors got a steal in the draft, but who know knows if he'll even be a Warrior come preseason.</p> <p><b>We just don't know.</b></p> <p>And I just don't know what else to write. Everything is one big unknown right now.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192121/draft09_curry_kid.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192121/draft09_curry_kid_medium.jpg" alt="Draft09_curry_kid_medium" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>But I do know this is one great pic!</i> [via <a href="http://www.nba.com/media/warriors/Draft09_Curry_Kid.jpg">www.nba.com</a> + <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925732/curry-and-nellie-re-united-source">gorrillas</a>]</p> <p> </p> <p><b>LINKAGE</b></p> <p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/26/925881/amare-to-golden-state-trumped-by" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Amar'e to Golden State trumped by Kerr - Bright Side Of The Sun</a></p> <blockquote> <p>There is not a single NBA analyst who has not already said that Steve Kerr has single-handedly removed an entire era of NBA changing basketball in the Seven Seconds or Less Suns and should he not push this deal many may wonder if he has any sense at all. Considering the potential of Curry and Wright paired with the substantially lesser contract of Andris Biedrins in comparison to Stoudemire's hefty contract  this deal may be the next step into the rebuilding process that Kerr himself initiated, it would be questionable if he decided to not go forward into the future with new talent and rather rebuild around the maximum contract of Stoudemire.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/25/925603/suns-draft-trade-day-a-dizzying">Suns draft / trade day a dizzying mess - Bright Side Of The Sun</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Assuming it happens, I like the deal. Beans is a 23 y/o stud 7fter who can defend and rebound on both ends. He can't shot for crap though so you can't play him with Chandler so where does that leave the the deal with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NOH" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> for Chandler?   Those other guys aren't chopped liver either. Wright, I am less sure about but maybe. Belinelli I think can be a player and Azubuike can come in and play big minutes at the SF as a defender and shooter.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/26/926213/daily-links-guess-what-the-topic-is">Daily Links: Guess what the topic is? - Bright Side Of The Sun</a></p> <p>Stan's got links.  </p> <p><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/warriors-take-curry-but-its-about-stoudemire/">Warriors Get Curry, but Will He Be Teammate of Stoudemire? -- NBA FanHouse</a></p> <blockquote> <p>When it comes to whether or not Amar'e Stoudemire will end up a Golden State Warrior within the week, the answer is: probably. But it's not quite a done deal at this point. There seems to be that little matter of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71907/Stephen_Curry" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Curry</a>, whom the Warriors plucked with the No. 7 pick in Thursday's draft. Apparently, that's a player the Suns like and want included in the deal. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/26/SP6C18E5MD.DTL&feed=rss.warriors">Warriors insist they have a place for a great shooter [SFGate]</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/26/SP6C18E5MD.DTL&feed=rss.warriors"></a>Warriors general manager Larry Riley said he had been tracking Curry's progress throughout the past season, twice in person, and that there are no plans to trade him. "This is a great day for the Golden State Warriors," Riley said. "Everything we saw told us this is a quality young man who will fit into our system. He's definitely going to be a contributor as a rookie. It may be December, may be January; it just depends on how quickly he develops." Riley reiterated that Ellis and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21700/Stephen_Jackson" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Jackson</a> will compose the starting backcourt, and that the club's attention will turn toward a power forward on the trade/free-agent market. ESPN reported Thursday that the Warriors were in serious discussions with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a>, offering Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and the No. 7 pick (now Curry) for Amare Stoudemire, and that the deal could not take place, if agreed upon, until the free-agent signing period opens July 8.  </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/26/SPDH18E30A.DTL&feed=rss.warriors">Picking Curry may help Warriors deal with Suns [SFGate]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The Stoudemire trade has been rumored for awhile now, with changing components that swirl around Andris Biedrins, but also include some combination of the draft choice, Marco Belinelli, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a> and Brandan Wright. That rumor has only grown in intensity since the Curry selection. Of course, Stoudemire would have to be re-signed, and that total figure would run into a maximum deal of five years and $95 million. Designated general manager more or less Larry Riley described his role in signing a traded player somewhat cryptically. "That's a little outside my comfort zone, as you consider what to do," he said. "But if it was presented to us, it would be a tough deal for me to get convinced of."  </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-bickleysuns.html">Bickley: Draft represents fresh start for Suns [AZ Central]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Everything good about this sudden transformation could be found in what the Suns weren't talking about. It was the reports that the team was moving toward an agreement to trade Amaré Stoudemire to Golden State for 7-foot center Andris Biedrins (who runs, plays defense, rebounds and doesn't need the ball) and Curry, selected by the Warriors with the No. 7 pick.</p> </blockquote> <p>Plays defense? Shhhh... don't tell them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-sunsonline.html">Curry pick part of likely Amare deal [AZ Central]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The Suns could have landed their man in Thursday night's draft before their pick ever came up. Golden State's selection of Davidson point guard Stephen Curry at No. 7 was likely made for the Suns as part of an Amaré Stoudemire trade that can't be completed until Wednesday. That is because Phoenix would be acquiring Warriors center Andris Biedrins, a base-year compensation player, as part of a Stoudemire deal that would include more Warriors players, possibly power forward Brandan Wright and/or shooting guard Marco Belinelli.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-sunsdraft.html">A new look in the works for Suns [AZCentral]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>With its first-round pick, Phoenix selected 6-foot-10 Louisville forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71914/Earl_Clark" class="sbn-auto-link">Earl Clark</a>, but the bigger news was that sources said the Suns expect to complete a trade with Golden State that would send Amaré Stoudemire to the Warriors next week for Davidson point guard and No. 7 pick Stephen Curry, center Andris Biedrins, power forward Brandan Wright and shooting guard Marco Belinelli.</p> <p>If Curry is not included, the deal will not be made. A trade cannot be completed until Wednesday because Biedrins, a 23-year-old Latvian 7-footer, is a base-year compensation player whose trade value will not match his contract number until then. The deal needs Biedrins at his $9 million salary, which stays flat through 2013-14, to make the trade work under NBA financial parameters.</p> </blockquote> <p><a></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-sunsdraft.html"></a><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=weekthatwas-090626">Reviewing the week that was [ESPN]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The good news? The Warriors still might wind up with Stoudemire, whom they've coveted since February when the Suns first made him available as part of what is looking like a full-scale roster disassembly. Our tap-the-brakes disclaimer? Sources with certified knowledge of the teams' negotiations say the deal is "still a maybe" and "not anywhere close" to completion. For a variety of reasons.</p> <p>The Warriors would love to keep No. 7 pick Stephen Curry out of the exchange, and the Suns naturally are pushing for Curry's inclusion. The Warriors also have to be sure Stoudemire's eye and microfracture-repaired knee check out and hammer out the framework of a contract with him before completing the swap, or else they're surrendering the likes of Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli (and/or Kelenna Azubuike) for someone who can leave them in free agency in 2010.</p> <p>The motivation, though, is believed to be there on both sides to push this through in July. With new general manager Larry Riley launching his tenure as aggressively as David Kahn's in Minnesota, Golden State is convinced it has a face-of-the-franchise opening that will appeal to Amare's superstar longings as well as a coach in Don Nelson who has been waiting his whole coaching life (or at least since <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21581/Chris_Webber" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Webber</a>'s youth) for a power player with Stoudemire's mobility and elbow jumper.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/26/western-conference-draft-grades/" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Western Conference Draft Grades [FanHouse]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Golden State Warriors: B+<br />Selections: Stephen Curry (No. 7)<br />Comment: Curry was the player who made the most sense for the Warriors: a solid decision-maker, playmaker and possible future point guard. He will boost the team's basketball IQ. Curry makes so much sense for the Warriors that it doesn't look like they want to trade him to Phoenix as part of a possible deal for Amar'e Stoudemire.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/26/western-conference-draft-grades/"></a><a href="http://www.nba.com/draft2009/prospects/125.html">NBA.com - DRAFT 2009 Prospects - Stephen Curry</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Strengths: Premium scoring talent. Understands how to move with the ball to shake his defender. Terrific off-balance shooter. Prolific scorer off the dribble. Has tremendous range on his jump shot. Excellent instincts and anticipation. Good vision. A capable rebounder despite his size and can even block shots.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/chris_mannix/06/25/draftwinners.losers/index.html?eref=sihpT1">Knicks, Sixers come away with strong picks in NBA draft [SI.com]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Potential Winners--- WARRIORS -- Nothing would make Don Nelson happier than scoring 130 points per game. And he may have the guns to do it. But what those guns will be is still in question. After Minnesota's decision to go with Rubio and Flynn allowed Curry to slip to No. 7, the Warriors nabbed the Davidson star, who has an NBA-ready jump shot and can score in bunches. Late Thursday, though, came word that the Warriors may have a deal in the works that would send Curry and center Andris Biedrins to Phoenix for All-Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire. That likely wouldn't hurt the Warriors' scoring ability, either.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/warriors-pick-stephen-curry-but-do-they-keep-him/">Warriors pick: Stephen Curry, but do they keep him? | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>If the Warriors are talking contract extension with Stoudemire, here are the max numbers MT-2 and I came up with: Two years left, $16.38M and $17.69M (and does not opt-out). Extension: 3 years, $61.4M. Total value of max deal: 5 years, $95.5m. I can’t imagine that the Warriors would put together a five-player deal to acquire Stoudemire and then back off of a max extension.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/larry-riley-press-conference-loves-curry-but-a-big-question-left-unanswered/">Larry Riley press conference: Praises Curry, but a BIG question left unanswered | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Warriors GM Larry Riley just came out to address the media after selecting Stephen Curry with the No. 7 pick. He praised Curry, but wouldn’t call him a great shooter (that’s reserved for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/50286/Anthony_Morrow" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Morrow</a>) and Riley very specifically said that Monta Ellis remains the Warriors’ starting point guard. Riley also would not answer questions about the hotly-rumored trade talks with Phoenix involving Amare Stoudemire, though when I asked him if, generally, he still would avoid doing a deal with a pending free agent unless he knew he could re-sign him, Riley sounded like he might’ve done some negotiating tonight and wasn’t thrilled with the asking price. Just an interpretation. Things are murky here, but if they get Stoudemire without giving up Curry (and maybe that’s the goal)… then they’ve got something. We’ll have to see. And I wonder about that contract "asking price."