Golden State Warriors Preview

Hello Readers,

Please feel free to comment on my posts. I think it would be cool to get some discussion going if you disagree with something I say, have something to add, or want to praise how awesome a read these things are.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Key Additions: Andrew Bogut (traded last year, but didn’t play), Jarret Jack (Trade), Harrison Barnes (rookie), Draymond Green (rookie), Carl Landry (FA)

Key Losses: Nate “won 2 dunk contests because people were surprised even after he already won once that he could dunk” Robinson, Dorrel Wright

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Stephen Curry

SG: Klay Thompson

SF: Barnes

PF: David Lee

C: Bogut

Role Players: Jack, Landry, Brandon Rush, Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Green

Comments: I am pretty high on the Warriors this year, but lets start with their ownership. There is a really good Bill Simmons article describing how the Warriors ownership has basically always screwed the team over http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7714701/how-annoy-fan-base-60-easy-steps. In ranking the best fans in the NBA, most people will say the Warriors have the best fans (with the Thunder a close second). They don’t deserve having owners that constantly make bad decisions for their team. This boiled over at a ceremony for Chris Mullin (a legendary Warrior), where the owner was booed to hell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLCuJzI_jEc. If you don't understand why the Warriors fans are so mean here, read the Simmon's article. However, the team they have built now could be very good in a few years, and maybe ownership can get its fans back.

The team on paper is built well, but its success will depend on whether Mark Jackson is actually an NBA coach, the health of Curry and Bogut, and the development of young players Thompson and Barnes.

So let’s start with Curry. He is a really good shooter (going all the way back to his days at Davidson, but he showed his rookie season that he had good vision and passing skills, and could rebound too. Many people thought that the presence of Monta Ellis on this team was holding Curry back. Ellis is another electric scorer who needs the ball in his hand. Part of the reason Ellis was traded was to allow Curry to run this team. Unfortunately, after his rookie year, Curry has had 2 seasons with major injuries. He must stay healthy as well as improve his defense for this team to move forward into competing for a playoff spot. If Curry gets injured, Jack is a very capable backup. He is a solid shooter and passer, and along with Landry and Jefferson will bring stability and veteran leadership to a youthful bench.

At SG, the Warriors have Klay Thompson. After the Ellis trade, Thompson got increased playing time, and really showed how good he can be at scoring. He can create his own shot, and should only get better in his second year in the league. His defense must improve. The Ellis/Curry guard combo was really bad defensively, and the Warriors cant afford to have Thompson be equally as bad. Mark Jackson is supposedly a defensive coach, so maybe both Curry and Thompson can raise their level. Brandon Rush is one of the best spot up shooters in the NBA. The good thing about Rush is that he knows who he is, and doesn’t try to do much other than shoot 3’s. Every team needs to have a Rush (see Mike Miller or Daequan Cook on the Heat and Thunder respectively).

Harrison Barnes is a very interesting prospect. Out of high school, people said that he would be a sure-fire #1 draft pick the following year. However, at UNC, he was never really dominant. This is someone that could create his own shot, pass at a high level, and rebound. I don’t remember many games that Barnes took over. He stayed another year, and he was improved but not to a top draft pick level. This led to him falling to #8 in the draft. It will be interesting to see if Barnes can become the NBA player everyone thought he would be. Richard Jefferson fell off the face of the Earth while with the Spurs. He just never got accustomed to being a role player, and his stint with the Warriors suggest that he will never return to the player he used to be. Green is a very interesting prospect. While not amazing at any skill, he is good at every facet of the game, and is a winner (see Michigan States success the last 4 years). He could eventually surpass Barnes if Barnes disappoints because Green is so solid across the board.

David Lee is a really solid player. He is not flashy, doesn’t have a great jump shot, and his defense is below average, but he is one of the best rebounders in the league, and always seems to score close to 20 points a game on put backs, post moves, and 12 foot jumpers. He has shown with the Knicks and Warriors that he will not carry a team, nor can he be counted on score at will, but he will have an influence on a game, and I would like to see him on a winning team for once. Carl Landry, as the backup is equally as solid. One of the most underrated player in the league, I was shocked that he didn’t receive a bigger contract as a free agent this season. He is one of the most efficient post scorers in the league, and while undersized, has proven to be a quality defender. The duo of Lee and Landry is probably one of the best in the league at PF.

While the Warriors success depends on Curry’s health, the team can survive without him for a period. That is not the case with Andrew Bogut. As the #1 pick back in 2005, it took him a few years to figure out what kind of player he was. He is not great offensively, but he is one of the best defensive centers in the league. He is strong, can block shots, and patrols the paint well. He can also give 10-15 points a game, and is a solid passer for a big man. Unfortunately, like Curry, he cannot stay healthy over the course of the season. The Warriors traded Ellis to get Bogut because they desperately needed a center (they were rumored at times to trade Dwight Howard for Ellis and others). If Bogut is out for any period of time, this team will struggle mightily. Already not a great defensive team, it will lose its only defensive player. And at backup, Andris Biedrins is very bad. How he is still on this team is beyond me (he gets paid 9 mil), and if he isn’t playing, the Warriors will probably be winning.

In summary, the Warriors team should see massive improvement this year. I think they will be in competition for a playoff spot in the West, although I don’t think they will make it. The team does not play good enough defensive, will have growing pains, and it’s two most important players are injury-prone. Somewhere around 40 wins makes sense to me.

Up next, the Toronto Raptors