http://warriors.realgm.com/articles/135/20...a_lot_to_prove/ <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Before the start of last season, Baron Davis could have run for mayor in various Bay Area cities and won. But last year didn?t go as planned for Baron and for the Warriors. He hurt his hamstring in the season opener against the Hawks and never really got going all year. He was bothered by nagging injuries, and he was not in great shape. There were rumors that he and coach Mike Montgomery didn?t get along. Just like that, Davis went from being the savior to an overpaid, out-of-shape prima donna. Meanwhile, while all this was happening, Baron watched another fellow point guard, Steve Nash, win his second of back-to-back MVP awards. He saw Chauncey Billups get MVP consideration. In his own division, he watched Sam Cassell lead a lowly Clippers franchise back to the playoffs. He also saw his replacement on the Hornets, Chris Paul, win Rookie of the Year and get named to team U.S.A. for the World Championships. He knows Hornets? fans are counting their blessings with the trade and the draft to get Paul. And you just know that Davis does not like any of it. If he?s not motivated to come back better than ever this season, he?ll never be motivated. Baron is a proud guy. He?s also very confident in his abilities. Deep down, he probably thinks he?s just as good as or better than Nash, Billups, Cassell and Paul. Yet look at where they and their teams are at compared to his situation. Baron is a smart enough guy to know that perceptions can change in an instant. Just like how he went from God-like status to forgotten about in one season, he knows he can turn it around again. There is no hype for the Warriors this season. No one is talking about Baron Davis like they were last summer. Nobody is talking about the Warriors like they were last summer. Baron has now seen both sides of the coin. I can guarantee that Baron wants to have a monster season to prove his critics wrong. I?m sure he?s looking forward to those individual matchups with guys like Nash, Cassell and Paul. But again, Baron is no fool. He knows he can?t do any of that if he?s hurt. And he won?t stay healthy if he?s out of shape. Davis has reportedly lost a lot of weight since last year and is in great shape (but isn?t everybody this time of year?). I hope that?s true. I believe it. Baron realizes that this is personally his most important season. He has a lot to prove to a lot of people. I?ve never been accused of being overly optimistic, but I think Baron will have a huge year. </div>
Baron Davis is one of the better PGs in the NBA, and easily the top 5 (IMO) when he is firing on all cylinders. Chris Paul getting ROY and being on Team USA should be just the tip of the iceberg of motivation for Baron. I expect him to bring the Warriors to the playoffs either this year or the next.
Yeah, it's too bad Baron can't shoot or stay healthy. Even if he was Jason Kidd-like in shooting ability (which is about the same as Baron is now) he needs to tone down the shot attempts and get a pass first mentality and not gamble on so many steals.
Regarding Baron, I'll take the good with the bad. Even with the poor shot selection, gambling defense, and pound-pound-pound, he's still 10 times better than any PG the Warriors have had since Hardaway (unless you consider Arenas a 1). There would be no discussion of GS without Boom-Dizzy.
I hope he can also prove that he can get-along with a coach that, other than Webber, hasn't had too many personal issues with his players. BDiddy and Nellie can both help each other out. First for Nellie, this is probably his last stop and would be icing on the cake that he can come back, after his absence and right the Warriors ship. And for Baron, well, getting back to where he was in the league, and also developing into a real PG. I think Baron working with Nellie is the best thing that could have happened in terms of elevating the W's to the playoffs.
I'm feeling prophetic that Baron will have a career year. There are a lot of young superstars in the NBA that BD will definetely want to show who's still boss; as long as he stays healthy, his skills, pride/competetiveness exude that mentality and hopefully will result in wins.
I think JRich will be right around where he was last year. Baron needs someone to let him roam free and discipline him when he needs it. I don't think Baron and Nellie will have a great relationship but when Baron sees Nellie knows what he is talking about, he'll respect and start to listen. I think he's going to have a good year but not like the end of 04-05. Montay will be a star. I just have the feeling. I'd bet on Murphy somewhat resurrecting his career like in his sophmore year. Zarko is going to be a very good. Tall, ball handler, runs the floor, long arms, tricky shots. Nellie is going to love this kid. Ike-Mini Randolph. Nuff said. Foyle-6 fouls and on the bench. FINALLY! Pietrus-On Nelly's sh*tlist. Biedrins-just a sixth man. Taft-if he can get healthy, quality backup to defend the interior POB-he'll be seeing the bench...A LOT Utah scrubs-uh yeah.
Anyone think Don Nelson will find an undrafted guy for us like Marquis Daniels? Or was that scouting the help of his son, Donnie? If Baron and Nelson have fights over egos, there will be trouble... Let's hope there's enough scorers and shot creators so that Baron can and wants to give up the ball. I don't like the way he overdribbles. It's too much like the way the pre-Yao Rockets played and they didn't get to the playoffs with the guy before Jeff Van Gundy (Tomjanovich) until they finally got something inside. The only problem with Rockets now is they got two good players and not much else and tons of injuries. They need more big men, shooters and not just one good big guy in the paint who shows up in decent stretches before actually dominating the paint in points, rebounds. I'm really hoping Ike is going to shine, because he's capable of being dominant down low on either side of the post with either hand against those guys that get pushed around easily. Anytime he matched up with 6'11 230-240 lbs he punished them.
