The off-season is well underway, and people are moving.
The biggest names that were offered to the market this year include the Los Angeles Clippers big man Elton Brand; Washington Wizards Agent 0 Gilbert Arenas; Los Angeles Clipper's highflying swingman Corey Maggette; and Washington Wizards versatile forward Antawn Jamison.
But one name gave every basketball fan in the Bay Area shivers down their spines: Golden State Warriors leader and cornerstone Baron Davis.
Much analysis and reflection came from sports experts, NBA personnel, basketball fans, and perhaps Baron Davis himself, but the truth is, the deal is signed. As Warrior fans, let's put him behind us, as part of that great playoff story of a year ago. Let us look towards the future.
While Arenas and Jamison re-signed with the Wizards, Elton Brand left for the Philadelphia 76ers, which shook the NBA community with surprise.
Maggette, on the other hand, gladly accepted a Warriors offer, bringing offense, speed, and quickness to the already offensie-minded ball club. In addition, energetic big man Ronny Turiaf was hauled over from the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as young point guard Marcus Williams from New Jersey Nets.
Apparently, sources have proven that three-point shooter Maurice Evans will be joining the team, too.
What a busy off-season. Should we start the next season with the current rosters, it is filled with young talents, with a few experienced veteran stars to guide them through the arduous NBA season. Listed below are the current players for the Warriors (in position order):
G: C.J. Watson / Marcus Williams / Monta Ellis / Marco Belinelli
F: Stephen Jackson / Al Harrington / Corey Maggette / Anthony Randolph / Brandan Wright / Ronny Turiaf
C: Andris Biedrins / Kosta Perovic
The reason why I listed the players in G/F/C format is because of versatility. This is one of the reasons why the Warriors can run up and down the court, and beat you with big lineups and small lineups.
However, one thing is evident: the Warriors need a dominant center. And clearly, the Warriors can spare a few forwards.
However, if the regular season started now, would the Warriors be successful? Can they still use their same tactics that defeated Dallas Mavericks a year ago against the newly furnished NBA teams?
Maybe the success will not be immediate (as in the first couple of months or perhaps until All-Star Weekend), but this team can do some damage simply with their freestyle offense.
Reason?
Youth - Speed - Quickness - Offense
But the biggest asset - versatility.
One of the most worrisome tactics that NBA teams face each day are match-ups, and Don Nelson may be the best coach when it comes to matching up various positions. But in order to successfully gain advantage against opponents, your team needs versatile players, meaning players who can play multiple positions—the more the better.
And the Warriors have exactly that.
Let's look at how each player can contribute to the Warriors in the upcoming season:
5 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Safa 11 months ago
hey man, good article. couple of things i'd like to mention:
It's highly unlikely that Marcus Williams will be starting at PG. He is still too raw to run the offense. Plus Mully and Nellie have stated the Ellis will be the starting PG. While i take their word with a few grains of salt, they probably intend that to be the case.
At last report, the starting line-up (according to Mully-Nellie)
Ellis
Jackson
Magette
Harrington
Biedrins
That's right, Jackson at the TWO. This may vary according to match-ups, but i think this gives us two ballhandler/ passers in the backcourt, which is essential for a team without a true starting point.
Also, Magette is VERY consistent. I'm not sure what you're talking about. Perhaps you're thinking of his benching pouts, but that was very much because of the Clipper's coach, Dunleavy Sr. He is one of the most efficient scorers in the league (top ten i believe), gets to the line 3rd most in the league, and will flourish in Nellie's open-court system.
again, nice article.
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isaac narell 11 months ago
i agree that marcus williams will probably not start all the time, (though i am sure he will start at some point in a nelson matchup scheme).
anthony randolph plays more like a guard than a pf.
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Khalid Shakran 11 months ago
I'm sorry but Corey Maggette in Nellie's starting five will NOT be left out. He's probably the most fit along with Monta Ellis in the Nellie system; Nellie won't let him sit on the bench because of M-Will. Plus Will is not in shape to play the point in the run-and-gun system quite yet. He has to probably learn a lot from Nellie to be able to be starting pg, which I doubt he'll be.
Just like Safa mentioned, this is going to be the starting lineup: Monta, Jack, Magette, Al, Dre.
But good article though, I like your analysis.
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Jake Perper 11 months ago
i like the article Chris Mullin is a solid GM
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Don Cabreana 11 months ago
I agree with the other comments about williams. Nellie states he will change his coaching style, but don't count on that sticking. If you remember his first stint with the W's he would play Grayer or Higgins at the 4 instead of a young Ty Hill. Only reason I mention this is that he goes for what he has seen before, so I think that the major minutes will be with the returning starting 4 from last year, replacing BD's minutes with Maggette. If you watch the summer league games, you might notice that neither Wright or Randolf really know how to play defense yet. They will get some minutes, and so will Belinelli, but with Buke re-signing, look for a lot of small line-ups. Nellie believes if a big can't play D, he might as well put a guard out there; a good small man will always beat a good big man.
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