With the loss against Denver, the Golden State Warriors' chances of making the NBA playoffs is next to nill. To get in, the Warriors would need to win all three games against the LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and Seattle Supersonics while the Denver Nuggets lose two out of three against the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, and/or Memphis Grizzlies. It is mathematically possible, but I've stopped believing.
The Warriors don't have a bench. The starting five can match up against the rest of the league, but once any of the starters get into foul trouble, or need to take a rest, there is no help from the reserve players. Baron, Jackson, and Ellis simply cannot play 40+ minutes a game.
Kelenna Azubuike and Mickael Pietrus have given decent performances off the bench this year, but Pietrus sat out ten games with a groin injury. Ten games is a long time. Biedrins only took six games off when he had appendectomy
surgery. Azubuike has skills, but is not consistent enough with the Warriors.
Matt Barnes has been quiet on the scoreboard all year. He usually comes into the game, picks up a quick foul, chucks up a three, and then commits a flagrant or technical foul. So much for being a tri-captain. Austin Croshere didn't match well in Don Nelson's system, so he rarely got playing time. He was also sporadically injured while getting out of his car or sipping coffee.
Then we have the cache of rookies. Brandan Wright showed off great potential this season, but without playing time, he hasn't gotten into rhythm. He also likes to dribble the ball upcourt too much. Go eat a few dozen hamburgers.
After wowing everyone in the summer league with his shooting ability, Marco Belinelli has wowed us with his dazling array of fine Italian suits. In the rare occassion that Marco does suit up, he stays close to home on the far end of the bench. He only gets in the game during garbage time. He should have been sent to the D-League to improve his game.
C.J. Watson did not impress enough to give Baron Davis rest time. Patrick O'Bryant is a failed project of the Warriors. And Kosta who?
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