WARRIORS WIN TIEBREAK TO CLAIM #7 SPOT IN LOTTERY

YES! YES! YES!

The Warriors are still not out of the woods yet, but their odds of being able to retain their 2012 draft pick just increase considerably today. By winning the tiebreak with the Raptors, they now have a 72.5% chance to keep the pick. The only we they lose it is if a team leapfrogs them in the lottery and pushes them down to #8 or worse. The Cavaliers were the last team with a #8 position or worse to leapfrog into the top 3. They ended up taking Kyrie Irving #1 overall.

Today is a good day.

Related Articles
Warriors.com: Warriors Involved In Four Tie-Breakers For Draft Pick Positions
Marcus Thompson: Warriors Win Tie-Breaker; Chance of Keeping Draft Pick Better than 70 percent
Matt Steinmetz: Warriors win drawing with Toronto

TANK STANDINGS - 04/24/12

All games go as predicted and Warriors still have a chance to tie for #7 with a loss vs. the Spurs on Thursday. The tie-breaker will be determined on Friday and the lottery preformed on May 30.

*click for larger image

LACOB: MY QUICK WISH LIST

It's a shame we're likely to lose the pick, but if you can somehow trade up to draft Kidd-Gilchrist, we should do it. The top-7 pick would have been a great asset to utilize in this scenario.

If we lose the pick, just let it go, unless your most trusted advisers are absolutely in love with a prospect. Since we have 3 late picks, it might be a good idea to just close the book on the Marcus Williams trade and try to find our starting SF (#1 Priority) via trade or free agency. Having a pick in 2013 just in case it develops into a decent class or if catastrophic injuries bring about a repeat of this year would be nice.

Resign McGuire and Rush. They provide the defensive toughness and energy that every good bench squad needs.

Find veteran insurance for Curry and Bogut.

Jenkins is shaping up to be a keeper, but we need a true PG to run the show to give Curry rest or to start in case of injury. Perhaps bringing Jason Kidd back to the bay could work. He'd be a good mentor and might like to retire where he started his basketball career.

I'm not as concerned about Bogut as I am of Curry, but Biedrins and Tyler probably aren't adequate backups for Bogut in their current state. Warriors need a great Big Man coach to maximize Tyler's potential. He has lots of tools, but plays undisciplined much of the time. Biedrins could be ok coming off the bench, especially playing with 4 offensively talented players on the court. A third big man (PF/C) that can match Bogut's lowpost strength/bulk would be good. Perhaps we could find that guy late in the draft.

Replicate the Suns Training Staff in Oakland so Curry, Bogut, and others can play lots of games with confidence and without nagging injuries.

Get one of those freeze chambers that the Mavs utilize for faster recovery.

Don't price out the loyal fans like the 49ers are doing. What makes Oracle the loudest place to play is because you have rabid, passionate fans all over the place, not corporate clients there for just an evening out. I'd like you to stay in Oakland or somewhere close to your current location, but if you move, Pier 30-32 would be a great spot to relocate because of it's proximity to BART and potential for Ferry service. 

Replace Bob Fitzgerald with Greg Papa. I can't stand listening to Fitz. Barnett is awesome.

Develop a mascot - something along these lines...

Finally (for now), LOSE THE NEXT TWO GAMES!!!!

I really appreciate your willingness to spend money to bring in talent (buying draft picks, controlling your own D-League team, taking on big contracts but with timely expirations, etc.) It really shows you care, and the die hard fans respect that. Keep up the good work and don't let your critics allow your passion for the Warriors to wane. YES! YES! YES!

TANK STANDINGS - 04/23/12 (PM EDITION)

Games went as expected so no help for the Warriors tank cause. All teams involved in the free-fall lost, leaving the Warriors stuck at #8 for the time being. If they lose out, they will be in a tie for #7 with the winner of the Raptors vs. Nets match-up.

If Cavaliers foolishly win both of their remaining games, the Warriors could end up in a 3-way tie for #6. Their game vs. the Wizards should be a win. However, even if the Bulls rest all their key players, the Cavaliers would still have a tough time winning.

There's no way in Hell the Kings will beat Thunder AND Lakers to close out the season.

TANK STANDINGS - 04/23/12 (AM EDITION)

With the Warriors win last night, the tank is now on life support. So close, but Warriors always seem to screw it up in the end. Marcus Thompson does an excellent job summarizing the possible scenarios here. I'm depressed.

*click for larger image

TANK STANDINGS - 04/21/12

Games go as expected tonight with Warriors moving into a tie with Raptors and the Nets dropping to sole possession of #6. Warriors should lose tomorrow playing short-handed for their 3rd game of a back-to-back-to-back. If they do, they should move into a tie with the Nets for that #6 slot.

