I know it seems a little early to talk about basketball, especially the Golden State Warriors at this time of year, but I have this feeling. Yes, I know the Warriors haven’t made the playoffs since 1994. But I want to be first in line to say this, so all of you basketball fans who like to get on the bandwagon will hear it first from me and want to get on the Warriors hype later on. THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON. Why you may ask? All I have to say is one name: Baron Davis.
You heard it hear first; the Warriors will make the playoffs this season because of Baron Davis. Write it down, make note of what I said and don’t forget it. The Warriors finished with a record of 34-48, tied with the former champs from a couple of years ago, the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes I know the record looks deceiving but the Warriors finished with a record of 18-10 with Baron Davis. Now imagine if Davis played the whole season.
Although Baron Davis has been prone to injury for essentially his whole career, when Davis is healthy, which he is for the first time since 2001, Davis scores over 16 points with 7 assists and 2 steals per game. He is probably the 4th best point guard in the whole league behind, Steve Nash, Allen Iverson, and Jason Kidd. The fact of the matter is Baron Davis makes his teammates better players.
Throughout the starting lineup, the Warriors have youth and consistency. Troy Murphy who averaged double figures last year in rebounds (10.8) and in points (15.4); Jason Richardson who is team’s leading scorer with 21.7 points per game and stepped up his 3-pt game by shooting 38%; Then there’s the role players like Mike Dunleavy, a small forward with great passing vision who can play like a point guard; and off the bench the Warriors have Mickael Pietrus, a burst of energy of the bench who plays like Richardson but needs to improve his jump shot.
Last but not least, the Golden State Warriors have the personnel. Second year coach Mike Montgomery finally has the Warriors buying into his system and of course with Warriors Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin running the team, he knows what it takes to win games. Mullin, a former 5-time all-star and fierce competitor, improved the Warriors by trading for Davis, signing Murphy and Richardson long term before last season and by drafting role players like Ike Diogu in this past June’s draft (21.5 ppg and 8.8 reb. career in college).
I’ve been a Warriors fan since the days of Run T.M.C to even Latrell Sprewell choking the coach to these recent miserable years. Seeing a healthy Davis running up and down the court with Jason Richardson will remind me of the days of Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin taking the Warriors to the playoffs. If the Warriors want to make the playoffs, then it’s all on Baron Davis’ shoulders. Get on the Hype.