NBA.com summer league page

JRich traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Brandan Wright. Apparently confirmed by the guy who runs JRich's website. The Warriors make a move for an athletic big man, and reduce their glut at the guard position, and get some of the cap relief they will need to resign Biedrins and Ellis.

More moves could be coming as the Warriors try to get bigger while maintaining the athleticism that got them into the second round of the playoffs last year.

All of us here at warriorsworld would like to thank JRich for giving us something to cheer for all these years. He came to play every night, worked on his game, and carried the team for years. Even though his game has changed over the past 2 years due to injuries, he has managed to adapt and still contribute at an all star level.

Unknowns; what about Pietrus, does he now stay? Does Ellis move to SG his natural position or do we continue to play him some at the point. What will Barron's reaction be to see his buddy leave town? Unlikely that the Warriors are finished.

Update: Apparently JRich was pretty pissed off at the trade when he talked to Mullin. Even though Mullin said Rod and MJ wanted JRich bad. Jrich wanted to come back and try to get into the playoffs again and get further with the W's.

"he said he wanted to be with the team and shoot for another playoff year..."

Ouch. Hopefully JRich will calm down a bit. The move puts a lot of pressure on Wright to perform, JRich is the most beloved Warrior since Mullin, and in the eyes of Warriors fans, anything less than a second round appearance in 07-08 will be blamed on this trade.

TRADE OFFICAL: Announced during the draft. Wright on TV saying he hasn't heard anything from either Charlotte or Golden State. He thinks he will fit in great in the up tempo game. The final trade was JRich and the Warriors 36th pick Davidson for Wright.

He's gone, the final piece from that great draft class that brought us Arenas, Murphy and JRich. 2 all stars and a guy with a huge nose.

The official thanks for working hard and being a true Warrior thread. 

Time again for the 5th annual Warriorsworld Mock Draft contest. We are going 18 deep this year since that is where the W's will pick. There is also a new tool to handle your submissions and make my life easier.

You can't make revisions to your original entry so you have to go in and add a number to your entry name so I know which one was the last mock you did. Contest is open to registered forum members only, so if you want to play you have to be registered to win.

Scoring will be most correct out of the top 10 with the W's pick as the tiebreaker.

First Prize: Pair of my tickets to a game of my choosing next season, face value $130

Second Prize: Set of steak knives

Third Prize: You have to become a Kings fan

Ok, second and third prizes are being worked out. I have a few copies of NBA 2K7 left for prizes and some other items, maybe even a We Believe T-Shirt, I will post a complete list next week.

Click here to take a look at the new mock draft tool. I will be adding and removing players this weekend.

Monta Ellis: PG/G

Most Improved Player does not suit Monta very well; people who watched Ellis from the previous season would deem Ellis "Most Improved in Getting Exposure." The 2nd year pup has a ways to go but has shown a solid role in the rotation spelling minutes for Baron Davis. A stout defender under Montgomery, it is here where Ellis has slipped somewhat. With more and more boulders setting screens on Ellis, it wasn't too difficult to keep someone more muscular on the court. On the other hand, Monta has become a quick scorer and shown great ability to draw fouls from opposing big men who seem frustrated without a flyswatter. As advanced as Ellis at this point, he is at times asleep on the court when handling the ball. His unforced turnovers are cause of 80,000 bald patches in the Bay Area, despite his apparent alert level at red. He really needs to get back to becoming a defender, and reacquainted with his left hand.

Grade: B

Matt Barnes G/F

Exceeding expectations are what Matt Barnes was about this season. Matt barely made the cut for the team and fans were hoping that shooter Anthony Roberson would keep his roster spot (and not lose it to Barnes). Don Nelson knew what he had (the end of Mike Dunleavy), and turned this 15th man into a solid contributor guarding big bodies and making more 3 pointers this season than in his entire career. His outlet passes look like Dwight Clark is on the receiving end, while his hard fouls provide a history lesson on Bill Laimbeer. Matt joined Golden State's all crippled team playing the last month of basketball with broken fingers on his shooting hand and a hamstring injury that stuck around like a clingy girlfriend. As a role player capable of playing defense and scoring 30 points, there really isn't much to complain about the team's 12th man other the fact he sometimes donates important possessions to charity.

