Saltzman Says...Hello Andrew Bogut

The Golden State Warriors have revamped their team with the additions of Andrew Bogut and Richard Jefferson as well as adding two draft picks in the upcoming draft.

If they end up with a top 7 pick, they will have 4 draft picks in which to add many pieces to challenge the incumbent Warriors next year.

No Warrior besides David Lee and Klay Thompson are signed past 2013-14, so there is no commitment to any other player beyond two years.  That allows the Warriors two things.  Patience and flexibility.  In that order.

They don't have the trade pieces anymore to make a major change, and they don't have the salary cap space to make any big free agent splash.

However, if they bring back Brandon Rush, Dominic McGuire and/or Nate Robinson, the majority of their roster next year is accounted for.

The only major difference will be if someone decides to take on Andris Biedrins, Dorell Wright, or Richard Jefferson.

Locked in for next year are the following: [IF HEALTHY]

PG Stephen Curry
SG Klay Thompson
PF David Lee
C Andrew Bogut

Curry and Bogut make that a big if.

Point Guard: Nate Robinson has proven to be a nice addition off the bench.  Rookie Charles Jenkins has shown enough flashes to see why the team liked him enough to let Jeremy Lin go {not the blog entry to get into that turn of events}

Both could be brought back to give Jenkins more time to develop and give the team some scoring off the bench.

PG: Curry, Robinson and Jenkins

Shooting Guard: Brandon Rush needs to be signed beyond this season to remain a Warrior, and the team had an offer on the table to get Chris Kaman if they included Rush, and passed.  That shows he is someone they really like.  If they re-sign him, their isn't any further need at the 2 guard spot.

SG: Thompson and Rush

Small Forward: Richard Jefferson hasn't played a game yet under Mark Jackson, so it is way too early to say if he will be a great fit, a long term answer, or even a starter.  He could start over Dorell Wright, which would allow Wright to contribute off the bench.  Either way, both are expendable if the team lands a top 7 pick in the upcoming draft.  Chris Wright, an end of the bench SF right now, will be a long shot to stay with the club next year.

SF: Jefferson and D. Wright

Power Forward: David Lee is your starting PF for the next several years no matter what.  That being said, Dominic McGuire has certainly proven he is worthy for playing time.  His effort on the boards, ability to play defense on the perimeter, and down low, and his overall hustle, makes him as valuable to this team as anyone.  They may bring in another banger to replace Udoh, but only because McGuire can play multiple positions.

PF: Lee and McGuire

Center: Andrew Bogut can easily become the best center in Warriors history since Nate Thurmond simply by being competent on both ends of the floor.  If Healthy, he can be dominant on either end at times.  This does two things.  It allows Andris Biedrins to simply be a backup despite his salary.  Also, it let's Biedrins become expendable.  An twist in the trades made this week would be if the team brought back Kwame Brown next year to backup Bogut.  Jeremy Tyler is way too raw for any kind of consistent minutes at this level.  He won't be moved to another team because why let him blossom somewhere else.

C: Bogut, Biedrins and Tyler

That leaves three open spots if these 12 players are brought back.

The Warriors currently have 2 guaranteed draft picks, both in the 2nd round, and have two draft picks that are conditional.  Their own, which is Top 7 protected and now the Spurs 1st round pick, which is Top 14 protected.

IF the Warriors end up with 4 draft picks, they will either need to release or trade one of the 12 players above, or simply draft a player that is playing overseas and just obtain his rights.  Regardless, the team looks to have a full 15 man roster next year.

These moves allow the Warriors to be much more balanced next season.

Saltzman Says...Goodbye Monta Ellis

The Warriors were bought by Owners with a background in two things as it relates to sports: Owning teams, and building teams.

Peter Guber's Mandalay Entertainment owns several Minor League teams.

Joe Lacob owned part of the Boston Celtics and saw the internal workings of a organization that carved out a plan, stuck to it, and delivered a championship from it.

Bringing in Jerry West as an advisor to evaluate talent, Rick Welts to run the business side that bobby fowell used to, Bob Myers to help improve the Warriors standing with other GM's and agents, and Mark Jackson to build a team that relies on passing the basketball and defense. 

Everyone hired was hired for a purpose.

The team was not fully built by the time David Lee was traded for, but the move had the ok from ownership.  They traded three complimentary pieces:

Anthony Randolph, who is currently playing 12 minutes a game, scoring 5.9 PPG for Minnesota

Ronny Turiaf, who is currently averaging 1.2 PPG and 3 RPG for Washington

Kelenna Azubuike, who is not currently playing basketball.  

The Knicks, in essence, traded David Lee for cap space to pursue Amare Stoudemire and trade for Carmelo Anthony.  As good as they look on paper, especially now with Jeremy Lin, they aren't in any better shape than the Warriors currently.  

For all of David Lee's shortcomings on defense, he is an offensive force at times, and he has a consistent jumper that helps open the floor for his teammates.  He is also a willing passer.  It doesn't make up for his lack of defense, yet he is now going to be paired with Andrew Bogut.

Bottomline: Monta Ellis doesn't play defense.  Monta Ellis is not as good long term as Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson.  Monta Ellis is not as important to a playoff team as Andrew Bogut.

