It hasn't been the easiest ride so far, Smart.  The honeymoon was over after the loss to Detroit and many are ready for you to get the boot.  I, however, recognize that you are still learning and have little to work with (especially on the bench) and that we've faced some tough teams of late.

Heed my humble offering of advice for beating the Mavs and let's get back on track! LGW

1) Disrupt Dirk by having Adrien muscle, bully, irritate and foul him all night long.  Consider playing big with Adrien, Lee and Beans to start the game, with DWright coming off the bench.  I realize this puts us at a disadvantage at SF but I'd rather Butler be their primary weapon over Dirk.  With Butler, have Lee do his best to make him settle for jumpers.  Also, with this lineup, Lee should be the second scoring option after Curry - more on Monta in a second.

2) Utilize our strengths, have Curry come off screens all game long and tire Kidd out as he chases him thru picks on almost every possession - Curry has the hot hand right now, and setting more screens for him might facilitate more picks and rolls for Lee. Honestly, these two should be leading the league in pick and roll play an with a slow defender in Kidd and poor one in Dirk, this could be the game to kick-start it.

3) Monta rang up and average of 36 the last three games against the Mavs.  They are going to have DeShawn out there to hawk him on defense all night.  Caron will likely be the first help defender.  Exploit this by having Monta be a bit of a decoy - urge Monta to get ten dimes tonight, all off drawing defenses and kicking out.  If curry gets 30, Lee gets 25 and Monta about 20 - that would be a great line for our big three.

4) The Mavs have been winning on the defensive side of the ball these days - so try to lure them into the run and gun style the two teams USED to play - it may limit how effective the defense is

5) If AR or Udoh can play at all, throw them in - it will inspire the squad

It will be a tough one, no matter what, but with the game plan up top - maybe we have a shot.

So, initially I was pretty worried about the loss of depth and key role players during the off season, especially with how much we lost in the trade for Lee. I was for the trade but worried about another year of D-League call ups if we had injuries. However, with the signing of Looouuuuu Amundson I imagine we are done making off season moves (barring a trade for Rudy Fernandez which I’d love to see) and I’m wondering how this roster compares to last season and what that might mean for our record. Obviously, lots is still unknown – but at least we now have a sense of who will make up the main guys on the roster (not going to bother with third stringers too much here – sorry Radman).

A quick compare and contrast, position by position, trying to be objective…

PG – Curry, CJ compared to Curry, Bell, Lin

Slight edge to last season because Lin is an unknown and CJ is better than Bell - could be seen as a draw here though. Curry will be better but at the same time, other teams will be better prepared for him.

SG – Monta, Morrow compared to Monta, Reggie

Edge to this season, Monta will be playing off the ball more and trusting his teammates, and Reggie is a better all around player than Morrow

SF – Maggette, Buike compared to Dorrell Wright, Carney

Toss up. Clearly, Mags and Buike are better for getting buckets, but Wright and Carney may better for success of the team. Jury still out here. I still miss Buike.

PF – Randolph, Wright, Tolliver compared to Lee, Amundson, Wright

Huge edge to this season - this has to count for at least 10 more wins alone

C – Biedrins, Turiaf, Hunter compared to Biedrins, Udoh, Gadz

Slight edge to this season mostly because I expect a better season out of Andris. Like last season, some of the PFs will play C at times as well, and in that scenario choices are better this year as well. I have high hopes for Udoh. He is similar in size to Turiaf but brings a better skill set.

Overall, this year’s team when considered position by position is better than last year’s team. Taken as a whole, however, with more mature players and more willing passers, we are probably about 15 games better than last year. I think a 40 win season is a realistic stepping stone. Let the arguments commence...

Listening to our new team ownership on KNBR got me hyped.  We have a new owner!  He actually has a plan! He won't be content with winning 40 games and packing the arena!

However, I have seen numerous comments on various blogs whine and worry as if Cohan still was running the show.  Some fret over Lee, some for Pargo (inconsequential), and some for the loss of CJ and Morrow.  

It is fine to be critical, but let's not talk about the warriors as doing the "same old thing" as the Cohan days.  This team has been bad for a long time, and heads will roll (some innocent ones too) because that is how rebuilding happens.  Like many, I am tired of rebuilding but I feel much better having new owners leading the effort.  Sure, they will make some mistakes along the way but hopefully these mill be minor. I suggest a moratorium on comments about the Warriors moves as being the "same old Warriors" moves because it suggests that the new ownership is the same as Cohan. 

Give the new owners a chance, let's see who the new coach and GM is, let's see the starting lineup we have get to know each other, let's see if we make a splash mid season or in the next off season before we overreact to any moves they make at the moment (people tripping about pargo? really?)

here is my second effort - thanks for your patience.