Grade: A

Mickael Pietrus G/F

"Nightmare on Elm Street” is what comes to mind when Mickael Pietrus plays; a horror movie with some nice nudity scenes that makes you stand up and clap, and gruesome deaths so outlandish it can only humor you. MP has been great driving to the hoop when not going out of bounds or called for traveling. After Jackson and Baron, MP is the best player at drawing fouls. Often forgotten, his 3 point shooting (39% for the year) and midrange game has been pretty solid this season which has been more accurate than ever in his career despite the increase in field goal attempts. But like the naked girl in the flick, Mickael^'s deficiencies show and kill the team.
For starters, fouls seem to attract Mickael like Steven Jackson attracts law enforcement (that was cold blooded). If there is such a thing as a smart foul, Mickael has not discovered it. Like Derek Fisher the year prior, Mickael has taken it upon himself to put his team in the bonus by fouling everyone and everything early in the quarters. In addition to this lapse, it appears that MP got free throw lessons from Jason Richardson and Andris Biedrins.
Despite his ability to turn the ball over, miss free throws, and be labeled as the weakest link, Mickael is one of the more likable personalities on the team. Mickael has yet to play one complete all around game this past season.

Grade: D+/C-

Josh Powell F/C

A legit big man with some nice range, Josh showed his strengths in a home game against Chicago where he helped the team overcome a late deficit. Part of the Thanksgiving leftovers associated with the Indiana trade, Powell has everything a big man should have (shock blocking, range) and some things a big shouldn't have (poor finishes, slow step). His defense leaves little to be talked about as it is often difficult to recall if anything bad happened when he wasn^'t playing garbage minutes. Unfortunately for the Warriors and Powell, it seems like for his success to shine through Don Nelson^'s runway show, he will need to lose some weight. Hopefully bulimia will not be his salvation (since it ruins your teeth) and he will choose the route of toning himself up (I hope he got that Tyrone Hill calendar I sent). With fans begging to see Powell in action along side Biedrins, Nelson obliged (only to insert Adonal Foyle as well to prove a point that midgets do rule the world). Easy baskets are supposed to be Powell^'s staple, but if he cannot provide that feat, he can always sit courtside with Adonal Foyle.

Grade: C+/C

Baron Davis PG/G

If you didn't know any better, you would think Baron Davis was one of those Hawaiian dance performers who swallow fire; only difference is Baron shoots the flames out his eyes. Baron has done virtually everything this year; carried the team on his back on one leg like a pirate with a treasure chest, saved 101 dalmatians out of a burning building, and shown the naysayers a reason to shut up. His shot selection has improved, his defense is more ferocious than a pack of hyenas, and his leadership qualities have led him to be Don Nelson's "mini-me." When your star point guard goes from guarding Rafer Alston to stripping Yao Ming on the same possession, it would be hard to criticize him. Of course, nature takes it toll and Baron had his share of fluke injuries (strained rib) and a improbable comeback (late knee surgery). Really, nothing can be taken away from him this year, ask AK47.

Grade: A+

Jason Richardson G/F

Known as the emotional leader and go to guy on Mike Montgomery's team, Jason Richardson had a roller coaster season that could be mistaken for a teenage girl's sweet 16 party. With invitations sent out for a promised great season and cake (Ferrari cake: a one ton cake shaped like a Ferrari Enzo), Jason came to the party with acne and did not receive a brand new Lexus, rather, a Hyundai Sonata. A little disappointment? No question. Jrich suffered from a delayed surgery pre-season and a broken hand by upcoming free agent Mikeal Pietrus (nice Bruce Bowen kick, MP). After making a healthy return Jason's shot was somewhat shakey, and his contribution was subpar with his performance relative to last year. Strides have been made in his defensive game and his ability to find Andris Biedrins steaking to the hoop, but Jason's handles (particularly in his post game) need drastic improvement. If Jrich isn't scoring or making plays for others, he can suffer from Dudleavyisim, a condition where a player is on the court but not contributing to the team effort. Simply put, Jrich's defense is not good enough yet for him to have a bad offensive game and yet still make a solid impact on the overall game.

