Catching up with the Warriors

As the Mavericks prepare to face their demons tomorrow by traveling to Golden State, let's catch up with what the Warriors have been up to since eliminating the Mavs last May.

After being defeated handily by the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the second round, the Warriors stayed rather busy in the offseason. Seeing an opportunity to dump their least efficient player (excepting Adonal Foyle) from that season, they called up the Charlotte Bobcats, who have been known to make questionable decisions in the past. Jason Richardson and Golden State's second-round pick headed to Charlotte while the Warriors received 8th-overall draft pick Brandan Wright. Golden State saved quite a bit of money, and the Bobcats now think they have a great player. Everyone wins...I guess.

They rounded out their first round by selecting Italian guard Marco Belinelli. Thus far, Wright and Belinelli haven't played many minutes, but provide a good outlook for the Warriors' future.

On August 3, they signed not-so-powerful power forward and former Dirk backup Austin Croshere to a one-year contract. They went on later in the summer to sign veteran guard Troy Hudson to shore up some veteran depth.

In mid-September, they locked up the cog that makes the whole machine work properly, Don Nelson.

How they have fared thus far in four games this season and what to expect:

• 0-4 thus far, losing by an average of 13.5 points per game
• Have allowed a league-high 119.5 points per game to Utah, Cleveland and the L.A. Clippers
• The only statistical categories that Golden State haven't been destroyed in are blocks (of which they have a 0.5 average advantage) and turnovers (of which they average one less than their opponents)
• They will be without Stephen Jackson Thursday, who is in the middle of a seven-game suspension
• Former Fort Worth Flyer Kelenna Azubuike has filled in admirably with Jackson out by averaging 16.8 points per game
• They have been getting completely annihilated in the post. Brandon Bass (if he's healthy) and Juwan Howard could be big Thursday
• Al Harrington has averaged 28.5 over his last two games, look for him as the best candidate to be Hasselled or Jonesed

-Scooter Hendon, Hoops Nerd

Comments

[kane]

this post rules.
this is what i'm talking about. great info, great analysis.
i'm so ready for the game.

woof. woof.

[Sari and Reese]

Obviously, Dirk will get his act together for this game.