Mbenga officially waived....what's this mean?

[St.Nick]

I don't get why people hope Kosta gets DNPs.

I don't know if people are hoping that he gets DNP's. But certainly there are going to be people that want him to fail just so they can say "told you so."

He's about to become public enemy #1. Strange how we cannibalize our own on this board.

[FNQ]

He cannot block shots... he incidentally hits the ball sometimes while flailing his limbs about.

I hope he logs a lot of time... I think this team with another good PF/C could do pretty well... Love, Hardin, hell, I even think Caracter would be a good addition here... we just need someone who can give us extra possessions or slow the game down and be very effective, and we'd be a *LOT* better...

[FNQ]

-= original quote snipped =-



I don't know if people are hoping that he gets DNP's. But certainly there are going to be people that want him to fail just so they can say "told you so."

He's about to become public enemy #1. Strange how we cannibalize our own on this board.

Says the guy who's hoping Yi fails for the same reason...

I can imagine maybe 1 person on this board who would do that... but I swear, you criticize anyone on this board for anything and you become a hater... cmon.

If Kosta comes in and sets the world on fire, you think I'm (or anyone else) going to be disappointed because my stupid opinion on RealGM was wrong? no. I'll buy a Kosta jersey and be the biggest Kosta sellout here

But do I see that coming close to happening?

[Chris Cohan]

Come on, dude.

You don't want Paul Millsap, Daniel Gibson, Leon Powe, li'l Dee Brown, or Chiekh Samb, all of whom are cheaper than Perovic?

He might be good-- Mullin gets 'em right in the draft quite a bit against standard rates in the NBA and everyone "missed" on (or were shied away from) Millsap, etc.-- but Perovic, Belinelli, O'Bryant, et al had better do or net something significant or this team's development and retention of a young core is just nonexistent.

[Chris Cohan]

He cannot block shots... he incidentally hits the ball sometimes while flailing his limbs about.

I hope he logs a lot of time... I think this team with another good PF/C could do pretty well... Love, Hardin, hell, I even think Caracter would be a good addition here... we just need someone who can give us extra possessions or slow the game down and be very effective, and we'd be a *LOT* better...

OK, good qualification: He DOES block some shots. But you're absolutely right to remind us all that the man cannot clear the ground by more than 4 inches and has the speed and reflexes of an inanimate object.

Mullin picked up two land masses in one year and then hired a coach who would have taken Sene, Sefolosha, Carney, or Brewer and someone like Vinicius in the second round had he been on board by then.

Even though he already had 8 guard/forwards.

Foresight. Strong with this one.

[Yi Jian Lian]

NICE!

[gswloyalist]

The move with Perovic is probably not long-term. I'm with all those who want to see POB get more PT. What could he have possibly done - or failed to do - to become so firmly entrenched in Nellie's dog house?

[Twinkie defense]

ehh, Kosta costs a little more half of what POB would have cost next year.

Why not call the guy up... you've got three call-ups, might as well bring him in for practice, see how he's coming along, refresh him on the Warriors' schemes. He may get a couple minutes to see how he is in a game situation, but he most definitely will not become a regular part of the rotation. He just doesn't have enough to contribute right now. And neither does POB, so I doubt Mbenga leaving will have much effect on the Warriors' two young centers' minutes.

If Croshere's back is feeling better, he'll definitely be getting some of those minutes... hell, he would have been getting them already if he hadn't been gimpy. And he can probably bring more to the table than either Kosta, Mbenga, or POB could.

But I've got to think the primary motivation for this was opening up a roster spot. Yeah he was ready to become guaranteed, but he's a minimum salary player, signed this year only... other than paying his salary (which will probably be spent somewhere else anyway), he has no real effect on the Warriors' cap situation.

So the real question is: who's coming to Oakland? Will the Warriors simply sign a marginal FA? Or does this mean they will make a trade for a real contributor? Use the TPE to bring someone aboard?

Damon Stoudamire has been inactive in Memphis, and he and his agent are starting to moan. Mighty Mouse has got this year and next on his contract, at $4.35 mil this season, and just $2.325 mil fully guaranteed next season. When the Warriors do make a move, I hope it's for a player (like Damon) who can truly deepen the rotation and bring significant skills to the team... not a marginal 3rd stringer, D-League call up (unless another rabbit can come out of the hat with the Warriors finding another Azubuike-like talent).

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?STORY_ID=6758

But, as marginal a move as cutting Mbenga is - and good luck to the guy, hope he catches on elsewhere - the real excitement is this little move makes it more likely that something bigger may be in the works.

[St.Nick]

[quote="510Reggae"][/quote]

I just don't understand the targeting of our own guys in hopes that they fail.

We can handle reality...Baron doesn't always give 100%, S-Jax is a chucker, Nellie's hard headed and plays circus ball...but I'd never root AGAINST these guys.

That's my only problem, when it goes beyond being an open minded observer who spots weaknesses to the point where some people really WANT our guys/our team to fail.

