2011-2012 Finish: 12-54

Season Highlight

It’s difficult to find a season highlight for the team which has the dubious honor of owning the worst record for the 2011-12 NLL season. I suppose the fact that Golden State’s found a loyal and dedicated GM in Wallrus is a highlight. GM Wallrus stuck by his team through mounting losses and criticism, with a clear vision and eye to the future. Another highlight is that Wallrus accomplished his late season task of giving his team the best possible chance at prized rookie Anthony Davis, losing 30 of the last 32 games.

Season Lowlight

The 12-54 record and the aforementioned 30 losses from the last 32 games were big candidates here. Also the myriad of head scratching trades that littered the transactions page were another strong candidate, however those trades can be discussed later. The real season lowlight for this team came on June 30th, when the draft lottery ping pong balls saw the number one draft pick and prized recruit Anthony Davis bounce away from Golden State and towards the San Antonio Spurs. This was the cruel and final blow for GM Wallrus and the Warriors, in a really disappointing season.

Best Trade

The Charlotte Bobcats send Toney Douglas and Samardo Samuels to the Golden State Warriors. The Golden State Warriors send Anthony Randolph to the Charlotte Bobcats. The Charlotte Bobcats send a 1st-Rounder (Utah) to the Golden State Warriors. The Golden State Warriors send a 2nd-Rounder (Orl) to the Charlotte Bobcats.

With so many trades drawing the ire of rival GMs, who were beginning to get thoroughly confused and genuinely concerned for the mental well being of GM Wallrus, it was with great satisfaction that the league saw this deal drop, and more importantly, felt that Wallrus was on the right side of a lopsided trade for a change. Anthony Randolph is the poster boy of those guys with “potential” that float around the league, mesmerizing GMs only to bring on a serious case of buyer’s remorse. Toney Douglas and Samardo Samuels are nothing acquisitions but that Utah first rounder became Andre Drummond. I know who I’d rather have.

Worst Trade

The Golden State Warriors send Shane Battier and Mike Miller to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send Lamar Odom to the Golden State Warriors.

I could have had a raffle to select the worst trade for GM Wallrus this season, with so many trades setting the comments section ablaze with criticism. I finally settled on the Lamar Odom trade for the sheer amount of comments it attracted. On paper this doesn’t look so bad, of course until Lamar Odom’s career trajectory took a downward spiral. But when you consider the Warriors already had 8 frontcourt players on their roster, this just didn’t make sense. But actually, after meticulously sifting through all of Golden State’s transactions, most of them don’t actually look that terrible anymore. Maybe time does heal all wounds.

Other Notable Trades

How much time have you got? Actually I’ll limit this to just two. (For the record, Wallrus made 21 trades this season, clearly his mentor Magritte has taught him well.)

The Golden State Warriors send JaVale McGee to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send a 1st-Rounder (Cle) and 2nd-Rounder (Orl) to the Golden State Warriors. The Golden State Warriors receive 13 GM points. The Washington Wizards trade -13 GM points.

McGee will be getting big money next year and Wallrus didn’t want to pay his salary, but surely he could have netted more than a late first rounder and late second rounder.

The Golden State Warriors send Nikola Pekovic to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Robertas Javtokas to the Golden State Warriors.

In Wallrus’ defense, both names were unknown at the time, unfortunately for Wallrus, only the name Robertas Javtokas remains unknown now.

Best FA Signing

Shane Battier - SF. The sharp shooting, defensive minded veteran surprised many by selecting the Warriors over a contender. However he was a good signing on paper only, as 4.0 ppg and 2.8 rpg in 17.9 mpg failed to impress GM Wallrus, and Battier was shipped out of town after 16 games.

Worst FA Signing

Shawne Williams- F. What does 3 million dollars net you on the free agent market when you are a small market team coming off a losing season? Why you get Shawne Williams, and his 7 games of 3.7 mpg and 1.1 ppg. Not a difficult decision here.

Star

Derrick Williams- F – While struggling through his rookie season in the NBA, Williams had no such trouble adjusting to the NLL game. Starting in all 66 games of the season, his 15.1 ppg and 7.2 rpg saw him finish third in rookie of the year voting and was perhaps the one shining light for the Warriors this season.

Surprise

Maurice Williams- PG – Williams was having a stellar start to the season. 16 quality games netting 15 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 5.7 apg. And then came the surprise, Williams and Anthony Carter were shipped out of town for a busted Greg Oden, dread locked Jordan Hill and the one year younger Jarrett Jack. Then came the losses and lackluster play from the Warriors backcourt. Williams would return to Golden State, but only after the season ended.

Goat

Anyone else who suited up for the Warriors this season – 28 players contributed to the 12-54 record for the 2011-12 season. Of those we can give pass marks to maybe four. Derrick Williams, Maurice Williams, Norris Cole and Jarrett Jack. And Jack doesn’t even play for this team anymore. The rest are goats.

Draft Report Card

After a cruel twist of fate saw the Warriors miss out on Anthony Davis. GM Walllus went to work, trying to salvage something during the draft with the picks he had. And he did a pretty nice job.

With pick 2, he selected Bradley Beal. The sweet shooting guard out of Florida fills a huge need for the Warriors, and should have little trouble slotting into the starting lineup from day one.

With pick 8, he decided on a bit of a project in Andre Drummond, and this seemed about the right place for the high risk, high reward big man. If Wallrus has hit with this pick, this may offset the loss of Davis a tad.

In the second round, he netted Draymond Green, Robert Sacre and Tomislav Zubcic. Green was a very nice pick and can do a bit of everything from either forward spot. The two Euros came late in the second round, and I doubt they ever play in the NLL.

Looking to the Future

Coming off such a poor season, surely the only way is up for these Warriors. They have some nice young pieces to build around in Derrick Williams, Chris Singleton, Wayne Ellington, Norris Cole, Bradley Beal, Andre Drummond and Draymond Green. They also have no salary committed beyond 2013. However, it is expected most free agents will snub GM Wallrus’ overtures this year. If this solid young core can gel and if each of the aforementioned players can begin to fulfil their potential this team could have a chance to put forward a solid package to entice free agents in the highly sought after 2013 crop. Then there may just be some light at the end of the tunnel for these long suffering Warriors fans. Maybe GM Wallrus knows what he’s doing after all.

Upcoming Free Agents

Jordan Hill and Jamaal Tinsley have indicated that they would like to return. Antawn Jamison and Daniel Orton will likely bolt for greener pastures. Rudy Fernandez remains undecided and it appears that Greg Oden and Samardo Samuels won’t start the season on an NLL roster. Currently the Warriors are 26 million under the cap, but may struggle to use it all.