Midseason Player-by-Player Analysis
At the halfway point of the season, the Warriors are 12-29. Well done, guys. So without further ado, on to the 9th annual midseason player evaluations:
Azubuike: Has turned himself into a nice rotation player. Doesn’t look to do much other than score, but he’s a good shooter and a good finisher at the bucket.
Belinelli: Finally got a chance to play and looked pretty good. Probably not as good a shooter as he was advertised to be but also probably a better playmaker. Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
Biedrins: Keeps working and keeps getting better. Still not a plus interior defender and his post moves are rudimentary at best, but he’s only 22 and already a borderline all-star. He also looks like he might have what it takes to break Mullin’s franchise record of keeping one out-of-fashion hairstyle for the longest amount of time.
Crawford: Can’t complain too much about getting him for Harrington. Having another ballhandler next to Monta will help and he can get as hot as anyone in the league. He also takes terrible shots and plays no defense. Welcome to the Warriors.
Ellis: Has really been stepping up his street clothes game on the bench, especially in the earring department. I’m pretty sure he wore The Jewel of the Nile to the last game.
Jackson: Bad shot, turnover, argue with ref instead of getting back on D. Lather, rinse, repeat. He also competes and cares and is the best all-around player on the team.
Kurz: Nellie’s token white jump-shooting forward. I resent his very presence on the team.
Maggette: Missed 19 of the first 41 games. One of the most efficient scorers in the league when healthy. In other words, Corey Maggette. Still not sure why the Warriors thought that was worth $50 million.
Morrow: Another solid undrafted discovery. The best shooter on the team.
Randolph: Talented, but nowhere near ready to be a consistent contributor. Might be the worst offensive player in the league at this point, but he does rebound and block shots. Hopefully he will get consistent minutes in the 2nd half of the season.
Turiaf: Blocks a ton of shots, but often at the expense of being in good defensive and/or rebounding position. Not sure why the Warriors thought this team needed a $5 million backup center but still he fills a unique void on the team.
Watson: Solid backup guard. Could look to distribute more.
Williams: A symbol of the organization’s dysfunction. Acquired for a 1st-round pick, the only true point guard on a team desperate for a point guard, he’s played spot minutes in just 8 games. He’s either the worst player in the NBA or Nellie is making an example out of him.
Wright: A finesse player who doesn’t rebound well for his position, but also a forward who can finish on the break and around the rim and block a shot. Very promising player if you value John Hollinger’s PER ratings.

