Warriors season predictions!! The big question...playoffs or not? I think they will make the playoffs. I think the Warriors are going to be amazing next year. Baron Davis will and has already had a Nash-like impact on the team (not as many assists but he runs the floor well). I think Davis's assists will go up (7-13apg) and scoring will probably drop(15-18ppg). But afer seeing they're 8 game winning streak near the end of the season I have faith that the Warriors won't disappoint this year. Make the playoffs, probably an early playoff exit but that's still an improvement that they can build on.
In East, I believe we have a realistic chance to clinch home court in PO. In West, nothing is certain. Only thing I can say is that Spurs, Dallas and Denver will make PO, because they are deep enough to take number of key injuries and still make POs, and NO and Portland probably won't make PO. Other than that, it will be a battle from the beginning to the end. Phoenix: They came from nowhere to clinch no. 1 spot. But, they can easily flamed out with couple injuries as well. They are basically 7 men deep team, and we know what happened when Nash was injured briefly. They were fortunate last season, because none of their starters suffered major injuries, but if that happens... Seattle: They also came from nowhere without making any roster change. However, they have 6 FAs to deal with, so they will change considerably. Houston: Although they have some holes, they will probably make PO barring from major injures from either TMac or Yao. Sacramento: They deals with major injuries like a daily chore and still successful, so there is no question that they are deep. It's just that I think they lost something intangible by trading Webber, and they just didn't improve much when teams around are improving rapidly. Of course, they will naturally improve when they are healthy, but what's the chance of that? Memphis: Again, it's not much of what they lost, but it's more of them being stagnant while teams below them are improving. Minnesota: So far, they didn't do much, and given their cap situation, I don't think they have much choice to make a move. But, at the same time, it's just hard to imagine that KG and his club will miss PO for second straight time. LA Clippers: Are they stuck? Are they good enough to make 10th pick in lottory, but not good enough to make PO? Especially with not-so-active owner? LA Lakers: I know they had horrible 2nd half. However, with Rudy, they were low seed PO team, which tried to intergrate triangle offense. Now they get better coach with master degree at triangle offense. I think they have the best chance of making PO from the lottory team. Warriors: With Davis, we went 18-10, 14-5 with him starting. So, things do look good for us. However, for some strange reason, we never have good first half for quite some time. And, West is tough enough to bury you to the lottory land, if you have a bad beginning. Utha: In talent wise, I don't think they will make PO. But, I will never bet against Utha, AK 47 and their system, until they are confirmed dead. Still, I think Warriors will fight hard all season and break the drought...
^It may not be as simple as teams not improving while the teams under them improve rapidly.If you think about it,teams that are on the uprise are balanced out by teams on their way down.So far the Warriors and Jazz are on the upswing.The Jazz because they have their health back.Teams like Seattle and Memphis are heading downward. It remains to be seen what changes will be made to certain teams during the offseason.As I see it there are 6 teams in the west that are locked in to make the playoffs.The last two playoff spots are up for grabs between 4-5 teams being the Warriors,Jazz,Lakers,Wolves and Clippers.So the Warriors would need to finish in the top 2 out of these 5 teams,something I think they'll do.With that said,I think the Warriors will make the playoffs and finish no higher than 7th in the playoff standings.
I think that if the Warriors can play like they did near the end of the season, there is no doubt that 2006 will be the year that the GSW break the curse. The Warriors have a young, up and comming team and finally have a legit all star PG as well as a future all star at SG. They have shot blocking, a good perimeter defender, a number of athletic young players and one of the best offensive rebounders in the NBA. I predict the #7 seed for the Warriors.
I think the Warriors are a 5th seed, its hard to doubt them after how good they played when baron came, but the only thing is if baron davis gets injured...that would ruin there chances
This should be a fun year for the Warriors. They have a lot of scoring on their team, tons of advantages in matchups, new added depth to the front court, which makes this front court even better(in my opinion), Pietrus to shut down superstars like Kobe, TMac, Ray Allen, etc. passing in Baron, Jason, Fisher, and Dunleavy, and just an all around solid team that can go up against anyteam(well especially if Taft can play defense in the NBA to give Duncan, Shaq, and whomever else a different look). The somewhat concerns I have for this roster and team as a whole, are on rebounding and post defense(which was addressed in ways through the draft, how they turn out is still unknown); coaching(though a big fan of Mike at Stanford, I still don't know about him with the Warriors); and of course health and injury problems. If the Warriors can matain the boards and keep from being dominated in the post every game, while remaining healthy and having good timely coaching(with time-outs and subs and matchups); then I'd say the sky is the limit for the Warriors this year. The Warriors could easily become the Clippers of last year(such as having lots of injuries) or they could end up like the Sonics or maybe even the Suns next year(maybe stretching it with the Suns, but it could happen). I see next year being a year that will be very enjoyable to be apart of as a fan, for the Warriors. It also on the other end has the possibility of being a little frusterating if their are injuries and unsatisfying coaching going on. But I will say that this season will be very enjoyable and basketball in the Bay Area will come back!! Since it seems as if baseball and football have kind of left lately... I look forward to a Sonics of 04/05, Suns of 04/05, and Kings(2000? or so, when Webber, Peja, Divac, and Williams had their first season) type of a year for the Warriors. I believe they have the talent to achieve that type of success this year at least.
I expect the W's to win around 55%,and make the playoffs. Last season they won over 60% after the big changeover-and that was done making adjustments on the fly,integrating a new PG,giving new roles,more minutes to some able yet raw or rusty players. Monty adjusted from a fairly deliberate style,and a limited rotation to an aggressive running style with most of the roster having a role- though in Shika's case that role was to turn out the lights when everyone has left the lockeroom. Diogu will be an important plus,a productive player with just the things we needed to upgrade. Taft,Ellis may spend time in the NBDL,but one or both could earn a spot,even a role at some point. we figure to have a slot for a budget FA,or an undrafted walk-on. A trade remains possible-and could be a plus,or a setback. The West IS tough. 2 teams we count on beating out for the playoffs are the Lakers and Blazers-who happen to be big spenders with a tradition. Still,we beat most of the heavyweights of the west last year during the surge. As I recall,the Spurs were the only team of note we didn't beat. It looks good.
2005-06 Warriors = #1 rank in the league a la 2004-2005 Phoenix Suns I dunno... so much depends on Baron being healthy. We're not quite the same team unless we have playmakers to set the offensive tone or somebody is driving the ball. Hopefully we have enough team chemistry and understanding of teamwork to score the buckets and play defensively if there are stretches where franchise players are out. Ha I said "defensively"! Good one, Custodian... Hopefully we're all healthy in 82 games that we can still compete, but I'm secretly hoping for some serious "How the hell are the Warriors #1 in the league in wins?"
