You Read it Here First: The Warriors Will Make the Playoffs

Purple Reign · Jul 2, 2005

You read it here first: Warriors will make playoffs
[font=geneva,arial]- Bruce Jenkins, SF Chronicle
[/font][font=geneva,arial][size=-2]Saturday, July 2, 2005
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London -- They say you haven't truly analyzed the NBA Draft until you're thousands of miles away, immersed in tennis. Armed with that time-honored adage, we proclaim the Warriors a decent bet to make the playoffs for the first time in 117 years.

A fan's biggest fear is that the Warriors, with absolutely no pressure on them, created a vast and magnificent mirage over the season's final month. Things could change rudely in the fall, when the league starts fresh and playing-time issues threaten the team's morale.

Just assume, though, that what we witnessed was authentic -- that Baron Davis takes his place with Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade and the NBA's other highly influential stars. Say the Warriors actually become more cohesive with Jason Richardson, Mickael Pietrus, Troy Murphy and others meshing with Davis' virtuosity, and that Ike Diogu improves their toughness, rebounding and transition game. What's to stop the Warriors from cracking the Western Conference's top eight?

For starters, pencil in four playoff teams right now: San Antonio, with a core of stars and a feel for championships; Phoenix, with the kind of up-tempo style that never grows old; Dallas, obviously built to survive all body blows (losing Nash would be a knockout punch for most franchises), and Houston, with a promising draft pick (point guard Luther Head) to join the Tracy McGrady-Yao Ming tandem.

Forget the Lakers. They don't have the money to spend on free agents, and while 17-year-old draft pick Andrew Bynum may have a future (you have to like any center who wants to bring back the sky-hook), this is basically Phil Jackson dealing with phony Kobe Bryant and the same pitiful cast. Rule out clueless Minnesota (moody team drafts a moody guard, Rashad McCants) and hopeless New Orleans. Laugh at Portland as long as Darius Miles and Zach Randolph have uniforms. Admire Utah's acquisition of a point guard, Illinois' Deron Williams, but on a team that finished 26-56, he won't turn into John Stockton just yet.

Since we've given away four spots, that leaves four teams to slide into the playoffs and eliminate the Warriors. Can you seriously pick four? Denver would have to qualify, the way coach George Karl revived the team and especially its sullen young star, Carmelo Anthony. Memphis has a lot of youthful energy, plus the league's most astute executive in Jerry West.

So if you're still on board, two out of three teams -- Seattle, Sacramento and the Clippers -- would have finish ahead of the Warriors. The magic could easily vanish in Seattle, where the Sonics have cap room but are about to lose some key free agents. The perennially weak Clippers drafted a forward, Yaroslav Korolev, who is 18 years old and well removed from readiness. Give an edge to Sacramento, but without much conviction; the Kings have had their day. Keep in mind, also, that most of the top free agents (notably Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons) have an eye on more attractive destinations -- like Cleveland -- than the second tier of the Western Conference. Conclusion from the offices of Dead Wrong in Public, Big Ben division: The Warriors break through. For some franchises, squeezing into the playoffs means an automatic first-round thrashing and a fan's lament, "Why didn't you just tank it and get in the lottery?" Not with this franchise. It sounds like bliss.

Purple Reign · Jul 2, 2005

I will believe it when I see it.

BobbyJ_for3! · Jul 2, 2005

I also believe it is very possible and plausible for the Warriors to crack the top 8 this coming year. With Baron Davis and J. Richardson, you have a very great backcourt. They showed they can play well last year, and they have a good backup in Derek Fisher. Plus, they have a lot of young fowards/centers (Pietrus, Dunleavy, Murphy, Biedrins, Cabarkapa, and youngsters Taft and Diogu). I deffinetly see these guys in the playoffs come next June. We'll just have to see how far they can go.

Superman · Jul 2, 2005

I've been saying that they had a chance to make the playoffs this season since they traded for Baron Davis last season.

Get with it...

Bibby_Is_Clutch · Jul 2, 2005

Everyone has been saying this since last year.

SacTownKid · Jul 2, 2005

I think too many people are talking up the Warriors a tad bit much. I for one will be watching every GS game next year as always but I wouldn't be surprised if people are expecting a bit too much. The West, and more specifically the Pacific division, is going to be brutal next year.

BobbyJ_for3! · Jul 2, 2005

SacTownKid said:

this is true. with the lakers probablly improving, the clippers doing better, and the kings obviously a good team. oh ya, and that team from phoenix. it is probable that one of the teams in our division is gonna unintentionally bomb. i still think the warriors have a fighting chance to make the playoffs, esp ahead of both LA teams.

Andriod_KiNg · Jul 2, 2005

Every year a non playoff team starts to win games towards the end of the season, and every year the flop when the new season starts.... like Purple said, i will believe when i see it....

SDKing · Jul 2, 2005

Andriod_KiNg said:

Kind of the way that Phoenix ended the 03-04 season?

