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Jan
26

Why bringing Corey Maggette off the bench works so well for the Warriors

Filed under: News; Tagged as: Anthony Morrow, Baron Davis, C.J. Watson, Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford, Kelenna Azubuike, Mike Dunleavy, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson

By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

OAKLAND — The Warriors had just finished streaming into their locker room on Jan. 16, still celebrating a 119-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks — only their second win in nearly two months against an opponent above .500 — when captain Stephen Jackson called for his teammates’ attention.

Jackson could have been the headline of the day, scoring 24 points with seven rebounds, six assists and four steals in his first game back after straining a hamstring, but he wanted to make sure the spotlight shone elsewhere: namely, on Corey Maggette, who came off the bench to match Jackson’s scoring and more than double his work on the boards with a season-high 16 rebounds.

“I was like, ‘All the young guys, even us (veterans), we can learn something from Corey,” Jackson said, recalling his impromptu speech. “This is his 10th year, he’s been starting every year, and for him to come off the bench, have 20-some points and 16 rebounds to help us win, that shows how you have to be a professional and how you put your team first. He did that without talking, without doing anything but going out there and showing with his play. I’ve got to commend him for that.”

Maggette is not wholly unfamiliar with coming off the bench. He’s done so in nearly 40 percent of his 615 career NBA games. But the majority of those instances came in his first two seasons out of Duke; since the fall of 2001, Maggette has started 369 of 469 contests.

In Maggette’s previous work as a reserve, he wound up with numbers similar to those he had put up as a starter. His scoring was up slightly, his shooting down a little. His rebounding had a spike, but his assists dipped by almost 25 percent.

This time around, the change is almost exclusively in one direction: Up.

It’s been five consecutive games as a reserve (plus twice earlier this season) for Maggette, and while the sample size is still small, there’s enough evidence to call it a smashing success. On a per-minute basis, Maggette’s scoring is up 41 percent. His assists and steals are up 50 percent. The rebounds have climbed 45 percent. His field-goal percentage has jumped 14 points, as has his 3-point percentage.

In short, he’s finally putting up the numbers the Warriors hoped he would when they signed him in the wake of Baron Davis’ departure.

“Corey’s the ultimate professional, and when he comes in, he plays like he started the game off, so I think it’s a plus for us because I don’t think there’s a sixth man in the league that can keep up with him,” Jackson said. “I think the biggest thing for us is the way he’s been handling it.”

Indeed, Maggette didn’t complain when the Warriors’ coaching staff first broached the subject of reshaping his role in order to make room for guard Monta Ellis, who returned last week.

“I just told them whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do for this team,” Maggette said. “I don’t care either way. I don’t feel like putting up with the whole ‘who’s starting, who’s not starting’ (argument). It’s such a headache.”

That being said, Maggette is expecting to get nearly a starter’s ration of minutes despite his status. So far, the only time he’s gotten less than 27 minutes off the bench was in Sunday’s blowout victory against the Clippers. Maggette needed less than 23 minutes to stamp out 20 points and six boards while his old nemesis, Mike Dunleavy, could only look on in pinched frustration.

Asked if he was ready to deal with a rotation where reserves can see their playing time fluctuate from 30 minutes to zero and back to 30 again, Maggette indicated that wasn’t going to be the case: “If it’s zero, I’m outta here.”

Assuming it’s not zero any time soon, here are three reasons the Maggette-off-the-bench plan is working so successfully:

1) It gets Maggette into the game when the Warriors are closer to or already in the bonus. That’s a huge boon because Maggette draws the most non-shooting fouls of any Golden State player, at least anecdotally speaking (if anyone knows an available-to-the-public site where I can find that type of NBA minutiae — shooting fouls drawn versus non-shooting fouls, please let me know). Until Ellis is fully healthy and recovered to last season’s level of play, Maggette is the guy who can most easily force defenders into giving up a cheap two points once the bonus has been reached.

2) There’s less competition for the ball. Maggette says he can play just as easily with Ellis, Jackson and Jamal Crawford as with Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Morrow and C.J. Watson, but let’s be real: With the second unit, the Warriors can get away with running more isos for Maggette, which is how he’s most effective.

