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Note - This weblog is devoted to the Golden State Warriors 2005 - 2006 season. As a freelance statistician for the Warriors radio broadcasts on KNBR 680 radio, I will bring readers a fresh perspective on the Warriors that you can not find in the local papers or in mainstream NBA publications. Relax, read and enjoy my GSW weblog!
December 25 - Merry XMAS everybody!!! I hope that the holiday season is treating all of you very well. With my family being on the east coast (NY), I decided to stay west this XMAS and see family in January for a little skiing, Rocky Mountain style. So, being an XMAS orphan, this gives me time to catch up on life. With a new job and a crazy schedule, I need to update my website on all NBA and GSW news, not to mention some updates about my publishing career (online marketer with www.infoworld.com). As I sit home watching SAN/DET, two teams I saw earlier this year play GSW (SAN blew out the W’s while the DET game was the best game I have worked in several years (if you are a first time reader, I run stats for GSW radio (15 – 20 games/season), one thing is apparent (aside from these two teams being the Association’s best). Both teams have tremendous inside presence on both the offensive and defense end of the court. GSW lacks that presence and subsequently continue to launch from beyond the arc, leading the Association is 3pt FG attempted at 24.86/game (slightly more than SEA at 24/game) while ranking 26th in the league in 3pt FG percentage (31.8%) as of Dec .16th). Friday night may provide Coach Montgomery to revisit his offensive philosophy, at least when Ike Diogu is on the court. Diogu, in 32 minutes of play, was 13 – 15 FG (mostly 10ft and in) finishing w/27 points and 7 rebounds in an inspired effort by GSW, despite a season high four consecutive losses (all on the road), to DET 97 – 85. Diogu provided the inside offensive that has been missing since Antawn Jamison played for the W’s. Diogu provided all sorts of headaches for Rasheed Wallace and even slammed one over Big Ben Wallace. While Troy Murphy has shown more inclination to go inside in the past month, Diogu’s game was eye opening. And when the referees begin to recognize his aggressive style causes fouls by the opponents interior defenders, I expect to see Diogu camped at the charity stripe (only 1 of 2 Friday night – he should have been there 10x). Diogu’s presence will open up options for Baron Davis and Mike Dunleavy (who is right back in his own malaise), making the GSW offensive more well-rounded. The next couple of games at home (12.26 v DEN; 12.28 v BOS) will be indicative of the course GSW will be taking the remainder of the season. Let’s hope the direction includes the young turk from ASU. For more NBA information, please visit my website at www.allan-brown.com/nba/nba.php. I can also be reached by mail at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf".
December 23 - After a strong performance in Toronto to begin a 5-day east coast road trip, The Warriors have succumbed to poor starts, inadequate low post play and inconsistent defense in losing three straight to NJN, BOS and PHILA, all by double digit margins. GSW now stands at 14 - 12 and while guaranteed to be above .500 at XMAS for the first time since '93 - '94, there is a major cause of concern. With little low post offensive support by Adonal Foyle Troy Murphy, Andres Biedrins and Ike Diogu on this trip, the GSW have been relegated to launching from the three point stripe. As I have written time and again, when you live by the "3", you usually die by the three. Hence, GSW has lost 6 of 8, all aganist teams that they could have beaten if they had a low post presence. Coach Montgomery has indicated that Diogu's minutes are down because his defense is not strong and his propensity to foul is too high. My take is that the GSW need to let both Diogu and Biedrins play through their mistakes, allow them to be aggressive and create a bot of havoc underneath. While the league is definitely not dominated by the big man as it was years past, a back to the basket presence is essential for any playoff team. GSW, while improved, will be on the outside looking inside come April unless they develop the low post game. The Warriors cannot keep launching threes forever and still be considered a serious threat. And their plight does not get any easier with DET waiting in Auburn Hills with the Wallaces, Prince and McDyess waiting to make easy prey against the GSW frontcourt. For more NBA information, please visit my website at www.allan-brown.com/nba/nba.php. I can also be reached by mail at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf".
