Golden State Warriors 2007 Draft Preview

06.20.2007

(Basketball News) - The Golden State Warriors are back in business. Golden State, which had the longest playoff drought in the NBA, returned to the postseason for the first time since 1994, when it was led by Chris Mullin, Latrell Sprewell and Chris Webber.

The Warriors, who finished 42-40 in 2006-07 and were the eighth seed in the playoffs, stunned the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in six games, 4-2, in the opening round of the postseason, but fell in five to the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference semifinals.

Veteran head coach Don Nelson returned to the bench for Golden State this past season. Nelson, who was general of the Warriors for six-plus seasons beginning in 1988, compiled a 277-260 record with the squad before resigning halfway through the 1994-95 season.

Nelson’s unorthodox system started to work when the franchise pulled off a blockbuster trade. On January 17th, Golden State acquired swingman Stephen Jackson, forwards Al Harrington and Josh Powell and guard Sarunas Jasikevicius from the Indiana Pacers for Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Ike Diogu and Keith McLeod.

The athletic Harrington, who played center and power forward for the Warriors, and Jackson gave Nelson the flexibility with his rotation that he lacked. Two-time All-Star guard Baron Davis led the team in scoring (20.1 ppg) and assists (8.1 apg) during the regular season, while the NBA’s Most Improved Player Monta Ellis averaged 16.5 points, 3.2 boards and 4.1 assists per game in just his second season in the league.

Add high-flying Jason Richardson, Matt Barnes, Andris Biedrins, and Mickael Pietrus to the mix, and the Warriors have a solid roster that is capable of winning enough games to earn a playoff berth.

The Warriors have the 18th overall pick in round one, and two selections in the second round. They could use some help on the glass and a guard to backup Davis.

Derrick Byars of Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech’s Javaris Crittenton, Ohio State’s Daequan Cook and USC’s Gabe Pruitt are all names that could be called when the Warriors pick. There should be plenty of talent that fits what Golden State is looking for at No. 18.

Key Player(s): Matt Barnes (Forward), Andris Biedrins (Center), Baron Davis (Guard), Monta Ellis (Guard), Al Harrington (Center/Forward), Stephen Jackson (Forward/Guard), Mickael Pietrus (Guard), Jason Richardson (Guard).

Team Needs: Rebounding and a backup point guard.

Draft picks: 1st round (18th overall), 2nd round (36th overall), 2nd round (46th overall).

GSW

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