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The Warriors slump continues and now having lost nine of the last 10 games will start their stretch of games with a LeBron James sighting and games with Phoenix and Utah.

NEW JERSEY
A rugged five game swing over nine days that started with the defending Eastern Conference champs and Jason Kidd. The Warriors had the unusual schedule of playing on New Years Eve which had not occurred in recent memory. The Nets won 88-70 with Jason Kidd scoring 23 and Jason Richardson contributing 16 as the Warriors just did not have the energy going in the fourth quarter.

Security was tight returning to the hotel Rueturs Photo

After the game, the team returned to their New York City hotel anticipating all kinds of traffic problems. However, the trip back into the city was very reasonable and the entire traveling party arrived in time to bring in the year 2004. Security in New York was very tight, as one might imagine and because of the hotel’s location, the team busses had to drop people off, a few blocks away as the streets were already barricaded.

In order to proceed to the hotel, you had to show your room key and only then would New York’s finest allow you to proceed. It was amazing to see how many people actually come to New York City from around the world to celebrate the New Year.

WASHINGTON

Richardson

The mood in Washington was one of anticipation as Golden State would get their first look at Gilbert Arenas in a Wizards uniform. Arenas though, was low key as his injured stomach muscle was not 100%, but that did not deter the Wizards. The hotel in Washington, by the way, is just about the only one in the league where you can peruse Al-Jezera, the Arab’s world version of CNN.

J-Rich had 25 as the Wizards wore down the Warriors led by their talented rookie Jarvis Hayes from Georgia. Hayes had 20 points in the 97-79 Washington victory. Golden State led by five in the third but a 19-4 Washington run closed the third and they never got back in the game.

Eric Musselman pleads his case to no avail in Detroit

DETROIT
On the heels of the first two road games, the Detroit game did not show much promise for a turnaround, but unpredictability is one of the great appealing aspects of sports.

For the second year in a row, the Warriors played one of their better road games at the Palace in Auburn Hills. The team trailed by fourteen with just over four minutes remaining before a 15-0 run gave them a lead with Van Exel’s three point shot.

Detroit regained the lead and the ball with just 30 seconds left and Chauncey Billups drove the lane and collided with Brain Cardinal. Crew Chief Dick Bavetta called the play a charge but was overruled by referee Tim Donaghy who called the play a block and awarded Billups two free throws. Upon looking a replay of the events, it was a very close call, but appeared to be a charge which would have given the Warriors ball and a chance.

J-Rich had a chance to get up and down in Dallas

HOUSTON
In what was an absolute slugfest, the Warriors were outlasted by the Houston Rockets. It was not a pretty game and let’s just say I am not a fan of their style of play.

In a game played at a snails pace, the Warriors shot a season low 33 percent from the field and managed to scrape out only 65 points, only one more point than the franchise low. Houston was buzzing about the possibility of Roger Clemons saying “Show Me The Money” to the Astros which came to fruition recently.

DALLAS
In a complete reversal of style, the Warriors and the Mavericks played one of the most entertaining games of the season, but alas another loss. In the up and down game, Golden State shot 8-27 in the fourth quarter, but still had chances in the 105-99 defeat in Texas. The loss marked the seventh straight for the club and meant that all five games on the road trip ended in defeats.

SEATTLE Back home finally and the Warriors snapped their seven game losing streak with a 115-113 overtime victory over the SuperSonics. Cliff Robinson stepped up with a 28 point night and nailed a career high six three pointers in his seven attempts. Ray Allen is quickly emerging as a great all around player and fired in 28 for Seattle. MEMPHIS In a game that the Warriors probably should have won, Memphis beat them in double OT. Golden State had a 10 point lead in the third quarter and held a nine point lead in the fourth up until Clifford Robinson fouled out with 5:17 remaining. This was the turning point in the game. Pau Gasol was not an easy cover the rest of the way and on offense Nick Van Exel did not have his favorite screener at the top of the key. Erick Dampier had an outstanding game with 23 points, 22 rebounds and 7 blocked shots, but with the game on the line missed three key free throws down the stretch.

Cliff Robinson and Richardson had reason to celebrate after the overtime victory against Seattle.

THE ROSTER
Starting Lineup
Mike Dunleavy - - - Had 33 rebounds and 20 assists over five game span

Dampier

Cliff Robinson - - - Scored a season high 28 points, including a career high tying 6 three’s in a much needed victory over Seattle

Erick Dampier - - - One of the best games this year by a center versus Memphis with 23 points and 22 rebounds and 7 blocked shots

Nick Van Exel - - - Tried as he might, he could not hit the shots that would have sealed the game versus Memphis, in the top ten in the league in assists with 6.1

Jason Richardson - - - Without question, the Warriors best player over the past two weeks with 21 or more in five of the last six

Off The Bench

Claxton

Brian Cardinal - - - In Warriors three best efforts over the past two weeks, 15 points in Detroit, 18 versus Dallas and 16 against Seattle

Speedy Claxton - - - Snapped out of slump with ten points, 4 assists and 2 steals against Memphis

Calbert Cheaney - - - 22 points and 13 boards over two game set (Memphis/Seattle)

Mikael Pietrus - - - Constantly first one on the floor and last one off the practice court…working on his game

Murphy

Popeye Jones - - - Healthy for the first time all season and is insurance for big guy play

Avery Johnson - - - Last time on the floor was the home game versus Boston (12/29)

Troy Murphy - - - Out four to six weeks with deep bone bruise and stress reaction in his right ankle

Injured List
Even Eschmeyer - - - In Bay Area, following extended rehab in Chicago, no word on when he returns to the floor

Adonal Foyle - - - Will start practice this week and begin the process of working himself into game shape, the team misses his ability to change the game off the bench

MAILBAG

Improving his defense will keep Dunleavy on the floor in crunch time.

