Thank you guys for keeping the W’s talk going. It’s May and I’m really missing basketball.
To me it’s clear that Lacob and Myers will maximize the Steph window any way they can. They’ll trade this year’s pick because no one in this year’s draft will play 30 mins in a playoff game and that is what they need now, someone who can be their Iguodala. Of course their salary situation will require they draft but a few second rounders and summer league standouts will work fine.
After striking gold with Steph, Klay and Dray, they have largely rounded out the team with established talent. Bogut started the evolution teaching Dray how to defend and pass. Getting Andre was huge, Livingston was key and Durant was plain excessive. We could use any one of those four in their prime right now. And while the Greek might replace Durant, the more realistic goal should be getting someone to fill the role of Iguodala.
Warriors ball is team ball. Ideally, on D, everyone can switch (at least to guard the perimeter). Offensively, you find the open shot. Defense is priority number one for me. All our best offense originated with excellent defense and running it back. We have three all stars (Curry, Thompson, Green) and another three good complementary players (Wiggins, Paschall, Chriss). If healthy, they will finish in the top 4-8 in the NBA. They need one more piece to compete for the Championship. I doubt that player is a center. You’d have to find one that can guard the perimeter and can score some.
There are a handful of very good defensive wings who can score as well. Savvy vets who know how to pass and can learn Steve’s system. Tops on the list for me is Smart. He is small but can defend almost anyone (would be nice for Klay to have some help on elite guards), can run the offensive when Steph is resting or playing off the ball, and can make an open shot as well as anyone. Someone bigger who could help on LeBron or Davis might be good but few available have the foot speed and size to do the job better than the bigs we already have (especially if Looney gets healthy).
May 5, 2020Liked by Eric Apricot, punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
This has been a great series, thanks for keeping me (and assuredly more than a few others) entertained in our new world.
I think the Dubs should keep Wiggins AND the pick.
I believe Wiggens, in his short stint under the tutelage of Kerr, Adams, et al., has shown what CAN be, and I like the idea of blending his skillset with the rest of the squad. I see him working pick and roll all day/night with Steph or Dray, exploiting other teams with his quickness to the rim. He's an explosive player.
As for the pick...because I am a long-time Dubs fan, I guess I slightly favor drafting the 7-footer Wiseman to deepen the line at C, but also could see any of the top young players fitting in. With many large contracts already constituting a significant portion of the roster, why NOT get a younger, talented, less-expensive player now? Then there is still the sweet MLE to secure a significant free agent. I don't think there is any reason to trade the pick except in a possible Giannis scenario (which I don't see happening), but the Dubs still seem 'light years ahead', to me, and any rumored or unfathomable moves would never surprise.
This draft will be interesting in that it will give us a glimpse into the Warriors philosophy.
If the Warriors are truly in "win-now" mode, the Warriors almost have to trade their pick. You aren't going to get a championship level, instant impact rookie in this draft. You need to trade for a vet to get that kind of player.
On the other hand, maybe the Warriors already like what they have in the current core of Curry-Klay-Wiggins-Dray for the short term and instead use the draft with the future in mind. This draft is full of flawed prospects, but maybe on the Warriors they can be groomed on a winning team without the weight of the franchise on their shoulders and actually reach their potential.
Sure, the Warriors have been burned on trying to groom players recently, but this time we're talking about a Top 5 draft talent, not a late 1st / 2nd round talent.
Thank you guys for keeping the W’s talk going. It’s May and I’m really missing basketball.
To me it’s clear that Lacob and Myers will maximize the Steph window any way they can. They’ll trade this year’s pick because no one in this year’s draft will play 30 mins in a playoff game and that is what they need now, someone who can be their Iguodala. Of course their salary situation will require they draft but a few second rounders and summer league standouts will work fine.
After striking gold with Steph, Klay and Dray, they have largely rounded out the team with established talent. Bogut started the evolution teaching Dray how to defend and pass. Getting Andre was huge, Livingston was key and Durant was plain excessive. We could use any one of those four in their prime right now. And while the Greek might replace Durant, the more realistic goal should be getting someone to fill the role of Iguodala.
Warriors ball is team ball. Ideally, on D, everyone can switch (at least to guard the perimeter). Offensively, you find the open shot. Defense is priority number one for me. All our best offense originated with excellent defense and running it back. We have three all stars (Curry, Thompson, Green) and another three good complementary players (Wiggins, Paschall, Chriss). If healthy, they will finish in the top 4-8 in the NBA. They need one more piece to compete for the Championship. I doubt that player is a center. You’d have to find one that can guard the perimeter and can score some.
There are a handful of very good defensive wings who can score as well. Savvy vets who know how to pass and can learn Steve’s system. Tops on the list for me is Smart. He is small but can defend almost anyone (would be nice for Klay to have some help on elite guards), can run the offensive when Steph is resting or playing off the ball, and can make an open shot as well as anyone. Someone bigger who could help on LeBron or Davis might be good but few available have the foot speed and size to do the job better than the bigs we already have (especially if Looney gets healthy).
This has been a great series, thanks for keeping me (and assuredly more than a few others) entertained in our new world.
I think the Dubs should keep Wiggins AND the pick.
I believe Wiggens, in his short stint under the tutelage of Kerr, Adams, et al., has shown what CAN be, and I like the idea of blending his skillset with the rest of the squad. I see him working pick and roll all day/night with Steph or Dray, exploiting other teams with his quickness to the rim. He's an explosive player.
As for the pick...because I am a long-time Dubs fan, I guess I slightly favor drafting the 7-footer Wiseman to deepen the line at C, but also could see any of the top young players fitting in. With many large contracts already constituting a significant portion of the roster, why NOT get a younger, talented, less-expensive player now? Then there is still the sweet MLE to secure a significant free agent. I don't think there is any reason to trade the pick except in a possible Giannis scenario (which I don't see happening), but the Dubs still seem 'light years ahead', to me, and any rumored or unfathomable moves would never surprise.
LGW!!!
This draft will be interesting in that it will give us a glimpse into the Warriors philosophy.
If the Warriors are truly in "win-now" mode, the Warriors almost have to trade their pick. You aren't going to get a championship level, instant impact rookie in this draft. You need to trade for a vet to get that kind of player.
On the other hand, maybe the Warriors already like what they have in the current core of Curry-Klay-Wiggins-Dray for the short term and instead use the draft with the future in mind. This draft is full of flawed prospects, but maybe on the Warriors they can be groomed on a winning team without the weight of the franchise on their shoulders and actually reach their potential.
Sure, the Warriors have been burned on trying to groom players recently, but this time we're talking about a Top 5 draft talent, not a late 1st / 2nd round talent.