OK, let's get this in the numerical form. With the snap of the fingers, you can have any ex-Warrior you want back on the team, right now, on a bargain-basement contract (let's say 3/$9M). Who are you taking?
Personally ... I'm voting Morrow, partly 'cos I miss his winning personality and the sweet Carolinian synergy he had working with Curry for a season or so. I'm also still miffed that we made so little effort to keep Reggie "Mr. Potatohead" Williams, a similar player to Morrow with a slightly more diverse offensive arsenal. I'd put old friend Jason Richardson in basically the same category as Morrow and Reggie, but he's getting a little long in the tooth now (just turned 31 — happy belated B-day, JRich!). This diary is about looking forward, not looking back at how good the team might or might not have been over the past X years had we not let player X go when we did.
Somewhat à propos: one guy I could almost see making my dark horse pick is Brandan "BrokenWing" Wright. Tiny sample size (147 total minutes), but he's currently averaging 18.6 pts on .652 ts% and 3.7 blocks per 36 with the Mavs. If he could ever stay in one piece and play regular minutes — two rather huge ifs — I think he could be the most talented NBA player let we've walk since Webber, at a position we always need. Much as I miss Morrow and Reggie, I have to admit that shooting guards of their ilk are not that hard come by (as the fact that the we came by them as an undrafted rookie and D-leaguer, respectively, probably attests). Indeed, the solid play this season of Brandon Rush and rapidly improving game of Klay Thompson has already made me miss them both a bit less.
More than anything else, what this list says to me is that, much as we all like to weep on this site (myself included), we haven't really let anyone of particular import walk since Chris Webber. Then again, with the possible exception of Stephen Curry, we haven't really had any player of particular import since Baron Davis lost his passion for the game.
(Now if we're talking about guys we've whiffed on in the draft, that's a whole 'nother giant can o' worms, one I won't open here except to say: Ike Diogu over Andrew Bynum, really????)
0 recs | 114 comments
This really says it all.
DrManatee - February 7, 2012
+1
This is true. Although, seeing the Agent Zero have a decent career after leaving the Dubs was a little hard to watch. But by no means would I want him back right now. Aside from that, it would’ve been nice to see that WE BELIEVE squad for one or two more seasons.
JonDoe - February 7, 2012
after the 4 knee surgeries and gun incident yeah
but the guy had a rule made after him regarding player movement and he actually made Murphleavy look like a possible playoff team
maybe its a good thing they let him go then
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 7, 2012
David Lee was the first big man since Webber to get a triple double for the Dubs
according to the broadcast last night….
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
Ronny
Nate & Ronny on the team together would have been magical.
disguy - February 7, 2012
Barron?
KillaContract - February 7, 2012
Whoops, I forgot both Baron and Barron! I’ll fix.
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
And CJ
KillaContract - February 7, 2012
D’oh. Thanks!
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
Jeremy Lin in the lead? Sounds like a personality contest
warriorsvictim - February 7, 2012
j-rich
will win easily.
disguy - February 7, 2012
damn
guess I was wrong lol.
disguy - February 7, 2012
Sorry
Maybe if this was a few seasons ago. Still my favorite ex-warrior still in the league though.
ajtrinc - February 8, 2012
I understand...
…why Lin has the most votes after those back2back games in NY but even if he were back here with the Dubs, there’s no way he’d be able to put up those numbers with Steph & Monta on the same team. He was able to put up those numbers with the Knicks because they NEED a point guard.
JonDoe - February 7, 2012
hey, we NEED a point guard too! Curry should only be playin 20-25 with that ankle....
nate robinson is not the future and shouldnt be playin… jenkins and lin should be gettin the 28 minutes a game.. with most of that goin to lin and bring jenkins in along slowly..
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
Morrow was undrafted, but that furthers your point even more and I agree. His type is the most replaceable in the NBA. I think we’ll miss Lin the most if he can keep up some semblance of what he’s currently doing.
dandubz - February 7, 2012
Whoops. Fixed. Thanks.
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
I think we’ll miss Lin the most
I thought we miss the scarecrow the most?
Skeptic con Urquell - February 7, 2012
funny
I am now picturing Beidrens as the Lion (if he only had some fricken courage), monta as scarecrow
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
Steph as Dorothy?
Nate as Todo?
Brownie13 - February 8, 2012
hahahaha
good one
..I could also see Lacob and Jackson covering Dorothy and toto (not sure who’s who)
Stern is of course the wicked witch
West I’m guessing would be the all-powerful Oz (don’t look behind the curtain!!!)
Duby Dub Dubs - February 10, 2012
would have to be
either Morrow or Steph Jackson. A motivated, non-FAT Baron for $3 per is enticing too.
salary_cap - February 7, 2012
Gimmie back Reggie
If utilised properly, he can be deadly
maryjane - February 7, 2012
We need a PG, a floor general to tell our starters what to do.
