There are two pretty similar lineups within the roster, if you go by play style, role, size. Let's call them A Team and B Team. (Maybe platoon them.) Each player on A team has a surprisingly similar B team equivalent. I think it's pretty similar right down the line, don't you?
There's even a C team but they don't really have the same roles and feel:
I would say that Hield and Slo Mo are about as close as you'll find to a comp in the whole league to Steph and Draymond, who are very hard to comp. Maybe Damian Lillard comp for Steph but no one is quite as close to Dray as Slo Mo, now that I'm forced to think about it.
I don't recall seeing Hield do much ball-handling or passing, TBH. To me, Hield is a straight replacement for Klay's shooting, and anything else is a gift. Waters reputedly can play D (I have no idea), so I'm guessing he's even a little closer to a direct swap for Klay.
That said, I agree with you ... having a Slo-mo to back up Draymond means we don't have to play two different ways depending on whether Draymond's on the floor or not. There won't be any need to have a secondary ball-handler at the wing when Slo-mo is playing.
The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a deal with Daeqwon Plowden, agent Drew Kelso of @OneMotiveSports told @hoopshype. Plowden was on a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors and averaged 14.6 points and shot 39.6% from 3-point range in eight combined Summer League games.
]]
Presumably a two way contract. Sad because Plowden was fun to root for. But he was maybe 8th on the depth chart at his position…
Can't blame him. If I was him, I would be pissed if I was signed to a two-way and then dumped two months later. He might have gotten a better deal from some other team right out of summer league.
I can't see it as a mistake by MDJ. I'm pretty sure they were still trying for some deal with some combination of Moody and/or GPII to clear a roster spot and salary cap space for Post and no such deal could be had. Something had to give in order for them to sign Post to any kind of contract. Plowden might actually get to play for the Hawks so I also can't see him being upset about it.
It is hard to say without more info. Maybe the reason the dubs cut him is because they knew he had other suitors ready, and perhaps he even requested to be set free of the position backlog and go to an opportunity where he may more likely contribute. Can't really say either way without the inside info, but hard to say at this point it is a mistake.
He and his agent might have been told that he’d be a Plan B in the event of a 3-for- trade opening space, with the full understanding of the ramifications of no such trade happening.
I have no idea if he got any money, but I’m guessing neither side have regrets. He walks away with a higher profile and a job with the Hawks.
Alc said he and Knox are the same age and Knox has the higher ceiling. I tend to agree that there’s not room in the org for two reclamation wing projects.
Isn’t that what the Dubs roster has been for a few seasons? A roster of reclamation projects, because that’s all the Dubs can afford? Either failed projects, or successful projects that play themselves out of the Dubs budget.
depth at PG, we're so stocked on wings that even Moody is going to have a hard time getting minutes, I guess.
I don't know enough about Beekman to really comment on that choice. But, Plowden over Spencer is a headscratcher for me. I think the chances of Spencer being on the team (or at SC) at the end of the year are miniscule. He's not that good.
In fact, dare I say, I'd have rather they kept LQ than Spencer.
Whew, just escaped the final Oakland A’s game. Game itself was fun and emotional but getting in and out of the stadium was a nightmare. Bart bridge bottleneck more disastrous than usual.
One beer guy got up to my usual blazingly hot haunt in Section 317. In the old days there were churros and frozen lemonade though.
My general theory about the incompetent logistics today is that they’ve optimized their hiring and ballpark service for 4,000 attendance, and just didn’t know what to do with 47,000.
It was nice that they sent the fans home as winners one last time.
Section 149R was blazing hot too. I lasted 4 innings before hunting for a more shaded spot from which to watch. I stood in a corridor with a view of home plate for 3 innings to get some relief.
I got some sort of crappy email from him about how I shouldn't hate him even though he was removing the A's from Oakland, and I almost ran it through a ChatGPT checker.
His column was literally the reason I paid for ESPN access online for a while.(Eventually it felt like too much to pay for just that one writer, so I canceled.)
I'd be very happy to read his stuff somewhere else!
