If we want big, Dwight Howard can be had and he's still got steam in his engine. If we want to march into the future with at least part of the core intact, Anthony Davis for the pick along with Green or Wiggins. I would even consider trading Klay for Davis. Lakers need a SG. AD is more than just a big man.
Toppin is also more than just a big man and that's what makes him interesting to consider. This draft represents a chance to build for the future as well as contend for a title next season. Both can be achieved with very astute picks in 2020 & 2021 or trades. My fear is that the Warriors will be risk adverse in not moving forward into the future and not even considering a major trade like Klay or Green plus the pick. Fear of change can stifle creativity and the Warriors have shown a lot of both. Star power puts asses in the seats, for sure, but doesn't guarantee any ring. Look at the Clips, the Bucks, and Houston. Time does not stand still. The Spurs are still the Gold Standard for longevity and rings, I believe.
Oct 8, 2020Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Great stuff, D&D! I could watch you guys and Patrick all day. I was almost persuaded by Patrick’s case for Obi Toppin ... but not quite. The Blake Griffin comp was kinda the kiss of death for me. It’s not that Blake is bad, but if that’s your absolute upside?
No Wiseman has the power to reason away / what a fool belieeeeeves he seeeees....
Thanks Sleepy, always a blast hanging out with D&D. Re Toppin, I did think about using the well-trodden Amare comp which is apt in many ways, but I think he's got more to his game in terms of passing, movement etc. Also it's less fun than asking two die-hard Warriors fans to pick a Lob City Clipper lol.
Oct 7, 2020Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
I like this guy! Reminds us why Draymond is special and why Smart fits this Warriors team perfectly. None of this “we need more size” worry. Fully understands WHY the Warriors have been and likely still are the best.
Size is one of the main reasons the Lakers are playing for the ring. They are not a complete team by any stretch, but their size and versatility of their big guys makes a difference. They need a starting PG badly. Lebron cannot play a full season as the PG. Too much wear and tear. Rondo a good ball handler but woeful shooter. Caruso should start. Caldwell-Pope to the bench.
yeah, he's fantastic! My family and I were lucky enough to go to Europe a while back (feels like another life) and we got to hang out with him and his lovely wife for a bit.
He's really good at all the financial minutiae, but more than anything, you can tell he's a guy who just watches a ton of basketball and knows his stuff. I don't know about Obi Toppin pick, but seeing it come from Patrick makes me take it a bit more seriously.
I’m still sticking with my west coast bias and hoping we could come away with a trade and Okongwu or Terry. Both those guys made an instant impact on the winning plays made by their college teams, and I feel that they are alot more getable than if the NCAA tournament had shown more of the country their skills. Maybe covid has teams trying to cut costs and no one scouted the Pac-12 (because why would you after its played such horrible basketball for the past few years.)
Okongwu seems like a more athletic version of Looney, and Terry is and every level scorer and passer like Steph and a great passing lane thief and off ball cutter too.
Remember that when Grant Liffman was here, he was pretty adamant that the Warriors would trade this pick as part of a big package that returns a star player - assuming anything like that is on the table, of course.
Same probably goes for trading back. I bet the Warriors are open to it, but there just may not be teams looking to move up in the draft
This team already has Steph, Klay, Dray, and Andrew Wiggins. Do we really need another star or some guys who will work hard on both ends, do the dirty work, pass, and hit open shots?
It wouldn't hurt, would it? With a #2 pick and assets, we should go for a star. I like Okongwu, but without a return of someone who can slot in and elevate the team, they would waste an opportunity just trading down to get him.
Actually, I am of the opinion that it could hurt. Too many guys that need the ball, need to score, or are unwilling to do the dirty work of playing tough defense, setting pics, etc. and we end up with a problem. I think it was a little bit that way with Durant. I realize he's never going to earn his paycheck setting picks, but if Steph can do it, Durant should have done it as well.
A great team needs some stars. But it also needs guys who know their role and play it well. Not opposed to another star, but I am looking for who those other guys are going to be.
Presumably, one of those would be gone in the trade. We would almost certainly need to jettison one of the high-value contracts in order to fit another star in.
It's like Jerry Seinfeld's quote about how many Ferraris he needs and he was like "nobody NEEDS any Frerraris, but they sure are nice."
I'm guessing the Warriors would be content coming into the next season with just mostly this roster, but if they can somehow pivot to an improvement over Green or Wiggins, I think they'd take it. But it would have to be a clear improvement over what we have - which makes this an incredibly unlikely move in my opinion
It’s starting to feel like the league is going to be about the teams panicking for $$ and those who fleece the panicked.
Philly giving away assets to get off a good player feels very real. I would love the see the Warriors show long term savvy and pick up a good player and future Draft assets with their trade exception.
How cool would it be if they took in an expiring and a draft pick to help a team get under the cap, and then traded that for a Horford and more picks.
