By Rio Pesino

Will the 2002-2003 season be the year the Golden State Warriors finally move up from the depths of futility into class of the elite teams? Warriors fans have been waiting nearly a decade for management to bring a winning squad to the Bay Area. However, the past two drafts along with the recent signing of former Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Eric Musselman may provide the organization the winning attitude and commitment it needs to brush off the label of being one of the NBA’s cellar dwellers.

After General Manager Garry St. Jean’s hiring a few years ago, many felt the trade for SG Larry Hughes was one of a number of moves he would make to carry the Warriors into the playoffs. Although he was responsible for a few questionable moves (i.e. Trading the 10th pick for Blaylock, Sprewell for Starks, Cummings, and Mills, signing Dampier and Jamison to big contracts, the Marc Jackson fiasco, the list goes on and on), his philosophy was to build a veteran team with the addition of a couple of young college stars.

Unfortunately St. Jean’s first plan failed miserably and the trades, signings, etc. the former Kings head coach was responsible for has crippled Golden State’s growth to this day. All Warriors fans know what the team has gone through, including the recycling of coaches (P.J. Carlisimo, St. Jean, Cowens, Winters, and now Musselman) the constant signings and trades for old, washed up veterans and the infamous drafts picks of the Todd Fuller, Adonal Foyle and Andrew Declercq. How can you expect a NBA team to grow when there is always constant movement within the team structure and changes in team philosophy? One year we’re a defensive, rebounding team, then the next year we want to be a running team with the same players? Anyone who has an ounce of NBA knowledge knows that you can only play the style of ball that your players allow. It’s like putting a rounded peg through a square hole, it’s just not possible.

Now St. Jean has decided to go with plan B (see LA Clippers). Build through the draft and around your stars. If it worked for the Clips, why can’t it work for Golden State? After 2001’s NBA draft produced slam dunk champ and 1st team all rookie star Jason Richardson, along with Gilbert Arenas and Troy Murphy, the W’s hope this year’s selections of Mike Dunleavy, Jiri Welsch and Steve Logan will produce similar results.

If only Warriors management could have came up with this concept seven years ago, maybe Golden State fans wouldn’t have had to go through all the losing, pain and suffering. But this year’s team reminds me of the good ol’ RUN TMC/Webber-Sprewell days. Back in 1995, we were a young, up-and-coming running team, and loaded with talent at the guard spots (Tim Hardaway, Spree, Avery Johnson, Keith Mr. Jennings, Ricky Pierce) and had a good mix of young and experienced players at the power positions (C Webb, Mullin, Owens, Rodgers, Rozier). Today’s squad includes a number of talented players in the backcourt, including Jrich, Arenas, Logan and Welsch, along with a young and arguable deep frontcourt (Dunleavy, Jamison, Fortson, Damp, Foyle and Murphy). With an intelligent, hungry new coach in Eric Musselman, the sky’s the limit for Golden State.

Can Warriors fans say RUN TMC 2002? Stay tuned…