Andy Jasner, the Philadelphia 76ers Examiner, ranked the Warriors 25th in the Examiner.com Preseason Power Rankings. That's three spots lower than they finished in the national poll and the lowest ranking they received from any voter.
Looking for a new perspective on the Warriors, an opinion from outside the Bay Area, I asked him a few questions about Golden State. Here's what he had to say:
Q: Is there something specific, beyond the Stephen Jackson drama, that led you to rank them so low?
A: I just don't like the chemistry of the Warriors. This goes beyond Stephen Jackson. I think you need team leaders and I don't see any true leaders here. Now, I think there are some nice young players such as Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. But I don't like the makeup of this roster.
Q: Do you see any scenario where they could exceed your expectations?
A: The Warriors don't have a true center and that's a problem. In the tough Western Conference, I don't like the Warriors' chances. I would put 35 wins as a high-water mark. I don't think they'll win that many games.
Q: What is the perception from Philadelphia of the Warriors' young core of players?
A: The perception from Philadelphia is the Warriors have talented individual players, but it's not the type of team built for long-term success.
Q: Coach Don Nelson gets a lot of blame for the team's recent woes. What is your opinion of the coach who is just 24 wins away from setting the all-time record?
A: Don Nelson has been a terrific coach for a long, long time. He needs the right type of team to win now. This isn't that type of team. Nellie isn't going to the playoffs with this group.
Q: What are your general thoughts on this team, from a Philadelphia point of view?
A: The Warriors are exciting and can score a lot of points. Can they stop anyone from scoring? Can Jackson fit in as a team player? Is there enough rebounding? Is there enough depth? Too many questions to think the Warriors will be a major player out West.
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