Is It Time to Start Looking for a New Coach?

By Jason

After our Golden State Warriors lost to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, December 2nd, the team and I have been reeling trying to figure out what has gone wrong. The Warriors have gone 0 - 5 since they could not beat the Suns. 0 - 6 if you count the San Antonio Spurs game before that. One argument is the Warriors started off with an easy schedule during of the beginning of the season and went 7 -5. Since November 21st, the Warriors are in a tough part of their schedule mostly against teams over .500 and they’re 1 - 10 and out of playoff contention. Yeah, that’s a good explanation, but the Warriors are supposed to win some of those tough games if they’re a team bound for the playoffs. The Warriors need to beat some of those better than .500 teams and especially PHX, Portland and Denver in order to make it to the playoffs; These are the teams that will compete for the seventh and eight seeds in the Western Conference. To make matters worse, our starting PG is out with a re-injured sprained ankle and may get inconsistent PT due to it as it has been a nagging injury. Second, and even bigger problem is the Warriors aren’t scoring enough to beat the competition. They’re supposed to have gotten better defensively, but they’re still allowing the opposition to score and average of 107 ppg while they’re scoring an average of 100.6 points. That’s an average of 8.2 ppg less offense than last season.

The Warriors have had some injuries such as to starters Stephen Curry and David Lee and to reserves Ekpe Udoh, Lou Amundson, Brandan Wright, Rodney Carney and so on, but it is not an excuse as injuries are part of the game. So that brings up the coaching. I have been hearing complaints, from Don Nelson fans mostly, that the new coach Keith Smart is the problem. He’s implemented his defense, but has made the offense which was what made the Warriors exciting to watch and get some wins so much worse. The Warriors are now scoring an average of 100.6 ppg while allowing 107 ppg. As comparison, they scored and average of 108.8 ppg and allowed 112.4 ppg under Don Nelson. Clearly, they are scoring less under Keith Smart’s offensive schemes. So we have to put the new coach Keith Smart under the microscope and see whether or not he can regroup this team and make them produce. To the Smart detractors and bring back Don Nelson crowd, I say that Keith Smart was Nelson’s protégé and choice to replace him, so they should give him more of a chance or admit that Smart is another one of Nelson’s miserable failures.

Tim Duncan has lobbied Spurs coach Gregg Popovich numerous times to play point guard in the past. Each time he's been denied.

Don't expect Popovich to have a change of mind any time soon, even after San Antonio's All-Star forward matched his career-high for assists while recording his first triple-double in nearly two years.

Duncan had 15 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists, Manu Ginobili added 27 points and the Spurs kept rolling along with the NBA's best record following a 118-98 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

"He's been the heart and soul of our program for a long time," Popovich said of Duncan. "He's Tim Duncan, that's what he does. He's where it all begins. After all this time, we probably take him for granted."

Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301130009

The Return of WE BELIEVE: Can the Warriors Make the Playoffs "This" Season?

By Jason


I modified the WE BELIEVE logo from the 2006 - 07 season to be a symbol of the Warriors hinting that this "is" a playoff team. The logo should be updated to reflect the 2010 - 11 season, but for now, it can serve as a place holder to get the playoff message across.

In one of my earlier articles, I outlined the following key points that I got from the preseason.

“First, David Lee and Andris Biedrins were playing TOGETHER. On the court at the same time.”

So far, they have combined for 169 rebounds, 8 blocked shots and 17 steals in eight games. That averages out to 21.1 reb, 1.0 blk and 2.1 stl per game between our starting big me. If one adds Dorell Wright, at 6-9, he’s gobbled up an extra 40 reb, 8 blk and 10 stl. It means that the Warriors are sixth in the league in defense when counting rebounds, blocked shots and steals. That’s a huge improvement from years past, but the defensive work needs to continue. It can get rusty in a hurry if players do not work at it.

“Second, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry were starting in the backcourt. Ellis appears to still have a tendency to try and do too much by himself, but he’s gotten better and he may have a 3-pt shot.”

