Bay Area Sports Blogging

Mike Dunleavy Jr., Indiana Pacers, SF

The third pick in the 2002 draft, Dunleavy never lived up to the hype as the next Larry Bird. His inconsistencies and failings made him the scapegoat of all that was wrong with the Warriors. Known for his airballs and hilarious facial expressions, Dunleavy will forever be the most reviled Warrior in history.

With Jermaine O'Neal out with an injury, Dunleavy became the main chucker on the Pacers squad posting near triple-double numbers. Some in the industry called this his breakout season. But Warriors' fans know best. Dunleavy's inconsistency reared its' ugly head and he dropped back down to a triple-single guy.

Season Averages:
12 GP, 33.0 MPG, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 84% FT
15.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.3 TO

Troy Murphy, Indiana Pacers, PF

Taken with the 14th pick in the 2001 draft, Murphy was a relative unknown to the fan base. Although, it became a pleasant surprise when he started to rack up the double-doubles during the season. With range out to the 3pt line and a dependable mid-range jumper, Murphy was a solid player. Unfortunately, the revolving door of Warriors' coaches did him in. He was encouraged to gain weight to fight down low, then told to slim down for run-n-gun which led to his reoccuring foot problems. Also, other problems with his game arose--he couldn't handle the ball well, he couldn't finish inside, he couldn't play defense, and it felt like he was just a stat padder.

This season, foot troubles popped up again for Murphy forcing him to sit out the first few games of the season. When he came back into the lineup, he provided decent 3pt shooting and rebounds, but nothing substantial. Just another overpaid role player now.

Season Averages:
8 GP, 26.4 MPG, 41% FG, 39% 3PT, 84% FT
13.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.1 TO

Ike Diogu, Indiana Pacers, PF

The Warriors desparately needed a low post scorer and in the 2005 draft, many felt that they finally had him in Ike Diogu. Ike was the man in college, consistently getting double and even triple teamed while still scoring effectively. He has an array of post moves and the patience to get the ball in the bucket. Unfortunately, he had very little in the way of defense, can not pass out of a double team, and was just too short for the Warriors coaching staff.

With O'Neal and Murphy out with injuries, Diogu got plenty of playing time in the Pacers' slow down offense. He was able to work the post effectively putting up some good numbers. But he came down with an injury himself after three games and has not been heard of from since.

Season Averages:
3 GP, 23.3 MPG, 57% FG, 0% 3PT, 100% FT
13.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.0 TO

Jason Richardson, Charlotte Bobcats, SG

Jrich was the de-facto leader and heart of the Warriors' teams during the twelve years of non-playoffs. He brought energy and fire to each contest and improved an aspect of his game every offseason. His game over the years transitioned from a dynamic dunker to an all-around scorer, featuring dead-eye 3pt shooting. A fan favorite, Jrich kept the Warriors interesting all these years. And for that, he deserves a great thank you.

Coming into the Bobcats, Jrich was designated as the go-to scorer for the team. With this responsibility, he had become a chucker--shooting way too many shots. His lack of handles, poor free throw shooting and porous defense became all too apparent as well.

Season Averages:
11 GP, 34.9 MPG, 41% FG, 42% 3PT, 54% FT
17.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.6 TO

Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers, PG

Fresh off an outstanding career with the Lakers, Fisher signed a fat contract with the Golden State Warriors. This signing was the first of many bad signings by Chris Mullin. As a spot-up shooter, Fisher was money. As the main ball handler, he was a disaster. He played like Kobe Bryant without the success or the athleticism.

After hitting those big 3s to put away the Warriors in the playoffs, Fisher signed on with the Lakers again. The purple and gold uniform fits Fisher to a T. Playing with Kobe again has also made him into a decent player again.

Season Averages:
11 GP, 26.5 MPG, 49% FG, 35% 3PT, 94% FT
11.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 1.8 TO

Josh Powell, Los Angeles Clippers, PF

Part of the infamous mid-season trade which brought the Warriors Jackson and Harrington, Powell was never able to get significant minutes with the team. In the Summer League, Powell showcased a nice mid-range jumper and grabbed a bunch of boards. I had expected the Warriors to sign him up. But that never happened and he ended up with the Clippers.