Edit: Dang, they paid him well! "Lowe's salary, which was more than $1 million per year, was the biggest factor in ESPN's decision."
Yeah new round of layoffs. Theyre not paying for the type of talent that will do the research and spout off reasonable takes that most everyone can agree. They will pay for the loudest voice that will rile up the masses either for or against.
Also watching this latest season of Industry and thats how I
Wow. Sorry to hear that for him, obviously, but I’m looking forward to reading/ listening to him elsewhere. He’s always been good, but ESPN's programming is just so crappy imo that even their best writers and analysts can’t really elevate it. Just a waste of talent.
It's how prestige TV works these days. It's weird but I do appreciate how they can make the show they want, not have to stamp out season after season with the same 12 or 13 episode run or whatever.
Anyway, it's 2025, and likely spring, so not too bad a wait.
Anyone know what the Dubs tax multiplier is anymore? They were leaving the 15th spot empty because it was like an 8x multiplier. But I can’t imagine that’s the case this season with them hard capped under the first apron, so how much would it cost them to fill that 15th slot mid-season?
Perks' spreadsheet says we are more than $5 mil over the tax level, and we are a tax repeater.
But, the reality is that we probably can't sign anyone until after the all-star break, because the of the hard cap (we've got ~$500K to play with, or roughly a quarter of a min contract). That's the limiting factor.
Unless Post really has a bad season, or the roster is reworked via a trade, I expect Post to be added to the main roster sometime in March.
I realize that aside from the Warriors, the combination I am most looking forward to this season is Chris Paul and Wemby. I’m so interested to see what Chris Paul will do with him.
I'm absolutely intrigued to see how that goes and also so thankful hes not a warrior anymore. He was absolutely a good solider but he just isn't a warrior.
I don’t think Moody was mentioned at all in that interview. As usual, he doesn’t seem to be in most conversations (or playing time). Here’s an interesting article on it.
I think there must either be something Kerr really doesn't like about Moody's game, or he seems him as a strict 2 -- in this interview he says that the roster's "crowded in Moody's realm" which seems to imply the latter since we're very thin at the 3 where Moody's gotten most of his playing time to date.
If Moody's a 2 then yah, I don't really see an argument for playing him over Podziemski, Melton, Payton, or Hield... If he can play a legit 3 then he's our immediate backup for Wiggins. Maybe he needs to put on some weight (or did this offseason?) to play the 3? He's certainly got the wingspan and standing reach for it.
None of their moves have suggested he is in their plans tbh, I think he's only still on the roster because they think they'll be able to make a George/Markkanen level trade before the deadline.
Free agent F Kevin Knox has agreed to a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell @TheAthletic. The six-year NBA veteran averaged 7.2 points in 18 minutes a game for the Pistons last season, and now will compete in Warriors training camp.
]]
I assume this is just a camp deal, since all the two-ways and NBA contracts are taken, but in theory Knox could impress his way into one of the two-ways, or to a spot with another team.
Edit: I forgot Knox already has 6 years service so cannot sign a two-way contract. It’s NBA guaranteed contract or G-League contract or bust.
So probably an "Exhibit 10" deal? In some technical sense, it's for "one year" - or at least one year's worth of training camp. I'm seeing a lot of other teams signing players to Exhibit 10 deals as training camp is just around the corner.
So no Exhibit 10 either? I saw the articles and none mentioned other personnel moves so I am very confused. I thought signing anyone would mean Gui was waived. Given they are stocking up on 6'6"-6'8" athletes, that wouldn't be shocking but still... Plus I think Knox would be more expensive, right? 6 year veteran means 2.6 million/year and Gui is only 1.89.
Yes, he could agree to a G-League contract or an NBA contract. I wonder how interested he’d be in the G-contract though. I would think he has more lucrative options overseas…?
It will be an Exhibit 10 contract for the preseason. I think all Eric is saying that the only way he makes the team is with a real roster spot, since he has no two-way availability.
