You will respect us...Official 2012-13 Golden State Warriors thread

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ryderldb

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There's something about lacob that rubs me the wrong way. He looks like a whiny rich fukk. That will go away though if we can make the playoffs :jawalrus:
 
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ryderldb

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I was dying. When dude finally was able to get a couple words out he was so shook. He just read his little speech super quick and got the fukk outta there. :russ:
 
G.O.A.T Squad Spokesman

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Warriors center Andris Biedrins said at media day on Monday that he is ready and committed for the upcoming season. Ordinarily, a player wouldn’t have to make that kind of declaration on Day 1, but Biedrins’ circumstances aren’t ordinary.

Biedrins was the only Warriors player who didn’t participate in optional workouts earlier this month, and then coach Mark Jackson publicly expressed disappointment about it.

But Biedrins was alongside his teammates on Monday, the first official day of training camp.


“My commitment level has always been the same as it is now – and like it was before,” said Biedrins, entering his ninth NBA season. “That doesn’t mean just because I wasn’t here I wasn’t practicing. I was practicing hard, twice a day, for the past month. I feel great. As long as I can help, come in here in great shape at the start of training camp with the other guys, that’s almost the same thing.”

Like he has done in previous offseasons, Biedrins spent most of the month of September in Santa Barbara working out.

None of this would be in issue, of course, if it weren’t for the fact that Biedrins’ career is in a three-year free fall. In 2008-09, Biedrins averaged 11.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Since then he’s been a shell of himself, and his numbers and playing time have shrunk.

[RELATED: Andris Biedrins career stats | News]


Nobody’s been able to explain why exactly this has happened, including Biedrins. But he said on Monday he thinks he can return to the player he once was.

“I think it is (possible to get back to where he was),” Biedrins said. “I think physically I’m there. A lot has to do with just kind of believing in yourself more than I am. I’ve had frustrating years and you kind of stop believing in yourself so much as you did before – like three years ago. That’s the main reason. But I think I can get there.”

Assuming Andrew Bogut is healthy, Biedrins is going to have to get there coming off the

bench. And he’s expected to get some competition at backup center from rookie Festus Ezeli.

“He just needs to realize that’s he’s not a bad basketball player,” Bogut said of Biedrins.

“Regardless of what people say, he can help us. My message to him would be: You can help us. What people say? Who cares? You proved that (you could play) a couple of years ago. No excuse why he can’t do it now.

“Whatever your past coaches, whatever your past general managers, whatever the past fans have said, who cares? He can help us. I think if he hears that from us, it will help him.”

The key for the Warriors will be to try to keep Biedrins in the fold. He has had flashes over the past few years but he’s been nowhere near consistent.

“We need to get his confidence level back to where he can help us,” Bogut said. “He’s 7-foot, he can move, he’s mobile. He can rebound. He can block shots. We need to get him to do it again.”

Biedrins acknowledged on Monday that his confidence has wavered in the recent past. But he feels that might be changing.

“I think it’s much higher than it was last year,” Biedrins said of his confidence. “I think I had a great month now and I was practicing a lot and I feel good about myself. So, we’ll see when training camp starts and I’m excited to play with the guys.”
Click to expand...
 
G.O.A.T Squad Spokesman

G.O.A.T Squad Spokesman

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At media day, when asked about the SF competition, Barnes expressed appreciation that he had a coach willing to consider a rookie to start. But when discussing his chances, he simply left it at “we’ll see.”

Uh oh. Sounds like whatever he had brewing is working.

Late last night, after the evening practice, I was talking with a source about the small forward competition. This source, who I trust and has seen every second of practice, said rookie Harrison Barnes has been special the first two practices. He went as far as saying “it’s Harrison Barnes’ job to lose.” Coming from him, it says something. Trust me.

Now, I’ve been considering Barnes a long shot of sorts in favor of easing him along, not putting too much pressure on him. We don’t get much practice, but allowing Barnes to develop methodically is a good plan. But it sounds like Barnes is having the kind of camp so far that makes him a serious contender to start. Admittedly, I was a bit surprised by the strong endorsement. Barnes has been flying under-the-radar lately and coach Mark Jackson has seemed pretty hesitant to tout him too hard. (Maybe that is a hint.) He praises him, but he usually quickly follows by pointing out it’s early or he hasn’t done it in games yet or he has a lot of room to grow.

No doubt, Barnes has the size and athleticism to feel the void at small forward. Golden State doesn’t need offense, which is his strength, but Jackson said Barnes has been working on his defense since the team began working out in earnest after Labor Day. Barnes has been chasing around Klay Thompson to help improve his defensive skills. Apparently it’s helping. If Barnes can hold his own defensively, Brandon Rush and Richard Jefferson had better watch out.

I still like the idea of bringing him along slowly. But nothing wrong with the best player getting the nod, rookie or no.
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Uh Oh, Looks Like Harrison Barnes Isn’t Ready to Hand Over Starting Job - Inside the Warriors - with Marcus Thompson
 
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