One usually thinks about offense when Curry and Ellis are mentioned. The dynamic duo has combined for 347 pts, 78 ast, 15 3-ptv after eight games. On defense, they have 39 stl and 3 blk. The 39 steals with 28 from Ellis are impressive numbers.

Next, the rebounding has improved even though the 3-pt shooting has not. The defense has improved, too, but it can be better. What was disappointing was the Warriors perimeter shooting at times. They were cold and needed a go to guy to get them going again. I’m still not sure who the go to guy will be, but he should be somewhere on the bench this year whether that will turn out to be Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, David Lee or all three. Don’t count on defense, shooting or rebounding to be there at all times, but hopefully during the season, we’ll be able to see what the identity of this team will be and who the real leader or leaders of this team will be.

The things this year’s team has shown from past year’s teams are — better rebounding, better defense, no Cohan, Larry Riley may be a good GM, no Don Nelson and his weird rotations, pretty good offense and great team chemistry. Take a look at the facts:

- Offense is 6th in the league at 104.6 ppg vs 102.6 ppg for the opponents
- FG % is .461 (at about the average of .457)
- 3-PT% is .361 (thirteeth in the league; .36 is about average)
- APG is at 23.0 (eight in the league)
- Rebounding is 44.6 RPG (fifth in the league)
- 5.8 BLK is (eighth in the league)
- 9.6 STL (third in the league)

The big negative is the .72 FT% as the Warriors are twenty fifth. They have Mark Price, who averaged 90% at the free throw line, as coach so he needs to get cracking. The Warriors also need better shot selection and improve their potent offense. On defense, they have to improve their in the paint and perimeter defense. Andris Biedrins still has not gotten his blocks and steals back to where they were during the 2008 - 09 season when he averaged a double-double. He had 1 stl and 1.6 blk back then. When Lou Admundson and Ekpe Udoh return the Warriors should be better in the paint on defense.

The Warriors can beat the LA Clips and Sacramento, but they will have to beat Houston, Utah, Denver, Memphis and Phoenix to be sure they're in the playoffs. Sure to make it are the LA Lakers, Dallas, Portland, Oklahoma City and maybe San Antonio. New Orleans looks excellent so far. Usually, it takes a .500 record to get in the playoffs, but in the WC, it is better to shoot for beyond that mark. Still, the West has gotten weaker and teams in the East have gotten better, so a .500 record may do it.

The Return of WE BELIEVE: Can the Warriors Make the Playoffs "This" Season?

By Jason


I modified the WE BELIEVE logo from the 2006 - 07 season to be a symbol of the Warriors hinting that this "is" a playoff team. The logo should be updated to reflect the 2010 - 11 season, but for now, it can serve as a place holder to get the playoff message across.

In one of my earlier articles, I outlined the following key points that I got from the preseason.

“First, David Lee and Andris Biedrins were playing TOGETHER. On the court at the same time.”

So far, they have combined for 169 rebounds, 8 blocked shots and 17 steals in eight games. That averages out to 21.1 reb, 1.0 blk and 2.1 stl per game between our starting big me. If one adds Dorell Wright, at 6-9, he’s gobbled up an extra 40 reb, 8 blk and 10 stl. It means that the Warriors are sixth in the league in defense when counting rebounds, blocked shots and steals. That’s a huge improvement from years past, but the defensive work needs to continue. It can get rusty in a hurry if players do not work at it.

“Second, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry were starting in the backcourt. Ellis appears to still have a tendency to try and do too much by himself, but he’s gotten better and he may have a 3-pt shot.”

One usually thinks about offense when Curry and Ellis are mentioned. The dynamic duo has combined for 347 pts, 78 ast, 15 3-ptv after eight games. On defense, they have 39 stl and 3 blk. The 39 steals with 28 from Ellis are impressive numbers.

Next, the rebounding has improved even though the 3-pt shooting has not. The defense has improved, too, but it can be better. What was disappointing was the Warriors perimeter shooting at times. They were cold and needed a go to guy to get them going again. I’m still not sure who the go to guy will be, but he should be somewhere on the bench this year whether that will turn out to be Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, David Lee or all three. Don’t count on defense, shooting or rebounding to be there at all times, but hopefully during the season, we’ll be able to see what the identity of this team will be and who the real leader or leaders of this team will be.