Not only spectacular but in particular played very big. Several times I thought it was the center rebounding and it was Knox. A true 2-way player. I suspect the warriors roster will be 15 and Knox may well be part of it. That means letting someone go in a trade maybe for a pick or a consolidation trade which is 2 or 3 for 1. I suspect moody could easily be in the way out or possibly a couple of others but moody is the easiest with the right offer
I do think Knox is a part in a small way. Remotely in fact might be the right word. DFiB. I think the Warriors would like to make a consolidation trade and want to be in a position where they can give up several good players for one that is better And still end up in the positions where they lose depth being well stocked. From the little information -albeit impressive - that was gleaned about Knox from summer league, along with him having been a lottery pick several years ago, I believe he is part of the Plan to have more than enough good players at virtually every position. (Perhaps the position least well stocked is Center and I wouldn’t be surprised if that becomes the consolidation target)
Latest cargo of 'escrementi bovini' from Italy! Hold on steady, it's sure thing, and I've never been more proud Warriors' fan, than at such as life-changing, destiny-binding, eye-popping, mind-numbing, ground-breakin moment as to announce to you that next year we'll have in our ranks the greatest physical and technical talent of the years across the millennium:
There are two pretty similar lineups within the roster, if you go by play style, role, size. Let's call them A Team and B Team. (Maybe platoon them.) Each player on A team has a surprisingly similar B team equivalent. I think it's pretty similar right down the line, don't you?
There's even a C team but they don't really have the same roles and feel:
A Team B Team
1. Steph 1. Hield
2. Melton 2. Podz
3. Kuminga 3. Wiggins
4. Draymond 4. Slo Mo
5. Trayce 5. Post
C Team: 1. GPII 2. Moody 3. Waters 4. Gui 5. Looney
ABC Team
1 Steph Buddy II
2 De'Branthony Poody
3 Lindrew Kumiggins III
4 Gui Slomond
5 Trevon Quinten-Davis
Where can I get a De'Branthony Poody jersey?
I would say that Hield and Slo Mo are about as close as you'll find to a comp in the whole league to Steph and Draymond, who are very hard to comp. Maybe Damian Lillard comp for Steph but no one is quite as close to Dray as Slo Mo, now that I'm forced to think about it.
I would say
1. Steph 1. Podz
2. Melton 2. Hield/Waters
I don't recall seeing Hield do much ball-handling or passing, TBH. To me, Hield is a straight replacement for Klay's shooting, and anything else is a gift. Waters reputedly can play D (I have no idea), so I'm guessing he's even a little closer to a direct swap for Klay.
That said, I agree with you ... having a Slo-mo to back up Draymond means we don't have to play two different ways depending on whether Draymond's on the floor or not. There won't be any need to have a secondary ball-handler at the wing when Slo-mo is playing.
So much positive vibes articles starting to show up… let’s see how everybody is on the court.
Indeed, this is the time for optimism — before even a preseason game has been played. After that we start moving closer to reality.
Moses Moody has taken a SCARY leap
*regular season actually starts*
*DNPs*
Perish the thought.
This is the year Moses gets his chance and makes good. Just hope it's with the Ws.
🎼 Go down Moses
Way down in Dub Nation
Tell old Stevo
To let my 3ball go!
My hot take for the opening day starting lineup: Steph, Melton, Wiggins, JK and Slo Mo
..I fear dray might knock out Kerr this happens. Perhaps if hield goes in for curry dray will accept.
I dig it.
Plow to the Hawks
Boo
Plowden or Bowden?
https://hoopshype.com/rumor/hawks-sign-jordan-bowden/
https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1839440335237443604
Plowden too
[[
The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a deal with Daeqwon Plowden, agent Drew Kelso of @OneMotiveSports told @hoopshype. Plowden was on a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors and averaged 14.6 points and shot 39.6% from 3-point range in eight combined Summer League games.
]]
Presumably a two way contract. Sad because Plowden was fun to root for. But he was maybe 8th on the depth chart at his position…
Shame shame on me I didn't C/P the tweet
OK, thanks!
Can't blame him. If I was him, I would be pissed if I was signed to a two-way and then dumped two months later. He might have gotten a better deal from some other team right out of summer league.
I would call this MDJ's first mistake.
