Golden State (and the Los Angeles Clippers) has had the most active off-season. While I don't think any of it matters, as I think Golden State is in a battle with Denver for the 9th best team in the Western Conference (Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Jazz, Trailblazers, Rockets - assuming Yao and TMac are healthy, Suns and Mavs are almost play-off locks in my mind, unless someone suffers an early season-ending injury or someone like Deron Williams, Dirk Nowitski or Yao Ming just isn't right because of the Olympic grind).
The Warriors, however, have managed to rebuild for the future without becoming a terrible team. Unfortunately, they are in the stacked West.
Moving forward, they have a nucleus of Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and Anthony Randolph with support from Ronnie Turiaf, Marcus Williams and Brandon Wright. I think Randolph, from what I have read, develops into the ideal power forward in a Nellie-ball offense. If Keith Smart goes more conventional, or if Wright really develops, maybe Randolph moves to the three. The real need is a big PG who can complement Ellis, as I still do not see Ellis as a true PG. Winning the lottery and landing Ricky Rubio in next year's draft would be phenomenal and would make the Warriors the most entertaining team this decade and next.
In the present, the Warriors:
Replaced Baron Davis with Marcus Williams
Replaced Azuibike with Corey Maggette
Replaced Matt Barnes with Maurice Evans
and added Anthony Randolph and Ronnie Turiaf
I think the Warriors will be one of the most difficult teams in the NBA to defend, which gives them a chance. They have players at every position who attack relentlessly.
With Stephen Jackson, I think Ellis can play his game and penetrate and kick or score and Jackson can play a little bit of a point-forward role.
I imagine they play long stretches with Ellis, Maggette, Evans, Jackson and Biedrins on the floor, which creates match-up nightmares.
It will be interesting to see who starts at PF and how much Nellie trusts Wright, Belinelli and Randolph.
PG: Ellis, Williams, CJ Watson
SG: Maggette, Ellis, Belinelli
SF: Jackson, Evans, Randolph
PF: Harrington, Wright, Randolph, Hendrix
C: Biedrins, Turiaf
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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1 comments:
Yo Brian, like your piece as a lightweight warrior fan. I worked with you at a USF bkb camps back in the day. Its good to see that you are doing your thang. Check out my blog, widelensonsports.blogspot.com. Spread the word..Aaron
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