Category: Golden State Warriors Blog

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Warriors a foul-happy bunch


Utah Jazz Deron Williams (8) slips under a leaping Golden State Warriors Monta Ellis in the first half at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on April 13, 2010. The Jazz defeated the Warriors 103-94. UPI/Terry Schmitt Photo via Newscom

Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Entering Wednesday’s game against Houston, the Warriors were committing 23.93 fouls a game (worst in the league) and were drawing 18.79 (third from the bottom). Their entire roster had combined to make 224 free throws – similar to the combined numbers of Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook (221).

“We’ve got to figure out how to get into the penalty, because that will soften the opponents’ defense,” point guard Stephen Curry said. “Right now, they can be as aggressive as they need to be against us and not worry about sending us to the line.”

Without a dominant post player, the Warriors rely mostly on their guards to draw fouls, and that doesn’t always work. During the Lakers game Sunday, an advanced scout said he was amazed at how much contact Ellis draws compared with how few fouls he draws.

Pau Gasol shoots 10-of-10 in Lakers win over Warriors

The AP reports:

pau_gasol

Gasol scored 28 points without missing a shot, Kobe Bryant added 20 points and the Lakers took a 30-point lead in the first half of their fourth straight victory, 117-89 over the Golden State Warriors.

Gasol went 10 for 10 from the field, 8 for 8 from the free-throw line, and had nine rebounds and five assists. Until Gasol shredded Golden State’s shoddy interior defense, Charles Barkley and Matt Barnes were the only players ever to produce games of at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists without missing on at least five shots from the field and the line.

“Matt told me, ‘Welcome to the club,'” Gasol said. “I said, ‘Happy to be in there.’ It’s kind of weird that it happened that way. It’s weird, but it’s obviously a good sign.”

Barnes scored 24 points and hit seven shots — five 3-pointers — without a miss at Minnesota on Friday night. While Barnes was impressed by Gasol’s copycat effort, he noted the 7-foot Spaniard’s advantages as well.

“He was playing against little midgets, though,” Barnes joked. “That’s not something you play for, but 10 for 10, 8 for 8, he topped me. It’s amazing.”

Dorell Wright expands his offensive game

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Dorell Wright expands his offensive game

Aside from Joe Lacob, Peter Guber and David Lee, Wright has been the most influential Warriors newcomer. The small forward, who arrived as a free agent, has started all 11 games and is one of the reasons the Warriors are 7-4. Wright, who turns 25 in December, is averaging 15 points in 38 minutes after averaging 6.5 in 19.5 over six seasons in Miami.

Known previously as a defensive-minded player, Wright has proven to be far more while complementing Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry and providing help under the boards.

In his first eight games, he sunk more than half his three-pointers. Twice, he topped 20 points – after reaching 20 just three previous times in his career – and he makes more than 80 percent of his free throws. Plus, he averages 5.4 rebounds, nearly two more than his career average.

“It’s been good,” Wright said. “Finally, I get a chance to do everything, not just be one-dimensional anymore. I’m able to handle the ball, take open shots, get guys involved – instead of every time I get the ball on the rebound, hold up and look for the point guard as if I can’t dribble. It’s good to get an opportunity, and I’m taking advantage of it.”

David Lee to have elbow infection surgery, may miss two weeks

Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee did not travel with the team to Milwaukee on Friday, instead returning to the Bay Area for surgery to clean out an infection from the inside of his left elbow.

The Warriors said the surgery will be performed by Dr. Frank Chen, but they were unable to release a timetable for Lee’s return. Early estimations are that Lee will miss about two weeks.

Lee was injured in Wednesday’s victory over the Knicks, when his elbow caught Wilson Chandler’s face on a rebound and knocked out two teeth. Lee completed the game with a three-layered tape job that couldn’t completely restrain the blood from coming to the surface and his best game of the season (28 points, 10 rebounds).

NBA approves sale of Warriors to Joe Lacob, Peter Guber group

The sale of the Golden State Warriors to an ownership group headed by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber was formally completed today, the team announced. GSW Sports LLC, a group of six board members and multiple investors, headed by Lacob and Guber, have officially assumed full control of the NBA organization.

“This announcement has been much-anticipated,” said Lacob. “Now that the process is officially complete, I am incredibly anxious and excited to take the helm of the Golden State Warriors organization. It’s a great day for me and my family, and a great day for Warriors fans. The unmatched passion of this Bay Area fan base played a huge role in my pursuit of this dream come true, and I’m looking forward to a tremendous ride on our journey to the return to greatness. We will work extremely hard to represent you as the championship organization that you deserve, and the team that you will be proud to be a part of.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for new ownership, the Warriors franchise and its great fans,” Guber said. “I’m convinced that we have formed a passionate and well-diversified group. With the financial and intellectual commitment of the board members and investors, and Warriors fans as the truly key partners in this endeavor, we will not fail.

“We all understand that in sports business, it’s about winning, but we will also strive to make sure that the Warriors are recognized among our industry leaders in innovation and business practices. Joe and I have assembled a group of highly successful and well-respected individuals, each of whom will provide expertise in various aspects of our business. This will be an extremely strong, productive and creative partnership.”

The sale of the Warriors to GSW Sports LLC was unanimously approved by the NBA Board of Governors earlier today.  Game Plan LLC, a Miami Beach-based investment banking firm, represented GSW Sports LLC on the sale, while Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP served as legal counsel for this record-breaking transaction.

Lou Amundson has right finger surgery

Lou Amundson has right finger surgery

Golden State Warriors forward Lou Amundson underwent successful surgery this afternoon to repair a fractured right index finger, the team announced.  The procedure was performed by Dr. Andrew Gutow, a hand specialist from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, at the Menlo Park Surgical Hospital.

Amundson will begin rehabilitation immediately and his return will be based on the progress of his rehabilitation.  The injury, which consisted of a displaced joint with a fracture of the proximal phalanx, occurred during the fourth quarter of Golden State’s preseason game at Portland on Saturday, October 16.

Louis Amundson out with fractured finger

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Lou Amundson dislocated the middle knuckle on his right index finger Saturday and has a fracture at its base that will require surgery, the Warriors announced Sunday.

The team will release details for rehabilitation after the surgery has been scheduled and performed. Online medical journals suggest recovery will take between one and four months.

“It’s tough, because he was starting to come around and finally had a chance to play,” coach Keith Smart said. “He brought energy and toughness to the floor, and now we have to wait for him to come back around again.”

Nuggets hire Pete D’Alessandro as advisor

The Nuggets announced Thursday that they have hired Pete D’Alessandro as an advisor to executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri.

D’Alessandro, an attorney, brings more than four years of NBA experience to Denver after serving as assistant general manager and director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors from 2004-08.

While with Golden State, D’Alessandro was involved in all player-related basketball matters, including player contracts, salary-cap analysis, and Collective Bargaining Agreement rules and regulations.

Prior to joining the Warriors, he spent seven years as a business manager and representative for a number of NBA players.

D’Alessandro attended St. John’s University, where he worked for four years as video coordinator under Hall of Fame basketball coach and mentor Lou Carnesecca. He later earned his law degree at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

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