There's a big "under new management" sign at the Oracle Arena, with new owner Joe Lacob taking over on the management side and interim coach Keith Smart on the bench. Will the changes pay immediate dividends on the floor?
Offseason Moves
Key Additions: David Lee, Dorell Wright, Ekpe Udoh, Lou Amundson, interim coach Keith SmartKey Subtractions: Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Morrow, Corey Maggette
2009-10 Outlook
The re-building effort has just started, but the Warriors already have a very different look, mostly due to the departure of coach Don Nelson. Nelson was notorious for running unconventional lineups designed to create mismatches on the offensive end -- and having a defense that could best be described as "absent." With Nelson gone, the days of Corey Maggette masquerading as a power forward are over.Maggette was dumped on the Milwaukee Bucks over the summer and could be just the first Nellie-ball player out the door. Monta Ellis could be next. The Warriors will take a look at the Stephen Curry/Ellis backcourt this season, but early indications are they're far from sold on that pairing. Don't be surprised if Ellis is shopped before the February trade deadline as the Warriors look to rebuild around Curry, David Lee and Andris Biedrins.
Fantasy Notes
Nelson's Warriors were a team I preferred to avoid in fantasy drafts. Though the high-octane Nellieball system often generated eye-popping numbers, Nelson's constant rotation tinkering left fantasy owners wondering when Anthony Randolph or Anthony Morrow or Andris Biedrins or Jamal Crawford or several other players would get a real opportunity to contribute. But I would have been more than willing to overlook my distaste to draft Stephen Curry, whose numbers last March and April were truly eye-popping. Curry is aThe Warriors should still be a high-scoring squad; the Ellis/Curry backcourt will be very difficult to stop and Lee should thrive alongside them. But the new-look Warriors will also feature players who can play a little D -- like shot-blocker Biedrins, banger Louis Amundson -- and who aren't strong jump-shooters like pass-first point guard Jeremy Lin.
Selecting Ekpe Udoh sixth overall is another indicator of the change in organizational philosophy, though the shot-blocker from Baylor won't make his NBA debut until January due to a wrist injury.
Swingman Reggie Williams would have been a popular sleeper pick in fantasy drafts as a potential high-scoring sixth man, but Nelson's departure has dampened some of that enthusiasm.
Projected Lineup
Point Guard: Stephen CurryShooting Guard: Monta Ellis
Small Forward: Dorrell Wright
Power Forward: David Lee
Center: Andris Biedrins
Key Subs: Charlie Bell, Lou Amundson, Reggie Williams, Vladimir Radmanovic