Tim,
I can’t think of any NBA starters not playing in the fourth quarter; if the Warriors coaching staff don’t think Dunleavy can play during the critical periods, then why is he starting? Everybody wants to see Dunleavy do well, but why sacrifice the season and the playoff chances by trying to get him developed? Why not have him come off the bench and go against the other teams’ backups and gain confidence

Mike is a starter because he has earned that right and also because he is a player that the Warriors are depending on now and with a greater reliance for the future. He has not played in the fourth quarter, for the most part, because of his matchups and his defense. Players like Cardinal and Cheaney give Eric Musselman more options and their hustle and defense make them hard to keep off the floor. Mike has always been a slow starter and I think that in the second half of the season we will know more about his game and how much improvement he will show this year.

The return of a healthy Troy Murphy will be a big lift for the Warriors in the second half of the season

Tim,
The Warriors losing streak seems to have occurred about the time of Troy Murphy's return to the rotation. His insertion seems to have had a profound effect on the rotation. We don't see the inspired play by Brian Cardinal and others who were more involved in the team's early efforts. No one seems to want to say anything about Murphy, but do you think that he has had a negative impact on the team? Will it take a while until he is fully integrated back into the team? Thanks for your response. These are issues that you can't really see on TV, hear on the radio, or read into print stories.
Regards,
Dan Toda
San Jose

Dan,
There is no doubt that when Troy was activated the team was 11-11 and working him into the lineup upset the chemistry somewhat. When Cardinal’s minutes were reduced, the Warriors lost their energy guy and one of the league’s most underrated hustle players. Murphy was definitely frustrated with his injury and coming off the bench. He was pressing and forcing things instead of letting the game come to him and he was slated to go back into the starting lineup when his ankle injury flared up. He is now going to be out for four to six weeks and when he returns, the issue will once again have to be addressed and that is why I am glad I am an announcer and not a head coach!

Tim,
Will the Warriors make a trade before the deadline to get a more consistent scorer to help out Nick Van Exel? Do you think Brent Barry would help the Warriors at all?
Chris Caulk

Barry

Chris,
I am not privy to trade talks, but I do know this….Garry St. Jean, Chris Cohan and Chris Mullin will not sit by and just watch. They have proven to be proactive and if the deal makes sense, then they will do it. Let’s face it, the Warriors miss Murphy’s scoring somewhat and I also believe that Van Exel is not 100%. When he gets healthy, we will see a different player. Brent Barry can help any team with his excellent ball handling skills, his size and his deadly accuracy. He has always been one of my favorite players and I do know that he is a player that would love to come back to the Bay Area and play for the Warriors.

Tim,
I have a suggestion for a minor trade: Calbert for Kenny Anderson. Indy can use a shooting guard, and Calbert would be a nice addition to a good team.

Anderson

Anderson would give the Warriors cover when NVE or Speedy are banged up and would let the coach use two point guards at the same time without burning out Nick or Speedy. It would also give Pietrus a few more minutes. Also, Cliff can slide over to small forward sometimes, which could put some more minutes in the forward rotation when Troy comes back.
Thoughts?

I am not a big Anderson fan and I think you’re trading one of your best defenders for a guy who has never had a great reputation. I think if you trade Calbert at this point, it’s either for a young player or in a big package for a star player. Thanks though, as your trade reflected some thought behind it.

Chuck Daly....best dressed in the NBA?

Tim,
Right now, I think the team's management group is as good as it has been in years. The one thing that is lacking though is a senior guy who has been there before, playing a lead role with a winning team. The type of guy that can keep them from making a crucial mistake out of inexperience. Someone that would have the credibility to say "you have floor talent, coaching talent, and front office talent. Now this is how we are going to put it all together to win 50 games every year."

My first thought was Chuck Daly. He is retired, and is old enough that he wouldn't be a threat to "take over". He has worked with Musselman before, and recommended him for this job. He coached Chris Mullin on the first Dream Team. He was the top guy on a championship team in Detroit, and has worked with bad teams too. He already did a short stint as a consultant at Memphis, and I think at Philly as well.

That’s’ a very interesting proposition and one that is worthy of consideration. Chuck Daly is a much respected coach and the relationships that you mention would allow him to work with people that he respects as well. Since you have brought it up, consider it suggested. The other added benefit from having Chuck around is that he would almost automatically become the best dressed man in the front office as he is a legendary clothes horse.

Thank you everyone for the e-mailsand keep them coming!