Lots of tank relevant games tomorrow. Raptors could pull an upset over Pistons on the road. That could possibly give the Warriors a little insurance against tiebreak scenarios.

* click for larger image

TANK STANDINGS - 04/20/12

The Cavaliers won tonight and it is now very possible that the Warriors could end the season in a 3-way tie for #5. Hornets replace the Pistons on the chart. They have been playing well and if they win 2 more games, there could be a 4-way tie for #4. I think it's a long-shot for the Kings to win 2 out of their last 3 games. They'll probably end up at #3.

*click for larger image

TANK STANDINGS - 04/19/12

Tank standings are back! With only a week's worth of games left, the fight to keep the draft pick is has captured the hearts and minds of true Warrior fans eager to add talent to their promising roster. Lee, Curry, and Bogut have been shut down and the Mark Jackson is forced to trot out a crew of rookies and cast-offs to drive the tank home.

If the Warriors lose out the rest of the way, they are a lock to tie with either the Nets or Raptors for the #6 and #7 pre-lottery slots. They could even gain sole possession of #6 if both of the aforementioned teams end up with winning one more game each. If the Cavaliers win 2 of their remaining 5 games while the Nets and Raptors each win 1 of their remaining 3, the Warriors could end up in a tie for #5 and #6 pre-lottery slots. Kings look like they have locked up the #4 slot barring a win vs. the Lakers in their final game of the year. If Lakers rest their stars, this could be a distinct possibility.

WOW! I've haven't been so captivated by the final week of NBA games since the year after We Believe.

* click for larger image

TANK STANDINGS - 04/11/12

I had the Raptors beating the 76ers at home, but that didn't happen. Warriors, Cavs, and Kings all lost as expected. I've revised the probable win projections based on recent play and injuries. I took away probable wins from the Nets (vs. Knicks) and the Kings (vs. Trail Blazers). I can see the Kings finishing #4 pre-lottery, and the Nets, Cavs, and Raptors in a 3-way tie for #5.

Warriors' only realistic hope at getting to #7 pre-lottery is if they don't win anymore games the rest of the season, and the Nets win 2 down the stretch. Nets don't have any 'probable' wins the rest of the way, so they'll have to pull out some victories against PHI, NYK, or TOR. Warriors enter a tough stretch of 7 games before meeting up with NO.

It's not looking good.

*click for larger image

Tank Games for 04/12/11:
DAL @ GS - 7:30 pm
DET @ CHA - 4 pm

TANK STANDINGS - 04/10/12

Games went as expected so, again, no change in projected end-of-season records. With tonight's Cavaliers win, the Kings fall to the #4 spot. Kings have 3 winnable games left on their schedule, but if they are committed to the tank, they'll easily hold on to the #4 pre-lottery draft position.

*click for larger image

Games for 04/11/12:
GS @ POR - 7:30 pm
IND @ CLE - 4 pm
PHI @ TOR - 4 pm
SAC @ NO - 5 pm

TANK STANDINGS - 04/08/12 (PM EDITION)

Once again, no surprises today, so the projected records stay the same. Nets have swapped places with Raptors at the #7 / #6 spots. Right now, there might be a 3-team tie for the #5, #6, and #7 pre-lottery spots. Nets may have lost Gerald Wallace for a few games or more due to a hamstring injury. That may hurt our chances further if we're looking to at least tie them for the #7 spot.

A key team to keep an eye on is the 76ers. They have been struggling as of late and have many games vs. the teams we need to pass up. 76ers play Nets 3 times, and Pistons, Raptors, and Cavaliers once each. Let's hope for a 76ers collapse to close out the season and no more wins for the Warriors. One more unexpected win from the Warriors and the tank might as well be called off.

* click for larger image 

Games for Monday, 04/09/12:
GSW @ DEN - 6pm pst
DET @ ORL - 4 pm pst
TOR @ IND - 4 pm pst

TANK STANDINGS - 04/08/12 (AM EDITION)

Warriors won as expected and Kings lost as expected, so there was no change in the projected records. Right now, they could end up with a record of 23-43, which could give them a #8 pre-lottery draft slot. Warriors looked great on National TV, so I wouldn't be surprised if they win a couple of more down the stretch, effectively taking them out completely of the #7 slot or having a chance to jump up into the Top-3.

