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With Don Nelson aboard as the comebacking coach for the Golden State Warriors, expect a lot of changes for this team, who just won 34 games last season. Nelson was the coach who led this Warriors franchise to their last playoff berth in 1994, back when he had Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, young guns Latrell Sprewell and Chris Webber, and now Golden State basketball-boss Chris Mullin. He is also the one responsible in turning the Dallas Mavericks into title contenders. He laid the foundation there, changed the line-ups coz he did not like it, and inserting his basketball philosophy. At their pinnacle, the Mavericks went to the Western Conference Finals bowing out to eventual champions San Antonio Spurs in 2004.

But Nelson claims he need not change the line-up here in Golden State. He has the tools that he needs to turn this team into a Don Nelson-type-of-team. Nelson is known for his up-tempo style of game, small-ball roster and unorthodox plays. He uses at times a four-guard line-up and an undersized center. He expects his team to run-and-run all the time. Thus, he demands that his players should be five pounds lighter when they report for training camp.

Troy Murphy is expected to play heavy minutes at center for Nelson’s system. He loves big men who can light it up from the outside. Murphy is a natural power forward, who at 6-11 can shoot the three and has a deceptively quick first step. He may not be able to guard the opponents’ bigs, but Nellie does not care about defense. Alongside him, Mike Dunleavy will play much at the power forward spot. He can handle the ball, penetrate, has a good perimeter shot and a very good court vision. Nellie may utilize him as a point forward. He will draw the defense towards him, and will kick out to his open teammates. Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Murphy, Keith McLeod, Zarko Cabarkapa and Anthony Roberson can all shoot from the perimeter. Dunleavy sure do has a lot of options.

Nellie also loves athletic guys in his line-up. This is where sophomore Monta Ellis and Frenchman Mickael Pietrus come in. Both are athletic who could finish in fast breaks. Davis and Richardson can do the trick as well. These four guys could combine together on the floor with either Murphy or Dunleavy at center. Imagine them cutting through passing lanes, hustling for loose balls and running on the break all the time. That’s pretty much the quickest five I can think of.

With fast-paced games in store for this new-look Warriors, expect Nelson to use up all 12 men each night. He will also mix up his starters at times depending on the match-ups. But the most logical starting line-up would be Murphy, Dunleavy, Pietrus, Richardson and Davis. Ellis, Roberson, Andris Biedrins (who is a running big man), Cabarkapa (who can shoot threes at 6-11) and McLeod will regularly come off the bench. When they badly need classic low post scoring, I see Nelson going to sophomore sensation Ike Diogu who proved his worth last year. And when they need to match-up against big guys like Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan, Nellie may call on shot-blocking specialist Adonal Foyle to fill that role.

But one player who is truly excited with Nelson taking over coaching chores in Golden State is All-Star Baron Davis. Davis knows that point guards under Nelson in the past flourish under his guidance. Just take a look at Hardaway and two-time MVP Steve Nash. Davis knows that he will jack-up his numbers and his reputation in Nelson’s open floor style of play. Expect Davis to work twice as hard this season.

Expect a lot of good changes in Golden State and a lot of fan-following as well. Nelson’s games are exciting and they will certainly draw a lot of attention. People at the Bay Area are not expecting a trophy, but a playoff berth after 12 years will be rewarding. We’ll see if this new electrifying style could rack-up the wins as well. They did win their first pre-season game against the Denver Nuggets in Mexico, 121-115. Roberson scored 28 points, and Baron Davis added 18 and seven assists. But the pre-season is different to the regular season. Let’s just wait and find out! (photos courtesy of yahoonba)