The 1st pick in the 1995 usenet draft belongs to the Golden State Warriors and their net GM: David Hayden. David and the Warriors select: Jerry Stackhouse, SF, 6-6. University of North Carolina ===================================================================== I. Team Needs/History To say that this team is surrounded by question marks would be an understatement. One year ago the Warriors were supposed to be bound for an NBA championship with five all-star caliber players on their team. In the course of a year they've gone from potentially one of the league's best teams, to having the fifth worst record in the league. The reasons for this dramatic change center around two problem areas (1) Injuries, and (2) Frictions between Coach/GM Don Nelson and all-star-to-be Chris Webber which eventually led to the departure of both from the team. In order to recover and once again become a contender in the playoffs the Golden State Warriors must recover from both their physical and their mental injuries. The Warriors do not have the same level of talent on their team they did a year ago, but the players still have enough individual talent to make the team a threat in next year's playoffs *if* they can all come together as a team. With this in mind, the Warriors have begun to find answers to the long list of questions facing them in their off-season. The problems between Hardwaway and Spreewell appear to be on the mend, the hiring of Dave Twardzik as GM and of Adelman as head coach for the team bodes well for an improved atmosphere (and improved defense) next season, and the unexpected surprise of winning the first pick in the lottery gives the Warriors a plethora of options. POINT GUARD: The Warriors have one of the league's best at this position in Tim Hardaway, and an exceptional backup in Mr. Keith Jennings. Unfortunately Hardaway has been out with injuries for much of the last two years. In the games he played this season Hardaway showed that he still has what it takes to be a star in this league, but questions exist about how many more seasons he will last. It is unclear whether Mr. Jennings will remain in a Warriors uniform next season since the Warriors are just *too deep* and will most likely not be able to protect him in the expansion draft. Given these two facts this may be a good time to consider drafting a player at this position. SHOOTING GUARD: One year ago Spreewell was named first-team All-NBA, but the trade of Webber seemed to drain Spree's desire to compete, and now it is unclear whether he will be with the team next season. If he can not play his best for the Warriors he should be traded. The primary backup player at this position last year was UFA Ricky Pierce. Pierce's shooting ability makes him a valuable part of the team, however due to injuries and his advanced age it is unclear whether he will be re-signed. Also a backup at this position is Dwayne Morton. Morton was given few minutes in his rookie season despite all the injury problems for the Warriors and appears unlikely to be much of a factor. Given these problems, the Warriors would do well making an aquisition at this position as well. SMALL FORWARD: Chris Mullin (when healthy) is an excellent scorer, and is "the type of player who makes those around him better." The only down side for Chris is his age, and the number of injuries he's had. Backing up Mullin is Donyell Marshall. Marshall will be a superb scorer in the league, and is best suited for the run-and-gun style the Warriors currently play. His defense has been surprisingly bad, his ball handling, strength, and long distance shooting all need work. In short, he's a rookie. This combination of an aging all-star veteran and a young up-and-coming star give the Warriors a solid 1-2 punch at this position. POWER FORWARD: The Warriors are, if anything, *too* deep at this position with three solid role-players: Cliff Rozier, Carlos Rogers, and Chris Gatling. Rogers showed flashes of brilliance but it's unclear whether he'll ever be able to develop into a consistently top-level player. Gatling's ability to score at such a high FG%, and energy make him a valuable assett, while Rozier proved himself to be solid rebounder and shot- blocker. Trading any one of these players away packaged with a starter at another position to get a player who is a better fit for the team's needs at shooting guard, center, or for a star power-forward should be considered. CENTER: Rony Seikally showed little signs of the solid play he was known for in Miami during the games he was healthy enough to play this season. I am not convinced Seikally's style of play is best for this team, unfortunately I do not believe any other centers who are better will be available in trades. Thus I expect Seikally will stay a Warrior, and return to put up a double double average in points and rebounding next year. Backing up Seikally is Victor Alexander, who is rumoured to be trade bait. Alexander has developed into an above-average backup, but Rozier and Gatling fit into the Warriors style of play better and thus are likely to get the majority of minutes at the backup center position. PROTECTED LIST: 1. Latrell Sprewell - SG 2. Tim Hardaway - PG 3. Donyell Marshall - SF 4. Rony Seikally - C 5. Chris Mullin - SF 6. Carlos Rogers - PF/SF 7. Cliff Rozier - PF/C 8. Chris Gatling - PF II. My Selection (and explanation) With the first pick of Usenet Mock Draft I select . . . ***Jerry Stackhouse*** While I agree with those who point out that despite being labeled "the next Michael Jordan" Stackhouse is definitely NOT Michael, I do feel that Jerry has the potential to be a star player in this league. Furthermore he is reported to have the kind of work ethic and desire to improve that can make him a solid team *citizen* as well as an outstanding player. III. Others considered (and why considered) Also considered at this position was Joe Smith. If you think the Warriors should take Smith with this pick, I won't dispute it. The general consensus seems to be that Smith really is the best player available in this draft and thus is well deserving of the first pick. The only problem I have with him is his size. I shudder to think of a future in which our two starting forwards are Donyell Marshall and Joe Smith. Still, Joe is an exceptional player and I would be jubilent to see him in a Warriors uniform. From all reports I've heard Smith is another hard working player with a good work ethic who will be a star in this league. IV. Who the team will probably take I believe the Warriors need to make some trades. At this point we just have too many good players. Thus, the nature of the trades available to them may quite well determine who they select at this position. Putting these considerations aside I expect the Warriors to take Joe Smith as the best player available. V. Other moves that the team should make The Warriors have a lot of choices facing them. So far things are looking very promising, but with great oportunities come great oportunities for mistakes. Certainly getting the number one pick is not something to regret, but the fourth pick would have made things much more clear for the Warriors. In fact, I would not be suprised if the Warriors do still try to get the player who would have been their pick at #4 via a trade: Antonio McDyess. The Warriors should shop around and find out who they can get for any of the following players: Carlos Rogers Donyell Marshall Latrell Spreewell their #1 draft pick Trading Hardaway could also be considered but only if it nets the team another star point guard. Two who have been rumoured to be on the market are Rod Strickland and Gary Payton. I've had my doubts about Seikally fitting in with this team, but the new GM and coach suggest an increased emphasis on defense and rebounding which appeals to Seikally and plays better to his strengths than the current/prior style of play. I also do not think Rozier will be traded since he fits into this mold as well. Marshall, on the other hand, does not. For that matter Joe Smith's lack of bulk suggest he would not do as well with this type of team either. ==================================================================