NBA TV Preview

After Golden State’s playoff drought extended to 12 seasons (the NBA’s longest) in 2005-06, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin decided to call upon the man who last led them to the postseason, Don Nelson – his old coach - to replace Mike Montgomery as head coach.

The second-winningest coach in NBA history, Nellie presided over the celebrated Run TMC era in Oakland, and indicated at his introductory press conference that he hoped to reclaim its glory, saying he returned because “some real good friends asked me… if I would come back and get back some of the magic that used to be here, when this arena used to be rocking."

Considering Nelson’s proclivity for an uptempo, smallball style, expect him to rely on his collection of perimeter talent, headed by starting backcourt Baron Davis and Jason Richardson. Davis once again posted good numbers (17.9 ppg, 8.9 apg), though he missed 28 games due to injury. Richardson has continued to improve to the point where he may well be the league’s most underrated player, as well as one of its most crowd-pleasing. The acrobatic 6-6 guard had career highs in points (23.2 ppg) and three-point field-goal percentage (.384), while shooting a respectable .446 from the field, matching his career best.

The backcourt reserves offer plenty of potential: athletic Mickael Pietrus has shown flashes of strong play, but needs consistency; guard Monta Ellis opened a lot of eyes with his play as a rookie straight out of high school; free-agent signee Dajuan Wagner could offer scoring punch if he is recovered from his string of devastating injuries.

Both starting forwards seem to fit the Nellieball style as well. Mike Dunleavy's varied skills make him a candidate for a point forward role, while Troy Murphy has produced a double-double in each of the last two seasons while playing inside and out. Devin Brown, acquired in a trade which sent Derek Fisher to Utah, provides yet more athleticism off the bench.

The roster’s biggest question marks are once again the interior players, and it will be interesing to see how – or even if – Nellie decides to deploy these pieces. Adonal Foyle brings shotblocking but little else, youngsters Ike Diogu and Andris Biedrins are promising but unproven, and rookie Patrick O’Bryant is a project who will miss the start of training camp with a broken foot.

All in all, the question which will decide if the Warriors might be able to vault over several teams into the Playoffs in the West is whether Nellie can concoct enough offense to overcome obvious weaknesses of rebounding and defense.
-- Mark Haubner

2006-07 Warriors Mini-Plans

Davis

Baron Davis was the toast of the town after leading Golden State to an 18-10 record to finish the 2004-05 season, following his acquisition via trade from New Orleans.

Those good feelings evaporated with the Warriors’ playoff aspirations in 2005-06. Although Davis averaged nearly 18 and 9 from the point guard position, his shooting percentages were down and his relationship with Montgomery appeared to deteriorate right along with Golden State’s season.

Nelson’s freewheeling style would seem to be tailor-made for Davis, who goes up and down the floor with the strength and speed of a top NFL running back when at his best.

One thing that’s certain is that, if the Warriors are to succeed in ’06-07, they need the Baron Davis who was the team leader in ’04-05, and not the brooding enigma of ’05-06.
-- Mark Haubner

X&O STRENGTH

Nelson

The players felt they were under wraps by Montgomery. Things were too tight. In college, the more control you have as a coach, the better off you are. That’s not how the NBA functions. Nellie’s first priority will be to instill the up-tempo speed game, and then when they get around to it, will play defense. He will create a whole different feel there because he brings with him his previous success.

X&O WEAKNESS
The question is whether Baron Davis is in good enough shape to run the show. If he is overweight they can't run like they want to.

HEAD COACH PHILOSOPHY
Nellie will say, ‘you show me what you can do and I’ll let you.’ The offensive atmosphere will change drastically. Defense will be a byproduct.
-- Don Casey (courtesy of the National Basketball Coaches Association)

Their strength will be coaching and potentially Baron Davis too. I hate putting it on one guy’s shoulders, but if you can get the most out of Davis you’re going to be one of the most feared teams out there. If he is healthy and ready to roll, then you have a very deep team and a very athletic team.
The way to stop them is to slow them down and make them worry about back-door cuts, and back picks…Defensively they lose a little focus on extended games so if you can get them to slow it down, you have a good chance of beating them.
They’re very athletic, so if you’re not paying attention you’re going to get caught on a lot of quick slips and guys hitting the rim before you know it. Guys like Pietrus and Richardson where you didn’t even see it coming.
If they buy into Nellie, they can be a solid 6-7-8 playoff team if not then they are potential unrealized again.
-- Western Conference Scout

Troy Murphy: Count on Murphy, who is expected to play center this season, to set a career high in threes and to get to the free throw line plenty where he shoots at a high percentage.

Adonal Foyle: Once a decent end of the draft guy in deeper leagues for teams in need of blocks, Foyle will have a difficult time fitting into Don Nelson’s offense.

More fantasy news

Jason Richardson should improve his scoring average for the sixth consecutive season. Baron Davis could put up the best numbers of his career if he can stay healthy. Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy should improve their numbers as well. And with the amount of running this team will do, Don Nelson will go to his bench often, giving Monta Ellis and Mickael Pietrus more value than they held last season. This team just became a lot fantasy friendlier and all of the players I have mentioned are draft-worthy.
-- Guy Lake
Warriors Preview

Play Video

17.9

4.4

8.9

23.2

5.8

3.1

11.5

4.9

2.9

14.0

10.0

1.4

4.5

5.5

0.4

3.8

4.2

0.4

7.5

1.3

7.0

3.3

0.4

6.8

2.1

1.6

5.6

1.2

2.3

- -

- -

- -

9.3

3.1

0.8

2.8

2.1

0.1

- -

- -

- -

Draft

Draft

Trade

Trade

Trade

Free agent

Trade

Waived

23.2

10.0

8.9

1.65

1.62

98.5

(11th)

99.8

(22nd)

.433

(29th)

.457

(20th)

-2.22

(25th)