Can Monta Ellis Work Out In Golden State?
Earlier this month, we talked about an almost inevitable trade with Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors. With seemingly nothing going right in the bay this season, it looked as if the relationship between Ellis and the Warriors front office was deteriorating quickly. But, with consecutive wins over Portland and Dallas (granted without Shawn Marion), things in Northern Cali are looking a little less gloomy.
There is no question that the mood in Golden State has been unsettling as of late. Moving out the volatile – albeit talented – Stephen Jackson to Charlotte in exchange for the defensive-minded Raja Bell was a good start to fix the attitude out West. The Warriors caved into Jackson’s request to be traded and they cannot afford to fold on moving Ellis as well. If Don Nelson is not the answer to lead the team – and for the record I don’t think that he is – then that is where Golden State need to focus its attention. Warriors’ management and coaching is not coexisting well with its players; consequently resulting in a horrid team atmosphere and complete lack of cohesiveness.
Whereas Ellis is not the most selfless guy you will find on an NBA roster, he doesn’t suffer from a lack of effort on the court; something you can’t say about every Warriors player (uh, Maggette…). For those who resort to thinking that Ellis is a one-dimensional system scorer, let me introduce you to his stat lines recently.
Over the last five games, Ellis is averaging 27.6 points, 6.4 assists and 3.6 steals. In a win against Dallas last night, Ellis dropped 37 and 8 dimes. (Although, he did tally 11 turnovers, which is about nine too many.) Ellis is not only scoring in bunches, he is also scraping for loose balls and involving his teammates. He’s undeniably been the driving force behind their few wins this season.
Knocking on Ellis, it’s true that he will not win any sportsmanship awards this season and is quickly becoming somewhat of a prima donna. But Golden State is also sitting at 5-8 and tied for last place in the Northwest division with Sacramento. Is trading out Ellis for an expiring contract and lesser talent worth the result it will get in the long run?
This is where it gets hazy for me. On one hand, I think losing Ellis without getting a star in return leaves the Warriors too wounded to recover in the near future. But on the flip, Portland was in a similar situation when they brought in Nate McMillan to forage past the Jail Blazers era, and they have turned things around. Ellis and the Warriors should be fine to coexist together this season; but if the Warriors want to build a championship contending team, Ellis might not be their long-term solution. I do like Steph Curry, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Morrow and Anthony Randolph, who has the potential to really become a star. These are solid young pieces to build around.
If you’re the Warriors, you’ve already inked Ellis to a large contract and he is playing great for you. It’s clear that leaving Nelie in the driver’s seat is not the best solution and changing coaching will help change the culture. If the Warriors can stay out of negative press and continue to string together quality wins like they did against Portland and the Mavs, they can still salvage some of the season. Ellis will continue to do well in Golden State if he can keep relations with management civil. Then again, he might get traded tomorrow; that’s the NBA, and that’s the Warriors.
I think ESPN’s Chad Ford said it best on Twitter right after Jackson was traded: “Now, if they can find a taker for Maggette and Ellis and most importantly a new owner, GM and coach for the team. Then all is well in GS.”
Well there you go, take it for what it’s worth.
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November 25th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
kg fan says:
take out nellie. get a coach that doesnt mess with the players minds (inconsistent minutes) and see what happens. if not, then trade ellis.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
karizmatic says:
Trade Ellis, I’m pretty certain there are a bunch of teams that would actually give some pretty good players up for him and fire Nelson…then they have a shot. Curry, Azubuike, Biedrins, Randolph, and Murrow is not necessarily a bad nucleus to me.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Dagomar says:
I’ve come around on this one. Trading your best young player is almost never the best way forward for a franchise. Get rid of Nellie and suddenly you have an exciting young team with a positive outlook.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
hahns says:
kg fan is right, replacing nellie is a panacea for all of the warriors’ problems. nellie is a power tripping crazy that has lost any semblance of sanity a long time ago. get a coach that can focus and hone monta’s talent and youre good to go. get avery johnson to coach the warriors and i think youd have a pretty decent squad
November 25th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
hahns says:
actually better yet- how about mark jackson?
November 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Chicagorilla says:
LMAO@ Mark Jackson as a coach. He doesn’t know shit about coaching. What team has he ever coached? What team did he ever LEAD thru important games to victory. He should maybe be an assistant first, that way i won’t have to listen to his terrible commentary. I wonder if he’ll be gaggin on Kobe Jock-strap when/if he gets a coaching job. I can see him coaching the NETS now
Mark addressing his players: “Ok. Tonight we are playing the Grizzlies. They have a nice young duo in Gay and Mayo. Although they are not as great as Kobe’s greatness. Mama there goes that man again. Ok, guys now get out there and bring home the win.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Chicagorilla says:
Btw, as for Monta Ellis, I don’t see anyone taking on that contract before 2010. So he may be in the Bay for a another year.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Chicago
Ur right.. i mean besides being like top 3 in ASSISTS all time and being one of the best floor generals to ever play i mean what could Marc Jacson actually know about hoops and directing a team?? i mean he does do horrible commentary.. Avery Johnson is another horrible commentator.. man i know he’d be a HORRIBLE coach as well..
