Sunday, October 27, 2013

My 10 Favorite Warriors Players (Version 2.0)

Shield your eyes from the light of my aura because Guapo has returned.  Another edition of Infinite Wisdom to feed your appetite.  I'm sure you guys have missed me as much as I've missed you, if not more.  I've been a little busy lately with my secondary blog on Boardwalk Empire.  If you've been keeping up with my new blog you've been getting your fix of Guaps.  But some of y'all don't like Boardwalk and I can't fault you (but I do anyway), and you just wait for the latest post on my main blog.  So here it is.  This is actually an update of an older post most of my readers should recognize.  With the newest NBA season approaching I thought it would be good (and easy) to update my post on my favorite Dub players.  So let's just get right into it.



10. Mickael Pietrus (2003-2008)


Oh, Mickael, you lovable French bastard.  Always full of personality.  I remember when I first found out he was French the first thing that came to my mind was, "Why is he black then?"  I was so young and naive.  Anyway, this dude was a corner three specialist.  He played some defense and dunked it every now and then, but his spot was that corner.

9. Kelenna Azubuike (2007-2010)


The Warriors have had a habit of picking up players from the D-League.  All the time.  Some of them have worked out (e.g. Reggie Williams) and some haven't (e.g. Chris Hunter).  Kelenna definitely worked out for us.  He was never a star or anything like that but he was consistent.

8. Al Harrington (2007-2008)

 

I'm not super crazy about this guy, but without him the Warriors wouldn't have had that amazing We Believe season.  He came to us in a trade that shipped away Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Troy Murphy (Thank God!), hit a bunch of threes for us, then a year and a half later decided he wanted to leave.  Last time I checked he's playing for Orlando Magic and I saw him on Attack of the Show.  That's not too bad, I guess.


7. Andris Biedrins (2004-2013)



Honestly I want to put 2004-2009.  I don't know what the fuck this guy is doing with his life anymore.  I guess he just lost all confidence.  Either way for a good 5 year span he was a consistent double-double kind of guy.  At this point of his career though he's happy to get to touch the ball 2 times a game.  Well now he (and his massive contract) are no longer our problem.  His legacy will be blemished with the last few years he had with us but he is the only player that was on the Warriors roster for both the 2007 and 2013 playoff runs.


6. David Lee (2010-Present)



This season he's been a walking 20-10 kind of guy.  He's proven to be one of the most dominant big men in the league.  (It's not like Andrew Bogut has gotten off his lazy ass to help David out either.)  To top it off he was selected to the All Star team this year becoming the first Warrior since Latrell Sprewell back in 1997.  He was this close to being moved up the list but I need a little something more from him.  I admired this guys courage and audacity in the 2013 playoffs.  He injured his crotch and was not supposed to play at all for the remainder of the playoffs.  In fact, this motherfucker was supposed to have surgery.  But this dude is tough.  If I stub a toe I use that as an excuse to not attend class for a few days.  This dude tore his hip flexor and was trying to get on the court.  Sure he didn't gave a big impact numbers wise, but that shit was inspiring, not only for the other players on the roster but for anyone watching the game.  


5. Stephen Jackson (2007-2009)


Captain Jack!  You can't not love this guy and his fast break threes.  We got him in the same trade that got us Al Harrington and helped the Warriors in their playoff run.  This guy was dynamite in a Warriors' uniform.  The dude hit 7 threes in game 6 of the first round of the playoffs against the Mavs, who we beat, and he did that shit with flash.  Every now and then Nellie had him run the point, and every now and then he would deliver.  Sure you can complain that he was constantly getting hit with technicals, sure he thought he was better than what he actually was, sure he fired a gun outside a strip club and was involved in Malice in the Palace, and yes he did leave the Warriors on bad terms, but that's what made him such an exciting player.  Currently he's back with the Spurs AND he's a rapper.  Talk about moving up in life.  

