Looking ahead to my favorite time of the year

They rose from dirt. The 2006-2007 Golden State Warriors kicked the door in and emerged from the depths of the NBA’s basement and stepped right into the limelight. Well, the February 2006-2007 Golden State Warriors did. The original squad that started the ’06-’07 campaign would have been better left in the dungeon. Few people could stand to watch the uninspired and Charmin-soft play of Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy. But with the exile of those two Mully-mistakes and the acquisition of Stephen Jackson Al Harrington and that other guy, Don Nelson had the right ingredients for his fucked-up recipe. The one that calls for throwing a 6’9 Small Forward at a 7’6 Chinese Center, or siccing a 6’8 Shooting Guard on a 7’ German Power Forward…and adding double and triple teams to taste.
It was that kooky captain, along with some inspired play from Tim Hardaway 2.0 (Sans the bigotry) and Co. that led this team back to the Promised Land. And after toppling the #1 seeded team in the league, a team many thought would steamroll their way to the title, they fell short in the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the bruising Jazz frontline.
But prior to their unceremonious exit the Bay Area had golden fever, celebrities popped up at games, the airwaves buzzed with Warriors news. For the first time in 12 years the Warriors were still relevant in the months of April and May. The fans responded to the playoff push, the season tickets for the lower bowl of the Oracle Arena were completely sold out before the end of the Warriors’ run last season.
What’s in store for our beloved Dubs now? Will they make the playoffs this coming season?
Let’s find out by looking at the other teams in the Western Conference and what they have done this offseason:

Dallas Mavericks: The Warriors showed last season that they are a match-up killer for this team. Their season-series sweep was no fluke, and we all saw what happened in the playoffs. To shore up their defensive weaknesses the Mavs went out and signed…Eddie Jones? He doesn’t seem like the answer to all their problems but he did come on the cheap. Other than Jones Cuban extended Jose Juan Barrea, who would absolutely KILL it if the NBA were a 6 ft and under league, and also brought back Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George. Stack’s an assassin, and even at his age and with those knees I like bringing him back as an offensive weapon off the bench. George is an 8-year NBA veteran, has three championship rings and still manages to look lost to me out on the court.

Phoenix Suns: Following in the trend of other over-the-(no pun intended here)hill All-Stars who jump on championship contenders searching for the chip that has eluded them throughout their careers, ladies and gentleman…introducing the newest injury-prone member of the Phoenix Suns, GRANT HILL! Yes he came for dirt cheap, but I don’t see GH being a key-piece to a championship run for Phoenix. The guy doesn’t have ankles and is 30+, those two factors do not sound conducive to running your ass off in a system that encourages you to run your ass off. They also traded away Kurt Thomas for…absolutely nothing. If you’re trying to win a championship, why do you give up the only player on your team (you could argue in the whole conference) who can effectively guard Tim Duncan? That’s ignoring the fact that Thomas can drill 15-footers all day and is a terrific pick and roll partner for Nashty Nash. Steve Kerr has his work cut out for him down in the desert…

San Antonio: This organization might as well stand pat and just ride this unit until the wheels come off, because I see them using the same regular season strategy for years to come (plod along winning but not dominating until March when Pop kicks them into 5th gear and they peak as a cohesive unit on their way into the playoffs). That’s pretty much what they did this summer. Their only notable moves were to re-sign Fabricio Oberto (wildly underrated as a player in that system), Jacque Vaughn and Matt Bonner. The Oberto signing was smart and just, he earned his dollars banging down low throughout the postseason and doing the dirty stuff Duncan doesn’t always do…diving for loose balls, making a hard foul, etc. Bonner and Vaughn? Not so much. And giving away Jackie Butler to their neighbors wasn’t the greatest idea…

Houston Rockets: Remember when the Spurs got Butler from the Knicks, and everyone screamed bloody murder? It was an unfair move people said, Isiah Thomas had been fleeced again by another GM smarter than him (see: every GM in the NBA not running the Knicks). Butler was supposed to be a beast for the Spurs, a backup for Duncan that would provide solid defense and offense, only he never cracked the lineup…actually I’m not positive they ever issued him a uniform, Butler was normally found perusing the cheerleaders during timeouts in a dapper suit and tie. Well in Butler the Rockets may have found the quality backup for Yao Ming they have desperately needed, because Dikembe Mutumbo isn’t getting any younger (some would argue he’s not aging either, but merely trapped in time at an indiscernible age, I digress). After a lackluster draft in which Daryl Morey’s only notable selection was Aaron Brooks (tiny-stature/big-heart), he bounced back nicely with some key additions through trade and free agency. Signed Steve Francis: low risk high reward, he’s either their third scoring option or the same guard who couldn't even get minutes on the Knicks. Traded Juwan Howard for Mike James, which brings a solid starting point-guard back to Houston and a guy who had his best years playing in the lone star state, and sends a washed-up power forward with not much left in the tank to Minnesota (Remember, McHale's stock-piling assets for his next big trade...wait, what?). And to fill the terrible void left in Howard’s wake, they got Luis Scola’s rights from the Spurs, the man is a Euro-league stud who’s done nothing but win overseas and average a solid 14 and 7 for his career. This team looks stacked on paper, and set for a deep run.

Utah Jazz: The Jazz agreed to terms and let Fisher out of his contract, an unprecedented move in the NBA. Karma points for letting your veteran point guard leave under the circumstances, but uh, you usually don’t let your starting point guard leave under any circumstances, right? Wrong (Baby head cancer was good enough for the Jazz). The Jazz shored up Fish’s absence with Jason Hart and Ronnie Price. Right...that'll do.

Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets needed a scorer, someone to go to and get a bucket when their offense got stagnant, that’s why they went out and got a notorious chucker, a deep-ball threat, a clutch shooter who demands the ball in the clutch. That's right, I'm talking about Chucky Atkins…wait, what? They already have Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony? You’re serious? In a related story, the Nuggets will be playing 15 minute quarters next season to allow for enough ill-advised shots to be hoisted by Melo, AI and Chucky. We wouldn’t anyone’s feathers to get ruffled, now would we?

LA Lakers: Kobe Bryant is thrilled with the state of his team right now; Kobe Bryant has no further comments.

LA Clippers: As I stated earlier on this blog, it doesn’t really matter what the Clippers did this off-season, because their season was officially over when Elton felt a pop in his left knee a few weeks ago. Get to the tapes Elgin Baylor, and find a lottery prospect you like for the 2008 draft, you’ll have a crack at the best of them I’m sure.

New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets could be a very dangerous team if they’re all together and healthy. Now that Peja Stojakovic’s rear side has been sewn back together he can get back to doing what he does best, stroking threes with an awkward release and watching whoever he is defending blow past him. Really this team is all about Chris Paul, if he has himself a monster season he may just lead them into the playoffs. Signing Mo Peterson won’t hurt, he’ll be a more efficient and capable scorer than Desmond Mason was, but I’m not sure he’ll be as good of a defender. Look for Bobby Jackson to tear some muscle you didn't know existed somewhere in February, and the Hornets to be out of contention for a playoff spot by March...when Peja's back splits at the seams while he attempts a jumper.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Jefferon’s going to put up big numbers in a few years, but for now…welcome to the Western conference Big Al, now meet Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer, Pau Gasol, Amare Stoudamire and Brandan Wright (Warriors fan, remember?).

Sacramento Kings: Petrie’s in a terrible situation in Sacramento. Rumors have it that the Maloofs are playing too large a part in the General Manager world. Leading to Petrie signing people like Miki Moore and drafting big, slow, white centers like Spencer Hawes to team with big, slow, white injury-prone centers like Brad Miller. Maloofs should stick to things they know, like blowing lines off $5,000/hour escort ass and running hotels. I'd say sometime this season we will see Mike Bibby get moved, and it’ll be for pennies on the dollar, and it will be to Cleveland.

Portland Trailblazers: This team is headed in the right direction, but I don’t think they make the playoffs next year. Too many growing pains for Greg Oden, the transition from playing against 19-year-old boys to Shaquille O’Neal must suck.

Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant is going to be a perennial all-star for years to come. Next year won’t be one of those years. Welcome to your 2007-2008 Rookie of the Year: 20.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, .7 spg, 1 bpg, 42% from the field 33% from downtown. Mark it down.

Memphis Grizzlies: Grabbing Mike Conley Jr. was a great move. Their staff can’t stop gushing about him, apparently once he actually develops a jump shot he’s going to be unstoppable baby! Don’t sweat the details Memphis, worry about trying to appease your superstar, Pau Gasol. Picking up his long-time friend (aka BFF) Juan Carlos Navarro for some draft picks was a good start, plus Navarro actually can play a little bit. Playoffs however, I do not see in your immediate future.

If you got through all that congratulations, you earned a peak at my top-8 in the Western Conference when the dust settles at the end of next season. In order from top to bottom:

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. Phoenix Suns
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Houston Rockets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Denver Nuggets
8. Los Angeles Lakers

Unfortunately, if this is the case I see a first-round exit for our Warriors. The Spurs are to Golden State as Golden State is to Dallas. A match-up fiasco, as in we can't guard anyone on their team...

Ah well, there's always next year.