2009 Draft Blog Throughout the next few weeks, the Warriors PR Blog Squad staff will be contributing their entries to the 2009 Draft Blog. Click the link below for full coverage of the team's preparation for this year's draft, including full coverage of the multi-team workout the team will host in June, behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, video, audio, photos and more. 2009 DRAFT BLOG

Friday, May 15 (2:39 p.m.) Getting Ready For Secaucus General Manager Larry Riley will be one of the Warriors' two representatives at Tuesday's Draft Lottery. (photo: Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty) Well, the NBA Lottery is scheduled for next week (Tuesday) at the NBAE Studios in beautiful Secaucus, New Jersey. The best thing about Secaucus? The bus stop in front of the Embassy Suites that enables you to make the quick 15-minute trip to the Port Authority in New York City. I have been the team's representative at the Lottery on a few occasions and have always utilized the route extensively. Don't get me wrong, Secaucus is a nice place, but I'd rather spend my free time in Times Square and not the movie theater on the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel. Larry Riley (General Manager) and I, Raymond Ridder (Executive Director of Public Relations), will represent the Warriors at this year's Lottery. Riley will spend his time with 13 other high-profile team executives at the made-for-TV event on stage. Meanwhile, I will be sequestered in a back room at NBAE, where he will have no communication with the outside world for about an hour after the actual lottery takes place (around 4:40 Pacific Time). No cell phones. No blackberries. No laptops. I won't need any of that; he just needs four lucky ping-pong balls and the right combination. The aforementioned back room is where the entire landscape of the NBA can change in a matter of seconds. Six years ago, I was in the room, saying a few Our Fathers and Hail Marys, hoping that the Warriors might get a little lucky and win the LeBron James Sweepstakes. Meanwhile, a representative from the Cleveland Cavaliers was sitting two tables in front of me. The Cavs, as you may recall, ended the previous season with the second-worst record in the NBA (17-65) and had the second-best chance of winning the Lottery. And, as fate would have it, the first combination of ping-pong balls dispensed from the hopper would match those assigned to the team in Ohio, LeBron's home state. The gentleman from the Cavs sitting in front of me - trying his best to remain calm and under control - gave out a little "yeah!" with a quick fist pump. He knew the fortunes of the Cleveland franchise had taken a quick turn for the better, but he wanted to remain somewhat reserved and not rub it in to his 13 peers from around the league. The future of some NBA teams will be dependent on the four-ball combination that this hopper produces on Tuesday. (photo: David Dow/NBAE/Getty) Could you imagine winning $20 million in Las Vegas and trying to remain subdued? If the Warriors' combination had appeared first, I probably would have jumped up, hollered "yeah!" six times, pumped both of my fists, broke through the locked door, grabbed my cell phone, my blackberry and, heck, even a bullhorn and called our offices in Oakland. And, Larry King. And Oprah. Other than that, I would have remained relatively calm and unemotional. In all seriousness, the back room is filled with nervous energy as a representative from the NBA office (usually Adam Silver) instructs each team on the rules of the Lottery and how it will unfold. A representative from an accounting firm, typically Ernst & Young, is provided the task of actually reading the ping-pong balls when they pop to the top of the hopper. There are 1,001 potential combinations that could evolve when you pluck four (4) ping-pong balls from a hopper that has 14 ping-pong balls numbered 1-14. The first four-ball combination that is recorded will be matched with a team and that team will earn the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft on June 25. As this transpires, the 14 representatives write down the numbers on their NBA notepad and compare them to the 1,001 combinations that have been previously assigned to the various teams (each representative will be provided a list of all 1,001 combinations and which team owns those different combinations). As a result of our regular season record, the Warriors will have 43 possible combinations in this year's lottery; the Sacramento Kings, who have the best chance to win the lottery, will have 250 possible combinations. As an example, when I last attended the Lottery in 2006, the five combinations for the 14th team in the Lottery were as follows: 9, 12, 13, 14 10, 11, 12, 13 10, 11, 12, 14 10, 11, 13, 14 10, 12, 13, 14 Based on those numbers, the team with the smallest chance to win the lottery – the 14th team - in 2006 would have captured the first prize if any of those exact combinations would have appeared (in that order) when the four ping-pong balls were pulled from the hopper. This scenario (four balls drawn from the hopper) is executed three times during the lottery --- the first combination will select first in the draft, the second combination will select second and the third combination will select third. As noted, the Warriors will have 43 possible combinations in this year’s lottery. While that might not sound like many when you consider there are 1,001 combinations possible, remember this: Last year, the Chicago Bulls had 17 combinations and, despite those odds, the No. 1 pick, Derrick Rose, still ended up in the Windy City. And, for good measure, the