GM Bob Myers Says Warriors Now Have a Plethora of Options; Who’s Greatest No. 7 Pick Ever?
By Marcus Thompson
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 at 8:42 pm in Uncategorized.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers was nervous. Way more nervous than he thought he’d be. He was trying to psyche himself out with the out-of-my-control speech. But it didn’t work.
“They played the intense background music and you look around the room, you can just sense the palpable tension in there. That is hard to overcome. So my heart was beating pretty fast.”
But once he saw Toronto went No. 8, the tension was replaced with relief. That meant the Warriors were in the top seven and was going to keep their pick.
“So we’re excited. I don’t want to overstate the excitement because just getting a pick doesn’t mean we’re going to go where we want to go. There is work to do and a lot of good options to explore.”
Myers said all options are on the table. Trade up in the draft. Use the pick as trade bait to get a veteran. Take a shot at one of the prospects they like at No. 7. Well, maybe one option isn’t on the board. To learn what that option is, and see a list of the last 32 No. 7 overall picks, you just have to keep reading.
Bob Myers Conference Call Q&A
What does this mean for the franchise?
One part of the excitement was not losing it. But it doesn’t mean it’s going to solve all our issues. We have work to do. Historically, I think we’ve done well at (No. 7) with (Chris) Mullin and (Stephen) Curry. So hopefully we get a good player there. In addition to that, it gives us four picks for the draft, which is a really great position to be in as afar as flexibility. The things you can do with that many assets is exciting for our organization.
What were you thinking while you were up there for the first time?
“I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be. I thought it was one of those things where you think you can convince yourself it was out of your control. But they played the intense background music and you look around the room and you can just sense the palpable tension in there. That it is hard to overcome. So my heart was beating pretty fast. But once I saw Toronto’s name come up at 8, at that point any outcome was going to be acceptable to us. Keeping this pick was certainly one of them. So we’re excited. I don’t want to overstate the excitement because just getting a pick doesn’t mean we’re going to go where we want to go. There is work to do and a lot of good options to explore.
Will you workout a lot of the top players now?
“We’ll workout anybody that will come by our facility. I think the more you can evaluate the players the better off you’ll be. Just getting a chance to get an up close and personal look at the players, talk to them, see them at your facility, put them through the drills you like to put them through. It gives an advantage. It doesn’t duplicate what you see during the year, which is 5-on-5 competition. But we’ll get in as many people as we can. I see no reason not to. Put them against each other the best you can. Hopefully they’ll come. I think they will.
Will you trade a pick?
Last year we picked three rookies. I don’t know if I’m going to pick four rookies this year. That’s seven in two years– that’s a lot of youth. If there’s a compelling reason to do that, we will. But I think we’re going to explore consolidating, looking at various trade possibilities. And that’s the nice thing about having the assets that we have going into this draft. You get in a room with guys like Jerry West, myself, our coaches, Travis Schlenk, Kirk Lacob, now we have the ability to put on the whiteboard endless possibilities as to what we can do. And that’s a good feeling instead of staring at the whiteboard and having one pick or no picks.
Is it fair to say you’ll be looking at small forwards?
It’s a strong draft in regards to (SF) and (PF) spots. So I think just by the depth at those positions and the talented players there, you’ll see a lot of those positions come through the facility and I think you will see a lot of (SFs) and (PFs) drafted high. Not just by the Warriors, but by any team in that range because there are a good amount of them. … I think that’s good because I think we need help at those positions. So it will be good to look at some of those players.
You looking for a starter or are you OK with filling out the bench at No. 7?
I think at 7 you want to get a starter. That’s the goal. When you’re picking in the top 10, you’re looking to get a starter. … I don’t think anybody’s going to be accepting the fact that we’re drafting a back-up. I think when we’re drafting that high we want to imagine that player as an eventual starter. He might not be a starter out of the gate, but you want to believe the player has an ability to start in the NBA when you’re drafting that high. And at minimum a high-level back-up. But going into it the goal is to draft a player that you feel like can start at the NBA level on a good team.
No. 7 overall picks since 1980
2011 Bismack Biyombo, Congo
2010 Greg Monroe, Georgetown
2009 Stephen Curry, Davidson
2008 Eric Gordon, Indiana
2007 Corey Brewer, Florida
2006 Randy Foye, Villanova
2005 Charlie Villanueva, Connecticut
2004 Luol Deng, Duke
2003 Kirk Hinrich, Kansas
2002 Nene Hilario, Brazil
2001 Eddie Griffin, Seton Hall
2000 Chris Mihm, Texas
1999 Richard Hamilton, Connecticut
1998 Jason Williams, Florida
1997 Tim Thomas, Villanova
1996 Lorenen Wright, Memphis
1995 Damon Stoudamire, Arizona
1994 Lamond Murray, Cal
1993 Bobby Hurley, Duke
1992 Walt Williams, Maryland
1991 Luc Longley, New Mexico
1990 Lionel Simmons, La Salle
1989 George McCloud, Florida State
1988 Tim Perry, Temple
1987 Kevin Johnson, Cal
1986 Roy Tarpley, Michigan
1985 Chris Mullin, St. John’s
1984 Alvin Robertson, Arkansas
1983 Thurl Bailey, North Carolina State
1982 Quintin Dailey, USF
1981 Steve Johnson, Oregon State
1980 Mike Gminski, Duke
So, who’s the greatest No. 7 pick ever? Easy answer for Warriors’ fans.
