Maggette Excited to be in the Bay Area

Shapecity · Oct 14, 2008

OAKLAND — Corey Maggette's arrival in the Bay Area this year could have been a homecoming for the Warriors' new small forward.

"Stanford was actually going to be the choice,'' said Maggette, who ultimately picked Duke as his college destination 10 years ago. "I was sold on Stanford's school, the program, the guys. I loved everything about it.

"What made me change my mind to going to Duke was Elton Brand. I'd known that guy since eighth grade. If it wasn't (for that), it definitely would have been Stanford.''

Now, partly because Brand signed an offseason deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors found $50 million to lure Maggette away from the Los Angeles Clippers, giving him a five-year deal in July.

Maggette, 30, said opting for the Bay Area this time — and especially the chance to play on a team that led the NBA in scoring last season — was irresistible.

"I was envious,'' he said, recalling his reaction to watching current teammates Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington and Monta Ellis play last season. "You could see how fun it was. To me, it's great to just be able to run up and down the floor, playing free and relaxed.

"It's been exactly like that. And they've welcomed me with open arms.''

The Warriors, who needed another offensive weapon after Baron Davis signed with the Clippers, say Maggette provides a new dimension. The 6-foot-6 wing not only comes off a season in which he averaged 22.1 points, but he is one of the NBA's most prolific foul shooters.

He led the league in free throws made in 2004 and has been among the top five in the NBA for four of the past five seasons. During that span, Maggette has attempted an average of more than nine free throws per game.

"I don't think I've ever had a guy shoot 10 free throws a game,'' Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "We'll utilize him in the same way the Clippers did, and give him the ball in positions where he's hard to guard.''

Maggette was among several regulars who sat out Saturday night's exhibition home opener as the Warriors beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-102.

Jackson said Maggette will be a contributor on both ends of the court, but agreed that his ability to draw fouls is a bonus.

"Free throws are the easiest points you get in a game besides a layup,'' Jackson said. "If we can get him to the line 10 times a game, that's good money.''

There's also a hidden benefit Nelson believes will suit his club. "It's actually good for a running team because the more you shoot free throws, the more rest there is,'' he suggested.

Maggette's scoring prowess is not limited to making unguarded, stand-still shots from 15 feet. He's averaged 16.1 points over nine NBA seasons, and embraces the chance to play in an up-tempo attack.

"I've been scoring a lot of points my whole career,'' Maggette said. "With a different pace and a freelance offense, it's awesome.''

Nelson wouldn't discount Maggette's potential to score 25 points a game this season.

"If he does it in the right way, yeah, he does have that ability to score 25 a game,'' Nelson said. "It's how he blends in with the team (that matters). He's team-oriented, which I like about him.''

Notes: Second-year man Marco Belinelli scored 22 points as the Warriors improved to 2-1 in the exhibition season with a wire-to-wire win over winless Oklahoma City ... Rookie free agent Demarcus Nelson, trying to earn a roster spot, started at point guard and had 18 points, seven assists and three steals, while second-round draft pick Richard Hendrix had 12 points and 13 rebounds off the bench. ... Center Andris Biedrins (toe) and guard Kelenna Azubuike (hip) did not play ... The Warriors left the Bay Area immediately after the game for China, where they will play two exhibition games next week against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Source: Contra Costa Times

Custodianrules2 · Oct 15, 2008

Mags is going to be a nice addition. I think he'll be worth every bit of his contract if he can stay healthy.

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Maggette Excited to be in the Bay Area

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Custodianrules2 Cohan + Rowell = Suck

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Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

Custodianrules2 Cohan + Rowell = Suck

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