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Written by Rasheed
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Friday, 21 September 2007 |
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Warriorsworld.net recently hooked up with Boston Globe beat writer Marc Spears to get his thoughts on a few Warrior related items and other NBA musings.
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WW.NET: What are your thoughts on the Warriors offseason?
M.S.: I think all the Warriors need to do is add to what they have, not doing
anything major. I do respect the attempt to get Kevin Garnett. But I do
think re-signing Mickael Pietrus would be a good move and I'm curious to
see what Brandan Wright can do. But the big move that no one outside of
the Bay Area is talking about is the signing of Marco Belinelli. I expect
him to make the All-Rookie team and a name for himself quickly.
WW.NET: Baron by all accounts has been working hard this summer, any insights
on what he was specifically working on this summer? and is he looking trim?
M.S.: I actually just saw Baron at the Reebok World Headquarters in Canton,
Ma. Hey Warriors fans, he's in the best shape I've ever seen him look.
He said he plans to be 210 pounds by the time camp starts and he says his
knees are feeling better. The funny thing is that he said that he won't
be dunking that much no more unless someone is available to be a poster
(remember Kirilenko). But Warriors fans should be ecstatic because Baron
looks lean and mean right now."
WW.NET: Did you happen to see any other Warriors in Vegas working out?
if so, who and how did they look
M.S.:
No, didn't see any during my time in Vegas
WW.NET: Warriors are set to offer Andris Biedrins a contract extension in the neighborhood of 5/52-Is biedrins worth the commitment?
M.S.:
Yes. Biedrins is one of the best young big men in the league and five years
from now that contract will seem like a steal. I believe he can be an All-Star
caliber player if he can improve his offensive game.
WW.NET: Camp starts in 10 days, give me a prediction about the Warriors upcoming season.
M.S.:
I think it will be different for the Warriors now because there will be
much stronger expectations and teams won't be taking them lightly any more.
Golden State will be a playoff team in the West. But the West is so deep
and talented I'm not sure they can do better than 6th seed.
WW.NET:
Warriors are still looking for a back-up point guard, who can knock down open jumpers
and push the ball. What are thier current options?
M.S.:
Go get Earl Boykins. There might not be a better scorer still available
than the former Warrior who surely would love to come back. I actually
believe Boykins can be the addition that really aids Golden State in taking
it up a notch. In that helter skelter offense, Boykins would be a scary
offensive threat and a fan favorite again.
WW.NET: Team USA looked awesome during the FIBAS America Tournament, is it me or do they not need Wade? It
seems like he doesn't bring anything that they don't already have.
M.S.: They definitely need Wade, but expect him to come off
the bench next season. USA could use some big-time scoring off the bench
and expect him to average big points in that role. Being that Wade didn't
play this year and is such a good guy, expect him to be accepting of this
role. What's most important is the gold. Not who's starting. And although
he will be coming off the bench, he'll still be able to get his off the
bench for the Americans."
WW.NET: Any chance of KG, Shaq or Duncan coming on board
for Beijing for one last Olympic Hurrah?
M.S.:
Don't be surprised if USA makes a run at them. I seriously doubt Shaq and
Duncan, but there might be a slight chance for KG. Very slight.
WW.NET: Who are some of the players that are great interviews and who are a couple that are hard to deal with?
M.S.:
My all-interview team includes Shaquille O'Neal, Gilbert Arenas, Steve
Nash, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, Marcus Camby, Elton
Brand, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups, Jermaine O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Andrei
Kirilenko, Michael Redd, Tony Parker, Eric Snow, Carmelo Anthony, Chris
Paul, P.J. Brown, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen. My all-time great is former
Warrior Nick Van Exel, who never held his tongue and was always clever.
I won't hate on the haters.
WW.NET: Who are some of the players you feel are vastly underrated in
the NBA?
M.S.:
Ray Allen, Marcus Camby, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Joe Johnson, Andre
Miller, Emeka Okafor, Michael Redd, Al Jefferson, Earl Boykins and Ron
Artest.
WW.NET: Kevin Martin signed a $52 mil. extension with the Sacramento Kings, is he that good? or is
a classic example of a good player on a bad team?
