| A Magical Season, And Looking Ahead Authored by Payam Jahromi - May 21, 2007 - 1:51 pm
The Warriors had the most successful season of any team who has ever lost in round two of the playoffs. I didn’t look it up, but I’m sure of it.
They snapped a 12-year playoff drought, and that fact almost became an afterthought compared to how they made it and what they did once they got there.
A quick review: Even after the big trade, the Warriors were 26-35 and certainly looked lottery-bound for a 13th straight season. Don Nelson said on Feb. 28: "I thought I could get this team in the playoffs and it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to do it. I feel like I've failed, really, in a lot of ways.''
The Warriors went 16-5 to finish the season at 42-40, making the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. That win in Portland was an emotional moment for Warriors fans that waited 13 years.
Getting that eighth seed alone made this a successful season, but the Warriors weren’t done.
They upset the 67-win Mavericks in dominating fashion and stole the hearts of the American public with their “We Believe” slogan. Suddenly, the Warriors were the team to watch and Oracle Arena became the place to be.
Though the magical run came to end against Utah, it didn’t take away from an extraordinary season.
For me, as a lifelong fan, I enjoyed this team and this season more than any other. That’s saying something if you consider the Run TMC days. (Note, I was too young to remember the 74-75 championship season).
There were so many great stories; the playoff drought ended, Nellie returned, Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson revived their careers, Monta Ellis won the Most Improved Player award, Andris Biedrins equally improved and Matt Barnes surprisingly made the team then became a playoff starter.
And just think, after the trade I remember thinking that this would be a successful season no matter how they finished simply for the fact that they rid themselves of Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy’s salaries, not to mention Mike Montgomery.
Now the focus turns to next season. But before we focus on the future, my advice for Warriors fans is to enjoy this season because it was special. I will always compare a good home crowd to those crowds against Dallas.
The only other team that will have a more special season will be the one who wins the title. Believe that.
Looking at next year
Lots of speculation of what the Warriors should do next year; here are some of my thoughts:
- Barnes is an unrestricted free agent and Mickael Pietrus is restricted. If I had the choice I would keep Barnes, but they shouldn’t overpay for either. Barnes needs to realize that he fits perfectly with this team. Is it really worth it to take an extra million a year to go somewhere he may not fit or play? I think it’ll be more up to Barnes if he returns or not (unless Chris Mullin didn’t learn from the Foyle, Fisher, Dunleavy and Murphy contracts and offers something ridiculous). Pietrus brings energy and plays a valuable role, and he may actually be more affordable.
- Baron is asking for a contract extension. Great timing on his part. He knows his stock is high right now. If you’re Mullin you have to wait another year to make any kind of decision on him, unless Baron accepts a shorter deal at less than max money, which I doubt.
- The rumors about Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal have begun, but keep in mind that a blockbuster is very unlikely. If they do end up trading a player like Jason Richardson or even Baron, it better make sense. You can’t just break up what you started just for the sake of trading.
- Looking at next year, would Baron play 75-plus games if he only played about 28-35 minutes a night? Next year is the perfect year to find out, especially if the Warriors keep Richardson, Jackson and Ellis.
- The need for a rebounding big was pretty apparent in the Utah series. But this is where the Warriors must be careful and avoid something drastic. Despite their rebounding deficiencies, they did finish the season very hot. Let’s not make another Mitch Richmond-for-Billy Owens trade just to get bigger.
- Biedrins and Ellis will continue to improve next season (they’re only 21). I’m excited to see how much more each will improve. They need a solid backup for Biedrins. Maybe Patrick O’Bryant (remember him?) might be ready to contribute.
- This team is built to be good for a long time, with the entire core under 30. As long as Jackson doesn’t murder anyone in the off-season, this team has an exciting future. And yes you should expect playoffs again.
- Nellie said he may not come back. Let’s hope he does. If not, then personnel changes may be in order because I can’t think of another coach who can make it work with this roster.
- Finally, the Warriors broke one drought by making the playoffs. If Baron Davis stays healthy, I expect them to break another drought by a having representative in next year’s All-Star game.
For comments or questions, you can email me at pjahromi@sbcglobal.net |
