Well, it's the end of the month.
Richardson's been back one game and fans are already putting the franchise tag back on him. Baron Davis has gone down with another near-season-ending injury. Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins continue to be counted on. Chris Mullin decided to pass on a Pietrus/Juan Dixon swap. And Patrick O'Bryant's back on the roster.
Right now, the biggest issue for Golden State seems like the previous #5:
32 wrote:5) How often can the Warriors rely on Al Harrington? - Right now, Harrington's averaging 19.2 PPG as a Warrior (second to only Baron Davis). But look at his up-and-down FG% in Golden State (keep in mind, he's never shot less than 11 shots in a game and averages 16.1 attempts per night as a Warrior): 19%, 68%, 71%, 82%, 33%, 47%, 27%, 35%, 35%, 33%. Harrington is a very streaky player. The question Golden State needs answered is: can Harrington carry the scoring load often enough to be counted on... or should they keep relying too heavily on Baron Davis and Monta Ellis?
With Baron out, the Warriors need their role players to step up (yes, even with the return of Richardson). Harrington has, traditionally, been a pretty streaky player. Right now, I'd take Al putting up 16 or 17 a night, consistently, rather than 30 one night and 11 the next.
Also, how much can the Warriors rely on an INJURED Baron Davis? Obviously, when he returns, the Warriors are expected to get a jumpstart... so does that mean they can slack off and slide a bit down the standings, while still making the playoffs when Baron returns? Or do they need to keep themselves in the hunt, because Davis is incapable of pushing us that far by himself?
How far can Baron Davis take us with only 20 games left on his season? Or 15? Or, possibly, as little as 10...?