The Warriors have finally gotten the piece that they have
been missing for a long time: a true big man.
Seven-footer Andrew Bogut is a former number one overall
pick and has been consistently at the top of the centers in the NBA—until he
got injured last season. The Warriors needed to shake something up in their
player personnel so the front office took advantage of the opportunity.
In a multi-team deal that sent Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee
Bucks, the Warriors got their wish in Andrew Bogut. While he is nothing close
to the league’s premier centers in Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard, Bogut is in
that second-tier of solid, reliable centers (that is, of course, provided he is
healthy).
The three years prior to his injury-shortened 2011-12
season, Bogut averaged a double-double that included as many as 16 points per
game.
That is exactly what the Warriors hope they are getting with
the 27-year-old from the University of Utah.
The Warriors already have an excellent post presence in
David Lee (who also has a solid mid-range game) and 10-15 points per game is all
that they need from Bogut considering that they have a relatively high-powered
offense led by point guard Stephen Curry and impressive second-year sharp
shooter Klay Thompson.
While I have already discussed that potential
all-star Stephen Curry may be the key to a playoff appearance for Golden
State, Andrew Bogut may be the man who has to reach up and turn the key in the
lock.
The Warriors cannot survive as a run-and-gun team with no
size and he is the solution to that problem. They simply do not have the elite
guards to make such a system work as they proved when they had the talented
Monta Ellis.
That’s not to say their guards are not good—it’s just that they
aren’t Chris Paul or Dwyane Wade (both even actually have support in the
interior with Blake Griffin and Chris Bosh, respectively).
What type of numbers should the Warriors expect from the $13
million pick-up?
13 points and 10 rebounds per game to complement a couple
nightly blocks is definitely within reason if he can bounce back from his
injury.
Whether that is enough to help the Warriors
reach the playoffs remains to be seen.
We don't have Paul but we do have J.J. now. He has shown he's more than serviceable 1 & stolen for the sloth at #52 & Wright. We'll see what happens but I like Jack running the show. He showed his value with quality stat's prior to coming. He's a leader with a cool head & I always felt great things could come from Jack mating up with the right team fit. Will he in Oakland? Not sure but if he can duplicate what he did in New Orleans GS will be looking good. With Bogut it's "what you see is what you get" but also the understanding that Bogut says all ok. I believe him as the W's medical staff. Good things should show up in Oakland sooner than later. Many contemplate possibilities of last season while I look for growth by our kids & better talent on the court with the assistance of better talent from a strengthened bench. I feel more sound than last season. S
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