2009 NBA Offseason: Golden State Warriors

Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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MISSING
Golden State Warriors (Last Year: 29-53)


Live 2009 NBA Draft Grades:

7. Stephen Curry, G, Davidson
Especially if the Amare Stoudamire to the Warriors trade is legit, then a wing player is a wise choice. He’ll fit it very well with the Warriors’ up-tempo offense. Hopefully Monta Ellis isn’t pouting about Golden State taking a guard though. (Pick Grade: Makes Sense)



2009 NBA Offseason Transactions:
  • Warriors sign C Mikki Moore
  • Cavaliers sign SF Rob Kurz
  • Raptors acquire SG Marco Belinelli from Warriors for SF Devean George
  • Hawks acquire SG Jamal Crawford from Warriors for PGs Speedy Claxton and Acie Law



    2008-09 Season Summary:
    The Warriors were an absolute mess this past season finishing 19 games worse than they did a year ago. Injuries played a major role in their disappointing season as Golden State used an unfathomable 47 different starting line-ups. It’s well known that �Nellie Ball� produces a lot of offense with its up-tempo pace, but the Warriors were absolutely abysmal on the defensive end allowing at least 125 points in a game 13 times. Add in that Golden State was the youngest team in the league this past season, and it is easy to see why the Warriors are in the lottery for the 14th time in the past 15 seasons.





    2009-10 Projected Depth Chart:


    C: Andris Biedrins/Ronny Turiaf/Mikki Moore

    PF: Corey Maggette/Brandon Wright/Antohny Randolph

    SF: Stephen Jackson/Kelenna Azubuike

    SG: Stephen Curry/Devean George/Anthony Morrow

    PG: Monta Ellis/Speedy Claxton/Acie Law



    NBA Free Agents:


    SG Jamal Crawford (PO)

    SG Anthony Morrow (TO)

    PG C.J. Watson (UFA)

    PF Jermareo Davidson (UFA)



    2009-10 Team Salary: Approximately $60.4 million


    2009-10 Expected League Salary Cap: $57.3 million


    NBA Offseason Needs:


    1. A true Point Guard – It is never encouraging when the head coach of your team refers to your starting backcourt as being “like oil and water,” but that is exactly how Don Nelson described his shoot-first guard combo of Monta Ellis and Jamal Crawford. The Warriors have plenty guys who can put the ball in the basket, but what they need is a playmaking point guard who can distribute and does not need to chuck thirty shots a game.

    2. Team Chemistry – I’ll say it again; 47 different starting line-ups in 82 games. 15 players started at least five games. Last time I checked, no NBA team is going to be successful when juggling their line-up that often. Yes, injuries were a major factor, but the Warriors front office needs to find a core group and build around them instead of putting together a roster of athletes with their own agenda. This team has a lot of young, talented players and several who have very reasonable contracts. I would hope Golden State will be actively seeking trades in the off-season to eliminate any �oil and water� chemistry issues.

    3. Someone to play defense – Ronny Turiaf and Andris Biedrins are pretty decent fixtures down low, but the Warriors need a Bruce Bowen-type on the perimeter who can focus on d’ing up the opponent’s best player and not be worried about getting his shots on �O’. Since G-State allowed the most points in the league last season (112 a game) and have all the offensive firepower they need, at least one player who focuses on defense would be nice to have.



    Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
    Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
    All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]




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