Post by Thunder on Jan 10, 2006 14:42:29 GMT -5
It's a GREAT Time Out!
Two seasons ago, the Golden State Warriors made a surprising trip to the BBS Finals. After a complete rehaul in which Paul Pierce, Yao Ming, and Lamar Odom were shipped to three different teams, the Warriors rebuilt around youth, potential, and picks.
Anticipiating a 3-4 year rebuilding project, the Warriors were clearly the surprise hot team of the playoffs.
Last season, the Golden State Warriors continued their hot streak, but fell short of their unexpected postseason success. Building on the momentum of he previous year, Darko Milicic, Moustafa Shakur, Thaddeus Young, and Emeka Okafor continued their balanced attack and indomitable defense. With Darrell Griffith in the starting lineup and the versatile former-starter Calvin Natt off the bench, the Warriors reached a record of 50-32 and dominated the Pacific Division. While the Warriors retained home court advantage throughout the playoffs, they struggled to beat the resurgent Suns, then fell in a sweep to the surprise hot team of the year, the Nuggets.
While fans, players, and management were disappointed by the surprise playoff loss, three factors led to a continued feeling of optimism. First, taken into context by acknowledging the run to the finals was a Cinderella story (of sorts), regular season dominance and a 2nd round playoff berth showed that the "Warriors Rebuilding Project" underestimated the strength of the team. Second, regular season accolades and overall player standings showed the depth and strength of the team. The starting center, Emeka Okafor, was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year. The starting power forward and resident franchise player, Darko Milicic, was recognized as All League 3rd Team as a PF. The starting small forward, Thaddeus Young, received no outstanding awards from the press or peers, but was voted by team members as team MVP for his consistent play, efficiency, and scoring development. The starting shooting guard, Darrell Griffith, was recognized by Warriors coaches and management as the Future Franchise Player, awarded to players annointed to be the future of the franchise. Finally, the
starting point guard, Moustafa Shakur, in a controversial decision voted upon by 127 sportswriters and journalists throughout the country was recognized as the 2010 Most Valuable Player.
Third, the Golden State Warriors emerged from the draft lottery with the overall #1 pick. With the second smallest amount of ping pong balls in the hopper, the BBS gods smiled upon the franchise in the sunshine state once again. Similar to the surprise draft of current starting center and Defensive Player of the Year, Emeka Okafor, the Warriors received the #1 pick, which would eventually become the new starting forward Dominique Wilkins.
This year, with the addition of Wilkins and new starting SG Monta Ellis and the security of capable reserves, Warriors coaches and management have strayed from a traditional balanced attack and defense to a more aggressive, faster offensive set, and an attacking defense. While question marks remain as the best of the West remain consistent, the rest of the West improves, and the mighty East continues to be dominant, the Golden State Warriors have remained focused on continually rebuilding a championship team and franchise.
Two seasons ago, the Golden State Warriors made a surprising trip to the BBS Finals. After a complete rehaul in which Paul Pierce, Yao Ming, and Lamar Odom were shipped to three different teams, the Warriors rebuilt around youth, potential, and picks.
Anticipiating a 3-4 year rebuilding project, the Warriors were clearly the surprise hot team of the playoffs.
Last season, the Golden State Warriors continued their hot streak, but fell short of their unexpected postseason success. Building on the momentum of he previous year, Darko Milicic, Moustafa Shakur, Thaddeus Young, and Emeka Okafor continued their balanced attack and indomitable defense. With Darrell Griffith in the starting lineup and the versatile former-starter Calvin Natt off the bench, the Warriors reached a record of 50-32 and dominated the Pacific Division. While the Warriors retained home court advantage throughout the playoffs, they struggled to beat the resurgent Suns, then fell in a sweep to the surprise hot team of the year, the Nuggets.
While fans, players, and management were disappointed by the surprise playoff loss, three factors led to a continued feeling of optimism. First, taken into context by acknowledging the run to the finals was a Cinderella story (of sorts), regular season dominance and a 2nd round playoff berth showed that the "Warriors Rebuilding Project" underestimated the strength of the team. Second, regular season accolades and overall player standings showed the depth and strength of the team. The starting center, Emeka Okafor, was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year. The starting power forward and resident franchise player, Darko Milicic, was recognized as All League 3rd Team as a PF. The starting small forward, Thaddeus Young, received no outstanding awards from the press or peers, but was voted by team members as team MVP for his consistent play, efficiency, and scoring development. The starting shooting guard, Darrell Griffith, was recognized by Warriors coaches and management as the Future Franchise Player, awarded to players annointed to be the future of the franchise. Finally, the
starting point guard, Moustafa Shakur, in a controversial decision voted upon by 127 sportswriters and journalists throughout the country was recognized as the 2010 Most Valuable Player.
Third, the Golden State Warriors emerged from the draft lottery with the overall #1 pick. With the second smallest amount of ping pong balls in the hopper, the BBS gods smiled upon the franchise in the sunshine state once again. Similar to the surprise draft of current starting center and Defensive Player of the Year, Emeka Okafor, the Warriors received the #1 pick, which would eventually become the new starting forward Dominique Wilkins.
This year, with the addition of Wilkins and new starting SG Monta Ellis and the security of capable reserves, Warriors coaches and management have strayed from a traditional balanced attack and defense to a more aggressive, faster offensive set, and an attacking defense. While question marks remain as the best of the West remain consistent, the rest of the West improves, and the mighty East continues to be dominant, the Golden State Warriors have remained focused on continually rebuilding a championship team and franchise.
Courtney
Minerva
Lesley
Sharona
Telisa