Golden State Warriors Blog – Page 106 – NBA Blog

Warriors team notes

A positive glance at the Golden State Warriors:

The Warriors are 31-20 thru 51 games, marking the first time they have been 11 games over .500 since the end of the 1993-94 campaign.

The Warriors are 16-5 in their last 21 games at ORACLE Arena – and play 6 of their next 7 games at home.

Golden State erased a 23-point deficit Monday night to defeat the Wizards 120-117, marking the 12th time this season that the Warriors have overcome a double-digit deficit en route to victory.

Golden State leads the NBA in scoring at 109.7 points per game and takes on the 2nd-highest scoring team (Phoenix, 109.6) on Wednesday night.

The Warriors are 31-14 (.689) in their last 45 games after starting the season 0-6.

Monta Ellis: Over the last four games is averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals, while shooting 70.9% (39-55 FG) from the field.

Monta Ellis: Netted 34 points in Warriors 105-102 victory Saturday over Sacramento, including 16 points in decisive 4th quarter.

Monta Ellis: Has scored 20-or-more points in seven of the last nine games.

Monta Ellis: Overall this season, is averaging 18.3 points on 52.5% (354-674 FG) from the field.

Stephen Jackson: Over the last seven games, is averaging 25.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while shooting 49.2% (58-118 FG) from the field, 47.2% (25-53 3FG) from long range and 88.9% (40-45 FT) from the line.

Stephen Jackson: Registered a season-high 41 points in 120-117 comeback victory over Washington on Monday, including 16 points in the 4th quarter and the team’s final 11 points overall (in last 2:03 of contest).

Stephen Jackson: Has scored 25-or-more points in five of the last seven games.

Stephen Jackson: For the season, is averaging 21.0 points and 4.2 assists (both of which are career bests) along with 4.5 rebounds.

Latrell Sprewell losing home, yacht

Many of you reading the title above will assume this is just yet another joke about former NBA star Latrell Sprewell, who made many millions of dollars playing in the NBA yet insisted he needed money to feed his family. But he actually does have economic problems. The AP reports:

Former NBA star Latrell Sprewell’s home is up for foreclosure and his yacht sold at auction to help pay off the $1.3 million he owes on the boat, according to court filings. Sprewell, who once turned down a three-year, $21 million contract extension from the Timberwolves, saying, “I’ve got my family to feed,” apparently has fallen on tough times.

RBS Citizens NA, or Citizens Bank, filed a foreclosure suit last week in Milwaukee County for the $405,000 home Sprewell bought in the Milwaukee suburb of River Hills in 1994. In court documents, the bank said Sprewell owed $295,138 in outstanding payments plus interest. Sprewell failed to make his monthly mortgage payments of $2,593 from September 2007 to January 2008, the documents said.

I can tell you that when InsideHoops.com buys mansions and yachts, we pay cash, in full, with no mortgage. That’s just how we roll, son.

Wizards – Warriors team connections

Gilbert Arenas was drafted 31st overall by Golden State in 2001. And Arenas and Antawn Jamison were teammates in Golden State from 2001-03.

Warriors Head Coach Don Nelson coached Jamison in Dallas in 2003-04.

Jamison averaged 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, and was named NBA 6th Man of the Year under Nelson.

Antonio Daniels and Golden State’s Stephen Jackson were teammates in San Antonio in 2001-02.

Golden State’s Chris Webber averaged 20.9 points and 9.6 rebounds in 212 regular season games for Washington from 1994-98.

Biedrins is a difference-maker

NBA.com reports: Andris Biedrins may not have had the best numbers on Wednesday, but he certainly made a big difference off the bench in a big win for the Warriors. Biedrins poured in 14 points on a scorching 6-of-7 night from the field to power the Warriors past the Hornets, ending their nine-game winning streak. The defeat snapped two additional streaks for the Hornets. They were previously 20-0 when scoring at least 100 points and 15-0 when Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler had double-doubles in the same game.

Warriors sign Chris Webber

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent forward/center Chris Webber to a contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

Webber, 34, appeared in 61 games (60 starts) last season with Philadelphia (18 games) and Detroit (43 games), averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 29.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.9% from the field. The Detroit native registered 13 double-doubles (points/rebounds), highlighted by a 20-point/11-rebound effort versus Cleveland on March 7. He scored a season-high 24 points at Seattle on March 13 and registered double-figures in scoring 34 times overall. Additionally, Webber dished out four or more assists on 21 occasions, grabbed 10-plus rebounds 15 times and registered multiple blocked shots in 10 outings. His .509 field goal percentage would have ranked 24th overall in the NBA had he met the statistical minimums to qualify. Webber started all 16 playoff games as the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 9.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.3 minutes, while shooting 52.4% from the field. He scored a playoff-high 22 points (10-11 FG) during the Pistons’ Game 2 victory over Chicago on May 7 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

“We’re glad that Chris has elected to sign with our club and feel fortunate to add a player with his ability,” said Mullin. “We think he will be a nice addition to our team and provide additional depth to our frontcourt and an added veteran presence on the floor.   Chris has enjoyed a lot of success in this league and certainly has many aspects to his game – in particular his mid-range shooting and passing ability – that will fit in well and provide us another dimension.”