With Elton Brand out, you would of expected Josh to get a lot of minutes with the team. Instead, he got beat out by the likes of Tim Thomas and Paul Davis. That is just sad.

Season Averages:
4 GP, 4.3 MPG, 0% FG, 0% 3PT, 0% FT
0.0 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TO

Brian Cardinal, Memphis Grizzlies, SF

The Custodian! Cardinal was an instant hit with the fans. He dove for every loose ball, fought for every rebound, and hit some timely shots. A number of fans were angry when he wasn't resigned. But, the cost would have been quite high. Cardinal parlayed his great season with the Warriors into a sizeable contract with the Grizzlies. We're talking about the Dunleavy range here.

I haven't followed Cardinal in awhile. I remembered he was a disappointment to the Grizzlies after signing that huge contract. That's pretty much it.

Season Averages:
4 GP, 10.5 MPG, 42% FG, 50% 3PT, 25% FT
3.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.8 TO

Speedy Claxton, Atlanta Hawks, PG

Claxton really lived up to his namesake. The guy was quick and speedy, able to get to the basket at will it seemed. Unfortunately, along with the breakneck pace he set, injuries cropped up as well limiting his playing time and overall effectiveness. Oh, he also didn't have a jump shot. That was kinda bad too.

This season, Speedy has been regulated to the bench fulfilling his role as the dead-weight contract.

Season Averages:
0 GP, 0.0 MPG, 0% FG, 0% 3PT, 0% FT
0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 TO

Eduardo Najera, Denver Nuggets, SF

Scrappy bruiser. I have no idea how Najera became a Warrior, but he fulfilled a role that was left vacant by Cardinal--that of the hustle guy. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about Najera's style of play. Pretty much just all knees and elbows flailing away in the lane. But he has heart, I have to give him that.

Najera fit in nicely with the Denver Nuggets. He came in off the bench as a sparkplug providing hustle and energy in spot minutes. I think he has a 3pt shot now as well.

Season Averages:
12 GP, 21.7 MPG, 54% FG, 44% 3PT, 70% FT
6.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.1 TO

Donyell Marshall, Cleveland Cavaliers, PF

Donyell was the result of the whole Webber-Gugliotta debacle. He came to the Warriors highly touted but raw as hell. His last year with the Warriors saw him transform from a 2nd year with potential to a legitimate double-double guy with 3pt range. Much like any other Warrior who found his game, he left the team to greener pastures.

Donyell was an integral part of the Cavaliers playoff run last season, hitting some big 3s. I'm not sure anymore, but he may still have the record for most 3s in a single game or most consecutive 3s in a single game. Unfortunately, he has been injured this season and has seen only limited minutes.

Season Averages:
2 GP, 11.0 MPG, 29% FG, 20% 3PT, 0% FT
2.5 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 0.0 TO

Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers, SG

Another raw player with potential when he was with the Warriors, but a semi-star when he left for other teams. Hughes made a name for himself playing partner to Gilbert Arenas in Washington and then lucked into the situation of playing with Lebron James in Cleveland.

Larry Hughes has been battling with injuries for most of his career and this season is no different. He has been out for half the season so far.

Season Averages:
6 GP, 6.8 MPG, 29% FG, 25% 3PT, 67% FT
6.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 1.7 TO

Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards, PG

Agent 0, Hibachi, Nachoooooo! Any of these names can best represent Gilbert Arenas. Although, Superstar may fit him the best. A 2nd round pick by the Warriors in the draft that netted Jrich and Murphy, Arenas was given playing time in the last quarter of his rookie year and promptly took off. Showing his speed and knack of hitting timely jumpers, Arenas was becoming a superstar before the Warriors eyes. Unfortunately, because of a loophole regarding second round picks, the Warriors were unable to match the contract put up by the Wizards and thus lost another rising star. The loophole has been fixed only after the fact.

Last season, Arenas suffered a devastating knee injury in the later half the season after putting up tremendous numbers. This season, he has been bothered by that same knee and has not been effective as he could be.

