Re****t Card: Swingmen
By Marcus
Monday, April 28th, 2008
The Warriors have a wealth of small forward/shooting guards. Last year,
this
position was one of the team's great strengths. It was where the Warriors
versatility lied. It was the position their best defenders played. This
year, they weren't so good. The Warriors, with the way they play, need
swingmen who produce consistently. One of the reasons for the lineup
shuffling was the inconsistent production of the swingmen.
Stephen Jackson: He had a career year. He averaged 20 points for the first
time in his career. He averaged four assists for just the second time in
his
career (both coming with the Warriors). He shot his best percentage from
3-point range ever. He averaged 39 minutes, five more than last season.
His
previous career high was 36.8. So Jackson certainly had a big year. He
wasn't
as good defensively this season as he was last season. He wasn't the
stopper
he proved to be a year ago, and he didn't make it to the defensive end way
too many times. That is mostly due to the amount of minutes he played.
Grade: A
Mickael Pietrus: He was the distraction this year - not Baron's health,
not
Jackson's temper, not Monta or Biedrins' contract. But Pietrus' contract
issues and trade demands, then late-season injury woes, was the biggest
locker room issue. That's a sign of a good locker room.
His play picked up late in the season, negating a horrible first half of
the
season. He evidently relaxed when the trade deadline passed. What he
gained
with stellar bench play, he lost with an elongated groin injury.
Grade: D
Matt Barnes: He just didn't bring it this year. He has reasons. His mother
dying. The disappointment of not getting the deal he wanted plus the
pressure of trying to do even more to get a bigger contract. Nellie riding
him. Barnes certainly had distractions this season and they obviously took
away from his play. Not only did he shoot drop three points off his
scoring
average from last season, and dropped from 36.6 percent from 3 a year ago
to
29.3. But he didn't have the zeal on defense, the all-out hustle, the
blue-collar, do it all resolve he showed last season, especially during
the
playoffs.
Grade: D
Kelenna Azubuike: He improved this season. He played more, raised his
scoring and rebounding averages. Came up with some big plays. Solidified
himself as an NBA regular. He did have some growing pains. He stepped out
of
his role too much, especially down the stretch, and he wasn't as
consistent
from behind the arc. His defense was poor sometimes, but that could be
expected from a second-year player. He's cheap, so his production looks a
whole lot better and his mistakes are a way easier to swallow.
Grade: B-
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