Post by Thunder on Oct 14, 2005 1:25:33 GMT -5
Mark it.
Day 66 - Victory over the Western Conference powerhouse Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Golden State Warriors entered the season in preparation for a complete rebuild. Longtime Warriors foundation pieces Paul Pierce, Yao Ming, and Lamar Odom were marked for the trading block mere moments before Opening Day. With the trio, the Warriors were certainly destined to go deep into the playoffs to battle for Western Conference supremacy with powerhouses Seattle, Minnesota, Houston, and Utah. Against a dominant Seattle lineup, perennially tough TWolves team, the returning champion Rockets, and the overachieving Jazz, management felt improvement to an eventual championship could be a long shot. The rebuilding had arrived.
With an eventual plan to build around Darko Milicic and newly extended point guard Moustafa Shakur, Warriors management was determined to maintain quality level, while building a team that could grow together. Over 14 days, the Golden State Warriors changed incredibly.
Longtime center Yao Ming was traded from his beloved Bay Area, one of three favored destinations for the Chinese basketball star, to Phoenix. In return, promising potential superstar Thaddeus Young was sent to the Warriors to start at small forward. Lamar Odom moved to power forward. Current franchise player Darko Milicic moved to center. Supersub and spot starter Josh Childress accompanied Thaddeus Young, as well as the Phoenix 2013 1st.
Accomplished scorer and future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce was traded a mere two days later. Like the Phoenix trade, Warriors management was able to acquire strong quality in exchange for a franchise cornerstone. For the all-time Warriors scoring leader, the Warriors acquired current starting SG Calvin Natt, starter-quality SG JR Giddens, and a 2014 Memphis 1st. While Natt has far exceeded management expectations, the focal point of the trade was Joe Barry Carroll. As the 3rd pick of the draft and one of few incredibly talented big men, Carroll was highly coveted by the Warriors. While JBC declared himself fit to start, future Warriors trades would push Carroll to the bench while allowing him ample time to learn on the practice floor.
Lamar would be the last to go... of the Warriors triple threat. Once again, the Warriors moved to secure a future starter for a former starter. While Pierce and Yao brought dominant skills and overpowering talent both offensively and defensively, Odom was the evenly talented, evenly balanced middle that brought the three together. While his age, declining ratings, and deceptive production slowed trade talks and general interest, Lamar 's trade brought a once-heralded #1 pick back to the Warriors. 13 days after trading Yao Ming, Warriors management traded Lamar Odom, Josh Childress, and the Phoenix 1st to Seattle for former Warriors golden child Emeka Okafor, former Warriors starter Ricky Davis, and a 2013 1st. Okafor's acquisition completed a newly-rehauled, young, talented, and developing starting squad.
Old: Ming, Milicic, Odom, Pierce, Shakur
New: Milicic, Okafor, Young, Natt, Shakur
Only time will tell just how good this new Warriors team can be... Combined age of the starters average just under 24 years old. The veteran of this squad is 29. The starters are signed for at least 2 years following this one and young talent abounds. The Warriors also retain 9 1st round picks from 2010 to 2014.
Back to Day 66. The Warriors defeated a strong Timberwolves squad behind balanced production. 20 points from Emeka Okafor, 20 points from Thaddeus Young, and 19 points from Darko Milicic begins the story of a new Warriors team. Darko Milicic has raised his game from week to week and hopes to be considered a Top 20 BBS player as rated by BBS Scouting Services. With the return of injured Thaddeus Young, and a complete starting lineup, production from the starting unit has reached a new peak. Darko Milicic and Moustafa Shakur have continued their excellent play, with one striving for Top 20 distinction and the other aiming for top assist honors. Emeka Okafor has averaged 12 boards, 6 blocks, and 16.5 points on over .500 shooting. Calvin Natt has averaged 13 points and 7 boards on over .550 shooting. Thaddeus Young has struggled slightly from injury, but in the same span has averaged 13 points with invaluable contributions defensively.
The familiar faces of the dominant Warriors franchise now proudly wear other colors, while new stars work to earn their place. Will the Warriors sweep the BBS Finals for another unexpected championship? The thought seems extremely remote, but Warriors fan remain hopeful and optimistic. What remains certain is that the rebuilding had began at Day 1, but seemed close to completion by Day 66.