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May 30th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I am not sure Barnes will be there at 7 since I wonder if Sacto will take a center at 5. The Trailblazers will, but we may get a young, solid backup center at 7 rather than a small forward. We have a glut of SF’s, none of whom “are the future”, so perhaps some kind of trade(s) are in store. Like Meyers said, bringing in four more rookies makes no sense at all.
I’m glad we have these “problems” and it will be fun to see what happens in June.
May 30th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
If we do draft a 4/5 with #7 pick, make it Jared Sullinger. He gets rebounds and doesnt need time to develop.
May 30th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
mullin and curry are the best on the list. Go Warriors!
May 30th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Hey! The W’s get a little lucky for once and keep their 1st round pick, after trying to blow it. Keeping the pick, makes that lousy trade earlier in the year look a little bit better.
As I stated before a month ago, The W’s should be targeting Baylor SF/PF Perry Jones!!
6’10, 235, tall, athletic and has a good inside and outside game and decent 10-20 foot jumper and has ball handling skills. He has upside. Just needs to learn how to defend in the NBA level and I think Jackson and Malone can develop him unlike how Don Nelson was unable to develop talented atheltic big men.
I rate Jones higher than Sullinger and Zeller.
Kidd-Gilchrest will not slip to W’s, but maaaaaybe Harrison Barnes will, but I doubt it. I see Barnes going to Suckramento, but suckramento might do something stupid and reach for drummond or sullinger.
The pick for the W’s should be Barnes or Jones at #7!
End of story! No need to over think it!
May 30th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Hey! Looks like W’s got a little lucky for once. I rate Jones higher than Sullinger and Zeller.
Kidd-Gilchrest will not slip to W’s, but maaaaaybe Harrison Barnes will, but I don’t see that happening. I see Barnes going to Suckramento, but the Queens might do something stupid and reach for Drummond or Sullinger.
The pick for the W’s should be Barnes or Jones at #7!
End of story! No need to over think it!
May 30th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Jones has tremendous upside. 6’10-6’11, long wingspan, athletic, can run the floor and play in the half court game and has a nice inside outside game. Has a good 10-20 foot jumper.
Jones is like Udoh, but with more offensive game, not as good of a shot blocker, but Jones has far greater upside and is more athletic. Jackson and Malone can develop Jones, unlike Nelson could.
Jones would fit nicely at the 3 with Bogut at 5, Lee at 4 and Klay at 2 and Curry at 1.
May 30th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Perry Jones can also handle the rock also!
The only player the W’s should consider taking ahead of Jones at #7 is Barnes!
Here is a nice clip of Jones highlights:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Perry-Jones-5713/
May 31st, 2012 at 12:21 am
Perry Jones should be the W’s pick at #7….PERIOD!
Or trade down!
May 31st, 2012 at 12:25 am
Perry Jones has tremendous upside. 6’11, 235, long wingspan, athletic, can run the floor and play in the half court game and has a nice inside outside game. Has a good 10-20 foot jumper.
Jones is like Udoh, but with more offensive game, not as good of a shot blocker, but Jones has far greater upside and is more athletic. Jackson and Malone can develop Jones, unlike Nelson could.
Jones would fit nicely at the 3 with Bogut at 5, Lee at 4 and Klay at 2 and Curry at 1
Perry Jones can also handle the rock and distribute the basketball!
The only player the W’s should consider taking ahead of Jones at #7 is Barnes!
Here is a nice clip of Jones highlights and weaknesses:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Perry-Jones-5713/
Perry Jones should be the W’s pick…no need to overthink it…when the W’s overthink, they make mistakes.
May 31st, 2012 at 1:13 am
Could the dub’s contend for the championship with a lineup of
C Bogut
PF Lee
SF Iguodola
SG Thompson
PG Curry
Seems like they could make a deep run into the playoffs. But if they do trade the pick for an Iguodola like small forward, they are also banking on the health of some unhealthy players.
The other option is try to hit a home run here with a player like Perry Jones, who will likely be on the board when the dubs are selecting. This guy has the skills to become a dominate force in the league, and maybe the piece that puts the dubs in contention for a title down the line.
May 31st, 2012 at 1:47 am
Arnett Moultrie Mississippi St. is the logical pick. Kevin Jones, WV should be selected after that. The team would instantly become big, strong and solid. Excellent rebounders and inside players, great compliments to the current roster
May 31st, 2012 at 2:22 am
I think we will pick Barnes or Terrence Jones if we keep the pick. I’m not oppossed to trading the pick either, but i like having the options. Things are looking up for this team.
