Warriors’ draft: the anti-Raiders
I wonder if Al Davis was watching the NBA draft yesterday. If so, the Raiders boss may have been sickened by the Warriors’ pick. I can picture him shaking his head and complaining, “Is there no one else in the East Bay who knows how to spot talent?”
Bad enough that Davis has to share suite space at the Oakland Coliseum with Billy Beane and the A’s.
Beane has built a bestseller-worthy (if not film-worthy) reputation for casting aside physical appearance in favor of production. The whole Moneyball saga is a repudiation of “the scouting eye.” The poster child of Michael Lewis’ book was Jeremy Brown, a pudgy, unintimidating catcher who hit well in the minor leagues and knew how to draw walks.
This approach couldn’t contrast more with Davis’. He dominates the Raiders’ draft preparation and commands their decisions, and he goes weak-kneed over speed, size and power. Look no further into the past than April, when he made Darrius Heyward-Bey the No. 7 pick in the NFL draft. Heyward-Bey was not particuarly productive at Maryland, but was tall, muscular and sprinter-fast. It was a classic Al Davis pick.
Now the Warriors, also drafting at No. 7, have opted for Stephen Curry, a shooting marksman who happens to look like a skinny 17-year-old and doesn’t really stand out as a runner or leaper.
Davis must be wondering what the world is coming to.
Then again, the rumor du jour is that the Warriors will trade Curry and three other players to Phoenix for power forward Amare Stoudemire. Now, Stoudemire is tall. And fast. And uses his world-class jets to throw down monstrous dunks.
If that trade goes through, Big Al might allow himself a grin and a silent fist-pump.
Phil Barber covers the Raiders for The Press Democrat, uncovering news and features despite the team’s best efforts to keep everything a secret. He’ll keep our online audience up-to-date and informed with his blog “Instant Raiders.”
STEPEN CURRY WILL BE A GOOG PLAYER,JUST STICK TO THE FOOTBALL SIDE OF THING’S.YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT BASKETBALL,LET ALONE NBA PLAYERS.STOP TRYING TO BE COHN OR PADECKY,TWO ASHOLE’S ARE MORE THAN WE NEED.
by BIGHATE
Check out these drafts Mr. Barber. Does Davis get the credit here? Why don’t we wait a few seasons before declaring the 2009 draft a bust.
2008
DMAC (Starter/Utility Player)
Tyvon Branch (Starter)
Trevor Scott (Pass Rush Specialist)
Chaz Schilens (Starter)
2007
Russell (Starter)
Z Miller (Starter)
Hendo (Stater)
JLH (Starter or Slot WR/Punt Ret)
M Bush (Potential Star)
J Rich (Decent Depth)
Oren O’Neal (Future Starter)
by EasCoast
FOR THE RECORD: I am not declaring the Raiders’ 2009 draft a bust, nor am I disparaging Stephen Curry. My comments were more about differing draft strategies than the productivity of any particular draft.
-pb
by Instant Raiders
Whats the matter with people. Can’t we come together and be happy for one sports team without having to get some two bit reject yes you know who I’m talking about. Here’s a person so old now he probely has to have one of his staff wipe his ass everytime he goes to the bathroom. Now you want this person who can’t even get his own FootBall team together and win a championship with in the last five years and give his opinion on how to draft Basketball players. GIVE ME A BREAK. Here’s a BasketBall team went number 8 in the playoffs, Who beats a number 1 team in the first round. This all happened with in the last five years. NOW!!!! if you can have AL Davis do something even remotely close then he can talk. BUT!!! untill that time comes he needs TO SHUT HIS MOUTH AND LET THE BIG BOYS DO THEIR WORK.
by For The Record