Golden State Warriors: The Dubs Should Draft SBU's Andrew Nicholson
Coming into the year, Andris Biedrins was supposed to prove himself and prove to the fans and head coach Mark Jackson that he deserves a starting spot. However, he did quite the opposite. Averaging around two points per game, Biedrins has failed to fill a major hole in the Golden State Warriors roster.
Not to mention the Kwame Brown experiment came to a disastrous end with a season-ending injury before he was shipped to Milwaukee.
At this year's trade deadline, the Warriors made a few moves, bringing in Andrew Bogut, Richard Jefferson, and a first-round pick. And while Bogut was a much-needed acquisition at center, the Warriors frontcourt lacks any depth at all, and the best way to fix this gaping hole is through the draft. With the first-round pick acquired from the Spurs, the Warriors could easily find a big man in what is one of the most stacked drafts ever.
One underrated power forward who has really stuck out to me is St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson. After falling down a flight of stairs, Nicholson missed a shot a going to a big-name school and had to settle for the Bonnies. However, Nicholson shined and proved he is more than worthy for a shot in the NBA. Due to the fact that he went to a smaller school, Nicholson isn't known as well as most big men and should find himself be picked in the late first or early second round. If Nicholson is in fact on the board, he would fit perfectly with the Warriors.
Nicholson is a great rebounder and shot-blocker, and his outside came is also quite spectacular. He can hit threes as well as rack up points in the paint. He also loves fast-paced basketball, which is exactly what the Warriors preach.
Nicholson's play could be taken to the next level, especially when he is playing around more studs in Stephen Curry, Andrew Bogut, David Lee, and hopefully Klay Thompson as well.
If the Warriors pass on the big man from SBU, I will be extremely disappointed with the front office. The frontcourt has been extremely disappointing for far too long and with Lee, Bogut and Nicholson filling up the middle, things will change dramatically.
If the Warriors use the draft to their advantage, they could be a real contender in the future.
