2013-2014 NBA Preview: Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors

2012-2013 Record: 47-35 (6th in West)

Key Additions: Andre Iguodala, Toney Douglas, Jermaine O’Neal

Key Losses: Jarrett Jack, Carl Landry

Projected Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Klay Thomspon, Andre Iguodala, David Lee, Andrew Bogut

If everyone can stay healthy, a tough order to fill for injury prone center and former number one overall pick Andrew Bogut, the Warriors can sport one of the best starting lineups in the league this year. The addition of Andre Iguodala takes this team to potential conference finalist, a label they almost fulfilled last year in a surprising run to the second round of the playoffs. ‘Dala, a very underrated defender, comes in with a defensive presence that

2012 NBA Draft Recap

New York Goes Overseas

In a pick I definitely did not see coming, the Knicks selected Kostas Papanikolaou out of Greece. Although I was hesitant at first, I grew to, more or less, like the pick. I can honestly say I have never heard of this player nor have I seen any video of him. However, Fran Fraschilla spoke very highly of him (although which international player does he not speak highly about? It seemed like every international pick during the draft was a “great” or “solid” pick). 

In addition, the Knicks are trying to win right now and in doing so are taking a page out of the San Antonio Spurs’ draft manual by aiming for a championship while also looking towards the future in developing young players overseas, as Papanikolaou is not expected to enter the NBA for a

2011 NBA Draft Recap

 

The Knicks Keep Piling on the Mistakes

It is unbelievable how my favorite sports franchise refuses to do anything to make the team better. This year alone, between trading half the team for Carmelo Anthony and in doing so losing Danilo Gallinari instead of Landry Fields, a decision Fields quickly made the Knicks regret as his excellent first half of the season was followed up by a nearly invisible second half and playoff performance (apparently he did not realize that a sophomore slump usually starts in the second year); not re-signing Donnie Walsh, the man who brought the team back to a respectable level after the Knicks were a punch line for half a decade; and now wasting their 17th pick in the draft. Again, that was just 2011, and we are still in June.