M.S.:
I think he is a great offensive talent, who like I said before with Biedrins,
who will prove by the end of the contract that his deal is a steal.
WW.NET: Celtics look like a lock for a top 3 seed in the East,which teams pose a threat to the Celtics?
M.S.:
You can't count out the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets
if they're healthy. The deep and maturing Chicago Bulls are definitely
an East title contender. Two teams to keep an eye on that no one is talking
about? The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats. If healthy, trust me,
the athletic Bobcats will surprise some people.
WW.NET: Offseason trade that should have been made?
JM.S.: ermaine O'Neal to the Lakers. O'Neal and the Pacers definitely need to
part ways and start fresh. The Lakers need O'Neal in the worst way. Not
sure if the Lakers can get this done.
WW.NET: What is up with your Raiders? on the flipside, my 49ers are 2-0 and in 1st place.
M.S.:
My Raiders definitely should be 2-0 right now. Definitely down by the two
losses. But win or lose, Raider Nation will stay committed to excellence
and committed to the Silver and Black. We will be back. I definitely don't
think 49ers fans are as loyal or intimidating. I don't even think they
sell beer at their games or hot dogs. More wine and cheese.
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Special Thanks to Marc Spears for taking time out for WW.NET and look for Marc to be a monthly fixture at WW.NET.
Please share all comments with the forum: http://forums.warriorsworld.net/main/
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Written by Rasheed
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Thursday, 13 September 2007 |
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As reported by Geoff Lepper of the Contra Costa TImes:
Nellieball isn't slowing down just yet.
Don Nelson, the coach who helped vault the Warriors back into playoff
prominence, said Thursday that he has reached an agreement in principle
with the team on a reworked deal that will bring him back for at least
one more season.
Nelson, who originally signed a three-year deal in August 2006,
relented and accepted the team's initial offer made several weeks ago.
His base salary for each of the remaining two years will jump to $5.1
million from $3.1 million, but the final season is now a team option
rather than guaranteed cash.
"I'm excited to come back and coach the team," Nelson said. "The Bay
Area's perfect for us (Nelson and his wife, Joy), I love working with
Mully (executive vice president Chris Mullin), I love the staff.
There's so many positives here."
The deal, which could be signed today, ensures that the
second-winningest coach in NBA history - and the only coach to lead the
Warriors above the .500 mark in the past two decades - will be on hand
to guide a roster that has been tailored to his up-tempo, small-ball
preferences.
Team president Robert Rowell confirmed that a deal is close.
"We are definitely rounding third base," he said. "We obviously have
some details to work out, but we feel strongly that this is moving in
the direction we all want this to move."
Nelson's lawyer, John O'Connor, countered the Warriors' offer last week with a deal that included a partial guarantee in
2008-09, but the team didn't bite.
"It went on long enough," Nelson said of the talks. "Negotiations could
have gone on until training camp started, but I didn't want that."
In taking the deal, Nelson appears to be losing $1.1 million in
guaranteed money, but he said there is a provision in place that will
grant him a five-year consulting deal worth $1 million total if the
team chooses not to exercise its option for 2008-09. That offer could
be on the table even if Nelson, 67, coaches beyond next season.
"It's a gesture on our part to keep Don a part of the franchise,
because we appreciate and respect what he's done for us and what he
means to the Warriors," Rowell said.
There are also $1.5 million worth of bonuses available to Nelson each
season, but those begin to kick in only if the team reaches the Western
Conference finals.
Nelson said he alerted team leaders Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson to
his return. The news was celebrated by recently re-signed forward Matt
Barnes, who produced career-best numbers under Nelson last season.
"He was the driving force behind our season and when I heard that he
might not come back, I was disappointed," Barnes said. "Now all the
pieces have fallen back into place and it's time to get back to work."
What are your thoughts on Nellie returning? Share your thoughts with everyone in the forum: http://forums.warriorsworld.net/main/
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With training camp less than 3 weeks away Mickael Pietrus still remains a restricted free agent. Sources tell Warriorsworld.net that the Denver Nuggets offered Reggie Evans and Jr Smith to Golden State for Mickael Pietrus and Sarunas Jasikevicius. The Warriors turned down the deal because they didn't believe either Evans or Smith could help on defense and Smith's attitude was a turnoff to Nelson and the Warriors.
