By RIO PESINO                   August 23, 2001

Many Warrior fans have posted various trades and moves that they think would help the team greatly. However, most of the trades are just off the wall and unrealistic. I've seen Mookie, Blount and Sura for GP, dealing a signed Marc Jackson for Travis Best and Jermaine O'Neal, and more. There isn't a GM out there that would pull the trigger on those deals. We have to look at the W's situation from a realistic standpoint and understand that with the exception of Jamison we do not have any players with major trade value. Many W's fans hopes we could sign-and-trade Mjax, but that's hard to pull off. I've been a Warriors fan for 15 years, and fixing this team won't happen overnight. However, St. Jean and crew are trying their best to improve the team, and they have started this monumental task through the draft.

DRAFT

For the past couple of years, the local media have criticized Golden State for drafting for need, rather than talent. Foyle and Fuller over Mcgrady and Kobe are a few deals that pop up in people's minds and cause fans to start crying in public places. This year, the Warriors used each of their picks to take the most talented player available.

Golden State had an excellent draft, taking SG's Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas, and Notre Dame's Troy Murphy. While they now have a log-jam at shooting guard, it's acceptable - you can never have enough depth. The plan is to move Hughes to PG, which isn't a bad idea. He's played the point most of his life, and it's better than having Mookie running the show. Give him a chance before you bash the concept. Getting PF Troy Murphy at 14 was a steal. A big man who can actually shoot the J with consistency is exactly what the W's needed. Overall, the draft gives Golden State a promising young trio that may help them for years to come.

ROSTER

Sorry Warriors fans, you will probably not see many moves by St. Jean and company anytime soon. Marc Jackson has not received significant offers from other teams, so he may be re-signed at a bargain price. Other than the MJax situation, the Warriors are probably stuck with their current junk (Cummings, Sura, Mookie) until midseason.

Golden State does have the talent to compete in the tough Western Conference; whether or not the talent stays healthy is the question. They have a nice young nucleus in Jamison, Hughes, Porter, Fortson, JRich, Arenas, and Murphy. The W's actually have a number of legitmate athletes, which has not existed since the RUN TMC/C-Webb-Spree days.

SEASON PREDICTION

If Golden State can stay healthy, and Larry Hughes can become a decent PG, the Warriors have a chance to greatly improve on last season's horrid Win-Loss record. Jamison needs to have an all-star year once again, Dampier has to at least become the center he was three years ago, Fortson has to stay healthy and rebound, and the three rookies have to contribute almost immediately in order for the Warriors to be successful this year. If all of these factors come together, and that is a big If, a 30 to 35 win season is a realistic possibility.
 

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