Golden State Warriors

Should the Warriors Try to Acquire Carlos Delfino?
March 14, 2013 - Source: Scott Halleran/Getty Images North America

March 14, 2013 – Source: Scott Halleran/Getty Images North America

This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

When NBA Free Agency opens on July 1st, the Golden State Warriors should try to increase the depth of their roster. According to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, the Houston Rockets plan on declining Carlos Delfino’s $3 million team option for the 2013-2014 season, which means Delfino will be a free agent. It’s not clear yet which teams will have the most interest in him, but should the Warriors try to acquire him?

Delfino will most likely be a cheap option as a free agent, but, with that said, the Warriors don’t exactly have a ton of money to spend. Carl Landry has opted out of his player option with the Warriors for next season, so he’ll probably receive a multi-year deal from another team. If the Warriors make a hard push to re-sign Jarrett Jack, it doesn’t seem like they will have any money left to acquire a player like Delfino, even if he doesn’t cost much. Hypothetically, let’s assume the Warriors have the cap space to sign him. Would Delfino be a good fit for the Warriors?

Last season with the Rockets, Delfino averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and one steal on 40.5 percent shooting from the field, 37.5 percent shooting from three, and 85.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line in 25.2 minutes per game.

Delfino is listed at 6’6″ and 230 pounds. Given his size and frame, he is able to play shooting guard, small forward, and even power forward sometimes in small ball lineups. His versatility would be a significant asset off the bench for the Warriors.

Delfino is a good three-point shooter, so he would allow the Warriors to spread the floor even more and take advantage of their already stellar three-point shooting. He also plays pretty decent defense and can come up with a steal every once in a while, so, given his wide range of skills, he could be a nice addition to the Warriors’ bench.

Given how many young players the Warriors have, he also would provide a quality veteran presence off the bench as well. Delfino has played seven years in the NBA so far, and he has played for the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Houston Rockets. He also has played in 41 playoff games in his career, which would certainly be a valuable asset to a team who has limited playoff experience.

The Warriors already have several small forwards, such as Harrison Barnes, Brandon Rush, Draymond Green, and Richard Jefferson. However, if the Warriors are able to get rid of Jefferson’s expiring contract in a trade, Delfino could be a great addition to this team. Also, if the Warriors aren’t able to re-sign Jack, the Warriors will need to add more depth to their roster in order to make up for some key reserves. Given the structural and financial limitations that the Warriors have, it doesn’t seem likely that they’d acquire Delfino, but if given the option and the right situation, he might be a solid veteran, versatile player to add to this young roster.

Two Players Who Will Have Breakout Seasons For The Warriors

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This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors have some great, young talent on their team. Stephen Curry, arguably, became one of the best players in the league last season. Klay Thompson has proven that he’s one of the best three-point shooters in the league. Harrison Barnes showed off his incredible explosiveness and athleticism throughout the year, and Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli have shown a lot of valuable skills as well. Curry has already ascended into superstar territory, and Thompson has shown that he’s more of an all-around player than many people assumed. With that said, of the Warriors’ young core, here are two players who will have breakout seasons next season:

1. Harrison Barnes

For much of the season, Barnes became the X-factor for the Warriors, meaning that if he played well, the Warriors would win most of the time. He also showed that he can come up big in the biggest moments. In the postseason, Barnes elevated his game to a whole new level. After averaging 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in the regular season, Barnes averaged 16.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 12 postseason games. He also shot a higher percentage from the field, from three-point range, and at the free-throw line.

Barnes has so much potential, and he’s so fun to watch, mostly because of all of his vicious dunks. He has shown flashes of brilliance that leads many Warriors fans to believe that he could one day become one of the best small forwards in the NBA. He also has this veteran-like demeanor that makes fans believe that he’s going to continue to work as hard as he can to get better and help the team. If Barnes continues to stay aggressive on offense, shoot efficiently, and learn to defend more consistently, he will have a huge breakout season for the Warriors next season.

2. Kent Bazemore

Bazemore might not have a “breakout” season in the same way that Barnes might, but he certainly has the potential to become a key contributor to the Warriors next season. Bazemore will have a huge opportunity in the upcoming Las Vegas NBA Summer League to prove to the Warriors that he can become a valuable part of the regular rotation. Bazemore is known for his defensive ability. He can block shots, get steals, and guard point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards. He needs to prove that he can become more of a scorer though.

If the Warriors aren’t able to re-sign Jarrett Jack, Bazemore will have an even bigger opportunity. Along with Scott Machado, he will compete for backup point guard minutes. It’s likely that he could take over the majority of the minutes that Jack used to play though because of his ability to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions. Bazemore needs to work on his shooting, but he doesn’t need to average 15 points per game, especially with Brandon Rush coming back next season. If he can contribute about eight points per game, he will, in his own terms, have a breakout season for the Warriors and become a key contributor off the bench.

