Pre March 5, 2007: Arenas or Baron?

[Chris Cohan]

Be honest, if you can, and explain your choice if you feel like backing up an anonymous vote with some concrete analysis.

No contract considerations, no Ellis diversions, just Arenas vs. Baron before March 5, 2007.


(That's the Detroit game, by the way).

[Abyss Impact]

Baron

[GSW2K4]

Baron....I didn't lose faith in him until watching him chuck this year when he was supposedly all about the team and the playoffs...

[Chris Cohan]

Interesting approach. I like it.

If I may,

So even though Baron did next to nothing and missed a ton of games due to fat, and Arenas was an MVP candidate tow years running, you honestly wanted Baron on your team instead of Arenas?

[Thugleavy34]

God, I hate comparing players.

[crzy]

Arenas then

Arenas now

[GSW2K4]

Good point.

Key word: faith -- belief despite a lack of concrete supporting evidence.

First, I watched the guy in college and saw him in person (as I'm sure many of us did) and had always loved his talent.

So the faith was that he had so much talent that he would eventually figure out how to use it more efficiently in Nellie's system.

Second, he had a lot to prove and he seemed to fit perfectly with Nellie. So while he was a huge risk, there was the possibility that he could turn his career around (he ended up getting to about the same peak he got to in Charlotte and flaming out).

Third -- depending on how far before March 5, 2007 you want to go -- I regarded Dunleavy as an immovable weight because of his contract and was resigned to the fact that we would have to get him to fulfill his potential as the perfect glue guy next to a scoring point like Davis. Dunleavy also seemed better suited for the uptempo style that BaroNellie would bring as well. I was also hoping that some of that swagger would help bring out the best in Dunleavy and get something out of the absurd amount of caproom he was chewing up.

Biedrins was another guy who I hoped could benefit from Baron's style of play.

It was like I had faith that somewhere deep down inside of Baron there was a pure point guard just waiting to bust out and take over the league. If you're a Star Wars fan, it's like I was searching for that little bit of good left in Darth Vader that allowed him to kill the emperor and save his son.

Anyway, the big factor: denial of Arenas' talent because of the pain of watching him walk away.

Faith, hope, resignation, denial. The words of fan mired in 13 years of demoralization (I would start that clock ticking when Barkley torched us in the first round way back in 1994).

[Subaculta]

a lot of warts on those two choices... I don't think either one gets you deep into the playoffs if they are the best player on the team.

at that time I would have said Arenas because he didn't have the injury history and is a better shooter (and scorer).

[GSWhoopfan]

always have wanted both at the same time. montas always been the odd man out for me.

[Chris Cohan]

The diversions continue.

I know it's tough to admit to having felt like Baron was not worth the trouble anymore just a year and a few months ago.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

Gilbert for sure, if the intent is just to put them on a scale against each other on even ground. I am more moderate and forgiving towards Baron than some folks here, but this is an easy decision for me. As I mentioned in the other thread, I think they're pretty similar players with pretty similar warts. But Gilbert is younger, arguably more talented (though I think it is close), and if you back up to the date in question Gilbert would have seemed substantially safer in terms of injuries. Now they both scare the bejeebies out of me with regard to injuries. And I think we all know how painful THAT can be.

[GSWhoopfan]

The diversions continue.

I know it's tough to admit to having felt like Baron was not worth the trouble anymore just a year and a few months ago.

if youre directing that at me...

ive always wanted Baron and Arenas as a backcourt duo. On March 5, 2007, if you would have asked me...i wouldnt have said trade Monta for Arenas because that would have been a joke. in 2007, Monta wouldnt have been able to net Gil.

ive loved Baron since day 1...ive kept my American Express statement as token of the most excitement i had as a fan. February 24...i wont forget the date...thats the day i spent $300+ dollars at elephant bar in Fremont...

edit: doesnt really take much for me to get real excited though, i was happy as well when we brought in Nick Van Exel.

[Left*My*Heart]

I would taken Baron over Arenas as a PG. I take Arenas over Baron at the SG position. I take Arenas overall over Baron because of age and the better athlete.

[BROWN]

I would taken Baron over Arenas as a PG. I take Arenas over Baron at the SG position. I take Arenas overall over Baron because of age and the better athlete.

+1

[Subaculta]

I would taken Baron over Arenas as a PG. I take Arenas over Baron at the SG position. I take Arenas overall over Baron because of age and the better athlete.

well put... I think that sums things up until you add salary to the equation.

[Chris Cohan]

Without "Other," Baron's homer defenders run for the hills.

[GSW2K4]

Maybe I misread the question...

This question is asking how people felt over a year ago...

The other question (with other) is asking who people would want right now...

It's 4-2 right now...patience grasshopper.

[Chris Cohan]

Redirect:

Folks will have to pick Baron out of stubbornness on this one.

[GQ Hot Dog]

The diversions continue.

I know it's tough to admit to having felt like Baron was not worth the trouble anymore just a year and a few months ago.

Must you wear your agenda so obviously on your sleeve? You're not even looking for an honest answer, you just want to shame and brow beat everyone into voting for Arenas and bash Baron. Transparency and the inability to be subtle has become your stock in trade and I think it's a little pathetic.

I would take Baron because I just simply don't like Arenas that much. The guy is a scorer and that's all. He is undoubtedly the more dynamic player than Baron but the team you would need to surround Arenas with to win a championship would have to be a specific hand-picked team and we wouldn't exactly have that luxury.

I will continue to say that Baron would be a great player on a complete team. Of course he's never been on a complete team least of all with the Dubs. If we could get an interior scorer Baron would soar, his assists would be up, his steals would be up, his defense would be consistently good and his general energy level would go up. Baron takes too many shots when he gets tired and doesn't have the energy to create a better shot. Nellie crowned him "The Creator" (Nellie is a powerful guy) and he likes that distinction. But he needs someone who can get their own shot in the key that would cause the defense to collapse and open things up for the guards. Monta and Baron is a good combo but something is clearly missing. Al Harrington standing at the top of the key isn't cutting it.

[Chris Cohan]

I understand your response.

If you are saying Arenas is the better player, which I believe you did, that settles it for me. You should change your vote to reflect that but I will understand if you choose not to.