Many of us are excited about the Warriors  starting lineup! But how do each of our guys match up against the rest of the West?

Comparing western conference team’s starting lineups by position  - trying to assess our chances for the playoffs.  Ignoring benches, team history and coaching – which I acknowledge hurts my argument.

PGs: Curry, Steve Bake (assume he’ll start for Lakers), B. Davis, Steve Nash, Tyreke Evans, Jason Kidd, Aaron Brooks, Mike Conley, CP3, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Johnny Flynn, Russell Westbrook, Andre Miller, Deron Williams

Analysis: We have great guard in the West.  Some great ones on the decline, some in their prime and some on the rise.  I’d say Nash, CP3 (if healthy) and DWill are the best – but in the next group of three I’d say Curry belongs. So we have a top 5 PG in the West.

SGs: Monta, Kobe, Eric Gordon, JRich, Francisco Garcia, Caron Butler, Kevin martin, OJ Mayo, Marcus Thorton, Manu, JR Smith, Wesley Johnson, James Harden, Brandon Roy, CJ Miles

Analysis: Other than two or three guys, this list is less than impressive.  It is odd how much better the PGs are than the SGs in the West.  Putting this list together made me value Monta more too. I know his turnover and efficiency numbers are a mess, but I think with the team improving around him we will see improvements to these numbers.  I’d say Monta is behind Kobe and Roy clearly, and battling two or three guys as the third best SG in the west – similar to Curry.

However, and this key - our backcourt has two high quality guards compared to other backcourts (most of them have either a great PG OR a great SG).

SFs:  Dorrell Wright, Ryan Gomes, Ron Artest, Hedo (assuming Grant comes off bench), Omri Casspi, Shawn Marion, Ariza, Rudy Gay, Peja, Alonzo Gee (who?), Carmelo, Corey Brewer, AK-47, Durant, Batum

Analysis: Pretty good list.  Clearly, our guy is pretty low on this list based on his production so far.  However, some of these guys are too one dimensional and our guy may be a more well rounded player – good at everything, great at nothing.  Durant, Carmelo are obviously the best SFs in the west.

PFs: David Lee, Griffin (my pick for ROY), Pau, Channing Frye, Carl Landry, Dirk, Tim Duncan, Al Harrington, Kevin Love, Jeff Green, Aldridge, Al Jefferson, Zach Randolph, Luis Scola, David West

Analysis: Even with Boozer and Amare splitting town, the PF position in the West is still pretty impressive.  Despite that, I put Lee in the top 4 with Duncan, Dirk, Pau.   However, Love, Griffin, West, Jefferson – all guys who, if they have a great year, could also be a top 5 PF in the West.  

Centers: Biedrins, Kaman, Bynum, Robin Lopez, Dalembert (until Cousins takes over), Tyson Chandler, Brad Miller (assuming Yao too hurt), Marc Gasol, Okafor, McDyess, Darko, Nene, Nenad Kristic, Oden, Okur

Analysis: I miss the 80s.  Where have all the true centers gone? Oh well, if everyone here stays healthy (a big if with this group) I think Oden is the best Center.  If our guy is healthy he is better than about half this list.

Overall analysis: Looking at the starting lineups for teams in the West I think our team is one of the best in terms of 1-5.  Three guys who are in the top five in their position, two guys who are pretty good. Other teams that seem solid in the 1-5 spot include Portland, Lakers, Mavs, Thunder. Lots of teams that made the playoffs have big question marks at one or two positions.

 

Bonus analysis: In years past, we’ve begun spent the off season asking multiple IF questions – “if a, b, c, and d happen we make playoffs”.  This season, I think we have only two big Ifs that will determine if we make the playoffs – IF Beans can be as healthy and productive as he was a couple years back, and IF we get better as a defensive team.  I have faith that Monta and Curry will work fine together, and that Monta will be better with better teammates.  I have faith that D.Wright will bring not only defense but have his best year in terms of ppg.  I have faith that Curry and Lee will be one of the best pick and roll duos in the league.  Looking back at the two IFs I listed – I can’t speculate on the first one.  As for defense – I see reasons why we might improve.  Lee is a scrappy guy who loves to be told what he can’t do – he always answers his critics. Plus, two reasons why his defense suffered in NY was the style of play and the fact that he was guarding Cs more than PFs.  Most nights his defensive help was Al Harrington - ouch. Curry can be a decent defensive PG and he has worked hard to improve in this area – Monta can also play decent defense when he chooses to.  Neither will ever be great defensive players, of course.  Wright is a huge improvement over Maggs in the SF spot with regards to defense.  Udoh is a good defensive player as well  -we haven’t had a scrappy big defensive player who can guard 3-5 in a long time.

