Warriors’ new lineup could help
by warriors
There has been a fair amount of discussion since preseason about the Warriors’ starting lineup, in particular the backcourt pairing of Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis. Most of the chatter prior to the season was about the defensive weaknesses it would present, but in the first two games of the season, the move has generated problems on offense as well, as it appears that the two are still trying to work out exactly how to play with each other.
Feltbot, who has frequented this blog and provided meaningful insight in his comments, has his own Warriors blog, feltbot.com, and it’s a good one. He wrote an article Monday presenting his prescription to help fix the Warriors, and it involves sending Curry to the second unit and moving Kelenna Azubuike into the starting lineup at the two guard. He makes several good arguments for the move, including an improved defensive starting unit, putting the ball back in Monta’s hands (he needs to control the ball to be effective) and pairing Curry with Anthony Morrow in the second unit, which could pay dividends for both players.
I think he makes a good argument. I can’t get on board with it, though, because I think that taking Curry out of the starting lineup when he’s done nothing to deserve the demotion, seems like a big mistake. I think Don Nelson needs to stick with this backcourt for at least 10-15 more games to see if Curry and Monta can figure out how to co-exist in the same lineup.
I also get the impression that Nelson loves Curry and unless the rookie point guard starts to play poorly, I can’t envision a scenario in which Nelson would take him out of the starting lineup.
The idea in feltbot’s article to get Azubuike into the starting lineup is a great one. Azubuike is a good defensive player, he has a high basketball IQ, and he can help open up the offense with his 3-point marksmanship (41.3 percent for his career). It would be a great benefit to the Warriors to put Azubuike in the starting lineup or at least find him more minutes.
It seems that Nelson agrees with this thinking, because according to a report by Geoff Lepper at 48minutes.net, the Warriors will unveil a new starting lineup Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies that includes Azubuike. It will be the third starting lineup in three games for the Warriors. The reported new starting five looks like this:
PG-Stephen Curry (13 points. 5.5 assists)
SG-Monta Ellis (22.5 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists)
SF-Kelenna Azubuike (15 points, 4.5 rebounds)
PF-Stephen Jackson (15 points, 3 assists)
C-Andris Biedrins (8 points, 7.5 rebounds)
Anthony Randolph moves to the bench and will likely play a lot of minutes backing up both Jackson and Biedrins. What’s interesting about this lineup is that if you insert Randolph at power forward, you’re probably looking at the Warriors’ starting five if Jackson is traded.
I like putting Azubuike in the the starting five and I think he’ll be fine at small forward. The question mark is Jackson at power forward. Can that be effective? Looking ahead to Wednesday’s game, I think it could work. I don’t think Jackson can defend Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, but Randolph can’t defend Jackson so it evens out.
It appears that the other defensive matchups set up well enough for the Warriors. Curry matches up with Mike Conley, Monta with O.J. Mayo (you probably have to give the edge to the Grizzlies on that one), Azubuike with Rudy Gay (Gay’s length might give Azubuike some trouble), and Biedrins with Marc Gasol. There are some matchups that Memphis could exploit there, but the Warriors have their own matchups they can exploit in return. Like with the Randolph-Jackson matchup, I think at shooting guard, Monta can match Mayo point-for-point, so it all seems to equal out. Wednesday’s game has the look of a close, high-scoring game.
The other concern I have with this lineup is lack of rebounding. This could be a problem. With that lineup, the Warriors have one good rebounder (Biedrins) and four mediocre rebounders on the court. I think this lineup could lead to a lot of offensive rebound opportunities for the Grizzlies. I could see Randolph, Gay and Mayo being able to get position for offensive rebounds against the Warriors’ smaller defenders. That could be something to watch.
Even with the 0-2 start, the Warriors’ season thus far has been very interesting. There is so much unrealized potential on this roster, and the hope is that Nelson will figure out the right combination of players that will help realize that potential. The next chance to see if the pieces fit is Wednesday.
Press Democrat Assistant Sports Editor (and rabid NBA fan) Jared Cowley breaks down the latest on the Golden State Warriors and other news from around the Association.
For this line up to work, I think there needs to be a solid effort to get to the boards. Buike is actually a good rebounder especially for a SF or SG. My biggest worry is Jax at PF, we’ll see if he really is a “good soldier”.
