NLL Insider - Team by Team: Golden State Warriors

by vt, updated on Monday, October 06 2008, 12:46 pm EST

Golden State Warriors Review

2007-2008
Finish: 29-53

What went bad
Nothing is harder these days than being a Warriors fan. This is another one of those NLL teams that might NEVER be good. With its current management, that may very well be the case. GM Randal subscribes to the lose now, win later theory that has teams like Sacramento perpetually in the hunt for that number one pick. While the team rots on the vine, the playoffs are never the goal. It’s that elusive rookie savior that passes by year in and year out.
After ditching Carlos Boozer after last season, the Warriors were one of the NLL teams not to make any moves. Sure, they sent off Didier Ilunga-Mbenga before the season started but after that negotiations were quiet in Golden State. Why? Was the team so good that GM Randal felt he didn’t need to improve? Or maybe, just maybe his interests don’t really lie with this struggling franchise.
While Steve Blake took the road out to the NLL Championships by signing with the Sixers, it is amazing how many free agent Warriors came back. Vince Carter? Check. Maurice Williams, Luke Ridnour, Daniel Gibson? Check. Check. Check. Don’t get me wrong, the team has a good nucleus. But when you have a GM committed to losing, it is an uphill battle.

What went worse
There really isn’t much to say. The Warriors stunk. They stunk so bad that they didn’t even crack 30 wins. Congrats, Randal!

The Star

Vince Carter, GF -
Did Carter return for this? He played in 77 games this past season, averaging 35.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He is still good. When will GM Randal surround him with players that will help exploit his greatness?

The Goats

Luke Ridnour- G
What a difference a season makes! Ridnour went from starting 44 games to 8 in 2007-08. His scoring average dropped from 18.7 to 7 points per game. Worst of all his assists dropped from 7 to 1.7 per game. This guy needs a change of scenery like we need a new president.

Randal- GM
Do you think you can throw the season and not get this dubious honor?

Looking to the future

The Warriors will return with much of the same cast, barring a trade. Starting center Kurt Thomas is a free agent, but after a horrible season he sprung a little in 2007-08. Besides, he’s looking for less than the MLE and the team really needs his size. Rookie Sean Williams is not quite ready to hold things down by himself. Gibson is restricted but he should be back. The team really needs to move him, Ridnour or Williams for a big man. Eduardo Najera is ready to bolt and Kosta Perovic and Jorge Garbajosa have left for Europe. This team needs some major TLC.

But here is the big news. Michael Beasley. That’s right, the Warriors selected him first in the draft. This could mean a whole new direction of this team. This guy will, barring any attitude or maturity issues, will be an All-Star. Randal- DO NOT TRADE HIM! The future is in your palms right now. The team also selected Nikola Pekovic and James Gist in the draft. Pekovic may or may not make the team and Gist’s length and athleticism could make him a candidate for 12th man.

With the right trades, this team could be really good next season. A starting lineup of Thomas, Beasley, Brewer, Carter and Williams is really exceptional. But something has to be done and the GM really needs to care…now.

NLL Insider - Team by Team: Golden State Warriors

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