Right now our starters are just doing their own individual thing and they are playing no defense.
ILoveWarriorsGirls - February 7, 2012
They’re playing poor defense because none of them individually are very good at defense. Wright may be OK, and Biedrins close to mediocre, depending on matchup. The others are somewhere between pretty bad and downright awful. This should have been clear at the start of he season to anyone who follows the team. I don’t see how a “floor general” does anything to change that basic problem, unless you’re talking about LeBron James.
As far as “doing their own individual thing” … I totally disagree. For their positions, I think all five of them are unselfish players and willing and able passers.
Say it with me one more time: the problem is overall lack of talent, particularly on the defensive end.
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
Also...
What exactly did your comment have to do with this thread? Should I take it as a vote for Baron Davis?
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
Biedrins is a good defender.
GovernorStephCurry - February 7, 2012
I want either Broken wing or AR
because I assume this means I somehow wish away the fat end of David Lee’s contract
Duby Dub Dubs - February 7, 2012
Wish I thought of that before I voted.
Would gladly have Broken Wing or AR over any of these choices if it’ll mean no Lee.
srsrs - February 7, 2012
Well, the spirit of the poll is one of simple addition, with no concurrent subtraction. But I suppose you’re allowed to add Rudolf or BrokenWing and then figure out a way to jettison Lee.
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
yes! the judge rules in my favor!
Duby Dub Dubs - February 7, 2012
not really mate.. He said you need to now figure out a way to jettison Lee.. w/out an amnesty i might ad.... walk the plank matey
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
easy
he was traded to the T Wolves for their draft pick (because they needed another PF)
plank walk averted!
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
I don't miss any of those guys specifically.
The real issue is simply that huge number of those guys who left without bringing equal talent back in return.
On that list, only Murphy/ Dunleavy (who actually had some very good seasons after he left), and Randolph/Turiaf brought back greater talent.
And even those are debatable. Turiaf for Lee gave up a lot of defense in favor of improving the offense. Dunleavy’s best post-trade season is better than Jackson’s best post-trade season, even if Jackson was a better fit for this team at the time.
And while none of those guys are “stars,” the simple truth is that you can’t bleed talent constantly and expect to remain competitive.
Ronaldinho - February 7, 2012
Randolph and Turiaf for Lee was a disaster.
GovernorStephCurry - February 7, 2012
buike was in there too
bigkino217 - February 7, 2012
He's out of the league
Irrelevant.
GovernorStephCurry - February 7, 2012
sadly, stupid doctors
he was on fire to start that last season as well
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 7, 2012
He lead the league in dunks.
What a major bummer…
The Bimbo Coles Experience - February 7, 2012
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a Warrior fan say anything bad about Buike…not many other guys I can say that about!
Missing Barry - February 7, 2012
because Buike is great :)
and apparently he’ll never play for another NBA team (which sucks, but is good for keeping all thoughts toward him positive)
Brownie13 - February 7, 2012
apparently he’ll never play for another NBA team
did he have a career ending injury?
Skeptic con Urquell - February 8, 2012
well, at least greatly career-delaying
from here:
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
Hope he can get it right
I liked his attitude and personality.
Skeptic con Urquell - February 8, 2012
yeah me too
he was so even keel and cool
plus, he was actually not all that bad at basketball!
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
I don't think it was a disaster.
Two main problems with it:
1) A team which relies on Monta as much as we’ve relied on Monta is going to have a hard time getting the most out of Lee offensively, and could really use Turiaf’s help defense.
2) We overpaid Lee significantly.
If he had, say, Igoudala or Afflalo instead of Monta I’d vastly prefer Lee from a team-on-the-floor perspective. And if Lee’s contract were more reasonable (if, say, it wasn’t escalating) it wouldn’t be anywhere close to that big a deal.
But I really don’t think Monta and Lee make any sense at all as teammates. They have very incompitable games on both sides of the ball.
Ronaldinho - February 7, 2012
I think gov is still right in that it was and still is a disaster.. We could have a TON of cap space
and youth… and not be stuck in the midddle as we are now.. all that = Disasterous!
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
I don't see what that cap space gets us.
Ronaldinho - February 7, 2012
it would allow us to sign curry with a bigger deal and we also would suck a tad more
and have gotten better draft picks.. we would probably have cousins right now.. and the cap space to throw huge contracts at howard with
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
we can already sign curry to whatever deal we want...
and sucking more has nothing to do with cap space
Brownie13 - February 7, 2012
Speaking of hindsight
remember the talks preceding the ‘10 Draft regarding a Love for AR4 swap? I remember there were a lot who opposed it due to Rudolf’s “oozing gazelle” potential. :(
lushlife - February 7, 2012
Wow Sleepy
You forgot Vlad rad? Without his late-second heroics last season would have been a disappointing 35 win season. Instead of a successful 10 game upswing to 36!
