Post by jwal717 on Jun 11, 2007 21:38:28 GMT
Waves of Change
These times they are-a-changin'.
Bob Dylan wrote those prophetic words decades ago but they still ring true today, especially in the Bay Area.
Roster moves were expected after new general manager Big Joe took over, but not to this extent. The hasty departure of Al Harrington came as no big surprise as his dwindling skill and growing contract were deemed too burdensome for the organization, but Jason Richardson's exit was not expected - or appreciated by Warriors fans.
The city had grown to love Richardson after his breakout as the NBA's slam dunk champion and charity work in the Oakland community. But GM Big Joe did not feel the same way.
"Who really gives a sh*t about a slam dunk trophy," Big Joe said in a news conference following the two trades. "That does nothing to help the team win basketball games, and that is what I am here to do."
Big Joe's brash language pales in comparison to his brash tactics, but his success cannot be ignored. Coming to the Warriors from the Celtics of the LOVETHEGAME sim league, GM Big Joe brings with him an NBA title. His team was built around the core of Chris Paul and Andre Iguodala, both of whom he acquired after trading LeBron James, after which Boston fans almost burned down the Celtics team offices. But trade worked and the Celtics entered the playoffs with the best record in the NBA and No. 1 seed in the East.
With supporting moves made during the season in which Big Joe acquired Andrei Kirilenko and Michael Redd, the Celtics coasted to the NBA finals before bringing home the Larry O'Brien trophy after a gut-wrenching 113-112 victory in game seven.
"His success is what drew us to him in the first place," said Warriors owner and CEO Christopher Cohan. "We knew he might make some controversial decisions - PR is not his strong suit - but building championship teams is what he is all about. He is not afraid to make a move that will make this team better.
"The Bay Area will love him before the season is over."
Andre Iguodala has proved to be every bit the athlete that Richardson was and has even bettered Richardson's points per game production in his week with the Warriors, but the wins have not followed suit - the team has gone 1-2 since the trade.
But Big Joe points to newly acquired Antawn Jamison as the reason the newly formed Warriors have not gotten off to a quick start.
"That b*tch needs to shoot the d*mn ball," Big Joe said critically. "He ain't in Washington anymore with Gilbert "nobody-loved-me-when-I-first started-so-now-I-won't-pass-the-ball" Areans. Shoot Antawn, shoot."
Certainly GM Big Joe has not shied away from major moves thus far in his brief stint at the Warriors helm, but what else could be up his sizable sleeve?
These times they are-a-changin'.
Bob Dylan wrote those prophetic words decades ago but they still ring true today, especially in the Bay Area.
Roster moves were expected after new general manager Big Joe took over, but not to this extent. The hasty departure of Al Harrington came as no big surprise as his dwindling skill and growing contract were deemed too burdensome for the organization, but Jason Richardson's exit was not expected - or appreciated by Warriors fans.
The city had grown to love Richardson after his breakout as the NBA's slam dunk champion and charity work in the Oakland community. But GM Big Joe did not feel the same way.
"Who really gives a sh*t about a slam dunk trophy," Big Joe said in a news conference following the two trades. "That does nothing to help the team win basketball games, and that is what I am here to do."
Big Joe's brash language pales in comparison to his brash tactics, but his success cannot be ignored. Coming to the Warriors from the Celtics of the LOVETHEGAME sim league, GM Big Joe brings with him an NBA title. His team was built around the core of Chris Paul and Andre Iguodala, both of whom he acquired after trading LeBron James, after which Boston fans almost burned down the Celtics team offices. But trade worked and the Celtics entered the playoffs with the best record in the NBA and No. 1 seed in the East.
With supporting moves made during the season in which Big Joe acquired Andrei Kirilenko and Michael Redd, the Celtics coasted to the NBA finals before bringing home the Larry O'Brien trophy after a gut-wrenching 113-112 victory in game seven.
"His success is what drew us to him in the first place," said Warriors owner and CEO Christopher Cohan. "We knew he might make some controversial decisions - PR is not his strong suit - but building championship teams is what he is all about. He is not afraid to make a move that will make this team better.
"The Bay Area will love him before the season is over."
Andre Iguodala has proved to be every bit the athlete that Richardson was and has even bettered Richardson's points per game production in his week with the Warriors, but the wins have not followed suit - the team has gone 1-2 since the trade.
But Big Joe points to newly acquired Antawn Jamison as the reason the newly formed Warriors have not gotten off to a quick start.
"That b*tch needs to shoot the d*mn ball," Big Joe said critically. "He ain't in Washington anymore with Gilbert "nobody-loved-me-when-I-first started-so-now-I-won't-pass-the-ball" Areans. Shoot Antawn, shoot."
Certainly GM Big Joe has not shied away from major moves thus far in his brief stint at the Warriors helm, but what else could be up his sizable sleeve?