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