Final Warriors Grades: Not Straight As, but Pretty Good

Lee had how many 20-10s and you give him a C+? Basically you dinged him because he got hurt. I don’t get it…

I love JJack but he dribbled into one too many double teams for an A.

because Lee is garbage

Draymond Green is rated too high. He hustles, plays good D and rebounds well much of the time; but, he is a terrible shooter in love with the 3-pt. shot. He only makes one occasionally because nobody cares to cover him – the defense would pay him to take those shots all game.

I hear your explanation on Lee Marcus but still, C+? You catch him looking at your wife at a game or something? That’s a little rough. He deserves a B at least.

All this D lee support but…

The team was better when he got hurt…

Rebounds and scoring came from other places, and the defense became solid

I dont see how anyone can definitely say that the Warriors played better without Lee. He got hurt in the first game. How do we not know that they would have been even better with a healthy Lee.

How about a ‘grade’ for Jerry West?

DLee had a great year and a C+ grade for him is preposterous. As for expectations Marcus, why were yours so high? The years before this one he was saddled with the Chandler bite, and other issues at the end of last year.
This year he was a rock all the way through. He deserved his all star selection and played big in big games – dominated Blake a couple of times.
Give the guy a break.

I think it’s important to remember that Adam said he grades against expectations- not just an overall grade.

ie: David was an all-star in NY, and a near all-star last year. Thus, the EXPECTATION is that he plays at an all-star (or near it) level. Against that grading scale, a C+ means he EXCEEDED expectations ever-so-slightly. We expected him to be very good. He was. So there you go. Personally, I would also give him a higher grade, maybe a B. But I just want to point out the grading scale that people seem to be glossing over as they read.

With that said, I’d give Andris a solid B, as we expected ZERO from him- and the truth is, in the playoffs, he gave us very good minutes. I made a point to only watch him for a while and you know what? He played excellent, intelligent defense. He still got burned a couple times because of his athleticism, but he played defense correctly, and was always thinking.

I’d also give Bazemore and Green A’s. They FAR exceeded any of my expectations. I mean, Bazemore’s expectation was at ZERO. And Green’s was very low.

People like to underestimate Lee. First the meme was Lee wasn’t an all star. Now the meme is he is going to have to remind people why is an all star.

How about a grade for the rest of the coaching staff? Mark Jackson is the inspirational head, but could he pull off what the Ws accomplished without the other guys on his staff doing the little things that matter? My biggest fear is that we lose Mike Malone to a head coaching job and find out the hard way how important he was to the Ws success this year.

An adjustment of sorts should be accomodated to the role of David Lee. Because his absence actually gave the team valid options as to what it can do.. Without him. But i think David Lee is a keeper.. Just needs to work as a stopper.. and i really like his leadership.

Secondly, I think its very likely Carl Landry would be the odd man out not Jack. The good news however, is that as RJ’s and Biedrin’s contract expire, we can make a run on Al Jefferson and David West.

For next year, I think the crucial move for the organization is to improve Ezeli, Green and Bazemore’s into mult-dimensional players.. Retain Brandon Rush… I am convinced, Get a center-power forward like Al Jefferson to get the frontcourt fully booked and capable… and get everyone healthy for long durations..

Harrison Barnes is going to be a very exciting story..

DLee’s defensive liabilities clearly outweigh his offensive skills – which is impressive, as DLee is a gifted offensive player. However, his defensive liabilities are truly a amazing – 61% of shots taken against him score! Google this stuff! Any objective observer can see it. Love the fanboys but open your eyes, people.

Sorry Marcus. I called you Adam. I deserve a failing grade for that. You deserve better. Thanks for all the good reads!

save that finals comment…

His personality wont work with this team

Somebody put out a APB,Warrant for Tim Kawakami. He’s kidnapped MT2 and is posting under his name!

David Lee defense was terrible last season. He seemed like a Landy double to me, but Lee played more minutes so his stats looked better. As evidence in the playoffs, the warriors played better without Lee. Lee played like an all star offensively at times but played defense like Curry.

