Schedule Breakdown

Everytime a small announcement such as the Warriors schedule is announced, it seems my basketball withdrawles are relived and i realize how much i miss the Warriors season. Most of us will probably stare at this schedule countless hours at work or bored at home, anticipating something might happen or change, or maybe that all of a sudden we will have another nationally televised game. I guess its good to hope, we all have to do something until the season starts.

I can't tell exactly if the league hates the Warriors, or they secretly want us to succeed. By scheduling 24 of the first 38 games on the road, the mentality may be to just keep pace. The schedule could be either devastating or amazing, depending on which way you look at it. Either the Warriors could fall terribly, and be way out of contention by the time they start to play more home game. Or they could keep pace, and be around 500%, which would give them a huge edge after that. If they come out of the first 38 games with a 500 win percentage or better, than we could be in for a great run at the end of the year at home.

Every year when looking at the schedule, there are two parts that nearly everyone always looks at. The first few games, and the last 10 games. Last year if it weren't for the first few games, the team would have made the playoffs. Looking at the first 7 games this year, I think this team could suprisingly go 4-3 in almost the worst case scenario. I could also see them going 6-1, losing to only New Orleans.

The end of the season however, just looks downright ugly. Our best hope for the last 4 games, is that Houston, Utah, San Antonio, and Phoenix will all have there playoff spots sealed before they get to us. It is interesting though, that we play Phoenix our last game of the year, because I think we could be fighting for a playoff spot with them all the way until the end. Despite the final 4 games being so tough, the 6 before that don't look to bad at all. We play games that we should win against Memphis, Minnesota, Sacramento (2 times), and Denver; and also a game that we probably won't win, against New Orleans.

There are some games every year, that no Warrior fan shoud miss. Of course Warriors fans should never miss any games in my opinion.. but there are a few that even the most casual Warrior fans should enjoy.

First off, all nationally televised games are must watch, because it is always interesting to see what the neutral announcers have to say about our team.

Then, opening night AT HOME, against New Orleans. Not only is this a must watch game because it is opening night, but more importantly it is Monta's first night as our true PG, and it happens to be against the best PG in the game.

Next, November 26 on the road against the defending champion Boston Celtics. Monta had what I thought was his best performance of the year last year when we beat Boston, it'll be intersting to see how they try and contain him this time.

On Decenmer 5th we play At Houston. This is important because it's really our first look at the new Rockets with Artest, who i think may contend for the best team in the West this year.

The next one, on December 28th the Warriors play in LA against the Lakers. This is important because it's our first look at the best in the west from last year.

January 5th we play at Utah. This game will be so great, becuase Utah might be the sole reason we went out and got a player like Turiaf.. That night we'll see if he was really the answer we've needed.

Every game is pretty crucial this year since it will come down to the wire in the Western conference. If we are still around after the tough stretch of road games, expect big things from this team in the second half. If not, we may be out of it before we even knew the season started.