32 wrote:GSW Hoops Fan wrote:32 wrote:uptempo wrote:Better ownership, better front office, better coaching, better roster and no more losers like Cohan-Twardzik-St. Jean-Mullin-Riley!
Stephen Curry and David Lee are both Chris Mullin players.
And Riley is still our head scout. I have no qualms over the drafting since his arrival.
I don't know if this was Mullins fault or not, but trading J-Rich after the we believe era was a huge mistake.
Specially since we got a rookie back that never turned into anything. Then following that up by not retaining B. Davis.... those two were the heart of sould of the we believe team. Hind sight is 20-20, but as I recall most people didn't like that when it happened.
Then again there was some reports that those were not Mully's decisions... so we can never know. Also, the trade for Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington proved to be a stroke of genius. So no way in the world would I call Mully a loser, but I still not convinced he was a great GM... might have been a good one, but not a great.
As far as Riley... how can you not give him partial credit for our recent success? He was a big part in the draft for Curry and Klay. He was a huge part in getting Lee. He was a part of getting Bogut (yet to see how that pans out). I think it was a team effort, but he was a big part of it. I think the ownership knows that and recognizes his talent at scouting talent and evaluating them, and that is why he is one of the few that is still part of the team.
The two strikes you mentioned were not actually Mullin's fault:
The rumor was that the J-Rich trade was Part 1 of a 2-Step deal to get Kevin Garnett. With Wally Szczerbiak on Boston's roster (plus no one of note besides Pierce), the buzz was that Golden State appeared poised as favorites to land Garnett and Boston had no chance. If you recall, Garnett even publically stated that he would veto a trade to the Celtics (most speculated, due to his feud with Szscerbiak). Supposedly, Mullin was to parlay two separate deals to the T-Wolves: the first being a package of Monta Ellis, Al Harrington, and the #8 prospect for Garnett. The second was the J-Rich trade exception for a bad contract or fillers. Word is, Minnesota coveted Al Thornton and the deal began to fall apart when the Warriors selected Brandan Wright due to a lack of communication with Wolves management. And when Boston made the deal for Ray Allen (sending Wally to Seattle), Garnett became more willing to make a Celtics trade happen. But if you believe the whispers, the only reason Mullin dealt Richardson was in an attempt to land Garnett 2 years removed from his MVP. As it turned out, Boston won a title the following year and Golden State rotted.
Secondly, Mullin had a 5-year extension worked out with Baron Davis that then-President, Robert Rowell, vetoed (in retrospect, a good decision... But as you mentioned, not a very popular one at the time). Rowell's dealings with Stephen Jackson in spite of Mullin, his undermining Chris' BD extension, and the various political shots being launched backstage are said to be the fuel expediting Mullin's departure (also an unpopular decision, as Mully was the only competent GM figure the Warriors had in 20 years - effectively ending the playoff drought and making the team vibrant and relevant again.
+1 and great explanation.





