Maggette Looks to Make an Impact

The need for something more.


Watching Andris and Kelenna shoot around during pre-game warmups tonight, I was treated with a pleasant surprise. A jovial Corey Maggette came bounding out of the player's tunnel and onto the court for some shooting of his own. Relieved, I thought to myself we may have a chance against a supercharged Pistons team after all.

It's clear this team has struggled to close out games. Stephen Jackson can only play so many minutes before he breaks down and collapses into a heap on the court. That's why Cory Maggette is so important to this team right now. It's not that Maggette offers anything the Warriors didn't have before - penetration, athleticism, etc - it's that he is the sort of player who can shoulder some of the load come crunch time. Maybe get to the line once or twice for easy points. The Warriors have missed that aspect of Maggette's game dearly since he hit the pine with a hamstring injury.

Tonight we find out if getting him back is enough to get this team winning again.