Pura vida, yatches.

Still the champs. Still wilding out after the victory parade. Heard it was an all-timer.

Dynasty is secure, but we’re trying to be even better next year and make it three in a row and four out of five.

Next season should be big, if for no other reason than it’s the team’s last season in Oakland. It would be awesome to win one more for the town before the team goes off to chase the tech money over in SF. Given ticket prices now, I’m not going to front like the crowd is as blue-collar as it was during the ’80s, but the “Roaracle” home court advantage will not be as much in effect once they move to the Chase Center. So it would be great to have that one last parade down Broadway and around the lake to give loyal fans from the ’Town a reward for their loyalty.

Player-wise, the story everyone is focusing on is the KD contract, but that’s almost a non-story. Whatever he signs, it’ll have an opt-out clause after this season so he can be eligible for the Supermax deal next year. Which leaves open a slim possibility that he doesn’t sign for the max this year, so the team has more money for free agents.

I also doubt Klay or Draymond sign any long-term extensions this off-season. The report that Klay is ready and willing to sign a “team friendly” deal has been denied by the organization. And his father was on TV saying that Klay is going to re-sign after the ’19 season ends. And Draymond’s contract isn’t over until the end of 2019-20, so no way he signs an extension now.

Regardless, I imagine this team is going to look a lot different next season. The main difference will be the big men. ZaZa is gone; might retire. David West said when he re-signed with us during the off-season that it would be his last season before retirement. Looney is likely gone; the team didn’t exercise his option before the season (he had never been healthy at that point), so they can’t do the “match to re-sign” thing. I certainly would understand if he opts for more money somewhere else. I would have bet damn near anything that Javale would be gone, but there’s talk that they might try to bring him back. Regardless, I doubt he signs a third league-minimum contract in a row.

That leaves Jordan Bell and Damian Jones as the only big men guaranteed to be on the team. I doubt Chris Boucher is going to be ready. Maybe they offer West one more year (he was pretty consistent this season) and then offer him a job with org as an assistant coach or something.

Beyond that, I like Nick Young, but he won’t be back. So we’ll have to fill the role of offense of the bench. At PG we’re good: Quinn Cook is the exact type of PG that we need. And Livingston plays his role. However, I wouldn’t be shock if the Warriors tried to trade Livngston (on the last year of his deal) for more cap space. I wouldn’t like the decision, but I’d understand.

Regardless, we’ll be an attractive spot for guys looking to win a ring. Trevor Ariza is rumored to want to sign with the team, and he’d be a great fit. Gives us some of the same defensive capabilities as Iggy, so it’d make things easier to “rest” Iggy until the play-offs. I’d actually really like it if they could talk someone like Reddick into signing, but he’s coming off of a $23 million a year deal; I doubt he signs anywhere for what would be a quarter of that or less. There’ll be options out there no matter what.

With the draft, we’ve had a good track record the last few seasons hitting late, so I figure that Myers and crew will be able to pull off another sleeper pick.

But for now, I’m just going to lounge a bit and appreciate the greatness. Still the best.

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Their per-36 and per-100-poss numbers were really similar last year outside of scoring, and GSW really doesn't need scoring. He can crash boards, block shots, play strong D, and hustle. He was one of the best in college the last few seasons in that role, and I liked what I saw when he was on the court this year. I'm a big, big fan of that dude. When Golden State got him last year, everyone who hates Golden State and watched the Pac-12 tossed their hands in the air in frustration. Perfect, perfect fit.

I doubt there's a solution to Zaza's size in the draft. Maybe Omari Spellman is there, but he's not *big* like Zaza-- he's just another smart, skilled shooting big who can block shots down low. He'd be a good fit if they wanted to keep doubling down on guys with a good size/versatility combo. If you wanted someone with real size, you'd have to trade up, something I doubt you're in the position to do, really. You could buy a second rounder and get Brandon McCoy, who'd be a good high risk/high reward guy-- and Golden State's done pretty well with those in recent years-- but he wouldn't be ready next year, he'd be more of a stash and hope he's ready to contribute in a year or two.

Of course, if you're looking for offense in the draft... I'd love to see Gary Trent or Grayson Allen end up there as a spark-off-the-bench guy, as either guy would *thrive* in a Golden State second unit, and at least Grayson should be available at 28. I think Grayson in particular would really shine alongside Quinn, and the idea of Grayson hate combining with Golden State hate just gives me joyous goosebumps. But hey, I realize I'm just dreaming and injecting some personal bias into the mix.

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<--- Big Baller World Order

Unless the pick up a sure-fire, most start traditional big man, or Damian Jones' game completely matures. I do love Bell's D, hustle, and athleticism. And he got more confident offensively as the play-offs went on; at first every time he got the ball he looked to pass immediately, but eventually settled in.

Still, if they do start Bell, it would be nice to have West or at least someone like him to play for the second unit. And a veteran presence, because I see Cook continue to eat into Livingston's minutes.