Nelson was marveling after that Hawks game about how Maggette scored 24 points on nine shots. He did it, of course, by earning 14 free throws. And he doesn’t get that many if he’s going to be used in a complementary role alongside the team’s volume scorers — or, even worse, fighting with them for primacy.

3) It allows Maggette to be matched up with second-line players from the opposition, which in turn means he can be more successful at power forward. This point was most evident against Portland on Jan. 10.

When Maggette checked in for Randolph with 3:51 left in the first quarter, the Warriors already led 15-10. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge quickly departed the scene, allowing Maggette to spark Golden State on an 18-10 run. That prompted Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan to bring back all of his starters, and over the final 8:43 of the half — with Maggette locked up against Aldridge and Brandon Roy, Steve Blake and Greg Oden back on the floor — Portland outscored the Warriors 19-6.

Contact: geofflepper@48minutes.net

13 Responses to “Why bringing Corey Maggette off the bench works so well for the Warriors”

JoeSez January 26th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

Sam Smith, sez Bulls and Warriors should trade.

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_090126.html

“So here’s the deal. Or deals.

First, and I think this one can get done, is the big one: Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni and Tyrus Thomas for Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Brandan Wright and Ronny Turiaf.

The key for the Bulls would be Ellis, who just returned from his offseason reckless riding incident and looked terrific. Ellis is a star type player, and, though somewhat smallish for shooting guard, with Rose they could be an almost unstoppable athletic backcourt.

The Warriors remain without a point guard and have a huge overload of shooting guards. They already have been rumored to have Maggette on the market. I’m not a big fan, but he would be a good scorer off the bench. The Warriors are said to like all three Bulls players, and the rumor is they’re still threatening Ellis with penalties given his unapproved use of a motor scooter which resulted in an ankle injury. The relationship remains fragile and the sense around the NBA is Ellis is playing now to be showcased.

I’d be buying.

The Warriors are said to like Thomas’ potential in Don Nelson’s system and have bigs in Andris Biedrins and rookie Anthony Randolph, though Nelson prefers to play small. Hinrich gives them the point guard they miss and Nocioni the toughness and perimeter shooting in the wide open game that works best with an interior player like Nocioni who can stretch the court. The deal works even with Ellis’ base year status.

No, it doesn’t set up as a defensive team with the two small guards. But it’s about talent and balancing the team with some size. So that would be just part one.”
Jon January 26th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

That’s a pretty crappy deal for us. It doesn’t really alleviate the logjam, either, since Nocioni is a far less effective version of Maggette. We also lose a highly productive reserve big man in Turiaf and a prospect in Wright . . . all before really seeing what Ellis can do healthy.

Geoff,

While the scoring efficiency and rebounding and ast/to are welcome, I am even more concerned with defense. Maggette clearly cannot guard starting PF’s . . . but perhaps he doesn’t have as much trouble with a team’s 3rd or 4th best big man?

I mean, guarding Greg Oden or LaMarcus Aldridge? He can’t do that. Guarding Channing Frye or Travis Outlaw . . . perhaps.

Perhaps backup PF is indeed where Maggette earns his money?
petaluman January 26th, 2009 at 10:07 pm

Of course the Bulls would do this. They get more talent, more players, and get younger. We’d get the triple shaft. How about a deal that helps us, like Drew Gooden for Jamal Crawford?

Geoff, I don’t know that Corey can maintain this pace. Also, his stats earlier this year were negatively impacted by his hamstring injuries (especially the 3pt %). Nevertheless, he’s made a great adjustment to his new role, and deserves the praise coming his way.
FNQ January 26th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

Thank you very much Geoff…. 1st beatwriter to go into the WHY instead of just stating the obvious… I’ve been on this boat since the Utah game, citing reasons 1 and 3… #2 I haven’t seen as much of, but its definitely a big selling point… But I think you left out one key thing, at least looking towards the future: Pace.

Assuming we’re still a running team, remember what killed us last year? We ran ourselves out of the games. Either our 6-7 man rotation would get winded and fade down the stretch, and/or a team would counter our momentum RUNS with momentum RUNS of their own. A guy like Maggs is an instant cure to this, as we can iso him and allow our starters to rest, and his frequent visits to the line also give us a chance to recover, and as a bonus, kill any potential momentum the opposing team is building.