last – and only – time the Warriors owned the seventh slot entering the lottery, the team darted up to No. 3 (1993). Probable? No. Possible? Yes. All NBA teams will have a vested interest in what happens at this television studio in Secaucus, N.J., on Tuesday. (photo: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty) And, the myth about the Lottery being rigged is simply that - a myth. The 14 ping-pong balls are placed in a clear hopper and each ball and corresponding number is shown to the assembled team members one by one before the lottery begins. And, a few years ago, the NBA started to allow selected members of the media access to the back room where they could witness - and document - the entire event. There are no shenanigans. Impossible. It is all based on pure luck and odds. At the end of the lottery, the team representatives in the back room must remain there until the made-for-TV event is announced approximately one hour later. In other words, I will know the results of the lottery long before Larry Riley or any of the ESPN viewers at home. After this year's lottery, Larry Riley is tentatively scheduled to do interviews from Secaucus with various local Bay Area media outlets, including KGO-TV, KPIX-TV and a conference call with our two beat writers (news scoop: The Warriors have a new beat writer from the San Francisco Chronicle, where Rusty Simmons will replace Janny Hu). Riley’s post-lottery obligations will increase should Golden State move up and secure one of the top three spots. Of course, if we move up in the lottery, he won't need to head to the airport to catch a flight back to California; he'll simply fly home on adrenaline. Let’s hope for the best……… For continued coverage of the Lottery, including the history of the event and the Warriors participation in it, check out Warriors Draft Lottery Central. .

Monday, March 9 (10:27 a.m.) Plenty of Silver Lining Anthony Morrow has developed into much more than just a shooter this season. (photo: Kent Smith/NBAE/Getty) The glass on the kitchen counter has some water in it. As a matter of fact, the water is up to the middle of the glass. Is it half full? Is it half empty? Well, it’s all a matter of perspective, depending on your outlook. The optimist would say the glass has plenty of water in it, enough for a fish, and is half full. The pessimist would say there’s not enough water in the glass to satisfy a baby because it’s half empty. If you are in the latter category, you might want to stop reading. If you are in the former stratosphere, grab that overflowing cup and prop your legs up. This blog, however, is not totally about a glass and how full it is – it’s also about a color. Silver. The Warriors have experienced an interesting season in 2008-09, especially on the injury front. But, the overabundance of injuries have also created opportunities that have subsequently led us to our favorite color – silver, as in lining. The silver lining around that half-full glass has been pretty evident for the last three or four months. Sure, Monta Ellis has missed 50 games, Corey Maggette has been sidelined for 21 and Stephen Jackson has been shelved for 13 outings. As a result, we’ve all learned a little bit more about Marco Belinelli, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Morrow, C.J. Watson, Brandan Wright, Anthony Randolph and a few other players on Don Nelson’s roster. We’ve learned that these kids – most of whom are 23 or younger – are pretty good NBA players. Not superstars, not even All-Stars at this point, but, they are certainly effective players who can help an NBA team win games and provide additional depth. I’m sure there are a lot of other teams – I’d say somewhere in the neighborhood of 29 – who would like to have a shooter like Anthony Morrow sitting on their bench. Or, more accurately, stroking another three-pointer for their squad. Entering Monday’s slate of NBA action, Morrow was leading the NBA in three-point field goal shooting with a ridiculous percentage (.500). He very well could have been invited to the three-point contest during NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix and, in my glass half-full opinion, would have won the event. And, best of all, you can realistically draw a conclusion that this is not an aberration. The kid can flat-out shoot the basketball in an era when great shooters have become an endangered species. The next time you attend a game, watch Mr. Morrow warm up. See how many times his shots even hit the rim. If you can’t make it to ORACLE Arena, I’ll give you a hint: about as often as it rains in the Mojave Desert in July. His stroke is about as sweet as they come. Anthony Morrow. Silver lining? I’d say so. Kelenna Azubuike has proven to be quite a find out of the D-League. (photo: Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty) Prior to this season, Kelenna Azubuike had enjoyed a solid one-and-a-half year stint with the Warriors following a tenure in the NBA Developmental League. He averaged about eight points and three rebounds during this stretch, showing the ability to score, sometimes in bunches. This season? He’s proven that even players from the D-League can make the A-list, and, quite possibly, the NBA’s Most Improved Player list. Now, the question is this: Do we take him for granted? A few weeks ago, a local writer noted in his mid-season analysis that Kelenna “has done about what you’d expect” this season. My question to him? How many former D-League players are expected to average almost 14 points per game and rank in the top five in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage? I’d say that’s surpassing expectations. Now in his