Training camp officially opened less than two weeks ago, but for the Golden State Warriors, Friday's preseason opener represents more than a month of hard work and handshakes.
Knowing it was going to take some time for the re-made roster to come together, Warriors players began gathering in Oakland right around Labor Day for introductions and scrimmages. Even Monta Ellis, a notorious late arriver, was in town early to get a head start on the 2010-11 season.
On Friday, when the Warriors play the Clippers at 7:30 p.m. at Oracle Arena, it will finally be time to see how far they've come. (If you're not there to see it in person, try listening at 1050 AM).
Here are 10 questions the Warriors hope to get answered during their eight-game practice season:
-- How's the Monta Ellis-Stephen Curry backcourt developing?
Forget for a moment the oft-rumored personality conflict between the two talented guards. On this surface, this is one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA. Curry is coming off a stellar rookie season and spent his summer vacation playing with Team USA and earning a gold medal at the World Championships. Ellis was among the most explosive scorers in the NBA last year and has improved every year he's been in the league. Both say their relationship is fine and the defensive liabilities of having two 6-3 guards playing together will be minimized by the addition of players who can defend and rebound in the post. They're not going to stop running, no matter what changes new coach Keith Smart makes, and few opponents will be able to keep up. The key, of course, is finding a way to make each other better while sharing the ball and point guard duties.
-- Is Dorell Wright ready to make the leap to NBA standout?
He scored 20 points in the Warriors' open practice/scrimmage and has said all summer that there's more to his game than defense and athleticism. Wright jumped straight from high school to the grind-it-out Heat and never really had a chance to display the other aspects of his game. The Warriors brought him in to play defense and get rebounds, but also thought enough of his offensive game to allow Anthony Morrow to leave. A 6-9 forward with the desire to do the little things and the talent to put up big numbers could make a huge difference.
-- Is David Lee as good as he always looked as a visitor?
Lee was an All-Star last year, averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds. He had a monster triple-double in his one visit to Oakland, then decided he wanted to play here full time. He's another guy who brings a blue-collar attitude, thinking rebounding first, scoring second. His ability to finish around the rim makes him a perfect candidate to pile up easy points on offensive rebounds and pick-and-roll plays with Curry and Ellis. He may not be a great individual defender, but his ability to prevent second-chance points for the opponents will be where he makes his greatest contribution on the defensive end.
-- Is there an overlap among Giants and Warriors fans?
The Warriors' preseason opener will be going on the same time as Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Giants and the Braves right across the Bay. Will anyone even notice -- or care -- how the Warriors do their first time out?
-- Are Andris Biedrins and his free-throw shot healthy?
The Warriors need him to be the double-double center he was two years ago when he averaged more than 11 points and rebounds per game. Almost as important as the rebounds and blocked shots he can contribute thanks to his long 6-11 frame is his mere presence in the post. If Biedrins has the strength and stamina to hold his own at center, it allows Lee to stay at power forward and Wright to remain at small forward -- their more natural positions. He also says he's going to shoot at least 60 percent from the free-throw line. If that's true, look for him to attack the basket with more confidence and be more involved in the offense.
-- Who's going to make the final 15-man roster (12 active, 3 reserves)?
The last few spots are probably still open for the taking, but this much we know -- they won't be taken by Cheyne Gadson or James Mays, both of whom have already been cut.
-- Will Brandan Wright ever live up to his lottery status?
Entering his fourth year, the former No. 7 overall pick has played less than a full season. He was the early star of camp last year before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the entire season. He hasn't made the same impression through Summer League and training camp this year. With Anthony Randolph now in New York, the path seemed clear for Wright to finally contribute. Let's see if he can -- and that will start with staying healthy.
-- How's the new emphasis on defense coming along?
One of the first things Smart said when he was named coach was that his team was going to play defense and rebound while still looking to run. The Warriors seemed committed to trying to play better team defense during the scrimmage, but that was against familiar players running familiar plays. What happens when the lights go on for real and the opponent isn't using the same playbook?
-- Is Reggie Williams for real?
He stepped out of the D-League and into the Warriors' starting lineup last year and immediately earned a contract for this season by averaging 15 points per game. If last year wasn't a fluke (and his new teammates said he was impressive during summer scrimmages), he'll provide instant offense off the bench at either shooting guard or small forward. But there must be a reason he was in the D-League to begin with. If he can't play defense or can't build on last year's success, he could quickly get lost on the bench.
-- Just how deep is the West?
The Warriors open with the Clippers, who get Blake Griffin back and just beat the Kings by 32 on Thursday. The Warriors then play back-to-back games against the Kings, who think they drafted a monster in DeMarcus Cousins. Both the Clippers and Kings, along with the Grizzlies and Warriors, are non-playoff teams looking to make big strides. Can any of them step up to the competition? That's a question that linger far beyond Friday night's preseason opener.