4. Baron Davis (2005-2008)


Baron.  After all these years I just want to say that I forgive you.  It took a while, but then I got to reminiscing about the good old days.  He was out there rocking the full beard before James Harden decided to do it.  At his peak with the Warriors I could say he was easily one of the top 5 point guards in the league. Easily.  He could do no wrong.  He had them handles, he threw those dimes, he had that flash and most of all he was clutch.  You might not know this, but they sometimes call me Crunch Time Guapo and everything I learned about being clutch I learned it from him.  This dude was fucking sick.  When he made those alley-oop connections with J-Rich it was like watching art.  And every now and then he would come in with that slam dunk.  He put the team on his back during the We Believe season, and for that I'm forever grateful.  Then, before the 08-09 season, Baron decided to leave the Warriors and join the Clippers.  Yes, the fucking Clippers.  And not the Black Griffin/Chris Paul-having Clippers, I'm talking about the Chris-Kaman-Is-The-Best-Player-They-Have Clippers.  But like I said, I have finally forgiven you.

3. Monta Ellis (2005-2012)


It was sad to see him go last season.  I basically watched him grow up on the basketball court.  His relationship with the Warriors was kind of like a roller coaster. He got that "Most Improved Player" during his second season, the same season we beat the Mavs, and I think we all knew he was going to be a really good player.  But then he decides to ride a moped and fucks up his ankle pretty badly.  (Dumbass!)  But the kid comes back right where he left off and better.  Even after the ankle injury this guy was one of the fastest players in the league.  He was a pure scorer.  If he only knows how to do one thing, it's putting the ball in the basket.  He's done amazing moves so effortlessly (with flare), where as when I attempt them I usually pull a hammy.  Yet every single year he was snubbed from the All-Star team.  Every single goddamn year!  (Seriously, how was Chris Kaman an all star guys?)  Hopefully he can get a spot now that he's in Milwaukee.

2. Stephen Curry (2009-Present)



 Okay, let me start off by apologizing to Steph for putting him behind Captain Jack the first time around.  I still love Jack but I really fucked up.  Steph Curry has been playing like an All Star and yet he was still snubbed.  (Those bastards!)  Not only that, but he's been leading the Warriors to a winning season.  And then came the 54 point night.  That's some shit you get from franchise players and Curry is a franchise player.  I knew I had to move him up the list.  Considered putting him above Baron Davis but it was Baron who led us to that We Believe season. Steph hasn't led us to the playoffs...yet.  We'll see if I move him up when the season is over.  I said I would move him up if he lead us to the playoffs and he did.  Not only did he do that, he also lead us to the second round, almost single-handed.  When David Lee went down, Steph Curry put the team on his back and put on an offensive clinic against the Nuggets and then the Spurs.  He was the king of the 3rd quarter and we were just fortunate to see his reign.  Almost by himself he put the Golden State Warriors as a team to watch.  Not sure if I can ever move him ahead of Jason Richardson, only because of the sentimental meaning behind it, but Stephen Curry is clearly the best player I've ever seen play in a Warriors uniform.

1. Jason Richardson (2001-2007)


J-Rich.  Probably the most exciting player to watch as a Warrior.  Back to back Slam Dunk Champion.  Even when I was a small lad I would watch the games just to see this guy dunk.  He doesn't do much of that now over in Philly, but in his prime this dude got up there.  And he wouldn't just settle for for a simple dunk.  J-Rich would say, "Not today!" and windmill that shit.  And if not he'd do a 360.  Why not?  J-Rich was the epitome of flare.  Then when Baron Davis came in J-Rich said, "Let's just alley-oop it every time."  Somewhere along the way he started hitting threes.  Now, that's all he does.  For me, Jason Richardson is by far the most memorable player to play for the Warriors.


Well that's my time.  I know some might be a little mad that this isn't an original post but not to worry, more originals are on the way.  I have a lot of good things planned so just be patient.  I will probably have more time to write once the season of Boardwalk Empire ends and I can focus my writing on other things.  If your interested in checking out my secondary blog while you wait, you can find it on your right in a section titled Blogs I Fucks With.  My blog is called Infinite Wisdom on Boardwalk Empire.  Check it out and who knows, you might find a new favorite TV show.  (You will.)  Make sure you leave any comments you might have in the section below.  Follow me on Twitter @ELGUAPO3 and Instagram at CAPTAINCRUNCHTIME.  I'm on Tumblr at sirelguapo.tumblr.com.  Until my next post, stay Guapo out there!