It's been exactly one year now since the playoff fever hit the San Francisco Bay Area. "We Believe" was the phrase that most commonly came out of Oracle Arena in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks. Up until that point, the Warriors had a severe playoff drought.
This year, the warriors finished the season with a 48-34 record. For the entire season, I had been keeping an eye on the standings. As the playoffs grew closer, I started to see the teams that were clinching playoff spots. And the teams that didn't stand a chance in getting in, received a little "o" (out) next to their name. After the Warriors faced the Suns earlier in the week, it was heart wrenching to see the little "o" next to their name.
Many were certain that the Warriors would make it into the playoffs. Now that the Warriors fell short by as little as two games, every other news article I'm reading is how the Warriors need to be broken up, or they need to be fixed. I even read the phrase, "Boot Baron out, free up cap room."
This sentiment is wrong.
Firstly, the Warriors had a better season than last year. Stephen Jackson missed the first part of the season and it was obvious that the Warriors needed them. Needless to the say, if Jackson was present for every single regular season of the game, the Warriors would be gearing up to play one of the top four seeds.
The team we had this season is BETTER than the one from last. The players have VASTLY improved. The Warriors beat the BEST teams in the NBA throughout the season.
So, where is the problem? It's not the players. It's not the talent on the court.
If you want to blame someone, put it on Nelson. He had a whole bench of firepower just sitting there throughout most of the season. Patrick O'Bryant - in the few times Nelson let him loose on the court, he made a difference.
Marco Bellenelli? 17 points in the season closing game. He IS the best shooter on the Warriors.
While we certainly need a solid power forward, at most I might trade Pietrus and Wright. We don't need either of them. Wright is certainly a good player, with a great future ahead of him, he's not dominant enough down front.
The Warriors aren't broke. They are one of the best teams in the NBA. And unfortunately, they are also one of the unluckiest.
This year, the warriors finished the season with a 48-34 record. For the entire season, I had been keeping an eye on the standings. As the playoffs grew closer, I started to see the teams that were clinching playoff spots. And the teams that didn't stand a chance in getting in, received a little "o" (out) next to their name. After the Warriors faced the Suns earlier in the week, it was heart wrenching to see the little "o" next to their name.
Many were certain that the Warriors would make it into the playoffs. Now that the Warriors fell short by as little as two games, every other news article I'm reading is how the Warriors need to be broken up, or they need to be fixed. I even read the phrase, "Boot Baron out, free up cap room."
This sentiment is wrong.
Firstly, the Warriors had a better season than last year. Stephen Jackson missed the first part of the season and it was obvious that the Warriors needed them. Needless to the say, if Jackson was present for every single regular season of the game, the Warriors would be gearing up to play one of the top four seeds.
The team we had this season is BETTER than the one from last. The players have VASTLY improved. The Warriors beat the BEST teams in the NBA throughout the season.
So, where is the problem? It's not the players. It's not the talent on the court.
If you want to blame someone, put it on Nelson. He had a whole bench of firepower just sitting there throughout most of the season. Patrick O'Bryant - in the few times Nelson let him loose on the court, he made a difference.
Marco Bellenelli? 17 points in the season closing game. He IS the best shooter on the Warriors.
While we certainly need a solid power forward, at most I might trade Pietrus and Wright. We don't need either of them. Wright is certainly a good player, with a great future ahead of him, he's not dominant enough down front.
The Warriors aren't broke. They are one of the best teams in the NBA. And unfortunately, they are also one of the unluckiest.
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