Posters constantly break down the woes of the team and its players on a daily basis. It is a good idea on occasion to go outside of our little corner of hell, to compare our players to other teams. How bad is bad?

How bad is Troy Murphy and does he have to go?

Looking at 82games.com  and dougstats.com  I try to shed some light on our starting power forward.

Warriors players in the top 20 at their postion according to Dougstats.

PF Troy Murphy #14
SG Jason Richardson #7
PG Baron Davis #7

This would seem to provide some confirmation of the obvious, our backcourt isn't the problem. What about Troy Murphy? Statistically he is pretty solid, but is it all stat padding? The common knocks on Troy are pretty consistent.

Doesn't play tough
Isn't a low post player
Can't play with his back to the basket
Poor footspeed and lateral movement
Plays smaller than he is
Doesn't play defense

These are pretty accurate criticisms based on the games I have seen him play. Troy reflects a disturbing trend among Warriors Power Forwards over the past decade. Guys who have a reputation for being tough, hard nosed players, after 1-2 years with the warriors, become soft and move away from the basket. Remember Troy's dunk and strut against Portland in his rookie campaign. Joe Smith anyone? Being a face up jump shooting power forward isn't a bad thing if your team has a rebounding and shot blocking center, but when Adonal Foyle is your starting center, a jump shooting power forward is a recipe for disaster.

Troy averages 14.8 rebounds per 48 minutes, most among any Warriors player with Biedrins close behind at 13.7. Troy ranks 8th in total rebounding and 18th in offensive rebounding among players with at least 49 games. Biedrins also has almost double the offensive rebounds per 48. Ben Wallace averages 15.5, Yao Ming 14.3, Jermaine O'neal 12.7, Elton Brand 12.2, Shaq 14.4, rebounds per 48, putting Troy in some pretty elite company.

The criticism is still that Troy pads stats, is soft and his numbers are mostly meaningless. What can we look at that might statistically back that up a bit. Eight of the top 20 rebounders are in the top 20 in blocked shots, Troy isn't one of them. 9 of the top 20 defense players are also top 20 in rebouding, Troy isn't one of them either. He also isn't in the top 20 for defense among power forwards. According to 82 games  looking at production by position, PF is a spot where the Warriors are -2.1 and by player Troy's +/- is the second worst on the team at -120 with Richardson and Davis being the top two warriors. Based on minutes played, and that Richardson and Davis are the other two Warriors who are in the top at their position, this lends some support to the +/- stat in this instance.

Troy also had 181 3pt attempts last year, even Chris Webber a PF who is never around the basket only had 77 attempts last year. Rasheed Wallace had more than 2x, and Lamar Odom had close to the same number of 3 pt attempts. Of forwards who would be considered Power Forwards, Troy ranks in the top 5 , if not higher, in 3 point attempts.

Troy's game is like a poor mans Kirilenko, Rahweed Wallace, Nowitzki, Brand, emphasis on 'poor.' Unless we can match him with a dominant defensive minded center, Troy has to go. His stats are pretty empty and don't contribute towards the Warriors making the playoffs.