I can't see it as a mistake by MDJ. I'm pretty sure they were still trying for some deal with some combination of Moody and/or GPII to clear a roster spot and salary cap space for Post and no such deal could be had. Something had to give in order for them to sign Post to any kind of contract. Plowden might actually get to play for the Hawks so I also can't see him being upset about it.
Agreed. If Plow got any minutes for us we were in trouble. Depth piece at best. This is a non-issue.
It's not a mistake because it hurts the team (it doesn't).
It's just a pretty cruddy thing to do. The Dubs have been pretty good so far at trying to do reasonable things and not jerk players around.
It is hard to say without more info. Maybe the reason the dubs cut him is because they knew he had other suitors ready, and perhaps he even requested to be set free of the position backlog and go to an opportunity where he may more likely contribute. Can't really say either way without the inside info, but hard to say at this point it is a mistake.
He and his agent might have been told that he’d be a Plan B in the event of a 3-for- trade opening space, with the full understanding of the ramifications of no such trade happening.
I have no idea if he got any money, but I’m guessing neither side have regrets. He walks away with a higher profile and a job with the Hawks.
It's possible, certainly.
Hard for me to understand waiving Plowden over Beekman
Alc said he and Knox are the same age and Knox has the higher ceiling. I tend to agree that there’s not room in the org for two reclamation wing projects.
Three if you count Wiggs (ducks for cover!)
Isn’t that what the Dubs roster has been for a few seasons? A roster of reclamation projects, because that’s all the Dubs can afford? Either failed projects, or successful projects that play themselves out of the Dubs budget.
Knox isn't eligible for a two-way though, Plowden is. I think Knox is more competing with Santos in training camp.
Is Gui still two-way eligible?
Yes. He's only played one season in the NBA.
depth at PG, we're so stocked on wings that even Moody is going to have a hard time getting minutes, I guess.
I don't know enough about Beekman to really comment on that choice. But, Plowden over Spencer is a headscratcher for me. I think the chances of Spencer being on the team (or at SC) at the end of the year are miniscule. He's not that good.
In fact, dare I say, I'd have rather they kept LQ than Spencer.
They do need another PG but I don't think keeping both of these guys at Plowden's expense makes sense.
Maybe they got an extensive look at Plowden post summer league and realized he was just on an insane heater lol
Whew, just escaped the final Oakland A’s game. Game itself was fun and emotional but getting in and out of the stadium was a nightmare. Bart bridge bottleneck more disastrous than usual.
Great day at the park, but why were there no vendors roaming the aisles selling food & drink?
One beer guy got up to my usual blazingly hot haunt in Section 317. In the old days there were churros and frozen lemonade though.
My general theory about the incompetent logistics today is that they’ve optimized their hiring and ballpark service for 4,000 attendance, and just didn’t know what to do with 47,000.
It was nice that they sent the fans home as winners one last time.
Section 149R was blazing hot too. I lasted 4 innings before hunting for a more shaded spot from which to watch. I stood in a corridor with a view of home plate for 3 innings to get some relief.
fuck john fisher
I got some sort of crappy email from him about how I shouldn't hate him even though he was removing the A's from Oakland, and I almost ran it through a ChatGPT checker.
X1000
Sad times
NBA: Zach Lowe has been let go by ESPN.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/basketball.realgm.com/wiretap-amp/277385/Zach-Lowe-Laid-Off-By-ESPN
I would like to see a thinking basketball pod with Lowe.
I think it would be funny and throw Ben and cody off in a fun way.
Make it happen!
Wonder if Woj retired in part because he was told he was going to get laid off.
Maybe he'll go to The Ringer.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
His column was literally the reason I paid for ESPN access online for a while.(Eventually it felt like too much to pay for just that one writer, so I canceled.)
I'd be very happy to read his stuff somewhere else!
Edit: Dang, they paid him well! "Lowe's salary, which was more than $1 million per year, was the biggest factor in ESPN's decision."
I'm surprised they disclosed how much he made.
Good thing Stephan A Smith only makes $25 mil, otherwise he could be on the chopping block too.
the world is a strange place
He does? Holy crap. You'd need to pay me to put up with him.
