With the Warriors season opener coming up in a few weeks, Warriors fans are anticipating an outstanding season for the Golden State Warriors. As we look into this season there are four key factors in the Warriors success...
1) NEW BACKCOURT DUO
We watched over the past three years as Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry exceeded fans expectations and became the highest scoring backcourt duo. Ellis is gone. Yes, I still cry a little every time I’m reminded of that too; but Thompson should make for an outstanding replacement. The confusion of roles between Ellis and Curry will no longer be a concern. Thompson is a shooting guard and Curry is a point guard. These two will be playing the positions that they are best at.
Yes, it is true that these two are not the greatest defenders, but the Warriors have other players who are able to back them up in that department. We need these two as shooters, and with Curry averaging 14.7 points per game and Thompson averaging 12.5 they’ll be able to fulfill their roles as shooters.
The only issue that may crush our dreams of the Curry-Thompson backcourt duo is Curry’s seemingly never-ending ankle injury. Curry’s ankle is a make it or break it (literally) situation. If Curry is able to stay healthy, then we will watch these two become an exceptional backcourt duo.
2) New leader = teamwork
Ellis is gone, which means that the Warriors can finally play as a team. Over the past few years the Warriors have been playing as Monta Ellis and the Warriors. Ellis was all about himself. He was a selfish player that was not thinking about what was best for the team. Warriors got a glimpse of that when he was injured due to his “moped” accident.
Curry has taken his rightful position as point guard and is ready to lead the team. With his unselfish way of playing he will put the team first. Since almost everything for the Warriors depends on health issues, it is safe to say that Curry’s position as leader all depends on his ankle injury. But, with Ellis gone and Curry leading the team (if his ankle is healthy), they will finally be able to play as the WARRIORS.
3) Bench
Have you seen the Warriors bench? Newly acquired veterans Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry will be vital players for this upcoming season. Landry has proven throughout his career that he is a dominant big man on the floor. As for Jarrett Jack, he may be as important as Andrew Bogut. Jack will be there to back up Curry if his ankle decides to falter once again and he’ll be able to replace Thompson if ever necessary. Jack is a versatile guard, who can play both point guard and shooting guard very well.
The Warriors draft picks will be sure to impress this upcoming season. But we won’t be seeing Harrison Barnes on the bench during the start of the games. Harrison Barnes is set to start over both Brandon Rush and Richard Jefferson. But Rush and Jefferson will surely get their fair share of time on the court as well. Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green are also two big men that the Warriors acquired during the 2012 Draft. Ezeli has already replaced Andris Biedrins as backup center for Bogut. Warriors' fans will be hearing Ezeli's name in the starting lineup if Bogut isn't healthy enough to play at the start of the season. As for Green, his size will make him a vital player this season.
The Warriors also have returning players. Jeremy Tyler, Andris Biedrins, and Charles Jenkins along with newcomer Kent Bazemore will be sure to make an appearance this upcoming season. As long as everyone is healthy, the Warriors have little to worry with the help of the bench.
4) CENTER!
If you say Andrew Bogut in front of Warriors fans, you should expect a loud applause. After years of searching for a dominant center the Warriors acquired Andrew Bogut. He is the missing piece that the Warriors have been searching for. With Curry taking his rightful position as point guard and Bogut fulfilling the center role, the Warriors have officially become a complete team.
Warriors’ fans, don’t get too excited. Bogut has yet to play a game for the Warriors and he isn’t set to play until the season opener on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns. But when he does play, Bogut will be one of the most important players this upcoming season, if not the most important. Bogut’s size alone will give the Warriors a great advantage. At 7 feet tall and 245 pounds, Bogut averages 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. As long as Bogut stays healthy this upcoming season he will be a key factor in the Warriors success.
And lets not forget about the Warriors starting five…
Stephen Curry (PG)
Klay Thompson (SG)
Harrison Barnes (SF)
David Lee (PF)
Andrew Bogut (C)
Warriors’ fans, get your “We Believe” signs out… you’ll need them this season.
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