How the Warriors’ Young Players Will Benefit from Summer League
Apr 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Kent Bazemore (20) before game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Kent Bazemore (20) before game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors have not released their roster yet for the 2013 Las Vegas NBA Summer League, but it has been confirmed that Draymond Green, Kent Bazemore, Scott Machado, and Ognjen Kuzmic will play on the team. Festus Ezeli was supposed to play, but he is out for 6-9 months after having knee surgery recently. Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes will most likely not participate, because they are participating in USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team mini-camp in Las Vegas from July 22-25.

Summer League is a great opportunity for up-and-coming, young players to develop their games more, learn more about a team’s system, try to make a team, or prove why they deserve a bigger role or more playing time. Thompson and Barnes have already proven themselves and have shown why they deserve to have significant roles on the team. The other young players on this team will each benefit from Summer League in a different way.

Green played in the five Summer League games for the Warriors last year and averaged 6.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 27.8 percent shooting from the field, 20 percent shooting from three, and 90 percent shooting from the free-throw line in 26 minutes per game. Just as the numbers indicate, Green struggled with his shot, much like he did during the regular season, but he rebounded extremely well and shot well from the free throw line. During this year’s Summer League, Green needs to work on hitting his shots more consistently and not shooting too many threes, if they’re not falling. If he works on shooting more efficiently and performs well in Summer League, he could be a valuable asset for the Warriors off the bench, given his superb defense.

Bazemore played in four Summer League games for the Warriors last year and averaged 8.5 points, 1.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks on 46.7 percent shooting from the field and 66.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line in 20.5 minutes per game. Bazemore showed off his athleticism and his stellar defense in Summer League, which ultimately earned him a roster spot with the Warriors. Bazemore has a huge opportunity in Summer League this year, since he doesn’t have to share minutes with Thompson and Barnes like last season. If Bazemore can work on handling the ball more, running an offense, and becoming more of a consistent mid-range shooter, then he could potentially have a more consistent role in the regular rotation for the Warriors next season.

Machado played in five Summer League games for the Houston Rockets last year and averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.2 steals on 38.9 percent shooting from the field, 28.6 percent shooting from three, and 50 percent shooting from the free-throw line in 25.4 minutes per game. Machado signed a non-guaranteed $789,000 contract earlier this summer with the Warriors. If Jarrett Jack doesn’t re-sign with the Warriors and they don’t sign another point guard, Machado will have an opportunity to earn minutes at the backup point guard position, even though he might share those minutes with Kent Bazmore. Machado’s more of a traditional point guard than Bazemore and is a great passer, but he needs to showcase more of his skills beyond that in Summer League in order to earn his minutes next season.

The Warriors selected Kuzmic with the 52nd overall pick in last year’s draft. He is 7’1″ and is very athletic and mobile, given his size. While playing with Clinicas Rincon in 2011-2012, Kuzmic averaged 10.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game. Kuzmic is clearly very strong defensively, is an excellent rebounder, and can block shots at an astounding rate. If he can bulk up, work on his post game, and work on a perimeter jumper, he could help the Warriors add depth to the center position that they need with Ezeli out and Andrew Bogut recovering from injuries.

The Importance of Brandon Rush to the Golden State Warriors

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This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

Brandon Rush only played in two games for the Golden State Warriors this past season, but he is one of the most important players for them going into next season. During the 2011-2012 season, Rush was a stellar sixth man for the Warriors. He played in 65 games and averaged 9.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks on 50.1 percent shooting and 45.2 percent shooting from three (sixth in the NBA) in 26.4 minutes per game. Rush was sidelined with an ACL injury last season, and his presence was certainly missed. He would’ve made the Warriors’ bench even deeper and more dangerous.

Rush has officially picked up his player option with the Warriors for the 2013-2014 season. It’s not clear if the Warriors will be able to bring back other key free agents off the bench, such as Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry, but let’s assume for now that they bring back both. If the Warriors’ bench next season included Jack, Rush, Landry, Draymond Green, and Festus Ezeli, then the Warriors would have one of the deepest rosters in the league.

A sixth man is key to any playoff team. If Jack, who assumed the role of sixth man with Rush out last season, doesn’t re-sign, the Warriors are going to need an effective sixth man who can score and provide energy off the bench even more.

Rush is an extremely valuable asset to have off the bench because of his defense, his three-point shooting, and his ability to attack the basket. He is the best perimeter defender on the team, even though Klay Thompson has improved significantly defensively. Rush has good size and length, so he can defend wing players, which provides a great complement to Thompson’s ability to guard point guards and shooting guards.

