Bimbo
Monta
World
Ralph
Manute

Wait, what time is it?

So to go out on a limb and say who will be best 5 next April?
Monta, Maggette, Biedrins, Jackson, Randolph

Monta
Woo
Maggette
Wright
AB

I love this team not for any particular lineup, but because Nellie finally has a wide variety of pieces that let him tear down the other team’s weaknesses. The starting lineup will be similar all year, but the minutes and combinations will vary across the board.

But here are my key points.

1. For Monta to succeed at PG and still use his strengths, Nellie needs to assign someone else as the outlet, so Monta can release rather than be a traditional point guard. If he doesn’t get a free release, he comes back and sets up the half court as PG. If that happens he starts all year at PG. Marcus gets big minutes and has to get into the best shape of his life or C.J. will steal some minutes from him.

2. Corey Maggette will start and be the 1st scoring option, so he’ll start all year. But how will he work out on Defense? Kelenna will get big playing time certain nights for defensive assignments like guarding Kobe. Marco got torched by Quincy Doubey at both ends, so he needs to earn his time and right now is a spot sub for offense at best (I hope he proves me wrong).

3. Jack starts, shoots 3′s, plays D and is the glue and leadership of the team all year. But Anthony Randolph plays a lot of minutes. Both must help free Monta to release. Both must drive to the basket and get fouled along with Corey, making the warriors force opponents dig into their bench and try to match up.

4. Al starts and is a big scoring option. He needs to play tough D and be more aggressive inside on both ends to keep his starting spot. Ronny Turiaf gets some minutes at the 4 for defensive assignments making a strong back line when Jack and Kelenna are out so the offensive threats can go to town. Brandon still has to prove himself. He’ll get minutes early, but he better earn them to keep playing.

5. Andris forms the foundation for D and rebounding, but needs to create his own shots better and get help from Monta, Jack, Corey and Al to score double figures. Ronny is a solid backup and will earn minutes both at 5 and at 4.

Morrow, Hendrix and Kosta make the team, but don’t play much. I love Morrow’s game, but there just aren’t minutes to be had. Hendrix will get a few in certain situations and won’t hurt the W’s when he’s in.

Al’s the most likely to lose his starting spot and Ronny Turiaf the most likely to take it. Or Corey takes it if Monta doesn’t work out at PG, but I don’t expect that to happen.

Marcus Williams
Monta Smith
Maggatte
Randolph
Biedrens

Yeah, i like that. The new warriors. I say get rid of the pacers, who knows what kind of value they have. This lineup would mean that Monta and Biedrens are the players we paid them to be, and Randolph is the player we saw at summer league.

1 – ELLIS
2 -JACKSON
3- MAGGETTE
4- WRIGHT
5- BIEDRINS

6*- HARRINGTON (fulfilling Nelson’s wish last year that Harrington be his “secret weapon” and sixth man of the year as well as allowing Wright to develop)

first guy off the bench will probably be turiaf or azubuike. i don’t think wright can play with biedrins so that’ll probably dictate when he can get in. if monta is in and jackson is out (and vice versa) i think thats when williams comes on. depending on the match ups for each game, either harrington or biedrins minutes will be effected.