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Raps fan inquiring about this guy. I'm also a big Wildcat fan, so I've been watching him for a while. It seems like Pietrus is a goner, but between KA and Matt Barnes, who do you seeing being most available?

How much do you see KA getting?

While I'm at it, how is his defense? I know that's not a big priority for your team, but I think he could be a really solid pro paired next to Ford.

From what I've seen, he's a bruising 2 with good range on his jumper who can hit the glass. His hotzone chart from last year shows a decent percentage in the paint but is that just a result of all the layups your offense generates or is he a real beast down low?

Let me know.

Prepare yourself for some bi-polar opinions.

We will retain Pietrus. Nelly likes him, plays him, and he surpasses his expectations. Unless Nelly leaves...

MP is pretty much gone after this year. I prefer Kelenna over our team captain Matt Barnes.

Azu is a restricted. No doubt if someone pays big enough bucks-there's a point where GSW won't match,but I'd say he's a keeper. Azu is a pretty efficient inside player,nice sense for space,good mid-air jukes,stays cool.
Also good rebounder for his size. He's improved his D. Had been getting some blocks and steals but now also is better at staying on his man. Still needs progress but the trend is good. Our front office/coach are subject to unpredictable mood swings and anything is possible.
Azu IS in the rotation and has started,with success. He's just got a little less than 1 1/2 yr in the NBA now....but played more min than our last 3 rd 1 picks combined.

As Abyss points out,Pietrus also has been getting role-and making progress,which tells me Nellie will favor keeping him. However---reading between lines,the owner/front office has swung toward VERY budget concious. I doubt both Barnes and Pietrus return. I think Nellie will push for at least one of them to get re-signed.

My guess is that the Raps (or anyone) does not offer Azubuike a full MLE deal. If Toronto got bold,did make such an offer......who knows.
I personally think he CAN earn MLE $. I probably am a minority opinion.

Azubkie is the most likely of the Warriors FA wings to be retained. While all 3 have been in and out of the rotation at times, Bukie has been arguably the most consistent and the best end-game performer.

More important, as mentioned above Bukie is a restricted FA. This not only give GS the rights to match any offer, it will drive down demand (which is rarely that high for reserve wing players to begin with) and make it easier for GS to resign him on a budget.

Azubuike's a young player with a ton of potential.
















Lets hope a real real GM reads this.

Azu is a restricted.

Sure? W's have early bird rights, but he has a player option for next year, and ofcourse will opt out and look to catch a MLE type deal. So how is he restricted when he holds a player option?

Pietrus is going to leave. pietrus plans to be a starter and a star somewhere. Good luck Mikel.

If Jackson slides down to off-guard then the Warriors are no longer a quick team. The Warriors need to be quick because they can't be big.

That leaves either Azubuike or Belinelli to pick up Pietrus's minutes. Warriors better keep Azubuike.

I hope we can keep him. I see him as a potential starter post Baron days. As for defense, I think he can be a pretty good defender (shut down Kobe twice this season) once he gets a coach who teaches it. He's got a great attitude and seems to be pretty intelligent. As for the contract particulars, I don't have a clue. I think he may be restricted.

not after tonight

BFRESH44 wrote:

Azu is a restricted.

Sure? W's have early bird rights, but he has a player option for next year, and ofcourse will opt out and look to catch a MLE type deal. So how is he restricted when he holds a player option?

yes, he is restricted. see larry coons cba page:

Restricted free agency exists only on a limited basis. It is allowed following the fourth year of rookie "scale" contracts for first-round draft picks (see question number 41). It is also allowed for all veteran free agents who have been in the league three or fewer seasons.

buike fits the 2nd category.

Thanks for the info.

I doubt the Raps would open up the wallet for a full MLE deal, given the number of wings in the draft and what's happened with Kapono.

If he gets renounced though, I guarantee he'll be a Raptor.

With the number of free agents they have, retaining Azubuike is not really a priority for the Warriors. I'm in the boat that thinks that Pietrus is more likely to be here next year than Barnes or Azubuike.

Kelenna's a nice 9th man. Unfortunately he's played the role of our 6th man. Some of our fans take it out on Kelenna, some on Nellie, and some on the front office.

Last year Jason, Matt, and Petey were all ahead of him, and that was a better situation for him.

I'll always remember the D on Kobe though. Kobe went on an ego trip and decided that he was going to beat Kelenna at his strength instead of trying to take advantage of his weaknesses. Big oops on that one, Kobe

crzyyafrican wrote:With the number of free agents they have, retaining Azubuike is not really a priority for the Warriors. I'm in the boat that thinks that Pietrus is more likely to be here next year than Barnes or Azubuike.

Pietrus is an unrestricted free agent. He can go wherever he wants. Last year he seemed to want to go to Miami. Pietrus may still want to go to Miami. He probably thinks he can win the starting small forward job there.

floppymoose wrote:Kelenna's a nice 9th man. Unfortunately he's played the role of our 6th man. Some of our fans take it out on Kelenna, some on Nellie, and some on the front office.

I'll always remember the D on Kobe though. Kobe went on an ego trip and decided that he was going to beat Kelenna at his strength instead of trying to take advantage of his weaknesses. Big oops on that one, Kobe

I go for the trifecta

@ Kobe... he tried that same move like 4 or 5 times and Buke was there each time. He may not have the same childish outbursts but that guy is the same player he always was... I'd be worried about him, if I were a Laker fan, in the postseason... anything short of a ring this year and he may have a meltdown.

Azu can actually be kept for a tiny contract imo, there arent that many people that are high on his potential. Everyone is looking at MOnta. But I really do think dubs should keep him with the team, he can only get better. Just like monta.

floppymoose wrote:Kelenna's a nice 9th man. Unfortunately he's played the role of our 6th man. Some of our fans take it out on Kelenna, some on Nellie, and some on the front office.

Last year Jason, Matt, and Petey were all ahead of him, and that was a better situation for him.

I'll always remember the D on Kobe though. Kobe went on an ego trip and decided that he was going to beat Kelenna at his strength instead of trying to take advantage of his weaknesses. Big oops on that one, Kobe

I agree with Flop.

Also thought he has done a decent job against McGrady and somewhat on Carmelo.

I like him at 2 or 3, but the defense is better against the scoring 3's.

Also like the 4th quarter scoring ability. The poise under fire is nice for a young guy. He will continually get better not worse.

He's a keeper for the right price.

Mylie10 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I agree with Flop.

Also thought he has done a decent job against McGrady and somewhat on Carmelo.

I like him at 2 or 3, but the defense is better against the scoring 3's.

Also like the 4th quarter scoring ability. The poise under fire is nice for a young guy. He will continually get better not worse.

He's a keeper for the right price.

He's another guy who may have been hit somewhat with Barntrus Syndrome. He takes a lot of his beating on defense because of Nellie making him get most of his minutes (at least towards the end of the season) against Power Forwards. If you recall, at the beginning of the season while Jack was out, Bukie was tearing it up when he was starting (actually the 2, he beat out Monta early on, but I guess most of you have forgot that). One day, when Nellie's long gone, he'll probably be our starting 2 guard and pretty solid I believe. Monta/Bukie ---> 1/2