Just watch with Kosta. He's already been lambasted without setting foot on an NBA court. Maybe he'll stink, but the amount of ridicule he's already taken is just too much. He's a dang rookie who has the right to stink for his first chunk of his career, but people are going to (or already have) label him worthless.

And why is POB given so much love when he in fact is the monstrous bust at center and Kosta is the 2nd rounder with a cheaper contract? Again, it all goes back to ego.

[Twinkie defense]

I think some people get mad because they have hopes for a guy, and if those hopes don't pan out (for whatever the reason, including the coach effed him up, if that's your belief), they want to see other guys fail as some kind of "see I told you so" redemption.

Kosta will certainly not become an All Star. Hopefully he can become a contributor... highest hopes are decent backup center... but certainly it should bring no satisfaction to anyone here to see him fail miserably (which of course is one possibility).

[FNQ]

I'm talking from watching Kosta play... I've seen it. I'm not just thinking "oh crap, another tall white stiff from Euroball"...

The guy plays with energy, I'll give him that. Very little IQ, very little athleticism, but he'll play hard.

But even when you look up Kosta "highlights"... its just average stuff! Nothing that makes you think, "Now there goes an NBA player"...

The real issue is that Kosta was a draft lottery lock almost 3-4 years ago, along with Martynas Punchedinmyfaceasukas. But because he couldn't get a top 5 promise, he backed off... and again... and again... and then people finally realized, he wasn't getting any better. He wasn't learning anything, he was nearly the same 17 yr old, 7' kid who never developed a feel for the game.

Now, after another 3 months of non development in the NBDL, he's promoted... if he gets a significant look before POB, its a travesty...

[St.Nick]

Using a #9 pick on a guy that can't give you 5 good minutes per game is a travesty. Expecting your 2nd round pick to provide more than said lotto pick is a travesty.

POB has gotten a look for the past two years as a Warrior. He doesn't have it (or Don Nelson is blind). The fact that Kosta is being called up to take backup Center minutes is really a poor reflection on POB. I have no pity for that guy.

And if you are right about Kosta not panning out, then good job spotting that from the get go. But just do me a favor and don't be one of those guys that savors ripping his heart out each time he makes a mistake in the coming weeks. I can't stand to see our fans act like that.

[Twinkie defense]

It's far from a travesty if Kosta gets play before Patrick O'Bryant (though I don't think either of them will see much PT)... for the simple reason that Patrick is an unrestricted FA next year, while Kosta has two more years on his contract.

Getting promoted is no big deal either... he may well be back down in a couple weeks!

There are a lot of guys who can put up a decent youtube highlight reel, but who have no place in the League. So that's no reason to say a guy has no future. In fact I remember fans of other teams laughing hilariously at Beidrins' "highlight reel" after his rookie year... when a lot of us were high on him.

One of the reasons I'm intrigued to see how Kosta pans out over time is that Nellie said he has high BBIQ. So I'd be interested Reggae in why you think he's dumb.

[darobster17]

So the real question is: who's coming to Oakland? Will the Warriors simply sign a marginal FA? Or does this mean they will make a trade for a real contributor? Use the TPE to bring someone aboard?

The W's signed a bunch of marginal FA's...Croshere,Hudson

If I was calling the shots, one of the first moves I'd want to make is getting a proven combo guard or frontcourt player that improves our rebounding/defense.

Mully is definitely not going to make a move "just to make a move"....so he'll try to get a player that Nelly approves of and fits their style and try to target that one player and get him.

Wilcox has been on Mully's radar and I think getting him makes more sense than trying to get Brand in the long term imo. The other guy that could be available is Nene from Denver. I wanted Camby before the start of the season. So the most logical guy to get is Kurt Thomas...the ageless wonder.

The other combo guard I'd be willing to gamble on is Ricky Davis. Yes he can be erratic but when the guy's shot is on the guy is money. He's also shown he can rebound and dish it out as well when he wants to.

Miami is quickly being one of the worst teams and I'm sure they want to turn their season around.

[yehyeh82]

"PAYTON! PAYTON! PAYTON!"....[/homeristic chant}

[FNQ]

Using a #9 pick on a guy that can't give you 5 good minutes per game is a travesty. Expecting your 2nd round pick to provide more than said lotto pick is a travesty.

POB has gotten a look for the past two years as a Warrior. He doesn't have it (or Don Nelson is blind). The fact that Kosta is being called up to take backup Center minutes is really a poor reflection on POB. I have no pity for that guy.

And if you are right about Kosta not panning out, then good job spotting that from the get go. But just do me a favor and don't be one of those guys that savors ripping his heart out each time he makes a mistake in the coming weeks. I can't stand to see our fans act like that.

I don't savor anything, I call them as I see them... I'm right sometimes, wrong others... water off the back But when someone says something that I completely disagree with, or is just plain old fashioned wrong, I'll say something.

And like I said when we first signed him... if he does anything positive as a Warrior, I'll be stunned.

