Golden State Warriors 2009-2010 Preview

By General
for NBA-Basketball.org

Published: October 25, 2009

Background of 2009-2010 Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have made it to the playoffs only once in the past 15 years, but have gained much popularity playing a brand of Nellie Ball where every single conventional rule of basketball is broken. Last year though, their defense was the worst in the league, not only in terms of points allowed but in terms of being out-rebounded by a difference of around 5 boards per game. They also suffered alot of injuries and consequently ended up missing the playoffsby quite a maring. This year has gotten off to a rocky start with team leader and captain Stephen Jackson asking for a trade, and the Franchise player (if we can call him that) Monta Ellis making demands and negative proclamations before having even played a regular season game. The bright side is the addition of sharpshooting rookie Stephen Curry, and back to back records being set in the summer league by two up and coming players Anthony Morrow and Anthony Randolph. This will be another season full of chaos, turmoil, controversy, and above all FUN. (For the neutral fans at least)

Warriors additions in 2010

Devean George

Stephen Curry

Acie Law

Speedy Claxton

Warriors departures in 2010

Jamal Crawford

Marco Bellineli

Rob Kurz

Marcus Williams

Probably Starting Lineup for the 2009 2010 Golden State Warriors

PG – Monta Ellis
SG – Anthony Morrow
SF – Stephen Jackson
PF – Anthony Randolph
C – Andris Bierdins

Golden State Warriors Guards

Last season was quite tough for Golden State at the guard position. Baron Davis had left town to join the Clippers, and Monta Ellis was suspended for most of the season. This year the possibilities must be quite exciting for Don Nelson. Jamal Crawford is gone, and so is Marco Bellineli but Monta Ellis will be healthy in addition to Stephen Curry. For those who don’t follow the NCAA and have never seen Curry in action, you will be in for quite a treat when you watch him in action under a free flowing Nelson offense. Acie Law and Speedy Claxton have also been added this offseason, but they won’t see much playing time barring an injury.

Anthony Morrow is a player that alot of people will have their eyes on. Last year he led the league in 3 point FG% with 47% accuracy, and this is on a hectic Nelson offense where shot quality isn’t always at the highest. In his second years he will have to play at his top level to get take away some minutes from the sheer amount of guards on this team – currently he is projected to be the starting shooting guard but no one knows how long that will last.

Golden State Warriors Forwards

A lot of people expect Stephen Jackson to be traded in the near future, but for now he is the starting small forward for the Warriors and the main leader of an otherwise disconnected and frantic team. Kelenna Azubuike is deemed to be the main backup at the small forward position despite being only 6’5. Azubuike is strong enough to guard some small forwards, and has decent all around starts that given a S-Jax departure, should give Don Nelson some breathing room. Devean George was also acquired this summer, and will be one of the most experienced players on this team.

Correy Maggete will be the starting power forward at the beginning of the season despite a 6’6 frame and no real experience guarding opposing power forwards. But in the world of Nellie ball, that’s just a mere detail. Anthony Randolph is sure to start at the power forward position when he comes back from injury. Randolph was the talk of the Vegas Summer League when broke the record for most points in a game. But this player isn’t a one game wonder by any means, last year as a 19 year old rookie he averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds when he started games. This season many pick him to be the Most Improved Player of the Year. Ronny Turiaf will be on hand to do the dirty work and Brandan Wright is another player the Warriors will hope will turn into something great.

Golden State Warriors Centers

Andris Bierdins suffered a slight injury last year that saw him miss a month of action at a key stage of the season, but when healthy Andris Bierdins is a stat monster and an excellent fit to this young team. A perfect center in Nellie’s system should probably be able to shoot the 3 pointer, but his 60% FG percentage makes up for his lack of range. He’s also a long and agile player and if it wasn’t for his rebounding ability, the Warriors would be in an even worse rebounding deficit than they faced last year. Mikki Moore will be on the sidelines putting in limited minutes when Turiaf and Bierdins are in foul trouble.

Best Case Scenario for the Golden State Warriors

If it was any other team, I would have denied this team any chances of making the playoffs and called it a day. But in the Golden State the saying is “We Believe” and a never say never approach would be the wisest. Players like Ellis, Curry, Morrow, Randolph, Bierdins all have huge upsides and if Nelson has another spark of Genius within him left, then this team could one-up its very own biggest playoff upset ever achievement.

Worst Case Scenario for the Golden State Warriors

Too many things have to go right for the Warriors to make the playoffs, and the fact that their two main players that ought to lead this team don’t look like they can play the part. The Warriors will probably have to trade away their key piece of Stephen Jackson for something of less value and the season will go downwards from there.

Warriors 2010 Outlook

The Warriors should finish 10th in the West and be quite an arm’s reach away from the playoffs, but this won’t spell a gloom future for the young side. The Warriors are one of the youngest and potentially most skilled teams in the association. Warriors management will hope that their young players progress as expected, and then a couple of moves in the 2010 offseason could take them all the way to legit contenders in the playoffs. Sure, veterans and a solid leader would have helped speed up the process, but nothing always according to plan – especially out in Golden State. Overall, not such a bad outlook for a team who’s only made the playoffs once in the last 15 years.

Golden State Warriors 2010 Predictions

Record: 34-48

Surprise Player: Anthony Randolph and his escalation as a star in this league.

Key Player: Stephen Jackson and whether a) he plays like a leader or b) gets traded for something of value to the Warriors.

That wraps up the Golden State Warriors 2009-2010 season preview and our detailed look at the Warriors in the 2010 NBA season.

Author:General

General has written 38 articles for us.

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