2008-2009 Finish: 35-47

What went bad

In last year's edition of Team by Team, we derided GM Ran for making some horrible, horrible decisions with his team. It was clear he was trying to tank and that persistence would come back to reward and then haunt the team that may never recover from that man's tenure as GM.

After making no deals the previous and running with a nucleus that included point guards Daniel Gibson, Maurice Williams and Luke Ridnour, GM Ran's indifference carried over into the beginning of the 08/09 season. Eduardo Najera had enough of the garbage and bailed. Gibson re-signed a long-term deal. They also brought back Kurt Thomas, who GM Ran seemed oddly committed to starting. Not much was made to bring in any key free agents. If you can call Joel Anthony the biggest haul, you're in trouble.

Then the Warriors began to lose. Badly. Michael Beasley did not turn out to be the franchise savior everyone had hoped he'd be. Then GM Ran made a trade that would irrevocably change Warriors history forever. At first glance, Ramon Sessions for his 1st rounder may seem silly because the last thing the team needed was another point guard. Then as the Warriors' season lumbered into the lotto, that deal would become a gigantic folly that people will be talking about for years.


What went worse

But before all of that, the Warriors brass had quite enough of GM Ran. Right around the trade deadline, the team officials met and ousted Ran to glee of most Warriors fans. New GM Satoman claimed he would improve the franchise, but his first move was signing Salim Stoudamire (ANOTHER PG) to a deal that will pay him close to $3mil for two seasons. Things don't look any better under this guy either. Anyway, the Warriors finished better than last season but didn't make the playoffs. Then came that cruel little coda: that 1st rounder became the #1 pick overall. Nice one, Ran.

Stars

- Vince Carter, GF-

Carter must not care about winning if he still sticks around in Golden State. He is still one of the league's best players and though his numbers leveled off last season, he's still quite a potent baller. 21.3 points on 50% shooting is nothing to sniff at and he's managed to stay completely healthy for his 5 year stint as Warriors captain, heart and soul.


- Maurice Williams, G –
Though he played most of the season out of position, Mo Williams proved that he is a lethal scorer (21.5ppg) and good passer (3.1 apg) at the shooting guard position. New GM Satoman really should move the undersized Williams back to his natural position next season, however.


Goat

- GM Ran–

Good riddance.

Looking to the future

The Warriors head into the offseason with 10 players under contract and about $3.5 million under the luxury cap. Carter, Beasley and Williams make a decent starting five and Sessions proved this season that he has the chops necessary to start in the league. It's not that the Warriors are hopeless; they have just been mismanaged and misguided for so long.

After the sting of losing Blake Griffin in the draft, the Warriors grabbed Dante Cunningham at pick 39. The forward, a senior from Villanova, is an enigmatic. He is a hardworker and is athletic, but he doesn't have the bulk to play power forward or the offensive skills to play the wing. He will probably spend most of his career playing mop-up minutes.

To reverse the stink of GM Ran, new GM Satoman is going to have be aggressive this offseason. The team could stand an upgrade at center and shooting guard. He should move either Ridnour or Gibson to fill one of these holes. Sessions, a restricted free agent, is looking for big money. While it may be tempting to keep him to justify the loss of Griffin, the last thing this team needs is another point guard. Best case scenario for this team is a sign and trade. The team should also waive Stoudamire's ridiculous contract ASAP. Finally, Satoman has a trio of young guys who are more potential than anything else off the bench. If Sean Williams, Julian Wright and Corey Brewer start performing, this team could have a good run. Of course, Satoman could also follow Warriors tradition and be apathetic.