As for Nellie, I consider his approach to talented big men to be pretty much the same approach as gay guys to vaginas... "Yeah they're nice, but they aren't for me."

[FNQ]

One of the reasons I'm intrigued to see how Kosta pans out over time is that Nellie said he has high BBIQ. So I'd be interested Reggae in why you think he's dumb.

Why do I think he's dumb? He's Euro Pietrus... hes so excited to be in the game, he doesnt think when he's out there. Stupid mistakes, especially rotation wise. Sure, being a 7' guy that can walk without tripping will net you some points in the NBDL and low level Euroball, but this is the best league in the world.

There was very few ways to downgrade from Mbenga, but I think we found a way...

But don't confuse this with me hoping Kosta will fail But I can't envision him being successful here, or anywhere.

The one thing I can say is, that if Kosta was to be successful anywhere, it would be here, only because our frenzied type of basketball might be right up his alley. However, against a playoff team, Kosta will be worthless. Every time I've seen him, its the exact same mistakes, exact same player. That's not good considering he's been tracked for over 5 years now (I dont recall which draft it is, but I remember he was being talked about at #5, which turned out to be Devin Harris 4-5 years back).

[turk3d]

Using a #9 pick on a guy that can't give you 5 good minutes per game is a travesty. Expecting your 2nd round pick to provide more than said lotto pick is a travesty.

POB has gotten a look for the past two years as a Warrior. He doesn't have it (or Don Nelson is blind). The fact that Kosta is being called up to take backup Center minutes is really a poor reflection on POB. I have no pity for that guy.

And if you are right about Kosta not panning out, then good job spotting that from the get go. But just do me a favor and don't be one of those guys that savors ripping his heart out each time he makes a mistake in the coming weeks. I can't stand to see our fans act like that.

Here we go again with POB. How much of a look did he actually get? In two years, he's played in a total of 44 NBA games, just 14 this year (20 DNPs) and 30 last year in which he's averaged 4.7 mpg and 6.2 mpg respectively. Now with a total of 15 roster positions when only 12 can dress, you want to tell me that you want Perovic to be one of the 12? Not me. If you can tell me someone who should play over (that is 3 other players he should play over providing we have a full roster), I'm listening. And as far as I'm concerned, now that both Kosta and POB have did their time in the D league, anyone who wants to tell me that POB did not outplay Kosta by a wide margin while there, I'm listening too.

POB this season if you average out all the games has averaged less than 2 minutes a game and you say he's been given a look? About the only look he's been given by Nellie is a dirty one. Even with his paltry minutes he's shot 60% from the field, 75% free throws, has .2 steals per game, and .4 blocks. So although I hope Kosta turns out to be a good player, as long as POB is on the roster, I want to see him in the game before I see Kosta because I feel (unless either one shows me otherwise) that POB can give us more of what we need at the Center position.

So if a 7 foot backup Center is going to get minutes on this team, I'm pulling for POB and if he really sucks like some of you claim (after given a real chance which has hasn't thus far) then Nellie can play that stiff all he wants and see if he can do better. Otherwise I'm content to Beans and Al (and maybe a little Croshere) man the position. All there doing with Kosta imo is playing a draft that they just signed to a long term deal like there supposed to and they should have done with POB and Lasme.

[Chris Porter's Hair]

-= original quote snipped =-

The roster spot is still available, Chris Porter's Hair. What is your point?

The call up is justifiable, Perovic has been playing OK in D-League (I mentioned his place among rebounding leaders there), and it costs the team nothing while they consider other options. NOTHING.

For someone who keeps mentioning that you know you can be a jerk, and saying you're going to try to be more pleasant, you sure are quick to pick a fight.

My point was that this group of people who lives and breathes Warriors hadn't even mentioned the possibility that Perovic might be promoted in response to Mbenga being punted. Which I think is a sad statement on where our general expectations for him have gone. It hadn't occurred to me, either.

As for the basketball implications. Bringing up Perovic seems destined to do nothing other than park him at the end of the bench so we can all wonder why HE isn't being put in during 20 point blowouts along with POB and Wright (though hopefully Wright has somehow gotten a chance). It doesn't hurt any, but I'm pretty skeptical it helps any either. I'd agree that someone like Lasme would seem more likely to offer something we don't already have. I'm not sure why we'd play Perovic over the guys we already have sitting on the bench. With Lasme the answer might be, "because he rebounds and blocks shots".

[Chris Cohan]

No fight picking at all, and I've been great. Trust me.

Anyway, seems like most of us agree on Perovic until something happens to change our mind. And it seems like most of us agree that we expect that to never, ever happen. But we're keeping our predictions on the quiet side just in case he does something we like. In practice. Where he'll play. On a guaranteed contract. While everyone else is screwed at season's end.

Total BS from Mullin and his buddy Bill Duffy.
Love to hear Nelson's take on all of this. I'm sure he's pissed.
Positive, actually.