Blast from the Past: Chris Webber Returns

Those rumblings in Warriors Rumorville were true. Those Gary Payton ideas were mere smokescreens. Looks like Chris Webber will finally be reunited with Nellie after 13 long years.

From ESPN:

"I'll be there tomorrow," Webber said via e-mail. "It's a done deal."

Any Golden State fan will tell you about the fiasco that was the tenure of Chris Webber and the aftermath of the trade. Just because we're masochists, let's revisit those wayward days:

• Webber for Penny Hardway and three first-round draft picks on draft day
• Webber for Gugliotta (and the three first-round draft picks back ... or were they? The three Golden State got in return were not as good as the three it gave up).
• Gugliotta for Donyell Marshall.
• And finally Marshall for Danny Fortson in a four-team trade.

It is said that time heals all, and 13 years is a long time in an NBA career. Webber and Nellie may have patched things up after all.

Pros:

• Webber can space the floor more than Andris can. He'll be instrumental in neutralizing those zone defenses that the Warriors have so much trouble attacking.
• He can pass very well for a big man. Again, he'll help attack the zone.
• He has a midrange game.

Cons:

• Webber might harbor some chemistry problems with Nellie or the team. This is speculation at this point, as Nellie and Webber are both 13 years wiser.
  
• Webber had microfracture surgery on his knees a few years ago. Bad knees are definitely not desirable in the Warriors' running game.

Random thought: Chris Webber and Jason Richardson back on the same floor on Friday. Both of them returning Warriors, one in a different uniform, the other wearing the uniform for the second time.

Linkage:

• The cold, hard cash, as reported by Geoff Lepper. [Contra Costa Times]
• Webber and Nellie's reunion chit-chat. [Yahoo]
• Troy Hudson is gone. [Contra Costa Times]
  

Phreedom! Phreedom!

As of January 28, 2007, Giants fans will no longer grind their teeth at the sight of Pedro Feliz swinging at a slider.

Instead, Phillies fans will.

The deal just keeps getting better:

1. The Giants will receive a compensation sandwich pick since Feliz was a Type B free agent. The pick will be 37th overall.
2. Third base is Kevin Frandsen's to lose, assuming that Bochy will start Ray Durham at second to wring out any last drops of value as trade bait.
3. Angel Villalona isn't blocked.
   

Sayonara, Feliz! We'll miss your overlooked Gold Glove defense at third, your willingness to strap on catcher's gear, and your power. The strikeouts and non-walks, not so much. Hopefully the East Coast bias will award you with that Gold Glove you deserve.

4 Bagger: 23 Days Until Ps and Cs Report

The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.

A. Bartlett Giamatti

Bit of news from the web and blogosphere:

• Kevin Frandsen and Dan Ortmeier are ready. So ready, that Frandsen tears off his shirt to show off his guns. Yo, Selig, they're real.
• Ort wants 500 ABs this season, and he's going to get them. Pedro Feliz is not coming back. Wait, what? [SFGate]
  

General manager Brian Sabean said Wednesday he fully expects manager Bruce Bochy to give the younger players lots of starts.

"I think at this point it looks favorable," Sabean said. "I think the players realize that, and Boch and the coaching staff realize the transition we're in. To not give guys like Frandsen and Ortmeier a chance to play, in the phase we're in, would be counterproductive."

Pedro Feliz apparently is gone, with Sabean saying, "We made a two-year offer, which he rejected. We've pretty much moved on from there."

• MLB.com has been analyzing each player position for 2008. This week, Chris Haft examines the Giants’ outfielders, or more precisely, 6 centerfielders. [Giants]
  
• Giants mailbag: the organization is planning to extend scouting to Japan and Korea. Also, look for a question from yours truly. [Giants]
• The PITCHf/x tool is great fun: it’s a system of two cameras that tracks a pitch’s location. Bay City Ball used the tool for an excellent explanation of why Barry Zito walked the stadium in the first half of 2007 and found his groove in the second. [Bay City Ball]
  

State of the Warriors: Partial Answers and More Questions

Well, that was fast. We’re now at the midway point of the NBA season, but it still feels like the ambivalence of the 2007 offseason: optimistic, but concerned about the strength of the team compared to the ferocity of the West. Let’s revisit those 5 questions about the Warriors posed at the beginning of the season:

1. Is Baron Davis going to stay healthy for at least 70 games? If not, can Monta Ellis, Baron's heir apparent, be trusted to take over?
2. Can the combined play of Marco Belinelli, Stephen Jackson, and Kelenna Azubuike make up for the scoring and rebounding void left by J-Rich?
3. Will Brandan Wright show that he is worthy of some playing time, even though Nelson already said that he didn't think Wright was ready yet? Will he be able to help Biedrins snag those rebounds?
4. Are Kosta Perovic, Stephane Lasme, and Patrick O'Bryant capable of being Andris Biedrins' backup?
5. Can Stephen Jackson maintain and even increase his level of play from last year? Same goes for Al Harrington, Matt Barnes, and Mickael Pietrus (assuming he re-signs).

Drop some of your answers and opinions about the Warriors’ season so far in the comments. My answers will be up soon!

An Open Letter to the San Jose Sharks

hype it up!

27 Days Until Pitchers and Molinas Report

Less than a month remains until fastballs smack the leather, groundballs to short, and the Giants in Arizona to do it all over again: play some baseball. However, the team going to Scottsdale doesn't look much different than the one last year.



Usually at this point of the offseason, teams are done with big moves and finalize their rosters with fringe players. Sabean has yet to scheme up a trade, but chances are he won't find any takers.

Here's what we'll get come spring training and most likely, Opening Day:

Pitchers: No one wants Noah Lowry or Jonathan Sanchez. There were rumors of a Sanchez-Hideki Matsui swap, but that was the most intriguing deal. Sad, isn't it? Plenty of teams could use a #3-#5 starter to round out the back end of the rotation, and Sabean still can't trade for offensive help. Conspiracies:

1. The Lincecum/Cain madness during winter meetings. Sabean let the Lincecum-Rios and Cain-Inge rumors dangle for too long, so other GMs are lowballing Lowry, Sanchez, etc. Even worse: inboxes filled with trade ideas other fans actually believe will work.
   
2. The Johan Santana sweepstakes.
3. Lowry and Sanchez aren't that valuable anyways.

Catchers: The trio of Bengie Molina, Eliezer Alfonzo, and Guillermo Rodriguez again. Molina is a lock as starter and middle-lineup, so Not-gardo and G-Rod get to battle it out during ST.

Infield: Kevin Frandsen is the most ready youngster for a starting gig, but the Giants are paying Ray Durham the money. Frandsen has a shot at 3B, but with each passing day, Pedro Feliz is closer to a new 2-year deal. Dan Ortmeier faces little competition at 1B and Omar will pull off dazzling bare-handed grabs at SS. Conclusion: help!

Outfield: Roberts-Rowand-Winn might be the best defensive outfield in 2008. Rajai Davis platoons with Roberts and plays backup centerfielder. Unless Nate Schierholtz converts to a 1B, then he and Lewis will battle it out for the 5th outfielder spot. One of them is definitely going to Fresno, but it might be beneficial for both to stay in Fresno for consistent at-bats.

Bullpen: Not much going on here. Wilson should win the closer’s spot with Hennessey and Walker as late inning reliever and set-up man (and vice versa). Hennessey just received a 1-year contract for $1.6 million after filing for arbitration. Kevin Correia (who will most likely be in the starting rotation after 6 impressive starts) and Vinnie Chulk are still waiting for word on their salaries.

There are still plenty of candidates for bullpen slots: Misch, Sanchez (still not sure if he’s a reliever or starter), Kline, Taschner, Capellan, and Messenger. Granted, not much quality besides Misch and Sanchez, so the bullpen does need work. However, the bullpen is way further down the list than infield problems.

Question: Is Brian Sabean going to pull off any trade to improve the infield before Opening Day?

1,000 and Counting

I want to give a BIG shout-out to all the fans visiting the Front-Row. Today, TFRJ topped 1,000 visitors since it’s inauguration in late July of ’07. Sitemeter counts every page visit, and it’s amazing to see the growth of this little blog. It’s been a pleasure writing up articles, so thanks for checking out my latest analyses, opinions, rants, and lame attempts at humor. I really appreciate the first 1,000 visits and can’t wait ‘til the next 1 grand.

I’ll cap this off with one of my favorite, most recent front row johnsons.



Thanks for the sole!