third NBA season, Azubuike has become a better three-point shooter (one of the best in the league), a better rebounder and better at diversifying his offensive game (drives to the basket, etc.). And, he’s one of the most productive players in the NBA based on the three-year contract he signed last summer. Plus, he’s 25 years old. Silver lining? Azubuike? Check. Last season, Marco Belinelli entered training camp fresh off an incredible Summer League in Las Vegas. I’m sure we all remember his 37-point outing a few hours after he arrived in the desert – following a long flight from Italy - in the opening game. It was spectacular. Unbelievable might be a better adjective to describe his performance. Nellie was excited about his potential and the 6’5” guard was looking forward to the challenge. However, like any other rookie, he had to pay his dues and earn his time, which was difficult on a team that won 48 games. Every game was critical and time was scarce. This season, however, Belinelli has earned more time and has proven that he can provide not only an offensive spark with his shooting exploits, but has the ability to pass the ball and defend. In fact, he’s become a really good defender because he’s come to the conclusion – at the behest of his coaches – that his effort on the opposite end of the floor will keep him in games on those nights when his jumper is AWOL. He can play multiple positions – shooting guard or point guard – and would seem to be a perfect fit for the up-and-down system that Nellie employs. He’s shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, has become a consistent three-point shooter (39.4 percent) and is still 22 years old, the age of a college senior. Remember, “Rocky” was created by that silver lining on December 29, when he scored 23 points and handed out six assists for the shorthanded Warriors in a win over Toronto at ORACLE Arena. My best guess is that – like the movie – we’ll eventually see more Rocky (II, III, etc.) as we move forward. C.J. Watson, who also spent time in the D-League following his collegiate career, might have benefitted more than any player on the roster this season due to the expanded rotation. He’s more than doubled his average in minutes per game (11.5 to 24.5), while his other numbers – scoring, assists - have almost tripled. The former Tennessee guard has become a more-than-reliable three-point shooter (almost 45 percent, one of the top percentages in the league) and extremely effective at developing his mid-range game. There was scuttlebutt, in fact, that he could be invited to play for the Sophomore squad during All-Star Weekend in Phoenix. The opportunity did not come to fruition, but to even be considered for such a distinction for an undrafted player speaks volumes about his development. And, by the way, he’s 23. C.J. Watson? The kid from Glitter City (Las Vegas) is, yes, another silver lining. The team’s two youngest players – Brandan Wright (21) and Anthony Randolph (19) - are probably the most celebrated duo on the silver unit. The two left-handed forwards are – and we need to remember this – both one-year college players. They seem to get better every practice and with any amount of game experience they tuck under their belt. But, they are still not long removed from their high school proms. Prior to his injury, Wright had played 20-plus minutes on nine occasions this season, averaging 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.31 blocked shots in those outings. Very solid numbers for a second-year player. He had also started 16 games before the injury and there was a discernable increase in his level of aggressiveness, especially on the offensive end of the floor, where his jump hook has proven to be a staple of his game, not to mention virtually unblockable. Despite being the youngest player in the NBA, Anthony Randolph has certainly held his own this season. (photo: Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty) Randolph, meanwhile, has shown flashes of incredible potential during the course of his rookie season. Just a few weeks ago, Lamar Odom of the Lakers said the kid had “Hall of Fame talent” after he notched a double-double against Los Angeles (14 points/12 rebounds). And, despite the thoughts of many, the NBA’s youngest player has logged more minutes during his rookie season than most players selected in his position over the last several years (late lottery choice/one-year of college experience). His time has increased as the season has progressed – just as you’d expect from a rookie – and so has his ability to help the Warriors. How many teams have two young, improving, skilled 6’10” forwards in their first or second year? Look around. Not many. In fact, the majority of the young players from the last two drafts who have had made a significant impact are 6’8” and under. And, as they say, it usually takes big guys a little longer to develop. The silver lining here? The Warriors duo is developing nicely. What does all of this mean? It means that during the 2008-09 season we have seen – and will continue to see – good things materialize. The young players on the youngest team in the NBA have all improved and shown growth. Each of the aforementioned players are better than they were in July and every player has the ability to get ever better. That’s what 19, 21 and 22 year olds do. “We’re not that far away from being a pretty good team,” Coach Nelson said recently. Why? Well, one reason is because of the silver lining. Or, the plural version, silver linings. There have been many of them during the 2008-09 season, enough to stretch a mile or, dare we say, fill a glass. Half full, to be precise. .

