Golden State Warriors Preview/Review
By: Jeff K

After having not made the playoffs in 13 years, it finally happened for the Golden State Warriors. It all started when the Warriors signed Don Nelson which delighted all Warriors fans because their old coach was coming back. This was great news for the Warriors, but bad news for other teams. Everybody knew that Don Nelson was one of the best coaches ever and he was now returning to the Warriors. Don Nelson, also known as Nellie, signed with the Warriors hoping that his style of offense would be a better fit for them. Nellie runs a Suns-like type of offense which has been successful for teams in the past and the Warriors’ players were excited that they would be running this offense instead of the half court offense they usually run.

There is so much to talk about here for the Warriors and their great season. The Warriors struggled in the beginning of the year, which had many Warriors fans thinking not this again, we have waited so long and we will have to wait again. The Warriors led by Baron Davis and the front office had different ideas though. In January, the Warriors and the Indiana Pacers announced that a trade had been made. The Warriors sent Keith McLeod, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, and Ike Diogu to the Pacers.In return, the Pacers sent Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Sarunas Jasikevicius, and Josh Powell. This was a great trade for the Warriors. They filled in the big pieces that they needed and now their team looked even more complete.

After the trade was completed, was when it really started for the Warriors though. Fans started to think believe that this could finally be the year for the Warriors. The Warriors became a better team and they had some confidence, which as you all know, helps out a young team. The Warriors, one of the youngest teams in the league was playing like they were veterans with a few exceptions of some stupid mistakes that showed how young the team really was. The Warriors and their leader Baron Davis were on top of the world in their minds, thinking about the playoffs.

Playoffs being right around the corner, the Warriors still found themselves fighting for a playoffs spot. It became clear to the Warriors that they were the ones who believed that they could get that last playoff spot and that they deserved it. With just a few games left until the season was over, the Warriors needed to win every game if they wanted to reach the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.

In Portland, the Warriors were playing the Trail Blazers. This game was a must win for the Warriors if they wanted to make the playoffs. Thousands and thousands of fans in Aurco Arena waited to see if their beloved team would finally make it. It finally happened when the Warriors beat the Trail Blazers and the Warriors broke the curse and were in the playoffs!!!

The Warriors had the eighth seed, but who cares, they had finally made the playoffs. For the first time in 13 years, the Warriors were going to be playing more than 82 games. But guess who is first up for the Warriors. Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Though the Warriors have had some great success against the Mavericks this year and in the past years, Dallas was going to be a hard team to beat.

The series started in Dallas, where the Warriors had high hopes. The Warriors came out winning Game One and at the same time, gained interest from other people and band wagoners as well. The Warriors became a fan favorite, and were watched all over the world.

When the series came back to Golden State, the Warriors proved that they aren’t just going to win one game and go home. The Warriors ended up winning the series, and moved on to play the Utah Jazz in the second round. This was a rough series for the Warriors though. They got ran over in a very quick series.

The Warriors are still a surprise team to everyone. A young team improving every day.

Recently, the Warriors traded Jason Richardson for Rookie Brandan Wright.

Watch out for the playoffs this coming year, they are going to keep getting stronger and stronger as the youth becomes older and learns more.

[img]http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070117/070117_wright_vmed_7p.widec.jpg[/img]

Nickname:None
Primary Position: Power Forward
Secondary Position: Center
Height: 6’10
Weight: 210 LBS.
College: North Carolina
Draft: 8th pick in the 2007 Draft by the Bobcats, but was later traded to the Warriors for Jason Richardson

Career Averages: Invalid(Do to being a rookie this year)

College Stats: 14.7 points per a game, 6.2 rebounds per game, 1.8 Blocks per Game, 1.0 Steals per a game.

Strengths:

Rebounding and Wingspan: Brandan Wright is a forceful rebounder. Wright already a 6-9 power forward gets some more help from his 7′3.75″. With the 7′3.75″ wingspan at power forward it helps out against other power forward’s because they are not able to have the wingspan that he has.

Athleticism: For Brandan Wright being 6-9 he is extremely athletic. He moves like a shooting guard with a power forward size. He is not the biggest guy on the court which can really help him at some times and will hurt him sometimes as well. This is one of the times it helps him out because when your 6-9 and you can move like a small guy it’s going to help you get to the dish a lot easier. He is able to slash a lot easier, drive, get into the lane, and fast break offenses.

Consistency: Brandon Wright is not one of those players who is just going to have a few good games and then he does have a good game for another week or so. Wright stays on top of his game at all times. He will get some games where he is not going to be what he can play at though, which happens to everyone.

Court Smarts: Wright knows what goes on throughout the game. He knows what’s happening, when it’s happening, and what his importance is. He has a very high basketball IQ and he is just going to be a rookie this year.

Weaknesses:

Readiness: We all know that Brandan Wright was a great player in college and that’s why he was drafted number eight, but I’m not sure if he is going to be ready to start right away. For some rookies they can just jump right into the NBA and they do great, but for some others it takes them some time. This is probably going to be the case for Wright.

Weight: Brandan Wright is a bit on the smaller side for a power forward. He will hopefully start to bulk up though not it’s going to be harder for the guys who were rebounding over him and powering through him. He is only 210, which might seem like a lot but he is very tall and skinny.

Bottom Line:

Brandan Wright is a great player and fits perfectly with the Warriors, but it’s going to take some time for him to get used to play. With his big wingspand, and his athletic ability Wright is going to be a great player in the pros someday, but it’s not going to be right away so give him some time, and he is going to be what you guys thought he would be, and should be.