Golden State Warriors: Ranking the 30 best Warriors ever
By Tony Pesta
27. Billy Owens
Stats: 212 GP,15.0 PPG, 3.4 APG, 7.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 51.3 FG%
Billy Owens was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 1991-92 season. However, he was quickly shipped to Golden State in a package that included Mitch Richmond. Richmond and Owens both had an instant impact. In Owens’ case, he put up 14.3 points and 8.0 rebounds a game his rookie year. Because of this, he was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
Owens was most impressive during the playoffs. In his first postseason appearance, Owens scored 19.3 points per game on 52 percent shooting. He also hauled in 8.3 rebounds and racked up 2.0 steals a game. This performance helped push the Warriors to the second round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, they fell short and lost in the Western Conference semifinals.
Owens played only three full seasons with the Warriors before being traded away. Funnily enough, he wound up back in Sacramento for three seasons before eventually returning to Golden State for half a year. Owens became an NBA journeyman, playing for six different teams and retiring with the Detroit Pistons.