The things this year’s team has shown from past year’s teams are — better rebounding, better defense, no Cohan, Larry Riley may be a good GM, no Don Nelson and his weird rotations, pretty good offense and great team chemistry. Take a look at the facts:

- Offense is 6th in the league at 104.6 ppg vs 102.6 ppg for the opponents
- FG % is .461 (at about the average of .457)
- 3-PT% is .361 (thirteeth in the league; .36 is about average)
- APG is at 23.0 (eight in the league)
- Rebounding is 44.6 RPG (fifth in the league)
- 5.8 BLK is (eighth in the league)
- 9.6 STL (third in the league)

The big negative is the .72 FT% as the Warriors are twenty fifth. They have Mark Price, who averaged 90% at the free throw line, as coach so he needs to get cracking. The Warriors also need better shot selection and improve their potent offense. On defense, they have to improve their in the paint and perimeter defense. Andris Biedrins still has not gotten his blocks and steals back to where they were during the 2008 - 09 season when he averaged a double-double. He had 1 stl and 1.6 blk back then. When Lou Admundson and Ekpe Udoh return the Warriors should be better in the paint on defense.

The Warriors can beat the LA Clips and Sacramento, but they will have to beat Houston, Utah, Denver, Memphis and Phoenix to be sure they're in the playoffs. Sure to make it are the LA Lakers, Dallas, Portland, Oklahoma City and maybe San Antonio. New Orleans looks excellent so far. Usually, it takes a .500 record to get in the playoffs, but in the WC, it is better to shoot for beyond that mark. Still, the West has gotten weaker and teams in the East have gotten better, so a .500 record may do it.

vs


Game 7, Home Game 5
Thursday, November 11, 2010 – 7:00 PM CT
United Center
Comcast SportsNet / ESPN 1000 AM / WRTO

BULLS VS. WARRIORS ALL-TIME
ALL-TIME ..................... Bulls lead 78-61
BULLS CURRENT STREAK ...... 1 Loss
BULLS HOME STREAK ............ 2 Wins
BULLS ROAD STREAK .............. 1 Loss

BULLS VS. WARRIORS THIS SEASON
Nov. 11 @ Chicago –
Feb. 5 @ Golden State –

Game Notes



Chicago Bulls (3-3)
Home 3-1
Road 0-2

Bulls Averages:
PPG: 102.8 (Opp: 102.8)
RPG: 45.0 (Opp: 39.3)
APG: 22.8 (Opp: 19.2)
SPG: 7.0 (Opp: 9.8)
BPG: 6.7 (Opp: 5.8)
TO: 16.8 (Opp: 15.0)
FG%: .478 (Opp: .442)
FT%: .681 (Opp: .781)
3p%: .345 (Opp: .350)

Probable Bulls starters



Derrick Rose - PG
Keith Bogans- SG
Luol Deng - SF
Taj Gibson - PF
Joakim Noah - C


Bulls Stats Leaders
Points: Rose 23.8, Deng 19.3
Rebounds: Noah 15.0, Gibson 6.2
Assists: Rose 9.2, Noah 2.2
Steals: Noah 1.0, Bogans 1.0
Blocks: Noah 2.17, Gibson 1.17

FG%: Scalabrine .857, Asik .667
FT%: Korver .833, Noah .765
3FG%: Korver .571, Deng .435

Injury report
Out - Carlos Boozer - Fractured right hand

For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report.



Golden State Warriors (6-2)
Home 4-0
Road 2-2

Probable Warriors starters
Stephen Curry - PG
Monta Ellis - SG
Dorell Wright - SF
David Lee - PF
Andris Biedrins - C

Injury report
Lou Amundson (surgery - fractured right index finger) and Ekpe Udoh (left wrist surgery) are out.

This is the kind of game the Golden State Warriors might not have pulled out a year ago.

