California Sports Journal

"With Cliff being traded, we had 11 players, so we activated him," coach Mike Montgomery said before tonight's game. Biedris, the 11th overall pick in last June's draft, has been on the injured list since straining his left hamstring January 14.

Biedrins is the youngest Warrior ever, but hasn’t had much of an opportunity to prove himself yet at forward, having appeared in only four games so far. Which may be why Warriors coach Mike Montgomery was hesitant to create any high expectations.

"He’s going to get burned and taken advantage of," Montgomery cautioned, though "it won’t be for lack of effort."

Montgomery said he wanted to give the young prospect, who needs to add substantial weight and strength to his 6 foot 11 frame, a chance to get his feet wet – though not at the expense of winning ball games. However, with the team a woeful 14-37, he may have felt it was time start focusing on winning in the future rather than losing in the present.

Robinson, who was traded for two future second round draft picks (in 2005 and 2007), was acknowledged by Montgomery last night as a mentor. In his first year of NBA coaching after a storied career at Stanford, Montgomery said he took the time "to tell him how much I appreciate him" for all the counsel he had offered.

In addition to freeing up a spot for first round pick Biedris, Montgomery said Robinson’s trade will also put much needed pressure on other young players to take on not only the leadership, but the toughness that Robinson showed in both games and in practice. "We need the younger guys to start diving in and taking that kind of attitude," Montgomery said.