December 17 - GSW basketball has certainly experienced a renaissance. Since the arrival of Baron Davis last February, the Warriors have proved that they can compete with every team in the Association. They have validated this statement with their play against the upper echelon of the NBA, losing tight games v. DET (best game in OAK in three years, just a well-played game with a great deal of intensity), PHX and HOU ( had this one in the bank, but ran out of gas in OT) while going on the road for a win v. SEA in a highly contested (and testy contest Tuesday night). Problem is that they have yet to win that big game at home. I compare the W’s to the Cincinnati Bengals, another perennial loser who needed that one big win to get over the hump. The Bengals got theirs 11 days against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Question is, when will the W’s get theirs? The Warriors have been getting great guard play from Jason Richardson, Baron Davis and Derek Fisher. Calbert Cheaney has played a significant role since Mickael Pietrus went down with a knee sprain 24 days ago. Mike Dunleavy has been inconsistent, but his shot has been dropping; his average is now almost 40% after his horrific start. Troy Murphy is finally showing some inside game, but this team is still missing the guy who will play with his back to the basket. I think Ike Diogu is that guy, but he is not getting the minutes of late to prove the point. Last night, the W’s improved on their NBA high of 35 three-point shots attempt, setting a new standard at 37. However, launching from behind the arc has never won any team a championship in my lifetime, let alone my father’s peers. The “trey” can be exciting and momentum turning, but teams need the low post game in this game to win. As the W’s continue to improve, will they finally get over the hump, just like the Bengals, or commit seasonal suicide launching 3’s from behind the arc? If they develop the low post game to complement the outside shooting, they will be a tough matchup come May (and perhaps June). For more NBA information, please visit my website at www.allan-brown.com/nba/nba.php. I can also be reached by mail at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf".
December 8 - After a 5 day layoff, the Golden State Warriors met the Phoenix Suns last night in Oakland in the first of two "test" games for GSW. With DET enjoying the San Francisco restaurant scene (sorry, but very few teams stay in OAK anymore,) waiting for Friday night's contest in OAK, the Warriors face the toughest two game stretch of the young season. These two games are tests because. frankly speaking, the GSW have lost to the only elite team they have drawn this year (blown by SAN on Thanksgiving Eve). Riding a 5 game winning streak, mostly aganist mediocre to poor teams (UTAH, TOR, NOK, CHAR and SAC (SAC will be better as the starters jell) the GSW hosted PHX, who had won seven straight and do not seem to miss Amare Stoudamire as much as originally thought. With Warriors lost the front end of the test, losing 118 - 110 last night. The game was billed as a matchup of all-star PGs Baron Davis and Steve Nash, but the game was really decided on the glass, where PHX, traditionally a poor rebounding team, outboarded GSW 54 - 44, including 16 - 7 on the offensive glass. Kurt Thomas played a monster game, (17/14) and Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw (27/14 and 10/10) outplayed the GSW front court, who went to a three guard rotation in the absence of Troy Murphy (injury). Here lies the problem - Coach Montgomery, who has done a magnificient job this season, needs to let his young bigs play minutes and bang bodies a bit, Ike Diogu and Andre Biedrins combined for only 26 minutes, 8 pts and 6 rebs. The team they faced last night has a different make-up than last years PHX team. Kurt Thomas provides toughness and edge that PHX lack last year. Diaw is a much more physical player than Quentin Richardson (I never understood why critics think he is tough - he camps out at the three point line for 35 minutes) and Raja Bell is known to be a defender (that is why he remains in the league. GSW needed more front court production last night and will need the young bulls to play minutes and bang bodies Friday night v. DET. I hope Coach Montgomery unleashes the baby bulls Friday night. It will be interesting to see what happens. News from the East Bay - Say what you want about Mike Dunleavy, but this kid is tough. Fighting through a screen Wednesday night, He took a shoulder shiver from Brad Miller that would have sent more running backs to the sidelines to clear the head. Mike shook it off and played a great 4th Qtr, scoring 12 points, including a key three-pointer, in the GSW 113 - 106 win, Adonal Foyle scored 10 points Wednesday, 4 of which were on nifty low post moves than left Miller looking like a weighted statue. GSW goes for 5 in a row tonight v. the improved Charlotte Hornets. Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor and Brevin Knight have played well for this team in the early going; it will be interesting to see where CHAR stands at the 50 game mark. With over $30M in cap room for next season, CHAR is positioned to be a force in the Association sooner than later. For more NBA information, please visit my website at www.allan-brown.com/nba/nba.php. My Golden State Warriors Weblog can be accessed at http://www.allan-brown.com/nba/NBAInsideHoops.html. I can also be reached by mail at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf".