I love Okongwu, but I’m not sure they’d be able to trade down very far without losing a shot at him. Seems like there’s increasing talk of him being a modern prototype center. Bam’s playoff performances has nearly everyone say “We need that!”
Oct 7, 2020Liked by punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Great podcast! Loved the Celtics trade idea! Wonder if Ainge would.
Cutting off ball is a skill that is huge for the Warriors, and it seems so simple to pick up, but few NBA players ever do improve at it. I Love that Patrick identified it as a reason to go with Toppin!!!!! Respect!
I had to take a pause and shed a tear for all the awful Warriors draft picks chasing a big man. It’s basically been the bane of the Warriors existence. Even when they drafted Webber, he forced his way out so quickly, it’s hard to call that a win. Wiseman just feels like the next Big Warriors mistake.
Go get Robin Lopez, the bucks refused to use him, or almost any other big with good defensive footwork for the minimum. Don’t waste the second pick of the draft on an obsolete position player with bad footwork just because they are tall.
Thanks Andre. Re Smart, if he was on most other teams I'd have a hard time seeing him traded given how much he means. But if Ainge can trade IT in the way he did...
There’s a case that Wiseman plays an obsolete position and would be a wasted pick. There’s also a case that he has the both highest floor in the draft *and* the highest ceiling in the draft draft; is the most unique player in the draft; and is the only player in the draft who doesn’t duplicate to one degree or another something the Warriors already have.
Thanks for the video link. Dribbling skills looked solid for his size. I wish there were some passing highlights. Was it me (totally could be my biases) or does he look a bit unstable and bendy in the core in alot of those shots?
Thanks for recognizing/sharing my phobia! I may have been scarred by what seemed to me to be a bad bigs parade in the 90’s and 2k’s. I think I’ve been trained to look for 2 things in a big, and Draymond has added a 3rd recently:
Hands: If he can’t catch it, he can’t dunk or rebound it
Passing: an essential part of any high % exciting offense
And Draymond now has me looking at a strong and stable base on Defense to be able to keep all comers away from the rim.
If we want big, Dwight Howard can be had and he's still got steam in his engine. If we want to march into the future with at least part of the core intact, Anthony Davis for the pick along with Green or Wiggins. I would even consider trading Klay for Davis. Lakers need a SG. AD is more than just a big man.
Toppin is also more than just a big man and that's what makes him interesting to consider. This draft represents a chance to build for the future as well as contend for a title next season. Both can be achieved with very astute picks in 2020 & 2021 or trades. My fear is that the Warriors will be risk adverse in not moving forward into the future and not even considering a major trade like Klay or Green plus the pick. Fear of change can stifle creativity and the Warriors have shown a lot of both. Star power puts asses in the seats, for sure, but doesn't guarantee any ring. Look at the Clips, the Bucks, and Houston. Time does not stand still. The Spurs are still the Gold Standard for longevity and rings, I believe.
Great stuff, D&D! I could watch you guys and Patrick all day. I was almost persuaded by Patrick’s case for Obi Toppin ... but not quite. The Blake Griffin comp was kinda the kiss of death for me. It’s not that Blake is bad, but if that’s your absolute upside?
No Wiseman has the power to reason away / what a fool belieeeeeves he seeeees....
I agree, but my opinion can change Minute by Minute.
Thanks Sleepy, always a blast hanging out with D&D. Re Toppin, I did think about using the well-trodden Amare comp which is apt in many ways, but I think he's got more to his game in terms of passing, movement etc. Also it's less fun than asking two die-hard Warriors fans to pick a Lob City Clipper lol.
Lmao
I like this guy! Reminds us why Draymond is special and why Smart fits this Warriors team perfectly. None of this “we need more size” worry. Fully understands WHY the Warriors have been and likely still are the best.
Size is one of the main reasons the Lakers are playing for the ring. They are not a complete team by any stretch, but their size and versatility of their big guys makes a difference. They need a starting PG badly. Lebron cannot play a full season as the PG. Too much wear and tear. Rondo a good ball handler but woeful shooter. Caruso should start. Caldwell-Pope to the bench.
Another nice job, Daniel and Duby! I read Patrick’s stuff a lot with GSoM and a bit on Forbes. Never knew he was from across the pond.
yeah, he's fantastic! My family and I were lucky enough to go to Europe a while back (feels like another life) and we got to hang out with him and his lovely wife for a bit.
He's really good at all the financial minutiae, but more than anything, you can tell he's a guy who just watches a ton of basketball and knows his stuff. I don't know about Obi Toppin pick, but seeing it come from Patrick makes me take it a bit more seriously.
Yeah, like Sleepy, I’m a little dubious on Toppin. Seems like team really values defense, especially from bigs. Can’t see them being excited him.
I’m still sticking with my west coast bias and hoping we could come away with a trade and Okongwu or Terry. Both those guys made an instant impact on the winning plays made by their college teams, and I feel that they are alot more getable than if the NCAA tournament had shown more of the country their skills. Maybe covid has teams trying to cut costs and no one scouted the Pac-12 (because why would you after its played such horrible basketball for the past few years.)
