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Kelenna Azubuike opting out.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:18 am
by wiff
So anyone in here follow the Warriors very closely?

I know he blew up at the beginning of the year and then I'm not sure what happened from there.

Looks like he is a restricted free agent.

One more person the Warriors have to sign or let go. Add Monta Ellis and Biedrins.

I'd love to see Presti stretch GS wallet on Azubuike and Ellis and then go for the jugular on Biedrins.

But from the few Warriors games I saw Azubuike looks like the has some talent and is a SG. We could use one of those (not named Wilkins) to back up Durant.

I guess we will see how the draft shakes out but I wouldn't mine Azubuike in a Sonics jersey for a reasonable contract.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:13 am
by Patches Pal
Memphis is going to do the deed by going after Monta Ellis hard. This will make them match a big offer for him. Then we can move on Biedrins.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:12 am
by kjtruong
Patches Pal wrote:Memphis is going to do the deed by going after Monta Ellis hard. This will make them match a big offer for him. Then we can move on Biedrins.


Looking forward to it :D

Re: Kelenna Azubuike opting out.

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:59 am
by Det the Threat
wiff wrote:So anyone in here follow the Warriors very closely?

I know he blew up at the beginning of the year and then I'm not sure what happened from there.


I like Azubuike quite a bit and i wouldn't mind Presti offering him a 3 year contract for something around $9 mil. Though, after reading that Bennett even told the judge, that he might have to consider saving even more money, i'm not sure if Presti's allowed to even spend this kind of money on a free agent.

As far as Azubuike goes. He started really well, but he had his minutes cut thanks to Stephen Jackson coming back. If i remember correctly, even Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes got worked back into the rotation later in the season, which also cut into Azubuikes minutes.

Though, if given consistant minutes, Azubuike showed that he's a really solid back up sg in this league.

wiff wrote:I'd love to see Presti stretch GS wallet on Azubuike and Ellis and then go for the jugular on Biedrins.


I think you could stretch it as much as you want, i just don't see the Warriors getting caught up and not re-signing Biedrins. He's #1 on their list and i expect him to be the first guy to be re-signed by the team, even if they'd risk losing Ellis during the process.

Re: Kelenna Azubuike opting out.

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:43 pm
by BenjaminH
Yes, I followed the Warriors. You're right, Det, Azubuike thrived at the beginning of the season. You note that he was unable to make it back into the rotation when Jackson returned. But I think it was more the emergence of Ellis. Recall that Ellis got off to a really rough start, often benching him for Azubuike. Before long, however, Ellis locked down the starting SG position, and played almost every minute of every game. So too, Jackson received most of the minutes when he was healthy. Yes, Pietrus and Barnes got worked back into the rotation. This is in part because Pietrus had that incredible run towards the end of the season. Barnes is probably a little bit more versatile and, perhaps, a better energy player to bring off the bench.

I like Azubuike. In fact, I recall some commentators at the beginning of the season citing his emergence as the reason they traded Richardson. He is pretty athletic with a decent shot. Yes, he could be a solid backup SG when given the minutes. But there is nothing special about him. There are plenty of decent swingmen in the league.

I think that Mullin will lock down Ellis and Biedrins. But the swingmen, such as Azubuike, Pietrus and Barnes are all available for the right price. After all, Nelson is expected to find more minutes for Belinelli.

So, of the three swingmen, I would very much prefer Pietrus. I think he is a starting caliber talent. He is the best athlete of the three, but he is also, I think, the best perimeter defender. His shot is a little inconsistent, but he's really a pretty decent shooter. And I doubt he has a future in Golden State. (They will most likely keep Azubuike, I'm guessing, and let Pietrus and Barnes go.)* Perhaps Pietrus could be had for a bargain, though I think he will be more sought-after than last year.

*http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/52043/20080418/pietrus_barnes_and_o%5Cbryant_likely_done_in_golden_state/

Re: Kelenna Azubuike opting out.

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:06 pm
by is1531
wiff wrote:So anyone in here follow the Warriors very closely?

I know he blew up at the beginning of the year and then I'm not sure what happened from there.

Looks like he is a restricted free agent.

One more person the Warriors have to sign or let go. Add Monta Ellis and Biedrins.

I'd love to see Presti stretch GS wallet on Azubuike and Ellis and then go for the jugular on Biedrins.

But from the few Warriors games I saw Azubuike looks like the has some talent and is a SG. We could use one of those (not named Wilkins) to back up Durant.

I guess we will see how the draft shakes out but I wouldn't mine Azubuike in a Sonics jersey for a reasonable contract.


I do not think the Warriors will resign Keleena. He is a good 3 point shooter and a very good defender.

At times GS used Keleena the wrong way. He not only had periods throughout the year where he sat, but they made the mistake of playing him at Sf. He logged 4 rebounds a game, but if he played shooting guard the entire year, he would have pulled down more than 5 per game. He could land in Philadelphia fitting Maurice Cheeks style of play.

Re: Kelenna Azubuike opting out.

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:50 am
by BenjaminH
is1531 wrote:I do not think the Warriors will resign Keleena. He is a good 3 point shooter and a very good defender.

At times GS used Keleena the wrong way. He not only had periods throughout the year where he sat, but they made the mistake of playing him at Sf. He logged 4 rebounds a game, but if he played shooting guard the entire year, he would have pulled down more than 5 per game. He could land in Philadelphia fitting Maurice Cheeks style of play.


You do not think the Warriors will retain him for the reasons I stated? Why not? They will most likely keep one of the three swingmen and Azubuike seems to be the best candidate. It is not going to be Pietrus. I guess it could be Barnes ...