The post-Baron Davis era has began in the bay area. It was a big letdown to see Davis out of the Golden State Warriors team this coming 2008-09 season. But that is life in the NBA. Loyalty had taken the backseat again in lieu of money. Minus Davis, the Warriors are also looking forward to a season sans forward Matt Barnes and off-guard Mickael Pietrus. Pietrus, like Davis, was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Orlando Magic, thus reuniting him with his american discoverer, Otis Smith at the magic kingdom.
The Warriors got back at the Clippers on what they've done to Davis by signing unrestricted free-agent and the Clippers' top scorer last season, swingman Corey Maggette. Maggette is an exciting player and a high flyer who could make the Warrior diehards forget about Davis. Aside from Maggette, the bay area outfit drafted 6-10 forward Anthony Randolph out of Lousiana State University. Randolph is a highly versatile long lanky small forward with a great deal of upside.
There are also some positives that comes with Davis exit. Erstwhile starting off-guard Monta Ellis could now become the ace point guard of the team. Ellis will be highly effective at the No. 1 spot with his youth, enthusiasm and an eye for the open man. Italian Sophomore Marco Bellinelli shall also benefit in the post-Davis era and is being groomed by coach Don Nelson at the starting No.2 position. Veteran Stephen Jackson will be a locked-up at No.3 with the No.4 spot being a toss up between Al Harrington and another second year man Brandan Wright. Andris Beidrins will continue to man the center position. Randolph can be the projected 6th man and the ignition off the bench for the Warriors.
Rumors have it that Warrior executive Chris Mullin is also looking in the possibility of acquiring marquee players like Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Pistons and Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors indeed are in for a long summer and anything can still happen between today and the opening of training camp on October.
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