Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines....

First let me apologize for the lack of chatter over the last few days. Here at The Daily Dub we have been in eager anticipation of tonights tip off (for real) in the Association. We have been scouring the internet over the last few days, reading various team capsules, team blogs, and of course, the expert's predictions. The general consensus is that the Dubs will once again be left out of the playoffs. However, there is a minority uprising of nationally prominent writers who have gone out on a limb to suggest that the Dubs will (somehow) make the playoffs. Though, no one has gone far enough to suggest any concrete framework for how this is going to happen, rather that it somehow (fingers crossed, in Nellie we trust) will.
For those Jones-ing for some hip write ups on the Association, I have compiled to my right, a list of sites that I think you (as the informed hoops fan/junkie that you are) should be checking out on a daily basis. The sites range from comical in nature to highly intelligent and opinionated daily dish of scoop, hype, rumor and conjecture from some of the better(than me) hoops fans around.
Of these sites it is my opinion that FreeDarko is the best of the best. Now, I am fairly new to the FreeDarko blogsphere, but I can assure you, that any site that lists the amazing Gilbert Arenas as their site's signature player, and most representative of the FreeDarko movement, that it is worth checking out on a daily basis. Make sure to click here to read what seems to me to be one of the finer essays on FreeDarko, and pay particular attention to the love heaped upon our Golden State Warriors at the bottom of the post.
Speaking of Arenas, there has been a whole lot of love and affection thrown his way recently because of his very unique personality, his truthful-ness and obviously his quirky frame of mind. Thanks goes out to Truehoop for pointing us on to this one, a must read, let me tell you.
Lastly, and to get you in the spirit of tonight double dip on TNT between the Heat and Bulls and then the Lakers/Suns I provide a link to some clips from Gilbert's early days with the Dubs. Mostly, I included this link for rare footage of the alley oop he tossed to JRich by bouncing the ball off the floor. Watch closely.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Its Almost Here

I'm so excited. The NBA season is almost upon us. This is really my favorite time of the year. I know the L is upon us when my body starts sending my biological signals. Like last night for instance, I had my first, in what promises to be a series of NBA related dreams. (This happens to me every year)
So last night, the dream was not a good one for Bulls fans. Kirk Hienrich was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident. In my dream, I was lamenting the plight of the Bulls organization. For the second time in 3 years, their promising young point guard was lost for the season to a motor cycle accident. I remember thinking (in my dream) what is up with all these athletes, why do they feel the need to ride motor cycles and live so dangerously when one slip up or mistake could cost them A. their lives
B. millions in future earnings

When I woke up, I realized, and was somewhat relieved for Bulls fans, and for Hienrich, that all was indeed ok.
But lets refresh the list of Millionaire athletes who have ruined, or possibly slowed the progress of once promising careers due to idiotic rides on motorcycles.
1. Jay Williams (2nd pick of 2002 NBA Draft)
Williams at the time of his drafting, was considered a can't miss point guard prospect. Though his dominance at the college level didn't immediately translate on the pro level, by the second half of his rookie season, he was starting to produce at a respectable rate and even dropped in a triple double for good measure of his future promise.
After his initial campaign, he crashed his motorcycle into a tree at over 70 miles an hour, and almost killed himself. He broke his pelvis and bunch of other bones. He has been out of basketball for over 3 years, and his comeback was cut short as he was cut by the Nets last week. The quickness that was his trademark is gone completely, and without it, he is just an ordinary guard.
2. Kellen Winslow (6th Pick 2004 NFL Draft, Tight End, Cleveland Browns)
After breaking his leg in the early part of his rookie year, Winslow completed a year of rehab, only to break a bunch of other bones in 2005 while crashing his motorcycle. The son of Hall of Fame receiver by the same name, Jr. at this point of his career is best known for his idiotic tirade after a loss in a college game at the University of Miami (the U) and his even more idiotic off season motorcycle incident. He has returned to the playing field this year however, his team has not been able to utilize his talents enough, and are not playing good football.
3. Ben Rothelsberger (11th Pick 2004 NFL Draft, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Taken 5 picks after Winslow, but still not much brighter, Rothelsberger led his the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory this past february. Hailed as the savior of the once proud franchise, "Big Ben" won an amazing 15 games as rookie, and then followed that season by getting the once proud franchise their elusive 5th super bowl trophy. He followed up the season my almost killing himself on the hood of Pittsburgh car by driving his motorcycle around without a helmet. Luckily for him, he managed to escape any serious brain injury, and only (somehow) broke his jaw. However, it remains to be seen if Ben will ever be the same player he was in his first two seasons. The defending Super Bowl champs are 2-4 coming off an overtime loss in Atlanta, and Ben has been less than spectacular this season.
All of these athletes seem to think they are invincible. Winslow and Rothlisberger are lucky in that they recovered and are still able to play. Williams wasn't so lucky. Riding motorcycles with or without helmets is a serious gamble with one's life.
For something a bit more humours, make sure to check Suns Gossip today for Raja Bell's newest flow.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

