Current Vs. Past Warriors Showdown

I always find it fun to scan the current NBA rosters and see which former Warriors are still in the league, and of course, who we traded away that is now a superstar (see ). So I’m going position-by-position in a real showdown to see which player I would rather have on my 2009-2010 roster, the current Warrior or the past Warrior. Here goes…

Point Guard Past: Tough to argue either Baron Davis or Gilbert Arenas. I am an Az Wildcat so, of course, I’m an Arenas fan but both of the those guys are big time, although often injured. Also worth noting is Derek Fisher and Speedy Claxton (oh wait, he’s on our team again).
Point Guard Present: Not sure if Monta is technically the PG or not. I guess he’d have to be with our current roster. Back-ups would be CJ and possibly Stephen Curry.
Verdict: Warriors Past takes this category pretty easily.
Score: Warriors Past lead 1-0

Shooting Guard Past: J-Rich has got the best shot of giving the Warriors Past a 2-0 lead. Even though he’s changed teams a few times, he is still a prolific scorer and great athlete. I also considered Jamaal Crawford (briefly)
Shooting Guard Present: Stephen Jackson can play either the two or the three but I think in a more traditional lineup, he’s probably the shooting guard.
Verdict: This is pretty tough. I would give the nod to Monta if he were in this category but he’s not. I have more of a personal affinity to J-Rich but the guy is a pure scorer that’s it. Jackson definitely brings more to the table including some wild shots but also his passing ability, which is pretty sweet and he can play defense when he wants to. So, after much deliberation, I’m going with Cap’n Jack (barely).
Score 1-1

Small Forward Past: I guess this depends upon whose system it is. However, the best chance small forward past has of winning is with Mike Dunleavy, Al Harrington or Matt Barnes. All have fairly recent wounds and none of them have excelled outside of the W’s system. Dunleavy has probably done the best but has been hurt. Harrington has put up some good points with a relatively poor shooting % and we all know what Barnes gives you.
Small Forward Present: Most likely our opening day small forward is Kelenna Azubuike. I am definitely a Kelenna fan. He’s a solid player who is not particularly flashy but shoots well, plays hard and gets it done.
Verdict: Another tough one. Barnes is out and Harrington is out. So it’s really a showdown between Dunleavy and Azubuike. Let’s compare stats. Last year Dunleavy averaged 15 points, 3.8 reb and 2.4 assists shooting 40% from the field and 35% from the three point line. Azubuike averaged 14.4 points, 5 reb and 1.6 assists while shooting 46% from the field and almost 45% from the three point line. I think the stats, along with history of injury, help give the nod to Azubuike.
Current players are up 2-1.

Power Forward Past: Only player who really stands out is Antawn Jamison, the former Warrior who had back-to-back 50 point games. Last year he averaged 22 points and almost 9 boards and is a former all-star. I also considered Troy Murphy.
Power Forward Present: We all know what Anthony Randolph is capable of doing. In two years, I think he will be the Warriors all-star representative. He showed flashes of what he can be. As he gets bigger and stronger, he will be an absolute force.
Verdict: This is based on current performance versus future performance and potential. And based on that alone, I am going to have to give the edge to Jamison. Next year, I think it will be different.
Score is now 2-2 with only the Center left.

Center Past: We’ve got the gentleman Adonal Foyle and Erick Dampier. Both were on our team at the same time and both were so darn frustrating, especially on the offensive end. I guess Damp gets the edge here because he actually plays in games. Last year he averaged 5 points and 6 boards.
Center Present: Andris Biedrins has been steadily improving each year. Last year, the 6′11″ Latvian Center averaged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Verdict: Biedrins is by far the superior player of the two and easily defeats Damp in the head-to-head battle.

Please challenge my picks and let me know if I missed anyone playing who was a W (besides guys like Joe Smith, Brian Cardinal, and Josh Powell).

Tags: Adonal Foyle, Al Harrington, Andris Biedrins, Antawn Jamison, Anthony Randolph, Baron Davis, C.J. Watson, Derek Fisher, Erick Dampier, Gilbert Arenas, Jamaal Crawford, Jason Richardson, kelenna azubuike, Matt Barnes, mike dunleavy, Monta Ellis, Speedy Claxton, stephen curry, Stephen Jackson, Troy Murphy