Golden State Warriors

Mejia's Offseason Grade The Warriors made their big splash just prior to last year's trading deadline, scoring Baron Davis and taking off from there. As a result, expectations are high entering this season, particularly since the team addressed its need for athleticism up front through draft acquisitions Ike Diogu and Chris Taft. Golden State is still extremely young, but it has to be excited about the nucleus it has built. Grade: B.   Key Players Baron Davis: The Warriors improved their play last season once Baron Davis came aboard. Jason Richardson: The athletic Richardson is no longer considered just a high-flyer. He's added demensions to his offensive game.   Role Playing Mickael Pietrus, Forward Explosive X-factor: Corresponding with Baron Davis' arrival, Pietrus' star took off as well, with the French wing really taking to the up-tempo game the improved Warriors are now able to play. He's still unlikely to play more than 25-30 minutes a game but puts up numbers in bunches, able to take full advantage of an athleticism that ranks among the best in the league. Derek Fisher, Guard Winner: He came to Golden State to play starter's minutes, enjoy more of a primary role after years as a complementary piece and, most important, teach the team a thing or two about winning. Obviously, Davis coming on board changed everything for him from a role standpoint, but he can still be a positive influence as the franchise seeks to end their playoff hiatus. Andris Biedrins, Forward/Center Blossoming prospect: How good can the 19-year-old Latvian become, and better yet, how quickly can it happen? He's practically a 7-footer, moves very well for his size and definitely has ability. If he can improve throughout the course of the season and become a key contributor, it's conceivable the Warriors will have another valuable weapon on their roster by season's end.   Burning Question Is this finally the year the losing ends? For 11 consecutive seasons, the Warriors have missed the postseason, easily the longest streak of futility in the NBA. Last season's finish has fans in the Bay Area crawling out from under rocks and peeking out from under their paper bags. If there is any justice in the world, Davis will stay healthy and lead Golden State to the promised land. The talent is there. No player is thinking of choking Mike Montgomery. All the pieces are in place, or so it seems.

Dunleavy's contributions this season will be crucial to the success of Golden State. (Getty Images)     Team Projections Projected finish: 2nd, Pacific Division Projected win total: 42-47 Team MVP:Baron Davis Leading scorer:Jason Richardson Leading rebounder: Troy Murphy Leading assists: Davis Top defender: Davis   Stat Rankings Stat Rank Total Pts Scored 13 98.7 Pts Against 24 101.0 Rebounds 10 42.7 FG% 28 43.0   PROJECTED STARTERS PG Baron Davis By resurrecting his franchise, he's resurrected his own star. SG Jason Richardson If the Warriors win, expect him to make his first All-Star appearance. SF Mike Dunleavy His play this preseason would indicate he's ready to put years of underachieving and inconsistency behind him. PF Troy Murphy He has grown into a dependable double-double machine when healthy, and now has some insurance behind him in rookie Ike Diogu. C Adonal Foyle The overpaid shot-blocking specialist will be hard-pressed to keep Biedrins on the bench for long. Team Depth Chart   Player Movement Movement Player Pos. Key loss Nikoloz Tskitishvili SF Player Movement Chart