The Warriors Might Actually Be Alright This Season ... Or, At Least, Interesting

The simplistic version of Golden State: A man named Baron Davis took a team on his back, made Stephen Jackson sane, found the kernel of truth in Nellie ball, and made them a respectable team in the unforgiving West. Now he’s gone, the team’s squarely in the hands of lightning-quick combo guard Monta Ellis, and decline is imminent.↵
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↵Except that, in the wake of Baron’s departure, Chris Mullin has wheeled, dealed, and put together a team that could end being Don Nelson’s very own Smile -- or his Waterloo. There was the Corey Maggette signing, which would be a slam dunk were it not for the team’s profusion of 2/3s, or the ongoing debate over just how good C-Mags is. Rony Turiaf, an atom bomb of undersized energy in the paint who lives to block shots and shout with joy, sneaking over from the Lakers. And in the last day or so, the trade for the trade for Nets PG Marcus Williams and signing of Maurice Evans. Oh, and the outside chance they’ll match the Clippers offer to Kelenna Azubuike out of sheer spite.↵
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↵What does that leave the Warriors with? For one, no one quite knows what to make of Williams. He dropped like mad on draft night, then occasionally came off as a steal in NJ, then we all just gave up and forgot. However, it’s bizarre to think that Nelson couldn’t revitalize his career, especially if he’s paired with the near-dominant Monta. Brandan Wright has to play at some point, Turiaf can’t help but contribute somehow, and hey, why not bring along Anthony Randolph too fast? Nellie’s always lived to gamble on the court, and this team has kamikaze written all over it.↵
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↵So don’t be surprised if, when the season starts, the Warriors take the floor with Monta, Williams, Jackson, Andris Biedrins and Maggette. Al Harringon is the odd man out, so he’ll rule a second unit that includes Turiaf, Evans, and Wright. This, my friends, will be the pro basketball equivalent of experimental surgery. Or trying to play Jenga once the laws of gravity have ceased to exist.↵