May 31st, 2012 at 7:20 am
Warriors must NOT select either Perry Jones or Andre Drummond. Drummond was a very very average player with almost no basketball skill and Perry Jones played with sans sack.
Personally I’d like to see the W’s take either Jared Sulinger or Terrance Jones. Sulinger is big and will rebound and get put backs immediately. Jones can defend both forward positions and reminds me of a young Ron Artest in his ability to hit the three.
Must reiterate: NO PERRY JONES NO ANDRE DRUMMOND
May 31st, 2012 at 7:53 am
Greatness does not come without risk, West traded for Kobe, the warriors passed on him, to take Todd Fuller. This team will never become great unless it takes a risk.
Fortunately West in onboard, this is NOT a deep draft, there are a couple of players who “may” become great, take one of those and lets see what we have, bring Lin back.
May 31st, 2012 at 8:28 am
I think Marcus said that T. Jones is dropping quickly. At least I read it somewhere in this morning’s paper. Tim K likes him. Is that a good reference
?
May 31st, 2012 at 8:49 am
#3, Mullin and Curry are the best? Mullin, sure. But Kevin Johnson was light years better than Curry.
May 31st, 2012 at 9:13 am
Definitly not sullinger. he has already reached his ceiling and plays average defense. we already have a PF that is owed a ton of money. Perry Jones has no heart, and at 6’10″ actually disappears during games! When has a player with “potential” but no heart ever become a star?? Atleast Drummond is still learning basketball. MKG might drop a couple slots with Charlotte primed for Drummond or hometown Harrison Barnes.. trade up?
May 31st, 2012 at 9:15 am
It’s nice to know we’ve got one of the best talent evaluators of all time on board when there is no sure thing out there after number 1 or 2…I’m also just as confident of his ability to tag current players so a trade will be just as welcome.
Knowing West will be schooling Myers on the talent gives me hope for the future.
May 31st, 2012 at 9:15 am
#14 – not a deep draft?? are you kidding me? half this draft are first rounders that held over from last year for fear of the lockout. 2012 is almost 2 drafts in one
May 31st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
#19 If you go player by player that are projected to go in the first round the draft looks comparable to last year, in fact last years draft looks really deep based on what the players taken in the first round did. But just my opinion, I agree with you on Sullinger tough. We probably agree on one other thing, Davis is the only one that looks like a superstar, Drummond could be one, Perry Jones as well but who knows outside of that, it looks like last years draft to me.
In fact there may not be a player better than Klay Thompson in this whole draft except Davis as far as I can tell.
May 31st, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Perry Jones is Udoh, another mistake. Sulliger may have weight problems. Drummond is a risk, T. Jones is Dorrell Wright 2.0.
Arnett Moultrie can play both forward positions and averaged 20/10. Players who dominate in college are always better bets than guys who blended in with average/mediocre numbers (Perry). The same applies to Kevin Jones who will be a Milsap type of player. Those two guys also help if and when Bogut or Lee are hurt. They’d give Jackson a ton of flexibility. Please no shooting guards or 6’7′ wingmen.
Now lets see ifthe front office can advance beyond their typical buffoonery.
May 31st, 2012 at 6:19 pm
DKnight007 needs to stop swinging from Perry Jones’ sack. He’s Anthony Randolph all over again.
It’s nice to see come posters beginning to appreciate Kevin Jones. We need that guy with our later picks!
Trade the #7 pick and Jefferson to Philly for Iguodala, if at all possible.
June 1st, 2012 at 10:00 am
Dear Bob Meyers,
Ok Myers this is what you should do. You should trade up with the sole focus to draft Royce White from Iowa St. To me he is the second best overall player in this draft. Remember when his team Iowa St, played Anthony Davis and Kentucky in the NCAA tournament? Who were the two best players on the floor? Exactly! Anthony Davis and Royce White. Like I said, Royce White is the second best player in this draft. He is easily the best SF in the draft. Michael Kidd Gilcrest is a good player, and at 19, he has tremendous potential. But Royce White can do it all. Shoot, handle, pass, post, defend, and he is ready to play in the NBA right now at a high level.
Here is a youtube video of a triple double White had against Texas A&M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdYRh5oEJ4U&feature=related
Keep searching for more tape Bob. You’ll come to see what I’m talking about. Also, I have a couple of ideas for dealing those 30th and 35th picks. Get back to me on that.
June 1st, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Stop with the Iggy stuff, dude is OLD and on the decline. His offensive skill set is declining like a downhill skier. He’s also had many injuries. The last thing the Warriors needs is an old injury prone vet in decline, (can you say Andrew Bogus) !
June 4th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
no sullinger.
June 4th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
No on Perry Jones.
June 4th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
No Sullinger, Perry Jones, Iggy, Gay or any other 6’7, 6’8 swingman. Josh Smith heck yes if they can get him for that 7th and Dorrell Wright.
June 9th, 2012 at 10:23 am
Pick the guy who is least likely to send a picture of his member to Warriors employees.