Leadership, and we are all seeing the result of loosing a leader.  I still think that this year’s group of Warriors are better than last (in terms of  talent).  What they are missing is a bona fide leader.  This is where Baron excelled (in addition to being a talented player).  Remember, even though both Baron and Jackson were co-captains, only one led and that was Baron.  He is undeniably the man on the floor, he is the God Father, no ifs, no buts.  He led by example, a natural leader whose most IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTE is, his presence of “authority” (i.e., we all respect our moms, but when our dads spoke, it’s like John Hancock).  And when you have two other vets following him (like Harrington & Capt. Jack), the rest of the players follow automatically.  On the court, only one person (with the exception of the coaches) gets to point his finger and bark at his team mates.  Baron is just one of those players who can come in and take over (just like he did the first year he joined the Dubs and no one player challenged him) and everyone else follows.  Can you imagine Jackson telling Baron what to do?  It ain’t going to happen, but the other way around, definitely.  There was only one ego who was bigger than the rest (especially Jackson and Harrington) and that was Baron (Shaq has a very big ego, but Kobe’s ego is waAaay bigger than his).  Players like Kobe, LeBron & Baron can talk the talk and walk the walk (even when they loose)… they are genuine leaders.  Their aura commands authority.  Even the best player on the team, Monta, will follow Baron’s lead.

Right now, what is happening with the Dubs is everyone is trying to make a difference.  Jackson is trying SO hard that sometimes he becomes a detriment to the team (turnovers).  There is no doubt that everyone is trying to give it their best, unfortunately with the absence of  “good” leadership on the court (who can organize, assist and find the high percentage shot) I don’t think we will see a turnaround anytime soon .  Everyone seems to think they are the go to guy, shoot the ball instead of finding the better shot. 

It is a shame because this group of Warriors can play with the best teams the NBA has to offer (they have shown it numerous times).  If they can start emulating the type of decipline they had the last three years, there is hope (we can have the best players but without decipline, it's NOT going to work and both Kobe & Lebron realized that now).  Fortunately, the season is still young and it is not too late to rectify this problem.  The question is, who will lead them on the floor?  Jackson is reactive and unless he changes his approach, someone else has to take over and Nellie must realize that.  We need a traffic cop on the floor, someone who will finish and players will follow (even those with big egos).  Not just a leader but someone who is proactive, Who will that be?