30 Teams In 30 Days: Golden State Warriors

When healthy, these moves give Golden State a brand new look on the perimeter. The addition of Maggette will primarily put Stephen Jackson back in his natural position, shooting guard, and give the Warriors added size and length on the wing. As far as size is concerned, Don Nelson now has a more conventional perimeter trio to play with.

With that said, Mullin was far from finished improving the team.

Just days after the Ellis signing, center Andris Biedrins was rewarded with a six-year deal worth a reported sum of $62 million.

The foul-prone Latvian put together his best season in 07-08, as he held career highs in scoring (10.5 PPG), rebounding (9.8 RPG), field goal percentage (62.6 percent), and even improved his still-abysmal free throw shooting to 62 percent. That mark certainly isn’t anything to write home about, but when considering the fact that he shot 9.9 percent worse in the year prior, it’s a gigantic step forward.

To add depth behind Biedrins at the five-spot, Los Angeles Lakers free agent big Ronny Turiaf was obtained on a four-year deal, running for $17 million total. Turiaf is known as a good athlete, an exceptional shot blocker, a tough-minded presence, and most of all, one of the most energetic and enthusiastic role players in the game. For proof, look no further than YouTube, where you can find some of the funniest dance routines ever performed by a professional athlete in a public setting.

The club also picked up a similar player in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft, as they selected Alabama forward Richard Hendrix with the 49th overall pick. If you’re not familiar with Turiaf and seek a comparison that you can relate to, look no further than Oakland native Leon Powe, who was ironically also taken 49th overall in 2006.

Simply put, Hendrix goes pedal to the medal at all times, and uses his hustle and upper-body strength to his advantage as often as possible. Minutes may be seldom available for the 6’8’’ bruiser early on, but if/when given an opportunity, you may very well have a Paul Millsap-esque second round steal on your hands.

At worst, he gives you a heck of a lot more than 2006 draft bust Patrick O’Bryant brought to the table.

The real high-upside talent obtained on draft night, however, was 14th overall pick Anthony Randolph of LSU. Like fellow Warrior, Brandan Wright, Randolph possesses a rail-thin frame that looks as though it could be snapped in half by your average NBA forward.

Regardless, his talent level is off the charts. Versatility is his middle name, as the 6’10’’ small forward has the ability to slash, score off the dribble, run the floor, rebound, block shots, and of course, leap with the best of them. The physical attribute that leaves you most in awe, however, is his ridiculous length. Just how long, exactly? Oh, I don’t know… somewhere in the range of a 7’3’’ wingspan and 9’1’’ standing reach.

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