A Wonderful Union

Make sure to check out Tim Kawakami today for his great article about Baron Davis and subsequent blog entry regarding his Q & A with Baron post yesterday's 33,5 and 13 he dropped on the Portland TrailBlazers. Acoording to Kawakami, Baron couldn't talk for too long because he had post game plans with the beautiful Gabrielle Union. Regardless, it appears the Davis and Coach Nelson appear to be on the same page about what they want from each other. I'll let you click away for a much better synopsis than I could produce.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

She loves me, she loves me not

Well? Is he gonna play or not? The 64 thousand dollar question. Last week it was no, yesterday it was no. Today, well.... it appears that it may be yes! The SF Chronicle is reporting that Jason Richardson may indeed be ready to give it the 'ol college try in time for next Wednesday's season opener.
As was discussed earlier in this space, the presence of Richardson or the corallary, the absence of Richardson is of the foremost concern to the Dubs. I hate to reiterate the obvious, but the Dubs need to win as many games in the month of November as possible. Having Richardson in the lineup on opening night would be a huge benefit. And so would the absence of Kobe Bryant. Sports Illustrated is reporting that Kobe is not healing as quickly as he has in the past from his off season knee surgery. While, Kobe is certainly one of the top 5 draws in the Association, the Dubs would certainly catch a break if he was in street clothes at the O, on opening night.
The Warriors are at home tonight in their second to last preseason game against the Portland Trailblazers. For Blazer news, click here.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Wild Wild West

In keeping with my pessimistic outlook (until proven otherwise of course) is the news from yesterday's SF chronicle that Jason Richardson may indeed miss the season opener against the Lakers. Now for more than selfish reasons (I will be there opening night) the Dubs cannot afford to be without Richardson for too long. They were 4-12 against their Pacific Division rivals last year. Which was the second worse intra-divisional record other than Houston going 1-15 against the Southwest.
I bring this up because the Warriors play the Lakers, a Pacific division rival on opening night. The Dubs play the games against the Lakers, Blazers, Jazz and Hornets (twice) within the first 9 days of the season. These are all teams that the Dubs will have to beat at home and are most likely competing against for the the 7th and 8th playoff spot. Hopefully Richardson will not be out very many games, because he will be counted on this season to bring his typical 23 and 6 a night. However, Kobe Bryant has missed the entire preseason as well, and news out of Sacrament today, indicates that Mike Bibby will miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season.
In other news, the Dubshack kept their current meaningless winning streak alive by beating the Clip Show on Friday night. However, both teams were without many regular season starters, most probably because neither coach, (Nelly and BigDun) would want to show their hand (so to speak/write) against the rival team. It should be noted that the Raiders were undefeated in preseason this year.
Next Game: Tuesday night against the Jail Blazers at.......... The Oracle in Oakland.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Murph, The Masked Man

