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Dubs Re-Sign Biedrins & Ellis

So much for a quiet, uneventful Summer vacaction for the Dubs! Seemingly every day the team has made a new transaction, after the surprise opt-out of team leader Baron Davis. While it's not clear the flurry of activity has made the team better, there is no doubt this should prove to be one of the most intriguing seasons in recent memeory for the team.

The biggest news of the past week comes with the re-signing of six-year contract extensions for arguably the team's two most important players in Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. Ellis nabs $67 million, while Biedrins pulls in a guaranteed $54 million, with incentive potential that could bring the total package to $63 million. This is a huge investment on the Dubs' part, but one they absolutely needed to pull off, especially given the departure of Davis. Both players are still only 22 years old, and should have their best years ahead of them. More importantly, each player has continued to improve considerably every season, and the Dubs will be counting on that again this year, as both players loom large as key pillars in the franchise's future.

Assuming the Warriors' front office have no more tricks up there sleeves, the team should head into training camp with one of their deepest lineups in recent years.

Here's a look at the potnetial roster as it stands right now:

PG - Ellis, Marcus Williams, CJ Watson

SG - Stephen Jackson, Marco Bellinelli, Kellenna Azubuike

SF - Corey Maggette, Anthony Randolph

PF - Al Harrington, Brandan Wright, Richard Hendrix

C - Biedrins, Rony Turiaf, Kosta Perovic

This lineup gives Don Nelson plenty of flexibility to throw different looks at opponents, but there are plenty of question marks as well. The biggest being how Ellis responds to the challenge of running the offense and transitioning into a team leader. In what could be the last season on the bench for Nelly, it will certainly be a challenge for him to put together all of the pieces in a cohesive manner. If he can coax some magic out of this exceedingly youthful unit, it may go down as one of his greatest coaching jobs ever.

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Also on the Network: √ 7/1/09: A Tolerable Loss [El Lefty Malo] √ Progress So Far? [Depressed Fan] √ St. Louis Loves Their Colby Jack [C70 At The Bat] √ Peace, Ben. It's been real. [Tremendous Upside Potential] √ 2009 Free Agents, Position-By-Position [Depressed Fan] √ I'm All Up in Your Grill, Harshing Your Mellow [El Lefty Malo] √ Pacers Getting Involved in Free Agency [Arin It Out] √ 990 words on the why Bulls should probably resign Ben Gordon [Tremendous Upside Potential]

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Warriors Add PG Marcus Williams

In a move to shore up the void at Point Guard, Golden State has reportedly completed a deal to acquire Marcus Williams from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a conditional first round draft pick in 2011. Williams enters his third year in the NBA with career numbers of 6 points and 3 assists per game, and is in the final year of his original rookie contract. With the addition of free agent, Keeyon Dooling, New Jersey had a logjam in their backcourt, and this move allows the Dubs the opportunity to get a talented young player, who can mesh well with their young core of players, without sacrificing any of their current talent or spending any more money in what has proved to be a busy offseason.

Now, the team's focus will likely move to negotiating long-term deals with Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins.

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Lakers Decline Offer Sheet; Turiaf Joins The Dubs

Facing a deadline to match an offer sheet to Ronny Turiaf from Golden State, the Los Angeles Lakers reluctantly passed and the rugged forward is now officially a Warrior. Los Angeles faced a difficult choice in that bringing back the popular Turiaf would have pushed them in to the luxury tax area, effectively doubling the 4 year, $17 million dollar deal he signed with Golden State.

Turiaf should provide excellent depth at Center/Power Forward for Coach Don Nelson. His high-energy style and willingness to use his physicality will give the team a dimension it sorely lacked last season. For the Dubs, the additions of Turiaf and Corey Maggette will eat up the majority of the money freed up by Baron Davis' defection, and still leaves them in a position of needing to re-sign Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. If the team intends to make a move for a veteran point guard, it will likely come via a trade of someone like Al Harrington.

