Don Nelson “resigned” recently allowing the Warriors to hire Keith Smart. The 46-year old Smart led the Cavaliers to a 9-31 (22.5%) record in his first experience as a NBA coach. Now he gets to replace the all time leader in wins in NBA history as a NBA head coach. I think getting David Lee in a trade with the Knicks is going to make the Warriors a downright deadly team for opponents to deal with this year. While I don’t think the Warriors are going to make the playoffs, I think Smart is going to do a good job coaching them up.

24-year old center Andris Biedrins had a lost year due to injury last season. He played in 33 games (29 starts) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 23.1 minutes, 5.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Biedrins also only hit 4 of 25 free throws (16%) last year for the Warriors! Biedrins has now played in 351 games (212 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 24.1 minutes, 8.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Biedrins needs to get back to being aggressive on the boards and on defense because having David Lee team with him in the paint gives the Warriors a chance to be a much better team in 2010-11.

32-year old Dan Gadzuric will be Biedrins’ back up this year. He played in 32 games (6 starts) for the Bucks last season and he averaged 9.8 minutes, 2.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Gadzuric has now played in 483 games (155 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.1 minutes, 4.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE WARRIORS CENTERS IN 2010-11: C+

27-year old power forward David Lee is a player on the rise. He played in 81 games (all starts) for the Knicks last season and he averaged 37.3 minutes, 20.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Lee has now played in 368 games (210 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 30.1 minutes, 13.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. I look for Lee to have an outstanding season for the Warriors in 2010-11 and beyond.

27-year old Louis Amundson underwent surgery recently on his right index finger which was broken. He will be out indefinitely. Amundson played in 79 games (0 starts) for the Suns last season and he averaged 14.8 minutes, 4.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. He has now played in 182 games (0 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 13.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. The Warriors hope he returns soon because the alternatives behind David Lee don’t inspire much confidence.

The Warriors tried like hell to deal 29-year old Vladimir Radmanovic without finding any takers. He played in 41 games (20 starts) for the Bobcats & Warriors last season and he averaged 21.7 minutes, 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Radmanovic has now played in 589 games (204 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 23.9 minutes, 8.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

23-year old Brandan Wright did not play last season. He was firmly in Don Nelson’s Dog House but he might be able to get out of it this year. Wright has played in 77 games (29 starts) in his first two years in the league and he has averaged 13.8 minutes, 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

23-year old first round pick Ekpe Udoh will miss at least half of his rookie year due to wrist surgery. Udoh played in 36 games for Baylor last season and he averaged 35.1 minutes, 13.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.7 blocked shots per game. He played in 103 games in his three years in college (two with Michigan, one with Baylor) and he averaged 27.2 minutes, 8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Despite having a huge upside, Udoh will be blocked from getting big minutes by David Lee.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE WARRIORS POWER FORWARDS IN 2010-11: A

The Warriors signed 24-year old Dorell Wright with the idea of giving him his first starting job of his NBA career. Dwyane Wade always said that Wright was the best athlete on the Heat so now he’ll get the chance to prove it. Wright played in 72 games (1 start) for the Heat last season and he averaged 20.8 minutes, 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He has now played in 211 games (56 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 19.5 minutes, 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

24-year old Reggie Williams was outstanding when the Warriors gave him his first shot in the NBA last season. He played in 24 games (10 starts) for the Warriors as a rookie last season and he averaged 32.6 minutes, 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Williams bumps Dorell Wright to the bench at some point this year.

26-year old Rodney Carney is a solid swingman as he can play small forward or shooting guard. Carney played in 68 games (0 starts) for the Sixer last season and he averaged 12.6 minutes, 4.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He has now played in 272 games (47 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.7 minutes, 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE WARRIORS SMALL FORWARDS IN 2010-11: C

25-year old Monta Ellis will be the starting shooting guard for the Warriors once again this year. Ellis played in 64 games (all starts) for the Warriors last season and he averaged 41.4 minutes, 25.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He has now played in 296 games (217 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 34.2 minutes, 18.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Monta Ellis & Stephen Curry form one of the best offensive backcourts in the entire NBA and I think they can and will get better.

31-year old Charlie Bell will back up Ellis this year. Bell played in 71 games (39 starts) for the Bucks last season and he averaged 22.7 minutes, 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He has now played in 357 games (137 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 25.8 minutes, 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Bell should be a decent reserve for the Warriors in 2010-11.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE WARRIORS SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2010-11: A