Since the Golden State Warriors have missed the playoffs for a twelfth season in a row, I’m presuming that you won’t have much interest in the playoffs. But by now, Warriors fans should be familiar with the myriad of blunders that the general managers have made in terms of signing, trading and drafting players.
Let’s go back to 1993, a year in which the Warriors traded for Chris Webber-the number one overall pick in the draft. Webber quickly made an impact on his team, winning the Rookie of the Year award and helping the Warriors get into the playoffs. But after Webber had numerous arguments with the coach at the time, Don Nelson, the Warriors quickly traded Webber after his rookie season to the Washington Bullets (now known as the Wizards). Webber is now considered one of the best forwards in the NBA and has made several All-Star Game appearances and post-season trips.
The infamous Todd Fuller was drafted with the eleventh overall pick in the 1996 draft. Seen as a player with great rebounding ability and a good post-up game, the Warriors gave up on him after two seasons in which he averaged no more than 4.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Last time I checked, Fuller wasn’t even on a team.
Adonal Foyle was drafted with the eighth overall pick in 1997, and two seasons ago, he was rewarded with a seven-year, $41 million contract. That’s a lot of money for someone who has never averaged more than 7.0 rebounds or 5.9 points per game.
In 1998, the Warriors drafted Vince Carter, but quickly traded him away on draft night to the Toronto Raptors for Antawn Jamison. Jamison was a stronghold in the Warriors’ organization, but after five seasons, he was then involved in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, one in which the Warriors received disgruntled players and bad talent. Carter and Jamison have both moved on to different teams, (the New Jersey Nets and Wizards respectively), and have been invited to numerous All-Star Games and have been to the playoffs.
Gilbert Arenas of the Wizards was drafted by the Warriors in 2001. In his second season with the Warriors, Arenas won the NBA Most Improved Player Award, and at the same time, he was in the final year of his contract with the Warriors. That summer, Arenas was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market, and after the Warriors failed to make him a lucrative offer, Arenas signed with the Wizards. As of this season, Arenas was having a career year, and has also led the Wizards to the playoffs for a second year in a row.
Mike Dunleavy was drafted third overall in 2002, but has been a disappointment for Warriors fans who have been impatient with Dunleavy for not reaching his potential.
Last season, the Warriors made a major trade for Baron Davis, and after finishing the season strong, players and fans were optimistic that this could be the year that the Warriors finally make the playoffs. Unfortunately, Davis has lived up to the billing of being an injury-prone player, and the Warriors finished with the same record as last season.
Looking back at the history of some of the mistakes that the Warriors have made, you have to worry over the Warriors’ next move. Sometimes, the Warriors make decisions that look good at the moment, but in the long run, they seem to look embarrassing. I think to myself and wonder that maybe the Warriors are destined for failure.
