Golden State Warriors - season preview

[Karma]

POINT GUARDS

Baron Davis / Derek Fisher

SHOOTING GUARDS

Jason Richardson / Mickael Pietrus

SMALL FORWARDS

Mike Dunleavy / Calbert Cheaney

POWER FORWARDS

Troy Murphy / Andris Biedrins

CENTERS

Adonal Foyle / Zarko Cabarkapa

FRESH FACES

Ike Diogu/Chris Taft/Monta Ellis​

2004/05 : 34-48, 5th Pacific
Key Addition : Ike Diogu
Coach : Mike Montgomery

Strengths : The Warriors posess one of the most potent backcourts in the NBA. Baron Davis combines with super athlete Jason Richardson to form an almost unstoppable combo. When healthy, Davis is a top 5 point guard, who can break down an opponent in many ways. Jason Richardson utlises his incredible athletisism with his allround game to hurt defenses. Forward Mike Dunleavy is a solid shooter on the perimeter and his game compliments the slashing guards. Power forward Troy Murphy improves every year and is giving the Warriors an inside influence. Off the bench the Warriors get a boost from energetic guard Derek Fisher and defensive swingmen Mickaek Pietrus. Look for a "breakout season for Pietrus. Rookie forward Ike Diogu comes with a big reputation and should see opportunities with the uptempo game that Golden State play.

Weaknesses : Without knowing what rookies Diogu and Chris Taft will bring straight up for the Warriors, I can see Golden State being overpowered somewhat in the paint. Adonal Foyle may be solid defensively, but he hurts the Warriors with his inept offense. Murphy is out muscled regulary which leads him to playing alot from the perimeter. The lack of interior presense creates pressure for Golden State's perimeter scorers to be on song very regulary. Mike Dunleavy has been a disappointment thus far for the Warriors and they need a lift in his game to progress toward the playoffs.

Key Player : Jason Richardson is Golden States MVP, but he cannot carry this team alone. That player who can ease the burden and finally take the Warriors back to the playoffs is Baron Davis. You only have to look at how the team finished last season when Davis come aboard to notice what a difference maker he can be. However Baron has been anything but healthy the past few seasons. Hopefully the new lease of life in Golden State will see him in peak condition and leading the charge with Jason Richardson.

Overview : After watching Golden State fly home after the All Star break behind Richardson and Davis, I can see the momentum staying with the Warriors. With some young talent upfront, GM Chris Mullin may finally have his team looking at the playoffs. He will need Baron healthy and a progression from youngsters Diogu and Biedrins. Dunleavy is in a contract season, which should coincide with a big improvement in his game. A more confident Murphy will become a leader in the front court, whilst veteran point man Fisher will provide a spark. If this all can eventuate I see the Warriors sneaking into the playoffs.

Win Range : 40-45 wins

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

For me, this is a tough team to gauge. They can be a solid 6-8 seed, or be in the cellar of the conference. I suppose it depends on the health of their starters, because their reserves are very weak.

Does Chris Taft look like Darius Miles or what???

 

[James]

Adonal Foyle should be put in jail, for stealing.. that $32 million contract for averaging like 6 points 4 rebounds and like 1 assist a game is repulsive.

 

[cdt]

They have the talent I like their young guys, Biedrins is a nice lookin kid as is Pietrus. Diogu went a little higher then I expected but he lit it up at the summer leaugue, they got taft who fell big time after being projected a top 10 pick, and monta ellis a decent shooting hs'er. Oh and b diddy and j rich is nice too..

 

[PIP]

The key for the Warriors is defense.

If they play halfway decent defense this year (and stay healthy ..MR. BARON DAVIS)

I believe this is a playoff team with right around 45 wins.

They might have the most talented backcourt in the nba with DAVIS and RICHARDSON.

If Murphy can regain the double double form, I reall like this team.

They have 3 pretty decent defenders in
Foyle
Pietris
Fisher

I think Dunleavy should come off the bench for scoring..

Starting 5 should be.

Foyle (Rebounder, shot blocker, defender)
Murphy (Rebounder, double double guy)
Pietris (versatile guy, mainly used as a perimeter defender like newble)
Richardson (Crazy scorer, can average 25 to 30 if he wanted too)
Davis (Nice PG can get you 17-22ppg a night, must remain healthy if this team is going to have a shot)

These 5 should round off a nice 10 man rotation for the Warriors.

Fisher
Dunleavy
Cheaney
Biedrins
Diguo

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I like B Diddy and J Rich, but they need more than that to make it out West. The Cavs should sweep them this year.

 

[West Remy]

If Baron Davis stays healthy and continues where he left off last season, he could contend for best PG in the league. I started watching more Warriors games after the Baron came aboard and it was like watching a totally different team. Their depth is impressive. They can cycle guys in and out of the game to keep the energy and pace high at all times.

This video best sums up the pre-Davis Warriors and the post-Davis Warriors. The difference is like night and day.

Kblaze-WarriorsTwo

 

[TruBuckeye22]

to me this is a team that has talent all over the place but like Karma mentioned does have a hole in the middle. still many teams in the league have that problem so they should win games. i don't want to put these guys as a lock for the playoffs just yet because they still have to learn how to win but they could be a 7 or 8 seed if all goes right.

 

[TJ_4_CV31]

With Baron Davis at pg, Jason Richardson at sg, and Ike Diogu at pf, the Warriors are only and impact center away from being contenders in the west. Baron Davis is as talented as any player in the league. He is Tim Hardaway 2000....plus hops. Davis has the ability to carry this team to the playoffs on the strength of his brilliant all around play. However, playoff success is a burden carried by more than one man's shoulders. A defensive presence in the middle and a low post scorer on offense is what an effective center would bring to this team. Adonal Foyle?......Aluminum Foil.

 

[cdt]

They have Biedrins who is in sophomore season coming in he looks really good, solid shooter nice post moves he looks to be an all star for a decade or so.

 

[Karma]

Foyle is important to this team right now. He may have a ridiculous contract, but his interior defense is vital with this bunch. However he hurts this team somewhat with his non-existent defense. Mullin will be praying that either Diogu, Taft or Biedrins works out.

 

[West Remy]

Biedrins has a nice mean streak to him. I bet Golden State has higher expectations for him than most non-Warrior fans think. I bet the same way Detroit wants Darko to step up and dominate is the same way Biedrins is being viewed (hate to use the word "potential" but yes, it's similar).