As a long time Warriors fan, I, along with a huge number of my companions, were shocked a few years ago when we were able to pick up a guy like Baron Davis. What? Superstars actually coming to the Bay? Aren't we suppose to be grooming talent for everyone else?

I have enjoyed the Baron Davis era with a lot of promise and hope. I saw him destroy a coach and look fragile on the floor at times, but in the end he always added excitement to the team. He brought his game, brought the swagger to the Bay, was able to make me happy to be a Warriors Fan.

After all this though, I have been fully aware that Baron is in an elite group in the League: a new age star that wants his fame AND his money. He has been a huge asset to the team don't get me wrong, but the guy wants his and thats all there is to it. Lets look at the scenerio: signs a long term deal with the Hornets, gets shipped out of town, rejuvinates the career at the same time as he is loving life outside of basketball with his directing career and his fame. He comes to a crossroads: realizing his career is getting shorter and shorter by the year, he does what he can to prove to the media and the fans that he is "not fragile", even though he visibly slowed down, tired out, and almost shut down as the year drew to a close last year. He was done; the guy shouldnt have played 82 games, but as his coach knew it was the only way to get to the playoffs, Baron realized that a possible playoff run and the illusion that he can keep up with the league would mean big payoff in the end.

The guy is sitting with a contract on his lap for one guaranteed year, and after trojan horsing his way through the end of last year, I don't blame him AT ALL for doing everything he can to get a long term deal in place. Guaranteed money? FANTASTIC!! Cruise control here we come, because lets face it, he is 1 or 2 years away from a 25 minute per game talent, in the shell of any superstar who stays around the league a few too many years. Yes he is only 29, but that body of his has been through the ringer, and the guy wants long-term gold.

The ironic thing about this is if he signs a 5 year deal with the W's and gets run down and hurt this year, aren't we worse off than if he left WITH compensation. Even if we get nothing for him, we have to cut ties and realize that this is the business of the game. I don't think the right thing to do would be to sign him long term; having him for one more year while making the run was like the Niners piecing together a team to be around Steve Young for one last run with Rice while they destroyed their cap for year and years. Teams have to be smart... the Baron Davis Era was fantastic lets all agree, and if we can get it for one last Encore, even better. But if it has to end now? Lets start the Eulogy, and realize that the team must go on. Hey Baron, when that knee of yours finally does go out, can you do it at Oracle so I can be reminded of the player you really are and feel better about myself?