By the way, Houston knocked off Utah last night. Yes the W’s are 0-2, but against two teams that have played extremely well so far. The next three games should winnable. Let’s hope they’re better than they’ve shown so far.
by Aperacer
In that lineup, most of the players are good rebounders for their position. But, if they don’t really effort to keep the Grizzlies off the offensive boards, they could really get hurt there. Zach Randolph, especially, is a very good rebounder and could create a lot of second-chance opportunities by outmuscling Jackson for inside position and the offensive rebound. Good call on the Warriors’ first two opponents. Houston, in particular, is much better than I thought they would be. It turns out their performance last season in the playoffs against the Lakers after Yao got injured was not a fluke.
by warriors
Remeber in the “We Believe” playoff upset against the Mavs, Jackson played power forward in the starting line-up and shut down Dirk Nowitzki. Then again you had Baron at point, Monta was at has (eek!) peak?, J-Rich was runnin’ and gunnin’, and Biedrins looked a step quicker than he does now. Biedrins has had a horrible start to the season IMHO.
SJax at 4 can work.
by diddy
I commend your desire to reach out to a new audience. Jared, I have been a fan of your writings and workings at the last two newspapers you have been associated with and am pleased to see you expanding your reporting skills. Though I am a non-sports fan and am confused by all the dialogue, I am pleased to see the local interest in a local team and will continue to follow your blog and work at the Santa Rosa paper.
by Bailey
Good point. It will be interesting to see what happens Wednesday.
by warriors
Thanks for the kind words, Jared. You may be right about Curry. Don Nelson is certainly in love with him, and for good reason. But I would love to see him get more minutes with Morrow, which is difficult if he’s a starter.
Whatever the success of this latest lineup, I’m hoping that its temporary, and Anthony Randolph will force his way into the starting lineup sooner rather later.
by feltbot
I agree with you on Randolph. I do think if Jackson gets traded, that would get Randolph back into that starting lineup. Of course, that means no Jackson, and that’s a blessing or a curse, depending on how you feel about Jax.
by warriors
All these variations on line ups would not be necessary if our big men weren’t going down to injury. Granted this is a new young season. But, if B Wrigt, and Ronny were healthy, who plays the 4 and 5 would be a non issue.
I hate to say it, but the W’s are already off the an unhealthy start, even before game 1. We’ve got some bad karma going on. I trace it back to the day Oklahoma stole our “Thunder”. You remember our muted/mystereous/acrobatic lucky charm of a mascot. Any other theiories? What/who should new mascot be?
by Aperacer
Jared, thanks for your articles and blog. Its great to have some information and discussion regarding the Warriors.
I’d like to see Randolph get 30+ minutes per game, whether he’s coming off the bench or starting. Azubuike provides everything that Magette does and has better shot range. He also has potential for improvement. Magette will not be getting better.
I’d like to see Nellie give Curry, Monta, and Morrow the guard minutes. Randolph, Azubuike, and Jax get the forwards minutes. Biedrens and Turiaf share the minutes at the 5 position.
This would allow Morrow more playing time with Curry, and allows the young players to develop.
I don’t think Nellie would sit Magette entirely, and unfortunately the Warriors panicked when Baron left and signed him to that big contract, so he would not be easy to trade.
by V
Azubuke should really be starting at the 2 with Curry with Ellis coming off the bench as the game changer, its a stretch to say that Azubuke possesses a high basketball IQ, have you ever seen him attempt to make a pass? players with high baskeball IQ’s make other players better,
Azubuke is a physical specimen, with a decent shot and good rebounding skills, defensively at least he would not be overwhelmed at the 2 spot.
And you are quoting feltbot of all people?
by earl monroe
Interesting obversation, earl monroe. I’ll be interested to watch Azubuike with this in mind. His assists totals are ridiculously low, so it’s clear he doesn’t look to set up his teammates. Basketball IQ involves understanding the techniques and fundamentals of the game and being able to incorporate that knowledge in a fast-paced, high-stress game. I agree that players with high basketball IQ often make other players around them better, but that isn’t limited to passing the ball. Being able to recognize offensive plays while playing defense, the ability to instruct teammates on the court, and the ability to make smart plays on the court also play a role in that regard. High basketball IQ also means knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your role on a team, and playing according to that knowledge. I think Azubuike does this, but I’ll admit, now that you’ve brought it up, I want to watch him more closely and see if I’m wrong. At this point in their careers, I do think swapping Azubuike for Randolph in the starting lineup improves the basketball intelligence of the starting five.
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