30 Teams In 30 Days: Golden State Warriors

Leadership: The Warriors are absolutely loaded with freak athletes and admirable talents, but do they have a leader? Stephen Jackson certainly has proven to be a great energizer and emotional leader, but does this team have that teacher… that mentor… that guy to rely on to put the team on his shoulders down the stretch of games? After the loss of Baron Davis, I’m not so sure it does.

X-Factor

Growth: If the Warriors are going to have any shot at maintaining a respectable record and reestablishing themselves as a Western Conference playoff threat, the team’s youth is going to have to take steps forward and begin to make names for themselves. Could it be Marcus Williams, who should be presented with the make-or-break opportunity of his career as a result of the injury to Monta Ellis? Could it be Brandan Wright, who may weigh 102 lbs. soaking wet, but has enough talent to have been in the discussion as a top three draft pick in early 2007? Could it be a pickup team’s ultimate dream boy, Marco Belinelli, who has shown flashes of potentially being one of the league’s premier long-range snipers? Maybe it’s C.J. Watson, who “Nellie” recently noted had the starting point guard job to lose, or maybe Andris Biedrins becomes more of an offensive threat. Heck, maybe it’s the versatility of Anthony Randolph that evolves into a difference maker sooner than we all expect.

Whatever the case may be, one or two of these youngsters are going to have to take a leap within their development if they want to make a believer out of more than just Jessica Alba in 2009.

What to Expect In 2008-2009

With Monta Ellis out of action until Christmas time, or perhaps even longer, Golden State is going to have a hard time holding a record that is superior to the Portland’s, Dallas’, LA Clippers’, and even the Denver’s of the world. Unless Ellis comes back with a vengeance and absolutely ignites this team’s fire from January to April, the Warriors may be destined for a second consecutive trip to lotto land. Even so, however, they’ll never leave you yawning.

2008-2009 Predictions
39-43
4th in Pacific Division
10th in Western Conference

Tomorrow: Houston Rockets

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?