Points in the Paint

Philadelphia, PA (Basketball News) - The Golden State Warriors won’t make the playoffs for an 11th straight year, but the future does look bright for the franchise.

The Warriors made a huge acquisition on February 24th, which was the NBA’s trade deadline, as they traded guard Speedy Claxton and center/forward Dale Davis to the New Orleans Hornets for two-time All-Star guard Baron Davis. By acquiring Baron Davis, Golden State has a nucleus that consists of the former Hornet, high-flying Jason Richardson, and forwards Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy.

Since the trade with New Orleans, the Warriors, who are just 28-45 overall and have nine games left on their schedule, are 12-7 and are currently on a season-high five-game winning streak. Golden State will play six of its final contests at The Arena in Oakland where they have won 15 of its 35 games in the 2004-05 campaign.

Golden State’s offense has been much more efficient since Baron Davis joined the club. The Warriors have scored 100 or more points in 11 of the 19 games he has played in, and have not reached the 90-point mark in just three contests since the trade.

Baron Davis has averaged 17.2 points and 7.5 assists since becoming a Warrior. He has jelled very well with his new teammates and the results are starting to show in the standings. Originally selected out of UCLA after his sophomore season by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round (third pick overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, the 6-3 guard fits right in with head coach Mike Montgomery’s system.

With Baron Davis, Dunleavy, Murphy and Richardson, executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin has something to build around. Baron Davis, who will turn 26 on April 13th, is the oldest of the four players.

The 24-year-old Dunleavy, who is playing in his third season in the league, has continued to improve as he gains more experience. He is averaging a career-high 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season. His confidence is at an all-time high and his statistical numbers will continue to climb as he plays with a more talented roster.

Murphy, who has battled some nagging injuries over the past two seasons, is having the best season of his four-year career. The Notre Dame product has started 59 of the 60 games he has appeared in the 2004-05 campaign, and is averaging a double-double at 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds, which leads the club. The 24-year-old Murphy, who will turn 25 on May 2nd, has scored in double-digits in 45 contests and has registered 30 double-doubles.

The cornerstone of the franchise is the 24-year-old Richardson, who was selected out of Michigan State after his sophomore season by Golden State in the first round (fifth pick overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft. He leads the team in scoring (22.1 ppg), is second in rebounds (6.1 rpg) and third in assists (4.0 apg). The athletic Richardson is one of the most exciting players in the NBA, as his thunderous dunks and explosive offensive moves are worth the price of admission.

Mullin has four pieces of the puzzle in place. There is still a lot of work to be done, as Golden State could still use a force in the middle to go along with some more role players for the frontcourt. Veteran Derek Fisher and 23- year-old Mickael Pietrus are solid reserve guards and can be part of a winning formula.

Richardson and Baron Davis give Golden State one of the most exciting, young backcourts in the league. The two players complement each other extremely well, as both excel in the open court and should make the Warriors’ transition game deadly. Murphy and Dunleavy could be two-thirds of a very effective frontcourt, if Mullin can get a center who can rebound and score in the low post.

Golden State will try to fill the voids that it has left on its roster in the offseason through the draft, free agency and trades. Many questioned Mullin’s moves when he first took over in Golden State on April 22, 2004, but it appears that he has the franchise moving in the right direction.

The Warriors are starting to play winning basketball and the hope is that it will carry over into the 2005-06 season. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel for Golden State.