Fillmoe · Jul 2, 2005

tell us something we dont know.... HAHAH

loopymitch · Jul 2, 2005

The Kings have not had their day

but we will

Superman · Jul 2, 2005

BobbyJ_for3! said:

Minnesota and LA will probably be back in the playoffs next season. The Kings, Mavs, Rockets, Spurs, Suns, Nuggets and Sonics (depending on how they do with Ray Allen and Nate McMillan) will be ready to do what it takes. Memphis is the only playoff team from last season that has something to prove. Then you have Utah that's bound to have a better season, assuming AK47 is healthy. New Orleans is out. The Clippers don't make the playoffs (it's against Sterling's religion or something). The Blazers are a big question mark.

The West is gonna be TOUGH next season. Every divisional game lost will be a big one. Every game lost against the Eastern conference will be a big one. Assuming injuries don't drastically influence the picture in the Western conference, there's no way to tell who is gonna be on the outside looking in. All except probably the Hornets and the Clippers would make the playoffs in the East.

I'm looking forward to next season. I hope the Kings sack up and do what it takes during the regular season to get home court in the first round.

iheartBrad · Jul 2, 2005

Purple Reign said:

I feel the same way.

I will admit they are definetly much more improved since the edition of Baron Davis...but I'm not gonna read too much into the way they ended their season...yet anyways

SLAB · Jul 3, 2005

I'm buying into it...I really think the Warriors are gonna be good next year. Baron turned that team around last year...But then, how long until his back flares up? If Baron gets injured, all playoff talks go out the window.

...And on the topic of the Warriors... If you knew nothing about college basketball, and listened to Ike Diogu's coach talk about him, you'd think Ike was Shaq with a jump shot...I was listening to a radio show, and his coach was on, and according to him he is "Unstoppable down low" is "Developing a reliable jump shot" and he is definatly going to succeed... The only thing wrong with him was his defence...Of course that's the proud coach talking him up, but me and my uncle both thought that was kinda interesting.

Back to the topic at hand, though...A healthy Baron, and the Warriors can definatly crack the top 8.

ker0ber0s · Jul 3, 2005

i wouldn't count on it...
an injury-free season for baron davis???
fat chance...

Venom · Jul 4, 2005

I'm not convinced that Minnesota and LAL, as configured, get back into the playoffs. Sure, they both have true superstars, but the bloom is off of Kobe's rose, and I have never fully bought into KG.

KingsRNumba1 · Jul 4, 2005

i doubt memphis will make the playoffs next year they were only in it this year because the t-pups tanked

Superman · Jul 4, 2005

Venom said:

These are teams that are in the playoffs every year.

KG is a superstar that has made the playoffs every year by himself, with no other star power. Last season - between Sprewell's distraction, Cassell's injuries, and losing their coach midseason - was an awkward season. There's no reason to believe that they won't be right back in the mix next season, winning at least 40-45 games.

The Lakers are one of the best organizations in all sports, as much as I hate to say it and you hate to hear it. But it's true. And whether they've had stars or not, they make the playoffs. Jerry Buss is a great owner, and he won't stand to see them not make the playoffs again this decade. That's why he paid the big bucks for Phil Jackson, a coach that has never missed the playoffs. Again, they'll be right there in the mix.

Venom · Jul 4, 2005

Superman said:

So, McCants is supposed to be the answer? I'm not buying it. I think they miss the playoffs again. Like I said, I have never bought into the KG hype. The West is too deep anymore for a guy like KG to carry his team to the playoffs. And Denver wrote the book two years ago on how to defend him, physically. Everybody has been copying it since. KG is too sensitive and out of control for physical play, and starts blaming his teammates for his problems. But, like I said, I don't like the guy.

Superman said:

With Kobe and. . .Bynum? This is a fractured team, and nobody down there likes Kobe. Odom is pissed and misused. Butler doesn't fit. They have no frontline. I think they bow out late to a team like Golden State or the Kings for the 7 and 8 spots. Jackson will make a difference, but I am calling my shot as this being the year that proves he is no coaching genius. I could be wrong though. Of the two, I would say the Lakers are a better shot at making the playoffs.

piksi · Jul 4, 2005

I am all for it. As long as Lakers don't make it

Bricklayer · Jul 4, 2005

Venom said:

Apparently, since all he's done made a career of carrying 20 win teams into the playoffs on his back, and wasn't finally scuttled until his GM imported a whole bushel of well known cancers into his lockerroom. As an aside there is no "myth of KG" -- he does exactly what you would hope/expect a frontline superstar to do, make a bad team into a good one, and in his one opportunity, made a good team into a great one. Now the West is tough enough that maybe, maybe not. Depends on what the Wolves do this offseason. But KG and Wally have made the playoffs before with relatively little help, no reason to expect they suddenly cannot now unless the front office lays a complete egg and doesn't get them any help at all.

Nikos · Jul 4, 2005

Actually KG's best support aside from 2003-04 was having Terrell Brandon and Chauney Billups in the early part of the decade.

