Warriors banking on stability over big splash TIMES COLUMNIST October 20, 2005 OAKLAND - We kept waiting for Warriors executive vice president Chris Mullin to make a big splash during the offseason. You know, an encore to his blockbuster trade last February for Baron Davis. We're still waiting. No big trades. No big free-agent signings. No big splash. Not even a ripple. As teams throughout the Western Conference and especially the Pacific Division underwent extreme makeovers, the Warriors stood pat. We've all heard that change is good. But in this case, stability could be even better for the Warriors. At least that's what they're betting. "I think it's important to us because we haven't really had stability the last couple years," forward Troy Murphy said before Wednesday night's exhibition home opener, in which the Warriors beat the Phoenix Suns 108-96. "Guys know their roles. It's going to create a cohesive unit." So little change won't do much for the sale of Warriors game programs, but it could help the team end its 11-year playoff drought. The Warriors coach, Mike Montgomery, is the same as last year. The five starters are the same. The top backups are the same. In terms of roster turnover, the Warriors are clearly the most stable team in the Pacific Division and one of the most stable teams in the NBA. Consider the turnover on the Suns' roster since they reached last season's West finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Continued