Okongwu seems like a more athletic version of Looney, and Terry is and every level scorer and passer like Steph and a great passing lane thief and off ball cutter too.
Please Warriors get a good off ball cutter!
Remember that when Grant Liffman was here, he was pretty adamant that the Warriors would trade this pick as part of a big package that returns a star player - assuming anything like that is on the table, of course.
Same probably goes for trading back. I bet the Warriors are open to it, but there just may not be teams looking to move up in the draft
This team already has Steph, Klay, Dray, and Andrew Wiggins. Do we really need another star or some guys who will work hard on both ends, do the dirty work, pass, and hit open shots?
It wouldn't hurt, would it? With a #2 pick and assets, we should go for a star. I like Okongwu, but without a return of someone who can slot in and elevate the team, they would waste an opportunity just trading down to get him.
Actually, I am of the opinion that it could hurt. Too many guys that need the ball, need to score, or are unwilling to do the dirty work of playing tough defense, setting pics, etc. and we end up with a problem. I think it was a little bit that way with Durant. I realize he's never going to earn his paycheck setting picks, but if Steph can do it, Durant should have done it as well.
A great team needs some stars. But it also needs guys who know their role and play it well. Not opposed to another star, but I am looking for who those other guys are going to be.
How about AD? Do you think that would hurt us? Not every star is self centered or needs the ball.
I hadn't thought of him. Is he available?
Presumably, one of those would be gone in the trade. We would almost certainly need to jettison one of the high-value contracts in order to fit another star in.
It's like Jerry Seinfeld's quote about how many Ferraris he needs and he was like "nobody NEEDS any Frerraris, but they sure are nice."
I'm guessing the Warriors would be content coming into the next season with just mostly this roster, but if they can somehow pivot to an improvement over Green or Wiggins, I think they'd take it. But it would have to be a clear improvement over what we have - which makes this an incredibly unlikely move in my opinion
That's the ticket, DDD! They need the genius move. Don't rest in the past.
It’s starting to feel like the league is going to be about the teams panicking for $$ and those who fleece the panicked.
Philly giving away assets to get off a good player feels very real. I would love the see the Warriors show long term savvy and pick up a good player and future Draft assets with their trade exception.
How cool would it be if they took in an expiring and a draft pick to help a team get under the cap, and then traded that for a Horford and more picks.
I love Okongwu, but I’m not sure they’d be able to trade down very far without losing a shot at him. Seems like there’s increasing talk of him being a modern prototype center. Bam’s playoff performances has nearly everyone say “We need that!”
Great podcast! Loved the Celtics trade idea! Wonder if Ainge would.
Cutting off ball is a skill that is huge for the Warriors, and it seems so simple to pick up, but few NBA players ever do improve at it. I Love that Patrick identified it as a reason to go with Toppin!!!!! Respect!
I had to take a pause and shed a tear for all the awful Warriors draft picks chasing a big man. It’s basically been the bane of the Warriors existence. Even when they drafted Webber, he forced his way out so quickly, it’s hard to call that a win. Wiseman just feels like the next Big Warriors mistake.
Go get Robin Lopez, the bucks refused to use him, or almost any other big with good defensive footwork for the minimum. Don’t waste the second pick of the draft on an obsolete position player with bad footwork just because they are tall.
Thanks for another great bit of content!
Thanks Andre. Re Smart, if he was on most other teams I'd have a hard time seeing him traded given how much he means. But if Ainge can trade IT in the way he did...
How sure are we he has “bad footwork”? Or that he isn’t, as Athetic Alchemy put it, a “new breed” of rim protecting, floor stretching beast?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RJRG8chK6bU&t=3s
There’s a case that Wiseman plays an obsolete position and would be a wasted pick. There’s also a case that he has the both highest floor in the draft *and* the highest ceiling in the draft draft; is the most unique player in the draft; and is the only player in the draft who doesn’t duplicate to one degree or another something the Warriors already have.
Choose wisely, Bobgod!!
“Choose wisely, Bobgod!!” - Amen!
Thanks for the video link. Dribbling skills looked solid for his size. I wish there were some passing highlights. Was it me (totally could be my biases) or does he look a bit unstable and bendy in the core in alot of those shots?
"Don’t waste the second pick of the draft on an obsolete position player with bad footwork just because they are tall." this is haunting!
Thanks for recognizing/sharing my phobia! I may have been scarred by what seemed to me to be a bad bigs parade in the 90’s and 2k’s. I think I’ve been trained to look for 2 things in a big, and Draymond has added a 3rd recently:
Hands: If he can’t catch it, he can’t dunk or rebound it
Passing: an essential part of any high % exciting offense
And Draymond now has me looking at a strong and stable base on Defense to be able to keep all comers away from the rim.
I think that’s why I like Chriss so much: his catch radius is great and he’s shown flashes of passing vision and touch.