I’m glad a lot of rational W’s fans are warming up to Maggs finally, and accepting what he is and isn’t… its up to the beats to keep the casual fan in the loop though, and its about time one did…
FNQ January 26th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

Also: Eff Sam Smith. Comments on blogs have better sources than that clown.
GSDave January 27th, 2009 at 3:33 am

lol that sam smith trade suggestion is the most hilarious thing i’ve ever read. can this guy really be serious? he must be on so much crack he can’t think straight. if the warriors ever committed to that kind of a trade no one would ever go to another game. i don’t think the fans would be happy if we got anything short of lebron plus a little extra for those four.
49erJohnny January 27th, 2009 at 7:43 am

I wish the warriors would stop screwing up with these idiotic turnovers. These turnovers make me sick because there so stupid and preventable. Steven Jackson cant pass to save his life. You got to question Don Nelsons coaching this year. Wheres the accountability for mistakes.
JoeSez January 27th, 2009 at 8:47 am

Sam’s trade was a scenario (it’s his blog and he does it often) but he and Tim both think the GSW Ellis relationship is strained enough for a trade. Let’s not be naive that the 3M fine was a big deal to Ellis.

Also Sam sez GSW are shopping 10M Maggette. His success as 6th man can’t hurt his value. That’s something to watch.

As for fans walking away if Ellis was traded, I’ve lived here since ‘91 and doubt they would revolt given past history.

Joe Sez Ellis coming back so strongly that it probably lessen’s the likelihood. Nelson’s success with Maggette aside, he’s a 10M 6th man and the owner is cheap.

Nocioni is a more versatile player and cheaper than Maggette. He runs, draws fouls and defends better. He’s was a starter on a gold medal team.

I’ve posted here prior that Tyrus Thomas’ game and skills seem in line with what Nellie would want in a PF/C. Also, Hinrick’s game isn’t respected here but he’s a tall guard who can run the point and shoot. Bulls went 2 deep in the playoffs playing small ball with Hinrick at point and little backup help.

**If** Ellis wants out, that’s a big if, Warriors will have to trade him.

Nelson wants to win now for his coaching record so Ellis and GSW youth would be traded for vets.
Scotty January 27th, 2009 at 10:10 am

That is the worst trade ever. There is no way the Warriors consider that. That’s on par with that guy in New York writing about how Monta was going to sign with the Knicks at the mid-level exception and the Warriors wouldn’t be able to match.
rufus January 27th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

Hinrich sucks that trade reeks of desperation .If I was gonna trade Monta I would try and get something done with the knicks and get David Lee at least hes young and can play at our tempo and would be a perfect fit next to Dre.

Why would the Bulls trade Gooden for another guard ?
M.Squared January 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

They could have gotten Lee if they would have played hardball with Donnie Walsh. Walsh was hard up to dump Crawford or Curry’s salary and he was having wet dreams of Harrington as the Knicks starting 4 in D’antoni’s system. That was BEFORE Lee starting trashing the rest of the Eastern 4’s with his recent play. Now- they are acutally thinking of signing him even if it hurts their chances at signing 2 allstar FA’s. If he keeps playing this way and keeps getting better then he is one of the pieces to play next to LBJ, Wade, Bosh or whoever they end up landing.
Sam Smith should drop acid and then choke himself. That trade is ridiculous. Thomas is a bust that occasionally has a nice game, Henrich is not an uptempo PG and Noccioni is simply a nice player who would probably pass out in Nellie’s system. If Maggette keeps his rebounding and assist #’s up and his shooting percentage and points per min continue at this pace- someone will want him and will offer us either a big or expiring contracts to get him. At this point tho- he has been a bright spot. Jackson’s #s continue to slip and he seems the more obvious to go- especially since it doesnt look like we are going to have 2-3 stars anytime soon for him to slip back into his 3rd scorer role where he exceeds. I like Jack- but this team doesnt fit him anymore. In a perfect world I’d dump them both and let the rebuild begin with Andris and Monta being the center pieces with Morrow, Randolph, Bellinelli playing a role.
M.Squared January 27th, 2009 at 6:46 pm

and I’m not buying the Monta showcase either. There is not much real proof to this. He wasnt good enough of a liar to bluff his way through the moped thing and he’s not good enough of one to lie about his happiness.
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