December 2 - The Golden State Warriors Wednesday's 113 - 106 victory over visiting Sacramento was important not only from an in-the-division win standpoint, but also because, for the first time since SAC relocated to northern California 21 seasons ago, there stands a chance that both teams could be competing for playoff spots in the same season. Both teams have never been over .500 in the same season since they both have resided in northern California. Barring significant injury to any front line player, this dubious trend will surely be broken. SAC started off slow, but have enough talent to be a 45 - 50 win, even with a weak bench. GSW is off to their best start at 11 - 6 since '74 - '75, the year of their only championship on the west coast. What I would like to see is the media begin to create a buzz about this dormant "rivalry". Other than NYK/NJN (eight miles) and LAL/LAC (50 feet), GSW/SAC are the two closest teams in terms of geographic proximity (82 miles by road). Only CHIC/MIL and NJN/PHILA and NYK/PHILA are less than 100 miles apart via road. A northern California rivalry in the NBA would be great for the sport and even better for the fans in the region. SAC fans are crazy about their Kings and GSW fans, down ridden for more than a decade, are loyal and loud when the Warriors are playing well. This rivalry could produce some great story lines and would create interest up and down Interstate 80. For all northern California basketball fans, let's hope it happens. News from the East Bay - Say what you want about Mike Dunleavy, but this kid is tough. Fighting through a screen Wednesday night, He took a shoulder shiver from Brad Miller that would have sent more running backs to the sidelines to clear the head. Mike shook it off and played a great 4th Qtr, scoring 12 points, including a key three-pointer, in the GSW 113 - 106 win, Adonal Foyle scored 10 points Wednesday, 4 of which were on nifty low post moves than left Miller looking like a weighted statue. GSW goes for 5 in a row tonight v. the improved Charlotte Hornets. Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor and Brevin Knight have played well for this team in the early going; it will be interesting to see where CHAR stands at the 50 game mark. With over $30M in cap room for next season, CHAR is positioned to be a force in the Association sooner than later.
Winning teams need contributions from players who accept their roles and contribute when called upon, even at a moment's notice. Calbert Cheaney is willing to do the little things now to help a team succeed. And believe me; Chris Mullin, Rod Higgins and Mike Montgomery know they have a gem in old #40. News from the East Bay - GSW goes for franchise tying 11th win in November (not to mention 4 in a row) v. SAC Wednesday night in OAK. Many SAC fans travel each road game to GSW (90 miles), so expect the crowd to be spirited. Neither team has ever made the playoffs in the same season since SAC moved to northern California in the early 80's, therefore a rivalry really has not been established. That may change this year. Tomorrow's game will be a test for both teams. They are evenly matched, making for an interesting contest.
November 23- Let's talk Golden State Warrior Basketball (always one of my favorite subjects). After holding on to a 100 - 97 victory v. the New Jersey Nets on Monday night, Warriors fans have some good things to be happy about. After all, the W's shot 81% from the four line and went 12/29 from behind the arc. Those are GOOD numbers, but let's talk about BAD behind the good. New Jersey went to the line 18x in the 4th Qtr, making only 12. If NJN make 80%, they tie the game.I do not believe Golden State is ready to get to the next level because they have very little inside presence. This team has to get to get the rim more consistently. When a team gets to the rim, they usually get to the foul line. Troy Murphy has shown signs of becoming a more physical inside presence offensively, but the team driving the hole more often. Murphy gets to the line often and is a very good foul shooter (78%, including 20 in a row). Unfortunately, Adonal Foyle is skilled at protecting the basket, not driving towards it. And championship teams do not rely on their guards for back to the basket play and offense rebounds. Here is some more GOOD - - - Tonight's home game v. the San Antonio Spurs will be the first true test against the league's elite (sorry Clipper fans, your not in that group yet!). GSW first round pick PF Ike Diogu will make his debut tonight. Is he the inside presence that the GSW has longed for since Chris Webber? Only time will tell, but I am excited to see him play. He comes with an impressive resume as a PF who can score and board. And yes, some more BAD - - - Mickael Pietrus, GSW more versatile performer (and great defender at that) is sideline until XMAS with a MCL sprain. His skills will be sorely missed (anybody that reads my website www.allan-brown.com knows how much I admire his game). With the longest home stretch of the season (8 of the next 9, including SAN, NJN, DET, SAC and PHX), the time has come for Mike Dunleavy to get his act together and step it up. The Warriors need him right now, more that ever with Pietrus out of the lineup. until next time...
