2009-2010 Stats

Record: 26-56

Seeding: 13th  in the Western Conference

What changed since June: Complete overhaul (well, except the backcourt)

It’s hard to figure out where to start. First, the team exiled Corey Maggette in exchange for expiring contract  Dan Gadzuric and potential rotation player Charlie Bell. After that, the Dubs traded rotation players Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, and Kelenna Azubuike to New York for PF David Lee. Finally, the team signed free agents Dorell Wright, Lou Amundson, and Rodney Carney to fill out the rotation.

The team also drafted Ekpe Udoh who was injured almost immediately and will be out until the new year.

Golden State’s biggest strength: Guard scoring

In terms of offensive firepower, the combo of Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis may have no peer among the NBA’s guard combos. While partially attributable to Nellieball and Golden State playing at by far the highest pace in the league, both Curry and Ellis are dangerous offensive players, particularly when they play within themselves. Though having them on the floor together can create other issues, the two of them prove awfully tough for other teams to handle, especially when both play heavy minutes.

Golden State’s biggest weakness: Defense and discipline

One of the major side-effects of having an offense-centric backcourt is that the team is vulnerable to exposure on the offensive end. The team touted the addition of Lee as a boon to the defense because rebounding and second chance opportunities have been major issues in recent years (Golden State was dead last in team rebounding last season).  Unfortunately, Lee counters his own rebounding with being an otherwise poor defensive player. We’ll have to see how the shift to Power Forward helps him here.

The Big Question: Is Andris Biedrins back?

While many will focus on other Warriors as potential X-Factors, the most important player to this team’s playoff aspirations is the still-young Latvian. At his best, Biedrins can impact the game on both ends- his shotblocking and rebounding played a major role in the team’s success before last season. As his mental stability and focus wavered for seemingly all of last season, that pivotal role went unfilled and the team suffered. For Golden State to be relevant this season, Andris has to be at the center of the action.

Where the team fits in:

Golden State should be smack dab in the middle of the all-too-large group seeking the last playoff spot or two in the Western Conference.  If they can keep their heads above water while both Amundson and Udoh recover from injuries, improved chemistry that comes from playing together coupled with the potential blowing up of a few teams above them provide Golden State’s best shot at the postseason. My guess? They just miss out, finishing between 9th and 11th in the conference.

Feel free to e-mail Daniel at Daniel.leroux@realgm.com or follow him on twitter @DannyLeroux