I’m of the opinion it’s time to move D. Lee. He simply doesn’t fit into what the W’s are going forward; up tempo, swarming team ‘d’ oriented. . .He works for the pick & pop but that would be a good role for Barnes going forward.

Expect Barnes to make a quantum leap next year. he may be on the US “select” squad, practicing with the best of the best. Remember Kobe’s glowing assessment of Klay Thompson after he represented for the ‘select’ squad?

Barnes does need to get better this off season, but I expect just that to take place; his handle in traffic will improve, his overall offensive game will get better as will his approach to defense. he is already a much better rebounder than I thought; as far as a stretch “4 (still a “3″ for the most part)” he’ll be too quick for the 4 he’s lining up against & too big for most “3′s”. . .

I was hoping to trade Lee in a three team deal, Lee going to Portland, where he would fit the finesse “pick & pop” roll with Damian Lillard. LeMarcus Aldridge, almost as fragile as Lee goes to Philly. The W’s, in turn, get Thaddeus Young & Evan Turner in exchange. Miraculiously the money fits all around.

Then the W’s entice JJ Hickson, unrestricted free agent who shined on the W’s last year signs to man the starting “4.”. Then the W’s trade either young (likely stays) or Turner (most likely to leave) in a sign & trade to Dallas for OJ Mayo.

Then the W’s complete their overhaul by nabbing another unrestricted FA from Portland, Eric Maynor, to replace Jack as the backup PG. Jack wants money & minutes? Maynor displayed he has fully recovered from his ACL, is younger & more suited to be the backup @ the “1.”

Then Landry can see the handwriting on the wall; should he stay or should he go?

As far as Bogut is concerned, where was Bogut @ this stage last year? He couldn’t even STAND on his bad leg, let alone favorably represent in the playoffs. I think y’all bagging on him right now are just mad @ Marcus’ truth about D. Lee; Lee the best player on the W’s? If he remains he potentially could slide to 3rd or 4th best on the squad. That’s reality.

Curry second fiddle to Lee? In what universe? Barnes will supplant Thompson in the food chain, alleviating some pressure from Thompson, allowing his performance to skyrocket. if Bogut plays 60-to 70 regular season tilts & tops this year’s playoff showing he’s up there; Lee is going to have off season surgery for the second consecutive year. Bogut? all he has to do is get some rest, lay off the beer & he’ll be the force nobody heard of when a Buck. . .

If he stays Lee will be more of a liability than he showed in his limited time on the playoffs. The press openly contemplated how Bogut & lee would co-exist in the starting lineup. After further review, Lee is redundant & doesn’t play good enough defense to remain a force. With Bogut Lee doesn’t lead the NBA in double doubles, a dubious stat @ best. Team rebounding & defense, which fueled the W’s surprise playoff success & ultimately carried the day are what will identify this hungry, young team. with Bogut @ the “5″ &, hopefully Hickson as an improvement as a rebounder, defender & better athlete. He co-existed with Aldridge in Portland; he doesn’t need special attention as a “4;” he’ll bring it every night without plays being called for him. . .

I thought the C grade for David Lee was a typo. The grade either reflects very poor judgment or a personal issue. The idea that this is being graded on some sort of relative scale is a specious explanation, especially when you consider that Lee played to his full potential this season and was the team’s first All Star in many years. Lee deserves an A.

The C+ is an insult, and it seems a very intentional one. What temerity to give a Lee a C+ after the season he has had. I’m a little frosted by the shot, and also surprised as MT is usually reasonable and doesn’t take petty shots.

I have had my own criticisms of Lee’s game over at Adam’s blog, so I do see some chinks in his armor. But anyone who has watched the Warriors knows he deserved a better grade than Jack, who btw I also really liked this season.

The fans/journalists that downgraded Lee were objective. Non of that opinion made personal attacks against those who dissent our opinions.

Practically everyone who is a Lee booster attacked the GALL they perceived from the “opposition.” Why is that/ Everyone is entitled to their opinion & a
ALL that downgraded Lee were merely sifting through the entirety of the season, objectively pontificating what they/we witnessed.