Every single Warrior that has been brought in plays defense since the front office was completely built.

Klay Thompson

Kwame Brown

Dominic McGuire

Brandon Rush

 

Nate Robinson

Andrew Bogut

Stephen Jackson

Every one of those players puts in work on the defensive side of the ball.

PG Stephen Curry (backed up by Nate Robinson)

SG Klay Thompson (backed up by Brandon Rush)

SF Dorell Wright (backed up by Stephen Jackson)

PF David Lee (backed up by Dominic McGuire)

C Andrew Bogut (backed up by Andris Biedrins)

{That would be a fun 5-on-5 to watch.}

with Charles Jenkins and Jeremy Tyler, that is a much more balanced team with a very talented bench.

If Stephen Jackson can embrace the 6th man type role that Nate Robinson has, we can be tough to beat next year.

We will certainly look to bring in a rookie or two to challenge for playing time

I could see the Warriors bringing in a rookie SF to make Stephen Jackson expendable.

(Ideally, Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist)

I could see the Warriors bringing in a rookie C to make Jeremy Tyler work and Andris more expendable.

I could even see the Warriors bring back Kwame Brown this off-season.

 

Saltzman Says... Golden State Warriors State of the Franchise 2012

We are 10 games into a 66 game, condensed schedule, lockout shortened season.  The Warriors, 3-7, like play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerald predicted on his KNBR radio show, are off to a bumpy, injury prone, dramatic start.

The Good - The Warriors have beaten two teams, Miami and Chicago that have combined for 18 wins already this year, and also beat the New York Knicks. 

The Bad - The Warriors played 7 of their 1st 10 at home and have a losing record (3-4) at home.

The Ugly - It will get worse before it gets better.  Stephen Curry has missed most of the season so far with sprained ankles that have come 3 separate times this season.  Also, Kwame Brown is done for the season with a torn chest muscle.

As far as the franchise goes, the team seems to have a good nucleus in place in the front office and with their staff.  Joe Lacob, the principle owner of the franchise, hired Jerry West to serve of his executive board, hired Rick Welts as his president, Bob Myers as his asst. GM, and hired Mark Jackson as his head coach.  While West's reputation is legendary and Welts is as well respected around the league as anybody, Myers and Jackson are brand new to their job descriptions.  Myers is a former player agent and Jackson is a former player and analyst.  That being said, Myers is one of the most respected player agents in the game, and who better to deal with other agents, than a former one.  Jackson, while never having coached before, certainly knows how to lead, whether as a starting point guard in the NBA for 17 seasons or at his church as the pastor.  It can certainly be said that the health of the organization at the top is good news for fans.

As far as the team goes, they are a long way from respectability.  Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Dorell Wright, David Lee and Andris Biedrins is the team's starting lineup if everyone is healthy, and that if has been a big one the last year and 10 games.  Ekpe Udoh is the only other returner from last season.  The team found a lot of 1 year replacements to fill out the roster this season.  Kwame Brown, who was brought in to fill the void of a true backup center, is out for the year with a torn chest muscle.  The combination of Brown and Biedrins certainly helped the team's interior defense. Second year man Udoh has had to log critical minutes at center this season, and he was certainly over matched against the best center in the game last night in Dwight Howard.  Lee's primary backup is Dominic McGuire.  Wright's primary backup is Brandon Rush who has a qualifying offer for next season.  Rookie Klay Thompson is the primary backup to Ellis and veteran Nate Robinson was brought in to backup Stephen Curry.  Second year man Ish Smith and rookie Charles Jenkins can both play point guard as well, and rookie Jeremy Tyler is another big body that is very raw.

The team should have about $14 million to spend next season and about $19 million to spend in 2013/14.  That kind of money should give the team some flexibility heading into the off-seasons.  None of the new players this year will cost the team much more than they are making this year.  Brown, McGuire, Rush, Robinson and Smith could all be brought back to small, reasonable contracts.  That kind of versatility hasn't been the case in several years for the Warriors.

Also, with each passing year, Ellis, Biedrins and Lee's contracts become more trade friendly.  The turnover between this year and next year could finally see some changes to the starting lineup.  As fans, people will be hoping for a trade deadline miracle along the likes of Baron Davis a few years ago.  We'll see if the new ownership has something up their sleeve.

Saltzman Says...two sides to every Warrior

Warriors are entering a new season with a new owner, new asst. general manager, new head coach, and some new players.  Optimism is in the air like the smell of old converse sneakers in the old run down gym used to shoot the movie Hoosiers.

As a season ticket holder since 2005, I cannot share the optimism.  However, here is the best case scenario and worst case scenario for each player this season.

PG Stephen Curry
Positive:  He is entering his third season, and usually that is when a young point guard can really blossom.  He has improved several parts of his game, and as the unquestioned leader of the team, he can elevate even further with a more disciplined approach to defense.  Becomes one of the best PG's in the game.

Negative: He is undersized for PG on both ends of the floor, and he is never able to defend his position.  He regresses as a passer and struggles to run the offense.  Ends up a 2nd unit 2 guard like Jason Terry or Ben Gordon or J.J. Redick, instead of an elite PG.

