Warriors lack drama, but not question marks

OAKLAND – For the first time in years, there wasn't a cloud of drama hovering in the room when the Golden State Warriors opened training camp Monday.

But what the Warriors lack in drama they make up for in uncertainty. On paper, Golden State appears to be one of the most improved teams in the league. But there are plenty of question marks.

When will Andrew Bogut be healthy? Bogut has not been cleared for 5-on-5 action yet because of his injured left ankle, so he will be on the sideline to start training camp. But the center said he has increased his conditioning and will be able to do some jumping and layups on the side.

Bogut has stressed his priority is being healthy for the Oct. 31 opener, so he will play it safe in training camp. But he seems to be making progress since his April arthroscopic surgery.

Is Stephen Curry ready to lead this team? When the fourth-year point guard was a rookie, and the losses were piling up, then-coach Don Nelson decided to look to the future and put the ball in Curry's hands. Anointed the team leader, Curry responded with a monstrous second half of the season.

Since then – and until he was traded – guard Monta Ellis had been too dominant a presence for Curry to operate as the team's undisputed leader. Now it's different.

Coach Mark Jackson and general manager Bob Myers said unequivocally that this is Curry's team.

"That means a lot," Curry said.

Who will start at small forward? Jackson has three options: veteran Richard Jefferson, rookie Harrison Barnes and swingman Brandon Rush.

Unless Barnes has a monstrous camp, the decision likely is between Jefferson and Rush. Jackson said it won't necessarily be the best player, but the best fit. Since Golden State has four offensive-minded starters, the starting small forward might be the one who's best on defense.

Is there another level to David Lee's game? He's healthy. He called Bogut the best center he has ever played next to in the NBA. He's coming off one of his best seasons as a pro. What's more, he has a ready veteran in Carl Landry waiting right behind him.

Will Andris Biedrins factor in? The veteran center said he plans to prove his many critics wrong.

Bulls – Derrick Rose isn't sure he'll be the same player once he returns from knee surgery. He thinks he might be better.

The superstar point guard's recovery remains the biggest issue hanging over the team, particularly after it announced a four-year contract extension for coach Tom Thibodeau.

Rose is expected to miss much of the season after tearing his left ACL late in a playoff-opening win over Philadelphiat.

Sixers – One day before training camp was set to open, Philadelphia announced it would shut down its new All-Star, center Andrew Bynum, for three weeks as a precaution after he received knee treatment in Germany.

Meanwhile, the 76ers picked up the option on coach Doug Collins' contract for the 2013-14 season. He has led Philadelphia to the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving's broken hand has healed and the star guard will not be limited during training camp, coach Byron Scott said.

Bucks – Forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is expected to miss most of training camp while recovering from offseason knee surgery.

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