HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Can you believe it?? The season is here, and tonight the Warriors play Portland at the Rose Garden, trying to start the climb back up the Western Conference.

THE ROSTER---Here is a brief look at the Warriors roster, heading into the regular season

Antawn Jamison---recognizing his need to be whatever the team needs him to be, selfish or unselfish, has not played well in preseason

Danny Fortson----shedding rust every day, no pain is great gain for Danny, scored ten per game in preseason

Erick Dampier---ready to start making believers out of doubters, started only 26 games a year ago; shot 44.7% from field in preseason

Larry Hughes---was slowed by sore left foot and it is not clear how much he will play in the early going

Bob Sura---has played better than anyone else in training camp, really distributed the ball well

Mookie Blaylock----Cowens wants to bring him off bench, but may start. (depending on Hughes’ foot) Played 21 minutes a night in the preseason

Jason Richardson---was club’s second leading scorer while shooting a hot 50%, fans should get ready for exciting times watching him fly

Troy Murphy----has been unfazed by transition to pros, averaged nine points plus in the eight preseason contests

Adonal Foyle----offensive game is improved and looks like he may be developing a foul shot

Chris Mills-----struggled with shot, so far, but leadership in locker room has been invaluable

Marc Jackson----progress has been slow with sore calf, but should be in high gear by the middle of the next week

Gilbert Arenas----sprained right ankle has hampered him, but showed quickness when healthy

INJURED LIST

Cedric Henderson----out with left knee tendonitis, is solid defender who is looking forward to challenge of new team

Dean Oliver----out with strained right hamstring, his point guard skills have earned him a spot in the NBA and with the Warriors

TIP-OFF THOUGHTS

A few thoughts in the genre of looking ahead if you will…..

The Warriors would like to get off to a great start, though the schedule makers were not kind as five of the first eight opponents made the playoffs last year. The three non-playoff teams include a very talented Clippers club and a Washington team that has added a certain player that instantly makes them much better.

Health makes wealth. Let’s all hope that for the first time in recent memory, this will be a healthy year for the Warriors.

Youthful zeal has been brought to the roster in the form of three rookies but don’t forget that overall this is a very young team. Young teams will be inconsistent and they will be truly tested by how they bounce back from defeats.

PORTLAND

It’s a grey day in Portland but hopefully it will be better for the Warriors. I’m off to the teams morning shoot around and for those who are interested, the game can be heard on KNBR 680 the Sports Leader, beginning at 6:45pm.

MAILBAG

MJ,
I don’t believe the Warriors have any interest in getting Porter back. As exciting as he was to watch, there will be not be minutes for him on this years team, as well as Chris’ problems off the floor. The fact that he missed his flight to Charlotte, which led the Hornets to waive him shows that he needs to take his professional responsibilities more seriously. Personally, I like Chris and enjoyed watching him play. Thanks for the email.

Jared
representing New York

Jared
Yes, Cummings and Porter were playing better in the preseason but Dave Cowens only has a certain amount of roster spots and minutes. It was obvious that the two were not going to play a lot for the Warriors. Blount was a player the Warriors liked but they had to move him for the same reasons and to get the draft pick from Philadelphia. It was addition by subtraction. Take Care and we all represent New York now.

Otis,
As far as I know this morning in Portland, he will start alongside Bobby Sura.

As I mentioned, I am off to shoot-around and next time, I’ll update you on the first few games.