360 ways to simulate...

I have been hard at work compiling data and crunching numbers trying to get some accurate assessments of our team to be next year. Well not really I just spent a few hours updating team rosters on NBA 2K8. Then I played and simulated a bunch of games. To bad the Warriors could not shoot 100% on their Free Throws and dominate like I do on the 360. So it's not a real comparison but damn if I am not starting to like our new team. In the last few weeks we made a few more moves that I think concludes our off season. Marcus Williams was a great pick up for an even greater price. Obviously Maggette is going to help scoring. Sure we might of payed to much but I think it was a knee jerk reaction to the Boom debacle. I think Turiaf is going to help out a lot also. Hearing what his former team had to say when he left paints a good picture. He is the kind of guy you want on your team. From what I have seen of him on the court to he is a good competitor.

Sure we lost Pietrus who I am pretty sure I was the only person in the Bay who liked him. But we kept Azubuike and that was something I thought was not going to happen. With us talking to Maurice Evans I thought Azubuike was headed to play with Baron and the Clips. However I am very glad they decided to match their offer though. If anything just to keep a great player off of a rivals team. It's sad we have so many good wing players though. So Azubuike will not play as much as he would of down south. We also lost Barnes to the Sun's and only from a personal stand point I hate to see him go. He was a true character, when I first saw him I thought to myself "who is this clown with the Cesar and all that ink". Maybe I was just jealous that he had the Jodeci format way more down then me. Either way his story became our story. We watched as this no name player went from no play time to prime time on national TV. We also shared in his pain as he lost his Mother. He will be missed and I wish him the best.

The two unknown variables my Xbox simulations didn't include though. Will Beidrins be on the team and is Randolph going to be a factor? First off Biedrins might be doing like several other NBA players and heading to play in Europe. Its rumored that a Russian team has been talking to him. Also we have used up most of our cap room so any offer the Warriors put on the table can easily be surpassed by a Euro team. Not to mention our Dollar is getting weaker and weaker but we will leave that for a financial / political blog. I hope we can work a deal though because Biedrins is one hell of a big man. He is fast and has great hands. As for Randolph our first round draft pick he has been ripping it up in Vegas. So the question is will he be another Belinelli and dominate in the summer league only to flop when it counts? Not sure it will matter since Nelson probably won't play him much anyway. One thing is for sure though this Warrior fan is starting to hear the war drums. I can't say that I am happy especially since Baron is gone. But I am at least starting to look forward to what next season has to offer with this young team. Regardless of what happens its Always a great night out at Oracle!

Warriors Re-Sign Kelenna Azubuike

The Golden State Warriors have matched the contract offer submitted to restricted free agent guard Kelenna Azubuike by the Los Angeles Clippers, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin. The Warriors had seven (7) days from receipt of the contract – Friday, July 18 - to match the offer from Los Angeles. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

"We are pleased to have Kelenna back in the fold," said Mullin. "He's a young and talented player who has continued to improve during his two seasons with our team. His versatility, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3-pointer certainly fit our style of play. Additionally, we think he will continue to improve and expand his game."

Warriors Re-Sign Monta Ellis To Multi-Year Contract

The Golden State Warriors have re-signed free agent guard Monta Ellis to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Monta under contract for the next several years," said Mullin. "He has been one of the top young players in the NBA for the last two years and enjoyed a tremendous season last year. The growth that he has demonstrated at such a young age is incredible and we look forward to him playing a big part in our future success."

From LA to the Bay..

Well it's getting hot in the Bay and I wouldn't say its due to our recent transaction's. It has hit triple digits and set heat records all across the Bay Area. The smoke continues to make our once beautiful horizon look like our cousins down south. But this is a Warriors blog so enough with the Weather. The big news is Corey Maggette and Ronny Turiaf have reportetly gone from LA to the Bay like my boy Joe Dub. Also it looks like our old friend Pietrus is shipping off to Orlando.

I think if you look at it in regards to loosing Pietrus and picking up Maggette we just upgraded. But Maggette is no Baron replacement. A J-Rich maybe but I still would take JR. For 5 years at 50mil we got a good player though. Hell we payed more then that for Dunleavy. Then comes Turiaf at 17mil over 4 years I think we got a steal on that one. He is a big body that we seriously lack. Also he brings emotion and spark. Not to mention we need a beard replacement. Obviously no Boom replacement but again a nice addition. The question still lingers though who will replace Baron? I don't think anyone will fill those shoes. I just am thankful to of lived and experienced it. I wish Baron the best of luck but deep down I was happy to see Brand and Maggette leave the Clips. Anyway we might of made some decent moves but we are still playing catch up on a serious franchise hindering loss. I love Monta but I can't see him running the floor for us. He is a better pure scorer and a dangerous option at 2G. We need a ball mover if we are going to make a showing next year. Problem is there is not many options out there and with each move we made we have less and less to spend. In a sea of negative views I am trying to maintain hope.

Harry Potter to play for the Dubs?

There is a rumor circulating that The Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors are working on a deal that could move Kirk Hinrich to the Bay. Given the circumstances this could be very plausible. The Bulls now have an abundance of guards and we now need one really bad. Honestly I would be ok with this move. Sure Hinrich is no B-Diddy but he is a decent PG with some upsides. He had a horrible year last year but so did most players on the Bulls. I think it had more to do with management then his ability. The year before that he was putting up some decent numbers. Hinrich has always been a viable option for me in Fantasy Basketball. If you can't get one of the top tier PG's he is always a late round pick that does decent. If he is on his game he can average in the mid to high teens PPG and get you 6-7 assists per game. Not to mention he is a good defender as well. As far as his contract goes I think he has 4 years left and the Lions share of it was paid up front. Not exactly sure but I think the remainder is like 8 or 9 mil a year? Not to bad for a decent PG in the league. Given what is available I think this might be a good move for us. It is a downgrade from Baron at the PG slot. But we don't have many options and I rather see Monta stay at the 2 guard spot as I think that better suits his abilities.

So long and thanks for all the Fish......

The writing was on the wall but I guess it didn't feel real yet. Though it won't be officially announced till July 9th per the NBA free agent moratorium. Baron Davis has reached a verbal agreement with the LA clippers rumored to be 65mil over 5 years. If you do the math this was a decrease in salary. But instead of getting 17.8mil next year and a uncertain future. Davis now gets 13mil each year for the next 5 years. It's obvious to see this deal was a logical business decision for Baron. Not to mention he is now back in his hometown and close to his movie production company he started. If he was going to take control of his destiny now was the time. His history speaks for itself having played on average about 75% of season in his NBA career thus far. So coming off his first ever injury free season it was time to make it a contract year.

Regardless though of how many times I justify this move in my mind I still can't help but feel mad as a fan. Yea sure we now have lots of cap room but you and I both know we probably won't use it. It's going to be rebuild time and we will see all these rookies get heavy minutes. I am optimistic perhaps we will see Monta and the gang emerge with a solid record despite loosing Baron. But the fact of the matter is it's nice to have a star on your team. They are the one's who pack the seats. They are the ones who sell the Jerseys. Speaking of Jerseys every time one of our players leaves, if I have their Jersey I then move it into my playable category. I don't like playing ball in the Jerseys I wear to games cause I tend to trash on them pretty fast. Well now it looks like my Baron throwback will be seeing some court time on the black top.