SG Monta Ellis
Positive: He doesn't care about anything but winning.  He becomes the NBA steals leader without sacrificing the lane again and again.  He becomes a solid defender, and continues to be deadly from 18'.  His three point shot improves, and he gets to the free throw line more with his takes to the basket.

Negatives: The trade rumors continue, the turmoil with management never heals, he is sent packing and never lives up to his full potential in Oakland.  Worse, he stays here, but stays a shoot first, shoot second 2 guard with no defense to be proud of and never goes to the line.

SF Dorell Wright
Positives: He continues to be one of the best 3 point shooters in the game, but his defense is the centerpiece of Mark Jackson's team.  He is able to stabilize Kobe, LeBron, and Dirk at different times during the year, and his defense makes him one of the best all around players in the league.

Negatives: He becomes nothing more than an outside shooter.  His defense falters and he becomes a liability as the starting 3.

PF David Lee
Positives: His grit and toughness evolves into production on the defensive end, and his hustle and hard work allows him to lead the league in offensive rebounds.  His double double's help lead the team on both ends of the floor.

Negatives: His offense becomes nothing more than an occasional elbow jumper.  He becomes a stat collector for rebounds and never grabs a hustle rebound or gets a key put back.  His money becomes a strain on the team's finances and they can't bring in an impact player for several years.

C Andris Biedrins
Positives: His double double's come back, as he gets back to using his quickness to get to the glass without fear of the free throw line.  His defense gets even better as he solidifies the back end of the defense.  His free throw shot improves with dedication.

Negatives: His game is shot, his toughness is permanently gone, and he becomes a $9 million lump on the end of the bench.

Bench

PG Charles Jenkins
Positives: He gets added to the long list of New York City PG's who flourish in the NBA.  He gets points in the paint and makes great passes on the offensive end, and holds his own on defense.

Negatives: He can't get accustomed to the NBA, and struggles with turnovers and his defense at the next level.

SG/SF Klay Thompson
Positives: Becomes a seamless transition to the NBA, much like Stephen Curry, with his NBA lineage.  His shot keeps him earning minutes, and his points per game helps lead a young bench to a much improved season.

Negatives: Can't hang on the defensive end with his size and lack of elite quickness and he can't get his own shot at the NBA level.

PF Ekpe Udoh
Positives: His defense anchors the 2nd unit and he becomes a relentless rebounder and shot blocker.  He starts to learn the offensive side of the game a little and can put up points with open jumpers.

Negatives: Is a complete non factor on the offensive end, and spends too much time on the bench in foul trouble.  He gets handled by bigger and stronger 4's and can't keep good 4's out of the paint for easy points.

C Kwame Brown
Positives: His defense keeps the rim off limits to the 2nd unit and he earns some starts with his defensive play.  He actually provides 6-8 PPG with put backs and hustle plays and contributes on both ends.

Negatives: He becomes a trade piece at the trade deadline on his one year deal and he has no impact on the offensive end at all.  He becomes a 6 foul defender who can't help at the 5, and leaves Biedrins on the floor way too many minutes a game.  Even worse, Lou Amundson and Biedrins are stuck playing key center minutes because of his inability to play.

PF Lou Amundson
Positives: Great energy guy off the bench who helps the 2nd unit keep the best teams out of the paint and away from 2nd chance points.

Negatives: Becomes a liability on both ends with an inability to score and a inability to defend.

C Jeremy Tyler
Positives: Becomes a force in the middle by the end of the year with his ability on both ends.  Is the steal of the draft with his size and ability.  Can score in the low post and can defend the rim.  No need for Kwame Brown next year because of his growth.

Negatives: Permanent D-League player who never makes it to Oakland.

Saltzman Says...Bay Area Bullets 10/27/2011

• 49ers are coming off a bye week at 5-1, with a three game lead in the NFC West and the Cleveland Browns coming into town.  Even Jim Harbaugh had no idea they could be in the driver seat this much.  "Who's does it better than us?  NOBODY!"  I guess not.
• Raiders head into their bye week with more questions than answers despite a mostly successful first half.  Injuries to key players, including Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden, and the big news of Carson Palmer have turned an up and coming team, back into the Raiders again.  Can Hue Jackson turn the ship around once again...stay tuned.
• Warriors will be having a charity basketball game at San Jose State November 5th.  Matt Barnes has organized a 'We Believe' team vs the current Warriors.  Baron Davis and Monta Ellis have not confirmed attending however.
• Let the cost cutting begin, as the A's cut Michael Wuertz, who would have earned $3.25 million.
• A's might be buying 5 acres of land cheap near HP Pavilion.  The city of San Jose must approve the purchase, as well as Major League Baseball.
• Despite a record of 8-12-14, the Earthquakes only have 1 loss in their last 5 games.
• Stanford takes on USC Saturday at 5pm on ABC.  This will do a lot to determine who has the upper hand in the PAC-12.

Will HP Pavilion have a new neighbor from Oakland?

Saltzman Says...We still Believe!!!

According to Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area, the "We Believe" Warriors plan to take on the current Warriors in a charity game.

Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and Al Harrington are all rumored to be a part of a charity game to take on Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, Dorell Wright, David Lee, and Andris Biedrins.

Bottom line, 'We Believe' will destroy them.

Saltzman Says...ON Twitter!!

SaltzmanSays is now on Twitter

Get all the latest Bay Area Sports Updates.  See the latest August Waiver Wire news for the A's and Giants.  Check out the latest free agent news on the 49ers and Raiders.  Check out the latest on the Warriors and Sharks off-season, and keep up with all the local college teams. 

Saltzman Says...Warriors collecting peices

The Warriors have brought in a brain trust to rival most NBA teams. Jerry West and company know the best thing Golden State can do is to collect players other teams will covet. By grabbing three prospects in the draft, the Warriors have more options heading into free agency.

Klay Thompson - the son of former #1 overall pick Mychal Thompson, gives the Warriors a 6-7 swingman to join Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. If you add restricted free agent Reggie Williams, the Warriors have four players who can score the basketball and could be assets other teams want. Most NBA teams don't call the Warriors about Acie Law or Charlie Bell and Jeremy Lin is a project at best.

Charles Jenkins - adding Jenkins, a 6-3 New York City point guard out of Hofstra, the Warriors have a possible upgrade at point to Law and Lin. Curry and Ellis desperately need minutes off the floor over the 82 game season and beyond, and these two guards can help with that.

Jeremy Tyler - the Warriors then went out and spent $2 million buying the draft rights to Tyler from Charlotte. Tyler is a 6-10 power forward who recently turned 20 and skipped his senior year of high school to play professionally overseas. If the gamble pays off, Tyler could be one of the two big bodies the Warriors desperately need to go with Andris Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh, David Lee and Lou Amundson.

If nothing else, the Warriors added three players to use as building blocks or trade bait as they look to finally get back to the post season.

Saltzman Says...Warriors making all the parts fit

When word first got out that the Warriors hired Bob Myers, nobody jumped up and down because nobody knew who he was.  They word spread that not only was he an agent, but that he had some of the best players in the NBA as clients.  More to the point, he was the right hand man for the best agent in basketball, Arn Tellem. 

Then, the Warriors impressed the NBA world when they decided to hire Jerry West to be a consultant on basketball decisions.  Joe Lacob gained immediate credibility for bringing in arguably the greatest basketball mind there is.

The next step was to finally replace Keith Smart, who was fired after the season, and in comes Mark Jackson.  Jackson, who was the most well known name available, was brought in to add more national attention to this afterthought of a franchise.  Despite capturing the NBA fan's imagination in 2007 with a rare post season run, the Warriors can be looked at as one of the worst run franchises in basketball.  Now that chris cohan is no longer the owner, and Joe Lacob has showed a commitment to spend on quality, perceptions can change.

The team is coming off a 10 game improvement from their dismal 2009-10 season, and they are certainly letting the league take notice of their actions.

The one side note that makes all of these moves very interesting is how these people are connected:  Both Myers and West have deep rooted connections to Arn Tellem.  However, it is also intriguing to note that Mark Jackson and Mike Malone have the same agent as well.  Despite being the top assistant in New Orleans, Mike Malone has been brought in to the same role in Golden State.  Very rarely do the Warriors outbid for someone, and even less often when they are sought after by more impressive franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers.  Malone coached for Mike Brown, the new Los Angeles Lakers head coach, but he also coahed Jackson, and more to the point, have the same agent.  Steven Kauffmann also represents current Warriors assistant Jerry Sichting, who is well known for his x's and o's as well. 

Former Golden State Warriors assistants Mario Elie and Sidney Moncrief are also represented by Kauffman

Saltzman Says...Who do you want for Monta Ellis?

Let's play the ever popular, WHAT IF GAME??

We all think tomorrow will be better than today.  It's the life of a sports fan.  Every trade proposal is viewed solely from your team's perspective.  Of course it can be pointless, but fan is short for fanatic, so why not do things that make little sense once in a while.

Monta Ellis is a 6'3" shooting guard who would be best served as the deadliest 6th man in basketball history with his combination of speed and scoring ability.

Which of these 5 trades makes the most sense for BOTH teams and is the most likely to ACTUALLY happen.

Remember, with Jerry West and Bob Myers running the Warriors now, we might actually do this:

1. Trade Scenario #1
Trade Monta Ellis to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala
Reason for Philly - With Evan Turner, the 76ers have their shooting guard of the future, but tagging him with Ellis means that they finally have a closer at the end of games.  They couldn't score in the 4th quarter in the post season this past year, and Ellis can be the guy that gets them over the hump.

2. Trade Scenario #2
Trade Monta Ellis to Chicago for Luol Deng
Reason for Chicago - The Bulls have a very good defensive system and great team defense.  Despite Deng's value on defense, the team can make up for his loss on that end, to get what they've been missing since Ben Gordon signed with Detroit.  Gordon could light up the scoreboard, and that is what Ellis can bring to a Bulls team on the cusp of a Finals appearance this year.