Come on with all that..
Last line was funny tho..
November 25th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Chicagorilla says:
@Lakeshow
Seriously. Yes he may be top 5 all-time in assist. and he was a good player (alhtough he couldn’t shoot worth a damn thru the several years he played). I actually like him as a player because he was a flashy but good passer. His WNBA set shot was not impressive, nor was his 23second backdown moves of every point guard he faced. But that doesnt make you a great candidate for coaching.
Avery Johnson worked as an assistant under Nelie first, then he took over when Nelie step down for part of the season. Then he took over the team all the way the next season. He paid his dues. He also was the floor general on a championship team. Mark Jackson did not accomplish that. He avg a ton of assist for one of the worst Denver Nugget teams in team history. He played for the Clippers when before Danny Manning lost his knees and he was pretty good there, but the team went no where. He was nice on the knicks as a rookie, but the team went no where (as far as chips go).
Point being, he should try working as an assistant first. I don’t think he has the chops to be a NBa coach, but we shall see.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
HMT says:
Do NOT trade Monta. Doing this will leave a deep and horrible impression that any Warriors who are good (or pretty good) will become yet another commodity to be traded soon. This will translate into no desire to push the team to the championship level. Think Baron Davis and others before him. If the Warriors really want to be a championship-contender team, then its mgmt (new or current) must see through this simple rule: stick with its best players through thick and thin (like the Laker with Kobe or Cleveland with James). As a loyal fan, I was really ticked off at the whole Jacko’s mess but am now glad that it’s over. Now, Monta is trying to pull something together for the Warriors much like what Baron did a couple years back, and the last thing you want to do is trade him. Trade Monta and I guarantee that it will screw the Warriors up to its core.
Last note, Warriors’ mgmt, please sign Chris Hunter permanently. I saw a lot of potential in that big dude, and he can play match up with the other big men in the league. Can’t wait to see him in action again tonight b/w Warriors and Spurs.
Go Warriors. I want to believe again!!!
November 25th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
DLO says:
I think everybody is thinking monta is a franchise player, he is not. He is simply a scorer and a great offensive player. The problem started to come when nellie put him as a PG that means he can not get out a run with the ball. I think its pretty obvious we need a new coach since nellie-ball is not working. At some point the coach needs to focus on playing a LITTLE defense to win close games instead of trying to outscore the other opponent. *2 of the quickest hands in the nba: monta & curry*
November 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
HMT says:
Monta does not have to be a franchise player. I don’t really care who is or will be a franchise player. What I truly care is a charismatic leader, and Monta has that in him, and the scary part is that he’s still growing into that role, and one can only speculate that he will be a formidable player for his opponents. Over the last two games, it’s crystal clear that Monta is rising to the occasion to re-energize his team. He’s the main reason everyone steps up and feed on each other and plays like a team on fire. Tonight game against the Spurs will be a testament for Monta and his team. Shall they win this one, all of us Warriors’ fans can surf the web and read and feel good about our true identities as Warriors.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
the cynic says:
avery johnson is a terrible coach; that was still Don Nelsons team he took to the finals. The only reason why anyone thought he was any good was because the players were so tired of Nelson’s drunkness. There is a reason the Warriors absolutely dominated the Mavs.
Mark Jackson COULD be a good coach if he had great players like Kobe or Lebron, otherwise he would be better off working under someone else for at least a little while
The Warriors should keep Monta, sure he isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he plays hard and is exciting to watch.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Brown says:
Avery Johnson is my pick for next coach. He did win Coach of the Year with the Mavs remember. He made one Nellie-coached team better before, no reason to think he can’t do it again.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
sans says:
Coach f THE yEAR DON’T MEAN SHIT. Only losers win that ish. Mike Brown is the next COY to meet the beaten concrete path after the Cavs fail to produce a ring and reason for Lebron to stay…give LB Pat Riley and we
re talking rings…
November 25th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
eyes says:
Did u guys see the Warriors body language wth NELLIE Gone. Get well & disappear. Never seen them free & happy like that. Young teams need coaches who get it. You guys have the Back 2 the future Doc. Scrap the rec. Save the team. Mark will make a great coach. Players can’t stand Avery. Won’t work.