Here's the point: Warriors are going nowhere unless they get one

October 19, 8:14 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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DeMarcus Nelson: Could be opening night starter 

In the next 10 days, the Warriors are going to let us know exactly what their expectations and intentions are for the 2008-09 season.

They waived point guard Dan Dickau on Sunday, which was great news for DeMarcus Nelson.

Unfortunately, it did nothing to address the overall talent chasm at that spot.

Certainly, this can't be the way the Warriors are going to head into the season.

If it is, it really says a lot about how this season might be.

Two years ago, the Warriors made the playoffs. Last season, the Warriors should have made the playoffs.

They won 48 games but missed the postseason, the victims of a historically competitive conference.

This year ... let's face it, it's not looking good.

I don't care whether team president Robert Rowell has final say or executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin has final say or even if coach Don Nelson has a say in things, there's no way any of them really believe this is a playoff team.

Not with the point guard position the way it is.

There's absolutely no chance any of them really believe the Warriors are going to make the playoffs in the brutal Western Conference with an undrafted rookie playing the point, and not even a true point at that. 

Dan Dickau: Waived on Sunday 

If the team is content to live with the winner of the DeMarcus Nelson-C.J. Watson-Marcus Williams point guard battle, then the message is clear:

We’re not going to compete for a playoff spot this season.

There is no doubt that Monta Ellis’ injury has worsened and complicated the team’s point guard issues.

If Ellis were healthy, he would no doubt be camouflaging some of problems with his sheer talent.

No, he’s not a perfect point guard by any stretch of the imagination, but there doesn’t seem to be any doubt he’d be a major upgrade over Nelson, Watson or Williams.
 

Marcus Williams: Clearly the No. 3 at this point 

It wasn’t long ago that the big worry was whether or not Ellis could play the point.

Now there seems to be little doubt he is the best point guard on the roster, by a longshot _ and yes, I know he’s not a true point.

That’s the point.

Unfortunately, Ellis isn’t going to be around for a while, and is it really reasonable to expect the Warriors to hang in without him?

With the point guard situation like this?

C'mon.

Opening night is next week, and DeMarcus Nelson is getting closer and closer to being the Warriors' starter.

If he is the starter on opening night, he'll deserve heartfelt congratulations.

But when Nelson is introduced on Oct. 29, vs. New Orleans, Warriors fans will know  exactly what kind of year they're in for.