National Basketball Association

Wright enjoying breakout season with Warriors

Published Feb. 17, 2011 8:48 p.m. ET

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Dorell Wright was already plotting his departure from Miami even before LeBron James bumped him from the Heat's roster last summer. The moment James made his infamous decision on national television it all became official.

James was in.

Wright was out.

''And the shackles were off,'' Wright said.

In what he considers his first major chance to shine, Wright has more than doubled his career average in every major category this season with the Golden State Warriors. He is averaging 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and become a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player.

Wright also leads the league in 3-pointers made with 135 and will represent the Warriors in the 3-point contest during All-Star weekend Saturday night in Los Angeles.

''Never at all thought I'd be in the 3-point contest,'' he said. ''Growing up, my dream was to be in the dunk contest.''

That alone shows Wright's evolution.

The kid with the infectious smile and awesome athleticism came to Miami as a raw 18-year-old, but he often logged more minutes on the bench than he ever did in games in his six seasons with the Heat. He was saddled behind Dwyane Wade and other stars on the 2006 NBA championship team, a young talent some believed might've been better off spending a year or two in college.

Maybe all he really needed was time.

And the right place.

On a team filled with some questionable contracts, Wright has proved to be a bargain since he signed a three-year deal worth about $11.4 million this summer. He has thrived in Golden State's frenetic, shoot-first offense alongside guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry and been one of the team's most consistent players.

''And he's still only 25 years old,'' Warriors coach Keith Smart said. ''He's got all the ability in the world, dunking, doing all those things. He can be a triple-double threat every night if he's willing to develop his entire game. I tell him all the time, 'What you don't use, you lose.'''

Added Curry: ''I think some people don't realize how much Dorell can do. He's not just a shooter or a defender, he's a great passer and a strong voice on the court.''

Only now is Wright starting to see the results so many had projected.

He originally signed a letter of intent with DePaul as a teenager because his mother lived in Chicago and he was fond of the coaching staff. But all the hype and hoopla surrounding him at prep school in South Kent, Conn., made it tough not to make the NBA leap.

''Danny Ainge, Pat Riley, Larry Bird are at your games and stuff. You see those types of dudes, you know you have the potential,'' Wright said. ''At that point, (college) was really not an option.''

Wright was expected to be a long-term project when he was selected by Miami with the 19th overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft. He just wasn't expected to take this long.

The 6-foot-9 forward spent countless hours before games and after practices with Heat assistant Keith Askins, among others, working on shots, footwork and finding the fundamentals and finesse missing from his repertoire. He had his share of highlight dunks and alley-oops, but he also had some lowlights that played out in public.

He was arrested for driving under the influence on Miami Beach and had embarrassing, explicit photos of himself posted on the Internet that were taken from a private video chat. Wright immediately apologized both times and said he has learned from his mistakes.

He has taken the experience of playing alongside Wade - who's also godfather to Wright's son, Devin - and others in Miami, and he led some Bay Area charity events during the holidays. He's still the only Warriors player with a championship ring, even showing it off to some teammates at his home when they came over to watch the Super Bowl.

Wright also has helped the Warriors (26-29) win four of their last five games to move within four games of Utah for the Western Conference's final playoff seed. But they're heading into a difficult road stretch shortly after the All-Star break and would need a seismic shift to overcome their past misfortunes.

No matter how the rest of the season plays out, Wright is just happy to be back on the path those in Miami and around the NBA had long expected.

''The Heat probably wanted me to do this four years ago,'' Wright said. ''But if they would have given me the opportunity I have here, they might have got that.

''But I enjoyed my time in Miami, and I think it all worked out,'' he added. ''The big thing coming here was an opportunity to get the minutes. Because I knew if I get the minutes, I know I can go out there and show my whole game and guys would be like, 'Wow. I didn't know he could do it.'''

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