The Warriors got solid work overall from their rookie class in 2012-13.  20-year old small forward Harrison Barnes is the player with the most upside here.  He played in 81 games (all starts) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 25.4 minutes, 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.  He had four double-doubles in 2012-13.  Barnes scored at least 10 points in game 35 times last year.  He also had 30 games in which he had 5 or more rebounds.  Barnes also stepped up his game in the playoffs for the Warriors.  23-year old small forward Draymond Green played a lot as a rookie, just not too well.  Green played in 79 games (1 start) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 13.4 minutes, 2.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  He has shot 32.7% from the floor and only 20.9% from three point range, which is pretty damn awful.  Green had only 1 game in which he scored at least 10 points last year.  He also had 28 games with 5 or more rebounds and 3 games with 3 or more steals last year.  Like Barnes, Green did step up his game in the playoffs.  23-year old center Festus Ezeli was so-so as a rookie for the Warriors.  He played in 78 games (41 starts) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 14.4 minutes, 2.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.  He will need to improve his free throw shooting this summer with some hard work as he only shot 53.1% from the free throw line.  Ezeli only scored 10 or more points in a game once in 2012-13.  He also had 31 games with 5 or more rebounds, 3 games with 3 or more steals and 6 games with 3 or more blocked shots last year.  23-year old shooting guard Kent Bazemore didn’t get to play much in 2012-13.  He played in 61 games (0 starts) in which he averaged 4.4 minutes, 2.0 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He only shot 37.1% from the floor, 29.4% from three point range and 61.4% from the free throw line last year.  Bazemore had 2 games with 10 or more points last year.

48-year old head coach Mark Jackson did an outstanding job in 2012-13 for the Warriors.  The Warriors were only 23-43 (34.8%) in Jackson’s first year as the Warriors’ head coach in 2011-12.  This year, the Warriors looked like a much different team, as Jackson led them to a 47-35 (57.3%) record during the regular season.  The Warriors then went on to knock out the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, before bowing out to the Spurs in the second round.  The Warriors were 6-6 in the playoffs this year under Jackson.  The future is bright for Jackson and his Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors had an outstanding season in 2012-13.  They improved to 47-35 (57.3%), which was good for 2nd place in the Pacific Division, 9 games behind the Clippers.  They then knocked out the Nuggets before getting knocked out by the Spurs in the second round of the playoffs, as they were 6-6 (50%) in those two series.  Here is a look at the players who made the biggest impacts for the Warriors in 2012-13, in my opinion:

TEAM MVP:  Stephen Curry - 25-year old point guard Stephen Curry was without a doubt the Warriors’ MVP in 2012-13.  Curry played in 78 games (all starts) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 38.2 minutes, 22.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  Curry shot well from everywhere on the court last year, hitting 45.1% from the floor, 45.3% from three point range and 90% from the free throw line last year.  He also had 15 double-doubles in 2012-13.  Curry had 54 games in which he scored at least 20 points last year.  He also had 34 games with 5 or more rebounds, 15 games with 10 or more assists and 19 games with 3 or more steals last year, which is very impressive.

BIGGEST SURPRISE:  Klay Thompson - The Warriors dealt Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut last year to open up a starting job for 23-year old shooting guard Klay Thompson.  Thompson then went on to form an outstanding backcourt duo with Stephen Curry.  Thompson played in 82 games (all starts) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 35.8 minutes, 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  He shot 42.2% from the floor, 40.1% from three point range and 84.1% from the free throw line last year…which is impressive.  Thompson had 30 games in which he scored at least 20 points last night.  He also had 25 games with 5 or more rebounds, 7 games with 5 or more assists and 6 games with 3 or more steals in 2012-13.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT:  Andris Biedrins - 27-year old center Andris Biedrins is softer than a role of Charmin now, because he’s terrified of going to the free throw line.  He was 4 of 13 (30.8%) from the free throw line despite playing 495 minutes last year, which shows just how soft he is.  He played in 53 games (9 starts) for the Warriors last year and he averaged 9.3 minutes, 0.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.

The Warriors only shot 38.8% from the floor and it killed them last night.  Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors last night with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot.  Jarrett Jack also had a solid game with 15 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals off the bench.  Carl Landry (11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal) and Klay Thompson (10 points, 3 assists and 1 steal) also pitched in for the Warriors.  The Warriors’ 2012-13 season is now over after losing this series in six games to the Spurs.

The Warriors didn’t play much D as the Spurs shot 51.9% from the floor and it did them in last night.  Harrison Barnes led the way for the Warriors with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot.  Jarrett Jack (20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals) and Carl Landry (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal) also pitched in for the Warriors last night.  The Warriors are now down 3-2 in this series.