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/stephen-curry-talks-i-dont-think-itd-hurt-to-have-2-combo-guards/">Stephen Curry talks: "I don’t think it’d hurt to have 2 combo guards" | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Curry: "This is a dream come true for me. Something I’ve looked forward to my whole life. Now it’s actually happened I’m very excited for this opportuniky. Going to be a different experience for me moving to the West Coast… But the backcourt Golden State has in position now, with the way they play uptempo getting up and down the floor a high octane offense. .. It’s a style I’ve played growing up, played at Davidson, I’m no stranger at getting up and down the floor. So I’m very excited to taking on this challenge."</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.hoopsaddict.com/2009/06/19/in-the-scrum-with-stephen-curry/">Hoops Addict » In The Scrum With Stephen Curry</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.hoopsaddict.com/2009/06/19/in-the-scrum-with-stephen-curry/"></a>Stephen Curry talked with the media after a pre-draft workout in Washington earlier this week about how playing point guard last season helped him prepare for playing in the NBA, how valuable his college coach was to his development, he confessed who his favorite team was when he was growing up, his desire to achieve his degree and a host of other topics.</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/9195.mp3">Larry Riley on KNBR Post 2009 NBA Draft</a></p> <p>Warriors General Manager Larry Riley joined Murph and Mac to talk about the Warriors' draft day.  </p> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/26/the-morning-after-curry-stoudemires-contract-and-the-warriors-next-move/">The morning after: Curry, Stoudemire’s contract, and the Warriors’ next move | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/26/the-morning-after-curry-stoudemires-contract-and-the-warriors-next-move/"></a>In the end, I think the Warriors and the Suns are going to keep talking, and I think there’s still a solid shot that Stoudemire ends up here. Better than 50%? I don’t know. I know both teams should be motivated to get this deal done, which is better than Amare staying in Phoenix after knowing he was dangled and better than the Warriors having another non-defensive scorer to add to their non-defensive scoring team. It’s a poker game. But I think it’s clear: The Suns can’t do this trade without Curry, and it’s probably up to Stoudemire’s contract demands to determine if the Warriors will be willing to toss Curry into the deal to make it happen.</p> </blockquote> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Are you feeling like one seriously confused Warriors fan right now?</h5> <div id="poll_container_44305_16374096"> <form action="/polls/vote/44305?container_id=poll_container_44305_16374096" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44305?container_id=poll_container_44305_16374096', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209910" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209910" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209910"><span class="option">YES: Shoot I don't even know where Golden State is right now!</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209911" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209911" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209911"><span class="option">NO: I see the future and it's golden!</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209912" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209912" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209912"><span class="option">Who are the Warriors again?</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   327 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44305?container_id=poll_container_44305_16374096', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:56:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742501 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742501 <center> <p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192106/question_mark_naught101_011.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192106/question_mark_naught101_011_medium.jpg" alt="Question_mark_naught101_011_medium" /></a></p> <p>via <a href="http://chroniclingthecuse.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/question_mark_naught101_011.jpg">chroniclingthecuse.files.wordpress.com</a></p> </center> <p><b>Don't miss:</b></p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924879/pre-2009-nba-draft-golden-state">Pre-2009 NBA Draft Golden State Warriors Linkage Madness</a>- An unstoppable assortment of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> related links in preparation for the 2009 NBA Draft.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925260/pre-2009-nba-draft-open-thread">OPEN THREAD: Pre-2009 NBA Draft</a>- Running pre-draft and pre-Warriors pick commentary.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925512/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009-nba">With the 7th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft the Golden State Warriors select... STEPHEN CURRY!</a></p> <center> <p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133203/Welcome_Curry_safe.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133203/Welcome_Curry_safe_medium.jpg" alt="Welcome_curry_safe_medium" /></a> <br id="1246035299446" /></p> </center> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923913/breaking-news-warriors-and-hawks">BREAKING NEWS: Warriors and Hawks closing in on Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton swap</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">- </span>Maybe <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21562/Speedy_Claxton" class="sbn-auto-link">Speedy Claxton</a> can help us bring back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21524/Baron_Davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Baron Davis</a> again? </p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/924155/exploring-the-rumored-crawford-for">Exploring the rumored Crawford for Claxton and Law Trade: CBA and salary implications</a>- The CBA... where amazing happens.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925435/open-thread-nba-2k9-draft-picks-8">OPEN THREAD: NBA 2k9 Draft Picks 8-30</a>- More running commentary.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925600/open-thread-iii-2009-nba-draft">OPEN THREAD III: 2009 NBA Draft Recap + Round 2</a>- Recapping the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs and the activity from the Golden State Warriors + the 2nd round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924534/rumor-warriors-inquired-about-suns" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">RUMOR: Warriors inquired about Suns' Amare Stoudemire and offered Andris Biedrins</a>- Amare to the Bay?</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://twitter.com/unstoppablebaby">Golden State of Mind (unstoppablebaby) on Twitter</a><span style="line-height: 9px;">- </span>Keep Tweeting!</p> <p style="text-align: left;"> </p> <p>Jump for more...</p> <p>I think <b>Chad Ford's 2009 Draft Day grade for the Warriors</b> over at <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=DraftGrades-090626">ESPN.com</a> pretty much says it all:</p> <blockquote> <p>GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS <b>GRADE: Inc.</b><br />Analysis: I think it's too early to know what grade to give Golden State. I love Curry, and if the Warriors keep him, I think he's a great addition to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21527/Monta_Ellis" class="sbn-auto-link">Monta Ellis</a> in the backcourt. Neither guy is a pure point guard, but Curry's shooting should complement Ellis' slashing nicely.</p> <p>But if the Warriors turn around and ship Curry, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a> to Phoenix for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a> in July, as rumored, I'm not going feel as good about it. Stoudemire is great, but that's a lot to give up for one guy, especially if he might be just a one-year rental in Oakland.</p> </blockquote> <p>We're in a state of disarray here in Warriors land. It feels like the Warriors are on the verge of getting a young and gifted superstar, but who knows if it's all going to be talk a la <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4350/Kevin_Garnett" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Garnett</a>, Gilbertn Arenas, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21756/Elton_Brand" class="sbn-auto-link">Elton Brand</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21639/Chris_Bosh" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Bosh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21504/Allen_Iverson" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Iverson</a>, etc. It feels like the Warriors got a steal in the draft, but who know knows if he'll even be a Warrior come preseason.</p> <p><b>We just don't know.</b></p> <p>And I just don't know what else to write. Everything is one big unknown right now.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192121/draft09_curry_kid.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/192121/draft09_curry_kid_medium.jpg" alt="Draft09_curry_kid_medium" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>But I do know this is one great pic!</i> [via <a href="http://www.nba.com/media/warriors/Draft09_Curry_Kid.jpg">www.nba.com</a> + <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/925732/curry-and-nellie-re-united-source">gorrillas</a>]</p> <p> </p> <p><b>LINKAGE</b></p> <p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/26/925881/amare-to-golden-state-trumped-by" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Amar'e to Golden State trumped by Kerr - Bright Side Of The Sun</a></p> <blockquote> <p>There is not a single NBA analyst who has not already said that Steve Kerr has single-handedly removed an entire era of NBA changing basketball in the Seven Seconds or Less Suns and should he not push this deal many may wonder if he has any sense at all. Considering the potential of Curry and Wright paired with the substantially lesser contract of Andris Biedrins in comparison to Stoudemire's hefty contract  this deal may be the next step into the rebuilding process that Kerr himself initiated, it would be questionable if he decided to not go forward into the future with new talent and rather rebuild around the maximum contract of Stoudemire.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/25/925603/suns-draft-trade-day-a-dizzying">Suns draft / trade day a dizzying mess - Bright Side Of The Sun</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Assuming it happens, I like the deal. Beans is a 23 y/o stud 7fter who can defend and rebound on both ends. He can't shot for crap though so you can't play him with Chandler so where does that leave the the deal with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NOH" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> for Chandler?   Those other guys aren't chopped liver either. Wright, I am less sure about but maybe. Belinelli I think can be a player and Azubuike can come in and play big minutes at the SF as a defender and shooter.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/26/926213/daily-links-guess-what-the-topic-is">Daily Links: Guess what the topic is? - Bright Side Of The Sun</a></p> <p>Stan's got links.  </p> <p><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/25/warriors-take-curry-but-its-about-stoudemire/">Warriors Get Curry, but Will He Be Teammate of Stoudemire? -- NBA FanHouse</a></p> <blockquote> <p>When it comes to whether or not Amar'e Stoudemire will end up a Golden State Warrior within the week, the answer is: probably. But it's not quite a done deal at this point. There seems to be that little matter of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71907/Stephen_Curry" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Curry</a>, whom the Warriors plucked with the No. 7 pick in Thursday's draft. Apparently, that's a player the Suns like and want included in the deal. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/26/SP6C18E5MD.DTL&feed=rss.warriors">Warriors insist they have a place for a great shooter [SFGate]</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/26/SP6C18E5MD.DTL&feed=rss.warriors"></a>Warriors general manager Larry Riley said he had been tracking Curry's progress throughout the past season, twice in person, and that there are no plans to trade him. "This is a great day for the Golden State Warriors," Riley said. "Everything we saw told us this is a quality young man who will fit into our system. He's definitely going to be a contributor as a rookie. It may be December, may be January; it just depends on how quickly he develops." Riley reiterated that Ellis and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21700/Stephen_Jackson" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Jackson</a> will compose the starting backcourt, and that the club's attention will turn toward a power forward on the trade/free-agent market. ESPN reported Thursday that the Warriors were in serious discussions with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a>, offering Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and the No. 7 pick (now Curry) for Amare Stoudemire, and that the deal could not take place, if agreed upon, until the free-agent signing period opens July 8.  </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/26/SPDH18E30A.DTL&feed=rss.warriors">Picking Curry may help Warriors deal with Suns [SFGate]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The Stoudemire trade has been rumored for awhile now, with changing components that swirl around Andris Biedrins, but also include some combination of the draft choice, Marco Belinelli, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a> and Brandan Wright. That rumor has only grown in intensity since the Curry selection. Of course, Stoudemire would have to be re-signed, and that total figure would run into a maximum deal of five years and $95 million. Designated general manager more or less Larry Riley described his role in signing a traded player somewhat cryptically. "That's a little outside my comfort zone, as you consider what to do," he said. "But if it was presented to us, it would be a tough deal for me to get convinced of."  </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-bickleysuns.html">Bickley: Draft represents fresh start for Suns [AZ Central]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Everything good about this sudden transformation could be found in what the Suns weren't talking about. It was the reports that the team was moving toward an agreement to trade Amaré Stoudemire to Golden State for 7-foot center Andris Biedrins (who runs, plays defense, rebounds and doesn't need the ball) and Curry, selected by the Warriors with the No. 7 pick.</p> </blockquote> <p>Plays defense? Shhhh... don't tell them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-sunsonline.html">Curry pick part of likely Amare deal [AZ Central]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The Suns could have landed their man in Thursday night's draft before their pick ever came up. Golden State's selection of Davidson point guard Stephen Curry at No. 7 was likely made for the Suns as part of an Amaré Stoudemire trade that can't be completed until Wednesday. That is because Phoenix would be acquiring Warriors center Andris Biedrins, a base-year compensation player, as part of a Stoudemire deal that would include more Warriors players, possibly power forward Brandan Wright and/or shooting guard Marco Belinelli.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-sunsdraft.html">A new look in the works for Suns [AZCentral]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>With its first-round pick, Phoenix selected 6-foot-10 Louisville forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71914/Earl_Clark" class="sbn-auto-link">Earl Clark</a>, but the bigger news was that sources said the Suns expect to complete a trade with Golden State that would send Amaré Stoudemire to the Warriors next week for Davidson point guard and No. 7 pick Stephen Curry, center Andris Biedrins, power forward Brandan Wright and shooting guard Marco Belinelli.</p> <p>If Curry is not included, the deal will not be made. A trade cannot be completed until Wednesday because Biedrins, a 23-year-old Latvian 7-footer, is a base-year compensation player whose trade value will not match his contract number until then. The deal needs Biedrins at his $9 million salary, which stays flat through 2013-14, to make the trade work under NBA financial parameters.</p> </blockquote> <p><a></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/25/20090625spt-sunsdraft.html"></a><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=weekthatwas-090626">Reviewing the week that was [ESPN]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The good news? The Warriors still might wind up with Stoudemire, whom they've coveted since February when the Suns first made him available as part of what is looking like a full-scale roster disassembly. Our tap-the-brakes disclaimer? Sources with certified knowledge of the teams' negotiations say the deal is "still a maybe" and "not anywhere close" to completion. For a variety of reasons.</p> <p>The Warriors would love to keep No. 7 pick Stephen Curry out of the exchange, and the Suns naturally are pushing for Curry's inclusion. The Warriors also have to be sure Stoudemire's eye and microfracture-repaired knee check out and hammer out the framework of a contract with him before completing the swap, or else they're surrendering the likes of Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli (and/or Kelenna Azubuike) for someone who can leave them in free agency in 2010.</p> <p>The motivation, though, is believed to be there on both sides to push this through in July. With new general manager Larry Riley launching his tenure as aggressively as David Kahn's in Minnesota, Golden State is convinced it has a face-of-the-franchise opening that will appeal to Amare's superstar longings as well as a coach in Don Nelson who has been waiting his whole coaching life (or at least since <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21581/Chris_Webber" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Webber</a>'s youth) for a power player with Stoudemire's mobility and elbow jumper.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/26/western-conference-draft-grades/" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Western Conference Draft Grades [FanHouse]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Golden State Warriors: B+<br />Selections: Stephen Curry (No. 7)<br />Comment: Curry was the player who made the most sense for the Warriors: a solid decision-maker, playmaker and possible future point guard. He will boost the team's basketball IQ. Curry makes so much sense for the Warriors that it doesn't look like they want to trade him to Phoenix as part of a possible deal for Amar'e Stoudemire.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/06/26/western-conference-draft-grades/"></a><a href="http://www.nba.com/draft2009/prospects/125.html">NBA.com - DRAFT 2009 Prospects - Stephen Curry</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Strengths: Premium scoring talent. Understands how to move with the ball to shake his defender. Terrific off-balance shooter. Prolific scorer off the dribble. Has tremendous range on his jump shot. Excellent instincts and anticipation. Good vision. A capable rebounder despite his size and can even block shots.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/chris_mannix/06/25/draftwinners.losers/index.html?eref=sihpT1">Knicks, Sixers come away with strong picks in NBA draft [SI.com]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Potential Winners--- WARRIORS -- Nothing would make Don Nelson happier than scoring 130 points per game. And he may have the guns to do it. But what those guns will be is still in question. After Minnesota's decision to go with Rubio and Flynn allowed Curry to slip to No. 7, the Warriors nabbed the Davidson star, who has an NBA-ready jump shot and can score in bunches. Late Thursday, though, came word that the Warriors may have a deal in the works that would send Curry and center Andris Biedrins to Phoenix for All-Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire. That likely wouldn't hurt the Warriors' scoring ability, either.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/warriors-pick-stephen-curry-but-do-they-keep-him/">Warriors pick: Stephen Curry, but do they keep him? | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>If the Warriors are talking contract extension with Stoudemire, here are the max numbers MT-2 and I came up with: Two years left, $16.38M and $17.69M (and does not opt-out). Extension: 3 years, $61.4M. Total value of max deal: 5 years, $95.5m. I can’t imagine that the Warriors would put together a five-player deal to acquire Stoudemire and then back off of a max extension.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/larry-riley-press-conference-loves-curry-but-a-big-question-left-unanswered/">Larry Riley press conference: Praises Curry, but a BIG question left unanswered | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Warriors GM Larry Riley just came out to address the media after selecting Stephen Curry with the No. 7 pick. He praised Curry, but wouldn’t call him a great shooter (that’s reserved for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/50286/Anthony_Morrow" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Morrow</a>) and Riley very specifically said that Monta Ellis remains the Warriors’ starting point guard. Riley also would not answer questions about the hotly-rumored trade talks with Phoenix involving Amare Stoudemire, though when I asked him if, generally, he still would avoid doing a deal with a pending free agent unless he knew he could re-sign him, Riley sounded like he might’ve done some negotiating tonight and wasn’t thrilled with the asking price. Just an interpretation. Things are murky here, but if they get Stoudemire without giving up Curry (and maybe that’s the goal)… then they’ve got something. We’ll have to see. And I wonder about that contract "asking price."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/stephen-curry-talks-i-dont-think-itd-hurt-to-have-2-combo-guards/">Stephen Curry talks: "I don’t think it’d hurt to have 2 combo guards" | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Curry: "This is a dream come true for me. Something I’ve looked forward to my whole life. Now it’s actually happened I’m very excited for this opportuniky. Going to be a different experience for me moving to the West Coast… But the backcourt Golden State has in position now, with the way they play uptempo getting up and down the floor a high octane offense. .. It’s a style I’ve played growing up, played at Davidson, I’m no stranger at getting up and down the floor. So I’m very excited to taking on this challenge."</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.hoopsaddict.com/2009/06/19/in-the-scrum-with-stephen-curry/">Hoops Addict » In The Scrum With Stephen Curry</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.hoopsaddict.com/2009/06/19/in-the-scrum-with-stephen-curry/"></a>Stephen Curry talked with the media after a pre-draft workout in Washington earlier this week about how playing point guard last season helped him prepare for playing in the NBA, how valuable his college coach was to his development, he confessed who his favorite team was when he was growing up, his desire to achieve his degree and a host of other topics.</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/9195.mp3">Larry Riley on KNBR Post 2009 NBA Draft</a></p> <p>Warriors General Manager Larry Riley joined Murph and Mac to talk about the Warriors' draft day.  </p> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/26/the-morning-after-curry-stoudemires-contract-and-the-warriors-next-move/">The morning after: Curry, Stoudemire’s contract, and the Warriors’ next move | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/26/the-morning-after-curry-stoudemires-contract-and-the-warriors-next-move/"></a>In the end, I think the Warriors and the Suns are going to keep talking, and I think there’s still a solid shot that Stoudemire ends up here. Better than 50%? I don’t know. I know both teams should be motivated to get this deal done, which is better than Amare staying in Phoenix after knowing he was dangled and better than the Warriors having another non-defensive scorer to add to their non-defensive scoring team. It’s a poker game. But I think it’s clear: The Suns can’t do this trade without Curry, and it’s probably up to Stoudemire’s contract demands to determine if the Warriors will be willing to toss Curry into the deal to make it happen.</p> </blockquote> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Are you feeling like one seriously confused Warriors fan right now?</h5> <div id="poll_container_44305_16374096"> <form action="/polls/vote/44305?container_id=poll_container_44305_16374096" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44305?container_id=poll_container_44305_16374096', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209910" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209910" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209910"><span class="option">YES: Shoot I don't even know where Golden State is right now!</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209911" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209911" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209911"><span class="option">NO: I see the future and it's golden!</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209912" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209912" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209912"><span class="option">Who are the Warriors again?</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   327 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44305?container_id=poll_container_44305_16374096', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/paqP8GJxVwW3iVnt8fO74iSsfI0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:56:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742502 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742502 <div class="photo-tpl photo-tpl-right_portrait"> <a href="/photos/suns-draft-trade-day-a-dizzying"><img alt="Louisville's Terrence Williams (1) celebrates as Lousville defeated Arizona 103-64 in the NCAA Midwest regional men's college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, March 27, 2009, in Indianapolis. Louisville won to advance to the finals Sunday. Louisville's Earl Clark, left, also reacts. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)" class="ap_photo" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/48821/25266_ncaa_arizona_louisville_basketball.jpg" /></a> <div class="photo-meta"> <p class="by clearfix"> <span><a href="/photos/suns-draft-trade-day-a-dizzying">More photos »</a></span> by Michael Conroy - AP </p> <p class="cap"> <strong>3 months ago:</strong> Louisville's Terrence Williams (1) celebrates as Lousville defeated Arizona 103-64 in the NCAA Midwest regional men's college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, March 27, 2009, in Indianapolis. Louisville won to advance to the finals Sunday. Louisville's Earl Clark, left, also reacts. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) </p> </div> <p class="more-link"><a href="/photos/suns-draft-trade-day-a-dizzying">Browse more photos »</a></p> </div> <p>It's difficult to know where to begin after the last 24 hours and I am pretty tired with an early day tomorrow so I am going to pull out my best writing <strike>trick </strike>cheat. The bullet points. Besides, I don't believe a narrative prose is even remotely appropriate for the chaos we have gone through and have yet to emerge from.</p> <ul> <li>Shaq gone. Wallace and Sasha's expiring contracts in</li> <li>Rumors abound that the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a> want to trade Wallace to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NOH" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> for Chandler</li> <li>Rumors continued that the Hornets wanted more in the deal</li> <li>After being rumored all day, it seem virtually confirmed that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a> will go to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> for Steph Curry, Andres Biedrins and some combo of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a>, Brandon Wright and/or <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a>. This can't be announced until Wednesday July 1st b/c Beans is a base year contract guy which basically means this can't be announced until Wednesday</li> <li>It is not clear if Amare has a say in this in the form of a sign and trade or some sort of indication to the Warriors that he will extend and stay there. So basically, all of this trade Amare stuff could be blown out of the water by Amare</li> <li>Assuming it happens, I like the deal. Beans is a 23 y/o stud 7fter who can defend and rebound on both ends. He can't shot for crap though so you can't play him with Chandler so where does that leave the the deal with the Hornets for Chandler?  </li> <li>Those other guys aren't chopped liver either. Wright, I am less sure about but maybe. Belinelli I think can be a player and Azubuike can come in and play big minutes at the SF as a defender and shooter.</li> <li><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71907/Stephen_Curry" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Curry</a> is is 6' 3" combo guard who can flat out score the ball. The Suns reportedly love him and had the Warriors draft him for Phoenix because he certainly isn't a great fit next to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21527/Monta_Ellis" class="sbn-auto-link">Monta Ellis</a>. The more I read about this guy the more I think <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21810/Ben_Gordon" class="sbn-auto-link">Ben Gordon</a>. Not bad but not someone you can build around either. <br /></li> <li>I would have preferred <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71908/Jordan_Hill" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Hill</a> if indeed the Warriors pick was at the Suns behest. The Suns without Amare and Shaq have no front court scoring and they have guards out the a$$: Nash, Barbosa, Richardson, Dragic, Tucker and if the deal goes Curry along with Belinelli and Azubuike. That's 8 guards to go along with only four forwards (Clark, Wright, Amundson, Dudley and maybe Hill) and two centers(Biedrins and Lopez) and that assumes Pavlovic and Wallace get cut or bought out. That's 15 players which is too many for the Suns anyway. Something else is up. <br /></li> <li>No way the Suns take all those guys from the Warriors. At best they should only take Beidrins, Curry and either Azubuike or Belinelli. I like Marco's upside but Kelenna is more experienced<br /></li> <li>At the 15th the Suns of course took Early Clark. In our first mock draft I went with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71918/Ty_Lawson" class="sbn-auto-link">Ty Lawson</a> (who I still like) and in the second mock I took Clark. I like this guy and with Coro reporting now that he's staying in Phoenix, I think he's a solid pick for all the reasons mentioned in the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/BDL-2009-NBA-Mock-Draft-Pick-No-14-Suns?urn=nba,172037" target="_blank">Ball Don't Lie mock</a>.</li> <li>The Suns don't see Clark playing this season ahead of Dudley or Amundson. They see him as a higher upside project</li> <li>If Clark wasn't available they would have considered trading the pick for something in next year's draft</li> <li>Clark wore #5 at <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lousville but can't for the Suns since it's retired (Dick Van Arsdale)<br /></span></li> <li>Most importantly, according to the audio from Kerr, the Suns aren't done. They can't be done with this roster</li> <li>Oh, and the Suns still have two more picks to go late in the 2nd</li> <li>With the 48th the Suns take big brother <a href="http://nbadraft.rivals.com/bviewplayer.asp?Player=61965&PT=7&PR=2#scouting" target="_blank">Taylor Griffin</a></li> <li>57th pick is <a href="http://nbadraft.rivals.com/bviewplayer.asp?Player=411678&PT=7&PR=2#scouting" target="_blank">Emir Preldzic</a>, a 6'9" SG who likely will stay in Europe and who knows...</li> <li>That's it for tonight. The Amare to Golden State "deal" is obviously still in flux and might be for another week</li> <li>I look forward to hearing more about our 2nd round picks and seeing them in Vegas</li> </ul> <p>Here's the audio from tonight's Gentry/Kerr press conference and some <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71914/Earl_Clark" class="sbn-auto-link">Earl Clark</a> audio as well. Audio provided by <a href="http://www.ktar.com/?nid=9" target="_blank">Sports 620 KTAR</a>:</p> <p> </p> <p> <div_prefs></div_prefs></p> <p><embed name="s_media_1_0" src="http://www.odeo.com/flash/audio_player_standard_black.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" id="s_media_1_0" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="valid_sample_rate=true&external_url=http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/133026/draft_night_audio.mp3" height="52" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="300"></embed></p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Do you like trading Amare to the Warriors for Biedrins, Curry and one or two other players out of (Wright, Belinelli or Azubuike)</h5> <div id="poll_container_44264_310157263"> <form action="/polls/vote/44264?container_id=poll_container_44264_310157263" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44264?container_id=poll_container_44264_310157263', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209744" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209744" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209744"><span class="option">Yes. It's time to part ways with Amare and this is a solid deal</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209745" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209745" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209745"><span class="option">No. We should keep Amare</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209746" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209746" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209746"><span class="option">Amare should be traded but not for this deal</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   648 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44264?container_id=poll_container_44264_310157263', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/35NTN55Gmp1ubUcrefAf0gLudXY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/35NTN55Gmp1ubUcrefAf0gLudXY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/35NTN55Gmp1ubUcrefAf0gLudXY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/35NTN55Gmp1ubUcrefAf0gLudXY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:04:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742513 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/742513 <div class="photo-tpl photo-tpl-left_portrait"> <a href="/photos/pre-2009-nba-draft-golden-state"><img alt="The commish is hyped about Draft Day 2k9! (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)" class="ap_photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/48440/64006_nba_draft_lottery_basketball.jpg" /></a> <div class="photo-meta"> <p class="by clearfix"> <span><a href="/photos/pre-2009-nba-draft-golden-state">More photos »</a></span> by Bill Kostroun - AP </p> <p class="cap"> <em>The commish is hyped about Draft Day 2k9!</em> (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) </p> </div> <p class="more-link"><a href="/photos/pre-2009-nba-draft-golden-state">Browse more photos »</a></p> </div> <p>MASS linkage ensues after the jump, but before you use your hops... <b>VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!</b></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923166/polling-gsom-who-do-you-think-the">Who do you think the Warriors will draft in the 2009 NBA Draft?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923575/polling-gsom-who-do-you-want-the">Who do you WANT the Warriors to draft in the 2009 NBA Draft?</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923845/gsom-live-blogging-of-the-nba-2k9">Live Blogging</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/unstoppablebaby">Live Twittering</a> the 2k9 NBA Draft!</p> <p><b>From around the World Wide Web:</b></p> <p> <p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-Ball-Don-t-Lie-SB-Nation-2009-NBA-Mock-Draft?urn=nba,172613">The Ball Don't Lie/SB Nation 2009 NBA Mock Draft recap - Yahoo! Sports</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-Ball-Don-t-Lie-SB-Nation-2009-NBA-Mock-Draft?urn=nba,172613"></a>Ball Don't Lie combined with SB Nation (and a few others) to put together this epic 2009 Mock Draft. The individual blogs, linked with their respective picks and breakdowns, made the selections for their team. </p> </blockquote> </p> <p><a href="http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2009/6/25/924820/thank-god-its-nba-draft-thursday">Thank God It's NBA Draft Thursday! - Ridiculous Upside</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Let’s be honest here internet, my brain is full and tired.  I am ready for this to be over.  We all know how it’s going to end anyway.  The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MEM" class="sbn-auto-link">Grizzlies</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a>, and Warriors will probably screw this thing up.  Either blowing it on draft night or within the ensuing months, ensuring that any draft luck they’ve been dealt is quickly wiped away by idiocy.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/insider/news/story?page=09DraftBuzz-090625">NBA draft: The latest trade rumors and more - ESPN</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/insider/news/story?page=09DraftBuzz-090625"></a>Wake Forest's Johnson and Italy's Jennings could be in for one seriously wild ride on draft night. Johnson is getting a look by the Warriors (7), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/TOR" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a> (9), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/CHA" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobcats</a> (12), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a> (14), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/CHI" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a> (16), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/UTA" class="sbn-auto-link">Jazz</a> (20) and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NOH" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a> (21). Think that's a big range? How about Jennings, who will get looks from the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MIN" class="sbn-auto-link">Timberwolves</a> (6), Warriors (7), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/NYK" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> (8), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MIL" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> (10), Suns (14), Sixers (17) and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/ATL" class="sbn-auto-link">Hawks</a> (19)?</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/25/SP3D18D92L.DTL&feed=rss.warriors">NBA draft preview: Who's it going to be? [SFGate]</a></p> <blockquote> <p>What's most apparent - and quite annoying to a number of fans - is that this Warriors draft is all about Ellis' psyche. For reasons that escape virtually every scout or NBA executive who has studied his game, Ellis fancies himself a point guard and team leader. Did Nelson and Larry Riley promise Ellis they wouldn't draft a point, as rumored? Maybe not, but they're talking up Ellis and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21700/Stephen_Jackson" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Jackson</a> as the backcourt mainstays of the franchise.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2009/06/24/speedy-law-not-the-answer/">Speedy, Law not the Answer - Inside the Warriors - with Marcus Thompson</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2009/06/24/speedy-law-not-the-answer/"></a>I’ve been told by Warriors insiders that neither Claxton nor Law is the Warriors’ answer to their point guard solutions. They are still in the market for a PG, so this trade does not rule out them drafting a point guard.