It sure is nice to have only two big Ifs as opposed to the norm in our off season of about 4 or 5 Ifs!

Multiple teams are bidding for LeBron, most hope to land LeBron and another big name.  This means some teams are going to be left in the lurch.  Obviously, some will be happy to "settle" with Wade, or Stoudamire.  How will it all play out?  Most importantly, how do the Warriors benefit?

Predictions:

LeBron in Chitown with Bosh - and soon after, a title.

Wade stays in Miami and Stoudamire joins the nontaxable income too - Beasley somehow ends up with Warriors as a SF? hmmmm.

NYC gets Joe Johnson and try to convince NY fans he will be the savior  (somehow, they don't buy this)

Boozer is a mystery - I think he'll resign for the Jazz though - but maybe Nets get him. I get a feeling the other top agents don't want to play with him - he may not be one of the cool kids. If Nets get Boozer and Rudy Gay - watch out.

Dallas keeps hope alive and resigns Dirk Diggler - they lose in first round again.

Warriors will benefit if somehow Boozer and Dirk end up back East.  If Joe Johnson stays in ATL then we have a shot at Childress being open to returning to the Bay. any other ways they might benefit?

your thoughts?

Well, tomorrow we will find out if the basketball gods have granted us a top pick in the NBA draft.

Like all gods of lore - the bball gods are a fickle bunch - we've had chances at great picks in years past only to fall short.  In years when we did have a top pick - pickings were slim.

This year we have karma on our side - Team up for sale (finally!), epic year of injuries in the past season, golden boy curry that the NBA are eager to market, Nellie is all time winningest coach but still no HOF, and the best fans in the NBA!

But we, as the great fans we are, must pull out all the stops in the rabbit foot department.  What will you do tomorrow to help improve our chances?

I plan to drink coffee out of Warrior mug in morning and beer out of warrior pint glass at night, wear all the warrior gear I own, play hoops with my son using our mini -warrior ball, watch highlights from last season, and pray to the late great Franklin Mieuli (late Warriors owner) to help us get a team so he can bring us a championship in death like he did in life.

Your plans?

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of LeBron.  We are all witnesses to someone who at the end of his career will arguably be the greatest player of all time.

When he gets his $$$$ next year in NY or elsewhere after bringing a title to Cleveland this year, and he gets a wing man like Jordan had Pippen - how many titles will he get? Oh, and he will do it this year - as you heard him say - It's bizness time.  (they need to play the Flight of the Concords song whenever he says this on TV)

watching him toss up half court threes like free throws and simply have his way against the Bulls- scary.  I watched Jordan's whole career and he dominated too - but he did it with a rage and fury - LeBron just looks at ease doing it.  Saw him live and close up against the dubs this year and, in person, it looks even more like he is just toying with guys. that might have been the comp though.

So, if he plays another 12-15 years, how many titles? Is it good for the NBA?

During Jordan's reign the NBA flourished financially, but it sucked for teams like the Magic, Cavs, Suns, Jazz, Knicks, and others trying to get titles.  Was this a good thing or bad thing if you are just a fan of the game?

Looking into the future - many young teams look impressive and ready to take over the spots held by suns, celtics, spurs and others.  Hopefully the Warriors will be one of them.  But if the stars align finally for the Warriors and we build a playoff team under new ownership - and we somehow make it to the finals against LeBron - could we (or the thunder, or another western future power) end up being the Suns of the 80s?

Obviously, based on our history - this would be a huge upgrade.  Taking Warriors out of conversation - is King Jame's Reign good for the NBA?

Bored with the lack of noise from the Dub’s front office.  Well, me too!  So, in response in part to the Nate VS Monta post, I wondered about who else our players stack up with or are comparable to throughout the league.  Below is a list of Warriors and those I deem their counterparts in terms of production, potential, style of play and overall value.  I’m also denoting which is the better player – but also looking to pair close matches.  For example, in my first example, Roy is better than Ellis, but in my book they have similar value – with Roy having a slight edge. Didn't look at stats - I'm bored but not that bored.

Ellis < Brandon Roy (but this year may show them to be equals)

SJax < Artest (this was tuff – Jax is such a unique entity)

Randolph < Odom (for the moment) – I also considered putting Shawn Marion here

Anthony Morrow < Rip Hamilton

Curry < Bibby

Biedrins < Bosh

Kelenna Azubuike >Jarret Jack

Maggette < Richard Jefferson

Wright < Tyrus Thomas

Turiaf > Etan Thomas (its not just the dreads)

Devean George =  The dearly departed Thunder (will we get a new mascot?)