Speaking of Jasikevicius, the Boston Celtics are actively speaking to the Warriors in hopes of landing the seldom used Pg. Boston has offered Glen "Big Baby" Davis and/or Leon Powe but the Warriors have been reluctant thus far. Stay Tuned
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Written by Rasheed
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Sunday, 26 August 2007 |
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Sources tell Warriorsworld.net that Baron Davis and his representatives recently met with Chris Mullin and Coach Don Nelson to discuss a contract extension for Davis. Sources say, the Warriors have a offer on the table for Baron in which they would extend
his contract for 3years $50 million. The extension would kick in after next season. The only thing holding this deal back is Baron wanting a team or player option for a 4th season. Both sides agreed to continue talks around late september prior to camp.
Sources also tell Warriorworld.net, that Coach Nelson wants a 2 year deal worth around $10 million dollars with a personal option for the 3rd year with a $2 million dollar buyout. The Warriors have balked at that idea and will only grant a team option for a 3rd season with no buyout.
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Written by Rasheed
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Saturday, 18 August 2007 |
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Warriorsworld.net recently had the chance to talk with Geoff Lepper from the Contra Costa Times about the Warrios off-season, upcoming season and other Warrior related items.
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WW.NET: Adonal Foyle was finally waived, was it a good move or would it have been better to hold on to his expiring contract next off-season?
Geoff: I think it was a great move for both sides. The Warriors recoup a ton of cash, and OD gets a chance to play again. And the W’s obviously can now sign Stephan Lasme (or some training-camp wonder, a la Matt Barnes last season) and get some use out of that roster spot.
WW.NET: Pietrus wants to go to Miami but needs a sign and trade to make it happen, who would you pry away from the Heat?
Geoff: MP’s agent, Bill McCandless, said the Heat have put him on the back burner and are targeting a couple of other players instead. Cleveland will always be in the running, because they’re willing to go into luxury-tax to try and get over the top after making the Finals last season, and McCandless touted two new teams in the chase -- although I’ve heard the W’s are dismissing those deals.
WW.NET: Biedrins and Ellis both are eligible for extensions, what will it take to re-sign them?
Geoff: Four vans loaded with unmarked bills? The general consensus for AB’s starting point is Chris Kaman’s deal with the Clippers (five years, $50 million), and Monta’s the reigning MIP of the league. I wouldn’t be surprised if their combined price tag in ’08-’09 is upwards of $15 million.
WW.NET: Any truth to the rumor that the Warriors are looking at Pavlovic and Gooden?
Geoff: Mullin never talks about specific names, but his general philosophy is that he’s open to any idea. However, their recent trade history has been one of gathering up supposed “problem” players (Baron in New Orleans, Jackson in Indy) at a discount. Neither Pavlovic or Gooden fit that bill.
WW.NET: Warriors still have their Trade Exception, do you see them using it or does ownership not want to spend the extra money?
Geoff: Unless the Warriors have determined that they’re going to deal AB or Monta, I can’t see them using anything close to the full $10 million exception, because they don’t want to tie up more money under the luxury-tax threshold. If you trade for a guy like Gooden, for example, you’re committing $7.1 million for ‘08-‘09 – a move that will almost certainly push them into luxury-tax territory and double his salary. Is Gooden really worth $14 million a season? I’m not sure the Warriors are convinced.
WW.NET: Austin Croshere, in limited minutes can be effective, 10-15 minutes a night is that realistic for him?
Geoff:I think 10 minutes as an average is a good guess, with more on nights when he’s hot from deep.
WW.NET: Can Marco Belinelli unseat Monta as the starting Sg? What are reasonable expectations for Belinelli, ppg wise?
Geoff: One of the most interesting facets of training camp is how Nellie -- assuming he comes back -- juggles Monta and Belinelli. Marco has better size, and in addition to the shooting showed some defensive ability in Vegas, but who knows how it will translate to the NBA?