Have something to say about GSW? Don't be shy - drop me an email at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf"
November 16 - Two weeks of the NBA season has already passed by and the GSW are off to a 5 - 3 start. Not too bad, considering:
Jason Richardson (21.9 PPG and 7.5 RPG) and Troy Murphy (15.5 PPG and 8.5 RPG) have had excellent starts and Mickael Pietrus is averaging 10.8 PPG in just 22 MPG. Coach Montgomery is still trying to figure out how to get him on the floor more often as well as place him in situations which will promote his overall development. Most notably, the defensive intensity has picked up tremendously over prior seasons. Golden State was expected to be an offensive juggernaut in the mold of last year’s Phoenix Suns, but hold the 7th ranked defensive in points allowed (90.5). Adonal Foyle has played brilliant defense, protecting the paint blocking a shade less than two/contest. The next 10% provides some interesting matchups. Tonight, they play to upstart Milwaukee Bucks, then play at PORT, at LAC, come home for NJN, SAN, back on the road to UTAH and finish November at home versus CHAR, NO and SAC. In total, they will play 17 games in November, the most ever by a Warrior team Have something to say about GSW? Don't be shy - drop me an email at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf"
November 12 - The Golden State Warriors have started their season 4 - 2 and show some signs of being a contender and some signs of remaining a pretender. That is not a negative; after all, this is the best start for the franchise since ’94 - ’95. The team will only improve as the season progresses. Coach Montgomery has an interesting dilemma to solve. How can he find 35 MPG for Dunleavy, JRICH and Pietrus? JRICH is now a star in the Association and will play 35 - 38 MPG every night. Dunleavy is marred in a horrific shooting slump but shooters break out of slumps. No doubt he will sooner than later. Pietrus is the wild card. He plays all four corners of the court, can jump right out of the gym, brings significant energy every time he steps on the court and is arguably the second best transition player on the team next to Baron Davis. Sometimes erratic, he has picked up his level of consistency and makes major contributions when on the floor, especially in half court defensive sets. Potential Solution - In situations where the opponents PG is more physical than quick or the SF/SG is a scorer, move Dunleavy to PG and slide Pietrus to SF. This move may limit Derek Fisher’s minutes on some nights, but if Pietrus continues to improve, he is a better player than Fisher and provides more value to the team. Have something to say about GSW? Don't be shy - drop me an email at nba@allan-brown.com or AIM "hoopsdujoursf"
Now that the season is starting, time to take a peak at the schedule. The W's have a tendency to start off slow and never really recover. To begin the '94 - '95 season (GSW was touted to win the West that year by the pundits - with a lineup that was to include Hardaway, Sprewell, Mullin, Seikaly and Webber, it was a definite possibility). The club started 7 - 1, the Nelson traded the disgruntled Webber and the GSW finished 26 - 56. Since that fateful season, the W's have started their first 8 games at no better than a 5 - 3 in '01 - '02 under Dave Cowens, sunk quickly to 7 - 8, fired Cowens and finished a dismal 21 - 61 under Brian Winters. This year begs to be different. The W's first eight games consist of ATL (H), UTAH (H), NYK (A), MIL(A), CHIC (A), NYK (H), PHX (A) and CHIC (H). Infact, the GSW is finished with NYK, CHIC and MIL before November 17. All of these games are contests that the GSW have a great chance to win. Only 2 back-to-back road games (MIL and CHIC) and one stint of 4 games in 5 nights. This is the softest start of season schedule that the W's have had in many years. In the NBA, strong starts breed continued success. It is imperative that the W's come out of the gate strong in the wickedly competitive Western Conference. Let the games begin! October 26 - For the first October in since Chris Webber staged his dramatic exit from Don Nelson’s led W’s, GSW fans have something to look forward to. 18 – 10 after trading for Baron Davis, there is light at the end of the playoff tunnel. GSW will play meaningful games for their fans in April. This is all good. This team is loaded with talent that can play facing the basket. Question is whether or not Coach Montgomery and his talented staff can produce a consistent low-post scorer taller than 6’5” (Jason Richardson) Three things the W’s must address this season:
The W’s can score, especially in transition (Pietrus, Dunleavy, Davis, Richardson and Fisher are all good transition players). Solid back to the basket play with players who will wipe the glass will provide more possessions and an advantage the W’s have not had since they won 50 times in ’93 - ’94. Next time - Can Coach Montgomery finds 35 minutes a game for JRICH, Mike Dunleavy and Mickael Pietrus?
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