Only time will tell...
Day 66 - Victory over the Western Conference powerhouse Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Golden State Warriors entered the season in preparation for a complete rebuild. Longtime Warriors foundation pieces Paul Pierce, Yao Ming, and Lamar Odom were marked for the trading block mere moments before Opening Day. With the trio, the Warriors were certainly destined to go deep into the playoffs to battle for Western Conference supremacy with powerhouses Seattle, Minnesota, Houston, and Utah. Against a dominant Seattle lineup, perennially tough TWolves team, the returning champion Rockets, and the overachieving Jazz, management felt improvement to an eventual championship could be a long shot. The rebuilding had arrived.
With an eventual plan to build around Darko Milicic and newly extended point guard Moustafa Shakur, Warriors management was determined to maintain quality level, while building a team that could grow together. Over 14 days, the Golden State Warriors changed incredibly.
Longtime center Yao Ming was traded from his beloved Bay Area, one of three favored destinations for the Chinese basketball star, to Phoenix. In return, promising potential superstar Thaddeus Young was sent to the Warriors to start at small forward. Lamar Odom moved to power forward. Current franchise player Darko Milicic moved to center. Supersub and spot starter Josh Childress accompanied Thaddeus Young, as well as the Phoenix 2013 1st.
Accomplished scorer and future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce was traded a mere two days later. Like the Phoenix trade, Warriors management was able to acquire strong quality in exchange for a franchise cornerstone. For the all-time Warriors scoring leader, the Warriors acquired current starting SG Calvin Natt, starter-quality SG JR Giddens, and a 2014 Memphis 1st. While Natt has far exceeded management expectations, the focal point of the trade was Joe Barry Carroll. As the 3rd pick of the draft and one of few incredibly talented big men, Carroll was highly coveted by the Warriors. While JBC declared himself fit to start, future Warriors trades would push Carroll to the bench while allowing him ample time to learn on the practice floor.
Lamar would be the last to go... of the Warriors triple threat. Once again, the Warriors moved to secure a future starter for a former starter. While Pierce and Yao brought dominant skills and overpowering talent both offensively and defensively, Odom was the evenly talented, evenly balanced middle that brought the three together. While his age, declining ratings, and deceptive production slowed trade talks and general interest, Lamar 's trade brought a once-heralded #1 pick back to the Warriors. 13 days after trading Yao Ming, Warriors management traded Lamar Odom, Josh Childress, and the Phoenix 1st to Seattle for former Warriors golden child Emeka Okafor, former Warriors starter Ricky Davis, and a 2013 1st. Okafor's acquisition completed a newly-rehauled, young, talented, and developing starting squad.
Old: Ming, Milicic, Odom, Pierce, Shakur
New: Milicic, Okafor, Young, Natt, Shakur
Only time will tell just how good this new Warriors team can be... Combined age of the starters average just under 24 years old. The veteran of this squad is 29. The starters are signed for at least 2 years following this one and young talent abounds. The Warriors also retain 9 1st round picks from 2010 to 2014.
Back to Day 66. The Warriors defeated a strong Timberwolves squad behind balanced production. 20 points from Emeka Okafor, 20 points from Thaddeus Young, and 19 points from Darko Milicic begins the story of a new Warriors team. Darko Milicic has raised his game from week to week and hopes to be considered a Top 20 BBS player as rated by BBS Scouting Services. With the return of injured Thaddeus Young, and a complete starting lineup, production from the starting unit has reached a new peak. Darko Milicic and Moustafa Shakur have continued their excellent play, with one striving for Top 20 distinction and the other aiming for top assist honors. Emeka Okafor has averaged 12 boards, 6 blocks, and 16.5 points on over .500 shooting. Calvin Natt has averaged 13 points and 7 boards on over .550 shooting. Thaddeus Young has struggled slightly from injury, but in the same span has averaged 13 points with invaluable contributions defensively.
The familiar faces of the dominant Warriors franchise now proudly wear other colors, while new stars work to earn their place. Will the Warriors sweep the BBS Finals for another unexpected championship? The thought seems extremely remote, but Warriors fan remain hopeful and optimistic. What remains certain is that the rebuilding had began at Day 1, but seemed close to completion by Day 66.
Only time will tell...
2012 Western Conference Finals
