Steinmetz: Warriors already have the right pieces in place
By: Matt Steinmetz
Special to The Examiner
March 18, 2009
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| The air up there: Center Andris Biedrins is one of the Warriors’ most promising players. Biedrins is a proven big man who’s made a significant impact on the team. (AP) |
SAN FRANCISCO — A couple of weeks ago, Warriors president Robert Rowell was talking about his team, and had this to say: “We’re closer to being a good basketball team than going the other way.”
It was easy to snicker at that quote. After all, one could argue that the Warriors, who entered Tuesday’s game against the L.A. Clippers 20 games below .500, already have gone the other way.
I didn’t snicker because I agree with Rowell.
Despite all the off-court issues involving their front office and coach, the fact of the matter is that the Warriors’ roster remains relatively vibrant. They’ve got some young, intriguing pieces and they’ve got some proven veterans.
Now, there is no doubt that the roster isn’t perfect. On the court, the Warriors are struggling; on paper, there is an imbalance — with too many shooting guards and small forwards; and in salary structure, there’s a lot to be desired.
But that doesn’t change the fact that there is something to work with here. Anthony Randolph has a chance to become a special player; Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis are young and already proven; Stephen Jackson, Corey Maggette and Jamal Crawford are legit NBA players.
Anthony Morrow, Marco Belinelli, Kelenna Azubuike and Brandan Wright all have been productive at various junctures.
The real issue isn’t whether or not the Warriors are close to becoming a good team. The real issue is whether the Warriors’ organization has the wherewithal to become a good team, and sooner rather than later.
It almost doesn’t matter whether or not you believe the Warriors are poised to turn this thing around. What matters most is whether they will or not.
Warriors coach Don Nelson clearly seconds Rowell’s assessment. The other day, Nelson was saying that it just might take a move or two to get this thing going again.
Fair enough.
Then if that’s the case, it’s up to Rowell, Nelson, Larry Riley and whoever else is making the decisions to determine what that move or two is and make it or them happen.
That’s where the doubt, skepticism and, yes, snickering comes in. There seems to be very little confidence among Warriors fans and the Bay Area media that the franchise has it in them to get this team back into the playoffs in 2009-10.
Would a solid point guard who knew how to run a team help? Of course. Could the Warriors use another big body up front?
Definitely, as long as there is still room for Randolph.
Could the team benefit from a two-for-one or three-for-one trade in which the Warriors give up a little depth for a touch more quality?
You bet.
Point is, there are moves for the Warriors to make, moves that very well could go a long way toward erasing the disappointing memory that will be 2008-09.
OK, so the Warriors might be close. But nobody will believe it until they get there.
Matt Steinmetz is the NBA insider for Warriors telecasts on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. E-mail him at msteinmetz@sfexaminer.com.
