Golden State Warriors: 10 Reasons for High Hopes for the Next NBA Season
At the start of the season the Golden State Warriors looked like a brand new team.
Keith Smart took over the reins at the head coaching position.
David Lee promised to add much needed size and toughness under the boards.
An Monta Ellis, a newly wed, was showing a lot of the poise and maturity that a team needs from it's best player.
After a promising start however, injuries once again swept in and ruined any chance at a playoff bid.
But there is always next year.
Here are 10 reason to keep hope alive.
David Lee
1 of 10
Forward David Lee had to get used to a new city and a new team when he joined the Warriors this year and that unfamiliarity could account for the dip in his numbers.
Let's face it, learning to play with a guard like Monta Ellis is not an easy thing to do.
Still, Lee added a post presence and rebounding to a team that is usually one of the weakest down low.
More importantly though, David Lee added a new, tough, hard working philosophy to the team.
Now that he is adjusted to the new surroundings, expect Lee to come back next year working even harder to make up for the disappointing season.
Dorell Wright
2 of 10
Dorell Wright would be a front runner for the most improved player award if the Golden State Warriors had only won more games.
Wright has more than doubled his scoring average and is shooting the three ball better than most people in the league, at about a 43% clip.
Wright has stepped up as the scoring threat on the perimeter needed to take the pressure off of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.
Wright is more confident in his game and comfortable in his role with the Warriors.
Wright should be even better next season.
Ekpe Udoh
3 of 10
Ekpe Udoh is a rare sight to Bay Area basketball fans for one reason–he blocks shots.
At 6'10", Udoh is long and athletic and he blocks almost a shot and a half per game.
When he was drafted out of Baylor, with the sixth overall pick, he was expected to provide a defensive presence in the paint for the Warriors.
A wrist injury however kept him sidelined until late December.
Next year will be his first full NBA season and Warriors fans will get a better sense of his potential.
All he has to do is keep up the defense.
The Lottery
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For another year the Golden State Warriors will be a part of the NBA Draft Lottery.
Though their chances of landing the number one pick are slim, they do have a great chance of adding to their core of young talent.
The Warriors gave up over 100 points per game this year so their emphasis should be on improving defense, particularly on the perimeter.
Some body like Kawhi Leonard, Perry Jones, even Kemba Walker, who can pressure the ball and force turnovers would be a big help to the Warriors.
They Know How to Lose
5 of 10
Winning is not easy. Teams need to learn how to do it the right way.
With that said, The Warriors have a PhD in losing.
But it certainly is not from a lack of effort. The Warriors usually blow games because of poor execution and poor decision making.
It was Keith Smart's first year as a coach and injuries to key guys caused issues with the line up.
With all the trial and error however, The Warriors are experts on what not to do.
If they use what they have learned then they will win more games next year.
The Backcourt
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Between the two of them, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry average over 40 points a game for the Warriors.
Ellis has had maybe his most complete season, averaging about 25 points a game, upping his assists to a little over five a game and shooting about 45 percent from the field.
In his second year with the Warriors, Curry is scoring more and shooting better, while also leading the team in assists.
The Warriors back court is one of the best in the NBA, and as usual, they will be the wind that moves the ship next season.
As long as they can both stay healthy the Warriors have a shot at the post season.
Keith Smart out
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Don Nelson is the winningest coach of all time but still, when he retired, it felt like a fresh start for Warriors fans.
Keith Smart, a long time Nelson assistant was hired to take over.
However, this year the Warriors are making the same frustrating mistakes they made under Nelson.
They should step outside the organization and find somebody who was not associated with Nelson and his brand of basketball.
Maybe Shaka Smart or Brad Stevens will be looking for a job in the NBA.
A Winning Streak
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There is no better way to keep the fans interested than winning games.
Right now, the Golden State Warriors have won three out of their last five games.
In their final five contests, they will play four playoff teams, and the Sacramento Kings.
If they can keep it up and continue to compete even though they have no shot at the playoffs, they would end the season on a high note.
A home win against the Lakers on national television would get people looking forward to next season.
No Football
9 of 10
49er fans were so excited when the team hired Jim Harbaugh to take over after the Mike Singletary experiment.
Raiders fans, well, they are always excited for next season no matter what.
However, fans may not be able to get their football fix come the fall and there is no telling when teams will start playing again.
In the mean time, the focus will have to be on the Bay Area's only pro basketball team.
If the people of San Francisco and East Bay get behind the Warriors, like they did in 2007, it could energize the team into a playoff run.
Stephen Curry
10 of 10
Stephen Curry will start his third NBA season next year.
It's surprising to think that Curry is only an NBA sophomore because he plays with the court awareness and swagger of a veteran.
Curry may be one of the most underrated guards in the league and it's time for him to emerge as a superstar.
Next year will be Curry's best year so far and he will lead the Warriors back to the post season.