The Warriors outscored the Spurs 13-3 in O.T. as they surged to a very impressive win yesterday.  They also outrebounded the Spurs 65-51 in this game.  Harrison Barnes only shot 9 of 26 from the floor, but he led the way for the Warriors with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.  Jarrett Jack (24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal) and Stephen Curry (22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) also had good games for the Warriors.  Klay Thompson (10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals) and Andrew Bogut (5 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 blocked shot) also pitched in for the Warriors.  The Warriors have tied this series up at 2 games apiece.

The Warriors only shot 39.3% from the floor and they didn’t play much D as the Spurs shot 50.6% from the floor and it did them in last night.  Klay Thompson (17 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists) and Stephen Curry (16 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals) led the way for the Warriors in this game.  Carl Landry (14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes), Harrison Barnes (12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists), Andrew Bogut (11 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot) and Jarrett Jack (11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal) also pitched in for the Warriors last night.  The Warriors are now down 2-1 to the Spurs in this series.

The Warriors were up 62-43 at the half and they held the Spurs to a very paltry 39.3% shooting from the floor, which was impressive.  Klay Thompson led the way for the Warriors last night with 34 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 blocked shot.  Stephen Curry also had another solid game with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.  Harrison Barnes (13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals) and Carl Landry (10 points and 8 rebounds in 14 minutes) also pitched in for the Warriors.  The Warriors have tied up the Spurs 1-1 in this series as it shifts to Oakland for games #3 and #4.

The Warriors shot 51.% from the floor and they out-rebounded the Spurs 55-45 last night, but it wasn’t enough in the end as Manu Ginobili hit a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in the second O.T. period to finish them off.  Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors last night with 44 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists and 2 steals in 58 minutes on the floor.  Harrison Barnes (19 points and 12 rebounds in 53 minutes) and Klay Thompson (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot) also had rock solid games for the Warriors last night.  Jarrett Jack (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 42 minutes), Andrew Bogut (10 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot in 37 minutes) and Draymond Green (10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots in 38 minutes) also pitched in for the Warriors.  The Warriors are now down 1-0 in this series.

The Warriors showed tremendous heart in beating back the Nuggets in the first round of the 2012-13 NBA Playoffs.  But, they have a tougher challenge this time around against the battle tested San Antonio Spurs.  Here is a loot at the matchups in this series:

The Spurs rolled against the old and beaten up Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.  They better be ready for a much stiffer challenge in the second round against a young and improving Golden State Warriors’ squad that dumped the Nuggets in six games in the first round.  Here is a look at the matchups in this series:

POINT GUARD:  Tony Parker is one of the best point guards on the planet and he steps up his games in the playoffs.  I look for that to continue.  Parker played in 4 games (all starts) against the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 31.8 minutes, 22.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game.  He has now played in 156 games (148 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 36.2 minutes, 19.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

Stephen Curry of the Warriors has been red hot in his first shot at the playoffs for the Warriors this year.  He is going to cause the Spurs’ defense a lot of trouble in this series.  Curry played in 6 games (all starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 39.8 minutes, 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game.  Curry is shooting 46.4% from the floor, 43.4% from three point range and 100% from the free throw line so far in the playoffs.

EDGE:  EVEN

SHOOTING GUARD:  Danny Green didn’t play his best basketball against the Lakers and the Spurs need him to be better in the second round.  Green played in 4 games (all starts) for the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 23.3 minutes, 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.  Green has now played in 22 games (16 starts) so far in the playoffs in his NBA career and he is averaging 17.7 minutes, 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Klay Thompson can flat out put the ball in the basket.  When he’s on a hot shooting streak, he is a player to behold.  Thompson played in 6 games (all starts) against the Nuggets and he averaged 41.0 minutes, 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

EDGE:  WARRIORS

SMALL FORWARD:  Kawhi Leonard is a player on the rise for the Spurs, as he can do it all on the basketball court.  Leonard played in 4 games (all starts) against the Lakers and he averaged 33.5 minutes, 12.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Leonard has now played in 18 games (all starts) in his career in the playoffs and he is averaging 28.5 minutes, 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Harrison Barnes had a solid rookie season for the Warriors.  But, he is stepping up big time so far in the playoffs for them.  Barnes played in 6 games (all starts) for the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 35.5 minutes, 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

EDGE:  SLIGHT FOR THE SPURS

POWER FORWARD:  Tim Duncan is one of the best big men in all of basketball and he likely enjoyed the rest he got after the Spurs dumped the Lakers in four games.  Duncan played in 4 games (all starts) against the Lakers and he averaged 32.3 minutes, 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game.  Duncan has now played in 194 games (all starts) so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 38.9 minutes, 22.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 blocked shots per game.