Poor Troy Murphy. If he wasn't already Oafie enough, things got progressively worse for the big fella as Zach Randolph (Zeebo) delivered an inadvertant forearm shiver to the face in Tuesday night's game. Murphy broke his nose for the third time in life, and underwent surgery yesterday to get it straighted out.
Murphy is scheduled to miss at least the next two preseason games down at Staples center in Los Angeles tonight against the New Orleans Hornets and Saturday against either the Lake show or the Clip Show.
While this doesn't bode well for the team as they try to gain an identity in their new small ball way of living, it will provide an opportunity for......among others Ike Diogu, Patrick O'Bryant and Andris Biedrins.
Perhaps yesterday's post predicting the beginning of the end of Ike was a bit premature. Hopefully he can contribute in a positive manner for the Dubs to earn more tick as the season get under way for real. The loss of Murphy however underscores how thin the Dubs are in their frontline. If he were to miss significant time during the regular season, the dubs would be foreced to rely on an extremely young and raw reserves that were mentioned above. According to the SF Chronicle today, one player who still will not be inserted into the regular rotation even with the loss of Murphy is Adonal Foyle. Coach Nelson insists that he is still two heavy, and possibly not skilled enough to contribute the way the coach would like.
On a positive note, make sure to check out Brian Meehan's take on the Warriors/Blazers game from Tuesday night. Meehan pointed out that while Blazer Coach Nate McMillan had game planned to pound the ball into the post and take advantage of Blazers strength and size down low, in reality, the mismatches caused by the Warriors small ball line up forced McMillan to abaondon his plan in order to match with the smaller line up the Dubs were running on the court.
Nelson is a master of mis-matches, and the Warriors are obviously pinning their hopes for this season that he can exploit them on a nightly basis. As Meehan pointed out, Randolph had difficulty shadowing Dunleavy on the perimeter, and while one preseason outburst by LilDun can not yet justify 5 years at 8 million per, it is an encouraging indication that the Dubs may be onto something with this Nellie Ball

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Who Likes Ike?

With the 9th pick in the 2005 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors select..... DNP Coach's Decision.
OUCH!
I guess I was less surprised that Mike Dunleavy Scored 32 points in last night's preseason win against the Blazers than I was that our supposed best low post scorer did not get off the pine, in a preseason game no less. Here's the funny thing, according to NBA stats-ologist and ESPN.com columnist John Hollinger, Diogu is one of the better players on the Warriors. Here is what Hollinger had to say:

2005-06 season:
"The Warriors' first-round pick certainly showed he can score. Diogu shot 52.2 percent from the floor and averaged 18.8 points per 40 minutes, finishing with the fourth-best TS% among power forwards and a PER above the league aveage. His most impressive effort came on Dec. 23 when he torched Detroit's Wallaces for 27 points on 13-of-15 shooting. Those weren't garbage baskets either -- he was going right at Ben and Rasheed Wallace one-on-one and scoring.

That effort got him a spot in the starting lineup, but he had trouble holding down the job because of his other deficiencies. Diogu couldn't play in the same frontcourt as Troy Murphy because neither has the size to be an effective center, and as well as he played he wasn't about to beat out Murphy for the power forward job. He also had a serious problem with turnovers, ranking 63rd among the league's 69 power forwards with a 15.1 Turnover Ratio.

Scouting report: Diogu is a natural post scorer who has the body to get position on the blocks and the long arms and shiftiness to get his shot off once he makes his move. His game isn't nearly as refined away from the basket, but he's a good foul shooter (81 percent) and should become more of a perimeter threat as he gains practice. His one limitation is size. At 6-8, he relies on his length to propel shots over taller players.

Diogu's height is a real problem at the defensive end, where he was abused fairly regularly. He doesn't have the athleticism to make up for the height differential, so this is likely to always be a problem area for him. One solution would be to learn to use his bulk better -- at 255 pounds, he should be throwing bodies around under the rim, but his Rebound Rate was mediocre and he didn't seem willing to bang with opponents. Otherwise, it's just a question of learning -- most rookies have no idea how to play NBA defense, especially off the ball, and Diogu was no different.

