Preview Of New Orleans Hornets (20-44) @ Golden State Warriors (23-41)
By Sonet Yee
In the second to the last game of the season, the Warriors are looking at a much better outcome than the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats are making a run at the worst winning percentage in NBA history and are sitting at a 21 game losing streak. Their wins have yet to hit double digits and they have no way of getting to it now, even if they win the last two games.
At least for the Warriors, they own 23 wins but will it come back to haunt them? With a win at Minnesota on Monday, it may have hurt the Warriors in keeping their draft pick if they fail to finish in the bottom seven.
So what to do tonight? A game against the Hornets should provide two things. Two not so good teams competing so that it makes a decent basketball game. Two teams competing for pride and an extra win for the season. But is it smart to for coach Mark Jackson to ask his team to give 100% and go for the win?
My opinion? Yes. Because you want to teach the young Warriors that no matter what the team is like, no matter what the season is like, no matter if they make the playoffs, you want the other teams to know that coming into Oracle, you will be playing your best because the Warriors are going to give 100% no matter who walks in the building. And while the Warriors may lose a draft pick, it is better to set an example and build the confidence of the guys you have. You already know what they can bring. While this draft class is supposedly deep, there are plenty of players who were lottery picks who didn’t pan out and those who weren’t a lottery pick and became a good player in the NBA.
Tonight, all the Warriors who were on the injured list, still continue to sit out. Tonight, Dorell Wright joins that group. Again, Jackson will be starting four rookies and probably veteran Richard Jefferson (who himself is not 100% healthy).
The Warriors are coming off a 21 point rally comeback win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the last six games at Oakland, the wins have alternated with the losses against the Hornets.
The Hornets are in the middle of their three game road, season ending trip. The started off with a loss in LA against the Clippers. The Hornets are no strangers to the injured. Their list was long and full of good players. But coach Monty Williams has guided the team to at least a 20 win season and hope that they play hard in these last two games. If the Hornets lose these last two games and the Kings win their last two games, then they both would share the record of the worst record in the West. Otherwise, the Hornets will be sole owners of this title.
Projected Starting Warriors
G) Charles Jenkins
G) Klay Thompson
F) Richard Jefferson
F) Jeremy Tyler
C) Michael Gladness
Projected Starting Hornets
G) Greivis Vasquez
G) Eric Gordon
F) Lance Thomas
F) Al-Farouq Aminu
C) Jason Smith