If needed, the Warriors could go small and play a lineup with Curry, Thompson, Rush, Harrison Barnes, and David Lee or Andrew Bogut, or Rush could also come in for defensive purposes and replace Barnes in close-game situations. Rush’s defensive ability would also allow Barnes to focus more on offense, so he doesn’t have to expend too much energy on defense.

Rush is also an incredible three-point shooter, which allows the Warriors to spread the floor with several other three-point shooters such as Stephen Curry and Thompson. Having several three-point shooters on the floor also allows Andrew Bogut and David Lee to have more to operate room in the paint.

Rush is a versatile player who can also attack the basket. He’s one of the most athletic players on the team, next to Barnes. He can easily pump fake his defender on the three-point line and cut to the basket because of his quickness and athleticism.

Curry is arguably the most important player to the Warriors. However, a deep bench and a reliable sixth man are also important for a playoff team. Rush is the athletic, defensive-minded, versatile player that the Warriors lacked this past season. He provides energy off the bench and has a wide array of skills that complement this Warriors team well. Rush is an extremely important player to the Warriors, especially if Jack and Landry don’t return to the Warriors next season.

Golden State Warriors: Will Andris Biedrins Step Up Next Season?

This article was originally published on Golden Gate Sports.

Andris Biedrins is quite the enigma.

He went from being an intriguing young center to the last guy off the bench in a matter of a few seasons. He went through serious confidence issues, severe free throw struggles, and some nagging injuries.

Biedrins’ history with the Golden State Warriors has been rocky, but he could have an opportunity to make an impact with the Warriors next season.Festus Ezeli underwent surgery on his right knee recently, and he is expected to miss 6-9 months.

This past season, Andrew Bogut only played in 32 games during the regular season due to left ankle problems, so it’s not clear how healthy Bogut will be next season. Given these uncertainties, Biedrins could play significant minutes for the Warriors. However, it’s not clear if he’ll rise to the occasion given his history with the Warriors.

Jan. 2, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins (15) on the court against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Warriors 102-91. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports.

Biedrins started to show his potential during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons. Before the 2008-2009 season, the Warriors signed Biedrins to a six-year, $63 million contract. He had a breakout season in 2008-2009 when he averaged 11.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 57.8 percent shooting in 30 minutes per game.

Back then, Biedrins was confident and active both offensively and defensively. He showed off his great defense when he blocked shots, covered the whole floor, and in pick-and-roll situations. The Warriors thought they had found the center of their future.

However, Biedrins started to embark on his downward spiral during the 2009-2010 season. He shot a career-low 16 percent on free throws that season and only attempted 25 free throws.

Because of Biedrins’ lack of success at the free throw line, he appeared to not want the ball as much, because opposing teams would just foul him to prevent him from getting off a good shot. This shook Biedrins’ confidence so hard that it doesn’t like he ever recovered.

Biedrins also suffered many injuries throughout his career that slowed his progression in becoming more of a confident player again. Biedrins only played 33 games in the 2009-2010 season because of back and groin injuries.

When Keith Smart took over the head coaching job for the Warriors in the 2010-2011 season, Biedrins had another opportunity to regain some confidence and play like his old self. He started off the season well, but, unfortunately, was hit by injuries again.

Despite the potential and the talent that Biedrins showed early on his career, he has become a permanent end-of-the-bench player for the Warriors. This past season, Biedrins came into games just to provide extra fouls and to play garbage minutes in games that had already been decided. Because of his new role, it seems unlikely that Biedrins would step up next season if given the opportunity to.

Biedrins has been in similar situations before where he has had the opportunity to start or provide valuable, effective minutes off the bench. Bogut was injured at the beginning of the season, so Biedrins had the opportunity to start the season at center and ultimately become the backup center for the Warriors.

Before last season started, every player on the Warriors showed up early to Oakland, before training camp even started. Except for one. Biedrins ultimately lost the backup center job to Ezeli, not just because he was working out on his own before camp, but also because Ezeli was able to learn the system before Biedrins got there.

“At the end of the day, everybody else was here, so that was the concern–putting in principles, putting in ideas, putting in plays, competing, the comraderie. That was the issue,” Mark Jackson said about Biedrins not coming to training camp early.

Jan 18, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins (15) gets a slam dunk during the first half against the New Jersey Nets at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Biedrins also shows a tentativeness in games that he doesn’t show in practice. The pressure of an actual game and the fear of disapproval by the fans clouds Biedrins’ thought process during a game.

