By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

Some quick thoughts from watching the replay of the Warriors’ 132-127 win over Phoenix on Saturday:

** All hail the Warriors for breaking their seven-game losing streak, but let’s not lose sight of how bad the defense was: Golden State allowed a team on the second half of a back-to-back to put up a ridiculous eFG% of 61.4. On the season, the Warriors are back to being dead last in eFG% allowed at 53.0.

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By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

Your daily guided tour through the national and local media coverage of the always-entertaining Golden State Warriors.

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San Francisco Chronicle (Bruce Jenkins): Bruce’s numbers about Anthony Randolph’s lack of movement on offense in the Warriors’ last two games are compelling, although they come without context. How many times did every other player stand around? Frankly, you could easily argue that every member of the Warriors stands around too much. This is a team predicated on the one-on-one (or one-on-two or even one-on-three) attacks of Monta Ellis. Stephen Curry is acknowledged by the general manager to be a better scorer with the ball in his hands. Anthony Morrow’s value is trolling the 3-point arc; ditto for C.J. Watson. This is a stagnant team both by design and by coaching, and singling out Randolph to grouse about his following suit is kind of silly.

Plus, it unfortunately masks what I think is a good and powerful point Bruce is almost hitting on – that Randolph does require some sort of go-to move. Where Bruce’s argument fails is with the assumption that such a move has to come with his back to the basket; if Randolph developed enough confidence with the one-step-crossover-and-pullup move that he has shown of late, he could create space with it (by getting his defender going backwards) at any time. Then, if he could consistently drain the open 15-footer that results from such a move, the guy would be damn near unstoppable (until defenses adjusted, at least).

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By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

If LeBron James’ call for players to give up use of the No. 23 takes root, Warriors guard C.J. Watson — one of 13 men in the league this season wearing Michael Jordan’s old number — won’t mind all that much.

After all, he’s only wearing that uniform because Brandan Wright has the one he really covets: the No. 32 he wore at Tennessee.

“Unless me and BWright work something out, I don’t really mind,” Watson said of James’ plan, which is meant to recognize Jordan’s contributions to the game. “(I’m) not really mad about it, (I) agree he’s the best.”

Phoenix guard Jason Richardson, another one of the No. 23 wearers, said via Twitter that he’s up for the change.

“Im all 4 it he’s the greatest player to ever play,” Richardson said. “NBA should of retired 23 yrs ago.”

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy gave voice today to the opposition, pointing out that Jordan did not make the same sacrifices as did Jackie Robinson, whose No. 42 has been retired by Major League Baseball.

“There actually were guys before Michael who could play the game,” Van Gundy said. “Then you should retire numbers that (Bill) Russell, Wilt (Chamberlain), and certainly Oscar (Robertson) wore. I understand LeBron didn’t grow up watching those guys, but still.”

Watson, however, thinks James’ star power will win out. “I’m sure it will go into effect since LBJ spoke up.”

By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

I’ve been wondering for a few months now when I should emerge from my hiatus and kick off the 2009-10 season of 48minutes.net.

Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis made it clear for me on Monday afternoon.

How could one not post about the Warriors’ Media Day truth-telling, where Golden State’s two best players came out and basically trashed the franchise’s biggest moves, both past and future?

Not only did Jackson refuse to back down from his trade demand of last month, but he also lambasted the team for slipping backwards with every move they’ve made since the “We Believe” crew made it to the Western Conference semifinals in 2007. Jackson ticked off the list of departed players from that team — Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Al Harrington, Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus — and admitted at one point that, “It felt like I’m next.”

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By Geoff Lepper
48minutes.net

I can’t decide which injury Monta Ellis’ stiff left ankle – which will keep him on the bench tonight in Los Angeles, as well as against Charlotte on Friday and Utah on Sunday – brings more readily to mind.

Is this like Baron Davis’ sprained ankle in 2005-06, when he ended up shutting it down for the remainder of the season?

Or is it like Jason Richardson’s arthroscopic knee surgery of the following season, when he ended up pushing too fast for a comeback and looked terrible — until a broken hand forced him to rest for several more weeks, and then he came on to play a huge role down the stretch?

Based on the Warriors’ record, the obvious answer is to treat Ellis’ setback as the former. He’s shown that he can at least take the floor, and occasionally reached for the level he was at last season – although it was only for a play or two a night, with two dozen instances of rust and regression for every highlight.

But everything hinges on the one thing Ellis has not shown much of: The ability to get lift off of that left leg.

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