Until we get another PF who can shoot 3s at 40% I’ll be disappointed we let Vlad go.
tafkasam - February 7, 2012
Gotta be Baron
The only dude who got us into the playoffs
Potential - February 7, 2012
Rob Kurz
R Dizzle - February 7, 2012
I liked him
if only because his name reminded me of my Texas relatives offering me a frosty coors
Duby Dub Dubs - February 7, 2012
Zarko Cabarkapa
bigkino217 - February 7, 2012
THIS
Zarko was the freaking man. Put him in the poll!
freun989 - February 7, 2012
Baron
I fully believe if he stayed he and us would have never fallen off a cliff
dubzfan - February 7, 2012
I don't get that?
He was already showing signs of dogging it by the time he left. His defensive effort fell off a cliff that season (although some of that might be Nellie’s fault for the minutes he played him).
Ronaldinho - February 7, 2012
Remember his
1st season on the Clippers he was horrible and injury prone. Thats why he got traded, amnesty now Lin over shadow the return of BD in New York.
mykelala01 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
Yeah…motivation hasn’t really been Baron’s strong suit over his career.
Missing Barry - February 7, 2012
J Rich
would have given us another solid 3-4 seasons, averaging in the high teens in points and an emotional leader that we have lacked the last few season.
djfivenine - February 7, 2012
Re-read the diary, or see freun989’s post below. The question is not who you would have wanted over the past X years. The question is who you would take right now, and going forward.
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
Oh
then Todd Fuller. For sure.
djfivenine - February 7, 2012
Why J-Rich??
I understand the appeal of J-Rich while he was a Warrior, any fan would. Started his career here, was a bonafide presence on our team for the six seasons, and was respected and loved by the Bay Area. However, if we’re talking snap trade AT THIS MOMENT for anyone on this list.. I would not vote for Jason, sorry.
The man is getting old: his knees are on the way out, is no where near as explosive as when he was a Dub, can’t score as much, doesn’t shoot as well from distance. He’s had some good years between when he was a Warrior and the present, but in his current form, I would take a couple other players above him.
freun989 - February 7, 2012
No idea why people can't get over J-Rich considering we had SG's replace him for a fraction of the cost.
GovernorStephCurry - February 7, 2012
because in their minds, jrich left and then we didn't make the playoffs again
bigkino217 - February 7, 2012
In reality, too. ;-)
Of course, the year after he left, we actually did a bit better team than in the We Believe year.
Sleepy Freud - February 7, 2012
You forget that the We Believe season started off with Murphy/Duneleavy on the roster. Another season of Richardson to reduce minutes played in the next season probably would have gotten us to the playoffs the following season.
Looks like that trade was the beginning of the end of our playoff hopes for the forseeable future.
ajtrinc - February 8, 2012
Looks like that trade was the beginning of the end of our playoff hopes for the forseeable future.
and goes against all building a winning team concepts. You don’t trade away the players who just got you to the playoffs for the first time in years and try to replace them with a skinny rookie. They should have tried to move up in the draft and get Horford , that would have been the logical move to add what was missing from the team, or hold where they were and taken fresenko or gasolV2. .
Skeptic con Urquell - February 8, 2012
Wha??
It’s called dunking Gov. Or do you prefer watching Monta finish alley-oop layups on a losing team?
The Bimbo Coles Experience - February 7, 2012
Azubuike, Morrow, and Reggie were all more than capable of replacing Rich.
GovernorStephCurry - February 7, 2012
Azubuike might have been the closest, but not one of them gave us the type of production that Richardson gave the team. Monta Ellis was the Richardson replacement.
ajtrinc - February 8, 2012
oh man. one of the greatest polls of all time.
truly eyeopening. I wouldn’t be excited to have any of these guys right now really. (myself included),
These guys were all “good” players at their best. None of these guys ever were great.
troymurphy - February 7, 2012
I'd love to have you back.
GovernorStephCurry - February 7, 2012
david lee and i could be the white twin towers
troymurphy - February 7, 2012
no we dont want the murph again...
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
easy,don't hurt his feelings
I really want to believe that this guy actually is the Troy Murphy
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
ya killler poll +1
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
Alright, who voted for Amundsen??
Duby Dub Dubs - February 7, 2012
hahaha (not me btw)
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
Pietrash
anyone?
mykelala01 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
air france? did we let him walk?
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
think so, let him go to Orlando
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 7, 2012
right now?
Rudolf for sure unless “other” could be Noah or horford?
Skeptic con Urquell - February 7, 2012
You still want Rudolph now we got Udoh? Rudolph still a little bit out of control. He just benefit on Rubio lob passes. I rather have B Wright. Or between two Anthonys in Minnesota I rather choose Tolliver. At least he is a poor mans Harrington
mykelala01 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
You still want Rudolph now we got Udoh?
