Sunday, April 1, 2007

The Nets have had enough playoff success in the past decade to make most organizations jealous.

The Raptors have only been around since 1995 and have had their share of playoff experiences already.

The Clippers got a healthy taste last season, making a postseason appearance this season less of a necessity.

So what team is most desperate for a playoff spot this year?

That would be the Golden State Warriors. It has been 12 seasons since Golden State has last participated. Warriors fans have had to settle for vague memories of Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin, Chris Webber and Latrell Sprewell. More fresh in their minds are the not-so-brilliant lottery picks of Todd Fuller, Adonal Foyle, Mike Dunleavy and Patrick O'Bryant since their last playoff appearance.

So it's no wonder the Warriors are desperately trying to put together a late-season run that sneaks them into the playoffs and gives Bay Area folk some new memories.

Golden State is sitting just behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

They haven't received much national attention this season, despite having one of the league's best coaches, Don Nelson, running the team and one of the league's best point guards, Baron Davis, running the show.

The Warriors have nine games remaining, with four of them coming at home, where Golden State is 26-11 and scores 109 points a game.

-- From News Services