* click graphic for larger image

Easter Games:
CLE @ NJ
TOR @ OKC
HOU @ SAC

TANK STANDINGS - 04/06/12

The Raptors loss to the Cavs just made life more difficult for the Warriors. Raptors are now projected to win just 22 games, and this could leave the Warriors stuck in sole possession of the 8th spot unless the Nets win a game I don't expect them to win. Nets play the stumbling 76ers next, which could end up being that 'unexpected' win we need. Pistons are on pace to pass the Warriors still. Raptors, Nets, and Kings are now projected to end in a three-way tie for #5, #6, and #7.

* click graphic for larger image

Games for 04/07/12:

Nuggets @ Warriors

Kings @ Clippers

THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR - MKG

Although I love the thought of drafting Anthony Davis, perhaps a more realistic goal would be to trade up in the draft to acquire Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. In my estimation, he's exactly what the Warriors need to round out their Starting 5.

Elite athlete
Prototypical size for SF
Elite defender
Amazing motor
Unbelievable will to win
Excellent rebounder
Leader
Attacks the rim on offense
Terrific transition player and finisher

Kidd-Gilchrist might have not put up the most impressive stat lines on his team, but there was no doubt that he was the heart and soul of the Wildcats. He did all the little things needed to win, whether it be locking down the opponents best player, motivating his teammates to get a stop, helping on defense, hustling for lose balls, inhaling rebounds, or stepping aside to insure his teammates get out of a slump.

Although MKG has anxiety talking in front of large groups, he's a true professional when it comes to letting his play do the talking on the court. He'll need to work hard on improving his shot, but given his work ethic, its a good bet that he can develop that part of his game. With all the shooters on the Warriors, MKG will be able to easily find seams and do what he does best in the paint - slither through, explode above defenders, and finish the play.

If the Warriors can keep their Top 7 pick, I'd consider trading No. 7 , No. 27 (Spurs pick) and any player besides Curry, Thompson, Lee, and Bogut to get him. He's projected to go at No. 2 or 3, so we'll have to give up a lot to get him. A player as relentless as Kidd-Gilchrist is hard to find and will be well worth the price. Scoring the No. 2 pick in the draft lottery would be preferable, but by the way the Warriors are playing down the stretch, it's going to be tough enough just to keep No. 7.

Warriors 2012/13
PG: Curry
SG: Thompson
SF: Kidd-Gilchrist
PF: Lee
C: Bogut


Related Links
Draft Express Profile
nbadraft.net Profile

TANK STANDINGS - 04/05/12

Pistons beat the Wizards as expected, bringing them to 21 wins for the season. The Kings did a masterful job of tanking themselves out of a victory vs. the Clippers. Down the stretch and within 3 points, they botched an in-bounds play and ended the game taking and missing 2 pointers instead of trying to close the gap from three. The Kings know how to tank, so I'd be surprised if we pass them up in the race to the bottom.Our best bets remain the Pistons, Nets, and Raptors.

Click graphic for larger image.

Upcoming games for 04/06/12:
Warriors @ Jazz
Pistons @ Hawks
Cavaliers @ Raptors

TANK STANDINGS - 04/04/12

I added a probable win to the Warriors, Pistons, Raptors, and Nets. Tonight, Warriors won a close one in which they were down by 20 at one point. Raptors destroyed the Sixers. Nets played it close up until the last minutes. Cavaliers lost big without Irving's services.

Judging by the way the Sixers have been playing lately, it's conceivable that the Nets could get another win at home when they visit New Jersey. As of now, it remains a close race for the 7th spot. Projections have it possibly ending in a tie between the Warriors and Raptors for the #7/#8 slot. Hopefully, teams below the Warriors get some unexpected wins.

Click graphic for larger image.

TANK STANDINGS - 04/03/12

Click graphic for larger image.

EYE ON TERRENCE JONES

I finally got a chance to watch the Kentucky/Louisville game. Anyone else impressed by the power of Terrence Jones?

There are some questioning his toughness and desire, but from what I saw in the game (and throughout the tournament), I thought he was a force. He impacted the game, Udoh-style, and has had a very good year despite not being the go-to guy. A lot of what makes Jones intriguing could be lost on a team as stacked with talent as Kentucky.

Jones has great size, a knack for rebounding, shot blocking, powerful finishes, and is an under-rated passer. At SF, he'll be a very tough matchup, but his size and versatility will allow him to play PF as well. Although his shooting needs more work, he has shown that he has deep range capability, shooting 33.3% on threes.

I see him evolving into a tougher version of Marvin Williams - more defense, better rebounding, probably not as much of a scorer, however. That's ok, because we need a guy like him (rich-man's McGuire) in the starting 5.

I'm not endorsing anyone as THE pick yet, but the Warriors need to strongly consider him at No. 7 even if the mocks have him going late lotto/mid-1st. David Lee needs to be flanked by strong defensive players....Bogut and the versatile Jones would be nice.