What the hell. ESPN continues to shed great talent. Wonder if this is a new round for layoffs. I expect he’ll find a soft landing somewhere.
Was completely unaware of ESPN having talent? Lowe seems to be the exception and not the norm.
They’re really going to give us round the clock Stephen A and Pat aren’t they
Yeah new round of layoffs. Theyre not paying for the type of talent that will do the research and spout off reasonable takes that most everyone can agree. They will pay for the loudest voice that will rile up the masses either for or against.
Also watching this latest season of Industry and thats how I
Imagine working at ESPN to be
Wow. Sorry to hear that for him, obviously, but I’m looking forward to reading/ listening to him elsewhere. He’s always been good, but ESPN's programming is just so crappy imo that even their best writers and analysts can’t really elevate it. Just a waste of talent.
whoa
All I really heard in the whole interview was "...our guys are playing pickup ball as they get ready..."
Let's go!!
*Pickleball
96 more hours till Media Day coverage starts!
Time to start our buzzword bingo pool.
"I've been working on my 3 ball".
"I'm in the best shape of my life".
"My agent has told me that I can't hit more than two people this season"
"My season never ended ... it just moved to Cancun for a month"
And, Buddy:
"I've been working on my defensive stance .. I'm not slouching as much."
“I’m here to compete, but at the end of the day, I just want to help the team win.”
"im waiting to be traded. Next question"
Ramping up!
"Nah, I can fit with anybody."
[OT] The Last of Us Season 2 | The Last of Us Day Official Teaser | Max: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsAJ7oe2QE
Megahit Show Season 1
Megahit Season 2 Teaser a year later
Megahit Season 2 Trailer a year after that
Megahit Season 2
It's how prestige TV works these days. It's weird but I do appreciate how they can make the show they want, not have to stamp out season after season with the same 12 or 13 episode run or whatever.
Anyway, it's 2025, and likely spring, so not too bad a wait.
Anyone know what the Dubs tax multiplier is anymore? They were leaving the 15th spot empty because it was like an 8x multiplier. But I can’t imagine that’s the case this season with them hard capped under the first apron, so how much would it cost them to fill that 15th slot mid-season?
This is more fun than my homework. My guess:
Wikipedia says 2.75 multiplier.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap
Perks' spreadsheet says we are more than $5 mil over the tax level, and we are a tax repeater.
But, the reality is that we probably can't sign anyone until after the all-star break, because the of the hard cap (we've got ~$500K to play with, or roughly a quarter of a min contract). That's the limiting factor.
Unless Post really has a bad season, or the roster is reworked via a trade, I expect Post to be added to the main roster sometime in March.
WNBA: All first round series end in 2 game sweeps. So much for a series doesn't start until a home team loses.
I realize that aside from the Warriors, the combination I am most looking forward to this season is Chris Paul and Wemby. I’m so interested to see what Chris Paul will do with him.
Yeah and it’s always nice to have a second team to follow during the season.
This year, it’ll be OKC and the Mavs, and I also want to see the Knicks test the Celtics for Eastern Conference dominance.
Agreed. CP3, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Wembanyama is a pretty intriguing starting 5
I'm absolutely intrigued to see how that goes and also so thankful hes not a warrior anymore. He was absolutely a good solider but he just isn't a warrior.
I can’t wait for the HWFL vote!
I respect him more than I did for publicly being a good soldier, but his style of play was neither aesthetically pleasing nor Warriors ball.
I don’t think Moody was mentioned at all in that interview. As usual, he doesn’t seem to be in most conversations (or playing time). Here’s an interesting article on it.
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/moses-moody-training-camp-storyline/1786177/
I think there must either be something Kerr really doesn't like about Moody's game, or he seems him as a strict 2 -- in this interview he says that the roster's "crowded in Moody's realm" which seems to imply the latter since we're very thin at the 3 where Moody's gotten most of his playing time to date.
If Moody's a 2 then yah, I don't really see an argument for playing him over Podziemski, Melton, Payton, or Hield... If he can play a legit 3 then he's our immediate backup for Wiggins. Maybe he needs to put on some weight (or did this offseason?) to play the 3? He's certainly got the wingspan and standing reach for it.
