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I think it’s a great thing that the Warriors have brought back former head coach Don Nelson to try and turn around the fortunes of this once proud franchise. However, Nelson will undeniably have his work cut out for him. If the underachieving Warriors can’t raise the level of their play for this offensive genius, there may not be a man alive who can get this bunch to play together as a cohesive unit. Nevertheless, I am predicting better results for the Warriors under Nelson than they ever achieved under Mike Montgomery, who is probably wondering to this very day why he ever left the serenity and security of Stanford University. Here’s my preview on the Warriors for 2006-07:

Point Guard

Baron Davis looked like a shell of his former self last season and, once again, failed to make it through an entire season injury-free. Not only that, but when he did play (54 games), he shot an atrocious 38.9 percent from the field. Simply put, if the Warriors are going to improve this season, they will need improved leadership and play from Davis. It looks like the Warriors are going to go with youngster, Monta Ellis, a converted shooting guard, who can stroke it like the dickens, to back up Davis at the point. If this is the case, the Warriors could be in trouble with both their starting point guard and their backup.

Shooting Guard

Jason Richardson is a scoring machine, although he isn’t necessarily a great shooter. He should find a lot of easy baskets in Nelson’s free-flowing offensive system – if he can find a point guard to set him up that is. Mickael Pietrus is a very athletic player, but has been a career underachiever who has never lifted his game to the level of his immense physical abilities. He is another player that should benefit from playing for Nelson, but I am withholding judgment until I see it for myself.

Small Forward

I like Mike Dunleavy’s outside shooting ability a lot. However, I think he still needs to improve in almost every other facet of the game. Dunleavy should also benefit from playing for a more offensive-minded head coach. Remember, Nelson will tell Dunleavy to fire at will from long range, not the other way around like most coaches.

Power Forward

The Warriors’ problems up front are fairly infamous at this point. Let’s put it this way, I could probably get two high school freshmen that would play better than the players the Warriors have rolled out at the “4 and 5” spots for at least the last decade. History lesson aside, Golden State will start Ike Diogu, a promising, but inexperienced, player at power forward. Diogu certainly has a huge upside and should benefit from Nelson’s immense experience.

6-11 Andris Biedrins is a European prospect that should see significant action off the bench for Nelson, but whether or not he is NBA ready remains a mystery, albeit not for much longer. Simply put, Nelson and the Warriors had better pray that one of these to is the real deal.

Center

Starting at center for the Warriors, will be … 5’6” 160-pound, 39-year-old rookie, Eric Williams. Okay, okay, I’m just joking – although I must say that I probably could take it to Troy Murphy, the guy it seems Nelson will start the season at center with. Don’t get me wrong, Murphy is actually a fine player – he’s just not a center. He’s probably the Warriors best power forward, so it should be interesting to see what happens here. Backup Adonal Foyle couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn – from three-feet away, no less. Once again, the Warriors had better do some serious praying to some higher authority that seven-foot, first-round draft pick Patrick O’Bryant turns out to be a legitimate center. If he does not, the Warriors will continue to get creamed on the inside by the likes of Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki.

Prognosis:

The Warriors have won only 34 games in each of the past two seasons, but I’m guessing Nelson will be able to squeeze at least another five wins out of this team. Some people may not think a losing season is progress, but if the Warriors win 39 this year, I’d call that a step in the right direction.

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See this section tomorrow for our continued look at every NBA team.

Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun and nationally syndicated freelance writer who can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15 eastern on www.BetUSradio.com. Contact Eric at eklass66@yahoo.com.