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    Thoughts on Game Nos. 27 & 28: Why the Biedrins-Turiaf pairing worked

    By Geoff Lepper
    48minutes.net

    Warriors coach Don Nelson has admitted on multiple occasions that his team’s small lineup couldn’t match up, talent-wise, with what the opposition put on the floor on a given night.

    Against Charlotte on Saturday, that equation was flipped on its head: it was the Bobcats who couldn’t hang with the Warriors’ two-tower configuration of Andris Biedrins, Ronny Turiaf and three wing players.

    For one 6 1/2-minute stretch in the third quarter, the Warriors outscored the Bobcats 23-6 using a lineup of Biedrins, Turiaf, Kelenna Azubuike, Jamal Crawford and Marco Belinelli (replaced near the end by C.J. Watson). That was the turning point in Golden State’s 110-103 win; the stretch ended with the Warriors up 81-69, and Charlotte never got closer than five points after that.

    The Turiaf-Biedrins lineup played a total of 10:37 on Saturday, after getting some (less successful) run against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday:

    Lineup data for Golden State's game No. 27: Hawks 115, Warriors 99

    Lineup data for Golden State's game No. 28: Warriors 110, Bobcats 103

    Those two games represent the fifth- and sixth-highest total of playing for the Turiaf-Biedrins configuration this season, and you have to wonder how much of that is due to any added influence has gained Keith Smart as the team’s defensive coordinator.

    Smart has no problem using the young bigs — recall the game in Houston when Brandan Wright didn’t sniff a second of playing time until Nelson was ejected, and then Smart brought in Wright almost immediately, helping spark one of the team’s only decent stints on the evening — and dumping small ball when necessary.

    Of course, it might just be simpler than that. During most of the 23-6 stretch, Charlotte’s Larry Brown, who never met a 12-year veteran he didn’t like, was trying to get by with Juwan Howard at the 4 alongside Emeka Okafor, and the Warriors pinpointed that spot as something to exploit.

    Howard was overmatched by Turiaf at both ends of the floor; in 12 offensive possessions, the Warriors ran their screen-roll with Turiaf as the big four times, scoring a total of eight points on those plays. Turiaf also handed off the ball twice in the high post to a curling Crawford, who knocked down an open 3-pointer off one of them with 5:17 left in the third.

    There are distinct differences in the Warriors’ S/R with Turiaf as the screener versus Biedrins. Since Turiaf’s own offensive arsenal features much more mid-range jumpers (as opposed to Biedrins’ game, which is much more based on rolling through the lane), he’s able to sell out more thoroughly on his screens and thus more often force the defense to switch.

    For example: Early in Saturday’s run, Turiaf wiped out Gerald Wallace, causing Boris Diaw to pick up Belinelli, and the Italian blew by him for a circus shot layup and free throw [8:14]. (The foul was Diaw’s fourth, forcing him to the bench and bringing Howard to the court.) The next time downcourt, Turiaf barred passage for Raja Bell, allowing Belinelli to slip free from Howard and feed Azubuike for an open 3-pointer in the left corner [7:35].

    Once, Turiaf even got the benefit of the screen without having to even set the thing. The Warriors positioned a pair of bookends at the top of the key for Crawford’s use, with Biedrins on the left and Turiaf the right. Crawford ducked right and — even though Turiaf slipped the screen and traipsed down the lane — Howard was late in reacting and could not get out of the way of Raymond Felton. Crawford took advantage of the opening to dart past the ineffective help of Wallace and kissed a layup off the glass [5:58].

    Turiaf also helped on plays where he wasn’t involved. When Azubuike rubbed Wallace off a Biedrins pick and missed an 18-footer, Turiaf collected the offensive rebound and fed Azubuike for the wide-open 3-pointer [4:25]. (Wallace, who had been sucked into the lane on the first shot, could barely be bothered to wave like he was going to close out on the trey.)

    Defensively, Turiaf provided much-needed weakside help to cover Biedrins’ back when he would try to shut down the lane– a key fix given that the Warriors’ wing defenders are, to a man, seemingly unable to stop penetration. An example: Felton shook free from Crawford and took a lob while moving down the left block. Biedrins slid across to take away the baseline, so Felton fed the ball to the now-uncovered Okafor.

    It’s a play that Warriors fans have seen time and again all season long, ending in a layup or dunk. Except this time, Turiaf came off his man and delivered a block on Okafor.

    The other thing that made the Turiaf-Biedrins pairing a success was the work of Azubuike. Three times, he left his man at the 3-point line to come down and latch onto defensive boards during the stretch, as opposed to busting it downcourt and assuming that Turiaf or Biedrins was going to come up with the ball.

