The Golden State Warriors have bleated on and on and on about defense this and defense that. And they picked ... shooter Klay Thompson in the 2011 NBA Draft, leaving Kawhi Leonard and Chris Singleton on the board. More like the "Self-Deluded State Warriors"! How do they grade out?
NBA Draft Grades 2011: Warriors Laugh In The Face Of Defense, Take Klay Thompson
Gained: Klay Thompson, Jeremy Tyler, Charles Jenkins.
Gave up: Cash considerations.
Synopsis: Thompson will add some shooting to a team that finished middle of the pack in three-point efficiency. That's cool! Unfortunately, offense is not really Golden State's problem: the team finished No. 12 in offensive efficiency ... and No. 26 on defense. Thompson is currently a minus defender, and if he's playing next to Stephen Curry in a post-Monta Ellis reality, that's an awful porous backcourt.
This wouldn't be such a big deal if the Warriors didn't have a small hole at small forward -- Dorell Wright and Reggie Williams are there -- and if Leonard and Singleton weren't staring them in the face. Leonard dropping was like a gift from the Defense Gods to Mark Jackson and the gang, and Golden State turned up its nose. The San Antonio Spurs will reap the benefits.
Jenkins is a nice player -- Black Jimmer, according to some -- that fills in another backcourt slot currently overcrowded with scorers. A $2-million flyer on Tyler is like a $2 million craps role. Good luck.
Grade: D+.
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