2006-07 outlook: Diogu's fate is tied to that of Troy Murphy. The Warriors seem unwilling to trade him -- they wouldn't even include him in a deal for Ron Artest last year -- but Murphy's presence blocks his path to a starting job and power forward is the only spot either of the two can play. But if the trade rumors circling Murphy come to fruition Diogu seems like he could step in and give the same production at less cost, not to mention giving the team a low-post threat that was missing a year ago."

Aside from all of this, Diogu has been unable to fully grasp new coach Don Nelson's offense nor his defense. It does not bode well that he couldn't get off the bench in a meaningless game against what will most likely be the NBA's worst team.
Ramifications for the future? If Diogu can't figure it out, and ends up in Nelson's dog house, don't be surprised if G.M. Chris Mullin tries to package Diogu before the trade deadline. There were plenty of suitors for Diogu last year, but Mullin was so high on the rook that he refused to part with him for Ron Artest. (Obviously a mistake in hindsight)

Ike however can score the basketball, and can shoot free throws so it is still too early to give up hope that he can't suceed in Golden State. But keep an eye on his playing time as the season starts and if can't crack Nelson's regular rotation, I'm thinking he could be gone by February.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Impending Doom.....

I'm an "expect the worst, hope for the best" kind of guy. So today's news from Geoff Lepper was not quite the quick blow to the face that it probably should be. I actually wondered aloud to myself back in August why Richardson had waited so long to have knee surgery. Anyway, regardless of how our cute little 3 guard line up might be producing thus far in the meaningless exibition games, without JRich achoring down the two spot on opening night, the Warriors are doomed.
Don't get me wrong, I like Dujuan Wagner, and I think he'll be able to bring some instant offense. But without Richardson pouring in 23+ a night, the Warriors are no better than the worst team in the Association.
Dubs fans will remember a sequence in Montogomery's first season as coach, where Jason went down with a sprained ankle. The Dubs went on to lose ALL nine games that Richardson missed, and it wasn't until he came back on a less than fully healed ankle to drop 43 on the Nuggetts on TNT, that the they broke their losing streak.
The Warriors play 13 of their first 17 games at the Arena. It is absolutely imperative that they win a majority of those games. Without Richardson ready to go vs. the Lake Show on opening night, my feeling is that things are not looking good. We are still more than two weeks away from opening night, so there is time for JRich to recover. I guess our only consolation is that Kobe isn't playing any preseason games either.
Make sure to check out The Daily Dub's friend, Casey Holdahl for his take on tonight Dubs/Blazer's preseason tilt at the Rose Garden, in Portland.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Random Thoughts

Two things today:
1. A lot of people have been asking me whether I was rooting for the A's to get to win the World Series or whatever. The answer is plain and simple. NO! I really don't give a shit about the A's. I think part of why the nation and the national media looks down on the west coast, and on the Bay Area is that people out here are soft, and too wisheeee washy.
I'm from San Francisco, so hence I root for the Giants, the 49ers the Warriors and the Sharks. If SF had a basketball and hockey team, I would root for them as well. Please do remember however, that the Dubs first played in San Francisco after their move west. But basically, I don't root for the Oakland teams, as I am not from Oakland or the East Bay. The simplest way for me to describe this, and or compare the situations is this: If you were from Queens and you were a Mets fan, would you also root for the Yankees? NO, you would not. Nor would you root for the Cubs if you were a Chicago native from the South Side. So, please don't talk to me about the A's, the Raiders or any of those East Bay teams, cause well, I just don't care.
I might add that this post would have been more relavent prior to Oakland getting swept in such embarrasing fashion.

Point 2.

