Maggette's working off the bench, and other stuff from win over Wizards

January 19, 5:35 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Corey Maggette: Nothing but positives off the bench 

There aren't any sweeping generalizations out there in that Warriors' win over the Wizards today.

The nice part is the Warriors have been pointing to this stretch for two months, saying it was going to get better right about now _ and it looks like they were right.

Obviously, there are some things to like about the Warriors, and still a few things not to like. ...

I like Corey Maggette as the sixth man. I know, I know ... who doesn't? Still, it's so obvious that Maggette coming off the bench is best for both him and the team it's not even funny.

However, the more you rely on him at four, the more you're going to see him accumulate fouls. Maggette's got a bad habit of trying to bait officials into making a call by creating contact (both on offense and defense), but sometimes you go too far with that and you don't get the ones you might deserve.

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I still need a lot more selling on Jamal Crawford. A lot. But there are a couple of things I like and one is his ability to create his own shot and get you a good look late in a tight game.

Crawford can be the answer to an offensive bog-down.

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I like Caron Butler ... even when he doesn't play well. I'll take him on my team any day.

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I liked the little bounce-back second half for Anthony Randolph.

And I like how coach Don Nelson is using him right now _ starting him each half, giving him a little time and seeing what's going on.

If Nelson wants to give him an early hook, say four minutes in after a couple of quick ones, I've got to believe nobody's going to have a problem with that. And if Randolph does, most will come down on the coach's side _ and rightfully so.

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Taking a look ahead to Monta Ellis' return, here are my two likeliest choices to be impacted minutes-wise: C.J. Watson, Marco Belinelli.

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Can't remember the last time I touched on something one of my partners said during a telecast, but this one I can't let go.

The whole Vince Carter-Antawn Jamison thing, and who has turned out better? How does Jamison get the nod there?

That's not exactly and open-and-shut case and if it is, it's the other way around.

Last I checked, Carter has averaged five more points per game (that's a lot), more assists (obviously)  and only two fewer rebounds (surprisingly) over the course of his career than Jamison.

Carter also has had more playoff success, although neither has played for a perennial title contender. Still Carter has averaged 25.9 points per game in his playoff career. That's a serious number.

Durability is also a wash with Carter averaging only two fewer games per season than Jamison.

Here's the capper: Career field goal percentage _ Vince Carter (.447); Antawn Jamison (.455). That's strong edge Carter, considering he's a guard, and we're getting near "discussion over" time.

We haven't even gotten into which player, at their best, most impacts a game. Carter, no doubt. And we also haven't touched on the star-power, ticket-selling thing.

C'mon.