Grade: C/Incomplete

Al Harrington F/C

The supposed $60 million man in the offseason was sold to Golden State in a used car lot at a nice discount. Harrington was the face on the mid season trade which turned around the Warriors' year. He wowed fans earlier in the year in his appearance as a Pacer, knocking down 3 pointer after 3 pointer looking like Larry Bird after a week in South Beach. Baby Al started off the season showing some solid offensive games but little in the rebounding department, which would haunt the team in the post season. Harrington, appears to have gone under the most change in his 3 months as a Warrior. His offensive threat remains, but it is apparent he is most effective on shooting 3's and driving by slow-footed anchored big men (paging Big Country). His greatest achievement has been made on the defensive end (minus the rebounding) and by the end of the year his offensive touches trickled to a stop as he focused on defending. Anyone who thought that Harrington was a legit banger (not gang banger) ought to appologize to themselves; he is who we thought he was, and that's not terrible. Could use an oxygen tank for the 4th quarter. Nonetheless, thank god his name is $40 million Al, not $60 million.

Grade: B-

Steven Jackson G/F

What can be said about Steven Jackson that hasn't been said before? Not much come to think of, though I never heard anyone say "he^'s got a knack for shot selection.” Oh boy Jax, you are a factory of entertainment. Under Baron Davis, Jackson image of a character on "Oz” transformed to the host on the charitable show "Extreme Makeover; Home Edition,” granting Warrior fans dreams of getting to the playoffs and jumping on the Mavericks^" couch like Rick James.
After all, Jackson was part of a revival that led to the formable defense the Warriors played. Though a streaky shooter, he did make many drives at the hoop which is something a perimeter team like Golden States forgets about. Jackson was nearly averaging 8 free throw attempts a game in the playoffs, which is vital if easy points are needed (they always are).
But of course, everyone wants to know when his next "I want Jell-o” tantrum takes place as he beats the hardwood like a woodchuck. There are only two people who can convince him to take a chill pill for next season: one of them is Jackson himself. The other individual is not friend Baron Davis, or Coach Nelson but, an actor on a Maui beach speaking with a pungent cloud of smoke surrounding him: Woody Harrelson. After all, Woody got Wesley Snipes to trust him?

Grade: A before truancies
B after subtracting points

Andris Biedrins F/C

A few more piercings and some tattoos and Andris will fit in perfectly with the so called "thuggery" of the Warriors. On the defensive of end, Andris has been a nuisance to opposing midgets changing shots like they were dresses on a first date. Though unorthodox, Andris has shown this season that he can score when given the ball in his territory. His rebounding shows solid technique in recovering rebounds and is really the only player on the team that can prevent opponents from scoring 100% trips down the court. Despite his rare ability on a team loaded with runners, he has his faults, though improving. His free throw percentage has increased despite an ugly form, leaving the Ben Wallace and Shaq club. However, defenses can sag on him in hopes of giving him a jump shot.

Which brings about his biggest weakness, his right hand. If his left hand were to join Monta Ellis' right hand, they could take over the world: Andris' lack of right hand doesn't show up as a big wart just yet (due to a lack of touches) but it will down the line and steps must be taken in the off season to train it.

It's been two days since the Warriors magical journey has ended, but I have no reason to be disappointed. After 13 desolate years of playoff mirages, I have nothing but pride and satisfaction for how they've fared this season. That's one of the perks of being a die hard sports fan compared to the bandwagon fan who just decided to start supporting towards the end of this season.

Bandwagon fans are similar to those gold digging girlfriends who only like you when you give them what they want. When the Warriors lose, those casual fans don't hurt as much since they lack the love and passion of a die hard fan. When the warriors win, the victory is less sweet because they weren't there during the cellar dwelling years. Real die hard sports fans stay faithful and true to their teams no matter what the circumstances. We go to the games even though Vegas has their opponents favored by double digits. We still buy season tickets even though the so called experts predict our team to be in last place by season's end. We still cheer during the rare victories, because we know that if we continue to believe and support, things will turn around. Anthey did. The Warriors needed their fans just as much as the fans needed them.

In a strange time with teams moving cities, Barry's asterisk chase towards Hank's record, and whether JeMarcus Russel will resurrect the Raider Nation, the Warriors gave the bay area exactly what we've been looking for. Hope. They brought us closer not only to championship aspirations, but closer to each other. When was the last time you saw random strangers giving each other hugs without alcohol involved? We Believe became a national phenomenon as the fans believed in the W's and the W's believed in themselves.

At the beginning of this season, many of us would've been happy if they just made playoffs and they did it in dramatic fashion. When they upset the mavs in Round 1, it was icing on the cake. The loss to the Jazz shouldn't be looked at as a disappointment, but a lesson to be learned for the future. Without struggle, there is no progress and with the experience, this young team has a bright future.

I Believe Now.