WW.NET: Brandan Wright is ideal for "Nellie-Ball", can he be part of the regular rotation this season?
Geoff: He’ll get every opportunity to prove himself. Nellie has a well-earned rep for coming down hard on young players, but he certainly gave Monta and AB a chance last season, and they ran with it. Ultimately, I think it’ll come down to how hard Brandan wants it.
WW.NET: Back-up point guard still needs to be addressed, would Gary Payton be a option, if not who else is out there?
Geoff: I’m not sure the W’s are convinced this question is true. Even assuming Sarunas is gone, Monta’s still here, and Jackson and Barnes (and probably Belinelli) will spend some time initiating the offense each night. As for GP, I didn’t see him much last season, so I don’t know how much is left under the hood. It would be a great story to see the Oakland native return, but he’s a 39-year-old point guard who’s never been part of an NBA team that plays as fast as this one. Earl Boykins is another name, but his size would force the Warriors to change some things up defensively when he’s on the floor, so I’m not sure that’s the answer. There was moderate interest in Jannero Pargo, although it appears to have cooled.
WW.NET: With the roster the way it is today, do the Warriors make the playoffs next season?
Geoff: It’s no sure thing, but they certainly haven’t fallen out of position. Somebody from outside the bubble last season is going to have to knock them out, and that’ll probably take 45 wins. The Clippers aren’t doing that without Brand, the Kings are more likely to deal Bibby at the trade deadline than compete, and the Timberwolves, Sonics and Grizzlies are just too far away. I think the biggest threats will be the Hornets and the Trail Blazers.
Surviving that first month is going to be a brutal chore. Six 50-win teams out of the first seven home games, Jackson’s suspension . . . it might take a similar kind of end-of-season rush as this year did.
WW.NET: If you had to make one move to improve the roster through a trade, what would it be?
Geoff: Do I have compromising pictures of Danny Ainge as part of this scenario? The one guy who would have made by far the biggest difference for the Warriors just moved to Boston.
WW.NET: How did last season's playoff run affect you? Did you find yourself rooting for the Warriors? Are you a Warriors fan?
Geoff: I slept for about a week after it was all over. During the regular season you can take days off here and there, but the playoffs is a work everyday, all-day kind of proposition. The thing I’m rooting for most of all is a game that gets done as quickly as possible, and is decided before halftime. We need to file for the early edition as soon as the final buzzer sounds, so games that go down to the wire are obviously more difficult to handle. I’m not a fan, per se, but I was very, very happy for guys like JR and Adonal to finally reach the playoffs.
WW.NET:. What were your top 3 moments from last season?
Geoff: 3) Trading day in L.A. My cellphone started buzzing as soon as I got off the plane, so I went straight to the team hotel and starting writing in the lobby. BD came in from getting coffee and said, “I’m the last guy to know things around here” in mock exasperation, but couldn’t stop grinning from ear-to-ear. And even though he’d been expecting -- and hoping -- to be traded, Troy still looked shocked when I talked to him in the lobby. If days like that don’t excite you, you shouldn’t be in this business.
2) The whole Dallas series was a blast, but the best moment came at the very end, when Ron Artest was parading around the Warriors’ locker room, going from player to player, having them sign a “WE BELIEVE” shirt and saying he was going to frame it and put it on his wall. Never even heard of anything like that happening before.
1) C’mon now. May 11, 2007, Oakland. 2:48 remaining. Baron Davis vs. Andrei Kirilenko. End of story.
WW.NET:. Do you visit Warriorsworld.net?
Geoff: I probably visit a dozen or more sites, including WW, as part of my daily research. I have to say, I kind of miss the daily salivating over KG on the boards.
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Thanks to Geoff fortaking time to speak with Warriorsworld.net.
All comments are welcome, discuss in the forum: forums.warriorsworld.net
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Written by Rasheed
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Monday, 13 August 2007 |
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The Warriors announced that they have waived Adonal Foyle after reaching a buy-out agreement with him. Terms of the buy-out were not disclosed. Foyle was never a fit in the up-tempo system that Don Nelson brought with him to Golden State. Foyle played sparingly last season and his season can be remebered by not his actions on the court but his facial expression after Baron Davis dunked on Ak-47 in the playoffs.
