No pressure on Warriors
Dec 1, 2013 10:33:13 GMT
Post by mgtr81 on Dec 1, 2013 10:33:13 GMT
Right after the dispersal draft which saw the 30 NAH franchises take shape, basketball analysts predicted the Golden State Warriors will be a lottery team in the league's inaugural season. However, the Front Office was confident the set of players they assembled was a competitive one, and that head coach Mark Jackson would be able to make the most out of them. The Oakland based team has just finished its preseason games with seven wins and three losses, with all players having plenty of minutes to show what kind of roles they can have in the upcoming season. We take a look at the 2012-13 roster for the Warriors and what can be expected from them.
GUARDS
Mario Chalmers will be the starting point guard for the team. At 25, Chalmers is still a young player who can develop further and have a long career in Oakland. In the ten preseason games, Chalmers averaged 14.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 26.6 minutes per game, shooting 59.4 % from the field and 46.9 % from three-point range. His defense is elite and while many pundits were shocked when the Warriors selected him in the second round of the dispersal draft, Chalmers can be a key piece in the team's success.
Backing up Chalmers will be Chris Duhon. At 29, Duhon is a veteran player who gives the team ball security and a different kind of game compared to Chalmers. Duhon has finished the preseason averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 21.4 minutes per contest, shooting 45.9 % from the field and 33.3 % from outside the arc.
The first player selected by the team in the dispersal draft was Andre Iguodala. The 28-year-old player will be the starting shooting guard, but he can also play at the three-spot and even run the point occasionally if needed. One of the elite perimeter defenders in the league, Iguodala is at his prime and will be expected to carry the load on most nights. His preseason numbers suggest he can have a very good season ahead: 14.9 points, 4.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 26.6 minutes, shooting 47.7 % from the field and 51.6 % from behind the arc.
Rudy Fernandez will be coming off the bench for the Warriors this upcoming season. The 27-year-old shooting guard can also play at small forward, and will bring outside shooting along with versatility. He had a good preseason, averaging 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 steals in just 16.1 minutes, shooting 53.4 % from the field and 44.4 % from three-point range.
The fifth guard on the team is Raja Bell. The 35-year-old veteran is well known for his defense, specially tracking his opponent everywhere on the court. Bell finished the preseason with 5.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.7 minutes per game, shooting 37.5 % from the field and 30.8 % from beyond the arc.
FORWARDS
Starting at small forward will be the veteran Shawn Marion. At 34, Marion brings a lot of experience and leadership to the team. His preseason numbers are 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.1 assists and 0.7 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game, shooting 42.1 % from the field and 38.5 % from the perimeter. One of the most versatile players in the roster, Marion will surely be a key piece for the team this upcoming season.
Dorell Wright will be on of the reserve forwards for the team. The 26-year-old player is considered a three-point specialist, but he has shown some ability also on the defensive end. His size at the three-spot can give the Warriors a matchup advantage against certain teams. His preseason numbers are 5.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.8 steals in 13.5 minutes per game, shooting 36.5 % from the field and 26.9 % from downtown, numbers that are expected to improve in the regular season.
Also coming off the bench will be Jamario Moon, the last player selected by the Warriors in the dispersal draft. Another veteran player, the 31-year-old forward missed the last three preseason games with a sprained wrist, but will be back for the opening game. His preseason averages: 5.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game, shooting 62.5 % from the field and 33.3 % from three-point land.
Taj Gibson is expected to be the starting power forward for the team. While not a great rebounder on the defensive end, his defensive presence altering shots will be helpful for the team. In the ten preseason games he averaged 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 23.5 minutes per contest, shooting 51.2 % from the field. At 27, Gibson is entering his prime and has a chance to become a relevant player in the league.
Udonis Haslem will coming off the bench, backing up both inside spots. The 31-year-old big man will provide rebounding and toughness in the paint. He ended up the preseason averaging 7.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals in 22.7 minutes per contest, shooting 36.5 % from the field.
One of the youngest player on the roster is Marreese Speights, 24, also coming off the bench backing up both the power forward and center spots. The athletic big man finished preseason with 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.4 steals in 21.5 minutes per game, converting 50.9 % of his field goal attempts.
CENTER
The only center in the roster is Spencer Hawes. At 24, alongside Speights he is the youngest player on the team. A good rebounder and shot blocker, Hawes also displays good hands and passing skills for a center. He will start in middle for the team this upcoming season and is expected to be another key piece in the puzzle. His preseason numbers: 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.6 assists in 26.0 minutes per game, shooting 51.0 % from the field.
These are the 2012-13 Golden State Warriors, ready to start their adventure in the Neon Age Hoops. According to the NAH experts and media, this is a team which should be at the bottom of the standings. But this group of players and coaching staff are willing to prove they are competitive each game. There is no pressure on them, and that could be an advantage.
GUARDS
Mario Chalmers will be the starting point guard for the team. At 25, Chalmers is still a young player who can develop further and have a long career in Oakland. In the ten preseason games, Chalmers averaged 14.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 26.6 minutes per game, shooting 59.4 % from the field and 46.9 % from three-point range. His defense is elite and while many pundits were shocked when the Warriors selected him in the second round of the dispersal draft, Chalmers can be a key piece in the team's success.
Backing up Chalmers will be Chris Duhon. At 29, Duhon is a veteran player who gives the team ball security and a different kind of game compared to Chalmers. Duhon has finished the preseason averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 21.4 minutes per contest, shooting 45.9 % from the field and 33.3 % from outside the arc.
The first player selected by the team in the dispersal draft was Andre Iguodala. The 28-year-old player will be the starting shooting guard, but he can also play at the three-spot and even run the point occasionally if needed. One of the elite perimeter defenders in the league, Iguodala is at his prime and will be expected to carry the load on most nights. His preseason numbers suggest he can have a very good season ahead: 14.9 points, 4.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 26.6 minutes, shooting 47.7 % from the field and 51.6 % from behind the arc.
Rudy Fernandez will be coming off the bench for the Warriors this upcoming season. The 27-year-old shooting guard can also play at small forward, and will bring outside shooting along with versatility. He had a good preseason, averaging 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 steals in just 16.1 minutes, shooting 53.4 % from the field and 44.4 % from three-point range.
The fifth guard on the team is Raja Bell. The 35-year-old veteran is well known for his defense, specially tracking his opponent everywhere on the court. Bell finished the preseason with 5.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.7 minutes per game, shooting 37.5 % from the field and 30.8 % from beyond the arc.
FORWARDS
Starting at small forward will be the veteran Shawn Marion. At 34, Marion brings a lot of experience and leadership to the team. His preseason numbers are 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.1 assists and 0.7 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game, shooting 42.1 % from the field and 38.5 % from the perimeter. One of the most versatile players in the roster, Marion will surely be a key piece for the team this upcoming season.
Dorell Wright will be on of the reserve forwards for the team. The 26-year-old player is considered a three-point specialist, but he has shown some ability also on the defensive end. His size at the three-spot can give the Warriors a matchup advantage against certain teams. His preseason numbers are 5.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.8 steals in 13.5 minutes per game, shooting 36.5 % from the field and 26.9 % from downtown, numbers that are expected to improve in the regular season.
Also coming off the bench will be Jamario Moon, the last player selected by the Warriors in the dispersal draft. Another veteran player, the 31-year-old forward missed the last three preseason games with a sprained wrist, but will be back for the opening game. His preseason averages: 5.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game, shooting 62.5 % from the field and 33.3 % from three-point land.
Taj Gibson is expected to be the starting power forward for the team. While not a great rebounder on the defensive end, his defensive presence altering shots will be helpful for the team. In the ten preseason games he averaged 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 23.5 minutes per contest, shooting 51.2 % from the field. At 27, Gibson is entering his prime and has a chance to become a relevant player in the league.
Udonis Haslem will coming off the bench, backing up both inside spots. The 31-year-old big man will provide rebounding and toughness in the paint. He ended up the preseason averaging 7.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals in 22.7 minutes per contest, shooting 36.5 % from the field.
One of the youngest player on the roster is Marreese Speights, 24, also coming off the bench backing up both the power forward and center spots. The athletic big man finished preseason with 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.4 steals in 21.5 minutes per game, converting 50.9 % of his field goal attempts.
CENTER
The only center in the roster is Spencer Hawes. At 24, alongside Speights he is the youngest player on the team. A good rebounder and shot blocker, Hawes also displays good hands and passing skills for a center. He will start in middle for the team this upcoming season and is expected to be another key piece in the puzzle. His preseason numbers: 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.6 assists in 26.0 minutes per game, shooting 51.0 % from the field.
These are the 2012-13 Golden State Warriors, ready to start their adventure in the Neon Age Hoops. According to the NAH experts and media, this is a team which should be at the bottom of the standings. But this group of players and coaching staff are willing to prove they are competitive each game. There is no pressure on them, and that could be an advantage.