I was thinking about he plight of Matt Barnes, and Anthony Roberson battling it out for the final roster spot on the Dubs. It got me thinking. With the waiver last week of Dijon Thompson (a former Bruin) I began to drum up a mental list of UCLA alums that have done anything in the recent past in the Association. In the past 10 years or so, UCLA hasn't produced much in terms of NBA talent. Of course there is our fearless leader Baron Davis, but besides him, the list of guys who are currently employed is hardly something to write home about.
Jason Kapono, Earl Watson, Dan Gadzurick (sp?).
There was Jalani (Blunt smoke) McCoy, Ed and Charles O'Bannon, Tyus Edney. Not many all- star appearence on that list.
UCLA used to be a place where the nation's top recruits went to hone their games under John Wodden before making the sucessful jump to the NBA. Now however, UCLA can still land the top recruit, but what is happening once they arrive in campus in Westwood?
I have always found UCLA football and basketball players to be soft. Afterall, these are guys who like the idea of playing games in powder blue. Mind you, not Carolina Blue which commands much greater respect. I just think that the type of player that wants to go to westwood to play basketball is more enamored with the sun, the bling and quite probably, the white girls and LA scene, than with getting better at basketball.
USC, another LA school, but in the ghetto, rather than in a plush neighborhood, does not seem to have the same type of problem with the type of player they recruit.
So if Matt Barnes ends up making that final roster spot and helping out the Dubs in some way this season...... then I'm all for it. But I don't think the recent history is on his side.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Two in a row?

What can we gather from last night's 121-115 Warriors victory over the Denver Nuggetts? Probably not that much. The preseason in the NBA isn't so much about starters working on their games, but rather players like Anthony Roberson who are just trying to land somewhere.
Roberson made his case to claim the last roster spot going for 28 in the win. However, its more probable that former Bruin, 6-7 small forward Matt Barnes will gain the final spot. With a surplus of guards and a lack of true small forwards, Barnes appears to have the inside track on the final spot.
Regardless of that battle, an encouraging trend I see from the Dubs first two exibitions is the stat line for starting small forward Mickael Pietrus. In both games, he only took 3 shots and instead focused his attention to defense. For a guy who once claimed in a post game interview that he was "the future of the Warriors", Pietrus seems to have finally understood that his role in the NBA and specifically on this team is to D up his man, and hustle. Too often over the course of his career his play has been erratic and out of control. His ability to adapt, and accept the role that coach Nelson has laid out for him will be one of the keys to look for as the season gets underway.
Lastly, the game was played in Monterey, Mexico, and (former dub-shacker)Edjuardo Najaera started for the Nuggetts. Apparently, according to Jason Richardson, Najara is "like Elvis" in his native Mexico.
I like his game, but I never liked him as a Dub.
Warriors in Portland, Tuesday night.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Warriors Win!

Easy there...... sorry to get everyone so excited. But its hard to believe that my beloved NBA season has officially arrived. The Dubs crushed an over matched Efes Pilsen team (the top Euro League team) from Turkey, at the Arena last night 120-66. The Dubs were led by dynamo scoring guard Dujawn Wagner who had 18 on 8-14 shooting. Monta Ellis chipped in 17 and 5 dimes and all around the Dubs delivered what coach Nellie wanted to see........ an "ass whupping."

Of (dis)heartening news for long suffering Dubs fans was the obvious indication that Adonal Foyle is not going to get much run this year. Even in the laugher, the Senator did not get off the pine as Nellie went small and smaller against their comparatively short opponents.

Make sure to check the links to the right for a more thorough recap of the game (from folks who were actually there!) @ Golden State of Mind and of course, read Tim Kawakami's blog. (a must for bay area sports fans)

The Daily Dub will constantly attempt to update and improve our basic site, but for now baby, we are going cyber! Holla

TDD

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Welcome

Well, here it is...... The Daily Dub. My take on how the Warriors are going to fuck up another fine NBA season at the arena and (hopefully) land the top pick in next spring's draft lottery. With our luck however, Greg Ogden will stay in school. Oh well, I hear Nellie might start a 5 guard line up this year.