Report Card: 2007-2008 Season Kelenna Azubuike

Representing Great Britain

It may seem hard to believe but as the season began Azubuike made fans actually think J-Rich wouldn't be missed. Most Warrior fans attribute his beginning to a significant role during Novemeber right when Stephen Jackson was suspended and a big East Coast road trip lay ahead. However his rise to stardom was in the vegas summer League where him and Bellineli were the two stars and earned attention for his gritty defense something which mantaained his spot on the Roster.



After a terrific November where even this game winning shot against the 76ers Azubuike was highlighted more for his Defensive performances where he arguably performed better against Kobe then anyone else we've thrown at him the latter stage of the season. Azubuike also went from playing above the rim in the early season to fighting below it for rebounds or loose balls by the end. To me, the changes signify a player looking to fit in however he can. When the Warriors needed a scoring two-guard, he was it. When they needed a pseudo-power forward, he hit the boards. And when the original defensive stopper - Jackson - struggled to stay with his man, Kelenna stepped up to the challenge. MP should have been taking notes on how to perform in a contract year. Azubuike will likely be nicely rewarded right before his opt deadline of June 25th

Nuggets owned us this year except for this play!

If you want weaknesses he stepped out of his role too much, especially down the stretch, and he wasn’t as consistent from behind the arc. His defense was poor (Kobe exception)sometimes, but that could be expected from a second-year player. He's also developing knee problems already which could affect his Contract demands. Basically he wants more money then the mimimum deal he was offered. The Warriors would need to ask themselves is investing money at a possible injuy prone player worth it and his PPG average from 12 in November went down to 8.5. Two questions for fans next season is can he become more then a bench player and average 12-15 Points off it or combine the gritty intelligence of his late season games with the high-flying scoring of his early-season minutes. Interesting times lie ahead

Overall Grade C-

Kelenna Azubuike Irish Warriors Archive

Midterm Report Cards Grade C



2007-2008 Irish Warriors Report cards Archive
Chris Mullin C+

Report Card 2007-2008 NBA Season: Chris Mullin

The're here. It's time to rate and grade the Players and Staff that made up the 2007-2008 Golden State Warriors. For the first time since my midterm report Cards it's now time to rade and grade each and everyone and see if their grades have changed or have they remained the same.

Chris mullin going retro

The 2007-2008 season was perhaps one of Mullins biggest tests in terms of continuing the success the year before as the Warriors advanced to the postseason for the first time in 12 years. Unfortunately while this year saw the greatest Western Conference playoff race since 1987 meaning the Warriors didn't make it back a couple of questionable moves never helped. I still mantain the Richardson trade was a mistake because we just didn't have the production of Richardson throughout the months of March or april. Whilst Wright got his 6 and 5 and being outplayed by Jared Dudley Richardson went off for 42 and had an explosive March. Think that sort of production throughout the season and I mantain thats a 52-55 win team.

Even with the Wright trade Mullin never seemed to make any attempts at getting a big man not counting the Chris Webber debacle. Just when it seemed the Drew Gooden, Ron Artest or Kurt Thomas rumours would never stop he goes out and gets a near 40 year old big man who didn't play since the Pistons fell to the Cavalliers in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals and was all out of sync. Two Forwards who don't produce much = not much of a chance of repeating that success. As well as the Troy Hudson mistake or the Draft errors it would be very easy to go overly critical on the guy.

On the other hand you can't really. He's put Golden State back on the NBA map by bringing back Nelson second winnengest coach of all time, He made the trade which gave Indiana Murphys contract even though Harringtons stats are disspapointly similiar. But most of all he's given the fans who suffered through clueless coaches and mediocre players something to actually cheer about. For that he deseerves a solid if not spectacular grade.

Overall Grade: C+

Irish Warriors Archive on Chris Mullin
Draft Grades
Mullin becoming Knicks GM?
Mullin to New York no way
The Mullin era
Irish Warriors Hall Of Fame: Chris Mullin

Leon Powe and Game 2 of the NBA finals

Believe it or not but as far back as January I wrote a post about Leon Powe and how we should use the 2.1 Ike diogu now expired trade exception. At the time he seemed out of favour with the Celtics and unable to get any playing time.

Fast forward to June and in game 2 seemingly with Boston's homecourt advantage on the line he then proceeds to come off the bench and score 21 with the Celtics looking every bit the deserved winners. Even though I hate all things Boston and rejoiced when the Pats choked their regular season down the drain I still feel a certain affinity for the Celtics partly because a large part of their roster has Bay Area connection Powe (Oakland Tech + Cal), Eddie House (Hayward High), and Paul Pierce (born in Oakland) means I feel a connection to them thats simply non existant in our state rivals. Or maybe it's to do with my irishness!

