Time to figure out if Corey Maggette really does want to play power forward

November 24, 11:56 AMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Corey Maggette: He's the power forward ... for now

A second-look at the Warriors’ loss to Philly on Sunday:

It’s not the 2-for-10 from the field you mind with Corey Maggette, it’s the two rebounds and one assist that are the problem.

I asked Maggette late last week about the prospect of having to play more power forward in Don Nelson’s small lineup, and he gave the standard “whatever is best for the team” response.

Maggette said he was willing to give it a try if it meant helping the Warriors win. Put it this way: He wasn’t doing cartwheels while responding.

Then, after Sunday’s loss to Philly, Maggette said: “I think we should have gone bigger earlier. But I’m not the coach. It’s pretty much his decision on what we do. I’m going to try to battle as much as I can with guys, wrestle with them as much as I can.”

Of course, going bigger would have moved Maggette to his more traditional small forward spot. Oh, and did we mention Maggette finished with a season-low seven points? C'mon.

Here’s the point: Either Maggette is all in on this small-ball, power-forward thing or he isn’t.

And if he says he’s in, then he should REALLY be in.

And if he isn’t in, fine. Figure something else out. But the issue should be addressed, not ignored.

But it can't be a halfway-thing because the Warriors aren't good enough to play small half-way and be successful. I ain't no John Wooden to figure that out.

By the way, there’s a parallel here with Al Harrington, if you look closely.

Remember, Harrington didn’t like the notion of getting pounded on night after night?

♦

In fairness to C.J. Watson, if you’re going to criticize him for the turnovers and inability to cash in on the break (which I did), you have to give him credit for some other things, such as:

Four steals, five rebounds and his ability to at least make things happen and speed up the game.

That last part is important because he’s the one player who can almost ensure that the team plays fast.

And that’s important because we all know the Warriors are better in transition than in the halfcourt.

Maybe Jamal Crawford will be another. We’ll see.

♦

Samuel Dalembert wins the matchup with Andris Biedrins because if there’s a tie-breaker he earned it with the win.

♦

If you’ve watched the Warriors over the past decade you’ve seen that kind of Elton Brand 22-point, 13-rebound game seemingly a dozen times.

Probably that many and then some.

Still, as usual, at the end of the game it wasn’t Brand who decided the outcome.

♦

Happy Birthday to Oscar Robertson, who turned 70 today. Rick Barry called Robertson the most overlooked athlete in sports history.