NBA Barometer

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

Editor’s Note: The following article was written for RotoWire.

The Golden State Warriors haven’t made the playoffs in 12 straight seasons. Currently the No. 9 seed in the West but just 1.5 games out of the last playoff spot, the Warriors pulled off a recent eight-player trade that should improve the club both now and in the future. While Ike Diogu may turn into a quality player, and Stephen Jackson is subtraction by addition, getting out from under expensive long-term contracts with Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy is a win in of itself. Adding their most sought after free agent during this past offseason, Al Harrington, is just an added bonus.

Incorporating Murphy and Dunleavy into Don Nelson’s offense was like trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole, and adding more athleticism was exactly what the team needed. Figuring out playing time for too many worthy players is a good problem to have, and one Golden State hasn’t dealt with in a long time. While one more deal could push this year’s team over the top and into the postseason, either way, the future is finally showing some hope for this morbid franchise.

A top-six of Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Jason Richardson, Al Harrington, Andris Biedrins and Mickael Pietrus makes them at least interesting, and if Patrick O’Bryant fulfills his potential, this team could end a decade long drought with a playoff birth – eventually.

Stock Up

Al Harrington – The biggest name in the recent swap, Harrington struggled to coexist alongside Jermaine O’Neal this year. Now he’s joining Don Nelson’s offensive-minded system, and his suppressed numbers should increase as a result. Harrington was one of the Warriors’ top targets in free agency last offseason, so look for the team to better utilize his athleticism.

Troy Murphy – Murphy is probably the biggest beneficiary of the trade, as his role was becoming almost non-existent in the Warriors’ rotation. After averaging a double-double in each of the last two seasons, Murphy had recorded just three all year long. With the Pacers in great need of rebounding help, Murphy will either start at PF (with Jermaine O’Neal at center) or see plenty of minutes off the bench.

Mike Dunleavy – While there’s no guarantee Dunleavy starts for Indiana, a change in scenery was definitely needed. Booed regularly by Golden State fans this season, Dunleavy gets a fresh start and a front office that believes in him.

Marquis Daniels – After flashing serious signs of potential his rookie season, Daniels’ career has since been filled with injuries and disappointing play, bottoming out with just 15 minutes of PT per night this year. Given 38 minutes in the Pacers’ depleted lineup Thursday, Daniels responded with 23 points (10-of-18 FG) and five assists. With Stephen Jackson jettisoned, the starting SG spot is wide-open, and Daniels may be the answer.

Danny Granger – Should slide into Indiana’s starting lineup, either at shooting guard or small forward. Either way, Granger becomes the Pacers’ No. 2 scoring option.

Chris Webber – While landing on another team may have presented more scoring opportunities, Webber should eventually find a nice niche in Detroit’s lineup. He gets the upgrade since he wasn’t even playing for Philadelphia, missing the last seven games with a sore foot and a bruised ego. Sure, his mobility is a joke nowadays, but his defensive liabilities won’t hurt your fantasy team.

Josh Smith – Smith returned about two weeks earlier than expected from hernia surgery, missing just eight games in all. Over his last two games since returning, he’s averaging 19.5 points, 3.0 steals and 5.0 blocks. He was playing great before going down in December, and who knows how long he was playing with the painful hernia; he’s going to be huge from here on out.

Carmelo Anthony – Due back from his 15-game suspension Monday, January 22.

Dikembe Mutombo – Did the Gold Club reopen or something? Filling in for Yao Ming (leg), Mutombo has made like it’s 1999 this month, averaging 13.9 rebounds in nine January games. He’s no help in the scoring department but has recorded double-digit rebounds in 11 of his last 12 games.

Steve Blake – Blake is finding his new digs in Denver to his liking, averaging 19.0 points, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 4.0 3pt during two games in a Nuggets’ uniform. He even moved into the starting lineup last game, and while that might not last, Blake’s minutes are likely to increase from when he was in Milwaukee.

Check Status

Shaquille O’Neal – Shaq’s return keeps getting pushed back, but the team says it’s not because of setbacks, rather an exercise in caution. Already ruled out of Miami’s next two games, the earliest prognostication now calls for a possible January 24 return.

Tracy McGrady – After dropping a season-high 45 points, McGrady left Tuesday’s contest with back stiffness and then sat out Wednesday’s game with the same ailment. He says this back injury is different from the one that sidelined him earlier this year, but it’s worrisome either way. McGrady expects to return to the court Saturday.

Shaun Livingston – Forced from Monday’s game with a sprained ankle and then sat out Wednesday’s contest with the same injury. He’s day-to-day.

Stromile Swift – After getting off to a solid start under new head coach Tony Barone, Swift has sat out the last four games with back spasms.

Jarrett Jack – Missed the last three games with a concussion but is expected to return to action Friday.

Lamar Odom – Possible return to the lineup next week. Same with teammate Kwame Brown.

Gerald Wallace – A separated shoulder that was originally supposed to keep him out 7-10 days has now turned into nearly three weeks on the shelf. He returned to the court Friday.

Chris Kaman – An ankle injury limited him to just eight minutes of action Wednesday night.

David West – An elbow injury has sidelined him for most of the season, but West was an emerging young player before going down. He returned to the lineup Friday and is worth owning in pretty much every format.

Stock Down

Brad Miller – Miller has struggled badly in Eric Musselman’s system all season long, but it’s been especially brutal of late. In between missing games due to personal reasons, Miller has scored five points or fewer in three of his last four games. He’s averaging just 8.4 points in January.

Mike James – How predictable. James parlayed a career-year last season into a big contract with the Timberwolves. It’s safe to say Minnesota expected a bit more than 9.1 points per game, which is what James is getting this month.

Eddie Griffin – What a waste of talent. First, he can’t get off the bench in Minnesota, now an NBA suspension for violating the anti-drug program. His career has officially bottomed out and one has to wonder if he’ll ever amount to anything at all.

Zaza Pachulia – Solid all season, Pachulia has come off the bench the last two games, and his numbers have suffered as a result. Over the last four contests, Pachulia is averaging 8.5 points and is getting just 17 minutes of PT.

Kurt Thomas – Thomas will be sidelined four-to-six weeks with a hyperextended left elbow.

Jeff Foster – He’s been needed to help out on the glass, but that job will now fall to Troy Murphy in Indiana. With Marquis Daniels, Mike Dunleavy and Danny Granger all fighting for playing time, expect Foster’s to be greatly reduced.

Speedy Claxton – On many “sleeper” lists before the season started, Claxton has been slowed by injuries to both knees all year long. He’s an asset in assists and steals when on the court, but the latest news suggests the injury could limit him for the rest of the season. He’s currently unable to travel with the team and shouldn’t be counted on in fantasy leagues.

Matt Barnes – Barnes has been getting nearly 36 minutes a night this month, but that playing time figures to drop with Stephen Jackson and Mickael Pietrus all fighting with him for one spot in the starting lineup.