PG marcus williams
sg captain jack
sf maggs
pf harrington
c biedrens
BENCH
RANDOLPH
WRIGHT
BUKIE
WATSON
BELLENILI
TURIAF

it thins us out a little bit, but now we have minutes for everyone. We will also have to see time from randolph, wright, and bellenili, which is a great thing.

Over the summer, he’s been sighted at Tim Grgurich’s camp:

http://www.examiner.com/x-441-Golden-State-Warriors-Examiner~y2008m8d7-Tim-Grgurich-holds-his-annual-camp-for-NBA-players-and-nobody-notices–just-the-way-he-likes-it

and at the Jim Calhoun Charity All-Star Basketball Game:

http://www.courant.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sports/hc-calhoun0810.artaug10,0,6792931.story

Has he had much chance to work out with his new teammates? Does he have any plans to, in advance of TC? Is he physically 100%, has he had a chance to get into ‘Nellie’ shape (at least 5 pounds less than he’s played at)?

15-19!
(Yes, I’m of sound mind and body.)

If we have Chemistry, even without Monta, we are still capable of winning and winning decisively!

I remember the Houston Rockets back in the day where Hakeem Olajuwon was sidelined for a good 10 to 15 games. The team surprsingly, still managed to make a 10 to 12 game winning streak.

We will not lose Monta for three months but only for the month of late November to the full month of December. Worst case scenario would be until January.

But if we manage to stick with the plan, execute strongly, and most of all, play with fluid chemistry, We will be in the hunt.

Of course, with no players getting injured as well.

Barring any unforseen setbacks like additional injuries, chemistry problems or coach Nelson refusing to leave China, M.E.’s return should galvanize a playoff run.

OK, a tad rosie, but the W’s deserve a good year.

Blair

The only 2 ESPN writers in our favor our Marc Stein and Rich Bucher.

With all that being said, I too am excited about Randolph. I think he can run the entire length of the floor and handle the ball well. I want to see him become a Shawn Marion type player, but I think Randolph handles the ball better than Marion, but I think Shawn Marion is a close comparison. I’ve seen the comparisons to Chris Bosh, I see the length, athleticism, ability to handle the ball and run the entire length of the court with the ball and score, those are similarities he shares with Bosh, but again, at the 3 spot, which is where I think he should play, I look for him to become a Shawn Marion tupe player.

In the West, to win, you have to have a couple of surprises.

Last year there were 2: New Orleans and the Lakers. Neither were predicted to finish at the top of the Conference, some had the Lakers even missing the playoffs. The surprise step-up play of Tyson Chandler and David West, the return from injury for Stojakovic and of course a talented and growing young PG, and your’e in the Western Conference semi-finals.

The Lakers, a new Kobe Bryant willing to become more of a team-oriented player and role players like Vujacic stepping up and improving their games 10 fold. Surprise?……Absolutely. Result: NBA FINALS.

We need some unexpected things to happen this year for our team to be successful.

Here are the most important and unexpected things we need to put our team in the class of competitive Western Conference teams:

1. Huge seasons by Wright and Belinelli. I like both of these guys, if these 2 can come in on that second unit and consistently in the case of Belinelli, shoot the ball well, play within the offense and his game, not turn the ball over, and in the case of Wright, continue to develop his natural, athletic basketball talent and be aggressive, run the floor, get easy baskets, demand the ball, get to the free throw line.

2. Commitment by Corey Maggette to continue to get to the free throw line and aggressively attack the basket when the offense is stagnant.

3. Monta Ellis returning and embracing new roll: 21.0 ppg, 8.3 apg, 4.2 rpg and an assist to turnover ratio of 4:1.

4. Commitment by Don Nelson to play young players and match-up better with rotations.

5. Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson consistent scoring night in and night our, 18-19 ppg for Jackson, 15-16 for Harrington.

The combination of these scenarios, will put us in competition for a playoff berth and give us a shot to be competitive in a playoff series.

So many questions now……what an off-season…unbelievable……I never saw any of this coming.

This can is going to lose lots of muscle mass and agility and if he does not rehab just right: Grant Hill. If he rushes back and tries to contribute this year to make up then you are looking at the early demise of a rare talent.

Warriors: Hold him out at all costs. Fine him, tell him he will be paid if he makes it to next year without a setback. Save him from himself.