My All-Decade Warriors

On the eve of the New Year and new decade, I thought it only appropriate to honor some of my personal favorite Warriors from 2000-2009 along with a couple of other ‘all decade’ categories. If you’ve got any suggestions to add to the mix, I’m all ears:

The J-Russ All-Decade Warriors (by position)
PG – Baron Davis: The embodiment of the my greatest Warrior moment in multiple decades, the dismantling of the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks. Baron was the catalyst, no doubt.

SG – Gilbert Arenas: Ok, so he’s a point guard too, but I couldn’t leave him out. Arenas is one of the greatest second round draft picks of all time (no offense, Monta). The Arizona product was electrifying with the ball in his hands and could score at will and get his teammates involved.

SF – Jason Richardson: In Nellie’s offense, each player can be anything. J-Rich did play some SF so it works. One of my favorites for sure. Could score from anywhere and had one of the greatest single plays I will always remember, when he bounced the ball off of Carlos Boozer’s head in the Rookie/Sophomore game, caught it and made a 3-pointer. Epic! Please note that I originally had Chris Mullin here but he only played for one year (2000-2001) and was on the decline. However, he is my all-time favorite Warrior of any decade so no disrespect intended.

PF – Antawn Jamison: Didn’t play much defense, but who really did. Could score in a variety of different ways. Was the Warriors best player for quite a few years.

C – Andris Biedrins: No offense to Andris, but it was pretty slim pickins for Center. I thought about Foyle but he was so offensively challenged that I just couldn’t pull the trigger. I do like Biedrins but I hope that the next decade gives us a center that is lights out.

The BONUS J-Russ All-Decade Disappointment Warriors (by position)
PG – Mookie Blaylock: We traded him because he was a veteran presence and passed on Jason Terry in the draft. Big mistake. Blaylock was average at best and looked like he was about 75 years old. Weak all the way around!

SG – Larry Hughes: So much potential, so much aggravation. He went like 100 attempts without hitting a 3-pointer, something like that. Terrible waste of talent.

SF – Mike Dunleavy Jr: I know I keep bagging on him but he is one of the biggest disappointments EVER. Number 3 overall pick and the guy ran the court like Zadrunas Ilgauskus. Enough said

The DOUBLE BONUS J-Russ All-Decade I Forgot they Were Even on the Warriors (by position)
PG – Nick Van Exel
SG – Bob Sura
PF – Cliff Robinson
PF – Popeye Jones
C – Cherokee Parks