Kerr sounds like an ass talking about him.
Kerr is a rorschach test
None of their moves have suggested he is in their plans tbh, I think he's only still on the roster because they think they'll be able to make a George/Markkanen level trade before the deadline.
Perks @gswcba on the Knox news:
[[
As expected Warriors bring Kevin Knox to training camp after a good Summer League showing.
He's not two-way eligible so will be competing for a spot on the roster against Santos/Waters.
If they want to get him to Santa Cruz they'd need to acquire his G League rights from Remix.
]]
Dubs can also promise to sign him mid season once the contract fits under their available cap space, right?
Yes if nothing changes roster wise, there is enough cap for a mid-season prorated NBA guaranteed contract.
Shams reports:
[[
Free agent F Kevin Knox has agreed to a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell @TheAthletic. The six-year NBA veteran averaged 7.2 points in 18 minutes a game for the Pistons last season, and now will compete in Warriors training camp.
]]
I assume this is just a camp deal, since all the two-ways and NBA contracts are taken, but in theory Knox could impress his way into one of the two-ways, or to a spot with another team.
Edit: I forgot Knox already has 6 years service so cannot sign a two-way contract. It’s NBA guaranteed contract or G-League contract or bust.
So probably an "Exhibit 10" deal? In some technical sense, it's for "one year" - or at least one year's worth of training camp. I'm seeing a lot of other teams signing players to Exhibit 10 deals as training camp is just around the corner.
Exhibit 9 deal. He's "rostered or bust".
I don't think he'd be eligible as a two-way as he was listed as a "six-year NBA veteran."
Oh yeah, you’re right! I guess it’s NBA minimum or bust!
So no Exhibit 10 either? I saw the articles and none mentioned other personnel moves so I am very confused. I thought signing anyone would mean Gui was waived. Given they are stocking up on 6'6"-6'8" athletes, that wouldn't be shocking but still... Plus I think Knox would be more expensive, right? 6 year veteran means 2.6 million/year and Gui is only 1.89.
Yes, he could agree to a G-League contract or an NBA contract. I wonder how interested he’d be in the G-contract though. I would think he has more lucrative options overseas…?
It will be an Exhibit 10 contract for the preseason. I think all Eric is saying that the only way he makes the team is with a real roster spot, since he has no two-way availability.
Knox played in Warriors SL:
https://bvmsports.com/2024/09/21/kevin-knox-ii-impresses-warriors-in-summer-league-eyes-roster-spot/
He did and he was spectacular. We covered his chaotic and unexpected performance in our Summer League coverage: https://dubnationhq.com/p/summer-league-2024
Not only spectacular but in particular played very big. Several times I thought it was the center rebounding and it was Knox. A true 2-way player. I suspect the warriors roster will be 15 and Knox may well be part of it. That means letting someone go in a trade maybe for a pick or a consolidation trade which is 2 or 3 for 1. I suspect moody could easily be in the way out or possibly a couple of others but moody is the easiest with the right offer
Moody could absolutely be on the way out... but "making room on the roster for Kevin Knox" is not remotely a part of the decision process there.
I do think Knox is a part in a small way. Remotely in fact might be the right word. DFiB. I think the Warriors would like to make a consolidation trade and want to be in a position where they can give up several good players for one that is better And still end up in the positions where they lose depth being well stocked. From the little information -albeit impressive - that was gleaned about Knox from summer league, along with him having been a lottery pick several years ago, I believe he is part of the Plan to have more than enough good players at virtually every position. (Perhaps the position least well stocked is Center and I wouldn’t be surprised if that becomes the consolidation target)
Latest cargo of 'escrementi bovini' from Italy! Hold on steady, it's sure thing, and I've never been more proud Warriors' fan, than at such as life-changing, destiny-binding, eye-popping, mind-numbing, ground-breakin moment as to announce to you that next year we'll have in our ranks the greatest physical and technical talent of the years across the millennium:
...
...
...
Ben Simmons.