Golden State Warriors – 2008 Team Preview – Betting Odds
by Jason of Predictem.com
2007 Record: 48-34 (34-48-0 ATS)
Head Coach: Don Nelson
Assistant Coach’s: Larry Riley, Keith Smart, Sidney Moncrief, Stephen Silas, and Russell Turner
Division: Pacific
Conference: Western
Home Court: Oakland Arena
Projected Starting Lineup:
Center: Andris Biedrins
Forward: Al Harrington
Forward: Corey Maggette
Guard: Stephen Jackson
Guard: Monta Ellis
Too bad the Warriors are in the Western Conference, as last year the team won 48 games and did not even make the playoffs. At least they were the most exciting team to watch with their run and gun style of play.
Who’s In/Who’s Out
The big loss for the Warriors will be losing G free agent Baron Davis. He was the face of the franchise for several years, but packed his bags for La La land to play for his hometown Clippers. The Warriors added free agents F-C Ronny Turiaf, F Corey Maggette, F Anthony Morrow, and drafted F Anthony Randolph and F Richard Hendrix. The teams lost the free agents of F Matt Barnes, F Austin Croshere, G Troy Hudson, C Patrick O’Bryant, C Kosta Perovic, and F Mickael Pietrus.
Offense
The Warriors and their frantic style of play will mean they will have no problem scoring the pill. 3 players in their projected starting lineup averaged more than 20 ppg last year in Monta Ellis (20.2), Corey Maggatte (22.1), and Stephen Jackson (20.1). However, rising star Ellis will miss at least 3 months of the season with an ankle injury. The Warriors ranked 1st in points scored last year (111.03 ppg) and 12th in FG% (45.9%). Everyone on the roster can score, but look out for a big year from Maggette. He averaged over 20 points for the slow-paced Clippers last year and under Nellie’s fast paced style that will surely increase.
Defense
While the Warriors scored the most points per game last year they also gave up the most points (108.82 ppg). Their rebounding is not very good, as last year they ranked 29th in rebounding difference (-3.84). The reason is they run and gun and hoist up a ton of 3’s, which leads to long rebounds and easy baskets off fast breaks from opposing teams. Andris Biedrins is decent on the boards (9.8), but no other projected starter averaged more than 6 rebounds per game last year. Biedrins also gets pushed around down low by power F’s and other C’s. Ellis and Davis are quick guys, who forced a lot of steals last season, but Davis is gone and so is Ellis for the 1st half of the season.
Team Strengths
Hmmm, tough call, maybe their OFFENSE!! Everyone on the roster can score the rock and when they go to their bench they do not lose much on the offensive end. Maggette may have a great scoring season and if Ellis comes back and plays like last year, look for the Warriors to be among the league leaders in points per game.
Team Weaknesses
Rebounding and PG depth are the main weaknesses for the Warriors. If they team can hit the boards harder this year it will translate into more easy buckets and a few more wins. The Warriors are thin at the backup PG position, which is not good since Ellis will miss significant time. Losing Davis to the Clippers will hurt, big time, as he can flat out shoot the rock and attack the rim. If the Warriors are going to stay in the playoff picture for the 1st half of the year backup PG Marcus Williams will have to step it up.
Betting Odds and Projections
Sportsbook.com has the Warriors at 60-1 to win the title and at +/- 38.5 wins. 60-1 is even a stretch, as they lost their best player, their 2nd best player is out for a while, and they can’t play D. Ellis needs to come back and play great for the Warriors to even make the playoffs. But the title? Let’s see.no way. +/- 38.5 is a dicey situation, as if Williams plays well in Ellis’ absence and Maggette fits in nicely with the Warriors system, who doesn’t, then there’s a good chance they won’t exceed 38.5 wins. The Warriors will be fun to watch again and they have a solid young core and but wins and playoffs won’t be part of their 2008/2009 season.