(a sorta) League Preview: Golden State Warriors

For Minnesota and New York, it is almost an accomplishment not to be among the sorriest. For many more of these fair to middlin teams, mediocrity is a sad door prize for being yesterday’s team on the rise. Meet the cast of Pacific Division’s second lowliest.


Golden State Warriors

PG Monta Ellis Stephen Curry Speedy Claxton
SG Anthony Morrow Kelenna Azubuike
SF Stephen Jackson Corey Maggette Devean George
PF Anthony Randolph Brandon Wright
C Andris Biedrins Ronny Turiaf

Golden State plays little or no defense, has no true star player, and is basically returning the same cast that went 29-53 last year. They are super small, and yet the have no point guard. On the other hand, the have plenty of guys who can put the ball in the basket, and a system that creates lots of shots.

As crazy as Nellie ball has been through out the years, this current concoction is among the zaniest. Captain Jack understandably has asked out, but if the Warriors’ front office holds tight, he is going to have another huge year playing the classic Nellie point forward. His ability to get folks involved could provide the cover that Ellis, Morrow, Azubuike and the rookie Curry need.

Biedrins is a young center entering his prime who knows the system. He is a top shelf shot blocker, a solid rebounder, and dunks anything around the rim. His back up Turiaf plays with a physicality and energy that make the combo a potentially formidable tandem. The fantasy world is drooling over the potential of an Anthony Randolph unleased. Young Randolph seems to have the skills and motor to be a do-it-all forward. But what do we really know about this cat?

The health of Biedrins, and Nellie’s disposition towards Randolph may well spell the fate of Golden State. Health is something you cannot control. Perhaps the same could be said for Nellie’s disposition. His decades long commitment to perimeter-oriented teams that try and outscore opponents gets harder to admire when he starts playing psych games that stunt his team’s success. He has won a lot of games in this League. But if Nelson blows it with Anthony Randolph, and the kid actually turns out to be good, Warriors fans will call for his head.

If Nellie can get this young team on a roll things could get exciting. More likely, its another sub 30 win campaign in Oaktown.