Murphy

All was going well for Troy Murphy two seasons ago, when he averaged 11.7 points and 10.2 rebounds in his second season, and appeared on the verge of becoming a force for the Warriors at power forward.

The 6-11, 245-pounder has the size and the muscle to battle foes underneath and an above average offensive game to boot. Unfortunately, he also has the task of coming all the way back from a season lost to a foot injury that limited him to only 28 games last year.

Eventually, Andris Biedrins could step in, and Eduardo Najera is capable of throwing his body around, but Murphy is the team's best bet to offset the loss of Erick Dampier and his 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per night. It shouldn't be too much to expect from a former lottery pick one year removed from a double-double if he's playing at 100 percent.

Richardson

The NBA coaching graveyard is filled with former college coaches, but Mike Montgomery knows the game, has a good staff and inherits some intriguing young talent.

Jason Richardson is the team's top scorer. He needs to improve his 3-point shooting and free-throw percentage, but he is athletic, quick to the hoop and an above average rebounder at the shooting guard position.

Recent first-rounders Mike Dunleavy, Jr., and Mickael Pietrus give the Warriors good, young depth at the wing positions. Dunleavy came a long way in his second season. Though he still has to improve defensively, he is one of the team's best three-point shooters, he gets to the basket and he rebounds. Pietrus might steal some minutes from both Richardson and Dunleavy because he's a better defensive player than both, and in his second season, could make the same leap Dunleavy did a year ago.

Troy Murphy missed all but 28 games last year because of an injury. One year removed from averaging a double-double, his return to health gives the Warriors strength, toughness and rebounding to fill the void left by departed Erick Dampier. Eduardo Najera is a winner who never quits hustling and banging. Eventually, the job probably belongs to first-rounder Andris Biedrins, but the 6-11, 240-pound Latvian is only 18.

The team invested a lot of money in Adonal Foyle, a bit player a year ago. The contract, and the defense, mean he'll get big minutes.

Point guard will be handled by Speedy Claxton and playoff hero Derek Fisher. Who starts and how the minutes are distributed will make for good sports radio fodder.

Dale Davis, Calbert Cheaney and Clifford Robinson are grizzled vets who can plug injury gaps, provide depth and hopefully lead by example as the young core takes its bumps during another season of learning on the job under a new coach. Better days lie ahead.