Re: Re: Re: Re: Warriors sign Claxton
Originally posted by hcsilla
Claxton is not a floor leader.
Both Claxton and Boykins are super-quick G's in dwarf-bodies who play hustle defense and don't have the ability running a team offense. Both always will be the post-up targets of bigger PG's (Payton, Cassell, Kidd etc.)
Boykins is a better shooter and Claxton is a better one-on-one player but except that their playing style is very similar, IMO.
I'm always wondering how quickly the fans (not specifically you) change their opinions.
Every single GSW fan was excited about Jason Richardson in his rookie season. He was their missing link, their savior, their best young talent, everything.
Now most of GSW fans want to trade Richardson because this past season he improved "only" his 3P- and FT-shooting.
And they think that Pietrus can replace him. Good luck!
I agree that GSW have too much swingmen but that's because of their (IMO stupid) draft picks. They didn't really need Dunleavy, Welsch and Pietrus but they picked them.
Now they should enjoy the consequences of their reasonable decisions.
Actually I didn't want Richardson and I can prove it. That year I was the Warrior GM for the Usenet draft, and I took Zach Randolph, I even mentioned in my bit for the draft that if the rumors about moving Hughes were true, they might draft Richardson, but I didn't think they should.
http://www.ibiblio.org/craig/draft/usenet.html
The problems with Richardson are numerous, he can't handle the ball, plays no defense, and like Arenas he showed last year he is a bit immature. When he started to lose PT at times because of Boykins(they were moving Arenas to SG at times), he sulked. He and Gil staged the one practice "sickout" .
He's not a bad player mind you, but on a team who has a major weakness on defense, he's probably their worst defender in the starting lineup. Even Dunleavy has shown himself to be a more reliable defender than Richardson, although if he's playing full time SG I expect HIM to have defensive problems too.
But Dunleavy also gives the offense things JR doesn't because of his passing skill and understanding of movement. Richardson doesn't move without the ball and when he has it, it often stays with him too long.
Pietrus was drafted to help with the defense. In the summer league he showed inconsistent shot, a tendency to try to jump over people, and great defense. he had one game where he drew 6 charges, he played multiple positions defensively including PF at times, and did well. Nobody is expecting him to be Latrell Sprewell this year, but he's going to help the defense right away.
They felt he was the best player, they still feel Richardson has market value, I fully expect them to TRY and trade JR.
You have to remember, Arenas and JR were best friends, the Warriors WANTED to retain Arenas, so they simply were not going to move JR until it became clear Gil was gone. Now that's no longer an issue, they're free to consider options to reshape the roster.
Obviously in hindsight taking Amare over Dunleavy was the right pick, at the time the unknowns with Amare were too much for a team that had passed on Garnett, Kobe and McGrady for the same reasons. But Dunleavy is still a big part of the teams future, he may never be another Mullin or Rick Barry but he is a multi talented player who gives this team promise.
FYI I am also not a big fan of Jamison for similar reasons, bad defense, doesn't pass the ball enough. I just think JR is easier to move because of contracts.
