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

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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.
==================================================================


Craig Simpson - Usenet Draft Commissioner