You Dig?

Baron Davis is what one would call a renaissance man. Athlete, blogger, political activist, actor, music producer, movie producer.

This week, two of Baron’s movies will air for the public. The first one is a short from Framed, directed by Emmanuelle Chriqui and featuring the Beard himself in short shorts and roller-skates. You’ve probably already seen the trailer on Youtube, but the actual short is airing this Friday on IFC at 10:30 PM.



The second one is of Baron’s own creation and of a much more serious matter. “Made in America,” a documentary chronicling gang violence, is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday. Baron, as he told to USA Today, hopes that his documentary will raise awareness of the unresolved social issue and spur positive solutions and opportunities.

"It's informational," said Davis, adding that the film could be a teaching template for high schools. "That was the one thing I was nervous about, going into the project — I didn't want it to be preachy. People who really don't know much about gangs can watch the documentary and get a true understanding of the culture and history behind it. To see the trials and tribulations, the positives and negatives, of the black community. It's the rise and fall."

In Remembrance of January 17, 2007

JANUARY 15, 2007
On Seeing Mike Dunleavy for the First Time Since 2007


I’ve always looked up to Mike Dunleavy. It takes a special kind of talent to get $9 million a year without actually, you know, playing well. Good trade.


If Dunleavy was the tree that fell in the forest, would he make a sound? Yeah, but no one would hear him because they’re busy booing him. Good trade by the Warriors.


The solution to baseball’s steroid and HGH problem: threaten future users with Dunleavy’s headband. I’m convinced that thing is some sort of futuristic PED, except opposite. How else could his numbers suddenly have shot up in Indiana? Good trade, though.




*thanks to The Onion

There's No Place Like Home, Except for Mike Dunleavy

More analysis to follow, but this picture is hilarious.

Well, Look Who's Back

wjw415's comment:

jordan-esque

Jordan-esque... That's the first time I've seen that adjective used to describe Mike Dunleavy or his play.

To his credit, though, Dunleavy is having himself a career season, and a good one at that: 17.1 PPG, 49.2 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 5.7 REB, 3.1 AST. Nellie and Jim O’Brien run similar up-tempo, offense-geared systems, but Dunleavy never put up those gaudy numbers. It’s amazing to see how much a change of scenery helped him out.

Tomorrow night’s game marks the eve of the one year anniversary of the Trade. After that 8-player swap, the Warriors and Pacers went on a complete role-reversal. The Warriors reeled off a torrid streak that earned them an 8 seed, landing in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. The Pacers spiraled into an 11 game losing streak beginning in February, knocking them out of a high seed in the East to a lottery slot (that went to the Atlanta Hawks). Talk about adding insult to injury.

Strangely enough, the Pacers come in with a mirror of the Warriors’ record: 16-21 vs 21-16. Hm.

Linkage:
Parting was sweet for Dunleavy and Warriors [Janny Hu]
More self-analysis from Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy [Janny Hu]
Q&A: Indy Cornrows (Part 1 of 2) [Golden State of Mind]

Quiet Storm Hits the Bay

No, I'm not talking about the torrential rains that plagued California for the past few days.



The Warriors called up CJ "Quiet Storm" Watson from Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Hopefully, he's another Kelenna Azubuike-like gem in point guard form. The Warriors signed him to a 10-day contract, but if he's anything like Kaz in terms of undiscovered talent, then that Warriors have found themselves a suitable, long-term backup to Baron Davis.

Watson put up nice numbers in his time in the D-League this season:

In 16 games with the Vipers this season, Watson averaged 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. In his last game against the Austin Toros, the point guard finished with 42 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in a closely contested double overtime loss.

Marcus Thompson says that Watson won't play tonight against the Spurs, but he'll be in town.

Patrick Willis Wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

Congratulations to Willis!

Willis won DROY in a landslide vote, earning 48 of 50 votes from AP members. He was a beast this season, notching double-digit tackles in 11 games and generally making his presence known on the field.

"It's confirmation of what you've been doing as an individual," Willis said. " From an individual perspective, it would be good for people that doubted, or didn't know if you could be a No. 1 draft pick, or if you could come into the league and do well because of your size or where you might have played ball at ... and show them that if you put your mind to it, you're capable of anything."