3. Trade Scenario #3
Trade Monta Ellis to Memphis for Rudy Gay
Reason for Memphis: The Grizzlies proved two things in the playoffs.  If they re-sign Marc Gasol, they have a team they can build around Zach Randolph and Gasol.  If they re-sign Gasol, they might need to clear some money.  Moving Gay and possibly O.J. Mayo in separate deals could clear enough space to sign Gasol and bring in a replacement for Mayo in Ellis.  Ellis is what they want from Mayo, which is a dominant offensive presence.

4. Trade Scenario #4
Trade Monta Ellis to Portland for Brandon Roy
Reason for Trailblazers:  Brandon Roy's knees are to the point where he may never play again.  With Greg Oden and Roy, the team has 2 pairs of knees that are keeping the Blazers from succeeding in the post-season.  Ellis is a sure thing at this point for 20 PPG, and adding Ellis would allow the Blazers to build around LaMarcus Aldridge instead of Roy.

Saltzman Says...With Bob Myers as our new Asst. GM, Roy is an intriguing option considering he is his former agent.  If anyone knows Roy's health status, it's Myers.  If we can bring in one of the best players in the NBA, who is a 6'6 guard we can team with Curry, it might be worth the health risk.  Worst case scenario is we can clear the money to bring in a big name free agent big to build our team around.

Saltzman Says...Bay Area Bullets

• Hard Luck Cain - Matt Cain pitched 7 1/3 last night, allowing 2 runs, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead.  Juan Uribe got the big hit, a 2 out, full count double to left center off of Brian Wilson in the bottom of the eighth.  

• Cody Ross is Boss Again? - Cody Ross hit a three run home run in the 9th to give the Giants a 8-5 win after blowing a 5-2 lead in the eighth.
• Mark DeRosa has played his last game? - DeRosa's wrist hit another setback last night, and it could mean the 2 year DeRosa experiment has failed for the last time.
• Sharks get Chewed Up - Sharks get destroyed in Game 2, specifically on power play after power play and lose 7-3.  No Sharks team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in team history.  The Sharks are 0-8 in series after losing the first two.  They have never even taken it 7 in any of those series.  Is this Sharks team the best of them all...only one way to prove it.
• A's lose in extras - A Daric Barton error in the 10th led to an unearned run and a extra innings loss for the A's.
• Ping Pong Balls bounce for Cleveland - Warriors haven't moved up to the top 3 since Joe Smith was the #1 overall selection by the team in 1995.  The Warriors will stay at 11, which means unless somebody in the top 10 wants a current Warrior more than their pick, the Warriors won't be getting a top 10 talent they so desperately need.
• Raiders Head Coach selling tickets - Everyone from the CEO to head coach Hue Jackson to actual ticket reps are being asked by the Raiders to sell season tickets during the lockout.  The Raiders decided instead of laying off their workers, creating furlough days or cutting back, they would put everyone to work.  Of all the strange things to come from Mount Davis, this one is one of the hardest to define.  Is it brilliant and encouraging, or is it crazy and typical of the organization?
• Richard Seymour and Jason Campbell in charge? - Seymour and Campbell are running a camp in Atlanta for all Raiders players, and 25 have already committed to being there for a four day camp.  Seymour will be in charge of the defense and Campbell will run the offense.

Saltzman Says...Warriors next coach nearing decision?

Joe Lacob is back in the country.  What does this mean for the Warriors fan base?  According to some reports, the Warriors will go through the June draft without a coach.  According to other reports, however, the Warriors will pick up the pace considerably now that Lacob is back from his vacation.  Larry Riley, the Warriors general manager, has apparently already started the interviewing. According to SI.com, Golden State officials met with former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown and top Dallas assistant Dwayne Casey last week.  The Warriors have also received permission according to different reports to speak to Lawrence Frank of the Celtics and Chuck Person and Brian Shaw of the Lakers.  Frank was a former head coach in New Jersey and Brian Shaw is an Oakland native.  The three potential candidates that seem to be out of the running are long time Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, former Houston Rockets and New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy and top San Antonio Assistant, Mike Budenholzer, who is believe to be the future successor of Gregg Poppovich.

Could Brian Shaw come home to Oakland to lead the Warriors?

So again, what does this all mean for the Warriors fan base?  It seems clear that Joe Lacob, Larry Riley and Bob Myers, the Warriors new assistant GM, have a plan in place.  It seems like, from an outsider's view, that the coach is a chip in the same way the players are.  If you believe reports that the coach might not be hired until after the draft, than the next coach's opinion of his own players loses its value.

It would seem that barring a big trade, Stephen Curry, David Lee, Dorell Wright, Ekpe Udoh, and Monta Ellis are the safest bets to stay, probably in that order.  As much as the team publicly loves Monta, it is possible that the team would move him if it meant getting a better defender to team with Curry.  If talks were to heat up with Philadelphia, for example, for Andre Iguodala, a swap of perimeter players could happen.  Andris Biedrins also seems a safe bet to stay, but only because his stock has never been lower.

Reggie Williams, Acie Law, Al Thornton, Charlie Bell, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Lou Amundson could all be moved or released.  Amundson is the only one of that group that is a strong defender.  With Jeff Adrien and Jeremy Lin possibly playing more in the D-League than the NBA next year, that means that only 7 players by my count are likely to return next year.