He often works out in the offseason with Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson, who claims that Biedrins is a completely different player during their practice sessions. He claims that Biedrins attacks the hoop more, uses spin moves, and shows his explosiveness. Jefferson has advised Biedrins to act like he is guarding him during games, which would hopefully make Biedrins more comfortable and not second guess himself.

“He always tells me to play in the game like I do in the practice,” Biedrins said. “He says, ‘C’mon, you can be so much better than that.’ And I kind of agree with him.”

The only way that Biedrins can try get back to his old self is to regain his confidence. His fear of getting fouled and having to shoot free throws changes everything about how he approaches a game.

Biedrins becomes absent on offense because he fears contact so much. Because of this, he doesn’t post up as much, he’s not as comfortable in pick-and-rolls, and the Warriors essentially end up having to play offense with just four players.

On defense, Biedrins still displays his athleticism, his ability to block shots, his footwork, his high level of activity, and his ability to help his teammates. Although he can end up fouling too much, Biedrins needs to channel that same energy he shows on defense in his entire game. He can attempt to get back to the same player he was a few seasons ago, but, as mentioned before, it all comes down to his confidence.

If Biedrins can find a way to regain some confidence and play in games with the same energy he has in practice, then he can start to get back to the player he used to be. However, it’s unlikely that he can get back there in just one offseason. It will take a couple solid seasons for him to feel like his old self.

Because of this, it’s unlikely he will step up significantly next season, but he can at least start to regain his old form and contribute to the team in any way he can, especially because his team might need him to if Ezeli and Bogut are out.

3 Things Klay Thompson Can Work On This Offseason

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This article was originally published on Let’s Go Warriors.

Klay Thompson improved drastically in his second year in the NBA. He proved that he is more than just a catch-and-shoot player, he had some incredible performances in the playoffs, and he became the best perimeter defender for the Golden State Warriors in Brandon Rush‘s absence. Every good player can improve in some way though, so here are three things Thompson can work on in the offseason:

1. Consistency
In the playoffs, Thompson showed that he can go on huge scoring runs and score at will at times. For example, in Game 2 in the Western Conference semifinals series against the San Antonio Spurs, Thompson had 34 points and 14 rebounds on 13-for-26 shooting from the field and 8-for-9 shooting from the three-point line. However, in games 3-6, he shot 34 percent from the field, and, in games 4-6, he failed to make a three-pointer. If Thompson can become more of a consistent shooter, it will take some of the scoring pressure off of Stephen Curry and David Lee. It would also allow them to get some easier shots, given that the defense will have to respond to Thompson’s efficiency.
Thompson showed vast improvements on the defensive end throughout the season. Thompson guarded Ty Lawson and Tony Parker in the playoffs, and he was great at using his size and length to stop the two speedy guards from shooting mid-range jumpers or driving into the lane. If he can become a consistently effective defender, the Warriors will be that much stronger defensively next season. Thompson could also become more consistent with grabbing defensive rebounds.

2. Attack the basket more and finish
Thompson is such a quality three-point shooter that he often will settle for jump shots. In addition, sometimes when Thompson drives to the basket, he is able to beat his man, but he can’t finish once the big man rotates over. If Thompson can learn a go-to move that he can use to get to the basket more quickly, it will allow him to get off an easier shot before the big man rotates over. Even if he doesn’t make the shot, Thompson needs to attack the basket more, so he can get to the free throw line more. He is an 85.1 percent free-throw shooter for his career, so if his shot is not falling, getting to the free throw line more would allow him to get some easy points and perhaps re-gain his shooting touch.
It would also help if he improved his ball handling skills, because this would allow him to have more control when he drives to the basket. Thompson has shown some improvement in his passing and ball distribution, so a better handle of the ball would also allow him to get his teammates more involved once he starts his drive to the basket.

3. Stay aggressive on defense, but limit fouls
Thompson has proven that he can be the best perimeter defender on the Warriors. He guards pick-and-rolls well, and he’s especially effective against smaller, quicker guards, because he uses his size to his advantage. He stays physical with them, but that can get him into trouble. In Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Spurs, the Warriors were up by 16 points and Thompson fouled out with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter. At that point, Thompson had limited Parker to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The Spurs went on a 18-2 run to send the game to overtime. In that span, Parker scored six points on 3-of-3 shooting, since he was able to score more freely without Thompson guarding him.
Thompson needs to stay out of foul trouble in order for the Warriors to be successful. He can sometimes become too aggressive on defense and shove his opponent a little or, like Curry does sometimes, he can reach in too often as well. Thompson needs to find a way to stay on the floor, especially in significant games, because his stellar defense allows Curry to take over the easier defensive assignment. Also, since he can stay in front of guards well, he doesn’t need other help defenders to slide over, which would expose the paint or the basket.