Golden State Warriors

Basketball Digest, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Irwin Soonachan

2003-04 Record: 37-45/Tied for fourth in Pacific Division * 2004-05 Projection 30-52 * Coach: Mike Montgomery

WHERE THEY LEFT OFF: Out of the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, the longest current futility streak in the NBA.

NEW FACES: Dale Davis, Eduardo Najera, and Christian Laettner arrived in trades. Los Angeles Lakers playoff hero Derek Fisher signed as a free agent First-rounder Andris Biendrins of Latvia is 6'11" and showed good court insects in summer league play for an 18-year-old.

ON THE COURT: The Warriors roster is mostly stocked with "coachable" types for new coach Mike Montgomery. Vets Davis and Fisher provide depth and will steady the ship. With a college coach and a fairly (by NBA standards) selfless group of players, the Warriors should at least be ban to watch, even though they lack top-shelf talent. With a little chemistry, they could be this year's Utah Jazz.

OFF THE COURT: After much anticipation, fan favorite Chris Mullin was finally named V.P. of basketball operations. Longtime Stanford coach Montgomery lacks pro experience, but the Warriors surrounded him with a staff of proven NBA assistants. These include Mullin confidante Mario Elie, who was previously rumored to be among the candidates for the lead job, but there won't be any coaching drama: Montgomery is signed for four years. Mullin also named former teammate Rod Higgins as his general manager.

WHY THEY WILL FINISH FOURTH: The Warriors have the veteran leadership they need to finish ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers in California's least anticipated intrastate rivalry. In a league where more than half the teams make the playoffs every year, the law of averages dictates the Warriors are long overdue for a playoff run. But as usual, they're "rebuilding." In the NBA version of the Big Dig, nobody knows when the Warriors will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

ON THE SPOT

ENTERING THE CRUCIAL FOURTH YEAR of his rookie contract, Troy Murphy is at a crossroads. Two seasons ago he averaged a double-double and seemed on the verge of becoming a 15-20 ppg scorer. Last season he was derailed by a series of injuries, including plantar fascilitis, limiting him to 28 games. Riches--and Golden State Warriors wins--awaits if his career regains momentum.