W’s Fan Feature-Jason Battle

How long have you been a Warriors fan?

I have been a Warriors fan since before i can remember, but when I REALLY started understanding basketball and knowing what was going on was around the 89-90 season I was 8 years old.

Fav. Current Warrior? Why?

My current favorite Warrior Player is Monta Ellis (Head Leader).  Like most Warrior fans I have seen this kid go from a super skinny and small second round pick to his current status now as the Warriors best player and snubbed All Star.

There have been some ups and downs, but this kids resiliency and will to be the best really shine through on a night in and night out basis. I am a huge fan of guys who LOVE the game of basketball and in my opinion Monta REALLY loves the game, he’s not just in it for the money in my opinion, I feel he really wants to be the best player he can be, and that’s evident in his evolution  as a player on and off the court.

Fav. All time Warrior? Why?

Tim Hardaway…why? UTEP-Two Step. Not only did Tim Hardaway have one of the most explosive crossover moves (that worked almost every time) he was also one of the most creative finishers around the basket.  He made the most difficult looking layups look easy and I don’t care if he didn’t know how to speak English correctly.

Fav. Moment?

I had to think about this for a minute. the “obvious” moment would be when we defeated the Mavs in the playoffs in ’07. But actually my FAVORITE moment was when we drafted Chris Webber.  I was a HUGE Fab 5 fan back in the day and I really love Forwards with basketball skills (passing especially) and I felt Chris Webber would be a legit Hall of Fame player which he still is in my opinion.  It’s a shame things worked out how they did, but that’s life as a Warriors fan.

Worst moment as a Warriors fan?

Hands down, the worst moment was when we drafted Patrick O’Bryant.

In fact I was at the Warriors official Draft party and got interviewed by a reporter and he asked me specifically who did I NOT want the Warriors to draft.  I answered Patrick O’Bryant.

Anyone who watches college basketball, could have told you that Patrick O’Braynt is the kind of guy who was blessed with size and decent athleticism for a big man, but his HEART was not in basketball.   Like I said I’m a HUGE fan of guys who LOVE the game, not a knock on Patrick but I just KNEW that he would never amount to anything in the League…or any other league…EVER…and WE drafted him…(I’m STILL mad)

What’s your feelings on the current Ownership/Management of the Warriors?

I feel as though our owner doesn’t care about winning or basketball for that matter.   We as FANS aren’t doing our part to make them care. We religiously buy season tickets, and tickets to games when we haven’t had a winning season more then twice in the last 17 years, that’s ridiculous.  Meanwhile the guy who could care less just continues to milk the cow…(why should he care when people keep buying the “Potential”)..He needs to sell the Team to Larry Ellison, someone who could give the loyal and passionate Bay Area basketball fans what we DESERVE.

You’re named Warriors GM, How would you improve the team? What changes do you think need to be made?

Four Words. Corey. Maggette. Sell. High.

You can bring any current NBA player to the Warriors, who would it be?

Obviously, LeBron James. He is the type of player that comes into the NBA once every 10-15 years. He has the talent to get lesser players easier shots, create his own shot, and he is the prototypical player you could realistically BUILD a championship team around.

Finish the sentence, When the warriors win the championship, I will…..?

Be the most unruly person in the Bay Area for an entire year…no one will be able to talk to me about anything basketball related without me saying the following ” Oh I’m sorry, I only discuss basketball with fans of teams who have won the championship since they have been alive…”

Do you visit Warriorsworld.net?

I check out the main page of WW and the forums.  My favorite part of WW.net is the interviews with the lovely hostess Lucena.