Carl Landry is a solid bench player, but he is going to have issues trying to defend Tim Duncan.  Landry played in 6 games (1 start) in the first round of the playoffs for the Warriors and he averaged 21.0 minutes, 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  Landry has now played in 31 games (7 starts) in his career in the playoffs and he is averaging 22.1 minutes, 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.

EDGE:  HUGE FOR THE SPURS

CENTER:  The Spurs hope that Tiago Splitter will be ready to return to action in this series.  He has a bum ankle right now.  Splitter played in 3 games (all starts) in the first round of the playoffs for the Spurs and he averaged 23.7 minutes, 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.  Splitter has now played in 19 games (3 starts) so far in the playoffs in his career and he is averaging 15.2 minutes, 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.

Andrew Bogut is also playing with a bum ankle.  Bogut has been great both rebounding and defending the rim so far in the playoffs for the Warriors.  He played in 6 games (all starts) against the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 27.7 minutes, 8.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game on 63.2% shooting from the floor.  Bogut has now played in 11 games (all starts) so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 30.7 minutes, 8.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game.

EDGE:  WARRIORS

BENCH:  The Spurs have a deep bench and they are going to use it a lot in this series.  Shooting guard Manu Ginobili plays like his hair is on fire.  He brings big time hustle to the court whenever he is on it.  Ginobili played in 4 games (0 starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he is averaging 19.5 minutes, 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game.  He has now played in 140 games (49 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career in the playoffs and he is averaging 30.7 minutes, 16.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  PF/C Matt Bonner gives the Spurs a big guy that can shoot the lights out.  He played in 4 games (0 starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 25.5 minutes, 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  Bonner has now played in 49 games (5 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 14.2 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  Shooting guard Gary Neal is also a good offensive player off the bench, as he can fill up the stat sheet really quickly when he’s hot.  Neal played in 4 games (0 starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he is averaging 19.3 minutes, 7.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  Neal has now played in 24 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 16.9 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.  DeJuan Blair could see increased action in this series due to the condition of Tiago Splitter’s ankle.  Blair played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Spurs in the first round and he averaged 11.3 minutes, 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  Blair has now played in 28 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 9.4 minutes, 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  Cory Joseph has been Tony Parker’s caddy so far in the playoffs.  He has played in 4 games (0 starts) against the Lakers in his first taste of the playoffs in his NBA career and he averaged 14.3 minutes, 4.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.  Rookie center Aron Baynes could also have a big role in this series depending on the condition of Tiago Splitter’s ankle.  Baynes played in 4 games (1 start) in the first round of the playoffs for the Spurs and he averaged 5.8 minutes, 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.  Patty Mills, Nando De Colo and Tracy McGrady give the Spurs a very, very deep end of the bench.

The Warriors are likely going to have a short, but productive bench, in this series.  SG/PG Jarrett Jack is going to play a lot of minutes in this series.  He played in 6 games (4 starts) for the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 38.0 minutes, 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game.  Jack shot 52.6% from the floor and 90.6% from the free throw line in the first round of the playoffs, as he was on fire.  Jack has now played in 12 games (4 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 28.3 minutes, 12.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.  Rookie forward Draymond Green didn’t play too well during the regular season, but he really stepped up his game in the first round of the playoffs against the Nuggets.  Green played in 6 games (0 starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 16.8 minutes, 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 59.3% from the floor.  Rookie center Festus Ezeli will come in and bang around in the paint in this series a little bit.  He played in 6 games (0 starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 9.2 minutes, 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocked shot per game.  Small forward Richard Jefferson would probably like to get back at his old team, but he’s not likely going to get to play too much in this series.  Jefferson played in 4 games (0 starts) in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 5.3 minutes, 1.5 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists per game.  Jefferson has now played in 98 games (71 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 32.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.  Starting power forward David Lee tried to play last night and he only lasted about a minute.  I have doubts that he will have much of a role in this series due to his health.  Lee played in 2 games (1 start) against the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs and he averaged 15.0 minutes, 5.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

COACHING:  64-year old Gregg Popovich is the best head coach in the NBA right now.  He led the Spurs to a very easy 4-0 sweep of the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.  The Spurs are now 122-77 (61.3%) in the playoffs under Popovich and he has won the NBA Finals four times already with them.

48-year old Mark Jackson is a rising star among NBA head coaches.  The made some tactical moves against the Nuggets that resulted in them winning that series in six games.  Going with a three guard attack against the Nuggets was a genius move after David Lee got injured.

EDGE:  SPURS

PREDICTION:  SPURS IN SIX GAMES