"We would have given up and lost by 20," leading scorer Monta Ellis said.

Now, they're doing the little things -- like getting key rebounds when the first shot doesn't fall.

Stephen Curry returned from an ankle injury to score nine points over the final 2:35, lifting the Warriors to an 85-78 victory over the short-handed Utah Jazz on Friday night to stay unbeaten at home.

David Lee had 14 points and 15 rebounds for his fifth double-double in as many games, tipping in a miss with 21.8 seconds left to help clinch it. Lee is showing the Warriors he is very much the reliable player on both ends of the court they expected after acquiring him in a July trade with the New York Knicks.

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301105009

Keith Smart was determined to give Monta Ellis a break, even as the Golden State guard tried to convince his coach otherwise.

It nearly came back to hurt the Warriors.

Ellis sat out nearly 5 1/2 minutes stretching from the end of the third quarter into the fourth, then came back to score 17 of his 39 points down the stretch and lift Golden State to a 115-109 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

"That's why he's one of the elite players," said teammate Dorell Wright, who set a career high with seven 3-pointers. "He's the face of this organization because he can get going any time he wants to. He reminds me of Dwyane Wade. It was impeccable."

With point guard Stephen Curry sitting out a second straight game with a sprained right ankle, Ellis had to do more than just score. He dished out eight assists and made a key steal off Marc Gasol with just more than two minutes remaining while helping Golden State remain unbeaten at home this season.

It was Ellis' work over the final seven minutes that made the difference, however.

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301103009

The Lakers have played far too many games over the past three years to believe a 3-0 start is anything more than a tiny prologue to another exhausting season.

Still, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant can't help liking what they've seen in the first week of their title defense.

Gasol had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Bryant added 20 points and the Lakers easily kept up their unbeaten start to the season with a 107-83 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.

Lamar Odom had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 10 straight over their upstate rivals. They got little challenge from the Warriors this time out, jumping to a 20-point lead at the first-quarter buzzer and never letting it dwindle below double digits in the second half.

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301031013

Warriors guard Stephen Curry re-injured his right ankle in the third quarter of the team's win over the Clippers on Friday night.

Curry left the game and did not return. He originally hurt the ankle in the preseason.

"It's more rehab; that's all that means," Curry said.

"Just got to be smart about it now and try to get it back to 100 percent and get it stronger so that even if I do step on somebody's foot I can recover. We'll find out tomorrow and see how it reacts."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301029009

Monta Ellis knew early his shot wasn't falling. Unlike in the past, Golden State's mercurial scorer didn't force the issue.

Instead, Ellis was content deferring to his teammates and passing the ball around. As a result, the Warriors are off to their best start in 16 years.

Two days after matching his career high in scoring, Ellis had 15 points and 11 assists, Dorell Wright added 24 points, and the Warriors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-91 on Friday night.

"I saw in the beginning of the game that it wasn't my game so I tried to do other things to get my team involved," Ellis said. "I know when my day is going to be good and when my day is going to be bad. We just went off the flow, ran and made plays, and came out with the win."

Ellis, who had 46 points in a season-opening win over Houston on Wednesday night, had an off night shooting but made three 3-pointers and came within two assists of tying his personal best.

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301029009

Monta Ellis walked out of Golden State's locker room and was immediately greeted by his giggling infant son, who wobbled down the hallway and jumped into his arms.

Life is good these days for Ellis, on and off the court.

"I'm in a good mindset," Ellis said Wednesday night after matching his career high with 46 points while helping the Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 131-128 in Keith Smart's coaching debut.

"I ain't got no worries, no complaints. Everything is positive, so me, I have to be a positive, be a leader and lead these guys in the right direction."

He did just that against Houston, despite the Rockets' owning a huge advantage at the free throw line.

Ellis' 46 points are the third-most by a Warriors player in a season opener. Only Wilt Chamberlain, who had 48 points in 1961 and 56 in '62, had more.

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301027009

Warriors, Bulls, and Clippers are also in mix for for Melo...LAC are long shot according to #NBA league source

http://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/22617697691

http://twitter.com/jonrothstein