Powe Steps up for Celtics ESPN
Don't dismiss Powe because Lakers Defense sucks AOL Fanhouse
Leon Powe flexes Muscles smacks Lakers- Emptythebench.com
You always gotta put a body on Leon Powe Deadspin

Update Didn't feel like starting up a new post for what isn't major news but it looks like the Warriors attempts to after Yi provoked "great laughter" throughout the office. Not that they don’t like Yi as a player, but they weren’t manuevering that day to get Yi. It also must be noted that if the Warriors really are desperate for Yi, according to my first-hand experience with them, they would probably say they ARE NOT trying to trade for him. The reality is, you just never know what Chris Mullin’s thinking."

Inside the Warriors report

Mocking you: 2008 NBA mock Drafts 2nd edition

Talk about Alexander going to the Dubs?

It's been nearly three weeks since the last Draft Mock update and quite a bit has changed. With just three weeks left before the Bulls and Heat finally decided to have taken Rose or beasley before the draft, expect more and more rumors to start flying around about teams trading up, down, and all around. For the Warriors they are currently working a lot of players

In other news rumours coming in about the Warriors trading Brandon Wright and #14 pick for YI To be honest it appears the writer David Thorpe is basing it on the large chinese population in the Bay Area. The mere thought of trading both for the overrated Chinaman who posts up chairs in his pre-draft workouts, drives me nuts.

Stay well clear of Yi


So who do the various mock drafts around the WWW have the Warriors taking

Hoopsworld.com
#14 De Andre Jordan- Hell no. His lack of motivation was clearly apparent during his workouts just as it was during his freshman year. He, to me, is the most likely bust in this draft class.

NBADraft.net #14 De Andre Jordan #49 Trent Plaisted Never heard much of Plaistead here's his scouting report

Strengths: Left handed 6-10 post guy with great speed and athletic ability ... His speed allows him to beat his man down the court on a consistent basis ... He has supposedly been timed running a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash ... A hard worker who is very coachable ... Has solid strength and shows a willingness to bang inside ... Likes to face the basket from inside 12 feet ... Has an effective go-to move where he faces up, dribbles left and then shoots over his right shoulder ... Being left-handed helps his cause, as with any lefty, opponents have to adjust ... Shows a solid hook shot ... Raises his level of play in big games, as shown in his big performance against Tyler Hansbrough and UNC earlier this season ... Has shown solid improvement in his rebounding raising his per game average nearly 3 per game to around 9 rpg ... His passing ability has developed in his junior year. When doubled, he does a good job of finding open teammates ... Very durable. Has missed just one game in his college career ...

Weaknesses: Despite being an upperclassmen, Plaisted is very inconsistent and at times disappears mentally. He must develop better focus and consistency ... Lacks great back to the basket moves. Has improved in the post, but often relies too heavily on his athleticism, which doesn't work against similarly athletic players ... Despite his great leaping ability, he's not much of a shot blocker. Has short arms and doesn't seem to anticipate shot blocks well ... Small for the center position. Short arms also take away from his ability to rebound with diminished length ... A sub-par free throw shooter. His 55% free throw shooting limits his effectiveness offensively ... Must look to cut down on turnovers ...

Draft Express Kosta Koufas

Looking at Koufos’ game, there is certainly a lot to like, starting with some of his abilities in the post, specifically his back-to-the-basket finesse game. Here, Koufos heavily favors a right-handed hook shot and turnaround jumper, or occasionally a shot that’s somewhat a hybrid of both. With his good hands, touch off the glass, size, and ability to establish post position quite easily at this level, Koufos gets a lot of good looks in the 5-10 foot area. Koufos’ post game is fairly limited, though, in that his repertoire doesn’t extend much beyond here, primarily because he has no left hand to speak of. Koufos will rarely try to turn off his right shoulder, and when he does, it usually results in a turnaround jumper with his right hand at an awkward angle, that’s also prone to being blocked. No matter how close he is to the rim and no matter how obvious it may be that using his left hand is the best option, he simply never does it. This predictability about his post game leads to some problems as well, resulting in some of his right-handed hook shots being blocked by smaller opponents, because most teams know its coming. Koufos compounds things further by sometimes rushing his shots in the post or not fully following through on his moves, not getting full extension on his hook, resulting in some flat-looking shot attempts.

Real GM#14 Darrell Arthur

He is very athletic, sprinting the floor with gusto, beating his man down the floor for easy transition buckets. His jump shot is far from developed, but shows nice promise.

ESPN.com Chad Ford#14 De Andre Jordan

A number of teams are skeptical about Jordan, but most believe he's going to be in the lottery somewhere. At this point, can the Warriors really pass him up?

Inside Hoops #14 JaVale McGee

About.com #14 Joe Alexander

Alexander works his tail off and that work ethic will be appreciated in the Bay Area. Alexander can definitely bring the pain to the rim and is a perfect match offensively in coach Don Nelson's up and down game.

Pro Basketball News
#14 Nicolas Batum

It's been said that Batum's stock has slipped due to a poor showing last season, but one look at this kid's jaw-dropping athleticism makes it easy to believe the rumor I've heard that there's sand-bagging involved with this 19-year-old. The Rudy Gay comparison isn't far-fetched

CBS Sportsline #14 Darrell Arthur or Kosta Koufas

Who do you think the Warriors should draft with the 14th pick?. Any links to excellent Mock draft sites other then the above just post them in the comments

Golden State draft Workouts

Just a quick summary of the Draft workouts taking place with some of the seemingly lower draft prospects. In the hype of the Celtics-Lakers Finals it's easy to forget what exactly are the Warriors front office doing to address our Drafting problems. Well here are the answers.

The Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Seattle Supersonics, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors have all requested workout time with Arkansas swingman and big time dunker Sonny Weems before the draft on June 26th. Definitely worth a shot with the 49th pick overall if he's still on the draft board.

Busy days ahead for Sonny Weems



Reggie Larry works out for Golden State Check out the headline and you'll start wondering about the standards of journalism in Idaho

Larry worked out with five other players (JaJuan Smith of Tennessee, A.J. Abrams of Texas, Mykal Riley of Alabama and two foreigners) in front of the Warriors’ brass, including general manager Chris Nelson and coach Don Nelson."

An interesting prospect seemingly about 6’6 with range on his jumpshot and athleticism. I think that his length will disrupt 3s his size, and it always gives him some help in guarding the post so should he he well in Warriors hands it's worth taking a look.



Nathan Jawai lastly. NBA draft and Draft Express profiles. Had to grimace at the Draft Express view best case scenario is Erick Dampier. Uh oh

Youtube Monday

Haven't posted a section on Youtube Monday since god knows when. But concentrating on the Warriors the wonders of the people that compile all the NBA mixes to the public have now done a delicious 8 minute long video of the 2007-2008 season. Of course our highlights extend way longer beyond that time span but during the drought it would have been a safe bet that would have been the time span. This season may have been 48 wins and a missed Playoff berth but unlike the 12 years where we suffered being outcoached repetively, Mike Dunleavy and a mediocre Front Office (Still exists) there is a slight amount of hope for the future.

BBJ

Don Nelson returns for the 2008-2009 season

The best and only important news of a longer then usual offseason thanks to the misforunte of seeing a possible Lakers Championship. Nelson is back one more year to save this incompetent Front Office and a flawed roster from not doing much otherwhise.

We wouldn't be anywhere else with this guy

Don Nelson coming back

Seriously I cannot imagine anyone taking control of a roster that has a lot of flaws but lead them to 48 wins in the most competetive Western Conference Playoff race in NBA history. I very much doubt any Coach other then Nelson would give brutally honest interviews after every game, No other coach other then Nelson has to deal with a woeful tendency of drafting project big men ala POB, No other coach would have to deal with an organiazation that has so far refused to admit dealing Jason Richardson for nothing was a mistake. And finally for a team notable for the repetitive draft failures much like he did when he first arrived in the Bay Area he's changed a fanbase accustomed to a losing culture for 12 years and made Golden State hoops relevant again.

Increidbly this is Nelsons 30th year in the League. His coaching record, Basketball achievements and innovation is matched by very few.

Don Nelson wikipedia
Irish Warriors Search for Don Nelson

Here's what one year of Don Nelson means.

Warriors on Hardwood floor One more of Nelson means once again the Dubs are the primary attraction on the Basketball floor. The only reason worth staying up late is to watch them on national TV or League pass.

Baron Considering Baron is in a contract extension year I very much doubt he'll opt out now the Warriors front office will (hopefully) shake off their cheap reputation and shell out the money. I'm slightly conflicted over whether we should resign Boom Dizzle. I'd love to see the Warriors take care of Baron Davis with a reasonable contract and have his Beardness retire a Warrior (like Jason Richardson should have), but I do understand the worries about BD's health and even his attitude with a poor coach (which Chris Cohan is almost certain to bring on sometime in the near future).

He's even got a sense of humour

Someone Will leave No way this roster stays put for the 2007-2008 season. He has no confidence in the young talent like Brandon Wright or Bellineli and POB is a goner. Should be interesting to see whther he retains the entire trio of Harrington, Pietrus and Barnes even though Air france and Barnes are probably gone. . I will definitely miss any of this trio that the Warriors front office understandably doesn't bring back.

Outcoached Forget the Dave Cowen days or Brian Winters the Warriors will rarely get outcoached.

No NBA Title though This has often been the main critiscm when these so called experts rate Nelson in the top NBA Coaches of all time list. Even though I agree Nelson relies too much on his Run and Gun style which doesn't work in this defensive age you could argue unlike a Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Jerry Sloan or Gregg Popovich he's never had the same amount of talent as those guys. Discounting Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin or Mithc Ritchmond nonoe of them had the same level of talent as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan. It's bad luck for Nelson but when evaulating him in that type of list you have to look at factors such as those.

Look three coaches are better then him Larry Brown, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich. But I would contend none of those coaches would want to coach an organisation that had just given out ludricious contracts to Dunleavy, Murphy and Foyle neither which proved they were worthy of a lenghty extension. He's had to deal with a cheap Front office and a team that's missed the playoffs 13 out of 14 years. Yet despite theese setbacks Golden State is back on the NBA map.

He's defintely the right Coach for next season.