I wrote in the fall that I did not understand the Nuggets moving to a Phoenix Suns-like system with its current personnel (6 PFs and 1 SG). After watching the Warriors, it's the same thing...Maybe it's unfair to judge without Monta Ellis, but of all the teams looking to deal, Golden State should be at the top of the list trying to unload Murphy or Diogu for another wing or better shooter.
And, today, Chris Mullin pulled the trigger, acquiring several wings (Harrington, Powell, Jackson, Jasikevicius) in exchange for Murphy and Diogu (and Dunleavy and McLeod). If the Warriors are committed to Nellie ball, this is a fantastic trade for the Warriors.
After watching the Warriors, I also wrote this:
Fourth, what happened to Mike Dunleavy? If the Clippers would really take Dunleavy for Maggette, the Warriors have to do that deal. Dunleavy came off the bench and had three airballs. He has no lift on his shot. He just looked terrible. And, he is way too skinny to be a power forward...
Remember how Dunleavy was desribed as the perfect Don Nelson player? Oops.
So, in one trade, the Warriors discarded two overpaid, underperforming players who id not fit Nelson's "system" (even though they seem to be the perfect players for the system), a back-up PG and a young, talented PF who needs to be on the block, which the Warriors do not utilize. In return, they acquired the type of hybrid forward (al Harrington) a running team requires; a player who is probably a three, but plays the four for a smaller team, like Shawm Marion or Matt Barnes, who I described as
a perfect "poor man's" Shawn Marion as an undersized power forward who can handle, pass, finish and shoot the three. More than any other Warrior, he is ideal for an up tempo team.
Harrington is even more ideal. I suggested the Warriors' needed to acquire more wings (check) and better shooters (check). Jasikevicius needs to excel in this situation to prove his NBA worth, as few situations would be better for his skills, although finding minutes with Baron Davis and Monta Ellis may prove difficult. The Warriors went from a post-heavy team without much depth to a wing heavy team, when JRich returns, with JRich, Stephen Jackson, Josh Powell, Monta Ellis and Michael Pietrus. Biedrins and maybe the recently recalled Patrick O'Bryant should hold down the center position with Harrington and Barnes playing "power forward," leaving Davis, Ellis, Pietrus, Jackson, Powell, Jasikevicius and Richardson to divide minutes at the three guard spots.
This is a roster made for an open court, up tempo scoring fest.
The Pacers, on the other hand, made a great deal as well. I never understood acquiring Harrington when its last two picks were Danny Granger and Shawne Williams, seemingly similar hybrid forwards. The Pacers also were anxious to deal Jackson and his off the court problems. In exchange, the Pacers are now a tough, physical post-oriented team, probably more than anyone else in the league. Murphy can play a high post and allow O'Neal to post inside and also run the pick and pop with Tinsley. Diogu can spell O'Neal and provide similar post production on the block. A starting tandem of O'Neal/Murphy with Foster/Diogu off the bench and David Harrison gives the Pacers great depth and talent up front to battle the likes of the Pistons and Heat.
Granger should slide into the small forward position, possibly with Dunleavy playing the two, and Marquis Daniels off the bench to spell either one. McLeod is another valuable back-up PG if Tinsley breaks down again.
The biggest question, if I am a Pacers' fan, is outside shooting, as Dunleavy has struggled with his shot and Granger, Daniels and Tinsley are not known as expert marksmen. The other question, in my mind, is the potential for another deal. Foster is a valued commodity around the league for his hustle and reasonable contract and Dunleavy has at least one admirer with a player available for the taking. A subsequent Dunleavy for Maggette deal would be a steal for the Pacers, though they'd lose even more outside shooting. But, a Tinsley, Maggette, Granger, O'Neal, Murphy starting five would look good on paper. Another rumor on Hoopshype.com had Jason Kidd now available with the Pacers interested; did the Pacers acquire some extra bigs to make a deal with the Nets? Could the Nets be interested in acquiring Jeff Foster, Keith McLeod/Jamal Tinsley and Ike Diogu for JKidd and his marital problems?
If I'm a Warriors fan who believes in Don Nelson, I am very happy with the deal. If I am a Pacers' fan, I am happy, but anticipating something else to happen in the near future. However, even without a subsequent deal, I think this is a win-win trade.
6 comments:
as a warriors fan, i can tell you that dunleavy it is patently impossible for him to play the 2. the guy is not fast or coordinated enough to cover 3s, let alone 2s.
Jasikevicius has long been one of my favorite international players, and I think you're correct in saying that if he doesn't excel in Golden State then he might be best advised to return to Europe. But he's a winner, and I think that he'll find a way to consistently contribute before the end of the season.
If the Warriors cannot find a use for him, someone like Utah or Phoenix which runs a lot of pick and rolls needs to pick him up. I think he can play. But, he needs a coach who believes in his style of play. He could be magnificent as Nash's back-up, playing with Barbosa.
He'd work i Toronto, too, but I like Jose Calderon as well. More than I like TJ Ford. It'll be interesting to see who hires Marc Ivaroni this summer; if he plays Phoenix Suns ball wherever he goes, Jasikevicius may be someone worth acquiring in the hopes that he channels the spirit of Steve Nash and blossoms as he nears his thirties into an NBA all-star. I think it's possible.
But, I'm an unabashed Carlos Arroyo fan too!
If the Warriors trade Jasikevicius for Nazr Mohammed, it's a huge mistake. I don't understand acquiring Mohammed when Nelson barely plays Adonal Foyle or Patrick O'Bryant.
Good post Brian.
Lookin forward to more of your insight on improving as a point guard, shooter when you have the time.
Keep it up. Mark
ikez:
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I can't think of very many worse big men for Golden State to acquire. It seems to me that offenses of that sort either need a big man with range like Mehmet Okur/Vlade Divac, or else a protect-the-rim-and-run-the-floor big man like Marcus Camby.
Nazr is slow and muscular, and his primary role on the Spurs was to lean on the opposing team's highest scoring big man to keep Tim Duncan out of foul trouble until the fourth quarter, when Duncan would move to center and Robert Horry would enter the game to play power forward. I think that he would have enormous difficulty fitting into Golden State's system.
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