Friday, January 2 (9:12 a.m.) Andris The All-Star? Biedrins is averaging career-highs in both points (14.1) and rebounds (11.9) so far this season. It's time play the role of Rodney Dangerfield and go Back to School. We'll begin this semester with a little pop quiz. Which NBA player collected an NBA season-high 26 rebounds in a single-game last season? A. Dwight Howard B. Marcus Camby C. Andris Biedrins D. Yao Ming If you answered A, B or D, you failed this test, but would certainly be in the overwhelming majority when it comes to those who answered the question incorrectly. If you answered C, you move to the head of the class and solidify your existence as either a die-hard Warriors fan or a fantasy league fanatic. It's not that Andris Biedrins is the NBA's version of Mr. Dangerfield and gets no respect, it's just that most people on a national level simply don't know much about the Warriors young and ever-improving 22-year old center. This is probably due to the fact he's not a physically dominent force like a Dwight Howard or a physically imposing icon like Yao Ming. Nonetheless, he's clearly highly thought of in NBA circles among opposing coaches, general managers and personnel directors. He's likewise enormously popular in a small European country located on the other side of the world. The average NBA fan? Heck, most of them don't even know his name and those who do usually butcher the pronounciation. Is it Andrea or is that the guy who plays in Toronto? Is it Beedrins? Beeadrinch? Do you pronounce the "ch" at the end? What's the name of the kid with 17 points and 18 rebounds tonight? Those are all questions that have been asked this season. Especially the last one. Several times. However, as we turn the page from 2008 to 2009, it's about time that the Latvian Lefty not only becomes a household name, but also becomes a name associated with a few other things: Phoenix. February. All-Star Weekend. Entering Friday's game against the Timberwolves in Minnesota, Beidrins has posted numbers that are certainly worthy of all-star consideration. He ranks third in the NBA in rebounding (11.9 per game), second in double-doubles (19), 10th in field goal percentage (.546) and 20th in blocked shots (1.50). He's already registered six (6) games this season with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. Yao Ming has accomplished this feat four (4) times. Marcus Camby has done it three (3) times. Al Jefferson three (3) times. Shaquille O'Neal? Once. Andrew Bynum? One fewer than Shaq (0). Will those numbers be enough? Does Andris need to outplay those rivals between now and the end of January to solidify his candidacy? Will the fact that the Warriors have not had a winning record during the first half of the season have a big impact on the decision-makers? All of those answers will be determined on January 29, when the NBA announces the reserves for the 2009 All-Star Game. The league's 58th annual extravaganza will be played at the US Airway Arena in Phoenix on Sunday, February 15. From our obvious impartial position, the 6'11" center has a legitimate chance to lace up his sneakers with Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Tim Duncan in the Arizona desert in six weeks. He's been extremely consistent from Day One and has had countless games where his scoring and rebound numbers have been pretty spectacular, ranging from the 16-point/22-rebound game at Memphis on November 3 to the 13-point/15-rebound/5-blocked shot outing against Toronto last Monday. Will Western Conference coaches think enough of Biedrins to put him on the All-Star team alongside of Yao Ming? Three of the aformentioned competing players- Camby, Jefferson and O'Neal - appear to be the centers most likely to challenge Biedrins for one of the reserve spots on the Western Conference squad. Yao Ming, who has enjoyed a solid season for the Houston Rockets, will apparently win the starter's job as the result of fan voting and the impact of on-line support from China. Yao is deserving of this honor due to his production this season and the impact that he's had on an extremely successful team in Houston. Camby and Jefferson, however, fall into the same category as Biedrins in regards to team success. That leaves O'Neal, who has posted very solid numbers of late for a winning team, but struggled occassionally during the opening month of the season in November. Do the voters put more stock into the results of the players in December and January as opposed to November? Does the win/loss record of a particular team have a big impact? Do personal feelings come into play? Only time will tell. Despite his lack of name-recognition among most fans, Biedrins has been aided by the fact that a few national media outlets - including ESPN and the USA Today - have acknowledged his accomplishments this season. Mike Breen and Mark Jackson, ESPN's top broadcasting duo, are big fans of his game and voiced their appreciation for his talents during a nationally televised contest in Oakland in December. In fact, Beidrins was requested for the pre-game sit-down interview with the national