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/timkawakami/ci_12684618?source=rss">Kawakami: Warriors' draft choice seems obvious - San Jose Mercury News</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/timkawakami/ci_12684618?source=rss"></a>If the Warriors had a clear-thinking front office, uncluttered by insecurity and frequent controversy, today's NBA draft would be pretty easy to ace. Select Arizona power forward Jordan Hill, stepping into the Warriors' rebounding void with the potential to provide low-post offense.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/22/warriors-draft-the-case-for-jordan-hill/">Warriors draft: The case for Jordan Hill | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>A good way to understand how much weaker this draft is than last year’s: When I circled the best potential big man for the Warriors last year, it was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35085/Kevin_Love" class="sbn-auto-link">Kevin Love</a>, if they could’ve traded up for him. This year, it’s Arizona PF Jordan Hill, who has definite strengths but doesn’t have Love’s natural hoops instincts or top-end NBA possibilities. (And Hill is more than a year older than Love.) Oh well. That happens. This is a terrible draft for versatile, athletic big men, but the Warriors got one of those last year with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35086/Anthony_Randolph" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Randolph</a> and they have <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21868/Ronny_Turiaf" class="sbn-auto-link">Ronny Turiaf</a>.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/22/warriors-draft-the-case-for-demar-derozan/">Warriors draft: The case for DeMar DeRozan | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>DeRozan (6-foot-6) might be the second most physically talented player in this draft, behind only Blake Griffin. Other than Griffin, I think DeRozan is the only other player you could say has a game, body and mindset that seems to likely project long-term as an NBA starter and possibly a very good one. That doesn’t mean he will be a star, just means you can see it in there, without a lot of caveats. (Stephen Curry and Ricky Rubio would be my other choices, but they’ve got caveats: Is Curry strong enough and can he play defense? Can Rubio shoot well enough?)</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/23/warriors-draft-the-case-for-stephen-curry/">Warriors draft: The case for Stephen Curry | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Of all the cases I’m making for the Warriors’ selection with the No. 7 pick, Stephen Curry is the easiest one. It’s simple: Curry, a silky-shooting 6-3 guard out of Davidison, is, by far, the best pure fit for Don Nelson’s run-and-shoot offensive system. (And Nellie’s stand-and-let-him-go-by-you defensive system.) If he’s still there at 7 (probably 40% chance that he is after today’s events, maybe less), I can imagine Nelson leaping to grab the phone and screaming "TAKE CURRY!"</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/24/warriors-draft-the-case-for-brandon-jennings/">Warriors draft: The case for Brandon Jennings | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>We’re all at a severe disadvantage evaluating his NBA prospects because almost none of us has watched him get serious minutes on any level (he was a star prep PG who didn’t get into college, then went to Italy where he barely played). Pre-draft work-outs have been mostly closed. All I can go by is what I hear and what I’ve seen on limited tape. What I’ve heard about Jennings: He’s probably the quickest player in the draft, with good vision and a nice knack for using his lefty dribble to slice through pick-and-roll defenses and for using his speed to mess up the opponent. I’ve also heard that his shooting in the work-outs has been less than stellar and that’s what has kept his projections down far below the Nash/Paul/Billups level. But if you had to pick one player, other than Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio, whose selection might totally change the way the Warriors play, it might be Jennings.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/06/25/warriors-draft-the-case-for-jrue-holiday-final-argument/">Warriors draft: The case for Jrue Holiday (final argument) | Talking Points</a></p> <blockquote> <p>* Most likely option: Arizona PF Jordan Hill, who was my first case. * Best option: UCLA G Jrue Holiday, who is the final case. </p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>2009 NBA Draft Q&A with Aran Smith of</b> <a href="http://www.nbadraft.net/">NBADraft.net</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/921095/2009-nba-draft-q-a-aran-smith-of">2009 NBA Draft Q&A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net (Part 1 of 3)</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/921095/2009-nba-draft-q-a-aran-smith-of"></a>Aran Smith (NBADraft.net): It is definitely one of the less talented classes in recent memory.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/23/921129/2009-nba-draft-q-a-aran-smith-of">2009 NBA Draft Q&A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net (Part 2 of 3)</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/23/921129/2009-nba-draft-q-a-aran-smith-of"></a>Aran Smith (NBADraft.net): Hmm. At this point that's a pretty good argument. Hansbrough is going to be solid. He doesn't have Wright's potential, but we know he'll be pretty solid.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/921132/2009-nba-draft-q-a-aran-smith-of">2009 NBA Draft Q&A: Aran Smith of NBADraft.net (Part 3 of 3)</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/921132/2009-nba-draft-q-a-aran-smith-of"></a>Aran Smith (NBADraft.net): The Warriors should take the best player available. I would take Jennings if he's there.</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21898/Jamal_Crawford" class="sbn-auto-link">Jamal Crawford</a> Trade: </b>Thanks for being the ultimate professional while you were here JC.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923913/breaking-news-warriors-and-hawks">BREAKING NEWS: Warriors and Hawks closing in on Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton swap</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Maybe <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21562/Speedy_Claxton" class="sbn-auto-link">Speedy Claxton</a> can help us bring back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21524/Baron_Davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Baron Davis</a> again? </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/924155/exploring-the-rumored-crawford-for">Exploring the rumored Crawford for Claxton and Law Trade: CBA and salary implications</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Big questions abound. Important questions. It isn't quite "what did the president know and when did he know it", but at least as far as our Warriors go, it's "what do we know about the trade and could it possibly be real?" </p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>Rumors: </b>The ones where 99% don't happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/15/875704/rumor-warriors-targeting-chris-bosh">RUMOR: Warriors targeting Chris Bosh</a></p> <blockquote> <p>You win in this league with superstars and stars. I'm not convinced that Bosh is a superstar or will ever be one. I do think that's a big red flag that the Craptors couldn't even qualify for the "Not-So-Elite-8" in the Leastern Conference this past season. But he is a legit All-Star caliber big man and a proven commodity (Career Numbers via Yahoo! Sports). Those are hard to come by, especially for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a> who haven't had an All-Star power forward since Nate the Great Thurmond in 1974. (NINETEEN SEVENTY-FOUR for crying out loud!)</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/16/877332/rumor-clippers-to-offer-warriors">RUMOR: Clippers to offer Warriors Baron Davis for Corey Maggette if they land Ricky Rubio in 2009 NBA Draft</a></p> <blockquote> <p>My opinion hasn't changed since word broke that the Warriors rejected a buyers remorse swap of Baron Davis for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21758/Corey_Maggette" class="sbn-auto-link">Corey Maggette</a> and Marcus Williams at the trading deadline this past season. If the Warriors can move an injury prone, big time scoring 6th man and a bench player (obviously no Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, or <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21527/Monta_Ellis" class="sbn-auto-link">Monta Ellis</a>) for an injury prone, All-NBA quality point guard, it has to be done. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/18/879581/rumor-warriors-readying-or">RUMOR: Warriors "readying or contemplating" a bid for Steve Nash</a></p> <blockquote> <p>We can sit here and dissect <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21914/Steve_Nash" class="sbn-auto-link">Steve Nash</a>'s impact on the Warriors and what would be worth giving up for him (if anything at all), but that's fairly pointless. Point blank: Nash ain't coming to the Warriors. Kerr's not trading him here and I doubt the Warriors are genuinely that interested in adding him.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/18/879581/rumor-warriors-readying-or">RUMOR: Warriors "readying or contemplating" a bid for Steve Nash</a></p> <blockquote> <p>We can sit here and dissect Steve Nash's impact on the Warriors and what would be worth giving up for him (if anything at all), but that's fairly pointless. Point blank: Nash ain't coming to the Warriors. Kerr's not trading him here and I doubt the Warriors are genuinely that interested in adding him.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/25/885990/rumor-warriors-have-strong">RUMOR: Warriors have "strong interest" in Brandon Jennings, but trading for Baron Davis could change that</a></p> <p>Who would you rather have starting at Point Guard for the 2009-2010 Golden State Warriors? 58% of GSoMers voted for Boom Dizzle over Brandon Jennings.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/30/892558/rumor-stephen-curry-has-a-chance" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Rumor: Stephen Curry has a "chance" to drafted by the Golden State Warriors </a></p> <blockquote> <p>I'm not 100% sure if Curry would be a good fit on the hardwood for this team as they're overloaded with combo guards (Jamal Crawford, Monta Ellis, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24741/C_J_Watson" class="sbn-auto-link">C.J. Watson</a>) and have a screaming need for a point guard. Maybe Curry can be that guy in the NBA, but way more often than not young players can't make that transition. There's a lot of truth in the mantra that "point guards are born, not made".</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/3/897624/rumor-warriors-interested-in">RUMOR: Warriors interested in Terrence Williams aka "Gatorade-protector" with the #7 pick</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Gatorade-protector? Move over <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/50428/Rob_Kurz" class="sbn-auto-link">Rob Kurz</a>. Your job will soon be obsolete. Sorry man. It happens to even the best of us- just ask <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21521/Adonal_Foyle" class="sbn-auto-link">Adonal Foyle</a>.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/5/900105/rumor-warriors-and-raptors-had-a">RUMOR: Warriors and Raptors had a Marco Belinelli - Joey Graham deal in place</a></p> <blockquote> <p>I still don't buy that Belinelli belongs in this league, but it's not a given that Graham gets a second NBA contract either.  Neither player is even an average quality NBA player or has a high hoops IQ, but at least the athletic Graham gives the Warriors a little more size and cuts down their glut of poor to mediocre ranging guards. Truth be told, the Warriors aren't going to get much at all for Belinelli straight up. Unless the Warriors are taking back a bad contract, I'd be suprised if Belinelli could even net them a future 2nd round pick straight up.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/8/902926/warriors-to-work-out-arizonas">Warriors to Work Out Arizona's Jordan Hill</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Do the Warriors already have a pair of raw and talented young forwards, namely Anthony Randolph and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a>? Do the Warriors desperately need a PG? Sure they do. Does this draft have a bunch of seemingly viable PG candidates? Sure it does. But who cares? B.P.A.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/15/910390/rumor-atlanta-hawks-shopping-josh">RUMOR: Atlanta Hawks shopping Josh Smith</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Based on my view from the Left Coast and nightly box scores I can't but love <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21573/Josh_Smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Josh Smith</a>'s game. This 23 year old has proven that he can drop 17.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 3.4 apg, plus 1.5 steals and about 3 blocks a game. I don't care you how slice it, this guy is quite an intriguing basketball talent. Smith is exactly the type of ball player that Nellie can work wonders with too. I doubt for a second that Nellie would try to run him at the 5 and go super fast.