For the month of October, Mitch Pratt, Andrew Kasmarek and Charlie Tritschler will be previewing the NBA teams for the exciting 2013-2014 season.
Golden State Warriors had their best season since 1993-94 after winning 47 games and going to the Western Conference Semifinals. They also made the playoffs in 2006-07, but let's be honest, two games over .500 is not a great season (Looking at you, Milwaukee Bucks). The Warriors have probably become one of the fan favorites in all over the country with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, better known as the Splash Bros. These two guys had massive years and played out of their minds at different parts of the NBA Playoffs. As we have seen in all of professional sports, a young team cannot translate over to a second straight year of success and usually there is some regression with the team.
X-Factor: The health of the Warriors - If there is one team to worry about getting consistently injured, it is the Warriors. Andrew Bogut is always a concern as he has played 44 games in the last two years although he looked strong in the playoffs last season. David Lee got hurt right around the playoffs and was able to play in the series against San Antonio yet nowhere near 100 percent. While Steph Curry remained healthy for the most part, it always seems like he has a lingering injury typically his ankles. If Curry or Lee goes down for significant time, this will greatly hurt the team.
The Big Question: How will Iggy fit? - Golden State went with Stan Van Gundy's gameplan last year in the playoffs by splitting out four guys on the perimeter with one big guy in the middle. They cannot do that with Andre Igoudala. He is a strong player, but Iggy is not someone who can shoot threes consistently. It is not a part of his game whatsoever. People do call him a great leader, and it might be a year where it is easier for Igoudala to get to the paint with the focus on Curry and Thompson at the 3-point line.
Key Additions: SF Andre Igoudala, SF Marreese Speights, PF Jermaine O'Neal, PG Toney Douglas - First, good to see Jermaine is still playing the league, I had no idea. Going from Jarrett Jack to Toney Douglas is like eating filet mignon to Taco Bell ground beef every day. I would not have paid Jack all that money but no way does Golden State get the same production out of Douglas as they did with Jack.
Key Subtractions: PG Jarrett Jack, SF Richard Jefferson, PF Carl Landry
Warriors Draft: SG Nemanja Nedovic - I do not follow the international game but our friends at Draft Express do who have some great stuff on the Warriors draft pick. It appears he will see some pine but could be featured on DOY this year.
Prediction: 2nd in the Pacific, makes the playoffs - The Warriors have the looks of a playoff team again versus any sort of regression. It is betting on this team staying healthy and their bench does enough to replace Jack and Carl Landry.
Charlie.
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