Season Averages:
8 GP, 39.5 MPG, 39% FG, 21% 3PT, 75% FT
22.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 4.8 TO

Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards, PF

I liked Antawn's game. He has range to the 3pt line as well as the ability to finish inside effectively. He hit the boards very well with his quick jumping ability, although this did not help him with defense at all. Besides the lack of defense and the huge contract he received, I can't really find any fault in his game. The fact that we got Dunleavy as his replacement really sucked.

Antawn made a name for himself as instant offense off the bench for the Mavericks and then later signed on with the Wizards becoming a double-double machine.

Season Averages:
11 GP, 38.4 MPG, 39% FG, 37% 3PT, 81% FT
19.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 1.5 TO

Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks, C

Damp was so frustrating as a Warrior. He has all the tools to be a dominant center, he just didn't seem to have the drive. The only time he showed off his talent was during the last year of his contract when he suddenly became dominant in the post only to regress once he signed another big contract.

Damp signed on with the Mavericks after not receiving a contract from the Warriors and started a few games for them. But now, he's been mostly a benchwarmer or injured, probably just biding his time until the last year of contract is up.

Season Averages:
5 GP, 13.8 MPG, 50% FG, 0% 3PT, 43% FT
3.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 0.8 TO

Adonal Foyle, Orlando Magic, C

Working in a backup role with Dampier, Foyle did very well for himself. As the main guy at center after Dampier left, Foyle revealed the limitations to his game and his general suckitude. Foyle's game has not evolved at all. He is still a shot blocking machine and little else. As a person he's great, as a player he's d-league.

Foyle gave the Warriors a home discount on his buyout, taking much less than someone like Troy Hudson took from the Timberwolves. He went on to join the Orlando Magic to create the fearsome Howard-Foyle front line. It's not a coincidence that the Magic are 9-2 with Foyle.

Season Averages:
13 GP, 10.0 MPG, 36% FG, 0% 3PT, 57% FT
1.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.1 APG, 0.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.5 TO

Joe Smith, Chicago Bulls, PF

The mistake of the decade. With the 1st pick of the 1995 draft, the Warriors selected Joe Smith; passing on the high school phenom, Kevin Garnett. As the number 1 pick, Smith received a huge contract. He did not live up to the contract. He was a solid player though. Its just he was picked before KG. He can never live up to those expectations.

Smith had a good career. A real professional. Able to hit the mid range jumper, defend the post, grab boards and hit his free throws. He is now with the Chicago Bulls as a backup PF to Tyrus Thomas. I have him on my fantasy team.

Season Averages:
10 GP, 18.2 MPG, 43% FG, 0% 3PT, 95% FT
7.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 0.8 TO

Earl Boykins, Free Agent, PG/SG

Another fan favorite, Boykins looked like your average guy on the street. Standing 5 feet 5 inches, he looked like a boy playing amongst men. But his game was nothing to sneeze at. He provided instant offense off the bench and had nerves of steel especially in the fourth quarter when the team needed a score.

Boykins went on to have a number of productive seasons with the Denver Nuggets before getting traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. After the season, Boykins turned down a guaranteed contract with the Bucks to test the free agent market--a mistake that will most likely haunt him for the rest of his life.

Chris Webber, Free Agent, PF

The saviour and destroyer of the Golden State Warriors franchise. Drafted out of Michigan, Webber had all the tools of a superstar. A big man with guard-like abilities. He could do it all--handle, rebound, shoot and pass. Unfortunately, maturity was not part of the package. He clashed with Coach Nelson and eventually was shipped out for some scrubs.

Does anyone care what Webber has done since he left the Warriors? I sure as hell don't.

Stephane Lasme, Free Agent, SF

Drafted this past year in the second round, Lasme was to provide a rebounding and shotblocking prescense. Instead, he was unable to get any time on the court due to injuries and Brandan Wright's emergence. He was cut earlier this week after Mbenga was signed.

Somewhere out there. Maybe he'll end up in the d-league. Would be ironic if he ends up being a teammate with Kosta Perovic.

Sarunas Jasikevicius, International Team, PG

Part of the big midseason trade last year, Sarunas most important role for the Warriors was as a cheerleader off the bench in the playoffs. He was too slow for the fast-paced offense and too weak as a defender. His shot was off during the time he was on the floor. Not much else to say.

He's a god over there in the international scene.