Willis is certainly capable of earning more hardware this year. With 174 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 deflected passes, he has a shot at winning Defensive Player of the Year. Though Bob Sanders is most likely to win the award, I'm sure the AP writers are at least considering Willis for it.

With one award under his belt and a Pro-Bowl appearance coming up, Patrick Willis already has an impressive career, and one that 49ers fans hope he continues for a long time.

[SFGate]

Rivalry!

Well, the Warriors just got beat down by the Mavericks 99-121 in Big D, but so what? The Mavericks are still an unsightly 3-6 over the past two and a quarter seasons. Now that they have somewhat figured out a way to beat the Warriors, this could actually become a real rivalry. After all, it's not fun not being challenged once in a while.

Just in case you forgot:

Sounding Off 2007: Part 2

San Francisco 49ers

Drafting Patrick Willis and Joe Staley: One is the leader of the NFL in tackles and is a defensive workhorse every single game. The other won a starting job and ousted Kwame Harris from his and is one of the lone bright spots on the offensive line. If there was a draft do-over, I'd take these same two guys.

The "sexy" pick: After witnessing a two game surge, including a win over the Broncos to knock them out of the playoffs, to bring the 49ers' record to 7-9, many sportswriters chose the Niners as the playoff darkhorse. It was logical to think that way: Alex Smith's improvement, the wide array of offensive weapons, including new players such as Ashley Lelie and Darrell Jackson, and a strengthened defense with Nate Clements. Hell, one writer had the 49ers going to the SuperBowl.

Alex Smith: Two ugly wins, a separated shoulder, and a well-chronicled clash with Mike Nolan. 2007 was not good to Smith.

Mike Nolan: The hiring of Jim Hostler, questionable in-game decisions, and constant criticizing by the media. 2007 was not good to Nolan, either.

The emergence of Shaun Hill: For two and a half games, Niners fans saw a glimmer of what might have been. Hill, the third-string QB with not one pass in the NFL, led the team to a brief two-game winning streak. He connected with his receivers (even Darrell Jackson), showed great poise, field vision, and mobility out of the pocket (even against Tampa Bay), and threw passes reminiscent of the glory days of the West Coast offense. Though two games is in unbelievably small sample size, Nolan has already stated that Hill is a candidate for the starting spot next season.

San Jose Sharks

Failure to make it past the 2nd round. Again: After beating the Nashville Predators 4-1, the Sharks went on to face the Detroit Red Wings, one of the few teams with the ability to outplay the Sharks consistently. The Sharks took a 2-1 lead, only to allow a gametying goal in Game 4 and then lose in overtime. The Sharks dropped the next two in a row, falling out of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Sharks win the 2008 Stanley Cup: Joe Thornton also wins the Conn Smith Trophy. Wait, what? This is only a simulation? Somebody obviously forgot to tell Los Tiburones in the beginning of the season, when they mailed it in almost every other game.

One number one: The Sharks traded Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell to the Toronto Maple for a 1st, 2nd, and 4th round draft picks, which eventually netted them Logan Couture, and 18 year old center.

Schizophrenia: Home- 6-9-3. Road- 16-3-2. 'Nuff said.

Signs Point to Nolan Staying

After two days of talks with the DeBartolo-Yorks, Mike Nolan will still be the head coach of the 49ers, although stripped of some power. He will no longer have the final say in personnel decisions, and his role as GM will probably transfer to Scot McCloughan.

From Yahoo! Sports:

Mike Nolan will keep his job as the coach of the San Francisco 49ers but will relinquish final say over personnel decisions, Yahoo! Sports has learned.

After two days of deliberation, 49ers owners John and Denise DeBartolo York decided Tuesday to retain Nolan, who has two years left on the five-year contract he signed before the 2005 season. His 16-32 record over three seasons, including a 5-11 mark in '07, put his job in jeopardy, and he will likely make changes to his coaching staff.

Personally, I think this is a good decision on the owners' part. It is unreasonable to believe that a non-Walsh coach could turn around a beleaguered franchise in the space of 3 years, just as it is unreasonable to fire said coach for failing to do so in 3 years.

Anyways, according to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers will hold a post-season press conference tomorrow morning to release the details about Nolan's role and the plan for next season. Hopefully the conference will tie up all the loose ends and finally bring a close to the tension. After all, it doesn't take 2 days to fire somebody, right?