Almost all the Lee supporters engaged in character assisination of the “opposition.”

So, what can be determined by these opposite courses of action? Subjectivity, embraced by the pro Lee sect is displayed in the form of hubris. Objectivity, displayed by those who “dare” to question Lee’s contributions were uniformly arrived @ by cold calculation.

yet both sides are after the same thing; the most successful Warrior team going forward.

Kinda like the aftermath of 9/11. The W’s are the darlings of the future of the league. They have the tiger by the tail. Momentum going forward.

The Lee backers? You’re either with us or against us. . .hard to escape the parallels. . .you fill in the blanks. . if you dare.

Marcus, I for one echo your objectivity, sentiments & willingness to think outside the box. I just are willing to take it one step beyond. . .

For the Lee backers, until Lee’s 2911-12 was cut short bu his abdominal injury 9which he courageously battled through until he could battle no more) what was the main difference in contribution to the W’s fate? The play of Steph Curry. If you remember the W’s were without lee the night Curry went off against the Knicks in New York. No lee picks, no Lee taking the focus from Curry, who scored 54 on that fateful night.

I think y’all who laud lee for creating Curry’s success should look @ it the other way around. . .

“The play of Steph Curry. If you remember the W’s were without lee the night Curry went off against the Knicks in New York. No lee picks, no Lee taking the focus from Curry, who scored 54.”

—–

And what was the result? The W’s lost. Because the star player was playing an individual star and the others didn’t have the stats that they should have had.

You want players who will work within the framework of the team, not scored a bunch of points and be a individual star.

Also, remember that night they got outrebounded badly. Chandler had a career high 28 boards.

The next Knicks game in the series was a couple weeks later with Lee on board. What was the result? Curry’s shots went down and he started playing as a team player again. Curry had 26 points. Lee had 21 and 10. The W’s won by 29 points. This you are either with us and against us garbage is exactly what is wrong with the Lee haters. Learn to play the team concept.

Did Curry make Lee an all star on the Knicks too?

The game right before Lee was selected for the All Star team, they had a big win over Thunder. Lee had 22 and 12. Curry went 11 for 27 and had 31 and 7. That’s one less shot taken than in the Knicks game where Curry scored 54, but the difference was the win. Barnes by the way started that game and was 0-5. No Bogut.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfUTt0E4aS0

Curry was the only thing going that night. Nothing else was working. Curry HAD to be the focus. . .Just like a college player that suffers through bad stats because he is the prime focus & the focus of “box & one” defenses. . .

curry doesn’t approach the game like he is an individual star. He’s not selfish. . .

The next game was in Oracle. . .The W’s were no longer playing great on the road when they lost in New York. The Knicks were suffering through their worst stint of the regular season. . .

And why was Lee not there? got tossed from the previous game for fighting. . .some would consider that selfish. . .

The W’s enjoyed relative success early on against substandard competition. . .when 2012 became 2013I opined often on this blog about expecting the W’s to “return to earth” & the holes in their team would be exposed. . .which is exactly what happened.

About the same time, right before the all star game curry’s game elevated to almost “rock star’ status. . .Lee/ he mimicked the W’s play & his weaknesses were exposed by better competition.

At one point of the season Charles Barkley lamented that Steph & Klay Thompson might not be able to coexist in the same backcourt. Redundant strengths. Not enough versatility. We ALL know how that played out. . .

later on “Sir Charles” jumped on the bandwagon lamenting the W’s backcourt as perhaps (a bit too much overhype, but I’m making a point) “the best shooting backcourt in the history of the game.”

Down the stretch Bogut finally was able to make consistent contributions to the W’s playoff drive. Then it was considered by many that he & lee were too redundant & lee’s defensive weaknesses exposed. Lee as a shot blocker, stan? Show me the stats that coorborate that. . .Total unrealityville, stan. . .

