The 2007-2008 season was more than an ordinary season for the NBA’s favorite underdogs. The Golden State Warriors just came off the greatest upset in NBA playoffs history after their drought of missing the postseason for over a decade. They wanted to play in late April once again, but there were many obstacles in their path.
The thug image of Stephen Jackson continued when he began the season on the sidelines, suspended for seven games because of legal problems. In the mean time, coach Don Nelson didn't hesitate when he named Jackson one of the team captains, leaving doubters in shock.
"We have great confidence in him as a player and a leader, and I think you'd hear that from most people who have spent time to really get to know Jack," Nelson said to Jackson's critics.
After the horrendous 0-6 start for Golden State, Captain Jack came back and led Golden State to an above .500 record. They had momentum heading into the All-Star break, with everyone clicking together.
Baron Davis was healthy and had yet to miss a game. Monta Ellis was playing the best basketball of his career. Stephen Jackson has kept his mouth shut and wasn’t in the top of the league in technicals and proved to be a very good team captain.
Don Nelson kept claming that he would use to bench, but he showed that he is all talk when he played his starters 40+ minutes every night, which left the bench undeveloped. Players like Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli, and Patrick O’Bryant were extremely disappointed. Even Kelenna Azubuike, who scored 33 points in the season debut, barely got onto the court during some games.
Nelson insisted on playing players like Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus instead. Barnes mother passed away and was playing horrid basketball and Pietrus was getting distracted by trade rumors and was playing just as bad. The team had suffered without a bench.
Andris Beidrins went out with an appendectomy, Brandan Wright was then the starter and took advantage of his playing time. When Beidrins returned, Wright saw his minutes rise, a sign that the 68-year-old coach had faith in the rookie.
Going into the final month of the season, Golden State was three games ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the final playoff seed in the tough Western Conference. The Warriors faced some tough teams like the Spurs, Hornets, and the Mavericks who wanted revenge. The results didn't go in the Warriors favor, dropping all of them, knocking them out of the playoffs.
They had one last shot to get in, and that was to beat the Nuggets in Oakland.
The Warriors started off the game on fire with a double-digit lead in the first quarter, but ended up losing the game and sitting at home while they watched Denver get swept by the Western Conference champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors ended the season with a 48-34 record. They had six less wins the previous season, yet they made it to the playoffs. This was one of the hardest playoffs races of all time, and unfortunately, the Warriors will have to wait until next season.
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6 months ago
Great sum up to the season Yama. Bay area all the way! Umm...I just disagree with one line in your article when you say, "When Beidrins returned, Wright saw his minutes rise, a sign that the 68-year-old coach had faith in the rookie." I didn't see that happening at all! Firstly, when Biedrins was out, Brandan Wright played an average of 13 minutes a game, and he was the only legit "possible" fill in for Biedrins. Other than that you're spot on, I like the summary.
But in the draft, you know, I think a point guard will do the trick, unless of-course, CJ Watson receives confidence from MR. NELSON next season, who has a rookie/sophomore paranoia.
Quite frankly, I put the blame on Nelson last season, because I have never ever seen a coach play his star players, IN REGULAR season games, for an average of 42-44 minutes a game. That's just crazy right there. Where was Brandan Wright...he has had no rookie season, just a couple of flashes here and there in garbage time during the Bobcats and when the season was virtually over.
Thanks for sharing the article though.
6 months ago
Well he still played Wright, I'm surprised he didn't want to sign another bust like Chris Webber to replace Beidrins.
6 months ago
And Nellie was the problem your right. He is the type of coach to fix up a franchise, not a coach to win a title with. I want Jeff Van Gundy to replace him when he retires.
6 months ago
Baron is signed; he technically could opt-out of his last year of his current contract, but there is no way he gets paid $17 million/yr. on the open market with his injury history (last season's perfect 82-games played notwithstanding).
I would like the team to lock up Biedrins and Monta (as long as Memphis doesn't throw some ridiculous offer sheet at him). I say let Baron play out his last season, and if they can get him to sign a three-year deal after that, do it. If he wants 5+, let him go and build around Biedrins, Monta and Wright as the future of this team. We'll see how it shakes out, starting with next week's draft. Good piece.
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