PurpleHaze
All-Star
Looking forward to see if Warriors fans turnout and get loud to push Golden State to their first win of the season - over Dirk and the Mavs. With Stephen Jackson still suspended and J-Rich traded, not as much firepower as last year in the playoffs - so far. Hope new sensation Kelenna Azubuike has a big game and looking forward to seeing Euro-star Marco Belinelli off the W's bench. Nellie's antics on the sidelines can be fun too.
A tid bit from San Jose Merc:
http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_7393683?nclick_check=1
As it stands now, the Warriors have one less player teams have to key on, one less decision opponents have to make about on whom to place their best perimeter defender. That's why the Warriors aren't yet scoring with the ease and fluidity of last season -- and it may be awhile before they do.
To be sure, the Warriors have some weapons in waiting. Monta Ellis is on his way to becoming a proven scorer. His quickness, leaping ability and talent for finishing at the basket makes him nearly unstoppable despite his inexperience and limitations. Forward/guard Kelenna Azubuike looks like a suitable replacement at shooting guard for Richardson. With his athleticism, ability to penetrate, solid free-throw shooting and overall efficiency, he could end up being an even better scorer than Richardson. Plus shooting guard Marco Belinelli is a promising rookie.
But that's down the road. Perhaps, sooner than later, but still down the road. Azubuike and Belinelli have to produce consistently over a long period to be considered proven scorers. Then, after that, they have to do it while being the focus of the opponents' game plan.
"Jason was a proven scorer already," Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart said. "The other guys (replacing Richardson) have the potential to be that way. But you have to wait and see, take them through that process. ... Azubuike is moving in that direction, but then he's a young guy. He's almost there, but he's a young guy, and you have to see how he does over an extended period."
A tid bit from San Jose Merc:
http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_7393683?nclick_check=1
As it stands now, the Warriors have one less player teams have to key on, one less decision opponents have to make about on whom to place their best perimeter defender. That's why the Warriors aren't yet scoring with the ease and fluidity of last season -- and it may be awhile before they do.
To be sure, the Warriors have some weapons in waiting. Monta Ellis is on his way to becoming a proven scorer. His quickness, leaping ability and talent for finishing at the basket makes him nearly unstoppable despite his inexperience and limitations. Forward/guard Kelenna Azubuike looks like a suitable replacement at shooting guard for Richardson. With his athleticism, ability to penetrate, solid free-throw shooting and overall efficiency, he could end up being an even better scorer than Richardson. Plus shooting guard Marco Belinelli is a promising rookie.
But that's down the road. Perhaps, sooner than later, but still down the road. Azubuike and Belinelli have to produce consistently over a long period to be considered proven scorers. Then, after that, they have to do it while being the focus of the opponents' game plan.
"Jason was a proven scorer already," Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart said. "The other guys (replacing Richardson) have the potential to be that way. But you have to wait and see, take them through that process. ... Azubuike is moving in that direction, but then he's a young guy. He's almost there, but he's a young guy, and you have to see how he does over an extended period."
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