Robin Miller
08-28-2008, 01:33 PM
CAM INMAN COLUMN
Post-Davis era off on bad foot
By Cam Inman
Staff columnist
08/27/2008 05:58:27 PM PDT
THE NEW FACE OF the Warriors could use a new ankle right about now.
Guard Monta Ellis is hurt. Ankle surgery will shelve him for at least three
months, but likely four or more, and only Chuck Taylor himself knows how
this impacts Ellis' long-term hop-ability.
First impression: This really wrecks the Warriors' 2008-09 campaign, not to
mention their questionable effort to develop Ellis into a point guard. Move
over, gold-medal-winning Redeem Team, here comes the Golden State Retreat
Team.
Then again, knowing the Warriors, if any team is brazen enough to shrug this
off, it's them. These guys, remember, don't lack confidence. They may lack a
floor general. But they'll still heave up shot after shot.
For the first half of the season, there just won't be those pretty shots
Ellis takes on drives to the hoop. He is only three years into his career,
but he's already irreplaceable, especially for this coming season, when he's
been asked to replace Baron Davis at the point and serve as NellieBall's
offensive catalyst.
"There's no substitute for a player of Monta's status," Warriors personnel
honcho Chris Mullin said. "But, again, hopefully our depth will come into
play while he's out."
Depth? The Boston Celtics have depth. The Warriors have Marcus Williams,
whom Mullin describes as a "pass-first" point guard. Such as: Pass to
Stephen Jackson, pass to Corey Maggette, pass to Al Harrington and please
shoot before you pass it to Marco Belinelli.
"Obviously it's not good news for us. He's one of our main guys," Mullin
said. "But we don't think it's a season-ending injury. ... There will be no
panic, emergency moves immediately."
How good Ellis moves upon his return is paramount to the Warriors' future,
both this season and in future ones.
He isn't a set shooter. He scores after flying through the air with the
greatest of ease. Then he hits the deck, like a fighter jet on an aircraft
carrier.
Now that his landing gear has malfunctioned, that's a big concern for a guy
who's so quick on his feet. Not to mention a guy whose feet were just fitted
for a $66 million contract.
If Baron was still in the backcourt, the Warriors would survive. But Davis
boogied home to Hollywood months ago, and now his Los Angeles Clippers
suddenly look better on the playoff bubble than the Warriors.
Ah, but there's still Stephen Jackson. Only, he recently piped up about
wanting more money, having noticed that the Warriors were spending cash as
fast as Al Davis. Think Captain Jack's bargaining power just went up a
notch?
Ah, but Don Nelson is coming back to coach. And the way the Warriors' luck
is going, this headline should come soon: "Nelson marooned on Maui as all
airlines go bankrupt!" A half-season without Ellis surely will be
challenging, and it can't inspire Nelson to extend his tenure into 2009-10.
Ah, but they've started a year without a key player just last season. And
they lost their first six games while Jackson served a league-imposed
suspension, then they went on to miss the playoffs by two games.
Doomsday scenarios abound. That happens when your star falls. Thus, your
Warriors are major underdogs, once more.
Said Mullin: "I don't think anyone around here should feel victimized or
have negative thoughts, or that this is just something happens to the
Warriors. It happens in life and sports. You have to deal with it head on."
Jackson now must head this team. He must be more than its heart and soul,
and he'll need to have fewer bad-shooting nights. Newcomer Maggette will
have to pick up more of the scoring slack, which he's surely willing to do.
And at guard ... ?
Could be Shaun Livingston. The Warriors will check out that former Clipper.
Disturbing, isn't it? The Warriors and Clippers swapping players, and we're
to believe they're each better off?
Part of getting better entails working on your game during the summer. Thus,
Mullin isn't fuming that Ellis got hurt playing pick-up ball (which is a
much better reason than falling off your truck while washing it).
"One thing Monta has done each year is improve. ... Real improvement comes
during summer," Mullin said. "Once training camp comes, it's time to hone
skills. Once the season starts, it's about maintenance, taking care of your
body and getting your rest."
And checking the NBA's lunar calendar, the Warriors better hope Santa leaves
a nice MRI under the Christmas tree.