    To me, that’s a sign of progress. The Warriors are not going to outrun anyone, not in their present Monta-less state (in fact, the only fast-break points of the 23 came when Azubuike ducked down for a board and then drove the length of the court before getting fouled by Wallace at the rim). It’s better for them to plug the gaping hole in terms of second-chance points than try to prop up a fast break that’s on life support.

    We’ll see, moving forward, if Nelson agrees.

    Contact: geofflepper@48minutes.net

7 Responses to “Thoughts on Game Nos. 27 & 28: Why the Biedrins-Turiaf pairing worked”

  1. Chris Cohan December 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    I still don’t like that we have to concede what was supposed to be our fulltime GOOD backup C to our only shot at controlling a game in rotation at the 4. It’s not good for Ronny and it’s totally irrelevant to what the object of this seaons should be: development. This playing time BS for Wright and Randolph was one thing when Nellie’s gimmicky act still had “best we poor fans know” cred two years ago. Now the small ball is just silly and Nelson continues to revert in all pressure situations and game closing scenarios.

    Our problem is size, but as pertains to Nelson’s prostate, scotch glass, and ego.

  2. Jon December 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm

    Terrific analysis.

    On why Turiaf-Beans was far less effective against the hawks . . . The Josh Smith/Al Horford duo is a unique one that’s both big and long but also highly athletic, a very poor matchup for our twin towers. On numerous occasions Beans and Turiaf jumped out at Josh Smith from 16-18 ft out, which let him walk in for a layup. Mental mistake there.

  3. sartre December 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm

    Terrific post Geoff. This is the kind of analysis that really helps me better understand the game, and what to look out for. I’m tired of the constant venting of anger of so many fans and journalists. And the focus on team politics and coach psychology is a broken record playing a sour refrain. The Warriors aren’t a good team this year, that happens in sports, but one can still take satisfaction from small steps forward.

  4. mylie10 December 22nd, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    Geoff please keep this up all season as it’s a perfect illustration as to what works and what doesn’t with this current roster.

    We should play Randolph and Wright every half. If they suck they sit down, but try them again in the second half. don’t forget them completely.

    Develope at all cost. Teams don’t often get free passes to develope like we do here with Mont’a injury. So far Nellie’s pissing that opportunity away most nights while trying to force his square pegs into round holes.

    Hopefully with Smart and Sid coaching more and Nellie less we can begin to see some consistant minutes for the 2 young bigs.

  5. Warrick December 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    Without Matt Barnes and Al playing PF nemore. Small ball should be abandoned

  6. Son of Ahmed December 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    Warrick,
    I would add that even WITH Barnes and Al playing PW small ball should be abandoned. Though Carlos Boozer might disagree.

    Geoff,
    Terrific post and breakdown. Just excellent!

    Turiaf is a great reserve and I like him at the forward spot. CC makes some good points in his response, but I disagree that Turiaf should play exclusively as a back-up to Biedrens. Turiaf is not a good rebounder, but when he’s paired with Biedrins at least he helps on the boards. Turiaf’s defense is outstanding, and as you’ve illustrated, he is a great safety net for our team’s piss poor wing defenders and great help for Andris who far too often is alone on an island.

    I do not think Turiaf is starter material. He’s better as high energy reserve. Wright or Randolph should be starting. We’ve seen what happens when Wright starts. He gives the offense a much needed inside scoring option that seems to balance out the rest of the offense. Now that Belinelli has cracked the rotation, there is an even greater need to have Wright play more minutes. He and Belinelli showed nice chemistry in Vegas, and I think we’ll see more of that if they get to share time on the floor.

    I don’t know what’s going on with Randolph. This is a guy who should be getting regular minutes, even if its only 15 a game. He’s young and not ready for prime time, but he needs to be brought along gradually, and the team needs to carefully nurture and feed his development. I don’t believe that is happening right now.

  7. James December 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Randolph might not have the maturity yet you want, plus he has to deal with Nellie’s moods, which are going to be a little wilder than you’d like with a losing record and a public preference for Scotch.

    Turiaf was trumpeted as one of the free agent success stories for the Dubs, so it’s nice to see him get his minutes. His energy, defensive prowess and shot-blocking ability all give the team a shot in the arm. He should be getting 20-25 minutes a night, partly with Biedrins, partly just at Center. No more than that because he’ll never be a great rebounder.

    The Warriors have always had trouble making all their pieces fit. This year will be no different.

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