Playoff Bound?

Another year of Warriors basketball is around the corner. It seems every year even dating back to the Dunleavy/Murphy/Foyle days i have been very optomistic that we could make the playoffs, and of course it just never seemed to happen. I look back on it now realizing that there was really no way that those teams had any chance what so ever to make the playoffs, and i had no real reason or hope to believe they did. This could once again be one of those situations that has happened to me all to often, and in 5 years I could look back and say what was I thinking; but for right now, i'll do my best to justify why i think our Warriors will return to the playoffs once again.

First of all, i believe our 3 biggest problems last year were 1) No depth. 2) No big men to bang down low. 3) Defense.

Problem #1. I think its pretty clear that this problem has been addressed already this offseason. We signed Maggette, Turiaf, Morrow, and re-signed Azubuike, Ellis, and Biedrins. Not to mention what i think the biggest thing will be is that our younger players (mainly Wright and Randolph) could and should be added to our regular rotation. Hopefully this will mean that by game 70 our starters haven't been run into the ground and we can finish games, and the season strong.

Problem #2. Once again i feel that this problem has been addressed by Mullin and co. We added big bodies in Turiaf and Hendrix who despite lack of skill, will go in and bang with the Boozer's, Milsap's, and Bass' of the league who seem to eat the Warriors alive every year. For better or for worse, at least we now have guys we aren't afraid to mix it up down low. I expect Turiaf and Hendrix to make the league regret giving players six fouls a game, and also fill the huge need we have had down low.

Problem #3. Some may argue that our defense has gotten even worse than last year, which may be mathemattically impossible. The argument is valid however, since we lost our leading steal man. I look at it a different way however, i saw Baron as a huge problem with our defense since on what it seemed like half of the defensive sets he went for a steal and got beat. Also, what is underlooked is the fact that since we have better depth this year, our team has no excuse to take plays off on defense. The starters energy is now expendable, since we can easily sub them in and out. Maybe as Baron go's, so does the mentality of the NO DEFENSE Warriors.

I will go out on a limb here, and say the Warriors will make the playoffs this year. Our team this year is a Don Nelson made team. Despite him being old and probably senile, this is exactly the kind of team he likes, and exactly the kind of team he can take to the playoffs. A positive, is that after losing Baron we are now extremely under the radar and likely overlooked by every team to be in the hunt this year. We don't have any low post scorers which is another Nelly favorite it seems... AND the most important and favorite, there are no expectations. These are all things that Nelly thrives under. This team can still score with any other team in the league, and now we actually have a player who can make it happen in the half court sets, and gets to the line at an unnatural rate (Magette). My hope is also that with the developement of some young guys, and hopefully an improved bench, post presence, and defense, that it can put us over the edge and into the playoffs. It will only take 44-45 wins to make the playoffs this year, instead of 48+.

Maybe the Warriors are playoff bound this year, or maybe its just another Warrior fan trying not to accept the fate of the team slipping back into the middle of the pack.