Foyle can ideally join a team in the Eastern conference in which the slower tempo is better suited for his game. There are rumors that the Boston Celtics are interested in Foyle and will look to him to fill their void at Center.
What do you think of the move? Come discuss your thoughts with the rest of the forum: http://forums.warriorsworld.net/main
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Written by Rasheed
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Thursday, 09 August 2007 |
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I recently had the oppurtunity to conduct a Q&A with Bob Fitzgerald who has done the Warriors TV play by play for over a decade. Fitz discusses the off-season moves, current state of the teams and other interesting information.
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WW.NET: Other than
Portland, is there a better young core than
Ellis/Belinelli/Wright/Biedrins?
It's
right up there. Chicago has Tyrus Thomas, Sefolosha, Gordon and Hinrich. I
like Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. Also Charlotte has done some
good things with Raymond Felton and Okafor. But excluding Portland, I don't think any
team has 4 guys 21 and younger like the Warriors.
WW.NET: You are the GM and have to make one more move this
off-season. What would it be?
Fitz:
I
want Chris Wilcox and Chris Duhon , but I'm not Chris Mullin and
players of that nature are not easily
attainable.
WW.NET:
Does the organization still
envision Ellis as a point guard or are they going to let him
fill the shooting guard role?
Fitz:
The Warriors don't have true positions, it's the style they
play that allows for interchangeable parts. Phil Jackson used to call
players "initiators" of the offense. Pippen or Jordan could do that while
Paxson and Kerr were supposedly point guards. Baron and Jackson can
initiate our offense and sometimes even Barnes does it. Remember, Nellie
invented the point forward concept. I think Bellinelli can handle as
well. Monta is coming along nicely. Sometimes he'll play on the
ball, sometimes off it. No big deal either way.
WW.NET: Is there any way Coach Nelson doesn't return?
Fitz:
The Warriors want him back and he wants to be back.
Usually good things happen when both parties want to stay
together.
WW.NET: With the roster they have today, what are realistic
expectations for this upcoming season?
Fitz:
Playoffs again. But it will be a
challenge. The Warriors are very young and Baron MUST stay
healthy.
WW.NET:
With your Serra connections,
can you hook up Wright and O'Bryant with Barry Bonds' trainers?
Fitz:
Greg Anderson didn't attend Serra. But Barry, Tom
Brady, Gregg Jefferies, Lynn Swann, John Robinson and Jim Fregosi did.
I'll still take Mark Grabow as the best strength and conditioning coach in all
of sports.
WW.NET: Kosta Perovic has been compared to a young Vlade Divac.
What are your thoughts on him and can he play in Nellie's system?
Fitz:
I
have never heard Perovic compared to Divac. I think Ilgauskas is a better
comparison. Long, pick and pop shooter. I think he can help as a
backup.
WW.NET: You've been doing Warriors games for over 10
years. How do you feel you have improved and what do you feel you can do
better?
Fitz:
I
used to get frustrated with the officials and let it come out on the air.
Don't do that as much. You get better by being prepared for any type of
game (blow out, nail biter, etc.) and knowing the league inside and out.
I've seen 14 years of NBA games so the strategies and tendencies become more
obvious. I've learned a lot from Jim Barnett, Al Attles and this is the
second time around with Don Nelson. We have been lucky enough to receive
several Emmys for Best Live Broadcast and I just got one this year for Best
Play-By-Play so we must be doing something right. This team's style makes
for good TV.
WW.NET:
Many fans think that being a
broadcaster is easy in that you show up, call the game and leave. Decribe
a typical day in the life of Fitz during the season.
Fitz:
Well, I have a radio show to do every day from 12-3 as well.
Get up, get my kids off to school, read about 8 papers online, talk to my TV
producer to plan the open and halftime segments and anything special in-game, do
all my game notes, drive to SF, do the radio show, drive home, get a little
exercise, eat something, take a shower, put on a suit, drive to Oakland, talk to
players and coaches during pre-game, do all the recorded portions of the
telecast (tease, voiceovers, etc.). Call the game, do the radio post-game
Roundtable, drive home. Some days we do the Roundtable Live TV shows
before the game. Those are long days.