crew for the first time in his career prior to the game, a gesture usually reserved for those All-Star caliber players. As has been the case for many years, NBA head coaches will choose the reserves for both the Eastern and Western Conference teams. After the starters for the game are announced on TNT on January 22, the coaches will be asked to submit a list of seven (7) reserves from their conference. Each coach will be instructed to list two guards, two forwards, one center and two players from any other positions on their ballots. More than likely, the Western Conference coaches - who cannot vote for a player on their own team - will list only one mandatory center on their ballot. There is a remote chance that another center could be added, but the two "wild card" selections are typically reserved for guards or forwards. And, keep in mind that the likes of Tim Duncan and Amar'e Stoudemire are considered forwards on the ballot. The good news? The casual fan in Portland, Utah or San Antonio might not know too much about Mr. Biedrins, his double-doubles and 20-rebound games, but Nate McMillian, Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich certainly are aware of his achievements. That is a positive. And, of course, there is always the phone, which may very well be utilized by Don Nelson in an effort to secure a vote or two for his young center from his buddies around the league. Nellie has that kind of pull and, as the song says, that kind of R-E-S-P-E-C-T. So, eventually, will Andris Biedrins. Maybe as soon as February. .

Friday, December 5 (2:22 p.m.) Catching Up With Richard Hendrix And DeMarcus Nelson Richard Hendrix has certainly made his presence felt with the Bakersfield Jam over the first week of the D-League season. Since being assigned to the Bakersfield Jam - the Warriors' D-league affiliate - on November 14, Richard Hendrix and DeMarcus Nelson have been working hard in their quest to return to the NBA. And thus far, the results have been quite impressive. Warriors PR had a chance to catch up with the two rookies earlier this week. Richard Hendrix Hendrix, 21, the 6-9 forward from Alabama, was selected by the Warriors with the 49th selection in the 2008 NBA Draft. Following the first four games of the season, Hendrix has helped lead Bakersfield to a 3-1 record by averaging 17.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.50 blocks. Among the D-league leaders, Hendrix ranks seventh in rebounds per game (11.8), 14th in field-goal percentage (.553), 34th in points per game (17.0), 12th in blocked shots (1.50) and first in total double-doubles (3). In his debut with Bakersfield against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on November 28, Hendrix was very impressive with a game-high 31 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes in a 116-90 Jam victory. He also converted 12-of-19 field goals, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Proving that his opening game was no fluke, Hendrix followed up his performance the next night in Reno with 12 points and 13 boards against the Bighorns for his second-consecutive double-double. Richard Hendrix Q&A: Warriors PR: How have you been doing since joining the Bakersfield Jam? RH: I've been doing well. I'm learning everyday, getting the opportunity to play games and getting minutes. So that's exciting. Also, we have a good team down here in Bakersfield. We started off the season 3-0 until we lost in the home-opener against the L.A. Defenders. It's a good experience. I'm trying to take it all in and learn as much as I possibly can. Warriors PR: What do you think of the team so far? RH: We have a lot of very talented players with Mateen Cleaves, Jeff Trepagnier, Nick Lewis, Trent Johnson, Derrick Byars; a lot of guys who have some NBA experience. We have a lot of guys who know what it takes to win and who play hard. They seem to be putting the team first instead of their individual goals, which makes this whole experience that much better. As of right now, we're still trying to win games and see the benefits individually as well. Warriors PR: How do you like playing for Coach Scott Roth? RH: Coach Roth is a great coach. He has been working with each of us individually, helping us develop our game. Mainly develop our confidence in order to make it in the league. Warriors PR: What have you been learning/working on? RH: I've really been focusing on being a professional; working on all parts of my game. Knocking down outside jump shots as well as rebounding. Rebounding is probably one of my strong points; just trying to understand the NBA style of play. Coach Roth gives me the opportunity to play my game and expand it as well and I try to do the things he believes I can do. I just have to continue to build on that and also improve the strengths I know I have in my game. Warriors PR: Are there any major differences you've noticed between the NBA and the D-League? RH: When you're in the D-League, it's like college. As of right now, we're staying in an apartment and you have roommates. So it's kind of like the dorms again with the rest of your