And thanks for the insight on the potential picks available a the end of the first. Those guys all look intriguing, especially Trent and Allen.

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>Unless the pick up a sure-fire, most start traditional big
>man, or Damian Jones' game completely matures.

And again, if any team can take one of these higher-risk/higher-reward guys and take him to the promised land, it's usually Golden State. But even at Vanderbilt, Jones was always a guy whose effort was questioned, not a consistently good rebounder, etc. And while I'm not hip to the beat of what Warriors insiders say, the fact that he can't get on the floor, combined with his per-36 rebounding numbers in admittedly limited minutes? Yeah, I'm scared.

When he was on at school, your eyes would get big, but he'd also very obviously take plays/runs/games off. And that just can't work in the NBA unless you're elite. I'm sure they'll push him hard this offseason to see what they think he can realistically provide next season... but yeah. I really question if he's a guy who can give you 18-20 minutes next year. Too much work to do.

I do love
>Bell's D, hustle, and athleticism. And he got more confident
>offensively as the play-offs went on; at first every time he
>got the ball he looked to pass immediately, but eventually
>settled in.

I'm sure he's already a fan favorite to some extent, but if they keep him around, he can be one of those "most beloved guys." Just a terrific guy, plays the game exceptionally well, so skilled. That run Oregon made after Boucher's injury in the tourney was *all* Bell. All heart. Love love love him.

>Still, if they do start Bell, it would be nice to have West or
>at least someone like him to play for the second unit. And a
>veteran presence, because I see Cook continue to eat into
>Livingston's minutes.

*fingers crossed!* Tho I do love Livingston too-- honorary Blue Devil, and what our squad would've looked like that year with him at the point is still one of my all-time "what if"s in Duke history.

>And thanks for the insight on the potential picks available a
>the end of the first. Those guys all look intriguing,
>especially Trent and Allen.

Yeah, most of the usable talent at first round's end is going to be on the wing-- the useful PGs will be gone (and isn't really the Warriors' top need) and the best bigs will be too (save for maybe Spellman). The best guys that I think could realistically be there, aside from Trent and Allen:

Reaches:
Donte DiVincenzo and Jerome Robinson. I think both will be gone well before your pick, but both would be dynamite-- exceptional shooters, crafty with the ball, high-IQ playmaking, good effort on D.

Realistic:
Khyri Thomas: also probably won't be there, but damn he'd be ideal off the bench. Combo guard with exceptional defense and a sweet stroke. A little undersized, but he's got a 6'10 wingspan to make up for it. My concerns with him would pertain more to his ability to create/playmake/etc, which I don't think would be an issue on the Warriors. He could scrap, switch on D with most wing offensive players, and make open 3s.

Keita Bates-Diop: 6'8 with a 7'3 wingspan, he could be the Looney replacement. Fast for his size, plays physical ball. He'd fit in nicely. I have questions re: his development, because he was definitely viewed as a disappointment until last season, in which he was fantastic-- but at the end of the first, if he's there, that's a good deal.

Jacob Evans: bulldog, fighter, tough as nails. Defensive specialist without question. Decent wingman size, could easily defend four positions. Could be a stat stuffer, could easily do 1.5 spg and 1 bpg. Offense is inconsistent, jumper is okay at best, but he'll never beat himself and make dumb plays. He's sort of the prototype of what teams would like to find at the end of the first-- a tough role player.

Jalen Brunson: incredible college guard, smart and savvy player, great shooter, but very real size and quickness concerns next level-- still, people said similar about Steph, and a good stroke/high IQ/craftiness *can* win out. I'd be upset since it'd likely mean less PT or a new destination for Cook, but I can't act like they wouldn't consider it if he's there. He'll go to a team looking for immediate backup minutes.

Gun to head, I'd say of the realistic guys, Tier 1 is Thomas and Trent, Tier 2 is Bates-Diop and Allen, Tier 3 is Spellman and Evans, Tier 4 is Brunson. All would be good situational fits.

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Cavs won't need him as much then and he's on a pretty reasonable contract to be hired hitting off the bench. He'd be more effective than Nick Young in that role.

Teams would cry with Korver, Curry, Durant and Klay all on the court together.

____________

>Teams would cry with Korver, Curry, Durant and Klay all on the
>court together.

________________________________________
"Take the surprise out your voice Shaq."-The REAL CP3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2H5K-BUMS0

I'm one of the few people sticking with "LeBron is going to stay in Cleveland" so I'm not hopeful that it comes to reality.

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-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

Dude comes pretty cheap.

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WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

Their floor is spread just fine. If they're going to add a big guy who's not especially quick, he needs to be a rim protector and high-percentage rebounder, and neither is really Mo's thing.

I think Mo would be better suited on a team that needs floor spreaders. I think Brooklyn and Atlanta will kick the tires, though I wouldn't be surprised if a team would rather take a higher-ceiling, more athletic guy at the very end of the first and instead picks Wagner high-30s, sees how he does in the Summer League, and tries to sign him to a 2-3 year deal if he does well.