Yeah, Rudolf has lots of potential if he still has those rookie hops.
Skeptic con Urquell - February 8, 2012
CJ Watson
No love for CJ? I’ll take a competent backup PG for 3/9. Nate’s been good but he’s walking after this year and I’d like additional insurance for Steph’s paper mache ankles.
Fantasy Junkie - February 7, 2012
Does Wilt Chamberlain count?
Probably few of us on this site were alive at the time, but letting go of Wilt Chamberlain has got to be the biggest mistake this franchise has ever made.
How about another poll for failed/missed Warrior draft picks? Or would that be too painful for us to re-hash? Patrick O’Bryant, anyone? Do I hear Chris Washburn?
Tremendous Hops - February 7, 2012
I am certain he is referrring to thier current condition .. That is why he wouldnt choose Richardson or BD
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
I pick Lin at this point hands down. Lin IS the point.. He can be Nash like verrrry sooon (in a homer kinda way)
Then Morrow or Reggie. or Randolph..or Broken Wing…
Lin will be in this league the longest going forward and we are 3 years away from possibly being a contender which makes anyone older a automatic NO for me..
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
Hear me now:
Lin will never average over 20mins a game. I wish him the best, but as of now, he’s an undersized 2 with an unreliable jumper.
The Bimbo Coles Experience - February 7, 2012
his knack for driving to the hole and his control of his alley oop passes and his intensity on the defensive side of the ball
I would put him behind curry right now curry 25 lin 23 . More to the hot hand.. At least for THIS year…
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
plus "never" is a huge word man.. specially with Lins body control... he looks nash like to me
with a not as good jump shot
PIRATEWARRIOR - February 7, 2012
So Nash minus all the things that make Nash so good. ;)
Missing Barry - February 7, 2012
Ha, gimme one Anthony Randolph, aka the next KG. Or Morrow, the next Ray Allen!
Missing Barry - February 7, 2012
The Marcus Williams trade was quite possibly the biggest regret.
Colossal stupidity to the FO this off-season for using the amnesty on Bell and letting go of a bunch of a few quality players to try and sign a restricted free agent we should have known we would not get.
brutusbrutus - February 7, 2012
Also the Belinelli trade wasn't very smart.
brutusbrutus - February 7, 2012
oh gad, this!!
Sleepy, can we include guys we wish we DIDN’T acquire?!
because if so, I’m with Brutus^2…Marcus Williams is my biggest recent regret for the franchise
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
Reggie, Lin. JR, and Acie Law!
:-) Just kidding on Acie ….
dinohealth - February 7, 2012
i guess Bad Porn would get an instant ban as well
he has youtube clip of him traveling like 6 times in one isolation and then turning the ball over.
I think it has over 150 K views
I would say a motivated, in shape Baron which he was only in 2003 and 2007. But J-Rich man, there was no reason to get rid of him, all the other players you could’ve traded or instead of signing Corey you could’ve went after some replacement bigs
also I dont see J-Crossover on the list even though he was in Nellies doghouse after 2 weeks. He did win 6th man of the Year after he left and I still remember that sick ankle-breaker he had on Ray Allen in the Garden
I also assume you wont put Hunter, Cartier, or Rodney up there
starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 - February 7, 2012
"I think it has over 150 K views"
Actually, 1,298,249 views as of right now.
A real Warriors cult classic.
Nate Parham - February 8, 2012
No one. The only thing this team needs right now is a monster in the middle. None of our ex's qualify.
Also I think Nellie circa 1991 would make this team so much better. Off topic, but true
myk - February 7, 2012
You have all failed to see the obvious choice!
Stack Jack for the following reasons:
1) gun tattoos
2) actual guns
3) D. Howard wants to play with him.
booya!
The Bimbo Coles Experience - February 7, 2012
Don Nelson
Good night.
bloodsweatndonuts - February 7, 2012
No Buike? No Gil?
JR
Brownie13 - February 7, 2012
antawn jamison
still can play
JimPunkrockford - February 8, 2012
David Lee should be on there as a reverse regret
Evanz - February 8, 2012
yeah, I like the reverse regret idea
real toss up between Lee, Marcus Williams, and POB
Duby Dub Dubs - February 8, 2012
hold on a minute
why isn’t Maggs in there?
Evanz - February 8, 2012
Anyone think it's hilarious
that Dunleavy and Jackson are on the same team now?
disguy - February 8, 2012
Anyone think it's hilarious that Dunleavy and Jackson are on the same team now?
haha, If they had Murphy and TMNT and Foyle for a center they could probably beat the warriors?
Skeptic con Urquell - February 8, 2012
Jason Richardson
chili01 - February 9, 2012
Spree for Three!
RealityOCheck - February 9, 2012
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