Contact Cam Inman at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Post-Davis era off on bad foot
By Cam Inman
Staff columnist
08/27/2008 05:58:27 PM PDT
THE NEW FACE OF the Warriors could use a new ankle right about now.
Guard Monta Ellis is hurt. Ankle surgery will shelve him for at least three
months, but likely four or more, and only Chuck Taylor himself knows how
this impacts Ellis' long-term hop-ability.
First impression: This really wrecks the Warriors' 2008-09 campaign, not to
mention their questionable effort to develop Ellis into a point guard. Move
over, gold-medal-winning Redeem Team, here comes the Golden State Retreat
Team.
Then again, knowing the Warriors, if any team is brazen enough to shrug this
off, it's them. These guys, remember, don't lack confidence. They may lack a
floor general. But they'll still heave up shot after shot.
For the first half of the season, there just won't be those pretty shots
Ellis takes on drives to the hoop. He is only three years into his career,
but he's already irreplaceable, especially for this coming season, when he's
been asked to replace Baron Davis at the point and serve as NellieBall's
offensive catalyst.
"There's no substitute for a player of Monta's status," Warriors personnel
honcho Chris Mullin said. "But, again, hopefully our depth will come into
play while he's out."
Depth? The Boston Celtics have depth. The Warriors have Marcus Williams,
whom Mullin describes as a "pass-first" point guard. Such as: Pass to
Stephen Jackson, pass to Corey Maggette, pass to Al Harrington and please
shoot before you pass it to Marco Belinelli.
"Obviously it's not good news for us. He's one of our main guys," Mullin
said. "But we don't think it's a season-ending injury. ... There will be no
panic, emergency moves immediately."
How good Ellis moves upon his return is paramount to the Warriors' future,
both this season and in future ones.
He isn't a set shooter. He scores after flying through the air with the
greatest of ease. Then he hits the deck, like a fighter jet on an aircraft
carrier.
Now that his landing gear has malfunctioned, that's a big concern for a guy
who's so quick on his feet. Not to mention a guy whose feet were just fitted
for a $66 million contract.
If Baron was still in the backcourt, the Warriors would survive. But Davis
boogied home to Hollywood months ago, and now his Los Angeles Clippers
suddenly look better on the playoff bubble than the Warriors.
Ah, but there's still Stephen Jackson. Only, he recently piped up about
wanting more money, having noticed that the Warriors were spending cash as
fast as Al Davis. Think Captain Jack's bargaining power just went up a
notch?
Ah, but Don Nelson is coming back to coach. And the way the Warriors' luck
is going, this headline should come soon: "Nelson marooned on Maui as all
airlines go bankrupt!" A half-season without Ellis surely will be
challenging, and it can't inspire Nelson to extend his tenure into 2009-10.
Ah, but they've started a year without a key player just last season. And
they lost their first six games while Jackson served a league-imposed
suspension, then they went on to miss the playoffs by two games.
Doomsday scenarios abound. That happens when your star falls. Thus, your
Warriors are major underdogs, once more.
Said Mullin: "I don't think anyone around here should feel victimized or
have negative thoughts, or that this is just something happens to the
Warriors. It happens in life and sports. You have to deal with it head on."
Jackson now must head this team. He must be more than its heart and soul,
and he'll need to have fewer bad-shooting nights. Newcomer Maggette will
have to pick up more of the scoring slack, which he's surely willing to do.
And at guard ... ?
Could be Shaun Livingston. The Warriors will check out that former Clipper.
Disturbing, isn't it? The Warriors and Clippers swapping players, and we're
to believe they're each better off?
Part of getting better entails working on your game during the summer. Thus,
Mullin isn't fuming that Ellis got hurt playing pick-up ball (which is a
much better reason than falling off your truck while washing it).
"One thing Monta has done each year is improve. ... Real improvement comes
during summer," Mullin said. "Once training camp comes, it's time to hone
skills. Once the season starts, it's about maintenance, taking care of your
body and getting your rest."
And checking the NBA's lunar calendar, the Warriors better hope Santa leaves
a nice MRI under the Christmas tree.
Contact Cam Inman at cinman@bayareanewsgroup.com.