In the playoffs, out of necessity harrison Barnes game began to flourish. utliizing the “stretch 4,” the newest offensive innovation in the game elevated barnes game & his confidence grew. Too big for most 3′s & much too quick for 4′s, combined with “glue guy” Draymont Green, who can “d up” some 2′s, 3′s on a consistent basis & many 4′s. heck, he’s even drawn the assignment of sone point guards. Can lee offer any of that? don’t think so. . .

Also; all your comparisons were based on REGULAR SEASON PLAY! Curry offered big time game on both stages. . . with no Curry the defense stacks it in around lee; he is worn down & cannot contribute on the boards, arguably his strength (along with quickness, but there are athletic bigs that regularly mitigate his effectiveness. . .). . .so, the W’s perimeter threat actually opens up the W’s inside game. . .Get it right, fellas. . .your collective subjective nature has been exposed. . .deal with reality. . .an objective source uniformly lauded for his expertise, reality, candor & accuracy, combined with knowledge of the game (along with having the background of a trained writer, who is paid to professionally structure his approach)& has covered the W’s (his beat; his job) for years is all of a sudden wrong?

His appeal is generally his individualism , attention to detail & accurate assessments. . .I agree with Mr. Thompson. . .

Again; lee’s body of work playoff work? One mediocre half of play. . .Steph curry? Goes without saying.

Oh, one last point; lack of ability to penetrate? Remember all the circus shots & one hand, slight of hand passes? His long range accuracy makes the opposition play him more honest. Wait until next year, doubters. This is the identity of the W’s, today & in the future. Can you say the same about Lee? be reasonable. Be real.

Hard for Curry to take the last shot because he isn’t fast enough to blow by his defender. There are 2 ways for Curry to get open for a shot:

1) Set a screen for him
or
2) Have Curry do some fancy dribbling, hoping the defender goes for the crossover fake, and go for a step-back jumpshot.

And this is only if a single defender is on him. Double team him and there’s practically no chance for him to get a good shot up.

I like David Lee. He, like Jack, like Curry, were central to our regular season success. A lot of individuals think Jack should have a lower grade because of his ‘over dribbling’ and turnover issues that were pronounced in the playoffs, but as MT said the expectation of Jack this season were nowhere near what we got out of him. Lee on the other hand, once an All Star, and once again an All Star, proven as a player for us last season, and performed better this season. Exceeded expectation, yes. Greatly?, uhm…, maybe not, but I do think better than marginally. C+ may be a little under graded, maybe not, its a difference of opinion. I would have graded him a B or B+ because I didn’t for-see the consistent 20/10 double doubles.

Future with or without Lee, would like to have it with Lee, but I can see what MT sees, Lee has value for trade right now, and his game is near it’s apex, and the Dub’s proved they could contend without him on the floor, during the 1st round of playoffs. Bogut, healthy, would minimize Lees rebounds, so those double doubles will become hard to come by. Barnes progress will create the defensive split of opposing teams, as will B Rush’s healthy return. Lee’s offense becomes decreased by these factors, and his defense…well let’s say thank god for Mark Jackson instilling a defensive framework for the team.

I’m sure my comments will be blasted. I like Antispy3′s comments, and agree that blasting other players does not really support the W’s.

I have my likes, my ‘waiting to see consistency or improvements’, and a few ‘hope we can trade (these largely because of limited playability and large dollar contracts)’. I have the jerseys(not signed yet) for 3 of the players on my like list: Curry, Barnes, and Lee, but like Antispy3, I am looking for W’s future success and improvement as we see it. Lee, I hope can exceed the expectation I have with the framework I listed.

Let Bogut beast, Barnes and B Rush soar, and Curry flame-on, WITH Lee 20/10 double doubling, believe you me, I will gladly eat my evaluation.

Your grading method leaves something to be desired. Let’s say we have a classroom of students and Mr. Genius Student gets 97% on a test, better than everybody else in the class. Well, I guess he gets a “D” because he normally scores 100%. Get real.

The parallels between classroom grading & grading NBA players are mind boggling. . .why, even a fifth grader. . .