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/15/910774/rumor-warriors-promised-monta">RUMOR: Warriors promised Monta Ellis they will not draft a play-making guard to appease him - Golden State Of Mind</a></p> <blockquote> <p>This could quite possibly be the oddest rumor I've covered in my 4 year GSoM tenure.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/16/911116/rumor-warriors-could-select-jordan">RUMOR: Warriors could select Jordan Hill and trade Brandan Wright or swap to get Terrence Williams - Golden State Of Mind</a></p> <blockquote> <p>This would be a very unfortunate way to close the book on that disastrous <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21518/Jason_Richardson" class="sbn-auto-link">Jason Richardson</a> trade with the Bobcats that expedited the Dubs descent from WE BELIEVE. The Warriors essentially gave away a key cog in that unBELIEVEable spring run and the heart and soul of this team for basically nothing.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/17/912378/rumor-jrue-holiday-wont-work-out">RUMOR: Jrue Holiday won't work out with Warriors because of agent Dan Fegan</a></p> <blockquote> <p>I've been a harsh critic of the Chris Cohan/ Robert Rowell regime way before it was popular to question their every move and decision, but I"m not really sure where Fegan is coming from here.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/18/913440/rumor-amare-stoudemire-for-al">RUMOR: Amare Stoudemire for Al Jefferson and #6 Pick + Dubs Summer of Fun</a></p> <blockquote> <p>I don't doubt for a second that Amare will be bolting Minny the first chance he gets if they ended up making this trade.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/19/917896/rumor-warriors-building-around" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">RUMORS: Warriors building around Monta Ellis, "deeply involved in trade talks" for #7 pick, and Larry Riley would like a "little beef"</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Building the team around an undersized shooting guard with limited handles, court vision, defensive desire, maturity, hoops IQ, and overall smarts... is not a bright idea. Don Nelson and Larry Riley are smarter than that. I'm calling their bluff or Fried's distortion of what was actually said. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/20/920018/rumor-monta-ellis-demanded-a-trade">RUMOR: Monta Ellis demanded a trade from the Warriors shortly after the season</a></p> <blockquote> <p>I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I really don't understand what Monta Ellis and his camp's beef is about or why they have the audacity or desire to demand a trade.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/21/920796/rumor-warriors-and-bobcats">RUMOR: Warriors and Bobcats discussing Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli for Raja Bell</a></p> <blockquote> <p>First of all it's good to hear the Warriors are exploring possibilities to improve on D. They can start by trying. The next step is getting players who can and want to actually play defense.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/920801/rumor-stephen-curry-is-warriors" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">RUMOR: Stephen Curry is Warriors "Main Target"</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Monta and Curry seem like a poor backcourt duo. They don't seem to complement each other as they're both combo guards who don't seem to have the size to guard NBA 2-guards. If Larry Riley and Don Nelson think Curry's the man at #7 that shouldn't stop them (BPA always), but just pointing that out.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/23/921916/rumor-warriors-and-blazers-tried">RUMOR: Warriors and Blazers tried to trade for Wizards swingman Caron Butler</a></p> <blockquote> <p>I must I say I am a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21834/Caron_Butler" class="sbn-auto-link">Caron Butler</a> fan. I remember back on Draft Day 2002 when he slipped to the #10 spot. There were questions about his character and what not. Seven years later I don't think there's really any doubt that he should've gone much higher in that draft. Jay Williams, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21522/Mike_Dunleavy" class="sbn-auto-link">Mike Dunleavy</a> Jr. Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Dajuan Wagner, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21597/Chris_Wilcox" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Wilcox</a> all went ahead of him. Think those teams would like to have an All-Star caliber swingman who's good for close to 20-7-5 plus 2 thefts when healthy? I also want to highlight that (as far as I can tell from the Left Coast) Butler has been a model citizen. Give this man his props.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/924128/rumor-warriors-like-brandon">RUMOR: Warriors Like Brandon Jennings at #7</a></p> <blockquote> <p>As much as I dig his game given his build and lack of a NBA quality J, I really don't expect Jennings to be starting many games and playing big minutes his rookie season. Backing up Moped at the 1 could be interesting though.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/924157/rumor-warriors-like-wake-forrests">RUMOR: Warriors like Wake Forrest's James Johnson if Jordan Hill is gone</a></p> <blockquote> <p>James Johnson is a 22 year old 6'7-6'8 257 pound forward. Riley has said he wants some more "beef" on the Dubs and JJ would definitely advance them towards that goal. I'd definitely be shocked if they took him though.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/25/924534/rumor-warriors-inquired-about-suns">RUMOR: Warriors inquired about Suns' Amare Stoudemire and offered Andris Biedrins - Golden State Of Mind</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Amare's an undeniable great fit for Nellieball with his high flying, rim-rocking, coast to coast offensive repertoire. He didn't seem to be a big fan of slowing down to a half-court game that emphasizes defense. Guess which team's coach is the last guy to emphasize either? Amare also didn't seem to be a big fan of playing alongside another big tree. Guess which team's coach doesn't have the slightest problem with playing as few big men as possible? Stoudemire and Nellie are a match made in heaven.</p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>News and Mo' Stuff</b></p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/19/876608/open-thread-ii-2009-nba-draft">Open Thread II: 2009 NBA Draft Lottery- Welcome to the 2009 Playoffs Warriors fans!</a></p> <blockquote> <p>It's playoff time in the Bay!</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/19/880561/2009-nba-draft-lottery-results-+">2009 NBA Draft Lottery Results + With the 7th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft the Golden State Warriors select...</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Warriors South came up BIG.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/29/891991/introducing-the-mingming-movement">Introducing... The MingMing Movement!</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/29/891991/introducing-the-mingming-movement"></a>There's a new spelling for the word "redemption" to add to your already eloquent lexicon Dubs fans. It's spelled "S-u-n  M-i-n-g-m-i-n-g".</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/9/903734/warriors-to-work-out-jonny-flynn">Warriors to Work Out Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/9/903734/warriors-to-work-out-jonny-flynn"></a>GSoMers have spoken in doses and there's an overly positive sentiment towards drafting Brandon Jennings with the #7 pick</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/11/906182/warriors-seem-like-theyre">Warriors (seem like they're) down to Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, Terrence Williams, and Tyreke Evans</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/11/906182/warriors-seem-like-theyre"></a>There's that little workout scheduling quirk that Tim describes which makes you wonder about the interest in Holiday. But who really knows if that means anything come draft day. The Warriors worked out Patrick O'Bryant right before the 2006 NBA Draft (turned out great didn't it?). They also never brought Brandan Wright in for a workout and they were willing to expedite the destruction of WE BELIEVE to make that trade for him.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/12/907371/jonny-flynn-and-brandon-jennings">Jonny Flynn and Brandon Jennings Work Out with the Warriors</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/12/907371/jonny-flynn-and-brandon-jennings"></a>Thanks for coming by, and we'll see you soon, hopefully. -- Warriors GM Larry Riley to Brandon Jennings after yesterday's workout</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/12/907322/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009">With the 7th pick in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft the Golden State Warriors SHOULD select...</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/12/907322/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009"></a>You've been mocked by plenty of people recently, but there's nothing like getting mocked by the SB Nation NBA crew.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/13/908227/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009">With the 7th pick in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft Golden State of Mind selects...</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Hill wouldn't have won the vote, but it would have been interesting to see how many votes he would have collected.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/13/907889/don-nelson-tells-arizona-pf-jordan" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Don Nelson tells Arizona PF Jordan Hill he won't get past the Warriors at #7</a></p> <blockquote> <p>It looks it's time to bump up the Fab 5 of Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, Terrence Williams, and Tyreke Evans into a Stunning 6.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/14/905764/the-gsom-enquirer">The GSoM Enquirer</a></p> <blockquote> <p>The nice thing about GSoM is that anything and everything about our Golden State Warriors is here. I can spend a good amount of my day on GSoM reading up on everything that is Golden State Basketball. It's all here: trade Rumors (my personal favorite), win-loss ratios or scenarios, even personal information to where the players shop, eat and hangout can be found in FanPosts. The GSoM Enquirer simply pays tribute to the everyday news, rumors, and rants of our Golden State Community!</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/23/922286/warriors-seem-like-theyre-down-to">Warriors (seem like they're) down to Arizona PF Jordan Hill and Davidson PG/SG Stephen Curry - Golden State Of Mind</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Who would've thought that in a draft supposedly loaded with point guards and weak in power forwards aside from the Clips new big man, the Warriors would be seemingly fixated on a power forward? BPA always though, but again I ask: Is Hill the best player available? Better than my fav and your fav Brandon Jennings?  </p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>Warriors Draft History</b>- We laughed, we'd cried. Actually we mostly cried.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/901354/golden-state-warriors-1st-round">Golden State Warriors 1st Round Draft History and Just My Imagination</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/901354/golden-state-warriors-1st-round"></a>What if the Warriors had a string of PERFECT drafts with their 1st round picks during the Chris Cohan era of prime suckitude?</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/19/913216/nellie-knows-draft-the-warriors" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">Nellie Knows NBA Draft: The Warriors and Mavericks Years</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Unlike Chris Mullin's spotty draft history, it's hard to argue with Nellie's draft and scouting acumen. This is one sharp and shrewd hoops mind.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/907512/polling-gsom-was-billy-owens-a">Polling GSoM: Was Billy Owens a "monumental NBA bust"?</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/22/907512/polling-gsom-was-billy-owens-a"></a>But was Owens a "monumental bust"? I'm not so sure I buy that given the facts. Guys like Clifford Rozier, Todd Fuller, Adonal Foyle, Patrick O'Bryant, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24214/Kosta_Perovic" class="sbn-auto-link">Kosta Perovic</a>- now those are "monumental busts". Over here in Dubs land, we know a monumental bust when we see one!</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/10/871641/draft-history-part-i-of-on-trading">Draft history Part I of ???: on trading picks</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/10/871641/draft-history-part-i-of-on-trading"></a>With the draft lottery still a little more than a week away, it is too early to really recommend a 'draft strategy', but it is not too early to look at what becomes of various picks. In this multi-part pre-draft assessment, we'll look at various aspects of the draft, including trading picks, drafting for need vs. talent vs. tossing a dart at a board with a bunch of names on it and hoping for the best. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2008/5/15/509366/grading-the-mullin-picks">Grading the Mullin Picks</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2008/5/15/509366/grading-the-mullin-picks"></a>All eyes are focused on who the Warriors should hire to follow the legendary Don Nelson after this season, but few seem to be closely monitoring the status of Chris Mullin's current GM deal which expires in 2009. If I were the one deciding whether or not to extend Mullin's tenure in the front office, I'd put a lot of weight into the progress and performance of Kosta Perovic, Brandan Wright, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a>, and the 2008 Warrior Draft picks this upcoming season. Coupled with his embarrassing contract negotiation history (Adonal Foyle, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21648/Derek_Fisher" class="sbn-auto-link">Derek Fisher</a>, Mike Dunleavy, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21513/Troy_Murphy" class="sbn-auto-link">Troy Murphy</a>) I can't say I'm all that sold on Mullin being in the driver's seat of the Warriors' front office, especially if his drafting record doesn't take a huge turn for the better. As of right now it really looks like it's time to not only plan for a critical head coaching search in the summer of 2009, but possibly also a search for a new GM.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2007/6/28/182740/286">Don't Forget Your Warriors' Draft History</a></p> <blockquote> <p>What's that saying that your middle school History teacher never ceased to repeat at nauseam? "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it"? Well, believe you me the last thing we want is for some of those historically bad Golden State Warriors' draft day blunders to repeat themselves today.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/6/27/182253/073">Lucky #9: Revisiting the Warriors' Draft 9 Years Ago</a></p> <blockquote> <p>Warning: This bit of Warriors history is not safe for work, hanging out with friends, studying at the library, etc. It will make you cry... out loud... like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21537/Adam_Morrison" class="sbn-auto-link">Adam Morrison</a> in the clutch.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/7/31/11428/4611">Slammin' from 1996 to 1984</a></p> <blockquote> <p>We know the Warriors' messed big time in the draft, but the real question is: Which was a better overall draft 1996 or 1984 which produced hoops legends galore in Akeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and some guy named Michael Jordan?</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/2005/06/feeling-even-fuller_16.html">Feeling Even Fuller- Golden State Warriors BLOG</a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/2005/06/feeling-even-fuller_16.html"></a>Props to NBA Source for pointing out the ridiculously hillarious- Todd Fuller's college GPA was higher than his career scoring average.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/2005/06/1994-milk-carton.html">1994 Milk Carton- Golden State Warriors BLOG</a></p> <blockquote> <p>This was the draft that started the most infamous "streak" in NBA draft history.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/2005/06/1995-draft-were-1_26.html">1995 Draft- We're #1!!- Golden State Warriors BLOG</a></p> <blockquote> <p>There you have it Warriors nation- 12 better players the Warriors passed up on when they "won the lottery." This qualifies as bad, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4346/Michael_Olowokandi" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Olowokandi</a> bad.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/2005/03/worst-3.html">Worst #3?- Golden State Warriors BLOG</a></p> <blockquote> <p>And there you have it my folkers- Dunleavy the top #3 stinker of the past 10 years. Funny thing is how many of those picks have played on the Warriors or had some connection- Christian Laetner, Penny, and Baron Davis.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://goldenstwarriors.blogspot.com/2005/06/dont-bust-out.html">Don't Bust Out!- Golden State Warriors BLOG</a></p> <blockquote> <p>It's draft day! We here at the Golden State Warriors BLOG are excited but you can bet bet your ridiculous Bay Area rent or mortage that we've got fingers and toes crossed hoping that the Warriors don't pick another comedic BUST. </p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>Ahem, NOBODY does NBA Draft like GSoM.</b> Stay tuned for our <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/24/923845/gsom-live-blogging-of-the-nba-2k9">5th Annual Live Blogging of the NBA Draft!</a> My man <a href="http://twitter.com/unstoppablebaby">RDizzle's got you on Twitter too</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/191535/gsom_eq_mag_issue_2_medium.jpg"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/191535/gsom_eq_mag_issue_2_medium_medium.jpg" alt="Gsom_eq_mag_issue_2_medium_medium" /></p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Are you hyped up beyond belief for the 2009 NBA Draft?</h5> <div id="poll_container_44207_273701108"> <form action="/polls/vote/44207?container_id=poll_container_44207_273701108" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/44207?container_id=poll_container_44207_273701108', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209472" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209472" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209472"><span class="option">4 SHO: Bring the Hype!</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_209473" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="209473" /></span> <label for="poll_option_209473"><span class="option">NOPE: I don't have a pulse.</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   11 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/44207?container_id=poll_container_44207_273701108', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pbctX_KbCPElJ_tTBPPSbUvs_VQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pbctX_KbCPElJ_tTBPPSbUvs_VQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pbctX_KbCPElJ_tTBPPSbUvs_VQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pbctX_KbCPElJ_tTBPPSbUvs_VQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:13:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/739116 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/739116 (By Rick Bonnell, rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com) <p/></p><p/>Charlotte Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins says “we're kind of all over the board right now” concerning the 12th pick. But the Bobcats did announce one firm decision Tuesday:</p><p/>They're not making a $3.6 million-plus qualifying offer to restrict power forward Sean May's free-agency.</p><p/>Higgins said May's limited productivity last season, combined with the size of the qualifying number, settled the matter. May will become an unrestricted free agent July 1. However, Higgins said the team is still open to re-signing him at some lower number to fill the backup power-forward spot.</p><p/>May told the Observer he still wants to re-sign here.</p><p/>“Obviously I am a little disappointed that I wasn't extended my qualifying offer. As I do understand that this is a business, I can't be mad at the Bobcats,” May said via e-mail. “I know they have to do what is best for their organization. I am still open to being here in Charlotte.</p><p/>“Regardless of what happens, this is home for me, so it would be easier to stay here and play here, but just as they have to do what's best for their organization, I have to do what's best for me and my family.</p><p/>“And all I want is an opportunity to play and contribute. </p><p/>“Last year was really tough because I felt like I could play and help this team. Right now I'll … see what teams do. If and when the Bobcats make an offer … if it's a fair deal, I will definitely look hard at it because I do want to finish what I came here to do, and that's help this organization win games and reach the playoffs.”</p><p/>May has been in Chapel Hill this summer, finishing course requirements for his degree at North Carolina. He said he's healthier and in better shape than in any previous season of his pro career.</p><p/>His four-season career as a Bobcat has been full of injuries and conditioning concerns. He lost the entire 2007-08 season to knee surgery and played 24 of a possible 82 games last season.</p><p/>He started the season-opener against Cleveland, but spent much of the season inactive, with coach Larry Brown and managing partner Michael Jordan demanding he lose weight or sit out.</p><p/>This means the Bobcats could lose the player they chose 13th overall in 2005 for nothing. The other Bobcat chosen in that first round – point guard Raymond Felton – has received a qualifying offer of about $5.5million, restricting his upcoming free-agency.</p><span class="subhead"><strong><p/>Higgins to explore trade options</p></strong></span><p/>Regarding the 12th pick in Thursday night's draft, Higgins said the team is exploring all kinds of alternatives – trading up, trading for a veteran, or trading for salary-cap relief. He said he hopes trade expectations from other teams would grow more realistic as the draft nears.</p><p/>“The deals aren't as real as they're going to get,” Higgins said of this week on the NBA calendar. “It's not unlike (what happens at) the trade deadline.”</p><p/>Higgins would neither confirm nor deny a report by draftexpress.com that the Bobcats were willing to deal shooting guard Raja Bell for Golden State's Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli.</p><p/>“I talk to every team in the league. I've talked to Golden State a bunch of times, and we talk about a lot of players,” Higgins said.</p><p/>If the Bobcats do keep the pick, they'll strongly consider shooting guards Terrence Williams of Louisville and Gerald Henderson of Duke. Each came back to Charlotte on Monday for second workouts and either would fill an obvious need, particularly if the Bobcats are open to trading Bell.</p><p/>But Higgins tempered expectations on what No. 12 is worth in this draft.</p><p/>“Where we're drafting – No. 12 – I don't know if we can get an impact player,” he said.</p><p/>Recent history supports that statement: None of the past five No. 12 picks has had a real impact. One – Yaroslav Korolev – is out of the league and two others – Hilton Armstrong and Robert Swift – have struggled to stay in a rotation.</p><span class="subhead"><strong><p/>Notes</p></strong></span><p/><span class="icon icon-bullet"></span>Higgins said that while they'll look to sign free agents this summer, they wouldn't be particularly expensive ones. And he made it clear the team would steer clear of the luxury tax.</p><p/>“I don't think it's fair for us to get anywhere close to the luxury-tax number if we're just trying to get to the playoffs,” he said. “And we're not there yet.”</p><p/><span class="icon icon-bullet"></span>Higgins said the potential complication in trading the 12th pick for a veteran is cap rules: The team has to fit a veteran salary under its cap, because a rookie counts zero against the cap until he is signed. Not that that's insurmountable.</p> Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:49:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/733485 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/733485 <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/189732/2006-05-04-kobe.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/189732/2006-05-04-kobe_medium.jpg" alt="2006-05-04-kobe_medium" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>Well the Dubs do play the Fakers 4x a year.</i> [via <a href="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nba/_photos/2006-05-04-kobe.jpg">images.usatoday.com</a>]</p> <p>Jump for the details of this rumor.</p> <p>From <b>Jonathan Givony</b> of <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/">DraftExpress</a> in <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/blog/Jonathan-Givony/#Word-on-the-Street-June-22nd-3276">Word on the Street, June 22nd</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Golden State appears to be exploring possibilities to improve on the defensive end in hopes of making a strong run to the playoffs next season. One trade that has reportedly been offered by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/CHA" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlotte Bobcats</a> that may help on that front would involve packaging <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a> in exchange for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21915/Raja_Bell" class="sbn-auto-link">Raja Bell</a>. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> are pondering the offer, but would have to get Azubuike's consent to make the trade unless they decided to wait until July 24th.</p> </blockquote> <p>First of all it's good to hear the Warriors are exploring possibilities to improve on D. They can start by trying. The next step is getting players who can and want to actually play defense. Kaz is not a great defender by any stretch mostly because of his sub-par foot speed for an NBA swingman, but he's not the worst defender on this team. Nor is he a player that needs to be shipped out. Although he exerted infinitely more effort on defense this season than his first in the association, Belinelli still looked clueless on defensive end last season often making silly mistakes resulting from not even paying attention to his man.</p> <p>There's no doubt that the Warriors need to upgrade their roster defensively. Azubuike is by no means untradeable and Belinelli really isn't worth holding onto barring some miraculous and stunning improvement by him next season (good for him if he pulls it off, but I just don't see it). Even though he's had some flopping moments, Raja Bell is a very reputable defender. His 3pt shooting is also very impressive. Think Mickael Pietrus with a much higher hoops IQ.