Azubuike

[supaflash]

Seriously, Posey is gone, can we get this guy?

Do you realize he had 33 pts 8 rebs the second game of the season and followed it with 27 and 11 rebs a few days later? When he has gotten minutes he has produced well.

He averaged 4 rebs at SG/SF in 20 minutes. Thats good for limited minutes at a guard spot.

24 years old
6-5" 220 lbs!

He's big and strong enough to guard any SF. And most of the bigger ones like Bron and PP are face up guys anyway, the challenge is staying in front of them. He might actually be better at guarding some of these guys then a bigger slower SF like Posey. He can play SG/SF and probably even point in the triangle ala Ron Harper.

He's already in the gym working out getting ready for next season. There was an article in the San Fran paper that he's busting his ass in Vegas getting stronger and quicker.

Let Ronny expire tomorrow and counter right after by giving this guy an offer. He's worth 4 mil for 3 years or 3.5 for 4.

Between signing him and Karl's play it will give Sasha virtually no leverage and then we can resign him for a reasonable deal at 3 mil or so as well. Gives us a ton of depth and flexibility in trade situations.

If GS matches, well then maybe Dooling, but its worth a shot now that Posey is gone.

[That Nicka]

Fisher/Farmar
Kobe/Sasha

when would he play?

[supaflash]

Luke's and Vlad minutes, the ones not taken up by LO/Ariza. Possibly all of Sasha or Farmar's depending on how he plays. And he's Sasha insurance, although it doesn't look like we are going to lose him at this point. Gives us more shooting to make the Vlad for Evans deal as well.

He could also take some of Fish's minutes, even giving him the ability to take a game off here and there, some of Kobe's as well so guys are fresher down the stretch. He's very versatile imo. What minutes was Posey going to play? etc etc. There would be room trust me. If Luke and Vlad could get in the games consistently last year then he for sure can.

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

I remember brian cook having back to back 20+ point games a couple years ago..

[DEEP3CL]

Luke's and Vlad minutes, the ones not taken up by LO/Ariza. Possibly all of Sasha or Farmar's depending on how he plays. And he's Sasha insurance, although it doesn't look like we are going to lose him at this point. Gives us more shooting to make the Vlad for Evans deal as well.

He could also take some of Fish's minutes, even giving him the ability to take a game off here and there, some of Kobe's as well so guys are fresher down the stretch. He's very versatile imo. What minutes was Posey going to play? etc etc. There would be room trust me. If Luke and Vlad could get in the games consistently last year then he for sure can.

Now your playing small which is a disadvantage (see bold highlight).

It's not all about scoring man, we had one of the top offenses in the league we don't need another guard we need as complete SF.

[supaflash]

Thats what I'm saying, he's more complete then those guys, he rebounds like a man. He also is big and strong enough to guard bigger ones and quick enough to guard smaller SFs. He's also skilled and quick enough to play SG when Kobe moves to SF. He is also a more versatile option then Sasha in that he can hit the 3 but also hit the midrange shot and attack the rim. He had a better rebound rate then:

Kobe
Artest
Granger
Kirelenko
G. Wallace
Gay
Prince
Pierce
Vlad and Luke

I saw him do an excellent job of guarding Kobe and he is a good defensive player that was overlooked because of the crazy temp that GS played.

It never hurts to be deeper, more athletic, and more skilled

[3-Pt_Shooter]

IMO Azibuike would fit in well with the Lakers squad... He would make them much more athletic and versatile than they already are However, the Lakers are in desperate need of a defensive-minded player who is willing and able to crash the offensive boards (in 6 games the C's had 65 offensive boards to the Laker's 49). This player should also be able to score from the perimeter as well... Would Azibuike fit the bill?

Azibuike is definitely worth taking a look at...

[DEEP3CL]

Remember what one man does in one system doesn't mean he'll flourish in Triangle. Which is a much more deliberate system then what the Warriors run which close to rec ball.

[Italianhanger]

this guy defended kobe pretty well
he's a pest on defense
im not sure of his offensive game but we wont really need that..
good addition

[laduane1]

This weeks name, next week will be another name. Aw it is the summer and we shall hear a lot of names that will never make any sense or will not even be in the NBA. But some of our Laker lovers have them on the Lakers and starting. Again, aw yes. it is summer.

[KB20]

I'm definitely a fan. If we can't keep Sasha I say we definitely sign him. He's a complete player on both sides of the ball and would be a great addition.

[rsrjr]

I would love the Lakers to get him...How much cap space does GS still have? If they have enough room to take back more salary then they give, maybe a sign & trade for Vlad. He fits Nelly's system.

[Dexmor]

The guy can play. He would be worth the midlevel for 2-3 years.

[lukeridenour]

The guy can play. He would be worth the midlevel for 2-3 years.

i think thats way overpaying. i heard a rumor he signed an offer sheet with the clippers tho.

[Squirrel Boy]

My boy Kenny can ball. I saw him own the Knicks and the Nets, not that it really matters. Every team owns the Knicks and Nets...

In short, this dude can ball.

[dockingsched]

3 yr 10 mil deal with the clips. warriors are probably not going to match.

[milesfides]

I'm more interested in another Warriors player, Kelenna Azubuike, who opted out of his contract. While Pietrus has always been mostly potential (every year), Azubuike has shown he's legit in his 2nd year. He's can score with confidence from anywhere, he's got range, he can finish, a freakish athlete, but he's also a quality defender. He doesn't hesitate in his game, he's an aggressive kid. I've followed him throughout the year, not only because I had him on every fantasy team, but because he stepped up after Jason Richardson was traded - he wanted it. He has no fear - this kid went right at Kobe during the matchups, coming out pretty well - he wanted it.

Stephen Jackson eventually took over the role, but there's no question in my mind that Azubuike could be a permanent starting swingman. He's under the radar because his role was reduced by the end of the season, but if we want a relatively affordable, yet startable, capable small forward who could fill our needs, Azubuike is a terrific candidate. Had he been on our team against the Celtics, he might have been our second best player, because the guy is that complete offensively, and that capable defensively.

Some players have a real nastiness to their game. Azubuike is pretty filthy. Just go on youtube, and you'll see some disgusting dunks, cold-blooded gamewinners, brutal blocks. Fearless, tough, relentless. Some guys just have IT. He's built like a rock, you can break a bat on him, but his demeanor is even harder. This kid doesn't pound on his chest, scream, yell, talk trash. He doesn't laugh, he doesn't smile. He just gives opponents the business.

[milesfides]

Also, OP, you should probably correct the misspelling of Bookie's name.

[Minhee]

3 yr 10 mil deal with the clips. warriors are probably not going to match.

Wait, I thought all along that Buike opted out of his deal so how does that make him an RA? I am pretty sure because my roomate told me earlier this year that the guy was only making like less than a mil and his 2nd season was a player option.

[dockingsched]

the warriors offered him his qualifying offer of 900k+, he didn't take it. by virtue of offering the QO though, the warriors retained the right to match any offer sheet he signed elsewhere.