| First Quarter Grades Authored by Payam Jahromi - December 19, 2005 - 2:06 am
Through 23 games, the Warriors are 14-9 and a game out of first place in the Pacific. Perhaps the most encouraging part of that (or discouraging, depending on how you look at it), is that it doesn't seem as if everything has clicked.
Last season's finish created high expectations, but with the exception of a five-game winning streak, the Warriors have yet been able to duplicate last year’s level of play.
They haven't been able to beat good teams (Pistons, Rockets with McGrady, Clippers, and the Suns twice). And, they're only 8-6 at home, a percentage that must improve if they want to make the playoffs.
Still, 14-9 is 14-9 and it's hard to complain too much.
Here are my first quarter grades (Yes, I realize that 23 is not one-fourth of 82, just bare with me).
BARON DAVIS - B+
Davis was slowed early in the season after injuring his hamstring on opening night, but he's been playing at an All-Star level since he’s healed. He's second in the NBA in assists behind Steve Nash – his 10.0 average is 1.5 more than his career best of 8.5 in 2001-02.
The only thing that stops him from an A is the poor 3-point (29.5%) and free-throw (67%) percentages. Otherwise, the Baron is doing an excellent job as the leader.
JASON RICHARDSON - A-
You can't ask for a better start from J-Rich, who leads the team in scoring (22 pts), second in rebounding (6.4), second in steals (1.2) and second in blocks (0.5). Richardson has improved his scoring average in his first four seasons, and this year he's on pace to do that for a fifth time (22.8 pts this year, 21.7 in 04-05).
His defense went from below average to average last year, and to above average so far this year. His points are also coming at the right time. When the team desperately needs a basket, J-Rich always seems to drop home a jumper. If they selected the All-Star team today, it would be hard to leave him off.
His FT% and attempts are his only weakness and it's something he continues to struggle with – the only reason he doesn't get an A.
TROY MURPHY - B+
Murphy gets the least attention of the five starters, but he continues to put up solid numbers. His rebounds are down from last year (8.7 this year, 10.8 in 04-05), which is a concern considering the team's major weakness is on the boards. As a matter of fact, one can make the connection that his increased 3-point attempts (3.6 this year, 2.1 in 04-05) have hurt his offensive rebounding (1.7 this year, 3.6 in 04-05). The defensive boards are about the same.
The good news is that Murphy is averaging a career-high 5.4 free-throw attempts a game (and making 80%), and his defense, though still below average (and very bad at times), has shown some improvement. You can't really ask for much more from Murphy, other than taking it to the hole and not settling for the outside shot a little more often.
MIKE DUNLEAVY - D
He has played better lately, but overall it's been a dismal quarter-season for Dunleavy. He's shooting a horrid 24.7% from 3-point land, down from his 36% career average. His scoring and rebounding are down from last season.
The biggest concern for me (besides his shooting percentage) is the 4.0 rebound average. Last season he averaged 5.5 boards, and I felt that was low. It's hard to explain how a 6-foot-9 player averaging over 30 minutes can't grab five rebounds.
Many have called Dunleavy the "x-factor," because when he plays well the Warriors always win. That's fine, I buy that. The problem is, he's not having very many good games.
Again, considering they're 14-9 with Dunleavy shooting so poorly, that is encouraging. He's always been a second-half player, and Warriors fans hope that continues.
One thing I will say about Mike – his defense has been pretty solid. He's no Ron Artest, but he has good fundamentals and moves his feet well defensively. He can still be muscled down low, but he's not the defensive liability that Murphy is.
ADONAL FOYLE - C+
Foyle has had some great games and some stinkers.
Like Dunleavy, Foyle's rebounding numbers should be better. As a starting center, he should average 8-9 boards, not the 6.8 he's averaging.
His shot-blocking and defense have been extremely valuable at times, and the Warriors would probably have a couple less wins if not for Foyle's presence in the middle.
When Adonal is rebounding, the rest of his game is better.
DEREK FISHER - A
Nobody should be complaining about Fisher's contract right now. Fisher is having a career season, averaging a career-high 13.5 points in 28 minutes. He's shooting 46.3 percent from the field and an astonishing 47.1 from downtown.
And he's making his baskets when the Warriors need it most. Fisher has been the Warriors’ money shooter in the fourth, the money guy from the line (86%), and even as a play-maker at times.
I don't know what's gotten into Fish, but that mid-level exception is looking like a bargain right about now.
ANDRIS BIEDRINS - C
He's only 19 and still has a loooong way to go, but I expected a little more than he's given so far. An early ankle injury slowed him down, but he's been effective as of late.
Biedrins’ value right now is on the boards - especially offensive. When he's giving the team second shots, the energy of the team picks up. Predictably, foul trouble has kept him off the floor at times.
He should continue to get better as the season goes along, but expect plenty of bumps on the road too.
MICKAEL PIETRUS - B
Pietrus was really playing well before his knee injury, averaging 10.5 points in 22 minutes. Early in the season when the Warriors were settling for the 3-point shots too often, Pietrus was the only guy taking it to the hole.
He has the best first step on the team and has a swagger and energy about him that will be welcome when he comes back. Not to mention his relentless defense.
One thing about Mickael – and it’s something I mentioned last year – is that he can officially be considered “injury-prone” until he plays a full season without missing substantial time.
IKE DIOGU - B
There's no way Diogu was going to keep the pace he set in his first few games. Ike has hit a little slump, which is expected for any rookie.
He’ll need to get consistent minutes. But all in all, he’s been a pleasant surprise.
ZARKO CABARKAPA – C-
Zarko is a tough one to grade because of his lack of minutes (8.4 per game). He had his best game of the season against Toronto, but one has to wonder why he’s not getting the minutes.
CALBERT CHEANEY – A-
Here’s a guy who isn’t expected to play, and certainly isn’t part of the regular rotation, but when he’s been called upon to step in, he’s delivered.
If you had to describe Cheaney in one word, it would be “professional.” He’s the Ellis Burks of the NBA. In fact, I barely remember Calbert being a young player. It’s like he’s always been old. He’s the perfect veteran.
CHRIS TAFT, AARON MILES, MONTA ELLIS – B
These guys should get probably get an “incomplete,” but I gave them a B for the heck of it. Taft played early when Diogu and Biedrins were hurt, and his interior defense was a great surprise.
Miles has played sparingly and done a decent enough job. When Baron was hurt, Miles allowed Fisher to play shooting guard.
Ellis has hardly played, but I’m sure he’s getting some good experience in practice against Richardson, Baron and Fisher.
If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at pjahromi@sbcglobal.net |