teammates living a couple doors down. Everybody gets a chance to mingle and find out a lot about each other. It's a cool atmosphere. It does kind of bring you back to how it was in college; college was always fun. And that kind of experience makes the team that much closer. Warriors PR: What is a typical day like for you in Bakersfield? RH: Here in Bakersfield, we have two practices a day. So everyday we have a light shootaround practice and then we'll go hard in the evening. On game days, we'll have a shootaround in the morning and go to the arena that evening for the game. It's busy. We definitely don't have the perks like in the NBA. We fly commercially to places. You might fly to a city and land at 11 in the morning and might be getting ready to play that evening and leaving for the gym at 4:30. You just have to be prepared. Coach Roth constantly reminds us that this league is not for the weak. I think it's a good experience for me to toughen up and be ready and hungry for the NBA. Warriors PR: What have you been doing with your down time? RH: When I have spare time, I just rest and let my body recuperate. We had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving together down here. That brought us a little closer together as a team. I think the Bakersfield Jam did a really good job to make us comfortable in that situation. Warriors PR: What would you like to say to your teammates and fans in the Bay Area? RH: I'd like to tell my teammates to continue to work hard and grind. And continue to believe in each other's abilities and come together as a team. I definitely know that after going through training camp and the first 10 games with everyone that there is a bunch of winners in the locker room. If they keep believing in each other and working hard, the wins will come and the season will be what everyone wants it to be. And for the fans in the Bay Area, just continue to be the best fans in the league. DeMarcus Nelson Nelson, 23, has appeared in eight games this season for Golden State (five starts), averaging 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest. The 6-4 guard from Duke became the first undrafted rookie to appear in the starting lineup on Opening Night for the Warriors since the team moved to the West Coast in 1962. On Friday, November 28, he made NBA history again by appearing in the starting lineup for the Bakersfield Jam of the D-League. According to the NBA, Nelson became the first player to start on opening night in the NBA and opening night in the D-League in the same season. DeMarcus Nelson averaged 5.4 points for the Warriors this season before being assigned to Bakersfield. Through the season's first four games, Nelson is averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game with Bakersfield. He is shooting 50.9 percent from the field and ranks 10th in the D-League with 2.5 steals per game. In his first D-League game, Nelson registered 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals in 31 minutes. A few days later, Nelson collected 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in 38 minutes in the home-opener in Bakersfield. DeMarcus Nelson Q&A: Warriors PR: How have you been since being assigned to the D-League? DN: I'm doing alright since coming down. I've been making adjustments, but overall I'm pretty good. Warriors PR: What part of your game have you been focusing on? DN: Coach has me playing off the ball more. I'm still at point guard. We're working on creating plays, pick and rolls, and transition. I do whatever the coach asks. It's a little different role. The main thing for me is the opportunity to play more. I've been working a lot on my shooting; trying to be more precise. It's just a lot of repetition and practice. Things have been coming along well. I'm taking advantage of the situation to become a better shooter and improve my overall game. Warriors PR: How do you like playing with the Jam under Coach Roth? DN: The team is real good. There are a lot of talented players who have experience in the league. Coach Roth really cares and puts in the time to help you one-on-one. Practices have been intense. We work a lot on defense shelling. Coach has us really concentrating on defense and really stresses the importance of being a good defender. Warriors PR: What are some of the major differences you've noticed between the NBA and the D-League? DN: A big difference is that it's a privilege to be in the NBA and sometimes people forget that. The comfort level is also a big difference. Right now, I'm living in an apartment with two other players in a three bedroom place. Many of the players in the D-League may have not necessarily "made it". The competition is fierce and cut-throat. Traveling is a lot different also. We bus and van commercially, so that's different than the NBA. Warriors PR: What would you like to say to your teammates and fans back in the Bay Area? DN: I'd like to tell the guys that I'm thinking about them. I try to keep up on watching their games. Basically just go out there and get things done. For the fans, thank you for their continued support. .