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1st to get him.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

they want). I also think Rose, Gerald Green, and Belinelli should be looked at too.

Definitely the type of player that we were looking for: a wing, defensive-mind. Tough. Another guy Draymond and Iggy can take under their, um, wings.

Also fits the description of the type of player we can probably work into the rotation quickly. The company line is that this off-season is about bringing in young and hungry guys that can contribute and help as get through the regular season grind. There's already the buzz that Iggy and Livingston are going to get a lot of rest as the season progresses.

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1. KD signed a 1 and 1. Not a surprise at all. Everyone knew this is what was going to happen at the end of the previous season. He'll opt out at the end of this season and sign the Supermax. Him taking less this year means we can probably use the MLE, which we weren't planning on using before.

2. Kerr about to sign a big extension for a lot of money. Makes sense too. Good to hear he's got a handle on his back problems and will coach the team long-term.

3. Javale leaves for the Lakers. Not surprised he left, but surprised it was for the minimum. Vaya con Dios. Did everything the team asked of him and busted his ass for two seasons here. Figure we utilized him better than any other team before. We also probably told him that Bell and Jones are getting more minutes.


As for free agents available, we haven't really lost out on anyone yet. Ariza signing for $15 million meant he was never coming here. Same with Gay for $10 million. Most of the guy who I'd like to see the team sign next year are still out there. Figure we'll get it done.

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He had a better year last year and could be good if his attitude is right.

I am absolutely on the record here about how much I hate his offensive game and how much I think he's a cornball. However, I have to admit that given the right circumstances, he'd be a perfect fit here.

If we told him that he'd play here with the understanding that all he'd do is: 1. Rebound, 2. Block, 3. Catch lobs, and 4. Play about 20 minutes a game, and I be cool with that. If the team also made it abundantly clear that they're not going to be throwing him in the ball in the low post and he'd get subbed out when we needed to use the Hampton 5 line-up, I'd be cool with that.

Now, I believe that Dwight knows that if he signs here, he's a solid citizen, and they win, he has a shot at another longer term deal on some other team. But if we sign him and he fucks it up, he's kissed his chance at good end to his NBA career and bigger money goodbye. So he'd have the incentive not to be a moron in the locker room.

All that to say, might as well try him out. Sign him for the league minimum, and if he's a fuck-up, just cut him.

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he will ruin your culture.

<--- Big Baller World Order

tho

-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.

And access to birth control?

________________________________
There are dozens of us! Dozens!

<--- Big Baller World Order

Actually, it's like signing Dwight Howard 10 years ago.

Even if he doesn't came back until mid-season and isn't 100% when he does, he's still one of the best centers in the L, and we got him for the MLE. Works for me.

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----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

Talking about how the NBA is "ruined forever."

I honestly hadn't heard about it until I was almost home. I was at a friend's house watching, oddly enough, Game 4 in its entirety for the first time.

Myers just styling on them at this point.

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https://thumbs.gfycat.com/TalkativeFluffyAntarcticfurseal-max-1mb.gif

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

You wouldn't happen to know the schedule for when Boogie is coming back, would you?

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I think now he might wait until Jan or so.

He’s been looking like he’s staying in shape in Instagram. So there’s that.

<---https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DL9AVTQ

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---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

<--- Big Baller World Order

You aren't going to get a better player for the MLE...and for DMC, he can ease back in while trying to prove his worth + repair his rep vs Warriors osmosis.

I've intimately familiar with the data on 1st year post achilles for athletes....it's not good but this is a great spot for him.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

...at any point during this season-long rental. But it's still the best option by far out there.

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>...at any point during this season-long rental. But it's
>still the best option by far out there.

So it's a no-risk, high-reward move, really. Good situation for him, can't lose situation for the Ws.

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of riches.

I wasn't expected that. Either his return or the amount of the deal. Man, it's a pretty desolate place out there if you aren't a max guy. I figured someone would offer him a little beyond the MLE money for multiple years. I guess everyone is waiting for the cap to jump again next off-season before they start throwing around cash.

Regardless, it's a good re-signing. Him, Bell, and Jones will split big man time until Cosuins is ready.

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would he have the same impact on another team?

glad to have him back. hoping he takes a leap this year (bigger than last year's). it's been a long road for him.


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

Figured ZaZa was going to ride off into the sunset, but if the Pistons think he's got something left in the tank and can be a good veteran presence in the locker room, then more power to him. It's been a fun two years, even if he was mostly ghost for the second half of last season.

I know very little about Jerebko, but he's big and can shoot the 3 relatively well, so we'll take him. Low-risk signing.

Seems this is also the end of David West on the Warrior's roster too. Still hoping that he retires (like he announced before last season) and gets hired onto the coaching stuff.

Two slots remaining. Figure McCaw will be one. Would still like some offense in the last spot, a shooting guard/wing player type, but not a lot of those guys are out there and willing to play for league minimum.

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