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Warriors at a Glance Coach: Eric Musselman Last Year: 21-61 (Stats) Key Additions: F Mike Dunleavy, G Jiri Welsch Key Losses: G Larry Hughes Projected Starters PG Gilbert Arenas SG Jason Richardson SF Mike Dunleavy PF Antawn Jamison C Erick Dampier Key Subs PG Jiri Welsch SG Bob Sura PF Danny Fortson C Adonal Foyle

By John Hollinger, CNNSI.com

The Warriors went through two coaches last season while nonchalantly coasting to a 21-win season, but a young, talented nucleus at least gives folks in the Bay Area a ray of hope.

Gilbert Arenas took over the point guard spot during the last month of the season and provided an immediate spark at both ends of the floor, while fellow rookie Jason Richardson's high-wire act was one of the few reasons to buy tickets to a Warriors game last season. Rookie forward Mike Dunleavy should provide the shooting touch the team so desperately needed last season, and will allow the team to move Danny Fortson to a reserve role more suited to his talents.

New coach Eric Musselman should make an impact as well. The Warriors played defense like their opponents had the Ebola virus, giving up a league-worst 103.1 points per game. Musselman, a fire-and-brimstone guy in the mold of his late father, will have no patience for players who nap on defense.

Antawn Jamison, F -- While Arenas, Richardson and Dunleavy might be the Warriors' future, Jamison is their present. They maxed out his contract last season but got precious little in return. Playing out of position at small forward, Jamison had trouble getting shots at the offensive end but was more than happy to concede them on defense. That kind of "effort" won't be tolerated this season, especially given Jamison's franchise-player salary.

Offensively, the addition of Dunleavy allows Jamison to move to power forward and play his preferred post spot. Last season that area was clogged because the Warriors had three starters (Jamison, Fortson and Erick Dampier) who are primarily post scorers. Additionally, Dunleavy and Arenas give Golden State two solid outside shooters, which is two more than it had for most of last season. That should stretch the defense and give Jamison more room to operate inside.

These changes put the pressure squarely on Jamison. Back in his natural position and with more talent around him, his play needs to match his exorbitant contract.

Erick Dampier, C -- For the Warriors, Dampier has been less than the sum of his parts. He has size, can run the floor and has an array of post moves. However, for his size and athleticism he is a shockingly poor rebounder, and his hands of stone make it difficult to feed him the ball in the post. As a result, he just clogs the middle for Jamison.

That would be OK if he contributed more at the other end. Dampier is a fantastic shot-blocker and can be a very effective defensive player when in the mood, but last year that mood struck about as often as lightning at the North Pole. Overall, Dampier seldom delivers the 10 points, 10 rebounds and solid defense the Warriors need from the starting center spot. They often have to turn to the energetic but overmatched Adonal Foyle instead.

Can the kids play?

If the Warriors are going to become a playoff team, it will be the youngsters who take them there.

Arenas looked like the real deal when he was handed the starting point guard spot late in the season, but he still has a lot to learn about playing the position and may be better as an off-guard. Richardson's aerial feats are impressive, but his fundamentals leave quite a bit to be desired, and for a great athlete, he has an unusually hard time getting to the basket. Dunleavy has the skills, but his scrawny build has some concerned that he'll manage the difficult feat of defending the small forward spot even worse than Jamison did.

Those three are the most promising youngsters, but the Warriors have plenty more. Czech import Jiri Welsch, diminutive Steve Logan and sweet-shooting Troy Murphy are other youngsters who could make a difference for the Warriors this season and in the future. Musselman's success as coach will depend largely on how he develops these players' skills.

More of the same

Fast Facts • The Warriors led the NBA in turnovers last season, committing 16.8 per contest. • Golden State started the year 5-3 but finished 16-58. In the second half they went over three months without winning consecutive games.

Musselman will at least get the Warriors to compete every night, which is more than they could say a year ago. However, playing in a division where five teams could win 50 games means the bar is raised very high for this team. Until or unless one of the youngsters turns the corner and becomes a genuine star, the Warriors face a long road just to get near .500. They seem to be on the right path, but they need another year or two of building their talent base and letting the perimeter players develop.