2014-2015 Finish: 31-51

 

Season Highlight:

 

There wasn't much to be happy about for a Warriors fan in 2014/15 season. We could praise the league front office for hiring GM MaiLo, but it's too soon to call that a success, even though the early returns look promising.

 

Former GM(s) went all in for this season, trading yet another first round pick for a promise of immediate glory. Then the season started and all their plans crumbled in first week. December 4th and 5th could easily be described under the season lowlight. The schedule wasn't kind to the Warriors as they hosted Knicks and Jazz twice, but the results were terrible. A loss in Houston, to the worst team in the eastern conference and three consecutive blowouts against playoff teams. Hopes shattered right there. And you can't even tank properly without the pick.

 

But then the sun rose again and Warriors got (back?) on the winning path. On December 6th they beat Milwaukee for their first quality win of the season. These were rare but they managed a few more surprises down the road (Dallas, Boston). Dubs didn't stop right there and beat two future bottom feeders Thunder and (finally) Rockets. Warriors were hot, the buzz of the league, kinda. Even GM Wallruss was perplexed "So I lose the games I'm supposed to win and then win the game that I'm supposed to lose... Perplexed". Some thought Warriors could make a run here, "This season is going to be fun to watch unfold....the 0-4 Warriors, including 3 blow outs, takes down the 3-0 Bucks".

 

But then the streak stopped, it turned out it was their only 3 game winning streak of the season and the losses piled up yet again.

 

Season Lowlight:

 

A lottery team trading pick after pick or the revolving doors of GMs? Warriors are historically the worst NLL franchise, they only made playoffs once, back when internet was still text only in 2003/4. NLL doesn't keep records of former GMs but the number of people leading the franchise should be a record one too. Number of lottery picks on the other hand is surprisingly low as they don't hold much value over there. The jury is still out for most of those trades, but the impression is they were at least unnecessary if not outright bad.

 

Warriors were out of the playoff race soon, but their starters kept them in games and they managed to beat the teams at the bottom of the standings with the occasional spark here and there. In the end they finished 8 games behind postseason, in a familiar territory. Another lost season without progression and little hope for the future.

 

Best (and worst) Trade:

 

The GMs were inactive and the Warriors only made three trades, only one was significant enough to talk about and could be called best and worst by some.

 

Warriors got Harrison Barnes for their first round pick (10, Devin Booker - hard to say with the plethora of Clippers picks but I guess it was this one), promising big Clint Capela and 'sharpshooter' Reggie Bullock to LA Clippers and got back Harrison Barnes.

 

I'd argue it's a steal for Clippers who got some nice young cheap players with arguably higher ceiling. Barnes looked like a bust in his first two years but played well enough last season and is now an NBA champion. He also wants 20M contract for his services.

 

 

Other Notable Trades:

 

Allen Crabbe to Mavs for 12 GM points. Young teams in transition should keep their young guys, but maybe points were needed and the value was good. Crabbe will get a bigger chance this year in NBA.

 

Ian Mahinmi to Thunder for 20 GM points, John Salmons and Justin Hamilton. Ian is a solid backup center that can fill in as a starter, but 20 GM points for him is a solid value. Salmons did his part as a bench depth guy, scoring efficient 4 points in just 8 minutes.

 

 

Best FA Signing:

 

Warriors, unsurprisingly, were inactive on the free agent market, or just not successful, which goes in line with bad record, unattractive squad and bad front office, that couldn't lure more lucrative players.

 

The best signing of the crop ('crop' includes Shavlik Randolph) was Elijah Milsap. Paul's younger brother sticked around and looks like a promising 7-8th man in NBA. He played in 49 games for the Dubs, but didn't really contribute much as he struggled a lot on offense. He also managed 5 games for the Thunder, which don't show in his transaction history.

 

Worst FA Signing:

 

Shavlik Randolph was released from the Wizards at the end of November and then picked of the waivers by Warriors, Shav was trashy in DC, converting only 35% of his shots. His form improved in warmer weather and he was briefly one of the most efficient offensive weapons in the league, converting 67% of his shots (also an air ball free throw specialist), before being cut a month later for Milsap.

 

Star:

 

Dubs had a rather equally spread starting five, a league average, but they're really thin behind that and couldn't bear any injuries. The best of the bunch was probably Wilson Chandler. Wilson was a gunner, took on a lot of offensive responsibility, was 3rd in three point shots taken and made and was efficient for that volume (37%)) .

 

Wilson traveled a lot during the years and battled some serious injuries. He was drafted by Minnesota, started in Milwaukee, played for Jazz, Pistons, Lakers and got dealt in Iguodala trade (with the obligatory first round pick) to the Warriors where he enjoyed his best season so far, finally enjoying an injury free year.   

 

Surprise:

 

It's hard to pick someone as a surprise. There were veterans that did what they did and journeymen that didn't do much. We could pick Lowry's breakdown in the offseason and his multiple DUIs which will see him suspended at the beginning of the season. Solid improvement from Harrison Barnes. Decline of former star Salmons into oblivion. But nothing really stood out.

 

 

Goat:

 

Roy Hibbert was acquired for JJ Reddick with 40 GM points at the beginning of the season. He played well for Bulls all those years, but was seeing a massive sudden decline in NBA. He was still an elite player in NLL in prior year and Dubs wanted someone to hold together their defense. Roy was hot and cold. His defense was ok and he managed best +- on the team. His rebounding was a pleasant surprise, putting together his second best season, but his offense declined further as teammates ignored him regularly on that end and he was limited to putbacks and garbage baskets.

 

Draft Report Card:

 

Warriors had only one 2nd round pick, they selected Pat Connaughton with the 40th pick. They got a C grade by both draft experts. Nenjabin likes his athleticism and shooting, but is worried about his defensive abilities and wondered why front court depth wasn't addressed here. Merencio thought it a safe pick with some potential to surprise down the road if he plays the right way.

 

Pat made it into the training camp and will have a chance to fight for a spot on the final roster. If he makes the team, he'll have a chance to earn minutes as Warriors are paper thin everywhere.

 

Looking to the Future:

 

The starters are set, but there's little youth here. Hibbert, Nene, Vasquez and Lowry are all at the end of their stints in NBA, which could be a problem for a team that doesn't have a reputation as a free agent target, at least not so far.

 

Chandler signed an extension, so he's a safe bet for a few more years. Barnes could be involved in s&t and his price will be very high as he just rejected 4/64 extension. And that's about it. MaiLo will have to find some magic to get the bench filled with actual players.

 

Best course of actions going forward? There are two options. Silent rebuild. Trade Hibbert, Nene, Lowry, Vasquez for young promising players, maybe even Barnes if value around the league is solid. Start with the new young core and add a couple of high picks. The other path leads to a fierce uphill battle for the last playoff spot, something that might be obtained in the West with the current core. But probably just this year.

 

Outstanding free agents

 

John Salmons

Dante Cunningham

Brendan Haywood 

Alonzo Gee

Justin Hamilton - decided to play the season in Spain.

 

Not the most promising bunch. Throw extensions to all of them for bench depth and don't worry if the look for greener pastures.