Shocking is the only word to describe the number of years that it has been since the Golden State Warriors have had an All-Star game participant. The last time the team was represented was in the 1996-1997 season when Latrell Sprewell made the squad.
In that season Sprewell in 46 games including 45 starts averaged 25.7 points, 6.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and shot 44.3 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and 85.9 percent form the free throw line. Not too mention that Sprewell as an outstanding defensive player, so he was definitely deserving of the All-Star selection.
Yet, it’s hard to argue that there haven’t been deserving players since Sprewell participated. The Warriors have had talented players such as Antawn Jamison, Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis and Monta Ellis.
Jamison’s 2000-2001 season was definitely deserving of a trip and because of the Warriors record he wasn’t considered. Though it was hard to ignore his numbers in the first half of the season when he averaged in 48 games 24.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2 assists, on 46.5 percent shooting, 33.1 percent from beyond the arc and 67.4 percent from the free throw line.
As for Richardson for a guard he was an excellent rebounder. Again though was not selected based on the Warriors win total. Even though his 2005-2006 should have had him as a participant. He averaged 22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, on 47.4 percent shooting, 37.9 percent from beyond the arc and 66.3 percent from the free throw line.
Though Arenas was definitely a tremendous player for the Warriors and his success was a nice surprise. The reality is he only played two seasons for the Warriors before leaving the team and signing with the Washington Wizards and even though he produced in his second season the numbers weren’t good enough to make him a selection.
In Davis’ only truly healthy year 2007-2008 he helped lead the Warriors to their best record since the 1993-1994 season with 48 wins and he was also a solid defensive player for a team that did not play much defense. The first half saw Davis average 21.7 points, 8.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, on 42 percent shooting, 34.6 percent from three and 74.2 percent from the free throw line.
Last season Ellis had an outstanding first half. He posted a line of 25.3 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, on 46 percent shooting, 36.4 percent from three and 76.6 percent shooting.
This season the Warriors have brought in a new coach in Mark Jackson who is implementing the philosophy of defense and with that being the case the Warriors are likely to have a winning record at the All-Star break. Which means that the Warriors have a chance of sending three players to the game with Ellis, Stephen Curry and David Lee.
While it’s not likely that the Warriors will be able to have three participants it will great for the franchise to finally have a player recognized and able to participate in the game for the first time in 15 years. The icing on the cake for the Warriors would be having two or more participate!
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