WW.NET:
Have you heard how Al
Harrington is looking this off-season and if he has dropped
the pounds Nellie wanted him to lose?
Fitz:
Haven't seen Al, hopefully he has been working out with
Baron in Vegas. Did hear he was in Indy doing some work (he still has a
house there). But we need him to be a better rebounder for the Warriors to
be a really good team.
WW.NET:
Fans who want their teams to
tank in order to secure a better lottery spot: smart fans or sellouts?
Fitz:
Don't think the Warrior fans are going to have to worry
about that. Since the teams with the worst record has barely ever won the
lottery, seems like the basketball Gods punish you for tanking. Just look
at last year's lottery.
WW.NET:
What have been your favorite
moments during your tenure as Warriors broadcaster?
Fitz:
Portland last year, making the play-offs. I knew in March if
we got healthy we could make the play-offs. We were something like 9 games
under .500. I talked about it on the radio every day for two months.
I loved being right as we went 16-5. Also, Game 1 vs. Dallas. Our TV open
predicted that Dallas would try and go small by removing Dampier from the
starting line-up. I knew we had them then. Winning Game 1 gave us
the series. Game 4 was also incredible as it was the best and closest
game, just fun to call. Still liked Antawn's back to back 51 point
games. A lot of Arenas' games during the 38 win season (up from 21 the
year before). Baron's half court shot. The dunk over
Kirilenko.
WW.NET:
Do you and Jim Barnett get
reprimanded or discouraged from speaking negatively about a player or a sequence
of plays or do you have free rein to call it like you see it?
Fitz:
I
have never been told what to say or what not to say by the Warriors or
KNBR. I laugh at the suggestion. We talk so much about so many
different things, there would be no way to remember what we are supposed to
say. But I do strive to point out the good play, by both teams.
San Antonio
usually owns us, they are a better team. It's okay to say that. It's
right there on the screen.
WW.NET:
Baron, Monta and Biedrins
all are looking for contract extensions. Will Chris Cohan dish out the dough for
all three or will one be let go or traded? Also, would you trade Baron for
Kobe?
Fitz:
Chris Cohan has paid every single player- from Dampier,
Caffey, Antawn, Jason, Murphy, Dunleavy, Fisher, Foyle, etc. You can make
a good argument that some of these players have even been overpaid. I
don't think we will be losing any players that we want to keep over money.
Baron for Kobe? I'll let Chris Mullin handle that. But point
guards are more valuable than off guards and much harder to replace. If
you give me the play-off Baron for 82 games I wouldn't trade him for any guard
in the league.
WW.NET: Do you ever visit our site Warriorsworld.net? If not, why?
Fitz:
I have seen it only a few times. Lots of great Warrior
fans. I think they are the best and most passionate of any in the Bay
Area. But there are a lot of sad, negative comments that are
completely vindictive, detract from the
site and hurt its credibility. That gets a bit old
and I think Warrior fans are better than that. I love the
passion, though.
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Special Thanks to Raymond Ritter and Bob Fitzgerald.
Comments, questions or other thoughts? Discuss in the forum: http://forums.warriorsworld.net/main/
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Written by Rasheed
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Monday, 06 August 2007 |
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Coming off his best season as a professional whch included a outstanding performance in the playoffs, Matt Barnes was looking to cash in on his success. Unfortunately for Matt, many teams were worried that his success was due to playing for Don Nelson and his up-tempo system. After watching countless free agents sign contracts with teams that were also considering Barnes and firing his agent, Barnes re-signed with the Warriors.
Barnes signed a one year deal worth $3 million dollars with the Warriors on Monday. If Barnes can continue from where he left off last season he could play himself into a multi-year deal. From the Warriors perspective this is a good deal as they didn't have to give Barnes a multi-year deal. Barnes will primarily back-up Stephen Jackson at the small forward position and play some power forward when the Warriors go small.
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