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Warriors Sign Turiaf To Offer Sheet Deal

In a move that addresses the Dubs need for depth and bulk at Center, the team has signed Laker veteran Ronny Turiaf to an offer sheet deal, believed to be worth about $17 million over 4 years.  As a restricted free agent, the Lakers retain the right to match the offer. However, due to the front-loaded nature of the deal, and the fact it will take Los Angeles in Luxury Tax-territory, most believe they will not attempt to keep him. Last year, the rugged Turiaf averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds off the bench for the defending Western Conference champions. 

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Warriors Sign Maggette

After a tumultous offseason that has seen the Golden State Warriors lose their star PG Baron Davis, and come out short on huge contract offers to Elton Brand and Gilbert Arenas, the Dubs finally added a useful player who may help them as they load up for another playoff charge. That player is high-scoring swingman, Corey Maggette. The former Clipper star averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 boards, and 2.7 assists last year, and will definitely fit well in Don Nelson's high-octane offense. As critics will point out though, this signing, which will take a considerable amount of the cap space cleared by Davis' defection, does nothing to address the hole the Dubs face at the point guard. The onus is now on Chris Mullin to either make a deal that brings in a veteran floor leader, or gamble on rising star, Monta Ellis' readiness to lead the team. That decision could be the critical factor in the Warriors' ability to challenge for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference this season.

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Warriors End Up With 14th Pick In NBA Draft Lottery

With the best record of any team in the lottery, there was approximately only a 2% chance they would be able to move up into the top three, and in keeping with the way their year has went, they did not succeed. So instead of having a chance to add a premier player such as Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose, the Dubs will once more try to find that needle in the haystack type of player in the middle of the first round when they choose at #14. Given the youth they currently have on their team, and the possibility this could be both the final year in Golden State for Baron Davis and Don Nelson, the pick could be used to package in a trade for an impact player who can help win now. Or they may choose to add to their impressive base of young talent which includes Monta Ellisa, Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, and Marco Bellinelli to build a team that could be a contender for years to come. This will truly be an offseason with huge ramifications for the future of the franchise.

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Warriors End Up With 14th Pick In Lottery

With the best record of any team in the lottery, there was approximately only a 2% chance they would be able to move up into the top three, and in keeping with the way their year has went, they did not succeed. So instead of having a chance to add a premier player such as Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose, the Dubs will once more try to find that needle in the haystack type of player in the middle of the first round when they choose at #14. Given the youth they currently have on their team, and the possibility this could be both the final year in Golden State for Baron Davis and Don Nelson, the pick could be used to package in a trade for an impact player who can help win now. Or they may choose to add to their impressive base of young talent which includes Monta Ellisa, Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, and Marco Bellinelli to build a team that could be a contender for years to come. This will truly be an offseason with huge ramifications for the future of the franchise.

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Suns Put Out The Lights On Warriors' Playoff Hopes

The year that wasn't to be. That's how the Warriors will look back on the '07-'08 basketball season that was filled with plenty of excitment and drama. Last night, the Dubs fading playoff hopes were put to rest with a 122-116 loss in Phoenix to the Suns. In one of the more bizarre games of the year, the Dubs trailed by 14 at the half. In the second half, Nelly benched an ineffective Baron Davis and watched Stephen Jackson score 16 3rd Quarter points as they rallied back to take an 11-point lead. Alas, the team could not hold on, and eventually fell in the closing minutes. The biggest difference came from the free throw line where the Suns outshot the Warriors 41-20. For an excellent foul-shooting team like Phoenix, that is just too insurmountable a difference to overcome. With the loss, the Denver Nuggets were able to claim the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, while the Warriors will make history for a second straight season, as the winningest club to ever miss the playoffs.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Dubs can look back on this season with lots of pride. After all, a basically flawed team was able to win at least 48 games, even after an 0-6 start. Along the way were big wins over Boston, San Antonio (twice), the Lakers, and more. Now, the team must refocus on getting stronger and preparing for another season that promises to be just as diffcult, if not moreso, in '08-'09.