PG Stephen Curry
SG Monta Ellis
SF Dorell Wright
PF David Lee
C Andris Biedrins
PF/C Ekpe Udoh
PF/C Lou Amundson
------------------
PG Jeremy Lin
PF Jeff Adrien

The Warriors would desperately need a starter at C who can score, a defensive minded guard, and a defensive minded wing player.  Those three positions that have been discussed quite heavily this off-season, would give the Warriors the 8 man rotation all good teams possess.  With Biedrins and Amundson allowed to be fringe players instead of consistent contributors, the team's chances for success would improve dramatically.

I will keep you all posted.

Saltzman Says...Warriors can learn from playoffs

Here's hoping every Warrior player and front office member is watching every second of the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder's series in round two of the Western Conference semi-finals.  The Western Conference has always been loaded with talented players and teams, specifically big men, and this series shows how close and yet how far the Warriors really are.

As important as it is to have a Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook or a Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to run your team through, it is as critical to have a Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison or Thabo Sefolosha, as well as a Tony Allen, Shane Battier and Darrell Arthur.  Those six role players have been monumental defensively.  They have helped their teams not only to get to the second round, but also in scaring the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks who are battling for the right to play them.  Also not to be forgotten are roles of players like Eric Maynor and Greivis Vasquez who have been outstanding running the point for the 2nd unit.  Perkins, Collison, Sefolosha and Maynor have helped the Thunder become one of the best all-around teams in basketball.  Allen, Battier, Arthur and Vazquez have done the same for the Grizzlies.

The 2011-12 Warriors will only be as good as the team they build.  Hopefully with Bob Myers hired as the assistant GM to Larry Riley, the Warriors will be more active in bringing in the right pieces to be a playoff basketball team every year.

Will the hiring of Bob Myers be the change that leads to smarter personnel decisions?

Saltzman Says...Hire Rick Adelman

Rick Adelman has parted ways with the Houston Rockets.  The Warriors have a good coach in Keith Smart, but the Warriors need a great coach.  The Warriors had Rick Adelman once before, and gave in zero talent the first time he was here.  He admitted as much in the article that good players make good coaches.  However, if we can convince Adelman to come to Oakland, and bring in a big man he can work with, we will have the pieces in place to get to the post-season.  We also might be able to bring in great role players like Chuck Hayes, Shane Battier and even Yao Ming.  Riley talked about bringing in another big man.  Hayes and Ming are among several centers available this off-season.  Riley talked about bringing in another defender on the perimeter, and Shane Battier is certainly the definition of that.  Battier and Dorell Wright locking up the 48 minutes at the small forward would give us a great upgrade.  We also need a third guard, and with the hiring of Bob Myers who knows the league and was the agent for some pretty special big guards like Brandon Roy, Tyreke Evans and great role players like Kendrick Perkins.

Saltzman Says...The Warriors get a D+

Golden State Warriors: D+

The Warriors didn't make the playoffs for the 16th time in 17 seasons.  At this point in the Franchise's history, making the playoffs should be considered a C.  In a league where 16 of the 30 teams make the post-season every year, a drought like this is unforgivable.  Making the playoffs is what they are suppose to do.  If a student does the bare minimum in class, it is a C effort, where as if they go above and beyond, it is an A or B effort.  The Warriors have been a D franchise for nearly two decades, and getting the 8th seed in the post-season would be a C.  If they could win a series, like in 2007, or get one of the top 5 or 6 seeds, that would be a B, and obviously getting to the Conference Finals or better would be an A.

Joe Lacob and Peter Guber: C-

The owners did more talking than walking in their first year as owners.  They approved the upgrade of talent over future with the David Lee trade, they made a lot of promises that haven't panned out and they continue to talk big.  They get a C- for doing nothing yet.  They seem to have the potential to be A owners down the road.  The hiring of Bob Myers, a great agent who knows basketball, to be an assistant GM is a step in the right direction.  We'll see what they do with the coach.

Larry Riley: C

Riley started his career with the Warriors as an assistant coach, and then his promotion to the front office started by dumping Jamal Crawford, Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette.  While those three players are competing for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, the Warriors were downgraded with every trade.  However, the cost cutting has finally ended.  Now, with a more determined ownership group, and a more patient approach, the Warriors have spent more on scouting and on the draft.  Stephen Curry and Ekpe Udoh are certainly two building blocks for a strong future.  The Warriors signing of Dorell Wright this off-season (a deal worked out between Larry Riley and Bob Myers) was also a great piece.  A great outside shooter who can defend his position well could turn out to be one of the great free agent steals in a long time.  This off-season will test Riley.  Can he bring in a big man who can push Andris Biedrins in practice and play alongside Lee and Udoh.  A fifth big man to go with those three and Lou Amundson will be his biggest test.  Then, he needs to add a wing player that will be a defensive upgrade over the collection of Al Thornton, Vladimir Radmanovic and Reggie Williams.  Finally, he will need to bring in a third guard who can be a significant contributor.  Acie Law and Jeremy Lin showed flashes, primarily because they work hard, but they need an talent upgrade at the position, especially defensively. 