“It is with great pride and humility that I announce my return to the Golden State Warriors, the place where it all started,” said Webber. “This organization and city has always had a special place in my heart because it is where my dream of being an NBA player first came true. I am looking forward to playing with Baron, Stephen and the rest of the crew and I am extremely excited to be reunited with the fans of Oakland along with Coach Nelson and my former teammate, Mully. In playing for Nellie before, I know how much fun his style of ball can be. I believe great things are in store and I can’t wait to get on the court.”

A 14-year NBA veteran, Webber is a five-time NBA All-Star selection (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) and a five-time All-NBA selection, having earned first team honors in 2001, second team honors in 1999, 2002, 2003 and third team honors in 2000. In 822 career regular-season games (819 starts) with Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit, the University of Michigan product owns averages of 20.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.45 blocks and 1.45 steals in 34.7 minutes per contest. Additionally, Webber has participated in the NBA Playoffs 10 times during his career, appearing in 80 games with averages of 18.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 36.3 minutes per game.

Warriors weekly notes

Golden State passed the halfway point of the season last week with a 24-17 record, marking the team’s best record at the turn since the 1992-93 season when they were 28-13.

After going 3-1 on last week’s Midwest trip, the Warriors have now posted winning records on all four of their extended road trips this season (trips of three games or more).

The Warriors are scheduled to play 12 of their next 15 games at ORACLE Arena (team is 11-4 in last 15 home games).

Golden State, which ranks 2nd in the NBA in steals (9.14 spg), recorded an NBA record 12 steals in the first quarter at Indiana last Wednesday before finishing the game with 18 steals.

The Warriors are 25-12 in their last 37 games after starting the season 0-6.

Baron Davis:

– Was named Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 26.3 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 4.50 steals in four games (all road games, 3-1 record).

– Tallied a career-high-tying 40 points at Chicago last Friday, including 28 in the second half of 119-111 victory.

– Notched seven steals at Indiana on Wednesday, the most in the NBA this season.

– In 43 games this season, is averaging 22.2 points (11th in NBA), 8.1 assists (7th in NBA), 4.7 rebounds and 2.44 steals (2nd in NBA) in 39.0 minutes (12th in NBA).

Warriors sign C.J. Watson to another 10-day contract

The Golden State Warriors have signed guard C.J. Watson to a second 10-day contract prior to this evening’s game against the Chicago Bulls, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Watson, who signed his first 10-day with the Warriors on January 8, has appeared in five games with Golden State, averaging 4.4 points and 2.0 assists in 14.8 minutes. Watson began the season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League, where he averaged 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.38 steals in 38.1 minutes per contest. At the time of his call-up ranked third in the D-League in scoring and fifth in assists. He was named the NBA Development League Player of the Month for December.

Troy Hudson out 3-4 months after hip surgery

Golden State Warriors guard Troy Hudson underwent successful surgery on his left hip on Thursday, January 10, the team announced today. The surgery was performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for SpecialSurgery in New York and involved the repair of a torn labrum.

Hudson, 31, will commence basic rehabilitation immediately and advance as his progress allows. He is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 months.

In nine games this season, Hudson has averaged 3.1 points and 1.0 assists in 10.4 minutes per contest. Originally signed as a free agent by the Warriors on September 24, 2007, Hudson last appeared in a game on December 12 at Portland, where he tallied a season-high 10 points in 17 minutes of action.

Warriors sign CJ Watson to 10-day contract

The Golden State Warriors have signed guard CJ Watson of the NBA Development League to a 10-day contract, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

In 16 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season, Watson averaged 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.38 steals in 38.1 minutes per contest, while shooting 50.6% (128-253 FG) from the field, 40.0% (18-45 3FG) from three-point range and 89.9% (149-166 FT) from the free throw line. He currently ranks third in the D-League in scoring, having scored 20-or-more points 14 times with six 30-plus efforts and one 40-point performance, while also ranking fifth in assists. He was named the NBA Development League Player of the Month for December.

Watson, 23, is the 10th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2007-08 NBA Development League season and the 100th overall call-up (among 68 players) since the D-League began play in November 2001. A 6-2, 180-pound second-year professional, Watson went undrafted out of the University of Tennessee in the 2006 NBA Draft before playing last season in Italy and Greece.

Warriors recall Kosta Perovic from D-League

The Golden State Warriors have recalled center Kosta Perovic (COAST-a PEAR-a-vich) from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Perovic, who was originally assigned to the Jam on November 18, 2007, appeared in 19 games for Bakersfield, averaging 8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.37 blocks in 22.1 minutes per contest. The 22-year-old tallied a season-high 18 points in 28 minutes at the Utah Flash on December 22.