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Warriors Jeopardize Postseason Dreams In Loss To Denver

For weeks, this game had been circled on both teams' schedule as one that would have important ramifications in the race for the final Western Conference playoff spot. So when the league's two highest scoring teams, Golden State and Denver took the floor, everyone knew that the fate of a terrific season was on the line. Sadly for Dubs' fan though, after a spectacular first quarter that finished with Golden State up 15, the team faltered over the next three quarters for a crushing 114-105 loss that likely nukes any chances for a second straight postseason run. Barring a total collapse by Denver, it will be nearly impossible for the Warriors to make up two games with only three remaining.

Once again, the Dubs were victimized by poor shooting from it's two biggest stars, Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson, who combined to shoot 14 of 42 from the field in the year's most important game. Given how critical this game was, and knowing that both players are generally clutch performers in big games, it's pretty clear that fatigue from overuse has set in, and they just cannot summon the needed resources to get over the hump. As has also been the case in recent weeks, the Warriors' biggest bright spot was Monta Ellis who scored 29 points on 13 of 16 shooting from the field. The Nuggest were led by their all-star tandem of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony who combined for 58 points on 24 of 42 shooting from the field.

Ultimately, if the Warriors do indeed fail to capture a playoff spot, there will be plenty of time for soul-searching. The thoughts that will stand out will be bad home losses to a depleted Chicago, Minnesota, and Atlanta, as well as an 0-6 start due to the suspension of Stephen Jackson. With so many pending free agents, will Mully decide to blow the team up, or will they seek to reload and give Nelly one last chance at the golden ring, with the current group of players? The offseason promises to be a fascinating one for the Dubs.

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Warriors Outlast Kings To Set Up Showdown With Denver

Even without injured stars Ron Artest and Brad Miller, the Sacramento Kings were fully bent on playing the spoiler role to the hilt in Oakland last night. After all, they had already surprised the Denver Nuggets once in the past week. Luckily for the Dubs, Baron Davis would have none of it and led a masterful attack that saw the Warriors come out on top in a 140-132 shootout that now sets the stage for the biggest game of the year in Oakland. Like having a card that would give a decisive advantage over all poker hands, the Warriors had everything that would counter the King's offensive barrage and defensive tactics. Davis scored 33 points and dished out nine assists, while every other starter scored at least 16 points. The Dubs were also keyed by the return of Mikael Pietrus who scored 10 points off the bench in a return from his injured hamstring. Pietrus provided a spark they have been lacking from the reserve unit, as well as several highlght reel blocks that served to fire up the partisan crowd. This was exactly the type of effort the team needed to erase the lingering bad feelings from a disappointing road trip, and build momentum for this make or break homestand.

Now with 4 games remaining, the Warriors and Nuggets remained tied at 47-31, and the victor in tomorrow night's game will have the inside track for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Warriors know what they need to do and you can bet this will be a battale royale between the two highest-scoring teams in the league.

Keep believing Warrior fans!

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Warriors End Road Trip With a Thud; Get Big Help From the Sonics

Coming off a big win in Memphis, and knowing the door had been reopened on their playoff chances with a Denver home loss to the lowly Kings, the Warriors were expected to put up a terrific fight in New Orleans. They did just that for one spectacular first quarter, where running on all cylinders, they raced to a nine point advntage. Sadly, they could not maintain the momentum and lost 108-96, ending the key road trip on a down note.  The two bright spots were Monta Ellis who poured in 35 points on 17 of 26 shooting, and Andris Biedrins who added 17 points and 15 rebounds. Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson remained cold and combined to shoot 11 for 33 and could be feeling the effects of the long minutes they have logged over the course of the season.

Despite the loss, and 1-3 overall road trip, the Warriors remain in contention for the final playoff spot thanks to a second consecutive upset loss by Denver. The Nuggets have absolutely owned the Supersonics this year, but last night fell in Double OT 151-147 to the spoilers from Seattle. The result is that with 5 games left, the Warriors and Nuggets remain tied, and have a key game on the schedule Thursday night in Oakland. The upside for Dub fans is that the Warriors still control their own destiney. If they can run the table, or go 4-1 at the least, they have a great chance to grab the playoff spot they have been fighting for all year.

Does anyone still believe?

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