Enemy Lines

an opposing team's scout sizes up the Warriors

"The primary concern is who's going to run the show. Mookie Blaylock is established and solid, but at 34 he's getting old. Larry Hughes is younger and more athletic, but he's got a two-guard mentality. Teams are going to get in his face, make him uncomfortable, make him demonstrate he can handle. They're also going to make him prove he can beat them from outside. He may not be able to....

A major factor is locating Danny Fortson when a shot goes up. He's not a high-powered offensive player, but he'll kill you if he starts eating up rebounds....

Troy Murphy was a great pick for them. He's a lot tougher and a lot more athletic than people give him credit for. He also gives them a big man who, because of his shooting touch, can take defenders away from the basket, which Fortson and Erick Dampier don't do....

If you stop Antawn Jamison, you have a good chance of beating them. Although he's gotten better from the perimeter, you want him to stay outside....

The guy who will really make a difference for them is Jason Richardson, who's already a good finisher. You've got to keep him out of the middle, do what you can to make him a half-court player....

One overlooked thing about them: They have re-bounders at every position. You have to get your perimeter guys thinking about going to the boards, and that's not always easy....

They have to execute better to get more opportunities to score. They're going to be battling the Clippers to see which good young team is going to make the quantum leap."