30 Teams In 30 Days: Golden State Warriors

2007-2008 In Review

Record: 48-34
Western Conference Seed: 9

Summer Of 2008

Key Additions: Corey Maggette (via free agency), Anthony Randolph (via draft), Marcus Williams (via trade), Ronny Turiaf (via free agency), Richard Hendrix (via draft), Anthony Morrow (via free agency - undrafted rookie).

Key Losses: Baron Davis (via free agency), Matt Barnes (via free agency), Mickael Pietrus (via free agency), Patrick O’Bryant (via free agency), Austin Croshere (via free agency).

“B-Diddy” got his money; $65 million over the course of five years, to be exact. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on which way you look at it), it wasn’t from Chris Mullin and the gang, but rather back home in Los Angeles from the Clippers.

Interestingly enough, forward Corey Maggette opted out of his contract, had his rights renounced by the Clippers, and packed his bags to go the opposite direction by signing a five-year, $50 million deal with the Warriors.

After that inadvertent free agent switch-a-roo, containing the loss of Davis, it was time for the club to make sure that they had themselves a point guard.

With that in mind, the contract of Monta Ellis was extended for six years, making the budding star guard approximately $67 million richer. Whether or not Ellis can learn to run an efficient offense and create for others in varying situations remains to be seen, but after a breakout year of 20.2 PPG, five RPG, and 3.9 APG on a 53.1 percent shooting clip, it’s more than worth the experiment...

If only Ellis could avoid the temptation of riding a moped.

Shortly after signing the aforementioned lucrative contract, the 22-year-old stud damaged his ankle in a moped accident back in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Ellis was diagnosed with a Grade 3 high ankle sprain, a torn deltoid ligament, and a syndesmosis disruption of his left ankle.

Furthermore, Ellis felt the need to lie to the organization about the incident by telling them that the injury occurred while he was “working out.” Disciplinary action is yet to be taken, but one is inevitably forthcoming.

The worst part of the whole ordeal, however, has nothing to do with putting himself in physical danger or lying to the organization. It’s that Ellis will be forced to miss the next three months of action, which may very well ruin the team’s postseason hopes.

It’s probably safe to say that Monta won’t be taking up any extreme sports next summer.

Back to basketball.

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.

Once again, like Wright, Randolph may need a fair amount of time before a consistent spot in the rotation can be handed to him, but as long as he can add some muscle and work his butt off, you may be looking at some legitimate star qualities a few years down the line.

Are we done? Not quite.

To cap off the long list of offseason acquisitions, the Warriors sent a conditional first round draft pick to New Jersey in exchange for ripe guard Marcus Williams. Since being drafted 21st overall by New Jersey in 2006, which seemed like an absolute steal at the time, the former UConn Husky has struggled to find himself a meaningful role. For a playmaker as highly touted as Williams once was, his early career struggles have surprised many followers.

It is possible that, like many cases of untapped potential, all Williams needs is a change of scenery and a fresh start. With Monta Ellis sidelined for roughly the first two months of the season, it is now Williams’ chance to shine. Opportunities will be given. Now, it’s all about taking advantage of them and getting his career on track. There should be no excuses, as there couldn’t be a better on-court fit for the 22-year-old facilitator than a Don Nelson offense.

Depth Chart

C: Andris Biedrins / Ronny Turiaf
PF: Al Harrington / Brandan Wright / Richard Hendrix
SF: Corey Maggette / Kelenna Azubuike / Anthony Randolph
SG: Stephen Jackson / Marco Belinelli / Anthony Morrow
PG: Monta Ellis* / Marcus Williams / C.J. Watson

Biggest Strength

Style: “Nellie Ball,” as everybody likes to call it, is a tough style of basketball to disrupt. In fact, it does the majority of the disrupting with its high octane offense and constant mismatching. In order to stop this team from scoring, you’re going to have to get twelve players with the speed of Jamaican phenom Usain Bolt, with varying sizes to contain the Warriors’ transition game and be alert for close-outs at all times.

Of course, the system is far from flawless, as it often has a tough time conserving energy for both ends of the floor and has trouble containing physically imposing post threats, but Golden State’s 2007-2008 league leading 111.03 PPG clip is no joke.

Biggest Weakness

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