Nobody knew at the time that Wright would contribute so much.

Keith Smart: C

Smart was in a lose-lose when he took over for Don Nelson.  The Warriors needed someone who would light a fire in the players on the court and keep the locker room a great place to come to work.  However, even after accomplishing both, he couldn't match the strategy of more seasoned coaches, and he couldn't get his players to out talent more talented teams.  Being asked to make the playoffs without an all-star or a defensive presence in the paint is a near impossible task for any coach.  Yet ultimately, it might be exactly why the owners look for a more proven coach to replace Smart this off-season.

Players by Grade:
Dorell Wright: A-

Wright is the only A in the group because he is the only player this season that exceeded everyone's expectations.  Wright became the first player in the history of the NBA to score more points in year seven than he had scored in six previous years.  If that doesn't make him a shoe-in for the Most Improved Player award, then they should ban the award from ever being given.  He became one of the most reliable outside shooters in the game and gave him an opportunity to take part in the 3 point shootout during All-Star weekend.  He also was the team's best perimeter defender, which isn't saying much, but he did do a great job defending his man.  He was the best player on the Warriors at both ends of the floor.

Monta Ellis: B+

Monta was one of the leading scorers in all of baseball, became a great closer at the end of games, and despite getting banged up all year, was healthy enough to play almost the entire season.  He scored nearly 2,000 points, and he improved defensively.  Yet, as the Warriors best players, he rarely made his teammates better and he didn't play enough on the defensive end to warrant being the best player on the team.  Great players lead their teams to the playoffs.  He hasn't yet.  Baron Davis was the last great player on the Warriors.  Ellis hasn't become great yet.

Stephen Curry: B

Curry didn't play as well as people expected, but as a second year point guard in a point guard league, expectations were high.  He did become one of the most exciting offense point guards in the game in just two years, earned his way to All-Star weekend for a skills competition he won, and proved at times he could outplay some of the best point guards in the game.  However, as long as him and Ellis start together, they will both be downgraded overall because of their defense.  Until they play better defense, they will not be A players.

Ekpe Udoh: B-

The amount of potential on the defensive end is endless, yet he had no expectations on offense.  If he commits to the defensive end, without giving up his effort level on offense, he can become a great 1-2 punch with David Lee once they find another center.  Out of position, Udoh played admirably.  After sitting out the first few months of the season with a broken wrist, Udoh learned on the job in mid-season.  A lot to ask for a rookie.

David Lee: C+

For $80 million, clearly Lee is seen by management as a building block for a championship.  Together with Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, it is clear that is what they looked at as a winning formula.  It got them to 36 wins.  To me, $80 million should help a team make a 16 team playoff structure out of only 30 teams.  Lee did play well at times, and his numbers clearly were an upgrade at the power forward position.

Acie Law: C+

Law is an average point guard at best, but he played hard, fought for his minutes, and justified his playing time.  He isn't the answer at point guard next year as Curry's backup but he had an admirable year in his second stint in Oakland.

Vladimir Radmanovic: C-

Not sure if anything was expected out of Radmanovic when he was thrown into the Stephen Jackson trade along with Raja Bell.  Most likely he will not be brought back, and for how little help the team has on the bench, it is sad that they wouldn't want there most consistent bench player.  That tells you a little something about how bad 'Bad Vlad' and his bench was.

Reggie Williams: C-

The fact that one of the worst teams in basektball has one of the top 3 point shooters in basketball in Williams and might not bring him back for another year should say something about the rest of his game.  His inability to develop anything beyond an outside shot is why he is deserving of his grade.

Lou Amundson: D+

When healthy, he showed what he can do in an NBA game, which is fight for rebounds, play some defense, hustle, and do a lot of the intangibles that is necessary from a bench player.  His time in a suit this year is as much a reason for the grade as his limited potential to do any more than what he did this season.

Jeremy Lin: D+

Lin showed flashes of toughness, defense, and some point guard ability.  He clearly was successful in the D-league which does say something about his ability to contribute in the NBA.  Will he be enough to backup Stephen Curry in 2011-12?  I don't think he has shown enough to warrant that yet.

Al Thornton: D+

Thornton has never lived up to his potential and he was given a chance to be a backup small forward on a team desperate for offense off the bench.  Thornton has Corey Maggette like potential off the bench, but he hasn't figured out how to do that night in and night out.  Until he does, he won't be worthy of a rotation spot on the Warriors.

Jeff Adrien: D+

Good is he was brought back this season after posting monster rebounding numbers in the D-League.  Bad is he never played well enough to showcase those skills in the Warriors rotation which is in desperate need of rebounding.

Andris Biedrins: F

Biedrins has now become a laughinstock around the league with his gutless play and one of the most overpaid players in the game.  He refuses to adjust at the charity stripe, and his shot is awful.  Don Nelson commented during the season that one of the reasons they let him go was by suggesting that Biedrins work with Rick Barry on underhand free throws.  What a brilliant idea, from one of the best offensive minds in the game and the greatest scorer in Warriors history.  No matter what Biedrins does next year, his 2010-11 will go down as one of the most pitiful by a Warrior in a long time.  And that is saying something.