Sunday, November 23 (10:02 a.m.) Pair Of Rookies Making The Most Of Their Opportunities After being passed up by every team on draft night, Anthony Morrow is making a name for himself as an NBA rookie. It certainly is no secret that it takes a little bit of luck, good fortune and hard-to-beat odds to build a winning team in professional basketball. Luck plays a big role in the fortunes of an NBA team, just as it does when you play at a casino. What are the odds of winning a seven-team parlay? Probably about as good as an NBA team finding an undrafted rookie who contributes during his first season despite not being one of the 124 players listed in the NBA's Draft Media Guide. What are the odds of pulling the handle on one of those oversized slot machines in the lobby of a casino and having a trio of 7's eventually stare you on the face? Probably about as good as an NBA team finding a player with the 14th and final lottery pick who was on the top 5 on some draft boards around the NBA. The lucky numbers for the Warriors last week? 22 and 4. Anthony Morrow (#22). Anthony Randolph (#4) Morrow, who established an NBA record for an undrafted rookie when he scored 37 points aginst the Clippers last Sunday, was basically an afterthought on draft night. That's right. David Stern did not call his name on June 26 at Madison Square Garden. Neither did Adam Silver. And, neither did ESPN's Jay Bilas or Andy Katz when the made-for-TV draft night special addressed the topic of players who were overlooked in the league's annual two-round selection process. The only person to call Anthony Morrow's name on that late June night? His agent, who informed the sweet-shooting guard that the Warriors called and wanted to invite him to play for their summer league teams in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Yes, he was an afterthought. Fortunately, the Warriors were the ones who thought about him. Since his explosion in Los Angeles eight days ago, the 6'5" guard from Georgia Tech has gone from relative obscurity to a man in the spotlight. Following the game at the Staples Center, a portion of the small locker room was cleared in order to make room for the large media contingent that was too big to cram around his locker. Among the throng was ESPN's J.A. Adande, who was greeted by a star-struck "I've seen you on TV" response from the shy kid from North Carolina. In Mr. Morrow's mind, Adande was The Man, not him. After arriving in the Bay Area on Monday, the national requests started to flood into the public relations department. The Sporting News. ESPN.com. His hometown newspaper, the Charlotte Observer, called for an interview Rick Bonnell, who covers the Bobcats and the NBA for the Charlotte Observer, said his e-mail in-box was full of requests for him to interview Morrow, who was named North Carolina's Mr. Basketball as a high school senior. Of course, he also was an instant hero with the local media as well, venturing into San Francisco to appear on KPIX-TV's Game Day show with Dennis O'Donnell and KRON-TV's daily interview segment with Gary Radnich. The only people busier than Anthony Morrow over the last week? The good folks at Elias Sports Bureau, who have had to endure about 20 phone calls from the Warriors requesting various statistical information. Who was the last undrafted rookie to score 37 points in a game? Who was the last player in the NBA to score at least 37 points in his first ever start? Who was the last rookie to score 25 or more points in his first two starts? Who was the last player to convert 15 field goals in a game with as few as 20 shot attempts? At this point, it would be a safe bet to assume that Anthony Morrow's name will finally be called at Madison Square Garden this Saturday night when the Warriors play the Knicks. Better late than never. Anthony Randolph's athleticism and tenacity have been on full display when he's been on the floor this year. Randolph, on the other hand, has demonstrated flashes of brilliance during his limited minutes this season. During Friday's game against Chicago, the rookie from LSU scored 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had four blocked shots in only 13 minutes. On four occasions this season, Randolph has played at least 13 minutes in a game, averaging 8.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.00 blocked shots in those contests. And, it's really not the numbers that stand out, it's the ability, talent and athleticism that makes everyone take notice of the young 19 year-old. One national writer has indicated that he thinks Randolph will be the best player in this draft when it is all said and done. Another has said the team he covers had Randolph pegged very, very high among the incoming class of rookies (as in top 5). Randolph, who spent only on year in college, does not have the experience of an Anthony Morrow (four years at Georgia Tech), but his ceiling could be pretty impressive. Where could this kid be in two years when he is 21 or four years when he is 23? The answer? Still a few years away from reaching his prime. That's scary. The Lamar Odom comparisons might be appropriate at some point -- both players can block shots, both players can handle the ball, both players are explosive and both players are left handed and 6'10" -- but we need to let it happen. Remember, Anthony Randolph was in high school 18 months ago. He's going to look great one minute and turn the ball over the next. The potential, however, for him to become a very good NBA player is certainly present. We're not sure if he'll be a 3 or a 4 or, heck, maybe a point guard in Don Nelson's offense. We do know, however, that the Warriors were both good and lucky this past summer in finding a pair of aces and a pair of Anthony's. .

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