Official Warriors Offseason Thread --> PLEASE LOCK.

[TheGodFresco]

Udoh is wearing #20

 

[eagle 0n]

[h2]http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2010/06/25/why-warriors-chose-udoh-over-monroe/[/h2]

[h2]Why Warriors Chose Udoh over Monroe[/h2]
By Marcus Thompson
Friday, June 25th, 2010 at 12:27 am in Uncategorized.

I just talked with a couple of people in the know from the Warriors about why they went with Baylor PF Ekpe Udoh over Georgetown center Greg Monroe. I tried to ask all of the questions I’ve seen, and get the answers that weren’t prepared for the press conference.

For the record, I don’t agree or disagree with any of these answers. My opinion is once DeMarcus Cousins went No. 5, this draft was over. It didn’t really matter, because the Warriors needs are greater than what this draft could provide. It was either a trade, or just grab whoever and move on. That’s what the Warriors did, though many don’t believe they grab the best.

Anyway, here is the explanations I received to the questions surrounding their pick:

If you need a center, why not get Georgetown center Greg Monroe?

From what I was told, the Warriors liked Monroe. He had some tools they liked. But his negatives gave him pause. He’s not athletic enough. And his game is better suited for the Princeton-style offense he played at Georgetown. The Warriors don’t need a high post big man. They need a beast inside to get buckets, match-up with an opponents’ inside beast and protect the basket. Monroe wasn’t that. They did say he will be good, though. He just wasn’t the best fit and they didn’t have an interest in waiting for him to develop.

Why Udoh then?

He really impressed at his workout, and no one did anything to supplant him as No. 6 on their board. Not Xavier Henry. Not Paul George. Not Patrick Patterson. One person said it was very clear that Udoh was the best player at that spot. They like his defensive ability, especially because he can guard multiple positions, and he’s got a good enough offensive skillset that they didn’t feel like they were drafting a specialist.

OK, you liked Udoh. But why not trade down and get him later in the draft?

One person I talked to was convince that Udoh would not have been around later in the draft at 10 or 11. One said Detroit would’ve taken Udoh. Another said he wouldn’t have gotten past Utah, who took Gordon Hayward.

(This is me talking: Riley said he wanted a player in exchange for the No. 6 pick. He didn’t want to just swap No. 6 for, say, No. 11. He wanted No. 11 and a player. He didn’t want No. 11 and a second-round pick. And, obviously, No. 11 and cash didn’t do the trick.)

You said you needed a small forward, why not draft a  small forward?

They were not that impressed with the small forwards in the draft, at least not their ability to come in and contribute. The preference is for a veteran small forward, maybe even a beast, who can come in and make a difference. Which ever small forward they would’ve gotten, outside Evan Turner or Wesley Johnson, would’ve taken a while to get to the point where he could have a key role.

(Me again: Expect the Warriors to make a play for a Rudy Gay or Andre Iguodala. Or even a third-tier SF type, like John Salmons or Rudy Fernandez) 

Why draft another PF when you have two already?

They, simply put, considered Udoh as the best player available and they took the best player. If Monroe was the best player in their mind, they would’ve drafted Monroe, even though that would’ve meant a fourth center (behind Biedrins, Turiaf, Gadzuric). Instead of missing a guy filling a need, they wanted to get the best player available in their mind and worry about how it fits later, kind of like Washington did (though on a different level of best player available).  And the reality is, one person said, they have to consider all trades because it is their only means for adding a difference maker. So loading up on talent gives you flexibility to be ready to go either way.

Will Udoh even see the floor?

I was told twice he will. Because he plays both ends, he will see some time. No one expects him to beat out Randolph or Wright, but he will cause them to have to be on their game. And one person pointed out, reluctantly, that know one knows how Brandan Wright will be coming back. That is why he is playing in summer league. He hasn’t played since January 2008. This person made it clear that they expect big things from Brandan Wright and that his progress has been good. But it’s not like an insurance policy is a bad idea.

(Riley said at the press conference that he cam see the Warriors using two PFs instead of a true center because of the length.)

Why not trade up and get Cousins?

Nothing was there. They tried, I was told, but the top five teams weren’t budging.

Why don’t you want to draft for potential insted of a 23 year old?

“We just don’t need any more projects.

 

[offbad]

Larry Riley said Azubuike is least healed of Warriors injured players. Sounds like not given he's 100 percent by training camp

 

[bangdak]

They need Buike to play the 5!



Looks like another lottery season coming up

 

[lazyj10]

Stieny went in on why he liked the Udoh over Monroe pick. Honestly wish we would have traded down and grabbed Henry...Memphis taking him didn't amount to a whole lot of sense.

And this argument about playing defense (Udoh) is annoying because he's one guy...I know it's a start but drafting based on that isn't really going to be beneficial if 4 other guys on the floor aren't

 

[chr1scross]

Originally Posted by acidicality

the black hoody with the logo on it looks dope. i'll probably end up getting one.

yup.. I want one too.. didn't have enough $$ yesterday

my boy got the grey one though

 

[bangdak]

Wow, that looks nice.

 

[jalrulz]

mavs giving jeremy lin a chance on their summer league squad.

too bad warriors didnt.

 

[chris82790]

the black sweater with the white stripes is

 

[what up]

Originally Posted by Jalrulz

mavs giving jeremy lin a chance on their summer league squad.

too bad warriors didnt.

What?  Do you hear that?

That's the sound of Acid's heart shattering and it doesn't even have to do with a girl.































































KIDDING.

  

 

[jalrulz]

lmfao. (two, three, four, five)

 

[acidicality]

[paul]

[/paul]
sucks the warriors didn't get him but it's great that he's getting a chance.

on another note...
employment is so hard to find nowadays

. i also realized how important connections are in getting jobs, etc. i had an interview today for a summer internship, it's looking pretty good, but i can't say for sure until they decide next week. but i got real lucky with connections.

 

[bangdak]

Well, connections are a major reason why most people join frats, sorits, although partying and being a pimp/$%#@ is also a part of most peoples decision.

 

[eagle 0n]

From GSoM:

 

[dont be a menace]

looks better. people were saying it's more of a Nuggets cw.

 

[acidicality]

not bad. looks better than before.

 

[chr1scross]

more like pacers than nuggets to me

 

[mister916]

That collar is killing me. I guess as long as it fits well rather than being really baggy then it should look good.

 

[daprescription]

Eh, like it more than the initial drawing that was posted. Gotta see the away now.

 

[lazyj10]

I don't like the collar either...looking forward to some of the alternates though

 

[chris82790]

does anyone know if the team is doing hardwood classics this year?

 

[jumpmanfromdabay]

they look better in the pics but i still not feeling them still. im sure the yellow (alt) will look nice

 

[ady2glude707]

Originally Posted by LazyJ10

Stieny went in on why he liked the Udoh over Monroe pick. Honestly wish we would have traded down and grabbed Henry...Memphis taking him didn't amount to a whole lot of sense.

There was talk that the questionable GS and MEM picks could be part of a deal that would involve the Monta/Mayo & Thabeet trade that was rumored to be earlier this year. 

That jersey looks MUCH better than what we first saw IMO, road jerseys should look even better

 

[TheGodFresco]

Real thing looks better than the rendering, Curry away will be copped

 

[Dunk Demon]

Originally Posted by EAGLE 0N

From GSoM: