If you’re the general manager of the Golden State Warriors, how should you feel about the state of the team now that they have been removed from postseason action?
Pretty damn
confident, if you ask me. Lets put things into perspective here:
The Bad:
- They were 23-43 just a season ago, good for third worst in the Western Conference.
- Brandon Rush, arguably the team’s best perimeter defender and slasher, was lost for the season two games into the season.
- Andrew Bogut missed 50 games and labored through the entire season.
- Stephen Curry, once again, had multiple episodes of sprained ankles
The Good:
- They were 47-35 this season and went beyond the first round of the playoffs.
- Curry proved to be a franchise-level player in the regular season and the playoffs. The decision to sign him early to a now-amazing contract helps their salary-cap situation.
- Bogut, even when playing at 50 percent, is an incredibly valuable asset when he’s on the floor. He has the entire offseason to get the troublesome ankle right.
- Klay Thompson, though mostly horrific in the second round for all but one game, proved to be a reliable defensive presence and at times dominant on the offensive end.
- Harrison Barnes proved that he will be a presence in this league when given the opportunity.
- Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli were absolute steals in the second round of the draft.
NEW YORK — After Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin fouled out of Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers, a third-string center was needed to match up against Roy Hibbert.
Shumpert, as you may recall, suffered from a few hard falls in Game 3 which have resulted in swelling in his left knee—the same knee that required season ending ACL surgery in last year’s playoffs.
