The Warriors are off to a 2-1 start and there seems to be atangible optimism among fans. Its not just that the Warriors bounced back froma disappointing opening night loss to the Clippers with two wins, its how theywon those two games: With defense.But how the Warriors start a season sometimes has no bearingon how they finish a season. Heres a look at some interesting starts theWarriors have had over the past several years and what ended up happening tothose teams.If you think this year will be different, tell uswhy.2010-11: Warriors begin season 6-2.
This was just last season, for goodness sakes, and we knowhow last season turned out: 36-46 and not even sniffing a playoff berth. Yes,the David Lee injury had something to do with the subsequent slidetheydropped 12 of 13 during a NovemberDecember stretchbut there was a lot ofoptimism about last years team early. And quite simply, they werent goodenough to sustain it.2007-08: Warriors begin season 0-6. This was the season after We Believe and Stephen Jacksonwas suspended at the start of the season. By December, the Warriors were above.500 and heading toward an unrewarded 48-34 season. But 2007-08 just goes toshow you that how you start a season doesnt necessarily translate to how youfinish one.2006-07: Warriors begin season 7-3. This turned into the Warriors only playoff appearance inthe past 17 seasons. But that 7-3 start slipped to below .500, and the Warriorsended up trading for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy for Stephen Jackson and AlHarrington, among others. Sixteen wins in the teams final 21 games translatedto a 42-40 record and We Believe ensued.2005-06: Warriors begin the season 12-6. This was Mike Montomerys secondand lastseason and hehung tough early. But Baron Davis couldnt stay healthy and Dunleavy and Murphyand Jason Richardson couldnt keep the team afloat. The Warriors ended upfinishing 34-48, helping usher in the Don Nelson Phase II Era.2001-02: Warriors begin season5-3. This team had Larry Hughes, Danny Fortson and Erick Dampierand there was hope after the season was two weeks old. But it fizzled andfizzled in a hurry, with coach Dave Cowens being fired by Christmas and theteam finishing the season with a 21-61 record.1994-95: Warriors start 5-07-1. Thats the year that many people believe started the Warriorson their huge downward trend. The Warriors, coming off a 50-win season, tradedChris Webber after he feuded with Nelson, and Bob Lanier ended up coaching theteam that season. It finished 26-56.
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