He did have solid support in terms of having an above average PG and Wally, but he never really had a real rounded team until probably 2003-04. But who knows, Duncan also managed to make his team title contenders despite not always having great support after Drob's offense took a huge drop by 0102/0203.

KG is probably Duncan's equal or better in terms of overall skill and statistical output, but I don't think he is the better player. Duncan or a healthy Shaq could probably do as much or more with what KG has. Tough to say for sure who would do what exactly. But I wouldn't exactly say KG had no support even before 2003-04. This season was clearly the worst support he has had ever.

KingKong · Jul 4, 2005

I believe the Warriors can make the playoffs, but the West is gonna be extremely tough next year with the a lot teams fighting for postion. Everybody is improving, yes even the Clippers. If the Kings don't improve drastically, I could see us geting left out of the race all together.

Superman · Jul 5, 2005

Venom said:

McCants probably isn't the answer. I think Kevin Garnett is the answer. We're talking about a 22/13/6 guy who has only missed the playoffs once, in perhaps the most radical year of his career. A guy that hasn't missed a game the last three seasons, has only missed 6 games in the last 7 seasons, only 13 in his 10 year career. An MVP. Denver wrote the book on how to guard him but still got put out the playoffs in five games, while he "quietly" averaged 26 points, 7 assists and 15 rebounds a game, while shooting 45% from the field? Whether you like the guy or not, he's the real deal. Probably one of the three best and most talented players in the NBA.

And whether they make the playoffs or not, they are going to be right there in the hunt, and I'd be willing to bet that finish at least .500.

Like I said, the Lakers are one of the best sports organizations in the world when it comes to putting a competitive product on the floor. Buss is a great owner. Kobe is a great player. Phil is a great coach. Mitch is a great GM (just kidding).

You're basing your opinion based on a season that saw the Lakers trade away the most dominant force in recent NBA history, fire the most winningest playoff coach in NBA history, miss out on the coach they wanted, hire their second or third choice, lose him midseason, and finish the year with a junior varsity play caller running the show. The Lakers will be a solid team next season.

And again, if they bow out late, they will still be in the hunt. That's the point I was making, that it's going to be a rate race between positions 3-13 in the Western conference next season.

Nikos said:

Garnett wasn't considered a superstar back then. He was still the rail-thin high school product that was expected to be a superstar.

Venom · Jul 5, 2005

I'm not saying the Wolves and Lakers won't be in the hunt, I fully expect that they will. I just don't think they have the firepower to get back in. Maybe one of them does, but not both. As for the KG "myth" I mean the belief that he is some kind of ultra-competitor. Personally, I think he's just a jerk with a huge chip on his shoulder. I think that chip is related to something not politically correct to say, and I consequently do not like the guy. Let's just say there have been too many stories of him punching certain types of players in practices, year in and year out, and he even had altercations in high school that led to him transferring. He's a very talented player. Top 3? Sure, I guess. I just don't like him, nor do I have to. I think there are legitimate questions as to whether or not he will be able to lead his team back into the playoffs, and I am saying that he won't. Is that because I root against him? Sure. I don't think that dismisses the questions I have about the way that team is structured though.

bigbadred00 · Jul 5, 2005

Thing about both Minne and the Lakers is they lack talent. As of right now, the Wolves should be worried primarily about the 1 and 5 positions. 2-4 are alright, but they really only have a special player with KG. Hudson or Cassell are now below average PGs in the league, Cassell is way past his prime and needs to be replaced. Brevin Knight would honestly probally be a good and possible fit for the team. The 5 position is also pretty poor on Minne, and needs to be looked at.

The Lakers are also in trouble. They now have Bynum who was predicted to go in the mid 20s to us a week before draft day by various sights. He isn't an instant answer to there problems. Likewise, they don't have a real 4 nor a real 1 which will again give them huge problems. Phil is great, but he does need some talent around him to win. He might be able to will the team into the playoffs and if he does it might be his most impressive job, will have to see though.

Evenstar · Jul 5, 2005

we'll see on the warriors

counting on baron davis to have an injury free year is like counting on shaq to make a free throw.

PejaFanatic · Jul 6, 2005

Blah, I find some of their players quite annoying.

KingsRNumba1 · Jul 6, 2005

Venom said:

As for the KG "myth" I mean the belief that he is some kind of ultra-competitor. Personally, I think he's just a jerk with a huge chip on his shoulder. I think that chip is related to something not politically correct to say, and I consequently do not like the guy. Let's just say there have been too many stories of him punching certain types of players in practices, year in and year out, and he even had altercations in high school that led to him transferring. He's a very talented player. Top 3? Sure, I guess. I just don't like him, nor do I have to. I think there are legitimate questions as to whether or not he will be able to lead his team back into the playoffs, and I am saying that he won't. Is that because I root against him? Sure. I don't think that dismisses the questions I have about the way that team is structured though.

Yeah KG seems a bit overrated has not really gotten his team deep in the playoffs

Gargamel · Jul 6, 2005

Counting on the Golden State Warriors to do anything positive is a fool's bet.

You Read it Here First: The Warriors Will Make the Playoffs

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