Warriors trade to trade

     The moment of impact was hard felt by the Warriors’ faithful when they found out that Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and Kwame Brown were traded. Everyone knew that Monta was likely on his way out, but to where was the question. That question was answered on Tuesday night before the Warriors 115-89 win over the Kings. Mr. Ellis and his texting ways were heading to the land of beer and cheese: Milwaukee Wisconsin where he will represent the Bucks along with Udoh and Kwame. In return the Dubs will receive big man Andrew Bogut and former member of the We Believe team Stephen Jackson.

      If you look at the trade on paper you might say this is a horrible trade. Giving up your team’s top scorer Ekpe Udoh, an above average big man that can grow into a respectable talent in, and a proven accent player in Mr. Brown for two injured players at first seems like a bad bargain. Andrew Bogut is considered to be a top 5 center in the League but is often injured so his talent may not be an accurate assessment. Then you throw in Jackson who is nursing a sore right hamstring and has a reputation of a player who quits. That seems like a lopsided steal of a trade for the Bucks. Die hard Warrior’s fans are probably not surprised. They tend to do this often. Trading away the greatest scorer ever in Wilt Chamberlin, makes this trade seem like the Warriors hit the jackpot.

      I like to break down stats and it would seem that, IF the warriors are healthy, they might have a well rounded team now that Monta is gone. Sure you miss out on his 22.2 points per game (which is 9^th in the league), but it averages out when you get 11.3 ppg from Bogut and 10.5ppg from Captain Jack. It also gives you strength where you lacked it. The Warriors have not had a real big man for over two decades and with his health at 100% Andrew Bogut will fill that void. Jackson may have had issues with the former ownership group; however the guy can ball when he wants to. Mix him with Steph and D Lee you’re looking down the barrel of some 20 point scorers. Multiply that by all five of your players you’re averaging 100 points per night.

      All these points are examples of what can be, because you have players who are on the mend and a group of players that may not want them. It always seems to be a major point in any trade, “What will the chemistry be?”. I personally would have went a different route with the Monta trade, it would allow you to have a dynamic scorer and a big man that seems to be on the verge of breaking into the top five of center in the league. Detroit would have been my selected destination for Mr. Ellis and Brandon Rush, in return the Pistons would have sent us Rodney Stuckey and Greg Monroe. It would have brought a very effective big man this season in Monroe who averages 16.8ppg and 10.1 rebounds per game, something that the Warriors could have used to begin the season. To complement the addition of Monroe you would add Rodney Stuckey and his 17.9ppg, 3.4rpg and a whopping 5 and a half assists per game. With this addition to what Mr. Double-Double David Lee can do scoring almost 20ppg and racking 10rpg it would be a big 3 to mimic what Boston is doing.

  Alas the trade that went down must be played out and then we can truly debate and discuss what effect it has on the long and short term. For the Warriors to be successful they needed a big man. Check to that, but the “what if” will wait on the effectiveness of the deal. They also must find out if the Franchise player will be Stephan Curry and his weak ankle, his grit and determination dealing with this issue will shape the rest of his career. I still have hope for the team from the Golden State, little moves that can help shape and influence the way the franchise performs over the next decade are always a welcome thing. Maybe we can land a bonafide star and make a run for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Hey, anything can happen it’s sports baby!

Warriors trade Jackson to Spurs for Jefferson…

      The Warriors trade Stephen Jackson to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for T.J Ford, a first round pick and the gem in the deal Richard Jefferson. It seems like the Warriors took the route of the Bucks on this lopsided trade, and only offered Jackson to the spurs. As the Warriors you get a draft pick that can become a strong building block towards the future or a draft pick that can lure a team to deal an established star to Oracle Arena, you also get a consistent player in Jefferson who gives you 16ppg, 2.6apg and 5rpg. On top of those steady numbers he gives your young team a veteran brain to pick with playoff experience. Add this to the Bogut trade, and I say the Warriors made out with a respectable trade.