What does all this say about the Golden State Warriors? Well, I personally love the fact that they are looking at other options to better their team. Nobody would argue that Kelenna Azubuike has built himself an NBA career because of the Warriors foreshadowing to sign him while he was in the D-League. But are we relying on this league a little too much?Keep in mind; these are players that were NOT drafted. Probably not even considered by NBA general managers and scouts alike to ever sniff the NBA. Instead of these players going to Europe to play professionally, they all decided to stay in the States where their prospects of playing in the NBA were slim to none…until the Warriors came trudging along. The pros are these players are cheap, they just want an opportunity, and they will bust their asses to stay in the NBA. Did these players just develop later than their college teammates and opponents?
Cartier Martin, from Kansas State, averaged 18 points per game and 6.6 rebounds in his junior year at K-State. Watson, Azubuike and Tolliver were all in between 13-15 points per game in their career best seasons in college. Chris Hunter? His best season was when he was an 18-year-old freshman at Michigan, averaging 8.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 20 minutes per contest (the most minutes per game he played in his career).
While injuries have decimated our team like Jack Bauer eliminates terrorists in 24, we need to develop the core of our team through the NBA draft and free agency. Stephen Curry has proven he was worthy of our first round pick while Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright have showed promise but not much else. Our thought on drafting “projects” because of their potential is truly halting our ability to contend in the NBA. It would be nice to draft a “sure thing” albeit there is never a guarantee in professional sports. It becomes worse when you think about how inconsistent playing time is in the Warriors rotation.
Anthony Randolph posted a 17-point, 13 rebound, 3 steal, and 2-block performance on November 11th in 31 minutes of playing time. The following game? Randolph logged 6 minutes and 21 seconds of playing time. It’s too frustrating to see the promise that Randolph brings to the table to see the Warriors wasting it by not giving him his 28-30 minutes per night. While this all moot with him being shelved with an ankle injury, when he comes back (if he comes back, there are rumors he gets traded) they need to give him playing time to allow the opportunity to be successful.
The D-League is widely regarded as the Warriors entire minor league system, and until they can build through the draft and free agency, it will be known that way for the immediate future as well.
Great Kelenna Azubuike story if you’re not too bored from this article:
Mr. Jeremy Reitman, Mr. Mike Boisvert, and myself are in Las Vegas to watch the NBA Summer League (really, it was an excuse to party and gamble). After watching a full slate of games on Saturday (four games while being too hungover to leave the stadium), we decided to get cleaned up and receive a comped $400 dinner at Rare 120 ° at the Hard Rock Hotel. Mike had connections with the ownership to allow us to embrace a lovely, free dinner. While we are finishing up our dinner, Kelenna Azubuike and his table of about 6 other NBA/D-League/NCAA players sit down across the room from us. After conversing with the general manager of the restaurant, we notice that Azubuike is staring directly at us. It was a death glare of sorts considering it was about five minutes and I don’t think he had blinked yet. While we were leaving the restaurant I looked over at him and smiled from ear to ear. He then came up to me while we were departing and asked me who I was and what I did for a living. I gave him a shrug, an autograph and a handshake and left the hotel. (The last part actually didn’t happen, but it made the story sound much better)
First of all, where is the love for all the other teams in the area? Raiders, A's, Sharks, even the Sacramento Kings. I mean, this the BAY AREA Sporting Green, is it not?
ReplyDeleteAlso, had the Rare 120 incident escalated, I am positive that I could have taken Kelena. I am pretty strong, and he is rather soft... Plus I know my man Boisvert had my back. Great story! I wish he did come up to us after, that would have been classic.
Well first of all, Sacramento is not in the Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteSecond of all, I am not well-informed enough on the San Jose Sharks front to make people believe I know what I'm talking about.
I undoubtedly could write about the A's but my love for the Giants is unwavering.
And I know you put the Raiders in as a joke.
Thanks for the love.