</p> <p>BUT this trade as is seems a little odd. Is an aging Bell (33 at the start of the season) with his solid defense really that much better than Azubuike at this point? If the Warriors were anywhere close to contending (which they aren't for anyone wondering), then I might be persuaded to see the potential benefits of this trade with Bell's defense. As is however, I'm not so sure this buys the Dubs all that much if anything at all.</p> <p>Still it's great to see some defensive vibes coming out of the Dubs after <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/5/18/869862/polling-gsom-who-was-the-worst">their absolutely atrocious defensive performance this past season</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><i>99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!</i></p> <!-- END WIDGET --> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Do you want to see Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli traded for Raja Bell?</h5> <div id="poll_container_43908_169654949"> <form action="/polls/vote/43908?container_id=poll_container_43908_169654949" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/43908?container_id=poll_container_43908_169654949', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_208126" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="208126" /></span> <label for="poll_option_208126"><span class="option">YES: Bring Bell to the Bay!</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_208127" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="208127" /></span> <label for="poll_option_208127"><span class="option">NO: Stick with Kaz and Belinelli</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   2 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/43908?container_id=poll_container_43908_169654949', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VxCh77iSkM0mnVYKhJXSopnSgog/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VxCh77iSkM0mnVYKhJXSopnSgog/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VxCh77iSkM0mnVYKhJXSopnSgog/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VxCh77iSkM0mnVYKhJXSopnSgog/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:57:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/727003 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/727003 Who built this wreck?: Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette, Kelenna Azubuike, and Jamal Crawford essentially are the same player: Selfish, score-first, and a SG/SF hybrid. Better finding undrafted talent: Azubuike and reserve Anthony Morrow, neither of whom were drafted, have been spectacular finds. The last four 1st round picks have, so far, been busts. If you want [...] Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/719990 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/719990 <p>The onslaught of rumors, speculation, and pure silliness continues here at the mighty GSoM. The hottest rumor in the land right now is between two Western Conference squads, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/PHO" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> [<a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Bright Side of the Sun</a>] and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/MIN" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> [<a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/">Canius Hoopus</a>]. Some folks are calling BS [<a href="http://ktar.com/?nid=624&sid=1180772">KSTAR</a>], but isn't that what 99% NBA rumors are? (Seriously get with the program and stop being such a party pooper!)</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/174412/amare.jpg"><img class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/174412/amare_medium.jpg" alt="Amare_medium" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>Everyone in the entire association should be trying to get this guy. </i></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>(Amare, not the Kandi man in case you were confused.)</i></p> <p style="text-align: center;">[via <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pVRVR6CxH-M/R64j7iGtMEI/AAAAAAAAA9k/6JHEaGUzRQs/s320/amare.jpg" style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;">4.bp.blogspot.com</a>]</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Just for the details and some guaranteed craziness.</p> <p>From <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/06/jefferson_on_mo.html">The Boston Globe</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>An NBA executive told the Boston Globe today that the Minnesota Timberwolves is working a deal with the Phoenix Suns that would send former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/BOS" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a> forward Al Jefferson and their sixth pick in next week's NBA Draft for All-Star <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21911/Amare_Stoudemire" class="sbn-auto-link">Amare Stoudemire</a>.</p> </blockquote> <p>I honestly don't understand why the Suns are in such a hurry to ship out Amare or break up their core. I see no reason why they shouldn't make one more go at it with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21914/Steve_Nash" class="sbn-auto-link">Steve Nash</a>, Shaquille O'Neal, Amare Stoudemire, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21518/Jason_Richardson" class="sbn-auto-link">Jason Richardson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21607/Grant_Hill" class="sbn-auto-link">Grant Hill</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21517/Matt_Barnes" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Barnes</a>. They're coming off a good season (46 wins) in which they essentially lost their best player to a fluke injury. Why break that up so hastily? But look on the Bright Side (of the Sun):</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/17/913119/phoenix-suns-all-star-forward">Phoenix Suns All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire possibly headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves?</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2009/6/18/913409/daily-links-knock-knock-whos-there">Daily Links: Knock, knock. Who's there? More trade rumors!</a></li> </ul> <p>As for the Timberwolves- congratulations for finally ditching Kevin McHale about 10 years too late. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/GSW" class="sbn-auto-link">Warriors</a> may have wasted one 1st round pick on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21586/Joe_Smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Joe Smith</a>, but McHale's TWolves wasted 3 picks. From our dogs at Canis Hoopus:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/2009/6/17/912336/mchale-fires-the-first-shot">McHale fires the first shot</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/2009/6/17/912496/wolves-press-conference-live">Wolves Press Conference Live</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.canishoopus.com/2009/6/18/913067/wrap-up-of-mchale">Wrap up of McHale</a></li> </ul> <p>I don't doubt for a second that Amare will be bolting Minny the first chance he gets if they ended up making this trade. Amare's a far superior player than Al Jefferson in terms of athleticism and talent (maybe not numbers) and I can see where they're coming from. However, it seems like Jefferson actually wants to be there and is in it for the long haul. I'd stick with Big Al if I were them, though it would be impressive if they pulled this off.</p> <p>And what about the Dubs? It's quite simple. They should be willing to move anyone and everyone on the current roster for Amare. Any combination will do. Moped Ellis and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21513/Troy_Murphy" class="sbn-auto-link">Troy Murphy</a> without a jumpshot? Done deal. Don't think for a second that Amare wouldn't be a fantastic fit at the 4 and possibly 5 for Nellieball and instantly make this team much more formidable. My dream summer scenario: deal (something like) <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21527/Monta_Ellis" class="sbn-auto-link">Monta Ellis</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21515/Andris_Biedrins" class="sbn-auto-link">Andris Biedrins</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24213/Marco_Belinelli" class="sbn-auto-link">Marco Belinelli</a> to the Suns for Amare Stoudemire and Jason Richardson. Then deal (something like) <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21758/Corey_Maggette" class="sbn-auto-link">Corey Maggette</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/24215/Brandan_Wright" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandan Wright</a> to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/LAC" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21524/Baron_Davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Baron Davis</a>. </p> <p>PG: Baron Davis</p> <p>SG: Jason Richardson</p> <p>SF: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21700/Stephen_Jackson" class="sbn-auto-link">Stephen Jackson</a></p> <p>PF: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/35086/Anthony_Randolph" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Randolph</a></p> <p>C: Amare Stoudemire</p> <p>Bench (something like): <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21898/Jamal_Crawford" class="sbn-auto-link">Jamal Crawford</a> (2009-2010 6th Man of the Year), <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21525/Kelenna_Azubuike" class="sbn-auto-link">Kelenna Azubuike</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/50286/Anthony_Morrow" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Morrow</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21868/Ronny_Turiaf" class="sbn-auto-link">Ronny Turiaf</a>, {Insert Chris Gatling and Victor Alexander like big man backup}</p> <p>Do you really think Nellie can't work some magic with that crew? Tell me you're not foaming at the mouth thinking of what kind of havoc that team could impose on the league. Sure it's super risky, but at this point the Warriors have absolutely nothing to lose.</p> <p>(Yes, I have quite the imagination.)</p> <p> </p> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <div class="error sports_data_widget player_stats"> <p>Data for this widget is not currently available</p> </div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <!-- END WIDGET --> <p><!-- BEGIN WIDGET --></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix"> <table class="zebra"> <thead class="super-head"> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th colspan="2"></th> <th colspan="3">FG</th> <th colspan="3">3PT</th> <th colspan="3">FT</th> <th colspan="3">Rebounds</th> <th colspan="6">Misc</th> </tr> </thead> <thead> <tr> <th class="td-first"></th> <th>G</th> <th>M</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>M</th> <th>A</th> <th>Pct</th> <th>Off</th> <th>Def</th> <th>Tot</th> <th>Ast</th> <th>TO</th> <th>Stl</th> <th>Blk</th> <th>PF</th> <th>PPG</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-name td-first">2008 - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/4369/Al_Jefferson">Al Jefferson</a></td> <td>50</td> <td>36.7</td> <td>9.7</td> <td>19.5</td> <td>49.7</td> <td>0.0</td> <td>0.1</td> <td>0.0</td> <td>3.7</td> <td>5.0</td> <td>73.8</td> <td>3.4</td> <td>7.5</td> <td>11.0</td> <td>1.6</td> <td>1.8</td> <td>0.8</td> <td>1.7</td> <td>2.8</td> <td class="td-last">23.1</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker" /> <!-- END WIDGET --> <p> </p> <p>Thanks to loyal GSoMer <b>Sleepy Freud</b> for posting up this rumor in the <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2009/6/17/913152/al-jefferson-+-6-for-amare">FanShots</a> and giving me a launchpad for all this craziness.</p> <p> </p> <p><i>99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!</i></p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">If the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves swapped Amare Stoudemire for Al Jefferson and the #6 pick who would come out on top?</h5> <div id="poll_container_43674_570482412"> <form action="/polls/vote/43674?container_id=poll_container_43674_570482412" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/43674?container_id=poll_container_43674_570482412', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_207138" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="207138" /></span> <label for="poll_option_207138"><span class="option">Phoenix Suns: Al Jefferson and #6 pick</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_207139" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="207139" /></span> <label for="poll_option_207139"><span class="option">Minnesota Timberwolves: Amare Stoudemire</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" />   27 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/43674?container_id=poll_container_43674_570482412', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IJxiyUXvDi-EwYrbXZM7tkTQrYE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IJxiyUXvDi-EwYrbXZM7tkTQrYE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IJxiyUXvDi-EwYrbXZM7tkTQrYE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IJxiyUXvDi-EwYrbXZM7tkTQrYE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:06:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/715998 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/715998