Write back at you: On Baron's last good-bye, internet linking and worrying Oracle will never be same

October 22, 3:22 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Baron Davis: One last final good-bye 

Here we go:

GSWFAN4EVER WROTE: “I don’t really care if this year’s team is better defensively than last year’s team if it wins 12 fewer games.” Matt … Matt … Matt … If this team is REALLY better defensively, something tells me it won't translate to 12 fewer wins.

We lose some assists and gain some turnovers but if we hold our opponents to less PPG and FG%, and while increase our steals, blocks, FTA, FG%, rebounds, I just don't see how it automatically translates into a horrible season.

Baron Davis is not everything, especially to a master matchup-creator like Don Nelson.

MS: My premise is this: Just because the Warriors might be marginally better defensively this season, does not mean they will a better team or win more games.

So what if the Warriors’ go from giving up 108.8 points per game (which they did in 2007-08) to giving up 105.5 points per game this year. I expect that to happen, if for no other reason than the Warriors won't be able to play as fast.

The real issue is the 111 points per game they averaged. That ain’t happening this year. Probably not by a longshot.

That’s why a modest improvement on defense isn’t going to net more wins.

Lastly, GSWFAN4EVER, any chance I can get you to link my stories on to Warriorsworld.net like my boy Inthebonus, instead of cutting and pasting like you do?

We all need the page views, my man. THX.
 

Andris Biedrins: One of several gangly Warriors 

JOHNFREE WROTE: Completely off topic, but I had a vision the other day, and that was a full-court zone-trap press, with Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright smothering some 6-2 ball handler at a corner of the midcourt line.

With Andris Biedrins guarding the hoop. I'm a Louisville fan, and Pitino loves to bring a mobile big man (when he has one) out to the middle of the court to trap. I know, it's the NBA, we don't do these things, but I thought it was an interesting vision.

MS: They're going to have to do some of that. I don’t think you can make a living doing any kind of consistent pressing in the NBA. That said, one of the more underrated aspects of the game, to me, is length.

So many of the great defenders had it or have it … from Sidney Moncrief to Scottie Pippen to David Robinson to Michael Cooper to even Gary Payton, at the point guard spot.

And yes, the Warriors have it in abundance.

Length was something that could give Chris Mullin some trouble as a player (although who doesn't it give trouble to?), and it’s a reason he’s brought so many long players in.

You’re point is a very good one. The three guys you mentioned have length, and so does Stephen Jackson.

Shot-blocking could very well become a signature of this team, but only if the Warriors’ perimeter players can put enough pressure on in the frontcourt to speed up the game some.

The more settled the game, the worse for that kind of thing, and the Warriors as a whole, I might add. 

Games at Oracle have been terrific, and not just "We Believe."

SERBIE WROTE: Jesus H. Gonzalez … Get over it already (with Baron Davis). You are like a boyfriend who can’t get over being dumped.

MS: I think you’re right. It’ s time to let it go.

Allow me one last moment ... The past year-and-a-half, Warriors fans have been given one hell of a show.

I I don't feel like spending time looking back at last year's home schedule, but do you realize how many great regular-season games there were?

Not good. Great.

The kinds of games the Warriors had last year at Oracle Arena ... with the scoring, the excitement, the enthusiasm, the drama.

Are you kidding me?

I'm telling you that there are 25 teams (more, quite frankly) in the league that would kill to have what the Warriors have had at home for the past 18 months or so.

Most other NBA games weren't like Warriors games. And I just wonder if everyone realizes that.