Charlie Bell: F

It is sad that a player like Bell can steal money from an organization.  Absolute waste of space.  Must be released this off-season, or moved to a team desperate for expiring contracts.
-----------------------------


Marcus Thompson III's take on the Warriors:  Here is the link

Saltzman Says... Don Nelson speaks out now that he's unemployed

Rusty Simmons article at SFGate.com

"I got fired when I asked him to (shoot underhanded)," Nelson said, and there was no follow-up question. Nelson maintained that he had Rick Barry lined up to instruct Biedrins.

"I made the dumbest trade in my history when I traded (Mitch Richmond) for Billy Owens."

"I begged the (ownership) to keep Chris Webber and let me go ... and I could have been in San Antonio and had Tim Duncan."

"I thought we should trade Patrick Ewing and whoever else it took to get Shaq (O'Neal, when Nelson was coach) in New York. The next day, someone told Patrick Ewing, and that was the end of my career there."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/21/SPCE1IGJT8.DTL#ixzz1HRKuTSLm

Saltzman Says... Baron Davis needs some love

Baron Davis is one of the greatest Golden State Warriors of the last 30 years. Anyone who followed the Warriors during Baron's time in Oakland knows how much he loved his Grandmother. She passed away last week. Even though he is in Cleveland now, he needs our help to regain his gift. It was a gift that would not be possible without his Grandmother and now he doesn't have her to lean on.

"This is the first time in my life where I can't think and I can't find anything. There's just no depth to the person and character of who I am right now," said Davis.

"I'm at a loss for words right now. I wish i could tell you. I'm kind of numb. I'm kind of here and there. The best way to describe it is numb. It's tough."

Davis' 89-year-old grandmother had been ill for some time. He wanted to be close to her and his family and needed the time away in Los Angeles over this past week. But even when he returns to the game, Davis is reminded of Nicholson.

It's no wonder Davis chose to wear No. 85 with the Cavs. It was his way of paying respect to his late grandparents. Their house was on 85th St. in Los Angeles.

"Every day I just have to use this as an opportunity and let things happen -- let life and the cycle happen. I'm going to head back home and I just have to be strong for my family while I am there, and then head back to Cleveland and have some peace of mind and have some alone time, can sit and reflect and pick up the pieces and start over."

Saltzman Says...I signed with the Warriors

Warriors Sign Season Ticket Holder Michael Saltzman
Golden State Excited to Retain Another Shareholder for Upcoming Season

OAKLAND, CA - The Golden State Warriors have signed season ticket holder Michael Saltzman for the 2011-12 season, co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber announced today. Saltzman came to terms on an agreement that ensures another member to the greatest fan base in all of professional sports.

A resident of San Jose, CA, Saltzman has been a Warriors season ticket holder since 2005.

“This renewal plan is just one small example of our commitment to our shareholders,” said Lacob. “We owe it to our incredible fans, like Michael, to raise our level of expectations for this organization and to perform at the highest level in all possible phases.”

“We feel very fortunate to retain a fan like Michael for the upcoming season,” said Guber.

“Michael is a valued member of our organization, and one of the key components to the unmatched atmosphere at Oracle Arena. Our goal is to honor and reward our fans’ loyalty in every way possible.”

Saltzman Says...Warriors must learn from the Buford/Presti Way

The two best GM's in basketball, R.C. Buford of the Spurs and Sam Presti of the Thunder have a simple philosophy about what to look for in the players they bring into their organizations:

"We know what we are looking for (hard-working, high-character, team-oriented, mentally tough, coachable and unselfish players), and the important component of it is knowing what works and what doesn't work — and that qualifies your risk," Buford said. "There are NBA players who aren't necessarily Spurs, and there are Spurs who may not fit someplace else."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/2007-05-21-cover-buford_N.htm

"Then I thought about it for a minute, and I couldn't do that to my guys," Durant says (when asked why he ran suicides up a hill at the Oklahoma City practice facility voluntarily) . "It wouldn't have been fair to them." The Hill does not afford preferential treatment. Front-office executives drop their Blackberries, swap dress clothes for practice gear and run suicides. Entry-level assistants join them. When they are all sufficiently gassed, they head back to the pickup trucks, Durant sneaking a spot in a bed before coaches wisely point him to a passenger seat.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1176118/1/index.htm#ixzz1G8kTt4ss

If you believe Stephen Curry, David Lee, Ekpe Udoh and Dorell Wright fit this mold, than maybe the combination of Keith Smart and Larry Riley make sense going forward.  However, does Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Charlie Bell fit that mold?  That would mean half of the highest paid players on the roster don't fit the mold for success. 



hard-working, high-character, team-oriented, mentally tough, coachable and unselfish players

Saltzman Says...Trade Warriors need to consider

Andris Biedrins to Toronto for their Chris Bosh Trade exemption
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4enc3gc

We need to give up on Biedrins.  Send him to a team with some good European players that might be willing to take a flyer on a 7'0" who is still 25.

We need to let our most recent lottery pick get some serious minutes at the 5 and with Amundson back and Adrien signed, we don't need to waste 15 minutes a night on Biedrins.